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and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114.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 May 06, 2026 has been entered.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed May 06, 2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
The Applicant argues that the combination of Park and Xu fails to teach or suggest a network node configured to select, based on a slice identifier included in a registration request message, one of a plurality of AMF modules that is associated with the wireless communication service provider identified by the slice identifier. Specifically, the Applicant argues that Park’s NSSAI does not teach or suggest “a slice identifier that corresponds to a wireless communication service provider” as cited in claims 1, 7, and 12 because Park’s NSSAI is used for selecting network slices based on service type characteristics, not for identifying a wireless communication service provider. The Examiner respectfully disagrees.
The Examiner notes that the limitation of “a slice identifier that corresponds to a wireless communication service provider” is broadly and reasonably interpreted as a slice ID that is associated and related to a wireless communication service provider.
Even though the Applicant correctly argues that Parks’ NSSAI is used for selecting network slices based on service type characteristics; however, Park’s NSSAI still corresponds to the wireless communication service provider because the NSSAI itself is defined by the wireless communication service provider. For this reason, the teachings of Park still read on “a slice identifier corresponds to a wireless communication service provider” because the NSSAI of Park is in fact the slice identifier, and the NSSAI is defined by the wireless communication service provider, it which it means that the S-NSSAI corresponds to the wireless communication service provider of claim language.
In addition, the Examiner now provides an additional reference, Lee et al. (US 2018/0270666), to clearly show to the Applicant that a slice identifier corresponding to a wireless communication service provider is also taught or suggested in Lee. Please see the rejections below for further details.
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.
Claim(s) 1-2, 4, 7-8, and 12-13 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Park et al. (hereinafter “Park”, EP 3 544 337) as cited in IDS dated June 18, 2024 in view of Xu et al. (hereinafter “Xu”, US 2022/0061075), and further in view of Lee et al. (hereinafter “Lee”, US 2018/0270666).
Regarding claim 1, Park discloses a wireless communication system comprising:
a network node that is configured to receive, from a user equipment, a registration request message including a slice identifier that is related to a wireless communication service provider (i.e., receiving a registration request message including a network slice selection assistance information (NSSAI) for a slice requested by the UE as described in Abstract. The UE within a specific PLMN uses only S-NSSAI belonging to the configured NSSAI of the corresponding PLMN as described in paragraphs 0151-0155, and the NSSAI has a PLMN specific value for the slice/service type as described in paragraph 0210); and
a plurality of access and mobility management function (AMF) modules associated with a wireless communication provider (i.e. a plurality of AMF modules as shown in Fig. 9), the wireless communication service provider providing roaming services (i.e., AMF supports functions including a roaming right check as described in paragraph 0117),
wherein the network node is configured to select, based on the slice identifier included in the registration request message (i.e., searching a AMF that support the NSSAI as described in paragraph 0007), one of the plurality of AMF modules that is associated with the wireless communication service provider identified by the slice identifier (i.e., selecting a serving AMF of a network node based on a slice requested by the UE and priority information of the NSSAI as described in Abstract), and
wherein the user equipment is provided with a roaming service provided by the wireless communication service provider associated with the selected AMF module (i.e., providing roaming services to users as described in paragraphs 0117, 0128, 0181 and 0197).
Park, however, does not expressly disclose:
a slice identifier that corresponds to a wireless communication service provider; and
a plurality of AMF modules each associated with one of a plurality of wireless communication service providers.
In a similar endeavor, Xu discloses information transmission method and apparatus, and network device. Xu also discloses:
a plurality of AMF modules each associated with one of a plurality of wireless communication service providers (i.e., a plurality of AMF, each corresponds to a different PLMN as described in paragraph 0086).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skilled in the art to modify the teachings of the cited references, and arrive at the present invention.
The motivation/suggestion for doing so would have been to provide support and different functions to each of the communication service providers.
The combination of Park and Xu does not expressly disclose:
a slice identifier that corresponds to a wireless communication service provider.
In a similar endeavor, Lee discloses network access privacy. Lee also discloses a slice identifier that corresponds to a wireless communication service provider (i.e., a registration procedure including the NSSAI and PLMN ID as shown in Fig. 13, and as described in paragraphs 0084, 0086, and 0120).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skilled in the art to modify the teachings of the cited references, and arrive at the present invention.
The motivation/suggestion for doing so would have been to enable the UE to request a specific network slice as desired for the requested services.
