Prosecution Insights
Last updated: August 17, 2026
Application No. 18/858,170

SIDELINK PHYSICAL LAYER STRUCTURE IN NR UNLICENSED

Non-Final OA §102
Filed
Oct 18, 2024
Priority
Apr 21, 2022 — provisional 63/333,332 +1 more
Examiner
SHEIKH, AYAZ R
Art Unit
Tech Center
Assignee
Apple Inc.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
70%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
1y 6m
Est. Remaining
70%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 70% — above average
70%
Career Allowance Rate
23 granted / 33 resolved
+9.7% vs TC avg
Minimal +0% lift
Without
With
+0.0%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 4m
Avg Prosecution
10 currently pending
Career history
38
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
3.7%
-36.3% vs TC avg
§103
47.2%
+7.2% vs TC avg
§102
35.2%
-4.8% vs TC avg
§112
11.1%
-28.9% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 33 resolved cases

Office Action

§102
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 . Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102 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 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)(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. Claims 1-4, 6-14 and 16-22 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(1)(a) as being anticipated by Zhao et al. US 20250254670 et al.. As per claim 1, Zhao et al. teach One or more processors configured to perform operations comprising (see ref. fig. 1 -4, and 9 element 90, para 0052-0085 and 0118 -0126 and claims 1-12 of the specification) : generating a communication for transmission on a sidelink channel operating in an unlicensed bandwidth(see ref. fig. 1 -4, and 9 element 90, para 0037-0044, 0052-0085 and 0118 -0126 and claims 1-12 of the specification); determining a configuration of a resource pool of the sidelink channel(see ref. fig. 1 -4, and 9 element 90 and 103, para 0052-0085 and 0118 -0126 and claims 1-12 of the specification) ; determining, from the resource pool, plurality of resources arranged in at least one interlace for transmitting the communication; and causing a user equipment (UE) to transmit the communication on the sidelink channel using the plurality of resources (see ref. fig. 1 -4, and 9 element 90 and 102, para 0037, 0052-0085 and 0118 -0126 and claims 1-12 of the specification). As per claim 2, Zhao et al. teach One one or more processors of claim 1, wherein determining the configuration of a resource pool of the sidelink channel comprises: determining at least one of a frequency domain configuration or a time domain configuration (see ref. fig. 1 -4, and 9 element 90, para 0040, 0052-0085 and 0118 -0126 and claims 1-12 of the specification). As per claim 3, Zhao et al. teach One one or more processors of claim 2 As per claim 4, Zhao et al. teach One one or more processors claim 2 wherein determining the time domain configuration comprises: determining, based on at least one of a configured granularity of time domain resources or a subcarrier spacing of the sidelink channel, a number of slots in the time domain; and determining, based on a bitmap, one or more slots assigned to sidelink communications for the UE(see ref. fig. 1-4, and 9 element 90, para 0037-0044, 0052-0085 and 0118 -0126 and claims 1-12 of the specification) . As per claim 6, Zhao et al. teach One one or more processors of claim1, wherein the communication is a Physical Sidelink Control Channel (PSCCH) communication, and wherein transmitting the communication on the sidelink channel using the plurality of resources comprises: determining an interlace design for the PSCCH communication in a physical layer structure; and transmitting the PSCCH communication based on the interlace design(see ref. fig. 1 -4, and 9 element 90, para 0037-0044, 0052-0085 and 0118 -0126 and claims 1-12 of the specification);. As per claim 7, Zhao et al. teach one or more processors of claim 6, wherein a first symbol of the physical layer structure is dedicated to automatic gain control (AGC) (see ref. fig. 1 -4, and 9 element 90, para 0037-0044, 0052-0085 and 0118 -0126 and claims 1-12 of the specification). As per claim 8, Zhao et al. teach one or more processors of claim 6, the operations further comprising: calculating a minimum gap in the physical layer structure. (see ref. fig. 1 -4, and 9 element 90, para 0037-0044, 0052-0085 and 0118 -0126 and claims 1-12 of the specification). As per claim 9, Zhao et al. teach one or more processors of claim2, wherein determining the frequency domain configuration comprises: determining whether a full bandwidth or a partial bandwidth of the sidelink channel is dedicated to the UE for sidelink communications(see ref. fig. 1 -4, and 9 element 90, para 0037-0044, 0052-0085 and 0118 -0126 and claims 1-12 of the specification). As per claim 10, Zhao et al. teach one or more processors of claim 9, wherein determining whether a full bandwidth or a partial bandwidth of the sidelink channel is dedicated to the UE for sidelink communications comprises: determining that the partial bandwidth is dedicated to the UE for sidelink communications; and in response, determining to start transmission only at slot boundary after one additional one shot listen-before-talk (LBT) (see ref. fig. 1 -4, and 9 element 90, para 0029, 0037-0044, 0052-0085 and 0118 -0126 and claims 1-12 of the specification) . As per claim 11, Zhao et al. teach one or more processors of claim 9, wherein determining whether a full bandwidth or a partial bandwidth of the sidelink channel is dedicated to the UE for sidelink communications comprises: determining that the full bandwidth is dedicated to the UE for sidelink communications; and in response, determining to start transmission before a slot boundary(see ref. fig. 1 -4, and 9 element 90, para 0037-0044, 0052-0085 and 0118 -0126 and claims 1-12 of the specification). As per claim 12, Zhao et al. teach one or more processors of wherein determining the time domain configuration comprises: determining whether a full