Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 18/277,437

METHODS, ARCHITECTURES, APPARATUSES AND SYSTEMS FOR SUPPORTING MULTIPLE APPLICATION IDS USING LAYER-3 RELAY

Non-Final OA §103
Filed
Aug 16, 2023
Examiner
ZAIDI, IQBAL
Art Unit
2464
Tech Center
2400 — Computer Networks
Assignee
InterDigital Patent Holdings, Inc.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
90%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
2y 6m
To Grant
97%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 90% — above average
90%
Career Allow Rate
1090 granted / 1207 resolved
+32.3% vs TC avg
Moderate +7% lift
Without
With
+6.6%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 6m
Avg Prosecution
32 currently pending
Career history
1239
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
6.9%
-33.1% vs TC avg
§103
50.0%
+10.0% vs TC avg
§102
11.8%
-28.2% vs TC avg
§112
14.5%
-25.5% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1207 resolved cases

Office Action

§103
DETAILED ACTION The instant application having application No 18/277437 filed on 08/16/2023 is presented for examination by the examiner. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103 The following is a quotation of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a) which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action: (a) A patent may not be obtained though the invention is not identically disclosed or described as set forth in section 102 of this title, if the differences between the subject matter sought to be patented and the prior art are such that the subject matter as a whole would have been obvious at the time the invention was made to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which said subject matter pertains. Patentability shall not be negatived by the manner in which the invention was made. Claims 1-5, 7, 9, 12-17, 19, 21 and 24 are rejected under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as being unpatentable over He et al. (U.S 20200137462, Apr. 30, 2020) in view of FREDA et al. (US 20190320467, Oct. 17, 2019). Regarding Claim 1, He discloses a Wireless Transmit Receive Unit (WTRU), the method comprising receiving, from a peer WTRU, a first request message to establish a direct communication with the peer WTRU, the first request message including an indication of first user information of the peer WTRU, the first user information being associated with a first application and/or a first application identity (page 3, par (0052), line 1-20, the NAP configured to handle IP, and provide standard gateway functions such as network address translation (NAT), dynamic IP address assignment, the ICN network appear as a standard IP network to WTRUs and peering(peer networks with a HTTP to ICN translation mechanism carried out by NAP)); transmitting, to the peer WTRU, information indicating a first Internet Protocol (IP) address associated with the first user information and/or the first application identity (page 3, par (0052), line 1-20, the NAP configured to handle IP, and provide standard gateway functions such as network address translation (NAT), dynamic IP address assignment, the ICN network appear as a standard IP network to WTRUs and peering); receiving, from the peer WTRU, a second request message to associate a second application with the direct communication, the second request message including an indication of second user information of the peer WTRU, the second user information being associated with the second application and/or a second application identity (page 3, par (0052), line 1-20, an implicit multicast configured to be used when two or more WTRUs are watching the same video content at approximately same time(application with the direct communication), the ICN use a gateway, the gateway configured as an access gateway configured to handle IP transmission provide standard gateway functions such as network address translation (NAT), the ICN network appear as a standard IP network to WTRUs and peering with all WTRU HTTP requests to a server, and identify the WTRUs requesting an identical content from the server within a given time window to determine WTRUs viewing the same content at the same time, the NAP send a request to the server, and the system provide an implicit multicast to deliver the requested content to some or all WTRUs); transmitting, to the peer WTRU, a second response message including a second IP address associated with the second user information and/or the second application identity(page 3, par (0052), line 1-20, an implicit multicast configured to be used when two or more WTRUs are watching the same video content at approximately same time(application with the direct communication), the ICN use a gateway, the gateway configured as an access gateway configured to handle IP transmission provide standard gateway functions such as network address translation (NAT), the ICN network appear as a standard IP network to WTRUs and peering with all WTRU); and communicating, with the peer WTRU using the direct communication, data related to the first application using the first IP address and data related to the second application using the second IP address (page 3, par (0052), line 1-20, two or more WTRUs are watching the same video content at approximately same time. The ICN use a gateway, the gateway configured as an access gateway from two or more customers to a network (first application and the second application). The NAP configured to handle all protocols like IP protocol (first IP address) provide standard gateway functions such as network address translation (NAT), and dynamic IP address assignment (second IP address). The ICN network appear as a standard IP network to WTRUs and peering