Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 18/388,308

OPERATION MODES FOR A COMPUTING DEVICE

Final Rejection §103
Filed
Nov 09, 2023
Examiner
NGUYEN, HAO HONG
Art Unit
2447
Tech Center
2400 — Computer Networks
Assignee
Nrs Systems
OA Round
2 (Final)
67%
Grant Probability
Favorable
3-4
OA Rounds
3y 2m
To Grant
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 67% — above average
67%
Career Allow Rate
202 granted / 301 resolved
+9.1% vs TC avg
Strong +38% interview lift
Without
With
+37.9%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 2m
Avg Prosecution
32 currently pending
Career history
333
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
8.7%
-31.3% vs TC avg
§103
62.9%
+22.9% vs TC avg
§102
17.4%
-22.6% vs TC avg
§112
3.1%
-36.9% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 301 resolved cases

Office Action

§103
DETAILED ACTION Applicant’s Amendment filed on June 30, 2025 has been reviewed. Claims 16-21 were withdrawn by election/restriction on September 16, 2024. Claim 14 is cancelled in the amendment. Claims 22-27 are newly added in the amendment. Claims 1, 10 and 15 are amended in the amendment. Claims 1-13, 15 and 22-27 have been examined. 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 of this title, 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. The factual inquiries set forth in Graham v. John Deere Co., 383 U.S. 1, 148 USPQ 459 (1966), that are applied 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 10-11, 13 and 27 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Lee (US 2023/0111626 A1) in view of Wu et al. (US 2024/0126593 A1), hereinafter referred to as Wu. With respect to claim 10, Lee teaches An apparatus (operations that are performed by the main controller, para. 0045) comprising: at least one memory (main controller [including memory], para. 0045); and at least one processor coupled to the at least one memory (main controller [including memory and processor], para. 0045) and configured to cause the apparatus to: receive user interaction to invoke at least one computing device (the manual mode is a mode in which when a user selects any one of level 1 to level n (n is an integer of 2 or more), the system is operated in accordance with the selected mode, and the schedule mode is a mode in which when a level is set for each of specific time, para. 0046); present, in response to the user interaction, a user experience on the at least one computing device according to an active operation mode (the auto mode is a mode in which when the manual mode or the schedule mode is not selected, para. 0046), the active operation mode selected from: a first mode (a user selects any one mode from three modes, the three modes are a manual mode, an auto mode, and a schedule mode, and other modes may be included, para. 0046); a second mode (a user selects any one mode from three modes, the three modes are a manual mode, an auto mode, and a schedule mode, and other modes may be included, para. 0046); operate the at least one computing device according to the user experience and based at least in part on the active operation mode (a user selects any one mode from three modes, the three modes are a manual mode, an auto mode, and a schedule mode, and other modes included; the schedule mode is a mode in which when a level is set for each of specific time, the system is operated at each of the time in accordance with the levels, para. 0046); and operate the at least one computing device in a schedule mode that comprises a schedule for switching the active operation mode between the first mode and the second mode (a user selects any one mode from three modes, the three modes are a manual mode, an auto mode, and a schedule mode, and other modes included; the schedule mode is a mode in which when a level is set for each of specific time, the system is operated at each of the time in accordance with the levels, para. 0046). Lee does not explicitly teach a standalone mode in which the at least one computing device is operable independent of a user-specific context; a user mode in which the at least one computing device is operable within a user-specific context; operate the at least one computing device according to the user experience and based at least in part on a profile associated with the active operation mode; and However, Wu teaches a standalone mode in which the at least one computing device is operable independent of a user-specific context (enabling the CPU in the user mode to execute the user-mode interrupt handler, next the CPU needs to switch to the user mode from the kernel mode, para. 0083; the CPU switches to the user mode from the kernel mode through context switch, para. 0087); a user mode in which the at least one computing device is operable within a user-specific context (enabling the CPU in the user mode to execute the user-mode interrupt handler, next the CPU needs to switch to the user mode from the kernel mode, para. 0083; the CPU switches to the user mode from the kernel mode through context switch, para. 0087) in order to improve efficiency of processing a user-mode interrupt request as taught by Wu (para. 0104); operate the at least one computing device according to the user experience and based at least in part on a profile associated with the active operation mode (the CPU sets the priority group for the interrupt controller in an initialization process after startup, so that an operation of disabling an interrupt and re-enabling an interrupt is no longer needed in a processing process of the user-mode interrupt request, para. 0014) in order to improve efficiency of processing a user-mode interrupt request as taught by Wu (para. 0104); and switching the active operation mode between the standalone mode and the user mode (enabling the CPU in the user mode to execute the user-mode interrupt handler, next the CPU needs to switch to the user mode from the kernel mode, para. 0083; the CPU switches to the user mode from the kernel mode through context switch, para. 0087) in order to improve efficiency of processing a user-mode interrupt request as taught by Wu (para. 