Regarding claims 2, 8, and 13, Park, Xu, and Lee disclose all limitations recited within claims as described above. Park also discloses wherein the slice identifier is assigned to the user equipment (i.e., the allowed S-NSSAI that is used by the UE as described in paragraphs 0151-0157).
Regarding claim 4, Park, Xu, and Lee disclose all limitations recited within claims as described above. Park also discloses:
a session management function (SMF) module configured to interact with a decoupled data plane and manage Protocol Data Unit (PDU) sessions (i.e., SMF as shown in Fig. 7 and as described in paragraph 0126);
a user plane function (UPF) module configured to connect data from the network node (i.e., UPF is connected from RAN as shown in Fig. 7);
a policy control function (PCF) module configured to receive information regarding a packet flow from an application server and determine a policy (i.e., PCF as shown in Fig. 8); and
a unified data management (UDM) module configured to store subscriber information (i.e., UDM as shown in Fig. 8 and as described in paragraph 0214),
wherein the SMF module, the UPF module, the PCF module, and the UDM module are shared among the plurality of AMF modules (i.e., see Figs. 7-8 and its descriptions).
Regarding claim 7, Park discloses a wireless communication method comprising:
receiving, from a user equipment (UE) by a network node, a registration request message including a slice identifier that is related to a wireless communication service provider (i.e., receiving a registration request message including a network slice selection assistance information (NSSAI) for a slice requested by the UE as described in Abstract. The UE within a specific PLMN uses only S-NSSAI belonging to the configured NSSAI of the corresponding PLMN as described in paragraphs 0151-0155, and the NSSAI has a PLMN specific value for the slice/service type as described in paragraph 0210);
selecting, by the network node based on the slice identifier included in the registration request message (i.e., searching a AMF that support the NSSAI as described in paragraph 0007), one of a plurality of access and mobility management function (AMF) modules that is associated with the wireless communication service provider identified by the slice identifier (i.e. a plurality of AMF modules as shown in Fig. 9), the plurality of AMF modules associated with the wireless communication service provider providing roaming services (i.e., AMF supports functions including a roaming right check as described in paragraph 0117); and
providing, by the wireless communication service providers associated with the selected AMF module, a roaming service to the user equipment (i.e., providing roaming services to users as described in paragraphs 0117, 0128, 0181 and 0197).
Park, however, does not expressly disclose:
a slice identifier that corresponds to a wireless communication service provider; and
a plurality of AMF modules each associated with one of a plurality of wireless communication service providers.
In a similar endeavor, Xu discloses information transmission method and apparatus, and network device. Xu also discloses:
a plurality of AMF modules each associated with one of a plurality of wireless communication service providers (i.e., a plurality of AMF, each corresponds to a different PLMN as described in paragraph 0086).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skilled in the art to modify the teachings of the cited references, and arrive at the present invention.
The motivation/suggestion for doing so would have been to provide support and different functions to each of the communication service providers.
The combination of Park and Xu does not expressly disclose:
a slice identifier that corresponds to a wireless communication service provider.
In a similar endeavor, Lee discloses network access privacy. Lee also discloses a slice identifier that corresponds to a wireless communication service provider (i.e., a registration procedure including the NSSAI and PLMN ID as shown in Fig. 13, and as described in paragraphs 0084, 0086, and 0120).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skilled in the art to modify the teachings of the cited references, and arrive at the present invention.
The motivation/suggestion for doing so would have been to enable the UE to request a specific network slice as desired for the requested services.
Regarding claim 12, Park discloses a non-transitory recording medium storing a program, wherein execution of the program causes one or more computers of a wireless communication system to perform operations comprising:
receiving, from a user equipment (UE) by a network node, a registration request message including a slice identifier that is related to a wireless communication service provider (i.e., receiving a registration request message including a network slice selection assistance information (NSSAI) for a slice requested by the UE as described in Abstract. The UE within a specific PLMN uses only S-NSSAI belonging to the configured NSSAI of the corresponding PLMN as described in paragraphs 0151-0155, and the NSSAI has a PLMN specific value for the slice/service type as described in paragraph 0210);
selecting, by the network node based on the slice identifier included in the registration request message (i.e., searching a AMF that support the NSSAI as described in paragraph 0007), one of a plurality of access and mobility management function (AMF) modules that is associated with the wireless communication service provider is identified by (i.e. a plurality of AMF modules as shown in Fig. 9) the slice identifier (i.e., based on the requested NSSAI as described in Abstract), the AMF module associated with the wireless communication service providers providing roaming services (i.e., AMF supports functions including a roaming right check as described in paragraph 0117); and
providing, by the wireless communication service provider associated with the selected AMF module, a roaming service to the user equipment (i.e., providing roaming services to users as described in paragraphs 0117, 0128, 0181 and 0197).
