Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 18/044,779

MULTICAST/BROADCAST SERVICE ALERT

Final Rejection §103
Filed
Mar 09, 2023
Examiner
WASEL, SHIMA MOHAMED
Art Unit
2475
Tech Center
2400 — Computer Networks
Assignee
Qualcomm Incorporated
OA Round
2 (Final)
46%
Grant Probability
Moderate
3-4
OA Rounds
3y 3m
To Grant
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 46% of resolved cases
46%
Career Allow Rate
5 granted / 11 resolved
-12.5% vs TC avg
Strong +83% interview lift
Without
With
+83.3%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 3m
Avg Prosecution
39 currently pending
Career history
50
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.7%
-39.3% vs TC avg
§103
84.8%
+44.8% vs TC avg
§102
9.4%
-30.6% vs TC avg
§112
1.8%
-38.2% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 11 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 . Response to Arguments Claims 1, 21, 29, and 30 have been amended. Claims 1-30 are presently pending. 1. Applicant's arguments with respect to the claim(s) have been considered but are moot in view of the new ground(s) of rejection. 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. Claims 1-9, 11, 14-19, 21-30 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over HONG (US 20230380002, hereinafter, “HONG”) in view of US 20230247401, hereinafter, “YU”). Claim 1. HONG teaches: A method for wireless communications at a user equipment (UE), comprising: - See Fig. 9 identifying that the UE is operating in accordance with a first state, wherein the first state is either a radio resource control-inactive state or a radio resource control-idle state; - in ¶ [0151 - 0152], (“the network may allow the UE in the RRC idle/inactive state to configure an RRC connection to receive the corresponding MBS configuration through paging…allow only UEs interested in the corresponding MBS session to perform the following operations to receive the corresponding configuration.”) wherein the trigger message comprises a radio resource control paging message – in ¶ [0192], (“the message for MBS session notification may be a paging message.”) that triggers the UE to transition from the first state to a connected state and indicates that one or more multicast services are available for use by the UE while the UE is in the connected state; – in ¶ [0294], (“Upon receiving the MBS session notification through the above-described message, the controller 1410 may initiate the RRC connection resume procedure to switch the state from the RRC inactive state to the RRC connected state.”) determining whether to transition from the first state to the connected state to receive the one or more multicast services based at least in part on the trigger message. - in ¶ [0295], (“upon receiving the paging message for MBS session notification, the controller 1410 identifies the MBS session identification information included in the paging message. When joining the MBS session included in the paging message, the controller 1410 may trigger initiation of the RRC connection resume procedure to switch to the RRC connected state…¶ [0296], (“the UE 1400 may switch the RRC state only when necessary based on the notification for the MBS session, preventing unnecessary power consumption.”) HONG does not explicitly teach: receiving, in downlink control information, scheduling information that indicates one or more occasions for receiving a trigger message in a physical downlink shared channel, wherein the trigger message comprises a radio resource control paging message that triggers the UE to transition from the first state to a connected state and indicates that one or more multicast services are available for use by the UE while the UE is in the connected state; receiving the trigger message based at least in part on the scheduling information; However, YU teaches: receiving, in downlink control information, scheduling information that indicates one or more occasions for receiving a trigger message in a physical downlink shared channel, - in ¶ [0215], (“the terminal device may receive third information from the network device…¶ [0216]… the third information is carried on a PDSCH for paging (on a resource indicated by DCI for scheduling a paging message)…¶ [0217]…the third information is carried in first DCI, the first DCI is used to schedule a paging message (therefore, the DCI may also be referred to as scheduling information), and the paging message may be used to indicate arrival of the multicast service.”); ¶ [0224], (“…paging occasions (PO). The terminal device attempts to receive a paging message on a PO…to save energy. Therefore, the network device needs to send, at a time domain position of the PO, the DCI used to schedule the paging message, so that the terminal device can receive the paging message.”) wherein the trigger message comprises a radio resource control paging message that triggers the UE to transition from the first state to a connected state and indicates that one or more multicast services are available for use by the UE while the UE is in the connected state; - See Fig. 19, ¶ [0222], (“the first DCI may be used to schedule a paging message, and the information used to indicate that the data of the multicast service is to be sent may be included in the paging message.”); ¶ [0245], (“If the terminal device is in an idle mode or an inactive mode…after the terminal device enters a connected mode, the network device sends the multicast configuration information to the terminal device by using RRC signaling, where the RRC signaling may be an RRC