Prosecution Insights
Last updated: July 17, 2026
Application No. 18/833,643

TECHNIQUES FOR USER EQUIPMENT COMPONENT EVENT BASED ANTENNA SWITCHING

Non-Final OA §103
Filed
Jul 26, 2024
Priority
Apr 20, 2022 — IN 202241023379 +1 more
Examiner
KIM, ANDREW CHANUL
Art Unit
Tech Center
Assignee
Qualcomm Incorporated
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
36%
Grant Probability
At Risk
1-2
OA Rounds
1y 4m
Est. Remaining
32%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants only 36% of cases
36%
Career Allowance Rate
11 granted / 31 resolved
-24.5% vs TC avg
Minimal -3% lift
Without
With
+-3.0%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 3m
Avg Prosecution
35 currently pending
Career history
94
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§103
96.5%
+56.5% vs TC avg
§102
3.5%
-36.5% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 31 resolved cases

Office Action

§103
DETAILED ACTION Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . Information Disclosure Statement The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 7/26/24 are in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement is being considered by the examiner. Priority Acknowledgment is made of applicant’s claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C.119 (a)-(d). The certified copy has been filed in parent Application No. IN202241023379, filed on 4/20/2022. Claim Interpretation The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(f): (f) Element in Claim for a Combination. – An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof. The claims in this application are given their broadest reasonable interpretation using the plain meaning of the claim language in light of the specification as it would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The broadest reasonable interpretation of a claim element (also commonly referred to as a claim limitation) is limited by the description in the specification when 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is invoked. As explained in MPEP § 2181, subsection I, claim limitations that meet the following three-prong test will be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph: (A) the claim limitation uses the term “means” or “step” or a term used as a substitute for “means” that is a generic placeholder (also called a nonce term or a non-structural term having no specific structural meaning) for performing the claimed function; (B) the term “means” or “step” or the generic placeholder is modified by functional language, typically, but not always linked by the transition word “for” (e.g., “means for”) or another linking word or phrase, such as “configured to” or “so that”; and (C) the term “means” or “step” or the generic placeholder is not modified by sufficient structure, material, or acts for performing the claimed function. Use of the word “means” (or “step”) in a claim with functional language creates a rebuttable presumption that the claim limitation is to be treated in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph. The presumption that the claim limitation is interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is rebutted when the claim limitation recites sufficient structure, material, or acts to entirely perform the recited function. Absence of the word “means” (or “step”) in a claim creates a rebuttable presumption that the claim limitation is not to be treated in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph. The presumption that the claim limitation is not interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is rebutted when the claim limitation recites function without reciting sufficient structure, material or acts to entirely perform the recited function. Claim limitations in this application that use the word “means” (or “step”) are being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, except as otherwise indicated in an Office action. Conversely, claim limitations in this application that do not use the word “means” (or “step”) are not being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, except as otherwise indicated in an Office action. Such claim limitation(s) rea: Claim 27: “means for communicating using a first antenna and a second antenna” (“the UE 120 includes means for communicating using a first antenna and a second antenna”, Gopal [0048]) The corresponding structure in the disclosure for communicating is UE “means for detecting an event associated with a component of the apparatus” (“the UE 120 includes means for communicating using a first antenna and a second antenna, wherein a number of receiving RF chains associated with the UE is less than a number of physical antennas, including the first antenna and the second antenna, associated with the UE; means for detecting an event associated with a component of the UE, wherein the event is associated with antenna switching and with the first antenna”, Gopal [0048]) The corresponding structure in the disclosure for communicating is UE “means for measuring, using the second antenna and the third antenna” (“the UE 120 includes means for communicating using a first antenna and a second antenna, wherein a number of receiving RF chains associated with the UE is less than a number of physical antennas, including the first antenna and