0104). Therefore, based on Lee in view of Wu, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to utilize the teaching of Wu to the apparatus of Lee in order to improve efficiency of processing a user-mode interrupt request as taught by Wu (para. 0104). With respect to claim 11, Lee in view of Wu teaches The apparatus of claim 10 as described above, Further, Wu teaches wherein the active operation mode comprises the standalone mode, the standalone mode is associated with multiple system profiles, and a system profile for operation in the standalone mode is selected from the multiple system profiles based on one or more of a time parameter or an identity of a user that is interacting with the at least one computing device (the CPU in the kernel mode sets an interrupt priority group for the interrupt controller, where the interrupt priority group includes a first interrupt priority group and a second interrupt priority group, the first interrupt priority group includes a kernel-mode interrupt request, the second interrupt priority group includes the interrupt request whose priority is the same as that of the user-mode interrupt request or the interrupt request whose priority is lower than that of the user-mode interrupt request, and a priority of the first interrupt priority group is higher than that of the second interrupt priority group; and the CPU in the kernel mode sets a preemption operation for the interrupt controller, where the preemption operation includes that the first interrupt priority group preempts the second interrupt priority group, para. 0013; the CPU sets the priority group for the interrupt controller in an initialization process after startup, so that an operation of disabling an interrupt and re-enabling an interrupt is no longer needed in a processing process of the user-mode interrupt request, para. 0014) in order to improve efficiency of processing a user-mode interrupt request as taught by Wu (para. 0104). Therefore, based on Lee in view of Wu, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to utilize the teaching of Wu to the apparatus of Lee in order to improve efficiency of processing a user-mode interrupt request as taught by Wu (para. 0104). With respect to claim 13, Lee in view of Wu teaches The apparatus of claim 10 as described above, Further, Wu teaches wherein the standalone mode is associated with a first set of web browser behaviors, the user mode is associated with a second set of web browser behaviors, and the at least one processor is configured to cause the apparatus to apply one of the first set of web browser behaviors or the second set of web browser behaviors to operation of the at least one computing device based on which of the standalone mode or the user mode is the active operation mode (the CPU in the kernel mode sets an interrupt priority group for the interrupt controller, where the interrupt priority group includes a first interrupt priority group and a second interrupt priority group, the first interrupt priority group includes a kernel-mode interrupt request, the second interrupt priority group includes the interrupt request whose priority is the same as that of the user-mode interrupt request or the interrupt request whose priority is lower than that of the user-mode interrupt request, and a priority of the first interrupt priority group is higher than that of the second interrupt priority group; and the CPU in the kernel mode sets a preemption operation for the interrupt controller, where the preemption operation includes that the first interrupt priority group preempts the second interrupt priority group, para. 0013; the CPU sets the priority group for the interrupt controller in an initialization process after startup, so that an operation of disabling an interrupt and re-enabling an interrupt is no longer needed in a processing process of the user-mode interrupt request, para. 0014) in order to improve efficiency of processing a user-mode interrupt request as taught by Wu (para. 0104). Therefore, based on Lee in view of Wu, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to utilize the teaching of Wu to the apparatus of Lee in order to improve efficiency of processing a user-mode interrupt request as taught by Wu (para. 0104). With respect to claim 27, Lee teaches A method, comprising: receiving user interaction to invoke at least one computing device (the manual mode is a mode in which when a user selects any one of level 1 to level n (n is an integer of 2 or more), the system is operated in accordance with the selected mode, and the schedule mode is a mode in which when a level is set for each of specific time, para. 0046); presenting, in response to the user interaction, a user experience on the at least one computing device according to an active operation mode (the auto mode is a mode in which when the manual mode or the schedule mode is not selected, para. 0046), the active operation mode selected from: a first mode (a user selects any one mode from three modes, the three modes are a manual mode, an auto mode, and a schedule mode, and other modes may be included, para. 0046); and a (a user selects any one mode from three modes, the three modes are a manual mode, an auto mode, and a schedule mode, and other modes may be included, para. 0046); operating the at least one computing device according to the user experience and based at least in part on the active operation mode (a user selects any one mode from three modes, the three modes are a manual mode, an auto mode, and a schedule mode, and other modes included; the schedule mode is a mode in which when a level is set for each of specific time, the system is operated at each of the time in accordance with the levels, para. 0046); and operating the at least one computing device in a schedule mode that comprises a schedule for switching the active operation mode between the first mode and the second mode (a user selects any one mode from three modes, the three modes are a manual mode, an auto mode, and a schedule mode, and other modes included; the schedule mode is a mode in which when a level is set for each of