networks with a HTTP to ICN translation mechanism carried out by NAP, and identify the WTRUs requesting an identical content from the server within a given time window (T) to determine WTRUs at approximately the same time). He discloses all aspects of the claimed invention, except transmitting, to the peer WTRU, a first response message including an indication of acceptance of establishment of the direct communication with the peer WTRU. FREDA is the same field of invention teaches transmitting, to the peer WTRU, a first response message including an indication of acceptance of establishment of the direct communication with the peer WTRU (page 25, par (0341), line 1-10, a WTRU decode PDCCH, using an ID that derived from the selected preamble sequence, a WTRU determine the eRAR is intended for it, by determining the ID included in the payload matches (Peer WTRU) a permanent ID configured at the WTRU (direct communication with the peer WTRU)). He and FREDA are analogous art because they are from the same field of endeavor of access to a service device. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the invention to modify the first response message including an indication of acceptance of establishment of the direct communication with the peer WTRU the teaching of He to include the WTRU determine the eRAR is intended for it, by determining the ID included in the payload matches teaching of FREDA because it is providing the WTRUs with access to packet-switched networks, such as the Internet, to facilitate communications between the WTRUs and IP-enabled devices. Regarding Claim 2, He discloses the second IP address corresponds to the first IP address (page 3, par (0052), line 1-20, the NAP configured to handle IP, and provide standard gateway functions such as network address translation (NAT), dynamic IP address assignment, the ICN network appear as a standard IP network to WTRUs and peering). Regarding Claim 3, He discloses the second IP address corresponds to a new allocated IP address (page 3, par (0052), line 1-20, the NAP configured to handle IP, and provide standard gateway functions such as network address translation (NAT), dynamic IP address assignment). Regarding Claim 4, He discloses all aspects of the claimed invention, except receiving information indicating any of an allocation of a new IP address associated with the second user information and the second application identity. FREDA is the same field of invention teaches receiving information indicating any of an allocation of a new IP address associated with the second user information and the second application identity (page 6, par (0066), line 1-10, The SMF select and control the UPF and configure the routing of traffic through the UPF, the SMF perform other functions, such as managing and allocating UE IP address (new IP address), managing PDU sessions, controlling policy enforcement and QoS, providing downlink data notifications, and the like). Regarding Claim 5, He discloses all aspects of the claimed invention, except storing any of the second user information and the second application identity in association with the second IP address. FREDA is the same field of invention teaches storing any of the second user information and the second application identity in association with the second IP address (page 6, par (0066), line 1-10, The SMF select and control the UPF and configure the routing of traffic through the UPF, the SMF perform other functions, such as managing and allocating UE IP address). Regarding Claim 7, He discloses receiving, from transmitting, to the peer WTRU, information indicating to trigger at the peer WTRU, an authentication procedure with the peer WTRU, on condition that the direct communication is not security protected(page 3, par (0052), line 1-20, the NAP configured to handle IP, and provide standard gateway functions such as network address translation (NAT), dynamic IP address assignment, the ICN network appear as a standard IP network to WTRUs and peering(peer networks with a HTTP to ICN translation mechanism carried out by NAP)). 8. (Cancelled). Regarding Claim 9, He discloses relaying, by the WTRU, the communicated data, related to the first and second applications: (1) to the peer WTRU via the direct communication between the WTRU and the peer WTRU or (2) from the peer WTRU via a further direct communication between the WTRU and a further peer WTRU (page 3, par (0052), line 1-20, two or more WTRUs are watching the same video content at approximately same time. The ICN use a gateway, the gateway configured as an access gateway from two or more customers to a network (first application and the second application). The NAP configured to handle all protocols like IP protocol (first IP address) provide standard gateway functions such as network address translation (NAT), and dynamic IP address assignment (second IP address). The ICN network appear as a standard IP network to WTRUs and peering networks with a HTTP to ICN translation mechanism carried out by NAP). 