the second antenna, associated with the UE; means for detecting an event associated with a component of the UE, wherein the event is associated with antenna switching and with the first antenna; means for switching an RF chain from the first antenna to a third antenna based at least in part on the detection of the event and the event being associated with the first antenna; means for measuring, using the second antenna and the third antenna, one or more signals to obtain one or more measurement values based at least in part on switching the RF chain from the first antenna to the third antenna; and/or means for transmitting a communication using the second antenna or the third antenna based at least in part on the one or more measurement values. The means for the UE 120 to perform operations described herein may include, for example, one or more of communication manager 140, antenna 252, modem 254, MIMO detector 256, receive processor 258, transmit processor 264, TX MIMO processor 266, controller/processor 280, or memory 282.”, Gopal [0048]) The corresponding structure in the disclosure for communicating is UE “means for transmitting a communication using the second antenna or the third antenna based at least in part on the one or more measurement values” (“the UE 120 includes means for communicating using a first antenna and a second antenna, wherein a number of receiving RF chains associated with the UE is less than a number of physical antennas, including the first antenna and the second antenna, associated with the UE; means for detecting an event associated with a component of the UE, wherein the event is associated with antenna switching and with the first antenna; means for switching an RF chain from the first antenna to a third antenna based at least in part on the detection of the event and the event being associated with the first antenna; means for measuring, using the second antenna and the third antenna, one or more signals to obtain one or more measurement values based at least in part on switching the RF chain from the first antenna to the third antenna; and/or means for transmitting a communication using the second antenna or the third antenna based at least in part on the one or more measurement values. The means for the UE 120 to perform operations described herein may include, for example, one or more of communication manager 140, antenna 252, modem 254, MIMO detector 256, receive processor 258, transmit processor 264, TX MIMO processor 266, controller/processor 280, or memory 282.”, Gopal [0048]) The corresponding structure in the disclosure for communicating is UE Claim 29: “means for switching the RF chain from the first antenna to the third antenna” (“the UE 120 includes means for communicating using a first antenna and a second antenna, wherein a number of receiving RF chains associated with the UE is less than a number of physical antennas, including the first antenna and the second antenna, associated with the UE; means for detecting an event associated with a component of the UE, wherein the event is associated with antenna switching and with the first antenna; means for switching an RF chain from the first antenna to a third antenna based at least in part on the detection of the event and the event being associated with the first antenna; means for measuring, using the second antenna and the third antenna, one or more signals to obtain one or more measurement values based at least in part on switching the RF chain from the first antenna to the third antenna; and/or means for transmitting a communication using the second antenna or the third antenna based at least in part on the one or more measurement values. The means for the UE 120 to perform operations described herein may include, for example, one or more of communication manager 140, antenna 252, modem 254, MIMO detector 256, receive processor 258, transmit processor 264, TX MIMO processor 266, controller/processor 280, or memory 282.”, Gopal [0048]) The corresponding structure in the disclosure for communicating is UE “means for switching the RF chain based at least in part on the event being associated with the first group of antennas” (“the UE 120 includes means for communicating using a first antenna and a second antenna, wherein a number of receiving RF chains associated with the UE is less than a number of physical antennas, including the first antenna and the second antenna, associated with the UE; means for detecting an event associated with a component of the UE, wherein the event is associated with antenna switching and with the first antenna; means for switching an RF chain from the first antenna to a third antenna based at least in part on the detection of the event and the event being associated with the first antenna; means for measuring, using the second antenna and the third antenna, one or more signals to obtain one or more measurement values based at least in part on switching the RF chain from the first antenna to the third antenna; and/or means for transmitting a communication using the second antenna or the third antenna based at least in part on the one or more measurement values. The means for the UE 120 to perform operations described herein may include, for example, one or more of communication manager 140, antenna 