Prosecution Insights
Last updated: July 17, 2026
Application No. 19/442,984

WIRELESS COMMUNICATION METHOD, TERMINAL DEVICE, AND NETWORK DEVICE

Non-Final OA §103
Filed
Jan 07, 2026
Priority
Jun 07, 2024 — continuation of PCTCN2024098009
Examiner
AREVALO, JOSEPH
Art Unit
2642
Tech Center
2600 — Communications
Assignee
Quectel Wireless Solutions Co., Ltd.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
84%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
2y 2m
Est. Remaining
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 84% — above average
84%
Career Allowance Rate
725 granted / 860 resolved
+22.3% vs TC avg
Strong +21% interview lift
Without
With
+21.0%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 8m
Avg Prosecution
24 currently pending
Career history
892
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.5%
-39.5% vs TC avg
§103
76.0%
+36.0% vs TC avg
§102
9.4%
-30.6% vs TC avg
§112
1.0%
-39.0% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 860 resolved cases

Office Action

§103
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 . Art Unit- Location The Art Unit location of your application in the USPTO has changed. To aid in correlating any papers for this application, all further correspondence regarding this application should be directed to Art Unit 2642. Information Disclosure Statement The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 02/19/2026 is in compliance with the provision of 37 CFR 1.97, has been considered by the Examiner, and made of record in the application file. 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: 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. Claims 1-10, 12 and 15-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being un-patentable over Manolakos US Patent Application No.:( US 2025/0317889 A1) hereinafter referred as Manolakos, in view of Liu et al US Patent Application No.:( US 2020/0358547 A1) hereinafter referred as Liu For claim 1, Manolakos discloses a wireless communication method, comprising: receiving, by a terminal device from a network device (see fig 5 the target and the server communication)(Paragraph [0020], lines 1-5), first information that is associated with a target synchronization signal block (SSB) (Paragraph [0006], lines 7-10) and (Paragraph [0008], lines 6-17), wherein the first information indicates that the target SSB is not used by the terminal device to access a first cell associated with the target SSB (Paragraph [0038], lines 1-6), wherein the target SSB is a non-cell defining SSB or a cell defining SSB (Paragraph [0012], lines 3-14). However, Manolakos disclose all the subject matter of the claimed invention with the exemption of the transmitting, by the terminal device, a request for the target SSB as recited in claim 1. Liu from the same or analogous art teaches the transmitting, by the terminal device, a request for the target SSB (Paragraphs [0112]-[0113], lines 1-5). Therefore, it would have been obvious for the person of ordinary skill in the art at the time of filling to use the transmitting, by the terminal device, a request for the target SSB as taught by Liu into the Non-cell defining Synchronization signal block for neighboring cells for positioning of Manolakos. The transmitting, by the terminal device, a request for the target SSB can be modify/implemented by combining the transmitting, by the terminal device, a request for the target SSB with the device. This process is implemented as a hardware solution or as firmware solutions of Liu into the Non-cell defining Synchronization signal block for neighboring cells for positioning of Manolakos. As disclosed in Liu, the motivation for the combination would be to use the transmitting the request for the target SSB, performing faster synchronization and reduce power consumption for the terminal becoming more efficient and reliable for a better communication. For claim 2, Manolakos discloses the wireless communication method, wherein the first information indicates that the target SSB is the non-cell defining SSB (Paragraph [0008], lines 11-17). For claim 3, Manolakos discloses the wireless communication method, wherein the first information is carried in a master information block (MIB) of the target SSB (Paragraph [0151], lines 9-12). For claim 4, Manolakos discloses the wireless communication method, wherein the target SSB is the cell defining SSB, and one or more fields in the MIB carry information associated with the target SSB (Paragraph [0151], lines 12-17). For claim 5, Manolakos discloses the wireless communication method, wherein the method comprises: receiving, by the terminal device, second information from the network device, wherein the second information indicates whether the first cell supports triggering SSB transmission based on the request of the terminal device (Paragraph [0186], lines 5-18). For claim 6, Manolakos discloses the wireless communication method, wherein the method comprises: receiving, in the first cell by the terminal device, the target SSB from the network device (Paragraph [0006], lines 5-11). However, Manolakos disclose all the subject matter of the claimed invention with the exemption of the detecting, by the terminal device, a system information block (SIB) 1 associated with the target SSB, to determine whether the target SSB is the cell defining SSB or the non-cell defining SSB as recited in claim 6. Liu from the same or analogous art teaches the detecting, by the terminal device, a system information block (SIB) 1 associated with the target SSB, to determine whether the target SSB is the cell defining SSB or the non-cell defining SSB (Paragraph [0078]-[0079], lines 1-3). Therefore, it would have been obvious for the person of ordinary skill in the art at the time of filling to use the detecting, by