Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 26, 2026
Application No. 18/975,422

SIDELINK POSITIONING VIA MESSAGING BETWEEN WIRELESS NODES

Non-Final OA §DOUBLEPATENT
Filed
Dec 10, 2024
Priority
Jun 02, 2020 — provisional 63/033,798 +2 more
Examiner
LEE, SIU M
Art Unit
Tech Center
Assignee
Qualcomm Incorporated
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
91%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
3m
Est. Remaining
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 91% — above average
91%
Career Allowance Rate
988 granted / 1084 resolved
+31.1% vs TC avg
Moderate +11% lift
Without
With
+11.0%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Fast prosecutor
2y 1m
Avg Prosecution
28 currently pending
Career history
1114
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
8.0%
-32.0% vs TC avg
§103
45.5%
+5.5% vs TC avg
§102
14.7%
-25.3% vs TC avg
§112
17.8%
-22.2% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1084 resolved cases

Office Action

§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 . 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 1-16 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-16 of U.S. Patent No. 12,207,161 B2. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because of the following comparison. Claim Instant Application Claim US Patent 12,207,161 B2 1 A method for wireless communications performed by a first wireless node, comprising: transmitting a first positioning reference signal (PRS) at a first time; receiving a second PRS from a second wireless node at a second time; receiving, from the second wireless node, a first message comprising information about a third time when the second wireless node received the first PRS and a fourth time when the second wireless node transmitted the second PRS; estimating a clock error component between the first wireless node and the second wireless node, using the first time, the second time, the information about the third time, and the fourth time; and transmitting, to a user equipment (UE), a second message indicating the clock error component. 1 A method for wireless communications performed by a first wireless node, comprising: transmitting a first positioning reference signal (PRS) at a first time; receiving a second PRS from a second wireless node at a second time; receiving, from the second wireless node, a first message indicating a third time when the second wireless node received the first PRS and a fourth time when the second wireless node transmitted the second PRS; estimating a clock error component between the first wireless node and the second wireless node, using the first time, the second time, the third time, and the fourth time; and transmitting, to a user equipment (UE), a second message indicating the clock error component. 2 The method of claim 1, wherein the second message comprises information about the first time. 2 The method of claim 1, wherein the second message further indicates the first time. 3 The method of claim 1, wherein: the first message further comprises an intelligent transportation system (ITS) message; and the second message comprises another ITS message. 3 The method of claim 1, wherein: the first message comprises an intelligent transportation system (ITS) message; and the second message comprises another ITS message. 4 The method of claim 1, further comprising: obtaining a trigger from the UE to transmit the clock error component to the UE; and wherein transmitting the second message indicating the clock error component is in accordance with the trigger. 4 The method of claim 1, further comprising: obtaining a trigger from the UE to transmit the clock error component to the UE; and wherein transmitting the second message indicating the clock error component is in accordance with the trigger. 5 The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first wireless node or the second wireless node comprises a roadside service unit (RSU). 5 The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first wireless node or the second wireless node comprises a roadside service unit (RSU). 6 The method of claim 1, wherein the first wireless node is a master wireless node among multiple wireless nodes. 6 The method of claim 1, wherein the first wireless node is a master wireless node among multiple wireless nodes. 7 The method of claim 6, further comprising: receiving estimates of a clock error component for each node pair of the multiple wireless nodes; and wherein the second message is transmitted to the UE and further indicates the estimates of the clock error component for each node pair. 7 The method of claim 6, further comprising: receiving estimates of a clock error component for each node pair of the multiple wireless nodes; and wherein the second message is transmitted to the UE and further indicates the estimates of the clock error component for each node pair. 8 The method of claim 1, wherein in response to the first wireless node and the second wireless node comprising a node pair among multiple wireless nodes, the second message is transmitted to a master node or to the UE; and in response to the first wireless node and the second wireless node not comprising a node pair among multiple wireless nodes, transmitting the second message to the UE. 8 The method of claim 1, wherein in response to the first wireless node and the second wireless node comprising a node pair among multiple wireless nodes, the second message is transmitted to a master node or to the UE; and in response to the first wireless node and the second wireless node not comprising a node pair among multiple wireless nodes, transmitting the second message to the UE. 9 An apparatus for wireless communications performed by a first wireless node, comprising: memory; a transceiver; and at least one processor, the at least one processor communicatively connected to the memory and the transceiver, the at least one processor configured to: transmit a first positioning reference signal (PRS) at a first time; receive a second PRS from a second wireless node at a second time; receive, from the second wireless node, a first message comprising information about a third time when the second wireless node received the first PRS and a fourth time when the second wireless node transmitted the second PRS; estimate a clock error component between the apparatus and the second wireless node, using the first time, the second time, the information about the third time, and the fourth time; and transmit, to a user equipment (UE), a second message indicating the clock error component. 