252, modem 254, MIMO detector 256, receive processor 258, transmit processor 264, TX MIMO processor 266, controller/processor 280, or memory 282.”, Gopal [0048]) The corresponding structure in the disclosure for communicating is UE Claim 30: “means for switching the RF chain from the first antenna to the third antenna” (“the UE 120 includes means for communicating using a first antenna and a second antenna, wherein a number of receiving RF chains associated with the UE is less than a number of physical antennas, including the first antenna and the second antenna, associated with the UE; means for detecting an event associated with a component of the UE, wherein the event is associated with antenna switching and with the first antenna; means for switching an RF chain from the first antenna to a third antenna based at least in part on the detection of the event and the event being associated with the first antenna; means for measuring, using the second antenna and the third antenna, one or more signals to obtain one or more measurement values based at least in part on switching the RF chain from the first antenna to the third antenna; and/or means for transmitting a communication using the second antenna or the third antenna based at least in part on the one or more measurement values. The means for the UE 120 to perform operations described herein may include, for example, one or more of communication manager 140, antenna 252, modem 254, MIMO detector 256, receive processor 258, transmit processor 264, TX MIMO processor 266, controller/processor 280, or memory 282.”, Gopal [0048]) The corresponding structure in the disclosure for communicating is UE “means for switching the RF chain from the first antenna to the third antenna based at least in part on the third antenna being included in the first group of antennas” (“the UE 120 includes means for communicating using a first antenna and a second antenna, wherein a number of receiving RF chains associated with the UE is less than a number of physical antennas, including the first antenna and the second antenna, associated with the UE; means for detecting an event associated with a component of the UE, wherein the event is associated with antenna switching and with the first antenna; means for switching an RF chain from the first antenna to a third antenna based at least in part on the detection of the event and the event being associated with the first antenna; means for measuring, using the second antenna and the third antenna, one or more signals to obtain one or more measurement values based at least in part on switching the RF chain from the first antenna to the third antenna; and/or means for transmitting a communication using the second antenna or the third antenna based at least in part on the one or more measurement values. The means for the UE 120 to perform operations described herein may include, for example, one or more of communication manager 140, antenna 252, modem 254, MIMO detector 256, receive processor 258, transmit processor 264, TX MIMO processor 266, controller/processor 280, or memory 282.”, Gopal [0048]) The corresponding structure in the disclosure for communicating is UE Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103 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. 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. Claim(s) 1-10, 13-21, and 24-30 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Gopal et al. US 10291310 (hereinafter “Gopal”) in view of Yan et al. US 20190068260 (hereinafter “Yan”) As to claim 1, 13, 24, and 27 (claim 1 is the method claim for the UE, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable medium in claim 13, 27, and 24 respectively): Gopal discloses: A method of wireless communication performed by a user equipment (UE), (“In another aspect, a user equipment is provided. The UE may include multiple antennas, one or more receivers, and a processor coupled with the one or more receivers.”, Gopal [5]) comprising: communicating using a first antenna and a second antenna, wherein a number of receiving radio frequency (RF) chains associated with the UE is less than a number of physical antennas, including the first antenna and the second antenna, associated with the UE; (FIG. 2, Gopal) (“Antenna switch diversity (Asdiv) may exploit spatial diversity despite the number of transmitters and receivers being less than the number of available antennas. A ML1 Asdiv manager may select a set of antennas among all available antennas and may switch antenna couplings from one configuration to another configuration.”, Gopal [39]) detecting an event associated with a component of the UE, wherein the event is associated with antenna switching and with the first antenna; (“At block 620, it may be determined that a condition on the first antenna set is triggered. The condition may be related to performance of antenna switch diversity. A UE may monitor a “trigger” condition for measuring additional or different antennas (e.g., Ant 3/4), e.g., as described in blocks 404 and 406 with reference to FIG. 4. In some cases, the condition may be triggered if a transmit power (e.g., MTPL) on the first antenna set exceeds a power level (e.g., a maximum power level) for more than a threshold percentage of time. The percentage threshold