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 .
Status of the Claims
The Amendment filed on 06/05/2025 has been entered. Claims 1-20 are pending in the instant patent application. Claims 1, 11 and 15-16 are amended. This Final Office Action is in response to the claims filed.
Response to Claim Amendments
Applicant’s amendments to the claims are insufficient to overcome the 35 U.S.C. §101 rejections. The rejections remain pending and are updated and addressed below in light of the amendments and per guidelines for 101 analysis (PEG 2019).
Applicant’s amendments to the claims are sufficient to overcome the 35 U.S.C. §102 rejections. The rejections have been withdrawn with reasoning provided below
Response to 35 U.S.C. §101 Arguments
Applicant’s arguments regarding 35 U.S.C. §101 rejection of the claims have been fully considered, but are not persuasive.
Regarding Applicant’s arguments that the claims recite an improvement to the functioning of the computer, in a manner similar to CoreWireless, Examiner respectfully disagrees. In Core Wireless, Core Wireless was found eligible not only because the claims are directed to a particular manner of summarizing and presenting information in electronic devices, but also because of the improvements to the user interface for electronic devices. The claims as currently written are simply instructions to implement a certain display based upon a user’s input. For which, still recite abstract ideas. In addition, the combination of structural elements recited in the present claim are used for a generic computer to perform generic functions. Examiner states that the display of the visualizations described in the claims are in at least generic in nature, not reciting significantly more, and do not integrate the judicial exception into a practical application.
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.
Regarding Claims 1-10, they are directed to a method, however the claims are directed to a judicial exception without significantly more. Claims 1-10 are directed to the abstract idea of work order management for coverage hole mitigation.
Performing the Step 2A Prong 1 analysis while referring specifically to independent Claim 1, claim 1 recites receiving a coverage hole mitigation work order (CHMWO); receiving assignment of the CHMWO to a PWO requester that is included in a geographic location of the CHMWO; retrieving coverage hole analysis data for a pre-optimization visualization, the coverage hole analysis data including average signal strength values determined from network samples; displaying the pre-optimization visualization for coverage hole optimization; receiving input action for coverage hole optimization for the CHMWO; retrieving coverage hole analysis data for a post-optimization visualization; displaying, side by side, the pre-optimization visualization and the post-optimization visualization for coverage hole optimization validation, each of the pre-optimization visualization and post-optimization visualization including a geographical map, a signal strength layer that shades areas of the geographical map according to average signal strength value ranges, and a polygon outlining a coverage hole; receiving validation for the coverage hole optimization; and closing the CHMWO in response to the coverage hole optimization being validated.
These claim limitations fall within the Mental Processes grouping of abstract ideas for each limitation can be performed in the human mind and/or with pen/paper. In addition, the claim also falls within the Certain Methods of Organizing Human Activity grouping of abstract ideas due to the managing personal behavior or interactions between people.
Accordingly, the claim recites an abstract idea and dependent claims 2-10 further recite the abstract idea.
Regarding Step 2A Prong 2 analysis, the judicial exception is not integrated into a practical application. In particular the claim does not recite any elements that would integrate the judicial exception into a practical application.
With respect to 2B, the claims do not include additional elements amounting to significantly more than the abstract idea. Claims 1, 5-6 include various elements that are not directed to the abstract idea under 2A. These elements include a mitigation algorithm, graphical user interface and the generic computing elements described in the Applicant's specification in at least Para 114-122. These elements do not amount to more than the abstract idea because it is a generic computer performing generic functions.
Therefore, Claims 1 and 5-6, alone or in combination, are not drawn to eligible subject matter as they are directed to abstract ideas without significantly more.
Regarding Claims 11-15, they are directed to an apparatus, however the claims are directed to a judicial exception without significantly more. Claims 11-15 are directed to the abstract idea of work order management for coverage hole mitigation.
