Prosecution Insights
Last updated: July 17, 2026
Application No. 18/817,792

Call Forwarding Enhancements in a Device-to-Device Environment

Non-Final OA §102§103
Filed
Aug 28, 2024
Priority
Aug 31, 2023 — provisional 63/535,926
Examiner
SHAH, TANMAY K
Art Unit
Tech Center
Assignee
Apple Inc.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
89%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
5m
Est. Remaining
98%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 89% — above average
89%
Career Allowance Rate
908 granted / 1020 resolved
+29.0% vs TC avg
Moderate +9% lift
Without
With
+9.3%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 4m
Avg Prosecution
23 currently pending
Career history
1038
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
1.3%
-38.7% vs TC avg
§103
73.9%
+33.9% vs TC avg
§102
16.2%
-23.8% vs TC avg
§112
1.4%
-38.6% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1020 resolved cases

Office Action

§102 §103
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status 1. The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . 2. This communication is in response to the Application No. 18/817,715 filed on 8/28/24. Claims 1 – 20 has been examined. Double Patenting 3. The nonstatutory double patenting rejection is based on a judicially created doctrine grounded in public policy (a policy reflected in the statute) so as to prevent the unjustified or improper timewise extension of the “right to exclude” granted by a patent and to prevent possible harassment by multiple assignees. A nonstatutory double patenting rejection is appropriate where the conflicting claims are not identical, but at least one examined application claim is not patentably distinct from the reference claim(s) because the examined application claim is either anticipated by, or would have been obvious over, the reference claim(s). See, e.g., In re Berg, 140 F.3d 1428, 46 USPQ2d 1226 (Fed. Cir. 1998); In re Goodman, 11 F.3d 1046, 29 USPQ2d 2010 (Fed. Cir. 1993); In re Longi, 759 F.2d 887, 225 USPQ 645 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re Van Ornum, 686 F.2d 937, 214 USPQ 761 (CCPA 1982); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); In re Thorington, 418 F.2d 528, 163 USPQ 644 (CCPA 1969). A timely filed terminal disclaimer in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(c) or 1.321(d) may be used to overcome an actual or provisional rejection based on nonstatutory double patenting provided the reference application or patent either is shown to be commonly owned with the examined application, or claims an invention made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement. See MPEP § 717.02 for applications subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA as explained in MPEP § 2159. See MPEP § 2146 et seq. for applications not subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . A terminal disclaimer must be signed in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(b). The filing of a terminal disclaimer by itself is not a complete reply to a nonstatutory double patenting (NSDP) rejection. A complete reply requires that the terminal disclaimer be accompanied by a reply requesting reconsideration of the prior Office action. Even where the NSDP rejection is provisional the reply must be complete. See MPEP § 804, subsection I.B.1. For a reply to a non-final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.111(a). For a reply to final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.113(c). A request for reconsideration while not provided for in 37 CFR 1.113(c) may be filed after final for consideration. See MPEP §§ 706.07(e) and 714.13. The USPTO Internet website contains terminal disclaimer forms which may be used. Please visit www.uspto.gov/patent/patents-forms. The actual filing date of the application in which the form is filed determines what form (e.g., PTO/SB/25, PTO/SB/26, PTO/AIA /25, or PTO/AIA /26) should be used. A web-based eTerminal Disclaimer may be filled out completely online using web-screens. An eTerminal Disclaimer that meets all requirements is auto-processed and approved immediately upon submission. For more information about eTerminal Disclaimers, refer to www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/applying-online/eterminal-disclaimer. 4. Claim 1 provisionally rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claim 1. This is a provisional nonstatutory double patenting rejection. Please see below: Regarding claim 1, See the table below: Instant Application Application # 18/715,715 An apparatus comprising processing circuitry configured to: enable, based on user input, a call forwarding functionality for voice calls; process, based on user input, an identification of a communication device to which voice calls are to be forwarded; generate, for transmission to the communication device via a short-range connection, a forwarding request; and process, based on signaling received from the communication device via the short-range connection, a forwarding response indicating whether the communication device has accepted the forwarding request. An apparatus comprising processing circuitry configured to: enable, based on user input, a call forwarding functionality for voice calls; process, based on user input, an identification of a communication device to which voice calls are to be forwarded; generate, for transmission to the communication device via a network service, a forwarding request; and process, based on signaling received from the communication device via the network service, a forwarding response indicating whether the communication device has accepted the forwarding request. As shown in the table above, the instant application differs from the co-pending application 18/817,715 as instant application does teach communicating via a short-range connection. It would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skilled in the art at the time of the filing to combine the teachings of Instant application in view of 18/817,715. One would be motivated to combine these teachings because it can forward call to a different device with or without use of Short-range communication. Regarding claim 3, claim is provisionally rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claim 3 of copending Application No. 18/817,715 Please see below: Instant application Application # 18/715,715 The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to: generate, for transmission to the communication device via the short-range connection, an acknowledgement corresponding to the forwarding response. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to: generate, for transmission to the communication device, an acknowledgement corresponding to the forwarding response. As shown in the table above, the instant application differs from the co-pending application 18/817,715 as instant application does teach communicating via a short-range connection. It would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skilled in the art at the time of the filing to combine the teachings of Instant application in view of 18/817,715. One would be motivated to combine these teachings because it can forward call to a different device with or without use of Short-range communication. Regarding claim 4, Claim is further rejected under claim 4 of copending application 18/817,715. Please see below: Instant application Application # 18/715,715 The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to: determine the forwarding response indicates the communication device has accepted the forwarding request; and in response to the determination that the communication device has accepted the forwarding request, generate, for transmission to a network, a request to forward calls to the communication device. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to: determine the forwarding response indicates the communication device has accepted the forwarding request; and in response to the determination that the second communication device has accepted the forwarding request, generate, for transmission to a network, a request to forward calls to the communication device. Regarding claim 5, Claim is further rejected under claim 5 of copending application 18/817,715. Please see below: Instant Application Application # 18/715,792 The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to: determine the forwarding response indicates the communication device has not accepted the forwarding request; and in response to the determination that the communication device has not accepted the forwarding request, disable the call forwarding functionality. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to: determine the forwarding response indicates the communication device has not accepted the forwarding request; and in response to the determination that the communication device has not accepted the forwarding request, disable the call forwarding functionality. Regarding claim 6, Claim is further rejected under claim 6 of copending application 18/817,715. Please see below: Instant Application Application # 18/715,792 The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to: determine the forwarding response indicates the communication device has conditionally accepted the forwarding request. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to: determine the forwarding response indicates the communication device has conditionally accepted the forwarding request. Regarding claim 7, Claim is further rejected under claim 7 of copending application 18/817,715. Please see below: Instant Application Application # 18/715,792 The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to: in response to the determination that the communication device has conditionally accepted the forwarding request, generate, for transmission to a network, a request to forward calls to the communication device. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to: in response to the determination that the communication device has conditionally accepted the forwarding request, generate, for transmission to a network, a request to forward calls to the communication device. Regarding claim 8, Claim is further rejected under claim 8 of copending application 18/817,792. Please see below: Instant Application Application # 18/715,792 The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to: generate, for transmission to the communication device, a further forwarding request comprising information related to the conditionally accepted forwarding request. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to: generate, for transmission to the communication device via the network service, a further forwarding request comprising information related to the conditionally accepted forwarding request. It would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skilled in the art to perform the same steps with or without use of the specific network service(s). Regarding claim 9, Claim is further rejected under claim 9 of copending application 18/817,792. Please see below: Instant Application Application # 18/715,792 The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the identification comprises a phone number of the communication device. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the identification comprises a phone number of the communication device. Regarding claim 10, Claim is further rejected under claim 10 of copending application 18/817,715. Please see below: Instant Application Application # 18/715,792 The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the forwarding request comprises (i) a header identifying the communication device and (ii) a body comprising a bitmap indicating the forwarding request to forward voice calls to the communication device. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the forwarding request comprises (i) a header identifying the communication device and (ii) a body comprising a bitmap indicating the forwarding request to forward voice calls to the communication device. Regarding claim 11, Claim is further rejected under claim 11 of copending application 18/817,715. Please see below: Instant Application Application # 18/715,792 The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the forwarding response comprises (i) a header identifying the second communication device and (ii) a body comprising a bitmap indicating the communication device accepted the forwarding request, did not accept the forwarding request or conditionally accepted the forwarding request. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the forwarding response comprises (i) a header identifying the communication device and (ii) a body comprising a bitmap indicating the communication device accepted the forwarding request, did not accept the forwarding request or conditionally accepted the forwarding request. Regarding claim 12, Claim 12 provisionally rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claim 12 of copending Application No. 18/817,715. See below: Instant Application Application # 18/715,792 An apparatus comprising processing circuitry configured to: process, based on signaling received from a communication device via a short-range connection, a forwarding request indicating voice calls destined for the communication device are to be forwarded; configure a user interface (UI) to display the forwarding request; process, based on user input, a response indicating whether a user has accepted the forwarding request; and generate, for transmission to the communication device via the short-range connection, a forwarding response indicating whether the forwarding request has been accepted. An apparatus comprising processing circuitry configured to: process a forwarding request received from a communication device via a network service, the forwarding request indicating voice calls destined for the communication device are to be forwarded to the apparatus; configure a user interface (UI) to display the forwarding request; process, based on user input, a response indicating whether a user has accepted the forwarding request; and generate, for transmission to the communication device via the network service, a forwarding response indicating whether the forwarding request has been accepted. As shown in the table above, the instant application differs from the co-pending application 18/817,715 as instant application does teach communicating via a short-range connection. It would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skilled in the art at the time of the filing to combine the teachings of Instant application in view of 18/817,715. One would be motivated to combine these teachings because it can forward call to a different device with or without use of Short-range communication. Regarding claim 14, the apparatus substantially has same limitations as claim 3, thus the same rejection is applicable. Regarding claim 15, the apparatus substantially has same limitations as claim 10, thus the same rejection is applicable. Regarding claim 16, the apparatus substantially has same limitations as claim 11, thus the same rejection is applicable. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103 5. In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status. 6. The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action: A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made. 7. The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows: 1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art. 2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue. 3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art. 4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness. 11. Claim(s) 1 -2, 4 – 5, 9, is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kim (US 6,968,182) in further view of Unger (US 10,404,847, Unger hereafter). Regarding claim 1, Kim teaches An apparatus comprising processing circuitry configured to: enable, based on user input, a call forwarding functionality for voice calls (step 500 of Fig. 5, request for call forwarding, col 4, lines 30 – 47; as mentioned requested by the subscriber or user); process, based on user input, an identification of a communication device to which voice calls are to be forwarded (step 510 of Fig. 5; step 510 is performed to detect the intended telephone number; col 4, lines 47 - 49); generate, for transmission to the communication device via a network service, a forwarding request (In step 520, the network checks whether or not the detected telephone number is set to call forwarded to another number; col 4, lines 47 - 49); and process, based on signaling received from the communication device via the network service, a forwarding response indicating whether the communication device has accepted the forwarding request (step 530, 540, 550; has the caller and receiver approved the call forwarding and based on the response connection to the call proceeded; In step 530, the network reads out a pre-set value to determine whether or not the caller has agreed or allowed to benefit the call forwarding service when establishing a call connection to the non-intended telephone number. If affirmative, step 540 is performed; If affirmative, step 550 is performed, and the network connects the speech path between the subscribers A and C; col 4, lines 54 – col 5 line 9). However, does not specifically disclose short-range communication. Unger teaches teaches having a short-range communication (short-range wireless communication, Abstract). It would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skilled in the art at the time of the filing to combine the teachings of Instant application with the Pat # 10,404,847. One would be motivated to combine these teachings because it can forward call to a different device using short-range communication for user convenience. Regarding claim 2, The apparatus of claim 1, Unger further teaches wherein the short-range connection comprises a cellular sidelink connection, a Bluetooth connection, a Zigbee connection or a Wi-Fi Direct connection (wi-fi, Bluetooth, col 6, lines 23 - 25). Regarding claim 4, The apparatus of claim 1, Kim further teaches wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to: determine the forwarding response indicates the communication device has accepted the forwarding request (step 530 or step 540; In step 530, the network reads out a pre-set value to determine whether or not the caller has agreed or allowed to benefit the call forwarding service when establishing a call connection to the non-intended telephone number. If affirmative, step 540 is performed; col 4, lines 54 – col 5 line 9;); and in response to the determination that the communication device has accepted the forwarding request, generate, for transmission to a network, a request to forward calls to the communication device (If response to step 530 and 540 is yes then proceed with the connection to the call, step 