specific time, the system is operated at each of the time in accordance with the levels, para. 0046). Lee does not explicitly teach a standalone mode in which the at least one computing device is operable independent of a user-specific context; a user mode in which the at least one computing device is operable within a user-specific context; operate the at least one computing device according to the user experience and based at least in part on a profile associated with the active operation mode; and switching the active operation mode between the standalone mode and the user mode. However, Wu teaches a standalone mode in which the at least one computing device is operable independent of a user-specific context (enabling the CPU in the user mode to execute the user-mode interrupt handler, next the CPU needs to switch to the user mode from the kernel mode, para. 0083; the CPU switches to the user mode from the kernel mode through context switch, para. 0087); a user mode in which the at least one computing device is operable within a user-specific context (enabling the CPU in the user mode to execute the user-mode interrupt handler, next the CPU needs to switch to the user mode from the kernel mode, para. 0083; the CPU switches to the user mode from the kernel mode through context switch, para. 0087) in order to improve efficiency of processing a user-mode interrupt request as taught by Wu (para. 0104); operate the at least one computing device according to the user experience and based at least in part on a profile associated with the active operation mode (the CPU sets the priority group for the interrupt controller in an initialization process after startup, so that an operation of disabling an interrupt and re-enabling an interrupt is no longer needed in a processing process of the user-mode interrupt request, para. 0014) in order to improve efficiency of processing a user-mode interrupt request as taught by Wu (para. 0104); and switching the active operation mode between the standalone mode and the user mode (enabling the CPU in the user mode to execute the user-mode interrupt handler, next the CPU needs to switch to the user mode from the kernel mode, para. 0083; the CPU switches to the user mode from the kernel mode through context switch, para. 0087) in order to improve efficiency of processing a user-mode interrupt request as taught by Wu (para. 0104). Therefore, based on Lee in view of Wu, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to utilize the teaching of Wu to the method of Lee in order to improve efficiency of processing a user-mode interrupt request as taught by Wu (para. 0104). Claims 1, 7 and 22 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Lee (US 2023/0111626 A1) in view of Dice et al. (US 2004/0025160 A1), hereinafter referred to as Dice, and further in view of Hildesheim et al. (US 2018/0060250 A1), hereinafter referred to as Hildesheim. With respect to claim 1, Lee teaches An apparatus (operations that are performed by the main controller, para. 0045), comprising: at least one memory (main controller [including memory], para. 0045); and at least one processor coupled to the at least one memory (main controller [including memory and processor], para. 0045) and configured to cause the apparatus to: configure at least one computing device to operate in an operation mode (the auto mode is a mode in which when the manual mode or the schedule mode is not selected, para. 0046), the operation mode selected from: a first mode (a user selects any one mode from three modes, the three modes are a manual mode, an auto mode, and a schedule mode, and other modes may be included, para. 0046); a second mode (a user selects any one mode from three modes, the three modes are a manual mode, an auto mode, and a schedule mode, and other modes may be included, para. 0046); and a schedule mode in which the at least one computing device is operable to switch between different operation modes according to a specified schedule (a user selects any one mode from three modes, the three modes are a manual mode, an auto mode, and a schedule mode, and other modes included; the schedule mode is a mode in which when a level is set for each of specific time, the system is operated at each of the time in accordance with the levels, para. 0046), Lee does not explicitly teach a standalone mode in which the at least one computing device is operable independent of a user-specific context; a user mode in which the at least one computing device is operable within a user-specific context; and the schedule mode comprising one or timeslots at which the at least one computing device is to switch from the standalone mode to the user mode, and one or more timeslots at which the at least one computing device is to switch from the user mode to the standalone mode; However, Dice teaches a standalone mode in which the at least one computing device is operable independent of a user-specific context (when the time slot ends for a running process, the processor switches to kernel mode, an interrupt is generated, and control of the processor is turned over to the operating system, para. 0009); a user mode in which the at least one computing device is operable within a user-specific context (restoring any saved context associated with the process, assigning it a time slot, switching from kernel mode to user mode, and granting control of the processor to the selected process; the operation of saving one software task's context and replacing it with another's is known as a context switch, para. 0010); and the schedule mode comprising one or timeslots at which the at least one computing device is to switch from the standalone mode to the user mode (creating an execution context for the thread T1 and directing the scheduler 265 to allocate a time slot for thread T1 and schedule thread T1 to run, para. 0037; create thread T2, creating a separate execution context for thread T2 and directing the scheduler 265 to assign a time slot to thread T2 and schedule thread T2 for execution, para. 0038; the scheduler then executes a (again, unmodified) retry instruction to