Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 01, 2026
Application No. 18/887,014

ESTABLISHING REPLACEMENT MACROCELL COMMUNICATION LINK AFTER FAILURE

Non-Final OA §103§DOUBLEPATENT
Filed
Sep 16, 2024
Priority
Mar 01, 2019 — continuation of 11/291,067 +1 more
Examiner
GHOWRWAL, OMAR J
Art Unit
Tech Center
Assignee
AT&T Intellectual Property I L.P.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
84%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
6m
Est. Remaining
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 84% — above average
84%
Career Allowance Rate
704 granted / 833 resolved
+24.5% vs TC avg
Strong +31% interview lift
Without
With
+30.9%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 7m
Avg Prosecution
28 currently pending
Career history
860
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
7.7%
-32.3% vs TC avg
§103
48.6%
+8.6% vs TC avg
§102
25.2%
-14.8% vs TC avg
§112
13.0%
-27.0% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 833 resolved cases

Office Action

§103 §DOUBLEPATENT
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 . 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 following is a quotation of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph: 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. None of the instant claims invoke U.S.C. 112(f). Double Patenting 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. Claims 1-20 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-6, 8-13, 15-20 of U.S. Patent No. 12,096,502 B2 to Cui et al. (“Cui”). Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because the claims of the instant application are genus to those of the species to Cui. Essentially, the independent claims of Cui recite an additional limitation “wherein the request comprises a request for communication resources to establish the replacement macrocell communication link with the other network equipment.” Simple substitution of one known element for another to obtain predictable results is obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art (MPEP 2143). See the table below for claim mappings, with differences underlined. Instant application Cui 1. A method comprising: detecting, by base station equipment comprising a processor, a failure in a macrocell communication link between the base station equipment and macrocell equipment, wherein the macrocell equipment is communicatively connected to core network equipment that is part of a core network; based on satisfying a criterion applied to a signal strength associated with other network equipment, other than the macrocell equipment and the core network equipment, selecting, by the base station equipment, the other network equipment that is communicatively connected to the core network equipment for establishment of a replacement macrocell communication link to replace the macrocell communication link; and facilitating, by the base station equipment, transmitting to the other network equipment, a request to establish the replacement macrocell communication link. 1. A method, comprising: detecting, by base station equipment comprising a processor, a failure in a macrocell communication link between the base station equipment and macrocell equipment, wherein the macrocell equipment is communicatively connected to core network equipment that is part of a core network; based on satisfying a criterion applied to a signal strength associated with other network equipment, other than the macrocell equipment and the core network equipment, selecting, by the base station equipment, the other network equipment that is communicatively connected to the core network equipment for establishment of a replacement macrocell communication link to replace the macrocell communication link; and facilitating, by the base station equipment, transmitting to the other network equipment, a request to establish the replacement macrocell communication link, wherein the request comprises a request for communication resources to establish the replacement macrocell communication link with the other network equipment. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the macrocell communication link comprises a wired link. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the macrocell communication link comprises a wired link. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the macrocell communication link comprises a wireless link. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the macrocell communication link comprises a wireless link. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the selecting the other network equipment comprises identifying the other network equipment based on a communication received from relay controller equipment that identified the other network equipment based on the signal strength and tuning of the other network equipment. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the selecting the other network equipment comprises identifying the other network equipment based on a communication received from relay controller equipment that identified the other network equipment based on the signal strength and tuning of the other network equipment. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the base station equipment comprises a millimeter wave transmit and receive point, wherein the macrocell equipment comprises backhaul equipment, and wherein the base station equipment and the backhaul equipment are communicatively connected via the macrocell communication link that comprises a wired link. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the base station equipment comprises a millimeter wave transmit and receive point, wherein the macrocell equipment comprises backhaul equipment, and wherein the base station equipment and the backhaul equipment are communicatively connected via the macrocell communication link that comprises a wired link. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the base station equipment comprises a first millimeter wave transmit and receive point, and wherein the macrocell equipment comprises a second millimeter wave transmit and receive point 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the base station equipment comprises a first millimeter wave transmit and receive point, wherein the macrocell equipment comprises a second millimeter wave transmit and receive point, and wherein the base station equipment and the macrocell equipment are communicatively connected via the macrocell communication link that comprises a wireless link. