Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 02, 2026
Application No. 18/836,441

CONTROL APPARATUS, TERMINAL APPARATUS, CONTROL METHOD, AND NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER-READABLE MEDIUM

Non-Final OA §102§Other
Filed
Aug 07, 2024
Priority
Mar 28, 2022 — nonprovisional of PCTJP2022014981
Examiner
HAQUE, ABUSAYEED M
Art Unit
Tech Center
Assignee
NEC Corporation
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
92%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
2m
Est. Remaining
89%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 92% — above average
92%
Career Allowance Rate
608 granted / 661 resolved
+32.0% vs TC avg
Minimal -3% lift
Without
With
+-2.7%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 4m
Avg Prosecution
26 currently pending
Career history
675
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
2.2%
-37.8% vs TC avg
§103
37.5%
-2.5% vs TC avg
§102
26.0%
-14.0% vs TC avg
§112
9.4%
-30.6% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 661 resolved cases

Office Action

§102 §Other
DETAILED ACTION This office action is a response to an application filed on 08/07/2024, in which claims 1-19 are pending and ready examination. Priority Applicant’s claim for the benefit of a prior-filed application under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) or under 35 U.S.C. 120, 121, 365(c), or 386(c) is acknowledged. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102 The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action: A person shall be entitled to a patent unless – (a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention. Claims 1, 4-5, 7-9, 12-13 and 17-18 are rejected under 35 U.S.C 102 (a) (2) as being anticipated by UEDA et al. (hereinafter, “UEDA”; JP2005064671).(For citation purpose, examiner has used English translation of JP2005064671, The English translation and the original copy describe the same innovation. The publication date for JP2005064671 is Mar/10/2005, therefore, it qualifies as a prior art under 35 U.S.C 102 (a) (2)). In response to claim 1 and 7-9, UEDA teaches a control apparatus that controls a communication terminal, the control apparatus comprising: at least one memory storing instructions, and at least one processor configured to execute the instructions to (paragraph 33, radio stations are equated to a control apparatus and communication terminal, paragraph 38, an upper layer processing unit is equated to a processor, paragraph 41, data base memory is equated to a memory); perform sweep control for sequentially matching a direction of a reception beam of the communication terminal with each measurement direction included in a sweep range(paragraph 33, radio stations are equated to a control apparatus and communication terminal, paragraph 34, omni-direction radiation pattern is equated to a direction of a reception, forming null point for each azimuth of the above azimuth is interpreted as using a sequentially matching, sector beams are equated to reception beam of the communication terminal, selectivity changing sector shape of a main beam using a predetermined azimuth angle is interpreted as perform sweep control for sequentially matching a direction of a reception beam of the communication terminal, paragraph 50, using a learning sequence and a adopted guidance control for guiding a beam in a desired direction is interpreted as using each measurement direction included in a sweep range, desired wave direction is equated to measured direction); acquire received signal strength in each measurement direction (paragraph 55, calculated a predetermined evaluation function value (e.g. power value) is equated to signal strength, calculating a predetermined evaluation function value (e.g. power value) is interpreted as using a signal strength for the received signal); acquire a result of demodulating the received signal in each measurement direction (paragraph 55, calculated a predetermined evaluation function value (e.g. power value) is equated to signal strength, outputting the low-frequency converter signal to a demodulator (demodulator 4) is interpreted as demodulating the received signal in each measurement direction and calculating a predetermined evaluation function value (e.g. power value) by (an adoptive controller after demodulation as explained in this paragraph) is read as acquire a result of demodulating the received signal in each measurement direction); specify a direction of a desired wave and a direction of an interference wave, based on the received signal strength and the result of demodulating (paragraph 55, repeatedly calculating each reactance value using an evaluating function value for a maximum value in order to control the main bema array in a desired direction and null toward the interface direction explicitly teaches this limitation); determine a direction of use of a reception beam, based on the specified directions of the desired wave and the interference wave (paragraph 55, repeatedly calculating each reactance value using an evaluating function value for a maximum value in order to control the main bema array in a desired direction and null toward the interface direction explicitly teaches this limitation); and control a direction of a reception beam of the communication terminal, based on the determined direction of use of the reception beam (paragraph 55, repeatedly calculating each reactance value using an evaluating function value for