may be adjusted based on a tolerance for fluctuation in transmit power.”, Gopal [64]) switching an RF chain from the first antenna to a third antenna based at least in part on the detection of the event and the event being associated with the first antenna; (“At block 630, the one or more receiver may be switched to a second antenna set during a time gap in which reception on the first antenna set can be skipped.”, Gopal [67]) (“the second antenna set may be non-overlapping with the first antenna set, meaning the first and second antenna sets do not include an antenna in common, such as, when the second antenna set contains the other two unused antennas (e.g., Ant 3/4) if the first antenna set contains Ant 1/2.”, Gopal [67]) measuring, using the second antenna and the third antenna, one or more signals to obtain one or more measurement values based at least in part on switching the RF chain from the first antenna to the third antenna; (“At block 640, the second antenna set may be measured on the frequency band, based on one or more signals received on the second antenna set during the time gap. Various measurement operations may be performed during the time gap, for example, as described in block 410 with reference to FIG. 4 and as elaborated with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B. A receive signal power (e.g., RSRP) may be measured from a signal received on the second antenna set during an antenna measurement gap. In some cases, sample capture and processing operations may be pipelined across multiple time gaps. For example, samples may be captured from one or more signals received during a time gap, and one or more metrics on the second antenna set may be generated based on samples captured during a previous time gap.”, Gopal [71]) Gopal as described above does not explicitly teach: and transmitting a communication using the second antenna or the third antenna based at least in part on the one or more measurement values. However, Yan further teaches transmitting using another antenna based on measurement values which includes: and transmitting a communication using the second antenna or the third antenna based at least in part on the one or more measurement values. (“At block 202, the method 200 may select, from a set of antennas, a subset of antennas for SRS transmission based on at least one antenna selection parameter. For example, in an aspect, the UE 110 may execute the antenna selection component 142 to select, from a set of antennas 144, a subset of antennas 146 for SRS 150 transmission based on at least one antenna selection parameter 148.”, Yan [0050]) (“In some aspects, the at least one antenna selection parameter 148 may correspond to an RSRP value. In some aspects, selecting the subset of antennas 146 for SRS 158 transmission may include determining an RSRP value for each antenna from the set of antennas 144, and selecting at least two antennas each having a highest RSRP value to form the subset of antennas 146.”, Yan [0052]) Gopal and Yan are analogous because they pertain to selecting an antenna for transmission. Thus it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to include transmitting using another antenna based on measurement values as described in Yan into Gopal. By modifying the method to include transmitting using another antenna based on measurement values as taught by Yan, the benefits of improved communication quality (Yan [0052] and Gopal [71]) are achieved. As to claim 2, 14, and 28 (claim 2 is the method claim for the UE and apparatus in claim 14 and 28 respectively): Gopal discloses: The method of claim 1, wherein the UE is associated with at least a first group of antennas and a second group of antennas, wherein the first group of antennas includes a first one or more antennas, from the first antenna, the second antenna, and the third antenna, that are associated with a first physical area of the UE, and wherein the second group of antennas includes a second one or more antennas, from the first antenna, the second antenna, and the third antenna, that are associated with a second physical area of the UE. (“Two sets of antennas may be specified: a first set of one or more antennas (“first antenna set”) and a second set of one or more antennas (“second antenna set”), wherein the second antenna set is to be measured during a time gap.”, Gopal [3]) (FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, Gopal) As to claim 3, 15, and 29 (claim 3 is the method claim for the UE and apparatus in claim 15 and 29 respectively): Gopal discloses: The method of claim 2, wherein the first antenna is included in the first group of antennas, wherein the event is associated with the first group of antennas, and wherein switching the RF chain from the first antenna to the third antenna is based at least in part on the event being associated with the first group of antennas. (FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, Gopal) (“At block 620, it may be determined that a condition on the first antenna set is triggered. The condition may be related to performance of antenna switch diversity. A UE may monitor a “trigger” condition for measuring additional or different antennas (e.g., Ant 3/4), e.g., as described in blocks 404 and 406 with reference to FIG. 4. In some cases, the