Performing the Step 2A Prong 1 analysis while referring specifically to independent Claim 11, claim 11 recites receive a coverage hole mitigation work order (CHMWO); receive assignment of the CHMWO to a PWO requester that is included in a geographic region of the CHMWO; retrieving coverage hole analysis data for a pre-optimization visualization, the coverage hole analysis data including average signal strength values determined from network samples; displaying the pre-optimization visualization for coverage hole optimization; receive input action for coverage hole optimization for the CHMWO; retrieving coverage hole analysis data for a post-optimization visualization; displaying, side by side, the pre-optimization visualization and the post- optimization visualization for coverage hole optimization validation, each of the pre-optimization visualization and post-optimization visualization including a geographical map, a signal strength layer that shades areas of the geographical map according to average signal strength value ranges, and a polygon outlining a coverage hole; receiving validation for the coverage hole optimization; and close the CHMWO in response to the coverage hole optimization being validated.
These claim limitations fall within the Mental Processes grouping of abstract ideas for each limitation can be performed in the human mind and/or with pen/paper. In addition, the claim also falls within the Certain Methods of Organizing Human Activity grouping of abstract ideas due to the managing personal behavior or interactions between people.
Accordingly, the claim recites an abstract idea and dependent claims 12-15 further recite the abstract idea.
Regarding Step 2A Prong 2 analysis, the judicial exception is not integrated into a practical application. In particular the claim recites the elements of a processor and memory. The processor and memory are merely generic computing devices and do not integrate the judicial exception into a practical application.
With respect to 2B, the claims do not include additional elements amounting to significantly more than the abstract idea. Claims 11-14 include various elements that are not directed to the abstract idea under 2A. These elements include a processor, memory and the generic computing elements described in the Applicant's specification in at least Para 114-122. These elements do not amount to more than the abstract idea because it is a generic computer performing generic functions. In addition, Claim 11 recites computer functions that the courts have recognized as well-understood, routine, and conventional functions when they are claimed in a merely generic manner (e.g., at a high level of generality) (See MPEP 2106.05(d)(ii)...at least, Receiving or transmitting data over a network, e.g., using the Internet to gather data, Symantec, 838 F.3d at 1321, 120 USPQ2d at 1362 (utilizing an intermediary computer to forward information).
Therefore, Claims 11-14, alone or in combination, are not drawn to eligible subject matter as they are directed to abstract ideas without significantly more.
Regarding Claims 16-20, they are directed to a non-transitory computer readable medium, however the claims are directed to a judicial exception without significantly more. Claims 16-20 are directed to the abstract idea of work order management for coverage hole mitigation.
Performing the Step 2A Prong 1 analysis while referring specifically to independent Claim 16, claim 16 recites receive a coverage hole mitigation work order (CHMWO); receive assignment of the CHMWO to a PWO requester that is included in a geographic region of the CHMWO; retrieving coverage hole analysis data for a pre-optimization visualization, the coverage hole analysis data including average signal strength values determined from network samples; displaying the pre-optimization visualization for coverage hole optimization; receive input action for coverage hole optimization for the CHMWO; retrieving coverage hole analysis data for a post-optimization visualization; displaying, side by side, the pre-optimization visualization and the post- optimization visualization for coverage hole optimization validation, each of the pre-optimization visualization and post-optimization visualization including a geographical map, a signal strength layer that shades areas of the geographical map according to average signal strength value ranges, and a polygon outlining a coverage hole; receiving validation for the coverage hole optimization; and close the CHMWO in response to the coverage hole optimization being validated.
These claim limitations fall within the Mental Processes grouping of abstract ideas for each limitation can be performed in the human mind and/or with pen/paper. In addition, the claim also falls within the Certain Methods of Organizing Human Activity grouping of abstract ideas due to the managing personal behavior or interactions between people.
Accordingly, the claim recites an abstract idea and dependent claims 17-20 further recite the abstract idea.
Regarding Step 2A Prong 2 analysis, the judicial exception is not integrated into a practical application. In particular the claim recites the elements of a processor and apparatus. The processor and apparatus are merely generic computing devices and do not integrate the judicial exception into a practical application.
With respect to 2B, the claims do not include additional elements amounting to significantly more than the abstract idea. Claims 16-19 include various elements that are not directed to the abstract idea under 2A. These elements include a processor, apparatus and the generic computing elements described in the Applicant's specification in at least Para 114-122. These elements do not amount to more than the abstract idea because it is a generic computer performing generic functions. In addition, Claim 16 recites computer functions that the courts have recognized as well-understood, routine, and conventional functions when they are claimed in a merely generic manner (e.g., at a high level of generality) (See MPEP 2106.05(d)(ii)...at least, Receiving or transmitting data over a network, e.g., using the Internet to gather data, Symantec, 838 F.3d at 1321, 120 USPQ2d at 1362 (utilizing an intermediary computer to forward information).