9 An apparatus for wireless communications performed by a first wireless node, comprising: memory; a transceiver; and at least one processor, the at least one processor communicatively connected to the memory and the transceiver, the at least one processor configured to: transmit a first positioning reference signal (PRS) at a first time; receive a second PRS from a second wireless node at a second time; receive, from the second wireless node, a first message indicating a third time when the second wireless node received the first PRS and a fourth time when the second wireless node transmitted the second PRS; estimate a clock error component between the apparatus and the second wireless node, using the first time, the second time, the third time, and the fourth time; and transmit, to a user equipment (UE), a second message indicating the clock error component. 10 The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the second message comprises information about the first time. 10 The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the second message further indicates the first time. 11 The apparatus of claim 9, wherein: the first message further comprises an intelligent transportation system (ITS) message; and the second message comprises another ITS message. 11 The apparatus of claim 9, wherein: the first message comprises an intelligent transportation system (ITS) message; and the second message comprises another ITS message. 12 The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: obtain a trigger from the UE to transmit the clock error component to the UE; and wherein transmitting the second message indicating the clock error component is in accordance with the trigger. 12 The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: obtain a trigger from the UE to transmit the clock error component to the UE; and wherein transmitting the second message indicating the clock error component is in accordance with the trigger. 13 The apparatus of claim 9, wherein at least one of the first wireless node or the second wireless node comprises a roadside service unit (RSU). 13 The apparatus of claim 9, wherein at least one of the first wireless node or the second wireless node comprises a roadside service unit (RSU). 14 The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first wireless node is a master wireless node among multiple wireless nodes. 14 The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first wireless node is a master wireless node among multiple wireless nodes. 15 The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to cause the apparatus to: receive estimates of a clock error component for each node pair of the multiple wireless nodes; and wherein the second message is transmitted to the UE and further indicates the estimates of the clock error component for each node pair. 15 The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to cause the apparatus to: receive estimates of a clock error component for each node pair of the multiple wireless nodes; and wherein the second message is transmitted to the UE and further indicates the estimates of the clock error component for each node pair. 16 The apparatus of claim 9, wherein in response to the first wireless node and the second wireless node comprising a node pair among multiple wireless nodes, the second message is transmitted to a master node or to the UE; and in response to the first wireless node and the second wireless node not comprising a node pair among multiple wireless nodes, transmitting the second message to the UE. 16 The apparatus of claim 9, wherein in response to the first wireless node and the second wireless node comprising a node pair among multiple wireless nodes, the second message is transmitted to a master node or to the UE; and in response to the first wireless node and the second wireless node not comprising a node pair among multiple wireless nodes, transmitting the second message to the UE. (1) Regarding claim 1: Claim 1 of US Patent 12,207,161 B2 discloses all subject matter of claim 1 as shown in the above comparison. (2) Regarding claims 2-8: Claims 2-8 of US Patent 12,207,161 B2 discloses all subject matter of claims 2-8 respectively as shown in above comparison. (3) Regarding claim 9: Claim 9 of US Patent 12,207,161 B2 discloses all subject matter of claim 9 as shown in the above comparison. (4) Regarding claims 10-16: Claims 10-16 of US Patent 12,207,161 B2 discloses all subject matter of claims 10-16 respectively as shown in above comparison. Claims 17-20 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-4 of U.S. Patent No. 12,207,161 B2 in view of Langberg et al. (US 5,852,630). Claim Instant Application Claim US Patent 12,207,161 B2 17 A non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon which when executed by one or more processors in a first wireless node, causes an apparatus to perform a method, the method comprising: transmitting a first positioning reference signal (PRS) at a first time; receiving a second PRS from a second wireless node at a second time; receiving, from the second wireless node, a first message comprising information about a third time when the second wireless node received the first PRS and a fourth time when the second wireless node transmitted the second PRS; estimating a clock error component between the first wireless node and the second wireless node, using the first time, the second time, the information about the third time, and the fourth time; and transmitting, to a user equipment (UE), a second message indicating the clock error component. 