switch the execution context from kernel mode to user mode and resume execution of thread T2 at the entry point of thread T2's signal handler, para. 0051; also see para. 0010; switching the execution context from kernel mode to user mode and resumes execution of a thread, para. 0020), and one or more timeslots at which the at least one computing device is to switch from the user mode to the standalone mode (Time slots 560a and 560b are two of the slots allocated to thread T1, while time slots 580a and 580b are two of the time slots allocated to thread T2, para. 0039; fig. 5; threads T1 and T2 register a user-mode, para. 0040 and The operating system executes in slots 570a, 570b, and 570c for scheduling and other purposes, para. 0039; fig. 5; when the time slot ends for a running process, the processor switches to kernel mode, an interrupt is generated, and control of the processor is turned over to the operating system, para. 0009; switching the context from user mode back to kernel mode, para. 0020) in order to schedule to take control of the processor for their respective time slots as taught by Dice (para. 0007); Therefore, based on Lee in view of Dice, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to utilize the teaching of Dice to the apparatus of Lee in order to schedule processes to take control of the processor for their respective time slots as taught by Dice (para. 0007). Lee in view of Dice does not explicitly teach configure permissions of the at least one computing device based at least in part on the configured operation mode; and cause operation of the at least one computing device according to the configured operation mode and the configured permissions. However, Hildesheim teaches configure permissions of the at least one computing device based at least in part on the configured operation mode (an application program associated with a privilege level that determines its access mode (e.g., as a user or as a supervisor) to memory, a user application have a low privilege of a user-mode, and a system application (such as the kernel) have a high privilege of a supervisor-mode, para. 0018; allowing for the operating system to set access permissions for the user mode and the supervisor mode associated with different access permissions for the supervisor mode and the user mode, para. 0032); and cause operation of the at least one computing device according to the configured operation mode and the configured permissions (an application program associated with a privilege level that determines its access mode (e.g., as a user or as a supervisor) to memory, a user application have a low privilege of a user-mode, and a system application (such as the kernel) have a high privilege of a supervisor-mode, para. 0018; allowing for the operating system to set access permissions for the user mode and the supervisor mode associated with different access permissions for the supervisor mode and the user mode, para. 0032) in order to allow the operating system to set different access permissions with different modes as taught by Hildesheim (para. 0032). Therefore, based on Lee in view of Dice, and further in view of Hildesheim, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to utilize the teaching of Hildeshiem to the apparatus of Lee in view of Dice in order to allow the operating system to set different access permissions with different modes as taught by Hildesheim (para. 0032). With respect to claim 7, Lee teaches The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the operation mode comprises the schedule mode, and wherein the at least one processor is configured to cause the apparatus to configure a schedule of the at least one computing device to specify a schedule for automatically switching between operation in the first mode and operation in the second mode (a user selects any one mode from three modes, the three modes are a manual mode, an auto mode, and a schedule mode, and other modes included; the schedule mode is a mode in which when a level is set for each of specific time, the system is operated at each of the time in accordance with the levels, para. 0046). Further, Dice teaches specify operation of the standalone mode (when the time slot ends for a running process, the processor switches to kernel mode, an interrupt is generated, and control of the processor is turned over to the operating system, para. 0009) and operation of the user mode (restoring any saved context associated with the process, assigning it a time slot, switching from kernel mode to user mode, and granting control of the processor to the selected process; the operation of saving one software task's context and replacing it with another's is known as a context switch, para. 0010) in order to schedule processes to take control of the processor for their respective time slots as taught by Dice (para. 0007). Therefore, based on Lee in view of Dice, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to utilize the teaching of Dice to the apparatus of Lee in order to schedule processes to take control of the processor for their respective time slots as taught by Dice (para. 0007). With respect to claim 22, Lee teaches A method, comprising: configuring at least one computing device to operate in an operation mode (the auto mode is a mode in which when the manual mode or the schedule mode is not selected, para. 0046), the operation mode selected from: a first mode (a user selects any one mode from three modes, the three modes are a manual mode, an auto mode, and a schedule mode, and other modes may be included, para. 0046); a second mode (a user selects any one mode from three modes, the three modes are a manual mode, an auto mode, and a schedule mode, and other modes may be included, para. 0046); and a schedule mode in which the at least one computing device is operable to switch between different operation modes according to a specified schedule (a user selects any one mode from three modes, the three modes are a manual mode, an auto mode, and a schedule mode, and other modes included; the schedule mode is a mode in which when a level is set for