reconfiguration message or another RRC message”) receiving the trigger message based at least in part on the scheduling information; - in ¶ [0224], (“The terminal device attempts to receive a paging message on a PO in time domain…Therefore, the network device needs to send, at a time domain position of the PO, the DCI used to schedule the paging message, so that the terminal device can receive the paging message.”) and It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified HONG with YU to include receiving scheduling information that indicates occasions for receiving a trigger message in a PDSCH, one or more multicast services are available for use by the UE in the connected state, and receiving the trigger message based on the scheduling information, as taught by YU. One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to make this modification to reduce energy consumption, as suggested by YU, The terminal device attempts to receive a paging message on a PO in time domain but does not need to listen to a paging message at another time domain position, to save energy. - ¶ [0224] Claim 2. Combination of HONG and YU teaches The method of claim 1, - refer to the indicated claim for reference(s). HONG teaches: further comprising: receiving the radio resource control paging message in accordance with the scheduling information; - in ¶ [0219 - 0220], (“the system information scheduling information…the MBS configuration information may be received through the RRC dedicated message (e.g., RRC reconfiguration message) transmitted from the base station…the MBS configuration information may be received through the (periodically broadcast) MBS control logical channel message…the MBS configuration information may be received through a CCCH RRC message (broadcast in response to the request) to indicate the MBS configuration.”) identifying a first field in the radio resource control paging message that indicates a multicast group paging identity associated with the one or more multicast services; - in ¶ [0244], (“the RNTI for MBS data identification means a multicast session/multicast group specific RNTI or a group common RNTI for multicast traffic/data, similar to SC-RNTI and G-RNTI.”); ¶ [0255 - 0256], (“The paging message transmitted to the UE by the base station may include one or more of MBS session ID information, information for indicating the MBS session state, and information for indicating activation/deactivation of the MBS session…If the MBS session ID is a value smaller than 48 bits, it may be included and transmitted on the UE identifier information element. When the MBS session ID included in the paging message matches the MBS session ID of the inactive multicast session joined by the UE, the UE may initiate/perform any operation for receiving data…”) and transitioning to the connected state to receive the one or more multicast services based at least in part on the multicast group paging identity. - in ¶ [0151], (“the network may allow the UE in the RRC idle/inactive state to configure an RRC connection to receive the corresponding MBS configuration through paging.”); ¶ [0256], (“When the MBS session ID included in the paging message matches the MBS session ID of the inactive multicast session joined by the UE, the UE may initiate/perform any operation for receiving data through the MBS radio bearer or any procedure (RRC resume or RRC establishment) to resume the MBS radio bearer.”) Claim 3. Combination of HONG and YU teaches The method of claim 2, - refer to the indicated claim for reference(s). HONG teaches: wherein the first field comprises a paging record type field comprising a UE specific paging record, a multicast group specific paging record, or both. - in ¶ [0255], (“The paging message may include the paging record or UE identifier information element included in the paging record. As the UE identifier information element included in the paging record, a 48-bit NG-5G-S-TMSI or a 40-bit full-RNTI may be selected. If the MBS session ID is a value smaller than 48 bits, it may be included and transmitted on the UE identifier information element.”) Claim 4. Combination of HONG and YU teaches The method of claim 2, - refer to the indicated claim for reference(s). HONG teaches: wherein the multicast group paging identity comprises a group-radio network temporary identifier, a temporary mobile group identity, a multicast-broadcast session identifier, or any combination thereof. - in ¶ [0244], (“the RNTI for MBS data identification means a multicast session/multicast group specific RNTI or a group common RNTI for multicast traffic/data, similar to SC-RNTI and G-RNTI.”); ¶ [0255 - 0256], (“The paging message transmitted to the UE by the base station may include one or more of MBS session ID information…”) Claim 5. Combination of HONG and YU teaches The method of claim 2, - refer to the indicated claim for reference(s). HONG teaches: further comprising: identifying, in the radio resource control paging message, a service type indication associated with receiving the one or more multicast services - in ¶ [0155], (“the MBS session may be classified in association with any (5G) QoS parameter. As another example, the MBS session may be classified on the MBS session identifier. As another example, the MBS session may be classified through modular operation.”) based at least in part on the multicast group paging identity. - in ¶ [0255], (“When the MBS session ID included in the paging message matches the MBS session ID of the inactive multicast session joined by the UE, the UE may