Office Action Predictor
Last updated: April 16, 2026
Application No. 18/342,518

ENHANCED VOICE-CENTRIC DEVICE BEHAVIOR IN PRIVATE DATA-ONLY FIFTH GENERATION NETWORKS

Non-Final OA §103
Filed
Jun 27, 2023
Examiner
MIAH, LITON
Art Unit
2642
Tech Center
2600 — Communications
Assignee
At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
75%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
3y 0m
To Grant
92%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 75% — above average
75%
Career Allow Rate
488 granted / 650 resolved
+13.1% vs TC avg
Strong +17% interview lift
Without
With
+17.3%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 0m
Avg Prosecution
34 currently pending
Career history
684
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
3.6%
-36.4% vs TC avg
§103
52.9%
+12.9% vs TC avg
§102
29.8%
-10.2% vs TC avg
§112
4.6%
-35.4% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 650 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 . Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103 In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status. 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. This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any evidence to the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the later invention in order for the examiner to consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) prior art against the later invention. The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows: 1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art. 2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue. 3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art. 4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness. Claims 1-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as being unpatentable over Wang et al (US Pat. Pub. No. 2024/0276576) in view of Jain et al (US Pat. Pub. No. 2021/0029618). Regarding claim 1, Wang et al discloses a mobile device (fig. 1 [120]), comprising: a radio modem (fig. 1 [113]); a subscriber identification module (fig. 1 [120, IMSI]); a processing system including a processor (fig. 1 [inherent in 120]); and a memory (fig. 1 [inherent in 120]) that stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processing system, facilitate performance of operations, the operations comprising: detecting that an operating mode value of the subscriber identification module is private (see at least paragraph 31 UE receives system information indicating ; further see paragraph 21 discloses communication system may be non-3GPP network system); checking whether a setting of the mobile device is data-centric responsive to the operating mode value being private (see at least paragraph 37 checking whether setting data-centric or voice-centric); changing the setting to data-centric (see at least paragraph 50). Wang et al specifically does not disclose changing the setting to data-centric and restarting the radio modem responsive to the setting not being data-centric; and attaching to a private network responsive to the setting being data-centric. However, Jain et al from the same or similar fields of endeavor teaches changing the setting to data-centric and restarting the radio modem responsive to the setting not being data-centric; and attaching to a private network responsive to the setting being data-centric (see at least paragraphs 68 and 70 changing UE’s usage setting from voice-centric to data-centric when UE radio capability updated; paragraph 55-56 discloses detach and reattach to network [which is considered as restarting] whenever the usage setting is changed to data-centric). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine Wang et al with Jain et al as they both supports enhance coverage; and operates with a voice-centric and data-centric usage setting. Regarding claim 2, Wang et al discloses the operations further comprise providing the setting in a message to the private network when attaching (see at least paragraph 21). Regarding claim 3, Wang et al discloses the operations further comprise: detecting that the operating mode value is public; checking whether the setting of the mobile device is voice-centric responsive to the operating mode value being public (see at least paragraph 21 and 31). Wang et al specifically does not disclose changing the setting to voice-centric and restarting the radio modem responsive to the setting not being voice-centric; and attaching to a public network responsive to the setting being voice-centric. However, Jain et al from the same or similar fields of endeavor teaches changing the setting to voice-centric and restarting the radio modem responsive to the setting not being voice-centric; and attaching to a public network responsive to the setting being voice-centric (see at least paragraphs 68 and 70 changing UE’s usage setting from voice-centric to data-centric when UE radio capability updated or vice versa; paragraph 55-56). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine Wang et al with Jain et al as they both supports enhance coverage; and operates with a voice-centric and data-centric usage setting. Regarding claim 4, Wang et al discloses the operations further comprise providing the setting in a message to the public network when attaching (see at least paragraph 21). Regarding claim 5, Wang et al discloses the operations further comprise detecting whether the subscriber identity module includes multiple profiles (see at least paragraph 54). Regarding claim 6, Wang et al discloses the operations further comprise: detecting whether an active profile is a public profile or a private profile and detecting whether a serving network is the public network or the private network responsive to detecting that the subscriber identity module includes the multiple profiles; and