Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 02, 2026
Application No. 18/973,744

Information Interaction Method and Related Apparatus

Non-Final OA §102
Filed
Dec 09, 2024
Priority
Jun 10, 2022 — CN 202210654367.X +1 more
Examiner
PEREZ, JAMES M
Art Unit
2635
Tech Center
2600 — Communications
Assignee
Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
OA Round
2 (Non-Final)
90%
Grant Probability
Favorable
2-3
OA Rounds
2m
Est. Remaining
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 90% — above average
90%
Career Allowance Rate
627 granted / 700 resolved
+27.6% vs TC avg
Moderate +14% lift
Without
With
+14.4%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Fast prosecutor
2y 0m
Avg Prosecution
14 currently pending
Career history
712
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
5.2%
-34.8% vs TC avg
§103
38.0%
-2.0% vs TC avg
§102
24.7%
-15.3% vs TC avg
§112
24.3%
-15.7% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 700 resolved cases

Office Action

§102
DETAILED ACTION This action is responsive to the amendments filed on 6/15/2026. Currently, claims 1-20 are pending. The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . Response to Arguments Applicant’s arguments, filed on 6/15/2026, with respect to the rejection(s) of under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) have been fully considered and are persuasive in view of the concurrently filed claim amendments. Therefore, the previously rejections under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) have been withdrawn. However, upon further search and consideration, a new ground(s) of rejection under 35 U.S.C. 102 is made using newly discovered reference Poitau et al. (US 2016/0142898), where the merits of the Poitau et al. reference are addressed in the following sections of this Office Action (all of which is incorporated by reference into this section of this Office Action). 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)(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. (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 1-2, 12-13, and 18-20 are concurrently rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) and 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Poitau et al. (US 2016/0142898: hereinafter “Poitau”) With regards to claim 1, Poitau teaches a method (figs. 1-6 and 13-23: where the method (method steps) are implemented by circuitry of the network node (including at least one eNB, and/or base station), as addressed in more detail below), comprising: generating configuration information (figs. 1-6 and 13-23: where the network node generates configuration information including the particular Zadoff-Chu (ZC) root sequence (among a plurality of ZC root/base sequences) as well as particular cyclic shift (CS) among a plurality of CSs, which is transmitted and implemented by at least one receiving UE (or WTRU), see at least [0155+0169+0174+0176] and [0220-0226] and [0498] and [0550]. The downlink configuration/signaling (addressed above) being conveyed via RRC/Layer3 (or Layer2/MAC-CE or Layer1/PHY). Additionally but not exclusively [0063+0065+0066] and [0072+0073] addresses that the network devices (and network node), where the Mobile IP home agent of the network devise “may be responsible for IP address management”, where the uplink and downlink signals (between the UE and eNB) are IP compliant packets. Where by technical/engineering definition and IP packet including at least the IP destination address of each intended receiver device (i.e. future downlink transmission including configuration information are contained in the IP packet including the IP destination addressed for each of the intended receiving UEs)) comprising a device address of one or more devices (previously addressed) and sequence configuration information (previously addressed), wherein the sequence configuration information (previously addressed) comprises first quantities of cyclic shift positions that correspond to the one or more devices (figs. 1-6 and 13-23: where the network node generates configuration information including the particular Zadoff-Chu (ZC) root sequence (among a plurality of ZC root/base sequences) as well as particular cyclic shift (CS) among a plurality of CSs, which is transmitted to and implemented by at least one receiving UE (or WTRU), see at least [0155+0169+0174+0176] and [0220-0226] and [0497+0498] and [0550]. The downlink configuration/signaling (addressed above) being conveyed via RRC/Layer3 (or Layer2/MAC-CE or Layer1/PHY) as addressed in the cited paragraphs above. Additionally, in [0220] states “The discovery sequence index may then be linked to the device or service identification via higher layer association”, in regards to the particular ZC root sequence and particular CS value of the particular ZC root sequence in the context above. Note that the discovery sequence implements the particular ZC root sequence and particular CS value of the particular ZC root sequence), wherein the first quantities of cyclic shift positions are configured to cyclically shift a first sequence in a sequence set (previously addressed and/or readily apparent), wherein a periodic auto-correlation side lobe amplitude of any second sequence in the sequence set is 0 (figs. 1-6 and 13-23: where each root ZC sequence (in the plurality of root ZC sequences) is a Contant Amplitude Zero Autocorrelation (CAZAC) sequence, see [0226]. The remaining limitations were previously addressed and/or are readily apparent), and wherein quantities that are of cyclic shift positions and that correspond to devices completing different services in the one or more devices are different (previously addressed and/or readily apparent; also see at least [0174] and [0220], in regards to the particular ZC and particular CS of the particular ZC being tied/link to the particular ‘service’ or ‘service class’ (among a plurality of different services or different service classes) for UEs); and sending the configuration information (previously addressed and/or readily apparent). With regards to claim 12, Poitau teaches an apparatus (figs. 1-6 and 13-23: where the method (method steps) are implemented by circuitry of the network node (including at least eNB and/or base station), as addressed in more detail below), comprising: a memory configured to store instructions (figs. 1-6 and 13-23: where the functions are implemented by circuitry of the network node (e.g. eNB, and/or base station). Furthermore, see [0580] which states the network node (e.g. base station and/or RNC, etc) may include memory storing program instructions which when executed by at least one processor implement the invention of Poitau in regards to the radio frequency transceiver of the base station (e.g. eNB), RNC, or any host computer); and one or more processors (previously addressed) coupled to the memory (previously addressed) and configured to execute the instructions (previously addressed) to (addressed below): generate configuration information (figs. 1-6 and 