initiate/perform any operation for receiving data through the MBS radio bearer”) Claim 6. Combination of HONG and YU teaches The method of claim 1, - refer to the indicated claim for reference(s). HONG teaches: further comprising: receiving the radio resource control paging message in accordance with the scheduling information; - in ¶ [0219 - 0220], (“the system information scheduling information…the MBS configuration information may be received through the RRC dedicated message (e.g., RRC reconfiguration message) transmitted from the base station…the MBS configuration information may be received through the (periodically broadcast) MBS control logical channel message. As another example, the MBS configuration information may be received through a CCCH RRC message (broadcast in response to the request) to indicate the MBS configuration.”) identifying a paging identifier in the radio resource control paging message, wherein the paging identifier comprises a paging record and a multicast session identifier associated with the UE; - in ¶ [0255], (“The paging message may include the paging record or UE identifier information element included in the paging record. As the UE identifier information element included in the paging record, a 48-bit NG-5G-S-TMSI or a 40-bit full-RNTI may be selected. If the MBS session ID is a value smaller than 48 bits, it may be included and transmitted on the UE identifier information element.”) and transitioning to the connected state to receive the one or more multicast services based at least in part on the paging identifier. – in ¶ [0256], (“When the MBS session ID included in the paging message matches the MBS session ID of the inactive multicast session joined by the UE, the UE may initiate/perform any operation for receiving data through the MBS radio bearer or any procedure (RRC resume or RRC establishment) to resume the MBS radio bearer.”) Claim 7. Combination of HONG and YU teaches The method of claim 1, - refer to the indicated claim for reference(s). YU further teaches: further comprising: determining that the scheduling information is scheduling the one or more multicast services based at least in part on a value of a one-bit indicator received in the downlink control information. - in ¶ [0337], (“obtaining manner of multicast configuration information of the multicast service by using scheduling information (that is, first DCI) of the paging message.”); ¶ [0342], (“the scheduling information may carry indication information of the obtaining manner of the multicast configuration information, for example, 1-bit (or more) indication information.”) It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified HONG with YU to include determining that the scheduling information is scheduling the one or more multicast services based at least in part on a value of a one-bit indicator received in the DCI, as taught by YU. One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to make this modification to result in reliable reception of trigger messages and scheduled multicast data, as suggested by YU, the first DCI may be used to indicate the obtaining manner of the multicast configuration information of the multicast service. This improves efficiency of obtaining the multicast configuration information. - ¶ [0217] Claim 8. Combination of HONG and YU teaches The method of claim 1, - refer to the indicated claim for reference(s). HONG teaches: further comprising: receiving the trigger message in a system information block, the system information block comprising a multicast-broadcast control channel configuration; – in ¶ [0199], (“the MBS configuration information for the RRC idle/inactive UE to receive MBS data may be indicated through MBS-related system information and/or MBS control logical channel”); ¶ [0149], (“MBS control information/configuration parameters for MBS data reception through the SIB”) and determining whether to receive the one or more multicast services on a multicast- broadcast control channel in accordance with the first state or the connected state based at least in part on the multicast-broadcast control channel configuration. - in ¶ [0149], (“MBS control information/configuration parameters for MBS data reception through the SIB only may affect other UEs which are not interested in receiving the MBS when system information is changed due to a change in any parameter related to the MBS session. For example, even for the UE which is not interested in receiving the MBS, if the UE is notified of a system information change, it should be checked whether a change is made to any system information related to the UE regardless of whether the UE is interested in receiving the MBS.”) Claim 9. Combination of HONG and YU teaches The method of claim 8, - refer to the indicated claim for reference(s). YU further teaches: further comprising: receiving a multicast-broadcast control channel change notification during a multicast-broadcast control channel modification period, - in ¶ [0133], (“if a repetition period RP of the SC-MCCH is one radio frame, 48 SC-MCCHs are included in one modification period.”); ¶ [0140], (“Content of the SC-MCCH in a same MP is the same. When the SC-MCCH changes, a PDCCH including a change notification (MCCH change notification) is sent.”) wherein the multicast-broadcast control channel change notification indicates content change information for the multicast-broadcast control channel; - in ¶ [0140], (“Content of the SC-MCCH in a same MP is the same. When the SC-MCCH changes, a PDCCH including a change notification (MCCH change