1 A method for wireless communications performed by a first wireless node, comprising: transmitting a first positioning reference signal (PRS) at a first time; receiving a second PRS from a second wireless node at a second time; receiving, from the second wireless node, a first message indicating a third time when the second wireless node received the first PRS and a fourth time when the second wireless node transmitted the second PRS; estimating a clock error component between the first wireless node and the second wireless node, using the first time, the second time, the third time, and the fourth time; and transmitting, to a user equipment (UE), a second message indicating the clock error component. 18 The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 17, wherein the second message comprises information about the first time. 2 The method of claim 1, wherein the second message further indicates the first time. 19 The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 17, wherein: the first message further comprises an intelligent transportation system (ITS) message; and the second message comprises another ITS message. 3 The method of claim 1, wherein: the first message comprises an intelligent transportation system (ITS) message; and the second message comprises another ITS message. 20 The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 17, wherein the method further comprises: obtaining a trigger from the UE to transmit the clock error component to the UE; and wherein transmitting the second message indicating the clock error component is in accordance with the trigger. 4 The method of claim 1, further comprising: obtaining a trigger from the UE to transmit the clock error component to the UE; and wherein transmitting the second message indicating the clock error component is in accordance with the trigger. (1) Regarding claim 17: Claim 1 of US Patent 12,207,161 B2 discloses all method steps of claim 17 of a wireless node, but fails to disclose the wireless node comprises non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon which when executed by one or more processors in the first wireless node, causes an apparatus to perform the method. However, in the same field of endeavor, Langberg discloses a RADSL transceiver warm start activation procedure with precoding can be implemented in software, the present invention are implemented in software that is stored in a memory and that configures and drives a suitable digital signal processor (DSP) situated in a communication device. However, the foregoing software can be stored on any computer-readable medium for transport or for use by or in connection with any suitable computer-related system or method. In the context of this document, a computer-readable medium is an electronic, magnetic, optical, or other physical device or means that can contain or store a computer program for use by or in connection with a computer-related system or method (col. 3, line 51-65). It is desirable to have a non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon which when executed by one or more processors in the first wireless node, causes an apparatus to perform the method because it reduces cost and improves flexibility for implementation the method by software. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to employ the teaching of Langberg in the wireless node of claim 1 of US Patent 12,207,161 B2 for the benefit of reducing cost and improving flexibility for implementation the method by software. (2) Regarding claims 18-20: Claim 1 of US Patent 12,207,161 B2 and Langberg together disclose all subject matter of claim 17, and claims 2-4 of US Patent 12,207,161 B2 further disclose the subject matter of claims 18-20 respectively as shown in the above comparison. Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Kazmi et al. (US 12,416,704 B2) discloses positioning timing measurement procedure under timing offset change. Russell et al. (US 11,184,178 B2) discloses method and system for intelligent transportation system certificate revocation list reduction. Dwivedi et al. (US 2021/0112521 A1) discloses method, apparatus and system for determining a positioning of a wireless device. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to SIU M LEE whose telephone number is (571)270-1083. The examiner can normally be reached M-T 8:30-7:00. 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, Chieh M Fan can be reached at 571-272-3042. 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. /SIU M LEE/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2632 10/6/2026
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Prosecution Timeline

Dec 10, 2024
Application Filed
Oct 08, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §DOUBLEPATENT (current)

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Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
91%
Grant Probability
99%
With Interview (+11.0%)
2y 1m (~3m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 1084 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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