Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 27, 2026
Application No. 18/977,566

METHOD FOR EXCHANGING DEVICE CAPABILITY AND DEVICE THEREOF

Non-Final OA §102§103
Filed
Dec 11, 2024
Priority
Jul 15, 2022 — continuation of PCTCN2022106134
Examiner
RIYAMI, ABDULLAH A
Art Unit
2831
Tech Center
2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems
Assignee
Guangdong OPPO Mobile Telecommunications Corp., Ltd.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
82%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
1y 7m
Est. Remaining
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 82% — above average
82%
Career Allowance Rate
241 granted / 292 resolved
+14.5% vs TC avg
Strong +29% interview lift
Without
With
+28.6%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 6m
Avg Prosecution
3 currently pending
Career history
299
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
9.4%
-30.6% vs TC avg
§103
50.8%
+10.8% vs TC avg
§102
23.5%
-16.5% vs TC avg
§112
13.2%
-26.8% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 292 resolved cases

Office Action

§102 §103
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 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. Claim(s) 1-5, 7-12, and 14-20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Venkatesan et al. (US 2018/0048742). As per claim 1, Venkatesan discloses a method for exchanging a device capability of a neighbor awareness networking (NAN) device, applicable to a first NAN device (see figures 1 and 2 paragraph 39 NAN), the method comprising: transmitting capability signaling for exchanging the device capability, wherein the capability signaling comprises indication of whether the first NAN device supports a high efficiency (HE) physical layer (PHY) mode (see paragraphs 101, 102, 106, 157, 212-214, HEW, negotiation is configured by capability awareness). As per claim 2, Venkatesan discloses wherein the capability signaling comprises an Extended PHY Mode information; wherein in a case that the Extended PHY Mode information takes a first value, the capability signaling indicates that the first NAN device supports the HE PHY mode (see figure 3, 5, 6, initiator request messages types, that indicates protocol specific capability parameters with values, FTM, NGP, LCI, VHT, HEW, etc.); and/or in a case that the Extended PHY Mode information takes a second value, the capability signaling indicates that the first NAN device does not support the HE PHY mode (see figure 3, 5, 6, initiator request messages types, that indicates protocol specific capability parameters with values, FTM, NGP, LCI, VHT, HEW, etc. paragraph 170, failure indication). As per claim 3, Venkatesan discloses wherein the capability signaling further indicates support of a channel bandwidth mode of the first NAN device (see figures 3-6, bandwidth). As per claim 4, Venkatesan discloses wherein the capability signaling further comprises at least one of first bandwidth indication information or second bandwidth indication information; wherein in a case that the Extended PHY Mode information takes the first value, and the first bandwidth indication information takes a third value, the capability signaling indicates that the first NAN device supports the HE PHY mode and a first bandwidth (see figures 3-6, bandwidth, see paragraph 171 success indication configured based on compatibility); and/or in a case that the Extended PHY Mode information takes the first value, and the first bandwidth indication information takes a fourth value, the capability signaling indicates that the first NAN device supports the HE PHY mode but does not support a first bandwidth (paragraph 170, failure indication); and/or in a case that the Extended PHY Mode information takes the first value, and the second bandwidth indication information takes a fifth value, the capability signaling indicates that the first NAN device supports the HE PHY mode and a second bandwidth; and/or in a case that the Extended PHY Mode information takes the first value, and the second bandwidth indication information takes a sixth value, the capability signaling indicates that the first NAN device supports the HE PHY mode but does not support a second bandwidth. As per claim 5, Venkatesan discloses wherein the Extended PHY Mode information is carried in an Operation Mode field in the capability signaling, wherein the Operation Mode field further carries at least one of the first bandwidth indication information or the second bandwidth indication information (see figures 3-6, bandwidth). As per claim 7, Venkatesan discloses wherein the capability signaling is carried in a NAN beacon frame, a NAN service discovery frame, a ranging request frame, or a ranging response frame (see figure 3-6, initiator request messages types, that indicates protocol specific capability parameters with values, FTM, NGP, LCI, VHT, HEW). As per claim 8, Venkatesan discloses a method for exchanging a device capability of a neighbor awareness networking (NAN) device, applicable to a second NAN device (see figures 1 and 2 paragraph 39, NAN), the method comprising: receiving capability signaling for exchanging the device capability, wherein the capability signaling comprises indication of whether a first NAN device supports a high efficiency (HE) physical layer (PHY) mode (see paragraphs 101, 102, 106, 157, 212-214, HEW, negotiation is configured by capability awareness). As per claim 9, Venkatesan discloses wherein the capability signaling comprises Extended PHY Mode information, wherein in a case that the Extended PHY Mode information takes a first value, the capability signaling indicates that the first NAN device supports the HE PHY mode (see figure 3, 5, 6, initiator request messages types, that indicates protocol specific capability parameters with values, FTM, NGP, LCI, VHT, HEW, etc.); and/or in a case that the Extended PHY Mode information takes a second value, the capability signaling indicates that the first NAN device does not support the HE PHY mode (see figure 3, 5, 6, initiator request messages types, that indicates protocol specific capability parameters with values, FTM, NGP, LCI, VHT, HEW, etc. paragraph 170, failure indication). As per claim 10, Venkatesan discloses wherein the capability signaling further indicates support of a channel bandwidth mode of the first NAN device (see figures 3-6, bandwidth). As per claim 11, Venkatesan discloses wherein the capability signaling further comprises at least one of first bandwidth indication information or second bandwidth indication information, wherein in a case that the Extended PHY Mode information takes the first value, and the first bandwidth indication information takes a third value, the capability signaling indicates that the first NAN device supports the HE PHY mode and a first bandwidth (see figures 3-6, bandwidth, see paragraph 171 success indication configured based on