notification) is sent.”) and monitoring the multicast-broadcast control channel for the content change information based at least in part on the multicast-broadcast control channel change notification. - in ¶ [0133], (“if a repetition period RP of the SC-MCCH is one radio frame, 48 SC-MCCHs are included in one modification period.”); ¶ [0140], (“Content of the SC-MCCH in a same MP is the same. When the SC-MCCH changes, a PDCCH including a change notification (MCCH change notification) is sent.”) It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified HONG with YU to specify the multicast-broadcast control channel change notification, as taught by YU. One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to make this modification to result in reliable reception of trigger messages and scheduled multicast data, as suggested by YU, the first DCI may be used to indicate the obtaining manner of the multicast configuration information of the multicast service. This improves efficiency of obtaining the multicast configuration information. - ¶ [0217] Claim 11. Combination of HONG and YU teaches The method of claim 9, - refer to the indicated claim for reference(s). YU further teaches: wherein the multicast-broadcast control channel change notification comprises a downlink control information message scrambled with a multicast-broadcast control channel radio network temporary identifier, a medium access control message, a system information block, or any combination thereof. - in ¶ [0140], (“a PDCCH including a change notification (MCCH change notification) is sent…The SC-N-RNTI is used to scramble the change notification. When obtaining the SC-MCCH, the terminal device needs to detect the PDCCH scrambled by the SC-RNTI, to obtain scheduling information of the SC-MCCH.”) It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified HONG with YU to include to specify the multicast-broadcast control channel change notification, as taught by YU. One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to make this modification to result in reliable reception of trigger messages and scheduled multicast data, as suggested by YU, the first DCI may be used to indicate the obtaining manner of the multicast configuration information of the multicast service. This improves efficiency of obtaining the multicast configuration information. - ¶ [0217] Claim 14. Combination of HONG and YU teaches The method of claim 9, - refer to the indicated claim for reference(s). HONG teaches: further comprising: identifying a change to a multicast service or a broadcast service based at least in part on the multicast-broadcast control channel change notification; - in ¶ [0188], (“the MBS control channel change notification may be indicated using one or more bits…Upon receiving the paging message (or short message), the UE may recognize the change and receive and apply the MBS control channel.”) and determining whether to transition to the connected state or to remain in the first state to receive the change based at least in part on the multicast service or the broadcast service. - in ¶ [0149], (“even for the UE which is not interested in receiving the MBS, if the UE is notified of a system information change, it should be checked whether a change is made to any system information related to the UE regardless of whether the UE is interested in receiving the MBS.”); ¶ [0295], (“upon receiving the paging message for MBS session notification, the controller 1410 identifies the MBS session identification information included in the paging message. When joining the MBS session included in the paging message, the controller 1410 may trigger initiation of the RRC connection resume procedure to switch to the RRC connected state…¶ [0296], (“the UE 1400 may switch the RRC state only when necessary based on the notification for the MBS session, preventing unnecessary power consumption.”) Claim 15. Combination of HONG and YU teaches The method of claim 1, - refer to the indicated claim for reference(s). HONG teaches: further comprising: receiving, in the downlink control information, an indication that the trigger message is included with the downlink control information in a physical downlink control channel, - in ¶ [0156], (“The short message may be masked using the P-RNTI and transmitted on the PDCCH. The short message may also be transmitted using a short message field in DCI format 1_0.”) wherein the trigger message comprises a short message that indicates the one or more multicast services. - in ¶ [0158], (“an MBS control channel change may be notified of using one (or more) bit among the bits (e.g., 4-8) not used in the short message…Upon receiving the paging message (or short message), the UE may recognize the change and receive and apply the MBS control channel. The UE may transfer and apply the message to the higher layer and receive MBS data.”) Claim 16. Combination of HONG and YU teaches The method of claim 15, - refer to the indicated claim for reference(s). HONG teaches: further comprising: identifying a plurality of reserved bits associated with the short message; - See Fig. 11, ¶ [0158], (“an MBS control channel change may be notified of using one (or more) bit among the bits (e.g., 4-8) not used in the short message.”) determining a value of one or more bits of the plurality of reserved bits, wherein the value of the one or more bits indicates the one or more multicast services; - in ¶ [0158], (“the MBS control channel change notification may be indicated using one or more bits among the bits (e.g., 4-8) not used