DETAILED ACTION
This action is in response to applicant’s amendment filed on 02 June 2026. Claims 1-7, 9-13, and 15-22 are now pending in the present application and claims 8 and 14 are canceled. This office action is made Final.
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 .
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
A person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claim(s) 1-7, 9-13, and 15-22 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Qiao et al. (hereinafter Qiao) (WO 2021/007447 A1).
Regarding claims 1, 12, and 19, Qiao discloses a network node for a communication system, the network node a part of being associated with a serving public land mobile network (PLMN) for a first client device (e.g., wireless device / UE) { (see pg. 33, [00139]; pp. 56-57, [00191] ; Figs. 12-13 & 21), where the system has multiple components (network node) }, wherein the network node is configured to:
transmit a first control message (e.g., parameters of access control and/or a disaster PLMN selection information) to the first client device (e.g., wireless device) in response to determining that the serving PLMN for the first client device (e.g., wireless device) is in a disaster condition, wherein the first control message (e.g., parameters of access control and/or a disaster PLMN selection information) indicates that the serving PLMN (e.g., PLMN 2) for the first client device (e.g., wireless device) is in the disaster condition { (see pg. 32, [0135]; Figs. 12-13 & 21), where the system provides service for a UE when a network is in disaster condition (see pg. 51, [0178]), and the system has a base station (e.g., first PLMN) that broadcast parameters of access control, a disaster PLMN identifier, and disaster PLMN selection information (see pp. 34-35, [0142, lines 13-22,2-5]), and the system provides a disaster PLMN that is able to detect or receive status information (e.g., network node/function due to a disaster) (see pg. 35, [00143]; pp. 35-36, [00145]), and the system provides an enhancement for the wireless device to be informed of second PLMN status (see pg. 34, [00141]) }, and
wherein the first control message further indicates at least one timer defining a minimum wait time to start at least one of registration at a visiting PLMN for the first client device or re-registration at the serving PLMN for the first client device { (see pg. 14, [0048]; pg. 32, [0135-0136]; pg. 30, [00129-00130]; Figs. 12-13 & 21), where the system provides re-registration for a UE (e.g., 100) }.
Regarding claims 2 and 15, Qiao discloses the network node according to claim 1, wherein the network node is an access and mobility management function (AMF) of a core network, and the first control message is a registration reject message, a de-registration request message, a configuration update command message, or a service reject message { (see pg. 32, [0135-0136]; pg. 30, [00129-00130]; Figs. 12-13 & 21) }.
Regarding claims 3 and 16, Qiao discloses the network node according to claim 1, wherein the network node is a network access node of a radio access network (RAN) and the first control message is a paging message { (see pg. 51, [0178]; pg. 32, [0135-0136]; pg. 30, [00129-00130]; Figs. 12-13 & 21).
Regarding claims 4 and 17, Qiao discloses the network node according to claim 1, wherein the network node is a network access node of a radio access network (RAN), and the first control message is a radio resource control (RRC) connection reject message, a RRC connection release message, or a RRC serving PLMN disaster condition message { (see pg. 32, [0135-0136]; pg. 30, [00129-00130]; Figs. 12-13 & 21) }.
Regarding claims 5 and 18, Qiao discloses the network node according to claim 1, wherein the network node is a network access node of a radio access network (RAN), and the first control message is a system information block (SIB) { (see pg. 60, [0201]; pp. 56-57, [0191]; pg. 51, [0178]; pg. 32, [0135-0136]; pg. 30, [00129-00130]; Figs. 12-13 & 21) }.
Regarding claims 6, Qiao discloses the network node according to claim 1, further configured to: redirect the first client device from the serving PLMN to the visiting PLMN for the first client device in response to determining that the serving PLMN for the first client device is in the disaster condition { (see pg. 32, [0135-0136]; pg. 30, [00129-00130]; Figs. 12-13 & 21) }.
Regarding claim 7, Qiao discloses the network node according to claim 6, wherein the visiting PLMN belongs to a 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) or a non-3GPP system { (see pg. 32, [0135-0136]; pg. 30, [00129-00130]; Figs. 12-13 & 21) }.
Regarding claims 9, Qiao discloses the network node according to claim 1, further configured to: transmit a second control message to a second client device in response to determining that a serving PLMN for the second client device is in the disaster condition, wherein the serving PLMN (e.g., PLMN) for the second client device (e.g., wireless device or UEs) is different from the serving PLMN (e.g., home PLMN 2) for the first client device (e.g., wireless device), and the second control message indicates that the serving PLMN for the second client device is in the disaster condition { (see pg. 32, [0135-0136]; pg. 30, [00129-00130]; Figs. 12-13 & 21), and the system provides multiple different PLMNs (e.g., different home PLMNs) communicating with different wireless devices (or UEs) that have a PLMN as the home PLMN for the respective wireless devices (or UEs) (see pg. 15, [0055]; pp. 32-33, [00136; 00137, lines 18-19; 00139, lines 1-5 & 11]; pg. 35, [00144]; pp. 56-57, [00191]) }.