each of specific time, the system is operated at each of the time in accordance with the levels, para. 0046), Lee does not explicitly teach a standalone mode in which the at least one computing device is operable independent of a user-specific context; a user mode in which the at least one computing device is operable within a user-specific context; and the schedule mode comprising one or timeslots at which the at least one computing device is to switch from the standalone mode to the user mode, and one or more timeslots at which the at least one computing device is to switch from the user mode to the standalone mode; However, Dice teaches a standalone mode in which the at least one computing device is operable independent of a user-specific context (when the time slot ends for a running process, the processor switches to kernel mode, an interrupt is generated, and control of the processor is turned over to the operating system, para. 0009); a user mode in which the at least one computing device is operable within a user-specific context (restoring any saved context associated with the process, assigning it a time slot, switching from kernel mode to user mode, and granting control of the processor to the selected process; the operation of saving one software task's context and replacing it with another's is known as a context switch, para. 0010); and the schedule mode comprising one or timeslots at which the at least one computing device is to switch from the standalone mode to the user mode (creating an execution context for the thread T1 and directing the scheduler 265 to allocate a time slot for thread T1 and schedule thread T1 to run, para. 0037; create thread T2, creating a separate execution context for thread T2 and directing the scheduler 265 to assign a time slot to thread T2 and schedule thread T2 for execution, para. 0038; the scheduler then executes a (again, unmodified) retry instruction to switch the execution context from kernel mode to user mode and resume execution of thread T2 at the entry point of thread T2's signal handler, para. 0051; also see para. 0010; switching the execution context from kernel mode to user mode and resumes execution of a thread, para. 0020), and one or more timeslots at which the at least one computing device is to switch from the user mode to the standalone mode (Time slots 560a and 560b are two of the slots allocated to thread T1, while time slots 580a and 580b are two of the time slots allocated to thread T2, para. 0039; fig. 5; threads T1 and T2 register a user-mode, para. 0040 and The operating system executes in slots 570a, 570b, and 570c for scheduling and other purposes, para. 0039; fig. 5; when the time slot ends for a running process, the processor switches to kernel mode, an interrupt is generated, and control of the processor is turned over to the operating system, para. 0009; switching the context from user mode back to kernel mode, para. 0020) in order to schedule to take control of the processor for their respective time slots as taught by Dice (para. 0007); Therefore, based on Lee in view of Dice, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to utilize the teaching of Dice to the method of Lee in order to schedule processes to take control of the processor for their respective time slots as taught by Dice (para. 0007). Lee in view of Dice does not explicitly teach configure permissions of the at least one computing device based at least in part on the configured operation mode; and cause operation of the at least one computing device according to the configured operation mode and the configured permissions. However, Hildesheim teaches configure permissions of the at least one computing device based at least in part on the configured operation mode (an application program associated with a privilege level that determines its access mode (e.g., as a user or as a supervisor) to memory, a user application have a low privilege of a user-mode, and a system application (such as the kernel) have a high privilege of a supervisor-mode, para. 0018; allowing for the operating system to set access permissions for the user mode and the supervisor mode associated with different access permissions for the supervisor mode and the user mode, para. 0032); and cause operation of the at least one computing device according to the configured operation mode and the configured permissions (an application program associated with a privilege level that determines its access mode (e.g., as a user or as a supervisor) to memory, a user application have a low privilege of a user-mode, and a system application (such as the kernel) have a high privilege of a supervisor-mode, para. 0018; allowing for the operating system to set access permissions for the user mode and the supervisor mode associated with different access permissions for the supervisor mode and the user mode, para. 0032) in order to allow the operating system to set different access permissions with different modes as taught by Hildesheim (para. 0032). Therefore, based on Lee in view of Dice, and further in view of Hildesheim, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to utilize the teaching of Hildeshiem to the method of Lee in view of Dice in order to allow the operating system to set different access permissions with different modes as taught by Hildesheim (para. 0032). Claims 2-6 and 23-26 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Lee (US 2023/0111626 A1), in view of Dice et al. (US 2004/0025160 A1), hereinafter referred to as Dice, further in view of Hildesheim et al. (US 2018/0060250 A1), hereinafter referred to as Hildesheim, and furthermore in view of Wu et al. (US 2024/0126593 A1), hereinafter referred to as Wu. With respect to claim 2, Lee in view of Dice, and further in view of Hildesheim teaches The apparatus of claim 1 as described above, Lee in view of Dice, and further in view of Hildesheim does not explicitly teach wherein the at least one processor is configured to cause the apparatus to: communicate a profile request requesting a device profile for the at least one computing device; and receive the device