condition may be triggered if a transmit power (e.g., MTPL) on the first antenna set exceeds a power level (e.g., a maximum power level) for more than a threshold percentage of time. The percentage threshold may be adjusted based on a tolerance for fluctuation in transmit power.”, Gopal [64]) (“At block 630, the one or more receiver may be switched to a second antenna set during a time gap in which reception on the first antenna set can be skipped.”, Gopal [67]) (“the second antenna set may be non-overlapping with the first antenna set, meaning the first and second antenna sets do not include an antenna in common, such as, when the second antenna set contains the other two unused antennas (e.g., Ant 3/4) if the first antenna set contains Ant 1/2.”, Gopal [67]) As to claim 4, 16, and 30 (claim 4 is the method claim for the UE and apparatus in claim 16 and 30 respectively): Gopal discloses: The method of claim 2, wherein the first antenna is included in the first group of antennas, wherein the event is associated with the first group of antennas and with switching the first antenna to another antenna included in the first group of antennas, and wherein switching the RF chain from the first antenna to the third antenna is based at least in part on the third antenna being included in the first group of antennas. (FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, Gopal) (“At block 620, it may be determined that a condition on the first antenna set is triggered. The condition may be related to performance of antenna switch diversity. A UE may monitor a “trigger” condition for measuring additional or different antennas (e.g., Ant 3/4), e.g., as described in blocks 404 and 406 with reference to FIG. 4. In some cases, the condition may be triggered if a transmit power (e.g., MTPL) on the first antenna set exceeds a power level (e.g., a maximum power level) for more than a threshold percentage of time. The percentage threshold may be adjusted based on a tolerance for fluctuation in transmit power.”, Gopal [64]) (“At block 630, the one or more receiver may be switched to a second antenna set during a time gap in which reception on the first antenna set can be skipped.”, Gopal [67]) (“The second antenna set may be the same as the first antenna set (meaning both contain same antennas);”, Gopal [67]) As to claim 5 and 17 (claim 5 is the method claim for the UE in claim 17): Gopal discloses: The method of claim 2, wherein the first antenna is included in the first group of antennas, wherein the event is associated with the first group of antennas and with switching the first antenna to an antenna included in a group other than the first group of antennas, and wherein switching the RF chain from the first antenna to the third antenna is based at least in part on the third antenna being included in the second group of antennas. (FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, Gopal) (“At block 620, it may be determined that a condition on the first antenna set is triggered. The condition may be related to performance of antenna switch diversity. A UE may monitor a “trigger” condition for measuring additional or different antennas (e.g., Ant 3/4), e.g., as described in blocks 404 and 406 with reference to FIG. 4. In some cases, the condition may be triggered if a transmit power (e.g., MTPL) on the first antenna set exceeds a power level (e.g., a maximum power level) for more than a threshold percentage of time. The percentage threshold may be adjusted based on a tolerance for fluctuation in transmit power.”, Gopal [64]) (“At block 630, the one or more receiver may be switched to a second antenna set during a time gap in which reception on the first antenna set can be skipped.”, Gopal [67]) (“the second antenna set may be non-overlapping with the first antenna set, meaning the first and second antenna sets do not include an antenna in common, such as, when the second antenna set contains the other two unused antennas (e.g., Ant 3/4) if the first antenna set contains Ant 1/2.”, Gopal [67]) As to claim 6 and 18 (claim 6 is the method claim for the UE in claim 18): Gopal discloses: The method of claim 2, wherein the first antenna is included in the first group of antennas, wherein the event is associated with the first group of antennas not being used based at least in part on the detection of the event, (“The apparatus may also include means for switching the one or more receivers to a second antenna set during a time gap in which reception on the first antenna set can be skipped, the second antenna set having another one of the multiple antennas”, Gopal [6]) (Examiner’s Note: this limitation is not clear so the Examiner interpreted this as not using the first group of antennas including the first antenna when the event happens and the antenna is switched) and wherein switching the RF chain from the first antenna to the third antenna is based at least in part on the third antenna not being included in the first group of antennas. (FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, Gopal) (“At block 620, it may be determined that a condition on the first antenna set is triggered. The condition may be related to performance of antenna switch diversity. A UE may monitor a “trigger” condition for measuring additional or different