13-23: where the network node generates configuration information including the particular Zadoff-Chu (ZC) root sequence (among a plurality of ZC root/base sequences) as well as particular cyclic shift (CS) among a plurality of CSs, which is transmitted and implemented by at least one receiving UE (or WTRU), see at least [0155+0169+0174+0176] and [0220-0226] and [0498] and [0550]. The downlink configuration/signaling (addressed above) being conveyed via RRC/Layer3 (or Layer2/MAC-CE or Layer1/PHY). Additionally but not exclusively [0063+0065+0066] and [0072+0073] addresses that the network devices (and network node), where the Mobile IP home agent of the network devise “may be responsible for IP address management”, where the uplink and downlink signals (between the UE and eNB) are IP compliant packets. Where by technical/engineering definition and IP packet including at least the IP destination address of each intended receiver device (i.e. future downlink transmission including configuration information are contained in the IP packet including the IP destination addressed for each of the intended receiving UEs)) comprising a device address of one or more devices (previously addressed) and sequence configuration information (previously addressed), wherein the sequence configuration information (previously addressed) comprises first quantities of cyclic shift positions that correspond to the one or more devices (figs. 1-6 and 13-23: where the network node generates configuration information including the particular Zadoff-Chu (ZC) root sequence (among a plurality of ZC root/base sequences) as well as particular cyclic shift (CS) among a plurality of CSs, which is transmitted to and implemented by at least one receiving UE (or WTRU), see at least [0155+0169+0174+0176] and [0220-0226] and [0497+0498] and [0550]. The downlink configuration/signaling (addressed above) being conveyed via RRC/Layer3 (or Layer2/MAC-CE or Layer1/PHY) as addressed in the cited paragraphs above. Additionally, in [0220] states “The discovery sequence index may then be linked to the device or service identification via higher layer association”, in regards to the particular ZC root sequence and particular CS value of the particular ZC root sequence in the context above. Note that the discovery sequence implements the particular ZC root sequence and particular CS value of the particular ZC root sequence), wherein the first quantities of cyclic shift positions are configured to cyclically shift a first sequence in a sequence set (previously addressed and/or readily apparent), wherein a periodic auto-correlation side lobe amplitude of any second sequence in the sequence set is 0 (figs. 1-6 and 13-23: where each root ZC sequence (in the plurality of root ZC sequences) is a Contant Amplitude Zero Autocorrelation (CAZAC) sequence, see [0226]. The remaining limitations were previously addressed and/or are readily apparent), and wherein quantities that are of cyclic shift positions and that correspond to devices completing different services in the one or more devices are different (previously addressed and/or readily apparent; also see at least [0174] and [0220], in regards to the particular ZC and particular CS of the particular ZC being tied/link to the particular ‘service’ or ‘service class’ (among a plurality of different services or different service classes) for UEs); and send the configuration information (previously addressed and/or readily apparent). With regards to claims 2 and 13, Poitau teaches the limitations of claims 1 and 12, as addressed above. Poitau further teaches wherein quantities that are cyclic shift positions and that correspond to devices jointly completing one service in the one or more devices are the same (figs. 1-6 and 13-23: at least two UEs/WTRUs via the received configurations for the discovery sequence (implementing the ZC root sequence and CS of the ZC root sequence as addressed above) ‘jointly’ perform D2D discovery and D2D communication (with each other), thereby performing the one/same ‘service’. Note that the service or service class was previously addressed. See the previously cited paragraphs above). With regards to claim 18, Poitau teaches the limitations of claim 12, as addressed above. Poitau further teaches wherein the apparatus (previously addressed) comprises an integrated circuit (IC) (figs. 1-6 and 13-23: support is for IC is addressed by at least [0046]). With regards to claim 19, Poitau teaches the limitations of claim 12, as addressed above. Poitau further teaches wherein the apparatus (previously addressed) comprises a modem (figs. 1-6 and 13-23: previously cited paragraph [0580], already addressed the network node including a radio frequency transceiver, which meets the technical/engineering definition of a modem. Additionally but not exclusively, various paragraph of Poitau address the concept of modulation and demodulation in for transceivers (as well as the network node), e.g. see [0049]. Where the Examiner notes that the term ‘modem’ is an acronym for MOdulator/DEModulator). With regards to claim 20, Poitau teaches the limitations of claim 12, as addressed above. Poitau further teaches wherein the apparatus (previously addressed) comprises a coordinator in an ultra-wideband (UWB) system (figs. 1-6 and 13-23: where the network node was previously addressed. Furthermore, coordinator was already addressed in the previously cited paragraph, also note the RAN 105 in the network which perform various coordinating [0074+0075]. Moreover, paragraphs [0003+0053+0075] each address the Bluetooth communication standard/system (which by technical/engineering definition is a UWB standard/system) is applicable to the invention of Poitau). Allowable Subject Matter Claims 6-11 are allowed. Claims 3-5 and 14-17 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. Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure and are cited in the attached PTO-892 form. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to James M. Perez, telephone number (571)270-3231. The examiner can normally be reached Monday through Friday: 10am to 6pm EST. 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, David C. Payne can be reached at (571)272-3024. 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. /JAMES M PEREZ/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2635 8/26/2026
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Prosecution Timeline

Dec 09, 2024
Application Filed
Jan 03, 2025
Response after Non-Final Action
Mar 18, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §102
Jun 15, 2026
Response Filed
Aug 31, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §102 (current)

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Prosecution Projections

2-3
Expected OA Rounds
90%
Grant Probability
99%
With Interview (+14.4%)
2y 0m (~2m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Moderate
PTA Risk
Based on 700 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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