bandwidth or a partial bandwidth of the sidelink channel is dedicated to the UE for sidelink communications. (see ref. fig. 1 -4, and 9 element 90, para 0003-0004, 0037-0044, 0052-0085 and 0118 -0126 and claims 1-12 of the specification). As per claim 13, Zhao et al. teach one or more processors of claim 12, wherein determining whether a full bandwidth or a partial bandwidth of the sidelink channel is dedicated to the UE for sidelink communications comprises: determining that the partial bandwidth is dedicated to the UE for sidelink communications; and in response, determining that a bitmap is used to configure starting points of the plurality of As per claim 14, Zhao et al. teach one or more processors of claim 12, wherein determining whether a full bandwidth or a partial bandwidth of the sidelink channel is dedicated to the UE for sidelink communications comprises: determining that the full bandwidth is dedicated to the UE for sidelink communications; and in response, determining that transmitting the communication on the sidelink channel can start at any time(see ref. fig. 1 -4, and 9 element 90, para 0003-0004, 0037-0044, 0052-0085 and 0118 -0126 and claims 1-12 of the specification). As per claim 16, Zhao et al. teach the one or more processors of claim 1, wherein the communication is a channel communication, and wherein transmitting the communication on the sidelink channel using the plurality of resources comprises: determining an interlace design for the sidelink channel communication in a physical layer structure for the plurality of resources; and transmitting the sidelink channel communication based on the interlace design(see ref. fig. 1 -4, and 9 element 90, para 0003-0004, 0037-0044, 0052-0085 and 0118 -0126 and claims 1-12 of the specification). As per claim 17, Zhao et al. teach the method comprising: generating a communication for transmission on a sidelink channel operating in an unlicensed bandwidth(see ref. fig. 1 -4, and 9 element 90, para 0003-0004, 0037-0044, 0052-0085 and 0118 -0126 and claims 1-12 of the specification) ; determining a configuration of a resource pool of the sidelink channel; determining, from the resource pool a plurality of resources arranged in at least one interlace for transmitting the communication(see ref. fig. 1 -4, and 9 element 90, para 0003-0004, 0037-0044, 0052-0085 and 0118 -0126 and claims 1-12 of the specification) ; and transmitting the communication on the sidelink channel using the plurality of resources(see ref. fig. 1 -4, and 9 element 90, para 0003-0004, 0037-0044, 0052-0085 and 0118 -0126 and claims 1-12 of the specification). As per claim 18, Zhao et al. teach the method of claim 17, wherein determining the configuration of a resource pool of the sidelink channel comprises: determining at least one of a frequency domain configuration or a time domain configuration(see ref. fig. 1 -4, and 9 element 90, para 0003-0004, 0037-0044, 0052-0085 and 0118 -0126 and claims 1-12 of the specification). As per claim 19, Zhao et al. teach the method of claim 18, wherein determining the frequency domain configuration comprises: determining a number of frequency interlaces assigned to sidelink communications; determining, based on a subcarrier spacing of the sidelink channel, a number of physical resource blocks per interlace; and determining a physical resource block spacing in the sidelink channel (see ref. fig. 1 -4, and 9 element 90, para 0003-0004, 0037-0044, 0052-0085 and 0118 -0126 and claims 1-12 of the specification). As per claim 20, Zhao et al. teach the method of claim 18, wherein determining the time domain configuration comprises: determining, based on at least one of a configured granularity of time domain resources or a subcarrier spacing of the sidelink channel, a number of slots in the time domain; and determining, based on a bitmap, one or more slots assigned to sidelink communications. As per claim 21, Zhao et al. teach A user equipment (UE) comprising(see ref. fig. 1 -4, and 9 element 90, para 0003-0004, 0037-0044, 0052-0085 and 0118 -0126 and claims 1-12 of the specification): a radio frequency transceiver; one or more processers; and memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processers, cause the UE to perform operations comprising(see ref. fig. 1 -4, and 9 element 90, para 0003-0004, 0037-0044, 0052-0085 and 0118 -0126 and claims 1-12 of the specification): generating a communication for transmission on a sidelink channel operating in an unlicensed bandwidth; determining a configuration of a resource pool of the sidelink channel; determining, from the resource pool, a plurality of resources arranged in at least one interlace for transmitting the communication; and transmitting the communication on the sidelink channel using the plurality of resources(see ref. fig. 1 -4, and 9 element 90, para 0003-0004, 0037-0044, 0052-0085 and 0118 -0126 and claims 1-12 of the specification). As per claim22, Zhao et al. teach one or more processors of claim 1, wherein the at least one interlace is one interlace (see ref. fig. 1 -4, and 9 element 90, para 0003-0004, 0037-0044, 0052-0085 and 0118 -0126 and claims 1-12 of the specification). Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to AYAZ R SHEIKH whose telephone number is (571)272-3795. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 8 AM – 5 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, Deborah Reynolds can be reached at 703-272-0734. 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. /AYAZ R SHEIKH/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2476
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Prosecution Timeline

Oct 18, 2024
Application Filed
Aug 03, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §102 (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
70%
Grant Probability
70%
With Interview (+0.0%)
3y 4m (~1y 6m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 33 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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