in the short message. Upon receiving the paging message (or short message), the UE may recognize the change and receive and apply the MBS control channel”) and transitioning to the connected state to receive the one or more multicast services based at least in part on the value of the one or more bits. - in ¶ [0158], (“The UE may transfer and apply the message to the higher layer and receive MBS data. Otherwise, the UE may perform an operation for receiving and processing a paging message…”) Claim 17. Combination of HONG and YU teaches The method of claim 16, - refer to the indicated claim for reference(s). HONG teaches: further comprising: determining the one or more bits comprises a single reserved bit associated with the short message; - See Fig. 11, ¶ [0158], (“an MBS control channel change may be notified of using one (or more) bit among the bits (e.g., 4-8) not used in the short message.”) and transitioning to the connected state to receive the one or more multicast services based at least in part on a value of the single reserved bit. - in ¶ [0158], (“Upon receiving the paging message (or short message), the UE may recognize the change and receive and apply the MBS control channel. The UE may transfer and apply the message to the higher layer and receive MBS data. Otherwise, the UE may perform an operation for receiving and processing a paging message…”) Claim 18. Combination of HONG and YU teaches The method of claim 16, - refer to the indicated claim for reference(s). HONG teaches: further comprising: determining the one or more bits comprises a set of reserved bits associated with the short message; - See Fig. 11, ¶ [0158], (“an MBS control channel change may be notified of using one (or more) bit among the bits (e.g., 4-8) not used in the short message.”) identifying a multicast service or a group of multicast services of the one or more multicast services based at least in part on a value of the set of reserved bits; - in ¶ [0158], (“Upon receiving the paging message (or short message), the UE may recognize the change and receive and apply the MBS control channel. The UE may transfer and apply the message to the higher layer and receive MBS data.”) and transitioning to the connected state to receive the multicast service or the group of multicast services based at least in part on the value of the set of reserved bits. - in ¶ [0158], (“Upon receiving the paging message (or short message), the UE may recognize the change and receive and apply the MBS control channel. The UE may transfer and apply the message to the higher layer and receive MBS data.”) Claim 19. Combination of HONG and YU teaches The method of claim 18, - refer to the indicated claim for reference(s). HONG teaches: wherein identifying the multicast service or the group of multicast services further comprises: receiving a radio resource control message indicating a mapping between the value of the set of reserved bits and a plurality of different multicast services or groups of multicast services. See Fig. 11, ¶ [0158], (“an MBS control channel change may be notified of using one (or more) bit among the bits (e.g., 4-8) not used in the short message.”); ¶ [0158], (“Upon receiving the paging message (or short message), the UE may recognize the change and receive and apply the MBS control channel. The UE may transfer and apply the message to the higher layer and receive MBS data. Otherwise, the UE may perform an operation for receiving and processing a paging message…”) Claim 22. Combination of HONG and YU teaches The method of claim 21, - refer to the indicated claim for reference(s). HONG teaches: further comprising: transmitting the radio resource control paging message in accordance with the scheduling information, - in ¶ [0219 - 0220], (“the system information scheduling information…the MBS configuration information may be received through the RRC dedicated message (e.g., RRC reconfiguration message) transmitted from the base station…the MBS configuration information may be received through the (periodically broadcast) MBS control logical channel message…the MBS configuration information may be received through a CCCH RRC message…to indicate the MBS configuration.”) the radio resource control paging message including a first field in that indicates a multicast group paging identity associated with the one or more multicast services. - in ¶ [0244], (“the RNTI for MBS data identification means a multicast session/multicast group specific RNTI or a group common RNTI for multicast traffic/data, similar to SC-RNTI and G-RNTI.”); ¶ [0255 - 0256], (“The paging message transmitted to the UE by the base station may include one or more of MBS session ID information…When the MBS session ID included in the paging message matches the MBS session ID of the inactive multicast session joined by the UE, the UE may initiate/perform any operation for receiving data…”) Claim 26. Combination of HONG and YU teaches The method of claim 21, - refer to the indicated claim for reference(s). HONG teaches: further comprising: transmitting the radio resource control paging message in accordance with the scheduling information, - in ¶ [0219 - 0220], (“the system information scheduling information…the MBS configuration information may be received through the RRC dedicated message (e.g., RRC reconfiguration message) transmitted from the base station…the MBS configuration information may be received through the (periodically broadcast) MBS control logical channel message…the MBS configuration information may be received through a CCCH RRC