antennas (e.g., Ant 3/4), e.g., as described in blocks 404 and 406 with reference to FIG. 4. In some cases, the condition may be triggered if a transmit power (e.g., MTPL) on the first antenna set exceeds a power level (e.g., a maximum power level) for more than a threshold percentage of time. The percentage threshold may be adjusted based on a tolerance for fluctuation in transmit power.”, Gopal [64]) (“At block 630, the one or more receiver may be switched to a second antenna set during a time gap in which reception on the first antenna set can be skipped.”, Gopal [67]) (“the second antenna set may be non-overlapping with the first antenna set, meaning the first and second antenna sets do not include an antenna in common, such as, when the second antenna set contains the other two unused antennas (e.g., Ant 3/4) if the first antenna set contains Ant 1/2.”, Gopal [67]) As to claim 7, 19, and 25 (claim 7 is the method claim for the UE and non-transitory computer-readable medium in claim 19 and 25 respectively): Gopal discloses: The method of claim 1, wherein the event is associated with the first antenna being unavailable based at least in part on the detection of the event. (“The apparatus may also include means for switching the one or more receivers to a second antenna set during a time gap in which reception on the first antenna set can be skipped, the second antenna set having another one of the multiple antennas”, Gopal [6]) (Examiner’s Note: the first antenna is unavailable during the time gap) As to claim 8, 20, and 26 (claim 8 is the method claim for the UE and non-transitory computer-readable medium in claim 20 and 26 respectively): Gopal discloses: The method of claim 1, wherein switching the RF chain from the first antenna to the third antenna is based at least in part on the first antenna being associated with a transmitting RF chain prior to the detection of the event. (FIG. 2 shows that the transmitting RF chain can be connected to the first antenna, Gopal) (“In various aspects, one or more transmitters may be coupled with the first antenna set. The condition may be triggered if a transmit power on the first antenna set exceeds a power level for more than a threshold percentage of time.”, Gopal [8]) As to claim 9: Gopal discloses: The method of claim 1, wherein switching the RF chain from the first antenna to the third antenna is based at least in part on the event being associated with the first antenna. (FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, Gopal) (“At block 620, it may be determined that a condition on the first antenna set is triggered. The condition may be related to performance of antenna switch diversity. A UE may monitor a “trigger” condition for measuring additional or different antennas (e.g., Ant 3/4), e.g., as described in blocks 404 and 406 with reference to FIG. 4. In some cases, the condition may be triggered if a transmit power (e.g., MTPL) on the first antenna set exceeds a power level (e.g., a maximum power level) for more than a threshold percentage of time. The percentage threshold may be adjusted based on a tolerance for fluctuation in transmit power.”, Gopal [64]) (“At block 630, the one or more receiver may be switched to a second antenna set during a time gap in which reception on the first antenna set can be skipped.”, Gopal [67]) (“the second antenna set may be non-overlapping with the first antenna set, meaning the first and second antenna sets do not include an antenna in common, such as, when the second antenna set contains the other two unused antennas (e.g., Ant 3/4) if the first antenna set contains Ant 1/2.”, Gopal [67]) As to claim 10 and 21 (claim 10 is the method claim for the UE in claim 21): Gopal discloses: The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more measurement values include a first one or more measurement values associated with the second antenna and a second one or more measurement values associated with the third antenna, (“To reduce disruption to active communication on the frequency band, measurement of different or additional antennas may be scheduled during a gap of time in which reception and/or transmission on the currently coupled antennas can be skipped. During such a gap, a UE may switch (or tune away) to one or more additional antennas, measure these antennas on the frequency band, and switch (or tune back) to the antennas previously in use.”, Gopal [45]) (“A UE may monitor a “trigger” condition for measuring additional or different antennas (e.g., Ant 3/4), e.g., as described in blocks 404 and 406 with reference to FIG. 4. In some cases, the condition may be triggered if a transmit power (e.g., MTPL) on the first antenna set exceeds a power level (e.g., a maximum power level) for more than a threshold percentage of time. The percentage threshold may be adjusted based on a tolerance for fluctuation in transmit power.”, Gopal [64]) Gopal as described above does not explicitly teach: and wherein transmitting the communication using the second antenna or the third antenna comprises: transmitting the communication using an antenna, from the second antenna and the third antenna, that is associated with higher measurement values from the first one or more measurement values and the second one or more measurement values. However, Yan