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the base station equipment and the macrocell equipment are communicatively connected via the macrocell communication link that comprises a wireless link. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the base station equipment comprises a first millimeter wave transmit and receive point, wherein the macrocell equipment comprises a second millimeter wave transmit and receive point, and wherein the base station equipment and the macrocell equipment are communicatively connected via the macrocell communication link that comprises a wireless link. 8. Base station equipment comprising: a processor; and a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, facilitate performance of operations, the operations comprising: detecting a failure in a macrocell communication link between the base station equipment and macrocell equipment, wherein the macrocell equipment is communicatively connected to core network equipment that is part of a core network; based on satisfying a criterion applied to a signal strength associated with other network equipment, other than the macrocell equipment and the core network equipment, selecting the other network equipment that is communicatively connected to the core network equipment for establishment of a replacement macrocell communication link to replace the macrocell communication link; and facilitating transmitting to the other network equipment, a request to establish the replacement macrocell communication link. 8. Base station equipment comprising: a processor; and a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, facilitate performance of operations, the operations comprising: detecting a failure in a macrocell communication link between the base station equipment and macrocell equipment, wherein the macrocell equipment is communicatively connected to core network equipment that is part of a core network; based on satisfying a criterion applied to a signal strength associated with other network equipment, other than the macrocell equipment and the core network equipment, selecting the other network equipment that is communicatively connected to the core network equipment for establishment of a replacement macrocell communication link to replace the macrocell communication link; and facilitating transmitting to the other network equipment, a request to establish the replacement macrocell communication link, wherein the request comprises a request for communication resources to establish the replacement macrocell communication link with the other network equipment. 9. The base station equipment of claim 8, wherein the macrocell communication link comprises a wired link. 9. The base station equipment of claim 8, wherein the macrocell communication link comprises a wired link. 10. The base station equipment of claim 8, wherein the macrocell communication link comprises a wireless link. 10. The base station equipment of claim 8, wherein the macrocell communication link comprises a wireless link. 11. The base station equipment of claim 8, wherein the selecting the other network equipment comprises identifying the other network equipment based on a communication received from relay controller equipment that identified the other network equipment based on the signal strength and tuning of the other network equipment. 11. The base station equipment of claim 8, wherein the selecting the other network equipment comprises identifying the other network equipment based on a communication received from relay controller equipment that identified the other network equipment based on the signal strength and tuning of the other network equipment. 12. The base station equipment of claim 8, wherein the base station equipment comprises a millimeter wave transmit and receive point, wherein the macrocell equipment comprises backhaul equipment, and wherein the base station equipment and the backhaul equipment are communicatively connected via the macrocell communication link that comprises a wired link. 12. The base station equipment of claim 8, wherein the base station equipment comprises a millimeter wave transmit and receive point, wherein the macrocell equipment comprises backhaul equipment, and wherein the base station equipment and the backhaul equipment are communicatively connected via the macrocell communication link that comprises a wired link. 13. The base station equipment of claim 8, wherein the base station equipment comprises a first millimeter wave transmit and receive point, and wherein the macrocell equipment comprises a second millimeter wave transmit and receive point. 13. The base station equipment of claim 8, wherein the base station equipment comprises a first millimeter wave transmit and receive point, wherein the macrocell equipment comprises a second millimeter wave transmit and receive point, and wherein the base station equipment and the macrocell equipment are communicatively connected via the macrocell communication link that comprises a wireless link. 14. The base station equipment of claim 13, wherein the base station equipment and the macrocell equipment are communicatively connected via the macrocell communication link that comprises a wireless link. 13. The base station equipment of claim 8, wherein the base station equipment comprises a first millimeter wave transmit and receive point, wherein the macrocell equipment comprises a second millimeter wave transmit and receive point, and wherein the base station equipment and the macrocell equipment are communicatively connected via the macrocell communication link that comprises a wireless link. 15. A non-transitory machine-readable medium comprising executable instructions that, when executed by a processor of base station equipment, facilitate performance of operations, the operations comprising: detecting a failure in a macrocell communication link between the base station equipment and macrocell equipment, wherein the macrocell equipment is communicatively connected to core network equipment that is part of a core network; based on satisfying a criterion applied to a signal strength