550, lines 54 – col 5 line 9). Regarding claim 5, The apparatus of claim 1, Kim further teaches wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to: determine the forwarding response indicates the communication device has not accepted the forwarding request (step 530 or step 540; In step 530, the network reads out a pre-set value to determine whether or not the caller has agreed or allowed to benefit the call forwarding service when establishing a call connection to the non-intended telephone number. If affirmative, step 540 is performed; col 4, lines 54 – col 5 line 9); and in response to the determination that the communication device has not accepted the forwarding request, disable the call forwarding functionality (If response to either step 530 or 540 is negative then send interrupt or terminate the call connection, col 4, lines 54 – col 5 line 9). Regarding claim 9, the apparatus of claim 1, Kim further teaches wherein the identification comprises a home number of the communication device (detection of a telephone number, step 510 of Fig. 5). Regarding claim 12, An apparatus comprising processing circuitry configured to: process a forwarding request received from a communication device via a network service, the forwarding request indicating voice calls destined for the communication device are to be forwarded to the apparatus (step 500 of Fig. 5, request for call forwarding, col 4, lines 30 – 47; as mentioned requested by the subscriber or user; step 510 of Fig. 5; step 510 is performed to detect the intended telephone number; col 4, lines 47 - 49); configure a user interface (UI) to display the forwarding request (A display section 130 displays various information which includes the data display, operating status, etc. as inputted from the key input section 140, Fig. 2, col 3, lines 4 - 6); process, based on user input, a response indicating whether a user has accepted the forwarding request (step 530, 540, 550; has the caller and receiver approved the call forwarding and based on the response connection to the call proceeded; In step 530, the network reads out a pre-set value to determine whether or not the caller has agreed or allowed to benefit the call forwarding service when establishing a call connection to the non-intended telephone number; col 4, lines 54 – col 5 line 9); and generate, for transmission to the communication device via the network service, a forwarding response indicating whether the forwarding request has been accepted (If affirmative, step 550 is performed, and the network connects the speech path between the subscribers A and C; col 4, lines 54 – col 5 line 9). However, does not specifically disclose short-range communication. Unger teaches teaches having a short-range communication (short-range wireless communication, Abstract). It would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skilled in the art at the time of the filing to combine the teachings of Instant application with the Unger. One would be motivated to combine these teachings because it can forward call to a different device using short-range communication for user convenience. Regarding claim 13, the apparatus substantially has same limitations as claim 2, thus the same rejection is applicable. 12. Claim(s) 3, 14 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kim (US 6,968,182) in further view of Unger (US 10,404,847, Unger hereafter) in further view of Ring et al. (US 2012/0033610, Ring hereafter). Regarding claim 3, Kim teaches claim 1, however, does not specifically disclose wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to: generate, for transmission to the communication device, an acknowledgement corresponding to the forwarding response. In the same field of endeavor, Ring teaches wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to: generate, for transmission to the communication device, an acknowledgement corresponding to the forwarding response (This "accept" response traverses the network elements in steps S567-S569 and reaches remote device 541. Remote device 541 acknowledges the response S571, and the acknowledgement is transmitted from gateway 529 to server 527, paragraph 51). It would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skilled in the art at the time of the filing to combine the teachings of Ring’s acknowledgement of call forwarding accept with the system of Kim. One would be motivated to combine these teachings because it will provide user a successful call forwarding request. Regarding claim 14, the apparatus substantially has same limitations as claim 3, thus the same rejection is applicable. 14. Claim(s) 6 – 8, 17 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kim (US 6,968,182) in further view of Unger (US 10,404,847, Unger hereafter) in further view of Barkan (US 2016/0072955, Barkan hereafter). Regarding claim 6, Kim teaches claim 1, however, does not specifically teach and/or suggest wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to: determine the forwarding response indicates the communication device has conditionally accepted the forwarding request. Barkan teaches wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to: determine the forwarding response indicates the communication device has conditionally accepted the forwarding request (wherein the registration of the conditional call forwarding is performed prior to the rejection of the primary incoming call. The instruction to perform one or more operations is sent to an application on the user device, and wherein the instruction to perform one or more operations instructs the application to reject the primary incoming call in response to receiving the instruction to perform one or more operations, wherein rejecting the primary incoming call triggers the conditional call forwarding on busy. The registration of conditional call forwarding on busy can be requested by the server system to a server managing the subscription associated with the subscriber telephone number. The request to register the conditional call forwarding on busy can be requested from the application on the user device. In some instances, an instruction is sent from the server system to the application on the user device requesting the application to trigger conditional call forwarding, paragraph 13). It