switching the active profile to the public profile responsive to detecting that the active profile is the private profile and the serving network is the public network (see at least paragraph 21). Regarding claim 7, Wang et al discloses the operations further comprise: switching the active profile to the private profile responsive to detecting that the active profile is the public profile and the serving network is the private network (see at least paragraph 21). Regarding claim 8, Wang et al discloses the processing system comprises a plurality of processors operating in a distributed computing environment (see at least paragraph 21). Regarding claim 9, Wang et al discloses a non-transitory, machine-readable medium, comprising executable instructions that, when executed by a processing system including a processor, facilitate performance of operations, the operations comprising: checking whether a setting of a mobile device is data-centric responsive to determining that an operating mode value of a subscriber identification module is private (see at least paragraph 31 UE receives system information indicating ; further see paragraph 21 discloses communication system may be non-3GPP network system); changing the setting to data-centric (see at least paragraph 50). Wang et al specifically does not disclose changing the setting to data-centric and restarting a radio modem responsive to the setting not being data-centric; and attaching to a private network responsive to the setting being data-centric. However, Jain et al from the same or similar fields of endeavor teaches changing the setting to data-centric and restarting a radio modem responsive to the setting not being data-centric; and attaching to a private network responsive to the setting being data-centric (see at least paragraphs 68 and 70 changing UE’s usage setting from voice-centric to data-centric when UE radio capability updated; paragraph 55-56 discloses detach and reattach to network [which is considered as restarting] whenever the usage setting is changed to data-centric). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine Wang et al with Jain et al as they both supports enhance coverage; and operates with a voice-centric and data-centric usage setting. Regarding claims 10-16, see above rejection of claims 2-8. Regarding claim 17, Wang et al discloses a method, comprising: changing, by a processing system including a processor, a setting of a mobile device to data-centric responsive to determining that an operating mode value of a subscriber identification module is private (see at least paragraph 31 UE receives system information indicating ; further see paragraph 21 discloses communication system may be non-3GPP network system); and changing the setting to data-centric (see at least paragraph 50). Wang et al specifically does not disclose restarting, by the processing system, a radio modem of the mobile device after changing the setting. However, Jain et al from the same or similar fields of endeavor teaches restarting, by the processing system, a radio modem of the mobile device after changing the setting (see at least paragraphs 68 and 70 changing UE’s usage setting from voice-centric to data-centric when UE radio capability updated; paragraph 55-56 discloses detach and reattach to network [which is considered as restarting] whenever the usage setting is changed to data-centric). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine Wang et al with Jain et al as they both supports enhance coverage; and operates with a voice-centric and data-centric usage setting. Regarding claim 18, Jain et al discloses attaching, by the processing system, the mobile device to a private fifth-generation network after restarting the radio modem (paragraph 55-56). Same motivation as claim 17. Regarding claim 19, Wang et al discloses changing, by the processing system, the setting of the mobile device to voice-centric responsive to determining that the operating mode value of the subscriber identification module is public; and restarting, by the processing system, the radio modem of the mobile device after changing the setting (see at least paragraph 21 and 31). Regarding claim 20, Jain et al discloses attaching, by the processing system, the mobile device to a public fifth-generation network after restarting the radio modem (paragraph 55-56). Same motivation as claim 17. Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to Applicant's disclosure. The following prior art are cited to show a method, which is considered pertinent to the claimed invention: Ko (US Pat. Pub. No. 2024/0007935) directed toward using the cellular network is restricted when the electric device is configured as a data-centric device. Jun et al (US Pat. Pub. No. 2014/0153408) directed toward usage setting change. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to LITON MIAH whose telephone number is (571)270-3124. The examiner can normally be reached Mon - Fri 7:30am -5:00pm. 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, Rafael Perez-Gutierrez can be reached on 571-272-7915. 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. /LITON MIAH/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2642
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Prosecution Timeline

Jun 27, 2023
Application Filed
Jan 09, 2026
Non-Final Rejection — §103
Mar 13, 2026
Interview Requested
Mar 24, 2026
Applicant Interview (Telephonic)
Mar 24, 2026
Examiner Interview Summary

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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
75%
Grant Probability
92%
With Interview (+17.3%)
3y 0m
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 650 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allow rate.

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