profile, wherein the device profile identifies the operation mode for configuring the at least one computing device. However, Wu teaches wherein the at least one processor is configured to cause the apparatus to: communicate a profile request requesting a device profile for the at least one computing device (the CPU in the kernel mode sets an interrupt priority group for the interrupt controller, where the interrupt priority group includes a first interrupt priority group and a second interrupt priority group, the first interrupt priority group includes a kernel-mode interrupt request, the second interrupt priority group includes the interrupt request whose priority is the same as that of the user-mode interrupt request or the interrupt request whose priority is lower than that of the user-mode interrupt request, and a priority of the first interrupt priority group is higher than that of the second interrupt priority group; and the CPU in the kernel mode sets a preemption operation for the interrupt controller, where the preemption operation includes that the first interrupt priority group preempts the second interrupt priority group, para. 0013); and receive the device profile, wherein the device profile identifies the operation mode for configuring the at least one computing device (the CPU sets the priority group for the interrupt controller in an initialization process after startup, so that an operation of disabling an interrupt and re-enabling an interrupt is no longer needed in a processing process of the user-mode interrupt request, para. 0014) in order to improve efficiency of processing a user-mode interrupt request as taught by Wu (para. 0104). Therefore, based on Lee in view of Dice, further in view of Hildesheim, and furthermore in view of Wu, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to utilize the teaching of Wu to the apparatus of Lee in view of Dice, and further in view of Hildesheim in order to improve efficiency of processing a user-mode interrupt request as taught by Wu (para. 0104). With respect to claim 3, Lee teaches The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the device profile comprises an operation schedule that specifies that the at least one computing device is to switch from the operation mode to a different operation mode at a scheduled time (a user selects any one mode from three modes, the three modes are a manual mode, an auto mode, and a schedule mode, and other modes be included; the schedule mode is a mode in which when a level is set for each of specific time, the system is operated at each of the time in accordance with the levels, para. 0046). With respect to claim 4, Lee in view of Dice, further in view of Hildesheim, and furthermore in view of Wu teaches The apparatus of claim 2 as described above, Further, Hildesheim teaches wherein the device profile comprises device permissions that specify allowed device access based on the operation mode (an application program associated with a privilege level that determines its access mode (e.g., as a user or as a supervisor) to memory, a user application have a low privilege of a user-mode, and a system application (such as the kernel) have a high privilege of a supervisor-mode, para. 0018; allowing for the operating system to set access permissions for the user mode and the supervisor mode associated with different access permissions for the supervisor mode and the user mode, para. 0032) in order to allow the operating system to set different access permissions with different modes as taught by Hildesheim (para. 0032). Therefore, based on Lee in view of Dice, and further in view of Hildesheim, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to utilize the teaching of Hildeshiem to the apparatus of Lee in view of Dice in order to allow the operating system to set different access permissions with different modes as taught by Hildesheim (para. 0032). With respect to claim 5, Lee in view of Dice, and further in view of Hildesheim teaches The apparatus of claim 1 as described above, Lee in view of Dice, and further in view of Hildesheim does not explicitly teach wherein the operation mode comprises the standalone mode, and wherein the at least one processor is configured to cause the apparatus to select a system profile for operation of the at least one computing device within the standalone mode. However, Wu teaches wherein the operation mode comprises the standalone mode, and wherein the at least one processor is configured to cause the apparatus to select a system profile for operation of the at least one computing device within the standalone mode (the central processing unit CPU in a kernel mode performs anonymization processing on a kernel address of a first interrupt exception handler to obtain a second interrupt exception handler, para. 0006; initialization module in the kernel mode is further configured to: set an interrupt priority group for the interrupt controller, where the interrupt priority group includes a first interrupt priority group and a second interrupt priority group, para. 0027) in order to improve efficiency of processing a user-mode interrupt request as taught by Wu (para. 0104). Therefore, based on Lee in view of Dice, further in view of Hildesheim, and furthermore in view of Wu, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to utilize the teaching of Wu to the apparatus of Lee in view of Dice, and further in view of Hildesheim in order to improve efficiency of processing a user-mode interrupt request as taught by Wu (para. 0104). With respect to claim 6, Lee in view of Dice, and further in view of Hildesheim teaches The apparatus of claim 1 as described above, Lee in view of Dice, and further in view of Hildesheim does not explicitly teach wherein the operation mode comprises the user mode, and wherein the at least one processor is configured to cause the apparatus to configure a set of user profiles that are permitted to access functionality of the at least one computing device within the user mode. However, Wu teaches wherein the operation mode comprises the user mode, and wherein the at least