further teaches transmitting using another antenna based on measurement values which includes: and wherein transmitting the communication using the second antenna or the third antenna comprises: transmitting the communication using an antenna, from the second antenna and the third antenna, that is associated with higher measurement values from the first one or more measurement values and the second one or more measurement values. (“At block 202, the method 200 may select, from a set of antennas, a subset of antennas for SRS transmission based on at least one antenna selection parameter. For example, in an aspect, the UE 110 may execute the antenna selection component 142 to select, from a set of antennas 144, a subset of antennas 146 for SRS 150 transmission based on at least one antenna selection parameter 148.”, Yan [0050]) (“In some aspects, the at least one antenna selection parameter 148 may correspond to an RSRP value. In some aspects, selecting the subset of antennas 146 for SRS 158 transmission may include determining an RSRP value for each antenna from the set of antennas 144, and selecting at least two antennas each having a highest RSRP value to form the subset of antennas 146.”, Yan [0052]) Gopal and Yan are analogous because they pertain to selecting an antenna for transmission. Thus it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to include transmitting using another antenna based on measurement values as described in Yan into Gopal. By modifying the method to include transmitting using another antenna based on measurement values as taught by Yan, the benefits of improved communication quality (Yan [0052] and Gopal [71]) are achieved. Claim(s) 11, 12, 22, and 23 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Gopal in view of Yan, as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Wang et al. US 20180138991 (hereinafter “Wang”) As to claim 11 and 22 (claim 11 is the method claim for the UE in claim 22): The combination of Gopal and Yan as described above does not explicitly teach: The method of claim 1, wherein the detection of the event comprises detecting that the component is active. However, Wang further teaches event detection which includes: The method of claim 1, wherein the detection of the event comprises detecting that the component is active. (“Step 103: Determine whether the antenna is interfered by a signal generated by the camera.”, Wang [0046]) (“A signal may be generated after the camera is started, and the signal probably enters the antenna and affects communication of the antenna. Therefore, to prevent the signal generated by the started camera from affecting the antenna, whether the antenna is interfered by the signal generated by the camera needs to be determined.”, Wang [0047]) Gopal, Wang, and Yan are analogous because they pertain to mitigating antenna interference. Thus it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to include event detection as described in Wang into Gopal as modified by Yan. By modifying the method to include event detection as taught by Wang, the benefits of improved communication quality (Yan [0052], Wang [0047], and Gopal [71]) are achieved. As to claim 12 and 23 (claim 12 is the method claim for the UE in claim 23): The combination of Gopal and Yan as described above does not explicitly teach: The method of claim 1, wherein the component includes a camera. However, Wang further teaches camera event detection which includes: The method of claim 1, wherein the component includes a camera. (“Step 103: Determine whether the antenna is interfered by a signal generated by the camera.”, Wang [0046]) (“A signal may be generated after the camera is started, and the signal probably enters the antenna and affects communication of the antenna. Therefore, to prevent the signal generated by the started camera from affecting the antenna, whether the antenna is interfered by the signal generated by the camera needs to be determined.”, Wang [0047]) (FIG. 6 and 7, Wang) Gopal, Wang, and Yan are analogous because they pertain to mitigating antenna interference. Thus it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to include camera event detection as described in Wang into Gopal as modified by Yan. By modifying the method to include camera event detection as taught by Wang, the benefits of improved communication quality (Yan [0052], Wang [0047], and Gopal [71]) are achieved. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ANDREW C KIM whose telephone number is (703)756-5607. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 9AM - 5PM (PST). 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, Sujoy K Kundu can be reached at (571) 272-8586. 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. /A.C.K./ Examiner Art Unit 2471 /MOHAMMAD S ADHAMI/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2471
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Prosecution Timeline

Jul 26, 2024
Application Filed
Jun 10, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §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
36%
Grant Probability
32%
With Interview (-3.0%)
3y 3m (~1y 4m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 31 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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