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 .
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.
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.
Claim(s) 1-4, 6-10, 12-17, 19, 28, 30, 32 and 38 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Doa et al (20210274392) in view of HUANG et al (20220174533).
Regarding claim 1, Doa et al discloses, a wireless communication method for use in a network exposure function (NEF, fig. 4, 5 and 7-8), the wireless communication method comprising:
receiving, from a session management function (SMF, fig. 4, 5 and 7) of a core network, a routable subscription address in a wireless network node in a radio access network (¶ 0130, fig. 4, steps 44, ¶ 0183-0185, fig. 7, steps 74),
transmitting, towards the routable subscription address in the wireless network node in the radio access network, a subscription request (¶ 0131-0132, fig. 4, steps 45a, 46a, ¶ 0186, fig. 7, steps 75a and 76a), and
receiving, from the radio access network, radio access network information corresponding to the subscription request (¶ 0192, 0196, fig. 7, steps 75b).
Doa et al does not specifically disclose, transmitting, from the network exposure function directly to the wireless network node in the radio access network and receiving, by the network exposure function directly from the radio access network.
In the same field of endeavor, HUANG et al discloses, transmitting, from the network exposure function (NEF 130, fig. 1A-1C) directly to the wireless network node (RAN 110, fig. 1A-1C) in the radio access network and receiving, by the network exposure function directly from the radio access network (¶ 0012, 0016, 0019). Therefore, before the effective filing date of the claim invention, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was made to modify the device of Doa et al by specifically adding feature in order to enhance system performance to the network congestion is reduced and the performance of applications is improved. The network traffic is reduced as taught by HUANG et al.
Regarding claim 2, Doa et al and HUANG et al disclose in claim 1, further, receiving, from an application function of the core network, radio access network information request for the radio access network information (¶ 0192, 0196), and transmitting, to a unified data repository, a subscription container comprising the radio access network information request and a notification address in the network exposure function for the radio access network information (¶ 0010, 0049).
Regarding claims 3, 9, 16, Doa et al and HUANG et al disclose in claim 1, further, wherein the radio access network information request comprises at least one of information related to the radio access network or at least one event related to the radio access network, wherein the at least one event related to the radio access network comprises at least one of: detecting a cell change, detecting a radio access bearer event related to a radio access bearer, wherein the radio access bearer event comprises at least one of establishment, a modification or a release, performing a measurement of a wireless terminal, configuring carrier aggregation for a wireless terminal, or expiry of the subscription request (¶ 0130-0132, 0192, 0196).
Regarding claims 4, 10, 17, Doa et al and HUANG et al disclose in claim 1, further, wherein the subscription request comprises at least one event related to the radio access network claim 1, wherein the at least one event related to the radio access network comprises at least one of: detecting a cell change, detecting a radio access bearer event related to a radio access bearer, wherein the radio access bearer event comprises at least one of establishment, a modification or a release, performing a measurement of a wireless terminal, configuring carrier aggregation for a wireless terminal, or expiry of the subscription request (¶ 0130-0132, 0192, 0196).
Regarding claim 6, Doa et al and HUANG et al disclose in claim 1, further, receiving, from the session management function, quality-of-service flow binding information, receiving, from the wireless terminal, the radio access network or a user plane function, at least one quality-of-service flow identifier, and transmitting, to an application function, the radio access network information based on the quality-of-service binding information and the at least one quality-of-service flow identifier (¶ 0171, 0173, 0183-0184).
Doa et al does not specifically disclose, transmitting, from the network exposure function directly to the wireless network node in the radio access network and receiving, by the network exposure function directly from the radio access network.
In the same field of endeavor, HUANG et al discloses, transmitting, from the network exposure function (NEF 130, fig. 1A-1C) directly to the wireless network node (RAN 110, fig. 1A-1C) in the radio access network and receiving, by the network exposure function directly from the radio access network (¶ 0012, 0016, 0019). Therefore, before the effective filing date of the claim invention, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was made to modify the device of Doa et al by specifically adding feature in order to enhance system performance to the network congestion is reduced and the performance of applications is improved. The network traffic is reduced as taught by HUANG et al.
Regarding claim 7 Doa et al and HUANG et al disclose, a wireless communication method for use in a radio access network (abstract, fig. 1-15), the wireless communication method comprising: transmitting, to a session management function, a subscription address in the radio access network (¶ 0130, fig. 4, steps 44, ¶ 0183-0185, fig. 7, steps 74), receiving, from a network exposure function, a subscription request (¶ 0131-0132, fig. 4, steps 45a, 46a, ¶ 0186, fig. 7, steps 75a and 76a), and transmitting, to the network exposure function, radio access network information based on the subscription request (¶ 0192, 0196, fig. 7, steps 75b).
