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 .
Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after final rejection. Since this application is eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on 2/13/2026 has been entered.
Status of Claims
Claims 15, 20-22, 27-28 are pending. Claims 1-14, 16-19, 23-26 are cancelled.
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 10/20/2025 is in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement is being considered by the examiner.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 101
35 U.S.C. 101 reads as follows:
Whoever invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof, may obtain a patent therefor, subject to the conditions and requirements of this title.
Claims 15, 20-22, 27-28 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 because the claimed invention is directed to an abstract idea without significantly more. The claim(s) recite(s) a method of exchanging key identifiers and key information, which is a mental process. This judicial exception is not integrated into a practical application because the claim is directed to an abstract idea with additional generic computer elements, such as Authentication and Key Management for Applications (AKMA) Anchor Function and an Edge Enabler Server do not amount to more than providing devices/mediums for the exchange of key identifiers and key information, and the User Equipment, and Authentication Server Function perform insignificant extra-solution activity, such as generating additional key information which the first key information is “based on”. The claim(s) does/do not include additional elements that are sufficient to amount to significantly more than the judicial exception because the additional elements, such as receiving the key identifier information and transmitting the second key information via a Network Exposure Function (NEF), merely represent generic modules performing well-understood, routine, conventional computer functions such as facilitating the transfer of data. The claim(s) recite no meaningful improvement in the functioning of a computer, or an improvement to other technology or technical field. Claim 22 recites the corresponding system to claim 15, and is rejected for corresponding reasons, as the additional hardware elements, e.g. a transceiver for exchanging key information, and a processor to implement the method, do not add anything sufficient to amount to significantly more than the judicial exception for the same reasons as the Network Exposure Function, above. None of the dependent claims fix this and are therefore rejected for the same reasons. In order to fix this, Applicant must recite an improvement to the computer environment, such as using the keys to perform encryption/authentication functions, or similar.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of 35 U.S.C. 112(a):
(a) IN GENERAL.—The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor or joint inventor of carrying out the invention.
The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112:
The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention.
Claims 15, 20-22, 27-28 rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), first paragraph, as failing to comply with the written description requirement. The claim(s) contains subject matter which was not described in the specification in such a way as to reasonably convey to one skilled in the relevant art that the inventor or a joint inventor, or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the inventor(s), at the time the application was filed, had possession of the claimed invention. Claim 15 recites a method performed by an “Authentication and Key Management for Applications (AKMA) Anchor Function (AAnF)” which performs steps. However, subject matter disclosing such an AAnF performing the claimed functions cannot be found in the original disclosure, filed 10/12/2021, drawing to foreign priority, IN 2024 41044423, dated 10/12/2020. The first reference to the claimed AAnF is in the preliminary amendment filed 4/4/2023, e.g. new claim 16, “wherein the second network entity is included in an Authentication and Key Management for Applications (AAnF) in the communication system”. This mirrors one of the only three references to the AAnF in the specification, found in paragraphs [0055]: “Further, it is not possible for the ECS(4), hosted by a 3rd party service provider offering edge computing services, to have interface with the AAnF of the HN as seen in FIG. 2.”, [0100]: “In yet another embodiment, the EIWF(326) is collocated with an Authentication and Key Management for Applications (AAnF). AAnF is network entity/function specified in the 3GPP TS 33.535 for Authentication and Key Management for Applications (AKMA).”, and [0130]: “In an embodiment, the EIWF(326) contacts AAnF, based on the AKMA Key ID provided by the UE(310) and obtains the KAF. The KAF is used as the KEDGE between the UE(310) and the EIWF(326)”. In none of these cases, is the AAnF performing the claimed functions. The nearest subject matter is [0100], which makes clear that the Edge Inter Working Function (EIWF) is merely collocated with the AAnF. Indeed, the specification makes clear that it is the EIWF which appears to be performing the claimed functions, not the AAnF. Therefore, due to the specification providing no support for the AAnF performing the claimed functions of receiving first key information and key identifier information, receiving a key request from the EES, obtaining second key information, and transmitting the second key information to the EES, the claim lacks written description. Claim 22 contains corresponding subject matter and is therefore rejected for corresponding reasons. None of the dependent claims fix this and are therefore rejected for the same reasons.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments with respect to claim(s) 15, 20-22, 27-28 have been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection does not rely on any reference applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to FORREST L CAREY whose telephone number is (571)270-7814. The examiner can normally be reached 9:00AM-5:30PM M-F.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, William Korzuch can be reached at (571) 272-7589. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/FORREST L CAREY/Examiner, Art Unit 2491
/WILLIAM R KORZUCH/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2491