associated with other network equipment, other than the macrocell equipment and the core network equipment, selecting the other network equipment that is communicatively connected to the core network equipment for establishment of a replacement macrocell communication link to replace the macrocell communication link; and facilitating transmitting to the other network equipment, a request to establish the replacement macrocell communication link. 15. A non-transitory machine-readable medium comprising executable instructions that, when executed by a processor of base station equipment, facilitate performance of operations, the operations comprising: detecting a failure in a macrocell communication link between the base station equipment and macrocell equipment, wherein the macrocell equipment is communicatively connected to core network equipment that is part of a core network; based on satisfying a criterion applied to a signal strength associated with other network equipment, other than the macrocell equipment and the core network equipment, selecting the other network equipment that is communicatively connected to the core network equipment for establishment of a replacement macrocell communication link to replace the macrocell communication link; and facilitating transmitting to the other network equipment, a request to establish the replacement macrocell communication link, wherein the request comprises a request for communication resources to establish the replacement macrocell communication link with the other network equipment. 16. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the macrocell communication link comprises a wired link. 16. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the macrocell communication link comprises a wired link. 17. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the macrocell communication link comprises a wireless link. 17. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the macrocell communication link comprises a wireless link. 18. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the selecting the other network equipment comprises identifying the other network equipment based on a communication received from relay controller equipment that identified the other network equipment based on the signal strength and tuning of the other network equipment. 18. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the selecting the other network equipment comprises identifying the other network equipment based on a communication received from relay controller equipment that identified the other network equipment based on the signal strength and tuning of the other network equipment. 19. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the base station equipment comprises a millimeter wave transmit and receive point, wherein the macrocell equipment comprises backhaul equipment, and wherein the base station equipment and the backhaul equipment are communicatively connected via the macrocell communication link that comprises a wired link. 19. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the base station equipment comprises a millimeter wave transmit and receive point, wherein the macrocell equipment comprises backhaul equipment, and wherein the base station equipment and the backhaul equipment are communicatively connected via the macrocell communication link that comprises a wired link. 20. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the base station equipment comprises a first millimeter wave transmit and receive point, and wherein the macrocell equipment comprises a second millimeter wave transmit and receive point. 20. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the base station equipment comprises a first millimeter wave transmit and receive point, wherein the macrocell equipment comprises a second millimeter wave transmit and receive point, and wherein the base station equipment and the macrocell equipment are communicatively connected via the macrocell communication link that comprises a wireless link. 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. 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. This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any evidence to the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the later invention in order for the examiner to consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) prior art against the later invention. Claim(s) 1-3, 5-10, 12-17, 19-20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over U.S. Publication No. 2020/0092784 A1 to Hampel et al. (“Hampel”) in view of U.S. Publication No. 2016/0337931 A1 to Wang et al. (“Wang”). As to claims 1-3, 5-7, see similar rejections to claims 8-10, 12-14, respectively. As to claim 8, Hampel discloses base station equipment (para. 0154, fig. 4A-H, relay device R3, 405-d; para. 0114, relay device 405 may be a base station) comprising: a processor (para. 0009, a processor); and a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, facilitate performance of operations (para. 0009, memory in electronic communication with the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions may be executable by the processor), the operations comprising: detecting a failure in a macrocell communication link between the base station equipment and macrocell equipment, wherein the macrocell equipment is communicatively connected to core network equipment that is part of a core network (para. 0115, relay 405-a (i.e. which every node is coupled to) connects to the core network, para. 0122, fig. 4A-H, relay 405-d detects the upstream RLF between relays 405-a (i.e. base station) and 405-b (i.e. microcell equipment, as para. 0045 teaches each base station (including 405-b) may provide communication coverage for a macro cell)); other network equipment other than the macrocell equipment and the core network equipment, selecting the other network equipment that is communicatively connected to the core network equipment for establishment of a replacement macrocell communication link to replace the macrocell communication link ( fig. 4A-H, para. 0124, relay 405-e (i.e. other network equipment) establishes new wireless link with relay 405-g (i.e. microcell communication link, as para. 0045 teaches each base station (including 405-g) may provide communication coverage for a