the terminal device, a system information block (SIB) 1 associated with the target SSB, to determine whether the target SSB is the cell defining SSB or the non-cell defining SSB as taught by Liu into the Non-cell defining Synchronization signal block for neighboring cells for positioning of Manolakos. The detecting, by the terminal device, a system information block (SIB) 1 associated with the target SSB, to determine whether the target SSB is the cell defining SSB or the non-cell defining SSB can be modify/implemented by combining the detecting, by the terminal device, a system information block (SIB) 1 associated with the target SSB, to determine whether the target SSB is the cell defining SSB or the non-cell defining SSB with the device. This process is implemented as a hardware solution or as firmware solutions of Liu into the Non-cell defining Synchronization signal block for neighboring cells for positioning of Manolakos. As disclosed in Liu, the motivation for the combination would be to use the system information block (SIB)1 associated with the target SSB, to determine whether the target SSB is the cell defining SSB or the non-cell defining SSB which will help in the power consumption becoming more efficient and reliable for a better communication. For claim 7, Manolakos discloses the wireless communication method, wherein the detecting, by the terminal device, a SIB 1 associated with the target SSB comprises: when both the first cell and the terminal device support triggering SSB transmission based on the request of the terminal device, detecting, by the terminal device, the SIB 1 associated with the target SSB (Paragraph [0147], lines 15-26). For claim 8, Manolakos discloses the wireless communication method, wherein the method comprises: receiving, by the terminal device, third information from the network device, wherein the third information indicates whether an SSB transmitted in the first cell is a cell defining SSB or a non-cell defining SSB, and the SSB transmitted in the first cell comprises the target SSB (Paragraph [0011], lines 1-11). For claim 9, Manolakos discloses the wireless communication method, wherein the third information is carried in one or more of following: configuration information of the first cell; an SSB measurement timing configuration (SMTC) of the first cell; or SCellConfigCommon of the first cell (Paragraph [0056], lines 1-11) ,(Paragraph [0057], lines 27-33) and (Paragraph [0165], lines 12-15). For claim 10, Manolakos discloses the wireless communication method, wherein the target SSB is the cell defining SSB, and information associated with the target SSB is carried in configuration information of the first cell (Paragraph [0166], lines 12-15). For claim12, Manolakos disclose all the subject matter of the claimed invention with the exemption of the information associated with the target SSB comprises at least one of a time resource or a frequency resource used to detect a SIB 1 associated with the target SSB as recited in claim 12. Liu from the same or analogous art teaches the information associated with the target SSB comprises at least one of a time resource or a frequency resource used to detect a SIB 1 associated with the target SSB (Paragraph [0104], lines 1-3). Therefore, it would have been obvious for the person of ordinary skill in the art at the time of filling to use the information associated with the target SSB comprises at least one of a time resource or a frequency resource used to detect a SIB 1 associated with the target SSB as taught by Liu into the Non-cell defining Synchronization signal block for neighboring cells for positioning of Manolakos. The information associated with the target SSB comprises at least one of a time resource or a frequency resource used to detect a SIB 1 associated with the target SSB can be modify/implemented by combining the information associated with the target SSB comprises at least one of a time resource or a frequency resource used to detect a SIB 1 associated with the target SSB with the device. This process is implemented as a hardware solution or as firmware solutions of Liu into the Non-cell defining Synchronization signal block for neighboring cells for positioning of Manolakos. As disclosed in Liu, the motivation for the combination would be to use the information associated with the target SSB comprising at least one of a time resource or a frequency resource that will help to improve the beam reselection and coverage and reducing the access delay becoming more efficient and reliable for a better communication. For claim 15, Manolakos disclose a wireless communication method, comprising: transmitting, by a network device (see fig 5 the target and the server communication)(Paragraph [0020], lines 1-5), first information associated with a target SSB to a terminal device (Paragraph [0006], lines 7-10) and (Paragraph [0008], lines 6-17), wherein the first information indicates that the target SSB is not used by the terminal device to access a first cell associated with the target SSB (Paragraph [0038], lines 1-6), wherein the target SSB is a non-cell defining SSB or a cell defining SSB (Paragraph [0012], lines 3-14). However, Manolakos disclose all the subject matter of the claimed invention with the exemption of the transmission of the target SSB is triggered based on a request of the terminal device as recited in claim 15. Liu from the same or analogous art teaches the transmission of the target SSB is triggered based on a request of the terminal device (Paragraphs [0112]-[0113], lines 1-5). Therefore, it would have been obvious for the person of ordinary skill in the art at the time of filling to use the transmission of the target SSB is triggered based on a request of the terminal device as taught by Liu into the Non-cell