10-11. (Cancelled) Regarding Claim 12, He discloses the second request message is any of a PC5 signaling Link Modification Request message and the second response message is a PC5 signaling Link Modification Accept message(page 3, par (0052), line 1-20, the ICN network appear as a standard IP network to WTRUs and peering with all WTRU HTTP requests to a server, and identify the WTRUs requesting an identical content from the server within a given time window to determine WTRUs viewing the same content at the same time, the NAP send a request to the server, and the system provide an implicit multicast to deliver the requested content to some or all WTRUs). Regarding Claim 13, He discloses a Wireless Transmit/Receive Unit (WTRU) comprising circuitry, including a transmitter, a receiver and a processor, configured to receive, from a peer WTRU, a first request message to establish a direct communication with the peer WTRU, the first request message including an indication of first user information of the peer WTRU, the first user information being associated with a first application and/or a first application identity(page 3, par (0052), line 1-20, the NAP configured to handle IP, and provide standard gateway functions such as network address translation (NAT), dynamic IP address assignment, the ICN network appear as a standard IP network to WTRUs and peering(peer networks with a HTTP to ICN translation mechanism carried out by NAP)); transmit, to the peer WTRU, information indicating a first Internet Protocol (IP) address associated with the first user information and/or the first application identity(page 3, par (0052), line 1-20, the NAP configured to handle IP, and provide standard gateway functions such as network address translation (NAT), dynamic IP address assignment, the ICN network appear as a standard IP network to WTRUs and peering); receive, from the peer WTRU, a second request message to associate a second application with the direct communication, the second request message including an indication of second user information of the peer WTRU, the second user information being associated with the second application and/or a second application identity(page 3, par (0052), line 1-20, an implicit multicast configured to be used when two or more WTRUs are watching the same video content at approximately same time(application with the direct communication), the ICN use a gateway, the gateway configured as an access gateway configured to handle IP transmission provide standard gateway functions such as network address translation (NAT), the ICN network appear as a standard IP network to WTRUs and peering with all WTRU HTTP requests to a server, and identify the WTRUs requesting an identical content from the server within a given time window to determine WTRUs viewing the same content at the same time, the NAP send a request to the server, and the system provide an implicit multicast to deliver the requested content to some or all WTRUs); transmit, to the peer WTRU, a second response message including a second IP address associated with the second user information and/or the second application identity(page 3, par (0052), line 1-20, an implicit multicast configured to be used when two or more WTRUs are watching the same video content at approximately same time(application with the direct communication), the ICN use a gateway, the gateway configured as an access gateway configured to handle IP transmission provide standard gateway functions such as network address translation (NAT), the ICN network appear as a standard IP network to WTRUs and peering with all WTRU); and communicate, with the peer WTRU using the direct communication, data related to the first application using the first IP address and data related to the second application using the second IP address (page 3, par (0052), line 1-20, two or more WTRUs are watching the same video content at approximately same time. The ICN use a gateway, the gateway configured as an access gateway from two or more customers to a network (first application and the second application). The NAP configured to handle all protocols like IP protocol (first IP address) provide standard gateway functions such as network address translation (NAT), and dynamic IP address assignment (second IP address). The ICN network appear as a standard IP network to WTRUs and peering networks with a HTTP to ICN translation mechanism carried out by NAP, and identify the WTRUs requesting an identical content from the server within a given time window (T) to determine WTRUs at approximately the same time). He discloses all aspects of the claimed invention, except transmit, to the peer WTRU, a first response message including an indication of acceptance of establishment of the direct communication with the peer WTRU. FREDA is the same field of invention teaches transmit, to the peer WTRU, a first response message including an indication of acceptance of establishment of the direct communication with the peer WTRU (page 25, par (0341), line 1-10, a WTRU decode PDCCH, using an ID that derived from the selected preamble sequence, a WTRU determine the eRAR is intended for it, by determining the ID included in the payload matches (Peer WTRU) a permanent ID configured at the WTRU (direct communication with the peer WTRU)). He and FREDA are analogous art because they are from the same field of endeavor of access to a service device. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the invention to modify the first response message including an indication of acceptance of establishment of the direct communication with the peer WTRU the teaching of He to include the WTRU determine the eRAR is intended for it, by determining the ID included in the payload matches teaching of FREDA because it is providing the WTRUs with access to packet-switched networks, such as the Internet, to facilitate communications between the WTRUs and IP-enabled devices. Regarding Claim 14, He discloses the second IP address corresponds to the first IP address (page 3, par (0052), line 1-20, the NAP configured to handle IP, and provide standard gateway functions such as network address translation (NAT), dynamic IP address assignment, the ICN network appear as a standard IP network to WTRUs and peering). Regarding Claim 15, He discloses the second IP address corresponds to a new allocated IP address (page 3, par (0052), line 1-20, the