message…to indicate the MBS configuration.”) the radio resource control paging message comprising a paging identifier that includes a paging record and a multicast session identifier associated with the UE. - in ¶ [0255], (“The paging message may include the paging record or UE identifier information element included in the paging record. As the UE identifier information element included in the paging record, a 48-bit NG-5G-S-TMSI or a 40-bit full-RNTI may be selected.”) Claim 27. Combination of HONG and YU teaches The method of claim 21, - refer to the indicated claim for reference(s). YU further teaches: further comprising: transmitting a one-bit indicator in the downlink control information, wherein the one-bit indicator comprises a notification that the one or more multicast services are scheduled. - in ¶ [0337], (“obtaining manner of multicast configuration information of the multicast service by using scheduling information (that is, first DCI) of the paging message.”); ¶ [0342], (“the scheduling information may carry indication information of the obtaining manner of the multicast configuration information, for example, 1-bit (or more) indication information.”) It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified HONG with YU to include transmitting a one-bit indicator, as taught by YU. One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to make this modification to result in reliable reception of trigger messages and scheduled multicast data, as suggested by YU, the first DCI may be used to indicate the obtaining manner of the multicast configuration information of the multicast service. This improves efficiency of obtaining the multicast configuration information. - ¶ [0217] Claim 28. Combination of HONG and YU teaches The method of claim 21, - refer to the indicated claim for reference(s). HONG teaches: further comprising: transmitting the trigger message in a system information block, the system information block including a multicast-broadcast control channel configuration. – in ¶ [0199], (“the MBS configuration information for the RRC idle/inactive UE to receive MBS data may be indicated through MBS-related system information and/or MBS control logical channel”); ¶ [0149], (“MBS control information/configuration parameters for MBS data reception through the SIB”) Claim 21 is rejected under the same rationale as Claim 1 since they recite nearly identical limitations. Claims 23-25 are rejected under the same rationale as Claims 3-5 since they recite nearly identical limitations. Claim 29 is the apparatus claim corresponding to the method claim of Claim 1 and is rejected under the same rationale as Claim 1 since they recite nearly identical limitations. Claim 30 is the apparatus claim corresponding to the method claim of Claim 21 and is rejected under the same rationale as Claim 21 since they recite nearly identical limitations. Claims 10, 12-13, 20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over HONG (US 20230380002, hereinafter, “HONG”) in view of US 20230247401, hereinafter, “YU”), and further in view of FUJISHIRO (WO 2018143246, hereinafter, “FUJISHIRO”). Claim 10. Combination of HONG and YU teaches The method of claim 9, - refer to the indicated claim for reference(s). Combination of HONG and YU does not explicitly teach: wherein the content change information indicates a start of a multicast-broadcast session, a change in multicast-broadcast control channel content or service, or both. However, FUJISHIRO teaches: wherein the content change information indicates a start of a multicast-broadcast session, a change in multicast-broadcast control channel content or service, or both. - in ¶ [0189], (“The first direct indication in PDCCH scrambled with SC-RNTI is functionally identical to the existing SC-MCCH change notification currently indicated in PDCCH scrambled with SC-N-RNTI. This direct indication is primarily expected to be provided before a new MBMS session starts”) It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified HONG and YU with FUJISHIRO to specify the multicast-broadcast control channel change notification, as taught by FUJISHIRO. One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to make this modification to result in reliable reception of scheduled multicast data, as suggested by FUJISHIRO, the UE 100 in the RRC idle mode can transition to the RRC connected mode if the provision of a particular MBMS service that the UE 100 is interested in receiving does not start at the provision start time. - ¶ [0131] Claim 12. Combination of HONG and YU teaches The method of claim 9, - refer to the indicated claim for reference(s). YU further teaches: wherein the multicast-broadcast control channel change notification further comprises a single bit or a group of bits in a downlink control information message, - in ¶ [0158], (“an MBS control channel change may be notified of using one (or more) bit among the bits (e.g., 4-8) not used in the short message. Or…may be indicated using one or more bits among the bits (e.g., 4-8) not used in the short message”) FUJISHIRO further teaches: wherein each bit of the group of bits indicates a different type of multicast-broadcast control channel change. - in ¶ [0115], (“For example, assume that the notification information is three bits, with the first bit corresponding to TMGI A, the next bit corresponding to TMGI B, and the next bit corresponding to TMGI C. Under these assumptions, when eNB200 starts providing the MBMS service of TMGI B, it sends "010" as notification information”); ¶ [0088], (“The first