defining Synchronization signal block for neighboring cells for positioning of Manolakos. The transmission of the target SSB is triggered based on a request of the terminal device can be modify/implemented by combining the transmission of the target SSB is triggered based on a request of the terminal device with the device. This process is implemented as a hardware solution or as firmware solutions of Liu into the Non-cell defining Synchronization signal block for neighboring cells for positioning of Manolakos. As disclosed in Liu, the motivation for the combination would be to use the transmitting the request for the target SSB, performing faster synchronization and reduce power consumption for the terminal becoming more efficient and reliable for a better communication. For claim 16, Manolakos discloses the method, wherein the first information indicates that the target SSB is the non-cell defining SSB(Paragraph [0008], lines 11-17). For claim 17, Manolakos discloses the method, wherein the first information is carried in a MIB of the target SSB (Paragraph [0151], lines 12-17). For claim 18, Manolakos discloses the method, wherein the target SSB is the cell defining SSB, and one or more fields in the MIB are used to carry information associated with the target SSB (Paragraph [0151], lines 12-17). For claim 19, Manolakos discloses the method, wherein the method comprises: transmitting, by the network device, second information to the terminal device, wherein the second information indicates whether the first cell supports triggering SSB transmission based on the request of the terminal device (Paragraph [0186], lines 5-18). For claim 20, Manolakos discloses the method, wherein the method comprises: transmitting, by the network device, third information to the terminal device, wherein the third information indicates whether an SSB transmitted in the first cell is a cell defining SSB or a non-cell defining SSB, and the SSB transmitted in the first cell comprises the target SSB (Paragraph [0011], lines 1-11). Claim 11 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being un-patentable over Manolakos US Patent Application No.:( US 2025/0317889 A1) hereinafter referred as Manolakos, in view of Liu et al US Patent Application No.:( US 2020/0358547 A1) hereinafter referred as Liu, in further view of Li et al US Patent Application No.:( US 2025/0212071 A1) hereinafter referred as Li. For claim 11, Manolakos disclose all the subject matter of the claimed invention with the exemption of the configuration information of the first cell comprises downlinkConfigCommon as recited in claim 11. Li from the same or analogous art teaches the configuration information of the first cell comprises downlinkConfigCommon (Paragraphs [0183], lines 1-8). Therefore, it would have been obvious for the person of ordinary skill in the art at the time of filling to use the configuration information of the first cell comprises downlinkConfigCommon as taught by Li into the Non-cell defining Synchronization signal block for neighboring cells for positioning of Manolakos. The configuration information of the first cell comprises downlinkConfigCommon can be modify/implemented by combining the configuration information of the first cell comprises downlinkConfigCommon with the device. This process is implemented as a hardware solution or as firmware solutions of Li into the Non-cell defining Synchronization signal block for neighboring cells for positioning of Manolakos. As disclosed in Li, the motivation for the combination would be to use the configuration information of the first cell comprises downlinkConfigCommon information element (IE) in the RRC signaling defines common downlink parameters for a serving cell which help in the efficiency of the handover and reduce signaling overhear becoming more efficient and reliable for a better communication. Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure is shown in the following table: US-20260046846-A1 SHIM; Jaenam US-20250365731-A1 Kim; Soenghun US-20250106843-A1 TAKEDA; Kazuki US-20240276413-A1 YU; Qiaoling US-20240251334-A1 TAKAHASHI; Hiroki US-20240007169-A1 DA SILVA; Icaro Leonardo US-11706742-B2 Yoon; Sukhyon US-20230164702-A1 LEE; Jeongsu US-20200351818-A1 Park; Kyungmin Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to JOSEPH AREVALO whose telephone number is (571)270-3121. The examiner can normally be reached on M-F 8:30-5:00 PM. 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, Rafael Perez-Gutierrez can be reached on (571)272-7915. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. Information regarding the status of an application may be obtained from the Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system. Status information for published applications may be obtained from either Private PAIR or Public PAIR. Status information for unpublished applications is available through Private PAIR only. For more information about the PAIR system, see http://pair-direct.uspto.gov. Should you have questions on access to the Private PAIR system, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative or access to the automated information system, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. /JOSEPH AREVALO/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2642
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Prosecution Timeline

Jan 07, 2026
Application Filed
Jun 12, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103 (current)

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Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
84%
Grant Probability
99%
With Interview (+21.0%)
2y 8m (~2y 2m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 860 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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