Park, however, does not expressly disclose:
a slice identifier that corresponds to a wireless communication service provider; and
a plurality of AMF modules each associated with one of a plurality of wireless communication service providers.
In a similar endeavor, Xu discloses information transmission method and apparatus, and network device. Xu also discloses:
a plurality of AMF modules each associated with one of a plurality of wireless communication service providers (i.e., a plurality of AMF, each corresponds to a different PLMN as described in paragraph 0086).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skilled in the art to modify the teachings of the cited references, and arrive at the present invention.
The motivation/suggestion for doing so would have been to provide support and different functions to each of the communication service providers.
The combination of Park and Xu does not expressly disclose:
a slice identifier that corresponds to a wireless communication service provider.
In a similar endeavor, Lee discloses network access privacy. Lee also discloses a slice identifier that corresponds to a wireless communication service provider (i.e., a registration procedure including the NSSAI and PLMN ID as shown in Fig. 13, and as described in paragraphs 0084, 0086, and 0120).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skilled in the art to modify the teachings of the cited references, and arrive at the present invention.
The motivation/suggestion for doing so would have been to enable the UE to request a specific network slice as desired for the requested services.
Claim(s) 5, 10 and 15 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Park in view of Xu in view of Lee and further in view of Song et al. (hereinafter “Song”, US 2025/0294436).
Regarding claims 5, 10, and 15, Park, Xu, and Lee disclose all limitations recited within claims as described above. Park also discloses:
wherein the plurality of AMF modules are configured to, based on being selected by the network node, transmit a registration accept message to the user equipment (i.e., the AMF accepts the registration of the UE by transmitting a Registration Accept to the UE as described in paragraph 0232).
Park and Xu, however, does not expressly disclose wherein the registration accept message includes information regarding various features that are supported.
In a similar endeavor, Song discloses methods and apparatuses for facilitating network slice selection. Song also discloses wherein the registration accept message includes information regarding various features that are supported (i.e., the registration accept indicating that allowed NSSAI is A, B, C as described in paragraph 0093).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skilled in the art to modify the teachings of the cited references, and arrive at the present invention.
The motivation/suggestion for doing so would have been to enable the UE to get the optimal service.
Claim(s) 6 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Park in view of Xu in view of Lee and further in view of Godin et al. (hereinafter “Godin”, US 2024/0015599).
Regarding claim 6, Park, Xu, and Lee disclose all limitations recited within claims as described above, but do not expressly disclose features of these claims.
In a similar endeavor, Godin discloses RAN congestion management and service continuity with user consent option. Godin also discloses:
wherein the plurality of AMF modules are configured to, based on being selected by the network node, transmit an initial context setup request message to the network node, the initial context setup request message indicating a mobility trigger for improving voice performance being supported (i.e., AMF indicate information to the RAN as part of an initial context setup request for a giving UE or ding connected node mobility in a case of a change of RAN node as described in paragraph 0035).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skilled in the art to modify the teachings of the cited references, and arrive at the present invention.
The motivation/suggestion for doing so would have been to provide service to the user equipment seamlessly.
Claim(s) 11, and 16 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Park in view of Xu in view of Lee and further in view of Kim et al. (hereinafter “Kim”, US 2023/0033793).
Regarding claims 11, and 16, Park, Xu, and Lee disclose all limitations recited within claims as described above, but do not expressly disclose features of these claims.
In a similar endeavor, Kim discloses method and apparatus for providing voice service to user equipment in hybrid mobile communication system. Kim also discloses:
transmitting, by the one of the plurality of AMF modules, an initial context setup request message to the network node (i.e., transmitting by AMF an initial context setup request message to NG-RAN 103 as described in paragraph 0104),
wherein the initial context setup request message indicates an Evolved Packet System Fallback (EPSFB) being supported (i.e., indicator indicating whether the UE and/or the network support EPS fallback as described in paragraph 0104).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skilled in the art to modify the teachings of the cited references, and arrive at the present invention.
The motivation/suggestion for doing so would have been to enable the user equipment to use wireless communication seamlessly between different technologies.
Conclusion
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/Wayne H Cai/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2644
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