macro cell), i.e. selected by 405-d as it receives RLF Msg from 405-d, 405-g is coupled to node 405-a to core network); and facilitating transmitting to the other network equipment, a request to establish the replacement macrocell communication link (fig. 4A-H, para. 0124, 405-d transmits RLF Msg (i.e. request) to 405-e, which then establishes new wireless link (i.e. microcell communication link, as para. 0045 teaches each base station (including 405-g) may provide communication coverage for a macro cell) with relay 405-g). Hampel does not expressly disclose based on satisfying a criterion applied to a signal strength associated with other network equipment other than the macrocell equipment and the core network equipment. Wang discloses UE 115-a may sequentially select a cell of one of the base stations 105 according to RSRP/RSRQ level, and attempt network access. If network access using the selected cell fails, the UE 115-a may move to next cell (i.e. the second network equipment as claimed) according to RSRP/RSRQ level and attempt access again, and this process may repeat until a cell is found or all cells are tested (para. 0081) and base stations 105 may interface with the core network 130 through backhaul links 132 (e.g., S1, etc.). Base stations 105 may communicate with one another over backhaul links 134 (e.g., X2, etc.) either directly or indirectly (e.g., through core network 130) (para. 0061), UE transmits access request to the base station (para. 0087). Examiner notes that the UE of Wang may be substituted for a base station and UE relay device as in Hampel, as they perform the same functions of switching to a new base station in the event of a failure: Hampel at para. 0114 teaches that a relay device may be a base station and/or a UE. Prior to the effective filing date of the instant application, it would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art to implement the cell selection and UE of Wang into the invention of Hampel. The suggestion/motivation would have been to reduce a frequency of measurements for cell reselection operations based at least in part on a use of coverage enhancement techniques (Wang, para. 0049) and because simple substitution of one known element (i.e. the relay device of Hampel) for another (i.e. the UE of Wang) to obtain predictable results (i.e. the functionality of switching to a new base station in the event of a failure) is obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art (MPEP 2143). Including the cell selection and UE of Wang into the invention of Hampel was within the ordinary ability of one of ordinary skill in the art based on the teachings of Wang. As to claim 9, Hampel and Wang further disclose the base station equipment of claim 8, wherein the macrocell communication link comprises a wired link (Hampel, para. 0039, Some wireless communications systems may be configured such that each base station has a wireline connection to the network). In addition, as the primary reference is used in teaching the instant claim limitations, the same suggestion/motivation of claim 8 applies. As to claim 10, Hampel and Wang further disclose the base station equipment of claim 8, wherein the macrocell communication link comprises a wireless link (Hampel, para. 0029, backhaul may be wireless). In addition, as the primary reference is used in teaching the instant claim limitations, the same suggestion/motivation of claim 8 applies. As to claim 12, Hampel and Wang further disclose the base station equipment of claim 8, wherein the base station equipment comprises a millimeter wave transmit and receive point (Hampel, para. 0004, 0038, millimeter wave frequencies), wherein the macrocell equipment comprises backhaul equipment (para. 0006, a node within the backhaul network (e.g., which may also be referred to as a relay node or relay device)), and wherein the base station equipment and the backhaul equipment are communicatively connected via the macrocell communication link that comprises a wired link (Hampel, para. 0029, backhaul may pertain to wireline connection). In addition, as the primary reference is used in teaching the instant claim limitations, the same suggestion/motivation of claim 8 applies. As to claim 13, Hampel and Wang further disclose the base station equipment of claim 8, wherein the base station equipment comprises a first millimeter wave transmit and receive point, and wherein the macrocell equipment comprises a second millimeter wave transmit and receive point (Hampel, para. 0004, 0038, millimeter wave frequencies). In addition, as the primary reference is used in teaching the instant claim limitations, the same suggestion/motivation of claim 8 applies. As to claim 14, Hampel and Wang further disclose the base station equipment of claim 13, wherein the base station equipment and the macrocell equipment are communicatively connected via the macrocell communication link that comprises a wireless link (Hampel, para. 0029, backhaul may be wireless). In addition, as the primary reference is used in teaching the instant claim limitations, the same suggestion/motivation of claim 13 applies. As to claims 15-17, 19-20, see similar rejections to claims 8-10, 12-13, respectively. Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. U.S. Patent No. 9,668,186 B2 discloses a UE generates an RLF report and is sent to an access device, the RLF report having A2 event indication (figs. 1-2) . Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to OMAR J GHOWRWAL whose telephone number is (571)270-5691. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 9:00am-6:00pm. 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, ASAD NAWAZ can be reached at 571-272-3988. 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. /OMAR J GHOWRWAL/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2463
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Sep 16, 2024
Application Filed
Sep 10, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103, §DOUBLEPATENT (current)

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Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
84%
Grant Probability
99%
With Interview (+30.9%)
2y 7m (~6m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 833 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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