Therefore, Claims 16-19, alone or in combination, are not drawn to eligible subject matter as they are directed to abstract ideas without significantly more.
Distinguishable Over the Prior Art
Claims 1-20 have been deemed distinguishable over the prior art for the following reasons:
Aksela (US 2017/0353873 A1) teaches of When planning the maintenance time, an alternative network configuration for the alternative network topology map can be determined using the knowledge of the used cell outage management scheme. The, the system can determining the maintenance time based on the network traffic estimate and the alternative network configuration given by the cell outage management scheme. The cell outage management scheme can also include temporarily decreasing channel bandwidth by reconfiguration. The adapted bandwidth can be transmission bandwidth and/or reception bandwidth. The transmission bandwidth can be adapted in such a way that during a cell outage, the channel bandwidth of selected cells is decreased automatically and adaptively to increase the coverage of the selected cells and to compensate the coverage hole in the network. The services can also be transferred from the cell under maintenance to neighboring cells, for example, by using a forced handover between cells. FIG. 2 shows an overview of a process according to an embodiment. According to FIG. 2, network elements 201 send 211 raw data to a critical alarm prediction process 202, which uses data mining and estimation algorithms to obtain relevant data from the large dataset sent 211 from the network elements 201. Process 202 sends 212 relevant data to a network element level results process 203, which produces propensity scores and insights for the relevant network elements. The network element level results process 203 sends 213 a relevant portion of the produced data to filtering and correlation process 205 for further processing. A network topology process 204 sends 214 the network topology map to the filtering and correlation process 205, which adds further parameters to the data processed by the network element level results process 203. Such further parameters can include, for example, data on NE location, NE role, NE maintenance history and/or services impacted by a possible failure. The filtering and correlation process 205 send 215 the enriched data to an evaluation process 207. The evaluation process evaluates the data and determines which NEs need to be repaired. Then, on the evaluation process 207 send 218 respective instructions to a work orders process 208, which determines the actual list of necessary maintenance operations, estimates the maintenance break length, and obtains an alternative network topology map from the network topology process 204. The work orders process 208 also obtains a network traffic estimate from an OSS/BSS (Operation Support system/Business support system) and selects the actual maintenance time. Additionally, the work orders process 208, before the selected maintenance time, automatically send 219 configuration messages to the network elements 201 in order to configure the network elements into an alternative network configuration… FIG. 2 shows an overview of a process according to an embodiment. According to FIG. 2, network elements 201 send 211 raw data toa critical alarm prediction process 202, which uses data mining and estimation algorithms to obtain relevant data from the large dataset sent 211 from the network elements 201. Process 202 sends 212 relevant data to a network element level results process 203, which produces propensity scores and insights for the relevant network elements. The network element level results process 203 sends 213 a relevant portion of the produced data to filtering and correlation process 205 for further processing. A network topology process 204 sends 214 the network topology map to the filtering and correlation process 205, which adds further parameters to the data processed by the network element level results process 203. Such further parameters can include, for example, data on NE location, NE role, NE maintenance history and/or services impacted by a possible failure. The filtering and correlation process 205 send 215 the enriched data to an evaluation process 207. The evaluation process evaluates the data and determines which NEs need to be repaired. Then, on the evaluation process 207 send 218 respective instructions to a work orders process 208, which determines the actual list of necessary maintenance operations, estimates the maintenance break length, and obtains an alternative network topology map from the network topology process 204. The work orders process 208 also obtains a network traffic estimate from an OSS/BSS (Operation Support system/Business support system) and selects the actual maintenance time. Additionally, the work orders process 208, before the selected maintenance time, automatically send 219 configuration messages to the network elements 201 in order to configure the network elements into an alternative network configuration... According to an embodiment, the work orders process 208 can also create work orders for maintenance crew and take care of scheduling of their work. The work orders process 208 can also include necessary information in the work orders so that the maintenance crew knows how to fix the problem smoothly and quickly. If needed, the work orders process 208 can also instruct which spare parts need to be ordered.