would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skilled in the art at the time of the filing to combine the teachings of Barkan’s conditionally accepting of a call forwarding request with the system of Kim. One would be motivated to combine these teachings because it can be forwarded to another user or voicemail if the user is busy. Regarding claim 7, Kim with Barkan teaches The apparatus of claim 6, Barkan further teaches wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to: in response to the determination that the communication device has conditionally accepted the forwarding request, generate, for transmission to a network, a request to forward calls to the communication device (In some implementations, a calling party identifier is associated with the primary incoming call, wherein the server system generates a voice message associated with the calling party identifier, and wherein the server system plays the generated voice message at the particular secondary location in response to a request to answer the forwarded incoming call, paragraph 13 - 15). Regarding claim 8, Kim with Barkan teaches The apparatus of claim 6, Barkan further teaches wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to: generate, for transmission to the communication device via the network service, a further forwarding request comprising information related to the conditionally accepted forwarding request (the method further comprises registering conditional call forwarding for the subscriber telephone number to the telephone number associated with the server system based on one or more parameters for the user device or the one or more destinations, with the parameters selected from the group consisting of location of the user device or other device, time of day, date, proximity of the user device to another device, paragraph 16). Regarding claim 17, the apparatus substantially has same limitations as claim 8, thus the same rejection is applicable. 15. Claim(s) 10 – 11, 15 – 16 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kim (US 6,968,182) in further view of Tu et al. (CN101115099, Tu hereafter). Regarding claim 10, Kim teaches claim 1, however, does not specifically teach and/or suggest wherein the forwarding request comprises (i) a header identifying the communication device and (ii) a body comprising a bitmap indicating the forwarding request to forward voice calls to the communication device. Tu teaches wherein the forwarding request comprises (i) a header identifying the communication device (extracting the main control mobile phone number information from the message header information, See technical field) and (ii) a body comprising a bitmap indicating the forwarding request to forward voice calls to the communication device (extracting calling transfer according to the character from the message body information of the operation mode information and the authentication information, (3) the authentication information of the authentication information matching and comparing with the preset by the system, (4) if the matching is failed, authentication failure of sending short message to master control mobile phone according to master control mobile phone number information. and ending, (5) if the matching is successful, it returns the analyzing the successful authentication result. the call forwarding according to the operation instruction information to the corresponding call forwarding setting operation comprises the following steps: (1) system judging whether the call transfer of the operation mode information is a starting call forwarding function or the call forwarding function; See Technical field). It would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skilled in the art at the time of the filing to combine the teachings of Tu’s header and body contents with the system of Kim. One would be motivated to combine these teachings because it can transfer the information to the device in a transmit frame header and body. Regarding claim 11, Kim teaches claim 1, however, does not specifically teach and/or suggest wherein the forwarding response comprises (i) a header identifying the second communication device and (ii) a body comprising a bitmap indicating the communication device accepted the forwarding request, did not accept the forwarding request or conditionally accepted the forwarding request. In the same field of endeavor, Tu teaches wherein the forwarding request comprises (i) a header identifying the communication device (extracting the main control mobile phone number information from the message header information, See technical field) and (ii) a body comprising a bitmap indicating the communication device accepted the forwarding request, did not accept the forwarding request or conditionally accepted the forwarding request (extracting calling transfer according to the character from the message body information of the operation mode information and the authentication information, (3) the authentication information of the authentication information matching and comparing with the preset by the system, (4) if the matching is failed, authentication failure of sending short message to master control mobile phone according to master control mobile phone number information. and ending, (5) if the matching is successful, it returns the analyzing the successful authentication result. the call forwarding according to the operation instruction information to the corresponding call forwarding setting operation comprises the following steps: (1) system judging whether the call transfer of the operation mode information is a starting call forwarding function or the call forwarding function; if setting is successful, the short message of successful is sending starting calling transferring operation according to master control mobile phone number information to master control mobile phone; (3) if the setting is failed, sending starting calling transferring operation failure message to the main control mobile phone according to master control mobile phone number information. the step of setting call transfer processing operation to the main control mobile phone number comprises the following steps: (1) the calling transfer function is started, and setting the forwarding number to the main control mobile phone number, (2) if the setting is successful, the short message is based on master control mobile phone number information to master control mobile phone sends the starting calling transferring operation successfully; See Technical field). It would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skilled in the art at the time of the filing to combine the teachings of Tu’s header and body contents with the system of Kim. One would be motivated to combine these teachings because it can transfer the information to the device in a transmit frame header and body. Regarding claim 15, the apparatus substantially has same limitations as claim 10, thus the same rejection is applicable. Regarding claim 16, the apparatus substantially has same limitations as claim 11, thus the same rejection is applicable. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102 15. In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status. (a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention. 16. Claim(s) 18 - is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by JUNG et al. (US 2013/0065570, Jung hereafter). Regarding claim 18, An apparatus of a communication device configured to operate in dual Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) dual standby (DSDS) mode (Referring to FIG. 2, the wireless terminal A includes the single RF unit 120 and first and second SIM cards SIM1 170 and SIM2 180 for performing a communication service with the single RF unit 120 in a time sharing manner. When a user selects the first SIM card SIM1 in step 201 (corresponding to a standby mode of the wireless terminal A) in which the first and second SIM cards SIM1 and SIM2 are linked to their communication networks, the first SIM card SIM1 is activated in step 202, paragraph 24), the apparatus comprising processing circuitry configured to: connect a voice call using a first connection associated with a first SIM; suspend a second connection associated with a second SIM (When a user selects the first SIM card SIM1 in step 201 (corresponding to a standby mode of the wireless terminal A) in which the first and second SIM cards SIM1 and SIM2 are linked to their communication networks, the first SIM card SIM1 is activated in step 202. When the user attempts to send a call from the wireless terminal A to a wireless terminal B, the wireless terminal A detects the attempt by the user in step 203, and requests a Base Station (BS) 100 related to the activated first SIM card SIM1 for a call connection to the wireless terminal B in step 204, paragraph 24); and configure voice calls to be forwarded from the second SIM to the first SIM while the voice call remains connected using the first connection (the wireless terminal A transmits Control Forwarding Unconditional (CFU) information for incoming call forwarding to the second SIM card SIM2 and a CFU registration request message, to a BS 200 related to the second SIM card SIM2. A call forwarding means to forward the call to a registered number if the call is coming Therefore, "incoming call forwarding" is to forward the call to a number of the first SIM card, if the call is coming by the number of the SIM2, paragraph 25). Regarding claim 19, The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to: configure a user interface (UI) of the communication device to display an option for a user to select voice calls to be forwarded from the second SIM to the first SIM while the voice call remains connected using the first connection (The display unit 150 displays user data output from the controller 110. Here, the display unit 150 can be an LCD, and in this case, the display unit 150 can include an LCD controller, a memory capable of storing image data, and an LCD display device. Here, when the LCD is implemented in a touch screen scheme, the LCD can function as an input unit. In this regard, the display unit 150 can display keys, such as the keys included in the input unit 160, paragraph 21). Regarding claim 20, The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to: determine the voice call has been disconnected (If the wireless terminal A ends all the calls, paragraph 35); disable voice calls being forwarded from the second SIM to the first SIM in response to the voice call being disconnected (the wireless terminal A detects the end of calls in step 213, and transmits, to the BS 200 related to the second SIM card SIM2, an incoming call forwarding registration release request message for requesting to release the incoming call forwarding registration to the second SIM card SIM2, in step 214, paragraph 35); and reactivate the second connection associated with the second SIM in response to the voice call being disconnected (Upon receiving the incoming call forwarding registration release request message from the wireless terminal A, the BS 200 related to the second SIM card SIM2 releases the incoming call forwarding registration for the second SIM card SIM2 in step 215, and transmits, to the wireless terminal A, an incoming call forwarding registration release completion message indicating that the registration of the incoming call forwarding to the second SIM card SIM2 has been released, in step 216, paragraph 36). Conclusion 16. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to TANMAY K SHAH whose telephone number is (571)270-3624. The examiner can normally be reached Mon - Fri - 8:00 - 5:00. Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice. If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Chieh Fan can be reached at 571-272-3042. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. TANMAY K. SHAH Primary Examiner Art Unit 2632 /TANMAY K SHAH/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2632
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Prosecution Timeline

Aug 28, 2024
Application Filed
Jun 03, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §102, §103 (current)

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Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

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Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
89%
Grant Probability
98%
With Interview (+9.3%)
2y 4m (~5m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 1020 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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