one processor is configured to cause the apparatus to configure a set of user profiles that are permitted to access functionality of the at least one computing device within the user mode (enabling the CPU in the user mode to execute the user-mode interrupt handler, next the CPU needs to switch to the user mode from the kernel mode, para. 0083; the CPU switches to the user mode from the kernel mode through context switch, para. 0087; the CPU sets the priority group for the interrupt controller in an initialization process after startup, so that an operation of disabling an interrupt and re-enabling an interrupt is no longer needed in a processing process of the user-mode interrupt request, para. 0014) in order to improve efficiency of processing a user-mode interrupt request as taught by Wu (para. 0104). Therefore, based on Lee in view of Dice, further in view of Hildesheim, and furthermore in view of Wu, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to utilize the teaching of Wu to the apparatus of Lee in view of Dice, and further in view of Hildesheim in order to improve efficiency of processing a user-mode interrupt request as taught by Wu (para. 0104). With respect to claim 23, Lee in view of Dice, and further in view of Hildesheim teaches The method of claim 22 as described above, Lee in view of Dice, and further in view of Hildesheim does not explicitly teach further comprising: communicating a profile request requesting a device profile for the at least one computing device; and receiving the device profile, wherein the device profile identifies the operation mode for configuring the at least one computing device. However, Wu teaches further comprising: communicating a profile request requesting a device profile for the at least one computing device (the CPU in the kernel mode sets an interrupt priority group for the interrupt controller, where the interrupt priority group includes a first interrupt priority group and a second interrupt priority group, the first interrupt priority group includes a kernel-mode interrupt request, the second interrupt priority group includes the interrupt request whose priority is the same as that of the user-mode interrupt request or the interrupt request whose priority is lower than that of the user-mode interrupt request, and a priority of the first interrupt priority group is higher than that of the second interrupt priority group; and the CPU in the kernel mode sets a preemption operation for the interrupt controller, where the preemption operation includes that the first interrupt priority group preempts the second interrupt priority group, para. 0013); and receiving the device profile, wherein the device profile identifies the operation mode for configuring the at least one computing device (the CPU sets the priority group for the interrupt controller in an initialization process after startup, so that an operation of disabling an interrupt and re-enabling an interrupt is no longer needed in a processing process of the user-mode interrupt request, para. 0014) in order to improve efficiency of processing a user-mode interrupt request as taught by Wu (para. 0104). Therefore, based on Lee in view of Dice, further in view of Hildesheim, and furthermore in view of Wu, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to utilize the teaching of Wu to the method of Lee in view of Dice, and further in view of Hildesheim in order to improve efficiency of processing a user-mode interrupt request as taught by Wu (para. 0104) With respect to claim 24, Lee teaches The method of claim 23, wherein the device profile comprises an operation schedule that specifies that the at least one computing device is to switch from the operation mode to a different operation mode at a scheduled time (a user selects any one mode from three modes, the three modes are a manual mode, an auto mode, and a schedule mode, and other modes be included; the schedule mode is a mode in which when a level is set for each of specific time, the system is operated at each of the time in accordance with the levels, para. 0046). With respect to claim 25, Lee in view of Dice, further in view of Hildesheim, and furthermore in view of Wu teaches The method of claim 23 as described above, Further, Hildesheim teaches wherein the device profile comprises device permissions that specify allowed device access based on the operation mode (an application program associated with a privilege level that determines its access mode (e.g., as a user or as a supervisor) to memory, a user application have a low privilege of a user-mode, and a system application (such as the kernel) have a high privilege of a supervisor-mode, para. 0018; allowing for the operating system to set access permissions for the user mode and the supervisor mode associated with different access permissions for the supervisor mode and the user mode, para. 0032) in order to allow the operating system to set different access permissions with different modes as taught by Hildesheim (para. 0032). Therefore, based on Lee in view of Dice, and further in view of Hildesheim, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to utilize the teaching of Hildeshiem to the method of Lee in view of Dice in order to allow the operating system to set different access permissions with different modes as taught by Hildesheim (para. 0032). With respect to claim 26, Lee in view of Dice, and further in view of Hildesheim teaches The method of claim 22 as described above, Lee in view of Dice, and further in view of Hildesheim does not explicitly teach wherein the operation mode comprises the standalone mode, and wherein the method further comprises selecting a system profile for operation of the at least one computing device within the standalone mode. However, Wu teaches wherein the operation mode comprises the standalone mode, and wherein the at least one processor is configured to cause the apparatus to select a system profile for operation of the at least one computing device within the standalone mode (the central processing unit CPU in a kernel mode performs anonymization processing on a kernel