Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 25, 2026
Application No. 19/210,748

METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR VIRTUAL SITE INSPECTIONS

Non-Final OA §102
Filed
May 16, 2025
Priority
Aug 17, 2021 — continuation of 11/729,630 +1 more
Examiner
LETT, THOMAS J
Art Unit
2611
Tech Center
2600 — Communications
Assignee
Dish Wireless LLC
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
84%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
1y 4m
Est. Remaining
49%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 84% — above average
84%
Career Allowance Rate
626 granted / 745 resolved
+22.0% vs TC avg
Minimal -35% lift
Without
With
+-34.9%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 9m
Avg Prosecution
18 currently pending
Career history
766
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
11.7%
-28.3% vs TC avg
§103
29.6%
-10.4% vs TC avg
§102
47.7%
+7.7% vs TC avg
§112
10.3%
-29.7% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 745 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 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)(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 1-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Priest et al. (US 20180249343 A1). Regarding claim 1, Priest et al. discloses a method comprising: prior to a physical installation of wireless communication equipment at a location at a site, generating a virtual model (augmented reality systems and methods can be used to show stakeholders (cell site operators, wireless service providers, building owners, the general public, etc.) the view prior to construction, para. 0237) of the site that includes a first virtual representation of the wireless communication equipment virtually installed within the virtual model at the location at the site (method 3300, figure 68, creating the 3D model utilizing the data capture (step 3304); inserting currently non-existing equipment or structures in the 3D model (step 3306), para. 0274), and a second virtual representation of the wireless communication equipment virtually installed within the virtual model in at least one alternative location at the site, wherein the at least one alternative location is different from the location (Priest et al. discloses that method 2900 can include editing the 3D point cloud, generating a 3D mesh of point, and editing the 3D mesh object if needed (step 2904). The editing can be performed to adjust the capture data, para. 0240. augmented reality systems and methods can further be used for visual shelter and cell tower placements at new locations, para. 0237. Examiner articulates that the software is inherently capable of updating a location to another location if the engineer deems that a movement is necessary.); and sending, to a permitting authority, one or more images of the first virtual representation and the second virtual representation of the wireless communication equipment virtually installed within the virtual model at the site (New site construction requires approval from various stakeholders, i.e., local communities, governmental agencies, landowners, tower operators, etc., para. 0008; show the building owner the actual look of the proposed construction in the modified 3D model as well as other stakeholders to assist in planning (approvals, etc.) as well as to assist engineers in engineering and installation, para. 0234, 0237). Regarding claim 2, Priest et al. discloses the method of claim 1, further comprising: identifying the location at the site for installation of the wireless communication equipment (engineer can use the UI 2200 to perform site expansion, e.g., where to install new equipment. Further, once the new equipment is installed, the associated photos can be updated to reflect the new equipment, para. 0184); and determining the location of the wireless communication equipment complies with wireless equipment regulations (determining whether the variations are any of compliance related, para. 0068). Regarding claim 3, Priest et al. discloses the method of claim 1, further comprising: determining a radio frequency signature (the 3D model is capable of various measurements including height, angles, thickness, elevation, even Radio Frequency (RF), and the like , para. 0072) at the location of the wireless communication equipment based on a type and size of one or more of the wireless communication equipment (include, without limitation, drawings, cell site component settings, test results, equipment lists, pictures, commissioning data, GPS data, Antenna height, azimuth and down tilt data, equipment data, serial numbers, cabling, etc., para. 0142). Regarding claim 4, Priest et al. discloses the method of claim 1, further comprising: identifying a type and size of one or more of the wireless communication equipment at the site; and determining the location at the site for installation of the wireless communication equipment complies with wireless equipment regulations based on the type and size of the one or more of the wireless communication equipment at the site (based on a comparison, determining whether the equipment variations are any of compliance related, para. 0068). Regarding claim 5, Priest et al. discloses the method of claim 1, further comprising: overlaying (para. 0067) an image of an installation of a type and size of one or more of the wireless communication equipment with the one or more images of the first virtual representation to verify the installation complies with wireless equipment regulations (providing an initial point cloud related to the cell site to the UAV; developing a second point cloud based on current conditions at the cell site, wherein the second point cloud is based on data acquisition using the UAV at the cell site; detecting variations between the initial point cloud and the second point cloud; and, responsive to detecting the variations, determining whether the variations are any of compliance related, load issues, and defects associated with any equipment or structures at the cell site, para. 0068. cell site 10 verification can utilize point clouds to compare “before” and “after” data capture to detect differences, para. 0177). Regarding claim 6, Priest et al. discloses the method of claim 1, further comprising: generating a notification based on the location of the wireless communication equipment complying with wireless equipment regulations (operator of the cell site 10 can be notified via any technique of any determined variations or differences for remedial action based thereon (addressing non-compliance, performing maintenance to fix defects or load issues, etc.), para. 0181). Regarding claim 7, Priest et al. discloses the method of claim 1, further comprising: generating the virtual model with image data of the site, wherein the site is a wireless communication tower (tower 12, see at least figures 1 and 2) or a rooftop location (elevated structures such as roofs, water tanks, etc., para. 0073). Claim 8, a system claim, is rejected for the same reason as claim 1. Claim 9, a system claim, is rejected for the same reason as claim 2. Claim 10, a system claim, is rejected for the same reason as claim 3. Claim 11, a system claim, is rejected for the same reason as claim 4. Claim 12, a system claim, is rejected for the same reason as claim 5. Claim 13, a system claim, is rejected for the same reason as claim 6. Claim 14, a system claim, is rejected for the same reason as claim 7. Claim 15, a non-transitory computer-readable medium claim, is rejected for the same reason as claim 1. Claim 16, a non-transitory computer-readable medium claim, is rejected for the same reason as claim 2. Claim 17, a non-transitory computer-readable medium claim, is rejected for the same reason as claim 3. Claim 18, a non-transitory computer-readable medium claim, is rejected for the same reason as claim 4. Claim 19, a non-transitory computer-readable medium claim, is rejected for the same reason as claim 5. Claim 20, a non-transitory computer-readable medium claim, is rejected for the same reason as claim 7. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to THOMAS J LETT whose telephone number is (571)272-7464. The examiner can normally be reached Mon-Fri 9-6 ET. 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, Tammy Goddard can be reached at (571) 272-7773. 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. /THOMAS J LETT/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2611
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

