DETAILED ACTION
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and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114.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 06/10/2026 has been entered
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 .
Claims 1-6, 8-16, 18 and 22-25 are pending in this office action.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments with respect to the RCE filed 06/10/2026 have been considered but are moot in view of new grounds of rejection.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 3, 4, 6, 8-10, 13, 14, 16 and 18 are objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
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, 2, 5, 11, 12, 15 and 22-25 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kang et al (US 2020/0092794 A1) in view of Kang et al (US 2021/0400562 A1) (hereinafter Kang562) in further view of Zhu et al (US 2012/0231760 A1).
Regarding claim 1, Kang teaches a first network entity (NE) (Kang: Fig. 4: eNB Operator 1) for wireless communication, comprising: at least one memory; and at least one processor coupled with the at least one memory and operable to cause the first NE to:
transmit, to at least one user equipment (UE), a broadcasted system information message that indicates support associated with access to a restricted operator service is available at the first NE (Kang: Fig. 4-403; [0066]-[0067]) and
receive, in response to the broadcasted system information message and based at least in part on a radio resource control (RRC) connection establishment procedure for access to the restricted operator service, an RRCConnectionSetupComplete message (Kang: Fig. 4:405-409; [0071]-[0072]), wherein:
attach request message includes a restricted operator service attach type (Kang: Fig. 4; [0075]-[0076], [0096]) and the RRCConnectionSetupComplete message is received in response to credentials associated with the at least one UE being unauthenticated (Kang: Fig. 4; [0007], [0040]-[0041], [0081], system applied to unauthenticated UE).
Kang does not explicitly disclose the RRCConnectionSetupComplete message includes a first information element corresponding to an attach request and a second information element corresponding to a restricted operator service request.
Kang562 teaches the RRCConnectionSetupComplete message includes a first information element corresponding to an attach request and a second information element corresponding to a restricted operator service request (Kang562: Claim 1).
It would have been obvious to a person having an ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Kang wherein the RRCConnectionSetupComplete message includes a first information element corresponding to an attach request and a second information element corresponding to a restricted operator service request as disclosed by Kang562 to provide a system for providing operator specific service (Kang: Abstract).
Kang does not explicitly disclose the attached request is a non-access stratum (NAS) attached request.
Zhu teaches the attached request is a non-access stratum (NAS) attached request (Baek: Fig. 4, [0009], [0014]-[0015], restricted service in NAS attached request).
It would have been obvious to a person having an ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Kang in view of Kang562 wherein t the attached request is a non-access stratum (NAS) attached request as disclosed by Zhu to provide a system for emergency call attachment (Zhu: Abstract).
Regarding claim 11, Kang teaches a method performed by a first network equipment (NE) (Kang: Fig. 4: eNB Operator 1), the method comprising:
transmitting, to at least one user equipment (UE), a broadcasted system information message that indicates support associated with access to a restricted operator service is available at the first NE (Kang: Fig. 4-403; [0066]-[0067]) and
receiving, in response to the broadcasted system information message and based at least in part on a radio resource control (RRC) connection establishment procedure for access to the restricted operator service, an RRCConnectionSetupComplete message (Kang: Fig. 4:405-409; [0071]-[0072]), wherein:
attach request message includes a restricted operator service attach type (Kang: Fig. 4; [0075]-[0076], [0096]) and the RRCConnectionSetupComplete message is received in response to credentials associated with the at least one UE being unauthenticated (Kang: Fig. 4; [0007], [0040]-[0041], [0081], system applied to unauthenticated UE).
Kang does not explicitly disclose the RRCConnectionSetupComplete message includes a first information element corresponding to an attach request and a second information element corresponding to a restricted operator service request.
Kang562 teaches the RRCConnectionSetupComplete message includes a first information element corresponding to an attach request and a second information element corresponding to a restricted operator service request (Kang562: Claim 1).
It would have been obvious to a person having an ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Kang wherein the RRCConnectionSetupComplete message includes a first information element corresponding to an attach request and a second information element corresponding to a restricted operator service request as disclosed by Kang562 to provide a system for providing operator specific service (Kang: Abstract).
Kang does not explicitly disclose the attached request is a non-access stratum (NAS) attached request.
Zhu teaches the attached request is a non-access stratum (NAS) attached request (Baek: Fig. 4, [0009], [0014]-[0015], restricted service in NAS attached request).
It would have been obvious to a person having an ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Kang in view of Kang562 wherein t the attached request is a non-access stratum (NAS) attached request as disclosed by Zhu to provide a system for emergency call attachment (Zhu: Abstract).
Regarding claim 22, Kang teaches a user equipment (UE) (Kang: Fig. 4: UE), for wireless communication, comprising: at least one memory; and at least one processor coupled with the at least one memory and configured to cause the UE to:
receive, from a first network entity (NE) a broadcasted system information message that indicates support associated with access to a restricted operator service (Kang: Fig. 4-403; [0066]-[0067]); and
transmit, in response to the broadcasted system information based on a radio resource control (RRC) connection establishment procedure for access to the restricted operator service (Kang: Fig. 4:405-409; [0071]-[0072]), an RRCConnectionSetupComplete message including an attach request message and a restricted operator service request ((Kang: Fig. 4; [0075]-[0076], [0096]), and the RRCConnectionSetupComplete message is received in response to credentials associated with the at least one UE being unauthenticated (Kang: Fig. 4; [0007], [0040]-[0041], [0081], system applied to unauthenticated UE).