notification is one bit in the (M/N) PDCCH transmitted using the SC-RNTI. The first notification indicates whether or not there is a change in the SC-MCCH”) It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified HONG and YU with FUJISHIRO to specify the multicast-broadcast control channel change notification, as taught by FUJISHIRO. One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to make this modification to result in reliable reception of scheduled multicast/broadcast data, as suggested by FUJISHIRO, the UE 100 in the RRC idle mode can transition to the RRC connected mode if the provision of a particular MBMS service that the UE 100 is interested in receiving does not start at the provision start time. - ¶ [0131] Claim 13. Combination of HONG and YU teaches The method of claim 9, - refer to the indicated claim for reference(s). FUJISHIRO further teaches: wherein the multicast-broadcast control channel change notification indicated by a group of bits comprises a start of a new multicast-broadcast session, - in ¶ [0090 - 0091], (“The third notification indicates whether a new MBMS service will be started within the next SC-MCCH modification period…The first to third notifications may be referred to as "Direct indications." Although an example in which the notification is made up of one bit has been described, the notification may be made up of multiple bits.”) an addition of a multicast-broadcast service, - in ¶ [0093], (“The predetermined notification information may be information indicating that the SC-MCCH (SC-PTM setting information) will be changed due to the second MBMS service. In this case, the specified notification information can be considered as an SC-MCCH change notification.”) an indication of a multicast-broadcast service update, or any combination thereof. - in ¶ [0089], (“The second notification indicates whether the SC-MTCH configuration of the MBMS service (TMGI) corresponding to the G-RNTI will be changed within the next SC-MCCH modification period.") It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified HONG and YU with FUJISHIRO to specify the multicast-broadcast control channel change notification, as taught by FUJISHIRO. One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to make this modification to result in reliable reception of scheduled multicast/broadcast data, as suggested by FUJISHIRO, the UE 100 in the RRC idle mode can transition to the RRC connected mode if the provision of a particular MBMS service that the UE 100 is interested in receiving does not start at the provision start time. - ¶ [0131] Claim 20. Combination of HONG and YU teaches The method of claim 1, - refer to the indicated claim for reference(s). FUJISHIRO further teaches: further comprising: monitoring a group-radio network temporary identifier or paging radio network temporary identifier associated with the trigger message; - in ¶ [0068], (“Each SC-MTCH-Info includes information about the ongoing MBMS session (mbmsSessionInfo) transmitted via the SC-MRB, the G-RNTI (Group RNTI) corresponding to the MBMS session…The G-RNTI is an RNTI that identifies a multicast group (specifically, an SC-MTCH addressed to a specific group).”); ¶ [0117], (“eNB 200 transmits, to UE 100 via (M/N) PDCCH, control information including a 1-bit notification indicating that a new MBMS service will be started within the next SC-MCCH modification period.”) and identifying the trigger message associated with the one or more multicast services based at least in part on the monitoring. - in ¶ [0117], (“eNB 200 transmits, to UE 100 via (M/N) PDCCH, control information including a 1-bit notification indicating that a new MBMS service will be started within the next SC-MCCH modification period.”) It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified HONG and YU with FUJISHIRO to include monitoring a group-radio network temporary identifier or paging radio network temporary identifier associated with the trigger message; and identifying the trigger message associated with the one or more multicast services based at least in part on the monitoring, as taught by FUJISHIRO. One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to make this modification to result in reliable reception of trigger messages and scheduled multicast/broadcast data, as suggested by FUJISHIRO, the UE 100 in the RRC idle mode can transition to the RRC connected mode if the provision of a particular MBMS service that the UE 100 is interested in receiving does not start at the provision start time. - ¶ [0131] 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 Shima Wasel whose telephone number is (703)756-4725. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 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, Khaled Kassim can be reached at (571) 270-3770. 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. /SHIMA WASEL/Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2475 /KHALED M KASSIM/supervisory patent examiner, Art Unit 2475
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Prosecution Timeline

Mar 09, 2023
Application Filed
Oct 02, 2025
Non-Final Rejection — §103
Dec 30, 2025
Response Filed
Mar 06, 2026
Final Rejection — §103 (current)

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Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

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Prosecution Projections

3-4
Expected OA Rounds
46%
Grant Probability
99%
With Interview (+83.3%)
3y 3m
Median Time to Grant
Moderate
PTA Risk
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