May 16, 2025
Application Filed
Oct 02, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §102 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12755456
METHOD, APPARATUS, DEVICE AND STORAGE MEDIUM FOR GENERATING ANIMAL FIGURES
2y 9m to grant Granted Oct 06, 2026
Patent 12749266
SCANNING FRAMEWORK FOR MAPPING A SPACE
2y 7m to grant Granted Sep 29, 2026
Patent 12738000
THREE DIMENSIONAL AWARE VIDEO COMPOSITING
2y 5m to grant Granted Sep 15, 2026
Patent 12731310
CORRECTION METHOD FOR IMAGE COLOR RANGE CONVERSION AND IMAGE-PROCESSING SYSTEM
2y 8m to grant Granted Sep 08, 2026
Patent 12731354
METHOD FOR ANALYSING 3D MEDICAL IMAGE DATA, COMPUTER PROGRAM AND 3D MEDICAL IMAGE DATA EVALUATION DEVICE
2y 5m to grant Granted Sep 08, 2026
Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

Strategy Recommendation AI-generated — please review before filing

Get a prosecution strategy drawn from examiner precedents, rejection analysis, and claim mapping.
Typically takes 5-10 seconds — AI-generated, attorney review required before filing

Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
84%
Grant Probability
49%
With Interview (-34.9%)
2y 9m (~1y 4m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 745 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

Sign in with your work email

Enter your email to receive a magic link. No password needed.

Personal email addresses (Gmail, Yahoo, etc.) are not accepted.

Free tier: 3 strategy analyses per month