Regarding claims 10, Qiao discloses the network node according to claim 9, wherein the network node is a network access node of a radio access network (RAN), and the second control message is a system information block (SIB) { (see pg. 60, [0201]; pp. 56-57, [0191]; pg. 51, [0178]; pg. 32, [0135-0136]; pg. 30, [00129-00130]; Figs. 12-13 & 21) }.
Regarding claims 11, Qiao discloses the network node according to claim 1, further configured to: transmit a third control message to a second client device in response to determining that the disaster condition for a serving PLMN for the second client device is over, wherein the serving PLMN (e.g., PLMN) for the second client device (e.g., wireless device or UEs) is different from the serving PLMN (e.g., home PLMN 2) for the first client device (e.g., wireless device), and the third control message indicates that the disaster condition for the serving PLMN for the second client device is over { (see pg. 32, [0135-0136]; pg. 30, [00129-00130]; Figs. 12-13 & 21), and the system provides multiple different PLMNs (e.g., different home PLMNs) communicating with different wireless devices (or UEs) that have a PLMN as the home PLMN for the respective wireless devices (or UEs) (see pg. 15, [0055]; pp. 32-33, [00136; 00137, lines 18-19; 00139, lines 1-5 & 11]; pg. 35, [00144]; pp. 56-57, [00191]) }.
Regarding claims 13 and 20, Qiao discloses the client device according to claim 12, further configured to: obtain a PLMN list comprising at least one of the visiting PLMN for the client device or one or more other visiting PLMNs for the client device; and register at one or more of the visiting PLMNs in the PLMN list in response to receiving the first control message or the second control message { (see pg. 51, [0178]; pg. 32, [0135-0136]; pg. 30, [00129-00130]; pg. 60, [0201]; pp. 56-57, [0191]; Figs. 12-13 & 21) }.
Regarding claim 21, Qiao discloses the network node according to claim 1, wherein the first control message comprises a cause value indicating the disaster condition of the serving PLMN { (see pg. 51, [0178]; pg. 32, [0135-0136]; pg. 30, [00129-00130]; pg. 60, [0201]; pp. 56-57, [0191]; Figs. 12-13 & 21) }.
Regarding claim 22, Qiao discloses the network node according to claim 1, wherein the at least one timer defines the minimum wait time to start re-registration at the serving PLMN for the first client device { (see pg. 14, [0048]; pg. 51, [0178]; pg. 32, [0135-0136]; pg. 30, [00129-00130]; pg. 60, [0201]; pp. 56-57, [0191]; Figs. 12-13 & 21) }.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments with respect to claims 1-7, 9-13, and 15-22 have been considered but are moot in view of the new ground(s) of rejection necessitated by the amended language, new limitations, and/or new claims.
In response to applicant’s arguments, the Examiner respectfully disagrees as the applied reference(s) provide more than adequate support and to further clarify (see the above claims for relevant citations).
Repeat from office action mailed 30 October 2025 - Regarding applicant’s argument of claim 1 on pg. 6, 6th par., “…fails to discloses…transmit a first control message to the first client… wherein the first control message indicates that the serving PLMN for the first client device is in the disaster condition…”, the Examiner respectfully disagrees. Applicant has failed to interpret and appreciate the teachings of well-known prior art Qiao that clearly discloses the claimed feature(s) as would be clearly recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art.
As a note, applicant admits the following:
Admission #1: Applicant admits “…Qiao discuss a situation…when the home network is disabled due to disaster…possible option for the UE to be…served by the neighboring networks…operators’ policy…” (see pg. 7, 1st full par.).
Admission #2: Applicant admits “…Qiao explains…UE 2 may register to the home PLMN (e.g., PLMN 2)…due to disaster and other problems…UE 2 may try to register to the PLMN 1…” (see pg. 7, 2nd full par.).
In particular, Qiao discloses the language as related to the claimed feature(s)
transmit a first control message (e.g., parameters of access control and/or a disaster PLMN selection information) to the first client device (e.g., wireless device) in response to determining that the serving PLMN for the first client device (e.g., wireless device) is in a disaster condition, wherein the first control message (e.g., parameters of access control and/or a disaster PLMN selection information) indicates that the serving PLMN (e.g., for the first client device (e.g., wireless device) is in the disaster condition { (see pg. 32, [0135]; Figs. 12-13 & 21), where the system provides service for a UE when a network is in disaster condition (see pg. 51, [0178]), and the system has a base station (e.g., first PLMN) that broadcast parameters of access control, a disaster PLMN identifier, and disaster PLMN selection information (see pp. 34-35, [0142, lines 13-22,2-5]) }.
Therefore, as addressed above, the applied reference more than adequately meets the claim limitations.
Regarding applicant's argument(s) of claims 2-7, 9-13, and 15-22, the claims are addressed for the same reasons as set forth above and as applied in each claim rejection of the Final Action.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Preman et al. (US 2023/0337167 A1) discloses client device and network for efficient disaster handling.
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 WILLIE J DANIEL JR whose telephone number is (571)272-7907. The examiner can normally be reached on 9 - 6.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Gary Mui can be reached on 571-270-1420. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/WILLIE J DANIEL JR/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2465
WJD,Jr
22 June 2026
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