a maximum value in order to control the main bema array in a desired direction and null toward the interface direction explicitly teaches this limitation). In response to claim 4, 12 and 17, UEDA teaches wherein, when received signal strength in a direction of use of the reception beam is smaller than a first threshold value (paragraph 55, calculated a predetermined evaluation function value (e.g. power value) is equated to signal strength and a first threshold value, repeatedly calculating each reactance value using an evaluating function value for a maximum value in order to control the main bema array in a desired direction and null toward the interface direction explicitly teaches this limitation), the at least one processor is further configured to execute the instructions to start the sweep control(paragraph 38, an upper layer processing unit is equated to a processor the perform the claimed functionality). In response to claim 5, 13 and 18, UEDA teaches wherein, when communication quality when a direction of a reception beam of the communication terminal is matched with the direction of use of the reception beam is lower than a predetermined level (paragraph 55, calculated a predetermined evaluation function value (e.g. power value) is equated to signal strength and a first threshold value, repeatedly calculating each reactance value using an evaluating function value for a maximum value in order to control the main bema array in a desired direction and null toward the interface direction explicitly teaches this limitation), the at least one processor is further configured to execute the instructions to start the sweep control (paragraph 38, an upper layer processing unit is equated to a processor the perform the claimed functionality). Allowable Subject Matter Claims 2-3, 6, 10-11, 14-16 and 19 are objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims. As for dependent claims 2, 10 and 15, these claims are objected, because there is no prior art in the record that teaches claimed limitation “wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the instructions to: specify a peak of received signal strength in the sweep range; and when a result of demodulating the received signal in a measurement direction associated with the specified each peak indicates that the demodulation is possible, specify the measurement direction as the direction of the desired wave, and when a result of demodulating the received signal in a measurement direction associated with the specified each peak indicates that the demodulation is not possible, specify the measurement direction as the direction of the interference wave.” The closet prior art in the record UEDA et al.’s (JP2005064671) teaching in paragraph 55 about using a calculated a predetermined evaluation function value (e.g. power value) is equated to signal strength, outputting the low-frequency converter signal to a demodulator (demodulator 4) is interpreted as demodulating the received signal in each measurement direction and calculating a predetermined evaluation function value (e.g. power value) by (an adoptive controller after demodulation as explained in this paragraph) is read as acquire a result of demodulating the received signal in each measurement direction. He fails to teach the above cited limitation. Claims 3, 11 and 16 depend on claim 2, 10 and 15. As for dependent claims 6, 14 and 19, these claims are objected, because there is no prior art in the record that teaches claimed limitation “wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the instructions to: specify a direction in which a radio wave shielding object around the communication terminal is located; and determine the sweep range by excluding a range of the direction in which the radio wave shielding object is located from a sweepable direction range.” The closet prior art in the record UEDA et al.’s (JP2005064671) teaching in paragraph 55 about using a calculated a predetermined evaluation function value (e.g. power value) is equated to signal strength, outputting the low-frequency converter signal to a demodulator (demodulator 4) is interpreted as demodulating the received signal in each measurement direction and calculating a predetermined evaluation function value (e.g. power value) by (an adoptive controller after demodulation as explained in this paragraph) is read as acquire a result of demodulating the received signal in each measurement direction. He fails to teach the above cited limitation. Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. 20130050056………………….paragraphs 66-69. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ABUSAYEED HAQUE whose telephone number is (571)270-7252. The examiner can normally be reached 9 am -7:30 pm. 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, Faruk Hamza can be reached at 571-272-7969. 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. /ABUSAYEED M HAQUE/Examiner, Art Unit 2466 /CHRISTOPHER M CRUTCHFIELD/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2466
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Aug 07, 2024
Application Filed
Aug 13, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §102, §Other (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
92%
Grant Probability
89%
With Interview (-2.7%)
2y 4m (~2m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 661 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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