NAP configured to handle IP, and provide standard gateway functions such as network address translation (NAT), dynamic IP address assignment). Regarding Claim 16, He discloses all aspects of the claimed invention, except the circuitry is configured to receive information indicating any of an allocation of a new IP address associated with the second user information and the second application identity. FREDA is the same field of invention teaches the circuitry is configured to receive information indicating any of an allocation of a new IP address associated with the second user information and the second application identity (page 6, par (0066), line 1-10, The SMF select and control the UPF and configure the routing of traffic through the UPF, the SMF perform other functions, such as managing and allocating UE IP address (new IP address), managing PDU sessions, controlling policy enforcement and QoS, providing downlink data notifications, and the like). Regarding Claim 17, He discloses all aspects of the claimed invention, except the circuitry comprises a memory configured to store any of the second user information and the second application identity in association with the second IP address. FREDA is the same field of invention teaches the circuitry comprises a memory configured to store any of the second user information and the second application identity in association with the second IP address (page 6, par (0066), line 1-10, The SMF select and control the UPF and configure the routing of traffic through the UPF, the SMF perform other functions, such as managing and allocating UE IP address). Regarding Claim 19, He discloses the circuitry is configured to: receiving, from transmit, to the peer WTRU, information indicating to trigger at the peer WTRU, an authentication procedure, with the peer WTRU, on condition that the direct communication is not security protected(page 3, par (0052), line 1-20, the NAP configured to handle IP, and provide standard gateway functions such as network address translation (NAT), dynamic IP address assignment, the ICN network appear as a standard IP network to WTRUs and peering(peer networks with a HTTP to ICN translation mechanism carried out by NAP)). 20. (Cancelled). Regarding Claim 21, He discloses the circuitry is configured to relay, by the WTRU, the communicated data, related to the first and second applications: (1) to the peer WTRU via the direct communication between the WTRU and the peer WTRU or (2) from the peer WTRU via a further direct communication between the WTRU and a further peer WTRU(page 3, par (0052), line 1-20, two or more WTRUs are watching the same video content at approximately same time. The ICN use a gateway, the gateway configured as an access gateway from two or more customers to a network (first application and the second application). The NAP configured to handle all protocols like IP protocol (first IP address) provide standard gateway functions such as network address translation (NAT), and dynamic IP address assignment (second IP address). The ICN network appear as a standard IP network to WTRUs and peering networks with a HTTP to ICN translation mechanism carried out by NAP). 22-23. (Cancelled) Regarding Claim 24, He discloses the second 24. request message is any of a PC5 signaling Link Modification Request message and the second response message is a PC5 signaling Link Modification Accept message(page 3, par (0052), line 1-20, the ICN network appear as a standard IP network to WTRUs and peering with all WTRU HTTP requests to a server, and identify the WTRUs requesting an identical content from the server within a given time window to determine WTRUs viewing the same content at the same time, the NAP send a request to the server, and the system provide an implicit multicast to deliver the requested content to some or all WTRUs). Examiner Notice Claim 1 would be allowable if (i) claim 6 is incorporated into the independent claim 1. Claim 13 would be allowable if (i) claim 18 is incorporated into the independent claim 13. The claims 1 and 13 are have the conditional limitation “and/or”, please clarify the language features from the limitations of the claims. Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure are: Verin et al. (US 20160156676, Jun. 2, 2016) teaches Radio Access Network Control of Media Session. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to IQBAL ZAIDI whose telephone number is (571)270-3943. The examiner can normally be reached on M to Thu 8.a.m to 6.p.m.. If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, NGO RICKY can be reached on 571-272-3139. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. Information regarding the status of an application may be obtained from the Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system. Status information for published applications may be obtained from either Private PAIR or Public PAIR. Status information for unpublished applications is available through Private PAIR only. For more information about the PAIR system, see http://pair-direct.uspto.gov. Should you have questions on access to the Private PAIR system, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). /IQBAL ZAIDI/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2464
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Prosecution Timeline

Aug 16, 2023
Application Filed
Mar 06, 2026
Non-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

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
90%
Grant Probability
97%
With Interview (+6.6%)
2y 6m
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 1207 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allow rate.

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