address of a first interrupt exception handler to obtain a second interrupt exception handler, para. 0006; initialization module in the kernel mode is further configured to: set an interrupt priority group for the interrupt controller, where the interrupt priority group includes a first interrupt priority group and a second interrupt priority group, para. 0027) in order to improve efficiency of processing a user-mode interrupt request as taught by Wu (para. 0104). Therefore, based on Lee in view of Dice, further in view of Hildesheim, and furthermore in view of Wu, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to utilize the teaching of Wu to the method of Lee in view of Dice, and further in view of Hildesheim in order to improve efficiency of processing a user-mode interrupt request as taught by Wu (para. 0104). Claims 8 and 9 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Lee (US 2023/0111626 A1) in view of Dice et al. (US 2004/0025160 A1), hereinafter referred to as Dice, and further in view of Hildesheim et al. (US 2018/0060250 A1), hereinafter referred to as Hildesheim, and furthermore in view of Cheng et al. (US 2020/0154501 A1), hereinafter referred to as Cheng. With respect to claim 8, Lee in view of Dice, and further in view of Hildesheim teaches The apparatus of claim 7 as described above, Lee in view of Dice, and further in view of Hildesheim does not explicitly teach wherein the at least one processor is configured to cause the apparatus to: configure the schedule of the at least one computing device to specify a schedule for automatically switching between operation in the user mode and operation in the standalone mode; and configure a switching behavior that specifies a type of notification to be output when switching between operation in the user mode and operation in the standalone mode, and an action to be performed when a user profile is authenticated with the at least one computing device when a scheduled switch between the user mode and the standalone mode occurs. However, Cheng teaches wherein the at least one processor is configured to cause the apparatus to: configure the schedule of the at least one computing device to specify a schedule for automatically switching between operation in the user mode and operation in the standalone mode (the UE 120 provided with a resume ID when moving to the peer UE scheduling mode, and include the resume ID in the signaling used when switching back to a base station scheduling mode, para. 0070); and configure a switching behavior that specifies a type of notification to be output when switching between operation in the user mode and operation in the standalone mode (transmitting, by the first UE, a request message to a base station to indicate the first UE is switching from a base station scheduling mode to a peer UE scheduling mode and receiving, by the first UE, an acknowledgment message from the base station indicating a state change to allow the peer UE scheduling mode, para. 0005), and an action to be performed when a user profile is authenticated with the at least one computing device when a scheduled switch between the user mode and the standalone mode occurs (the inactive request message includes an identifier for the peer UE (e.g., the RSU) that provide the scheduling service for UE-1. In the authorization process, e.g., step 1 of FIG. 9, UE-1 learn the peer UE's (e.g., the RSUs) identifier that UE-1 will use in the inactive request message; allowing the RAN node (e.g., a base station), to authorize the change of operation modes of the UE when receiving the inactive request message and further determining the preferred operation, e.g., to change the resources allocation to the peer UE, para. 0112) in order to indicate a state change to allow the UE scheduling mode as taught by Cheng (para. 0006). Therefore, based on Lee in view of Dice, further in view of Hildesheim, and furthermore in view of Cheng, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to utilize the teaching of Cheng to the apparatus of Lee in view of Dice, and further in view of Hildesheim in order to indicate a state change to allow the UE scheduling mode as taught by Cheng (para. 0006). With respect to claim 9, Lee in view of Dice, and further in view of Hildesheim teaches The apparatus of claim 1 as described above, Lee in view of Dice, and further in view of Hildesheim does not explicitly teach wherein the at least one processor is configured to cause the apparatus to configure the at least one computing device to specify whether user switching between the standalone mode and the user mode is permitted. However, Cheng teaches wherein the at least one processor is configured to cause the apparatus to configure the at least one computing device to specify whether user switching between the standalone mode and the user mode is permitted (the inactive request message includes an identifier for the peer UE (e.g., the RSU) that provide the scheduling service for UE-1. In the authorization process, e.g., step 1 of FIG. 9, UE-1 learn the peer UE's (e.g., the RSUs) identifier that UE-1 will use in the inactive request message; allowing the RAN node (e.g., a base station), to authorize the change of operation modes of the UE when receiving the inactive request message and further determining the preferred operation, e.g., to change the resources allocation to the peer UE, para. 0112) in order to indicate a state change to allow the UE scheduling mode as taught by Cheng (para. 0006).
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Prosecution Timeline

Nov 09, 2023
Application Filed
Sep 16, 2024
Examiner Interview (Telephonic)
Mar 22, 2025
Non-Final Rejection — §103
Jun 25, 2025
Applicant Interview (Telephonic)
Jun 25, 2025
Examiner Interview Summary
Jun 30, 2025
Response Filed
Oct 21, 2025
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

3-4
Expected OA Rounds
67%
Grant Probability
99%
With Interview (+37.9%)
3y 2m
Median Time to Grant
Moderate
PTA Risk
Based on 301 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allow rate.

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