Regarding claim 8, Doa et al and HUANG et al disclose in claim 1, further, receiving, from an access and mobility management function, a subscription container comprising a radio access network information request and a notification address of the network exposure function for the radio access network information (¶ 0010, 0049, 0192, 0196).
Regarding claim 12, Doa et al and HUANG et al disclose in claim 1, further, transmitting, to the network exposure function, at least one quality-of-service flow identifier and the radio access network information (¶ 0171, 0173, 0183-0184).
Regarding claim 13, Doa et al and HUANG et al disclose, a wireless communication method for use in a session management function (fig. 1-7), the wireless communication method comprising: receiving, from a radio access network, a routable subscription address in a wireless network node in the radio access network (¶ 0130, fig. 4, steps 44, ¶ 0183-0185, fig. 7, steps 74), and transmitting, to a network exposure function, the routable subscription address in the wireless network node in the radio access network (¶ 0131-0132, fig. 4, steps 45a, 46a, ¶ 0186, fig. 7, steps 75a and 76a).
Regarding claim 14, Doa et al and HUANG et al disclose in claim 1, further, receiving, from a policy control function, a subscription container comprising a radio access network information request and a notification address in the network exposure function, and transmitting, to the radio access network, the subscription container (¶ 0010, 0049, 0192, 0196).
Regarding claim15, Doa et al discloses in claim 1, further, transmitting, to a user plane function, forwarding information comprising the notification address in the network exposure function (¶ 0010, 0049, 0192, 0196).
Regarding claim 19, Doa et al and HUANG et al disclose in claim 1, further, transmitting, to the network exposure function, quality-of-service flow binding information (¶ 0171, 0173, 0183-0184).
Regarding claims 28, 30, 32, Doa et al and HUANG et al disclose in claim 1, further, at least one processor; and a memory, which is configured to store at least one program; wherein the at least one program, when executed by the at least one processor, enables the at least one processor to perform the method (¶ 0241, fig. 9).
Regarding claim 38, Doa et al and HUANG et al disclose in claim 1, further, a computer program product comprising a computer- readable program medium code stored thereupon, the code, when executed by a processor, causing the processor to implement a wireless communication method recited in claim 1 (¶ 0241, fig. 9).
Doa et al does not specifically disclose, transmitting, from the network exposure function directly to the wireless network node in the radio access network and receiving, by the network exposure function directly from the radio access network.
In the same field of endeavor, HUANG et al discloses, transmitting, from the network exposure function (NEF 130, fig. 1A-1C) directly to the wireless network node (RAN 110, fig. 1A-1C) in the radio access network and receiving, by the network exposure function directly from the radio access network (¶ 0012, 0016, 0019). Therefore, before the effective filing date of the claim invention, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was made to modify the device of Doa et al by specifically adding feature in order to enhance system performance to the network congestion is reduced and the performance of applications is improved. The network traffic is reduced as taught by HUANG et al.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments with respect to claim(s) 1-4, 6-10, 12-17, 19, 28, 30, 32 and 38 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.
Examiner’s Note: The Examiner has pointed out particular references contained in the prior art of record within the body of this action for the convenience of the Applicant. Although the specified citations are representative of the teachings in the art and are applied to the specific limitations within the individual claim, other passages and figures may apply. "The use of patents as references is not limited to what the patentees describe as their own inventions or to the problems with which they are concerned. They are part of the literature of the art, relevant for all they contain." In re Heck, 699 F.2d 1331, 1332-33,216 USPQ 1038, 1039 (Fed. Cir. 1983) (quoting In re Lemelson, 397 F.2d 1006, 1009, 158 USPQ 275,277 (CCPA 1968)). A reference may be relied upon for all that it would have reasonably suggested to one having ordinary skill the art, including nonpreferred embodiments (see MPEP 2123). Therefore, Applicant, in preparing the response, must fully consider the entire disclosure of the cited references as potentially teaching all or part of the claimed invention, including the context of the cited passages as taught by the prior art disclosed by the Examiner.
Conclusion
Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to KHAWAR IQBAL whose telephone number is (571)272-7909. The examiner can normally be reached M-F.
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/KHAWAR IQBAL/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2643
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