compatibility); and/or in a case that the Extended PHY Mode information takes the first value, and the first bandwidth indication information takes a fourth value, the capability signaling indicates that the first NAN device supports the HE PHY mode but does not support a first bandwidth (paragraph 170, failure indication); and/or in a case that the Extended PHY Mode information takes the first value, and the second bandwidth indication information takes a fifth value, the capability signaling indicates that the first NAN device supports the HE PHY mode and a second bandwidth; and/or in a case that the Extended PHY Mode information takes the first value, and the second bandwidth indication information takes a sixth value, the capability signaling indicates that the first NAN device supports the HE PHY mode but does not support a second bandwidth. As per claim 12, Venkatesan discloses wherein the Extended PHY Mode information is carried in an Operation Mode field in the capability signaling, wherein the Operation Mode field further carries at least one of the first bandwidth indication information or the second bandwidth indication information (see figures 3-6, bandwidth). As per claim 14, Venkatesan discloses wherein the capability signaling is carried in a NAN beacon frame, a NAN service discovery frame, a ranging request frame, or a ranging response frame (see figure 3-6, initiator request messages types, that indicates protocol specific capability parameters with values, FTM, NGP, LCI, VHT, HEW). As per claim 15, Venkatesan discloses a neighbor awareness networking (NAN) device, comprising: a processor and a memory storing one or more programs, wherein the processor, when loading and running the one or more programs, causes the NAN device (see figures 1 and 2 paragraph 39 NAN) to: transmit capability signaling for exchanging the device capability, wherein the capability signaling comprises indication of whether a first NAN device supports a high efficiency (HE) physical layer (PHY) mode (see paragraphs 101, 102, 106, 157, 212-214, HEW, negotiation is configured by capability awareness). As per claim 16, Venkatesan discloses wherein the capability signaling comprises an Extended PHY Mode information; wherein in a case that the Extended PHY Mode information takes a first value, the capability signaling indicates that the NAN device supports the HE PHY mode (see figure 3, 5, 6, initiator request messages types, that indicates protocol specific capability parameters with values, FTM, NGP, LCI, VHT, HEW, etc.); and/or in a case that the Extended PHY Mode information takes a second value, the capability signaling indicates that the NAN device does not support the HE PHY mode (see figure 3, 5, 6, initiator request messages types, that indicates protocol specific capability parameters with values, FTM, NGP, LCI, VHT, HEW, etc. paragraph 170, failure indication). As per claim 17, Venkatesan discloses wherein the capability signaling further indicates support of a channel bandwidth mode of the NAN device (see figures 3-6, bandwidth). As per claim 18, Venkatesan discloses wherein the capability signaling further comprises at least one of first bandwidth indication information or second bandwidth indication information; wherein in a case that the Extended PHY Mode information takes the first value, and the first bandwidth indication information takes a third value, the capability signaling indicates that the NAN device supports the HE PHY mode and a first bandwidth (see figures 3-6, bandwidth, see paragraph 171 success indication configured based on compatibility); and/or in a case that the Extended PHY Mode information takes the first value, and the first bandwidth indication information takes a fourth value, the capability signaling indicates that the NAN device supports the HE PHY mode but does not support a first bandwidth (paragraph 170, failure indication); and/or in a case that the Extended PHY Mode information takes the first value, and the second bandwidth indication information takes a fifth value, the capability signaling indicates that the NAN device supports the HE PHY mode and a second bandwidth; and/or in a case that the Extended PHY Mode information takes the first value, and the second bandwidth indication information takes a sixth value, the capability signaling indicates that the NAN device supports the HE PHY mode but does not support a second bandwidth. As per claim 19, Venkatesan discloses wherein the Extended PHY Mode information is carried in an Operation Mode field in the capability signaling, wherein the Operation Mode field further carries at least one of the first bandwidth indication information or the second bandwidth indication information (see figures 3-6, bandwidth). As per claim 20, Venkatesan discloses wherein the capability signaling is carried in a NAN beacon frame, a NAN service discovery frame, a ranging request frame, or a ranging response frame (see figure 3-6, initiator request messages types, that indicates protocol specific capability parameters with values, FTM, NGP, LCI, VHT, HEW). Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103 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. Claim(s) 6 and 13 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Venkatesan et al. (US 2018/0048742) in view of Yang et al. (US 2017/0126447). As per claims 6 and 13, Venkatesan discloses wherein the Extended PHY Mode information occupies value(s)/indicator(s) (see figure 3-6, initiator request messages types, that indicates protocol specific capability parameters with values, FTM, NGP, LCI, VHT, HEW). Venkatesan does not expressly discloses occupies 1 bit. However, this teaching well known as evidenced by Yang. Yang discloses the use of one bit (see paragraph 136, 137, 1 bit for support mode indication, paragraph 69-71 HEW stations management frames). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to use Yang’s teaching as a modification in Venkatesan capabilities exchange technique. The motivation being in order to save on transmission resources and reducing system complexities, thereby overall system is enhanced. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Abdullah A Riyami whose telephone number is (571)270-3119. The examiner can normally be reached 9-5PM. 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. 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. /ABDULLAH A RIYAMI/ Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2831
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Dec 11, 2024
Application Filed
Oct 01, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §102, §103 (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
82%
Grant Probability
99%
With Interview (+28.6%)
3y 6m (~1y 7m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 292 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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