Kang does not explicitly disclose the RRCConnectionSetupComplete message includes a first information element corresponding to an attach request and a second information element corresponding to a restricted operator service request.
Kang562 teaches the RRCConnectionSetupComplete message includes a first information element corresponding to an attach request and a second information element corresponding to a restricted operator service request (Kang562: Claim 1).
It would have been obvious to a person having an ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Kang wherein the RRCConnectionSetupComplete message includes a first information element corresponding to a non-access stratum (NAS) attach request and a second information element corresponding to a restricted operator service request as disclosed by Kang562 to provide a system for providing operator specific service (Kang: Abstract).
Kang does not explicitly disclose the attached request is a non-access stratum (NAS) attached request.
Zhu teaches the attached request is a non-access stratum (NAS) attached request (Baek: Fig. 4, [0009], [0014]-[0015], restricted service in NAS attached request).
It would have been obvious to a person having an ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Kang in view of Kang562 wherein t the attached request is a non-access stratum (NAS) attached request as disclosed by Zhu to provide a system for emergency call attachment (Zhu: Abstract).
Regarding claim 23, Kang teaches method performed by a user equipment (UE) (Kang: Fig. 4: UE), comprising:
receiving, from a first network entity (NE) a broadcasted system information message that indicates support associated with access to a restricted operator service (Kang: Fig. 4-403; [0066]-[0067]); and
transmitting, in response to the broadcasted system information based on a radio resource control (RRC) connection establishment procedure for access to the restricted operator service (Kang: Fig. 4:405-409; [0071]-[0072]), an RRCConnectionSetupComplete message including an attach request message and a restricted operator service request ((Kang: Fig. 4; [0075]-[0076], [0096]), and the RRCConnectionSetupComplete message is received in response to credentials associated with the at least one UE being unauthenticated (Kang: Fig. 4; [0007], [0040]-[0041], [0081], system applied to unauthenticated UE).
Kang does not explicitly disclose the RRCConnectionSetupComplete message includes a first information element corresponding to an attach request and a second information element corresponding to a restricted operator service request.
Kang562 teaches the RRCConnectionSetupComplete message includes a first information element corresponding to an attach request and a second information element corresponding to a restricted operator service request (Kang562: Claim 1).
It would have been obvious to a person having an ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Kang wherein the RRCConnectionSetupComplete message includes a first information element corresponding to a non-access stratum (NAS) attach request and a second information element corresponding to a restricted operator service request as disclosed by Kang562 to provide a system for providing operator specific service (Kang: Abstract).
Kang does not explicitly disclose the attached request is a non-access stratum (NAS) attached request.
Zhu teaches the attached request is a non-access stratum (NAS) attached request (Baek: Fig. 4, [0009], [0014]-[0015], restricted service in NAS attached request).
It would have been obvious to a person having an ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Kang in view of Kang562 wherein t the attached request is a non-access stratum (NAS) attached request as disclosed by Zhu to provide a system for emergency call attachment (Zhu: Abstract).
Regarding claims 2 and 12, Kang teaches wherein the at least of first NE processor is further operable to cause the first NE to: perform the RRC connection establishment procedure using a public land mobile network (PLMN) of a selected cell; and receive information of restricted operator service access to the selected PLMN (Kang: Fig. 1 and 4; [0031], [0071] Operator is a mobile network operator/ PLMN).
Regarding claims 5 and 15, Kang in view of Kang562 teaches wherein the at least one processor is further operable to cause the first NE to receive an attach request indicating an attachment is for restricted operator service access; and to perform the RRC connection establishment procedure in response to receiving an attach request indicating an attachment is for restricted operator service access (Kang: Fig. 4; [0071]-[0076], [0096]; Kang562: Claim 1).
Claims 24 and 25 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kang et al (US 2020/0092794 A1) in view of Kang et al (US 2021/0400562 A1) (hereinafter Kang562) in further view of Zhu et al (US 2012/0231760 A1) in further view of Baek et al (US 2014/0130137 A1).
Regarding claim 24, Kang in view of Kang562 and Zhu does not explicitly disclose restricted operator service request indicates a second first NE dedicated with the restricted operator service: and forward the NAS attach request message to the second NE.
Baek teaches the restricted operator service request indicates a second NE dedicated with the restricted operator service: and forward the NAS attach request message to the second NE (Baek: Figs. 12-14, [0228], restricted service sent to an MME/second NE).
It would have been obvious to a person having an ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Kang in view of Kang562 and Zhu wherein the restricted operator service request indicates a second NE associated with the restricted operator service: and forward the NAS attach request message to the second NE as disclosed by Baek to provide a system for device-to-device discovery (Baek: Abstract).
Regarding claim 25, Kang in view of Kang562 and Zhu and Baek teaches wherein the restricted operator service request indicates a second NE dedicated to the restricted operator service (Baek: Figs. 12-14, [0228], restricted service sent to an MME/second NE).
Conclusion
The reference Lee et al (US 2012/0135713 A1) not used in this rejection is relevant in that it discloses in [0136] unauthenticated UE access to restricted service.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to KODZOVI ACOLATSE whose telephone number is (571)270-1999. The examiner can normally be reached Monday to Friday 10 am to 6pm.
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, Avellino Joseph can be reached at (571) 272-3905. 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.
/KODZOVI ACOLATSE/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2478
Prosecution Insights