Wainer et al. (US 2021/0037394 A1) teaches of system identifies first areas of a multiple areas of a wireless network for wireless site installation and determines geographic locations within each of the identified first areas for prospective wireless site installations. The system performs machine learning to associate measured network performance parameters within the wireless network with empirical data related to population, population densities, housing growth rates, housing densities, and building growth rates. The system determines, based on the machine learning, geographic locations within each of the identified first areas for installations of prospective wireless sites, and forecasts improvements in network performance parameters associated with building each of the prospective wireless site installations. The system optimizes a number, type, and placement of the prospective wireless site installations within each of the identified first areas of the wireless network to maximize improvements in network performance parameters while satisfying resource constraints.
Hunukumbure et al. (US 2012/0184280 A1) teaches of method for use in providing coverage for at least part of a coverage hole in a first cell or cell sector in a cellular wireless network, in which method a second cell or cell sector is selected, from a group of cells or cell sectors in the cellular wireless network which neighbour the first cell or cell sector, to adapt its coverage so as to cover at least part of the coverage hole in the first cell or cell sector, the method including carrying out an identification process using data relating to a cell or cell sector in the group to identify a cell or cell sector suitable for selection as the second cell or cell sector, the identification process being carried out on one or more cells or cell sectors in the group in turn.
Trigui (US 2011/0130135 A1) teaches of detecting coverage holes in a wireless communication network are discussed. Coverage hole detection is performed by collecting data from subscribers and extracting relevant parameters from the data. The relevant parameters are used to estimate the location of subscribers. The estimated locations are stored in a database and used to generate a coverage map for a wireless communication network.
Moisio et al. (US 2020/0275291 A1) teaches of a method in a radio communication network providing a service for a plurality of devices, the method comprising: determining a service outage probability for a device that is going to move to a sub-area of a coverage area of the network, the service outage probability associated with said sub-area; in response to determining that the service outage probability exceeds a threshold, requesting a measurement device to move to said sub-area and to perform one or more radio frequency measurements; determining whether the service outage probability exceeds another threshold based at least on the requested one or more radio frequency measurements; and triggering at least one action if the service outage probability exceeds said another threshold.
Pylappan et al. (US 2013/0321424 A1) teaches of receiving signal strength information reported by multiple client communication devices. The signal strength information reported by a given client device may indicate one or more locations detected by the given client device. The signal strength information may also indicate, for each location, a respective measure of signal strength for a communication signal detected at that location by the client device. Embodiments may also include generating a signal strength map for a region based on the client-reported signal strength information. Generating the signal strength map may include, for each location of multiple locations within the region, generating an expected signal strength value for that location based on an evaluation of the signal strength information received for that location. The generation of the signal strength map for the region may also be based on the expected signal strength values for the locations within the region.
In view of the prior art on record, Examiner finds not all claim limitations are explicitly taught nor would one of ordinary skill in the art find it obvious to combine these references, or more, with a reasonable explanation of success to in at least teach Claim 1’s (similarly Claim 11 and 16) limitations of
retrieving coverage hole analysis data for a post-optimization visualization; displaying, side by side, the pre-optimization visualization and the post-optimization visualization for coverage hole optimization validation, each of the pre-optimization visualization and post-optimization visualization including a geographical map, a signal strength layer that shades areas of the geographical map according to average signal strength value ranges, and a polygon outlining a coverage hole; receiving validation for the coverage hole optimization; and closing the CHMWO in response to the coverage hole optimization being validated.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Wainer et al. (US 2021/0037394 A1)
Hunukumbure et al. (US 2012/0184280 A1)
Trigui (US 2011/0130135 A1)
Moisio et al. (US 2020/0275291 A1)
Pylappan et al. (US 2013/0321424 A1)
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 TYRONE E SINGLETARY whose telephone number is (571)272-1684. The examiner can normally be reached 9 - 5:30.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Rutao Wu can be reached at 571-272-6045. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/T.E.S./ Examiner, Art Unit 3623 /RUTAO WU/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 3623