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 .
Response to Amendment
This Office Action is in response to applicant’s amendment submitted on April 21, 2026.
Claims, 1-20 are now currently pending in the present application.
Examiners Notes
Examiner exercised applying broadest reasonable interpretation for the following claims 1, 6, 11 & 16 were examined based on claim limitation “fifth generation” and interpreted as “fifth-generation “for examination purposes.
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.
The text of those sections of Title 35, U.S. Code not included in this action can be found in a prior Office action.
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 non-obviousness.
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.
Claims 1-20 are rejected under U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable by 3GPP (3GPP TS 23.502 V18.0.0 (2022-12), hereinafter 3GPP) in view of Zong et al. (US 20200396649 A1, hereinafter Zong).
Consider Claim 1, 3GPP discloses a method performed by an access and mobility management function (AMF) entity, the method comprising:
receiving, from a user equipment (UE), a registration request, wherein the registration request includes information on a UE policy container and an indicator for notifying of moving from an evolved packet system (EPS) to a fifth generation system (5GS); (Section 4.11.1.2.2.3 page 247, the UE performs the EPS to 5GS Mobility Registration Procedure from step 2 in clause 4.11.1.3.3. The UE includes the UE Policy Container containing the list of PSIs, indication of UE support for ANDSP and OSID if available. If the UE holds a native 5G-GUTI it also includes the native 5G-GUTI as an additional GUTI in the Registration Request).
selecting a first policy control function (PCF) entity for requesting access and management (AM) policy information; (Section 4.2.4.3 page 85, if the UE is registered in both 3GPP and non-3GPP accesses and reachable on both access and served by the same AMF, the AMF transfers transparently the UE Policy container to the UE via one of the accesses based on the AMF local policy).
transmitting, to the first PCF entity, a first request message for an AM policy association, wherein the first request message includes the indicator for notifying of moving from the EPS to the 5GS; (Section 4.2.2.2.2 page 42, if the new AMF selects a new (V-)PCF in step 15, the new AMF performs AM Policy Association Establishment with the selected (V-)PCF as defined in clause 4.16.1.2. Section 4.11.1.2.2.2 page 242, see figure 4.11.1.2.2.2-1 shows the preparation phase of the Single Registration-based Interworking from EPS to 5GS procedure).
receiving, from the first PCF entity, a response message including an identifier (ID) of a second PCF entity used for the EPS as a response to the first request message; (section 4.2.4.3 page 84, the case of initial registration and registration with 5GS (ID of second PCF) when the UE moves from EPS to 5GS, the PCF compares the list of PSIs included in the UE policy information in Npcf_UEPolicyControl_Create request and determines, as described in clause 6.1.2.2.2 of TS 23.503 [20], whether UE policy information have to be updated and be provided to the UE via the AMF using DL NAS TRANSPORT message).
3GPP disclose the claimed invention but fails to teach transmitting, to the second PCF entity, a second request message for establishing the AM policy association based on the ID of the second PCF entity used for the EPS;
However, Zong teaches transmitting, to the second PCF entity, a second request message for establishing the AM policy association based on the ID of the second PCF entity used for the EPS; and (paragraph 0032, the policy association is an association between the second mobility management network element and the policy control network (PCF) element, where the association is used for conveying, by the second mobility management network element to the policy control network element. For example, an identifier of the policy control network element, a resource identifier corresponding to the policy association(AM policy), and a policy for the terminal that is made and provided by the policy control network element. An identifier of the second mobility management network (EPS) element, an address of the second mobility management network element for receiving a policy update, and a policy made for the terminal by the policy control network element.
Zong teaches receiving, from the second PCF entity, a second response message as a response to the second request message for establishing the AM policy association. (Paragraph 0148, in step 401 to step 406, in this AMF reselection scenario, the first AMF is a reselected AMF, the second AMF is an AMF selected before the reselection, and the PCF is a PCF that has established a policy association with the second AMF. After receiving the update request message sent by the first AMF, the PCF may update the information about the second AMF in the information of the policy association corresponding to the terminal).
Therefore, it would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which said subject matter pertains, to modify by incorporating the “Procedures for the 5G System (5GS)” of 3GPP with policy control method, apparatus and system of Zong. The motivation to do so would be to develop/provide technical improvements by enabling efficient and stable selection of PCFs when a UE moves from EPS to 5GS. Thereby, creating a smoother transition in the interworking between EPS and 5GS in wireless communication.
Consider Claim 2, 3GPP discloses the method of claim 1, wherein the second request message includes the information on the UE policy container, and (section 4.2.3.3 page 71, the PCF needs to send a message to the UE, using the Npcf_AMPolicyControl_Create Response service operation, or the Npcf_AMPolicyControl_Update Notify service operation and the UE is in CM-IDLE state).
wherein the second response message includes information on an AM policy for the UE. (Section 4.15.6.9.2 page 391, The PCF takes a policy decision and then an AM Policy Association Modification procedure initiated by the PCF for the UE may be performed as described in clause 4.16.2.2. If the AF has subscribed to access and mobility management related events i.e. request for service area coverage outcome in step 2, then the PCF reports the event (i.e. outcome of the request for service area coverage) to the AF as described in clause 4.16.2.2).
Consider Claim 3, 3GPP discloses the method of claim 1, wherein the response message further includes an indicator for a PCF relocation request, wherein the UE policy container includes at least one of information on a UE policy stored in the UE or information indicating that the UE is capable of receiving a UE policy via the EPS, and (section 4.16.2.1.2, figure 4.16.2.1.2-1: AM Policy Association Modification with the old PCF during AMF relocation. Section 4.2.4.3 page 85, If the UE is in CM-CONNECTED over 3GPP access or non-3GPP access, the AMF transfers transparently the UE Policy container (UE policy information) received from the PCF to the UE. The UE Policy container includes the list of Policy Sections as described in TS 23.503 [20])
wherein the first request message further includes a subscription permanent identifier for the UE. (Section 4.2.2.2.2 page 38, if old AMF was a consumer of UE related NWDAF services, the old AMF includes information about active analytics subscriptions, i.e. the Subscription Correlation ID, NWDAF identifier (i.e. Instance ID or Set ID), Analytics ID(s) and associated Analytics specific data in the Namf_Communication_UE Context Transfer response).
Consider Claim 4, 3GPP discloses the method of claim 1, further comprising:
transmitting, to the first PCF entity, a third request message for a UE policy association, wherein the third request message includes the information on the UE policy container. (Section 4.2.4.3 page 84, for the network triggered UE policy update case (e.g. the change of UE location, the change of Subscribed S-NSSAIs as described in clause 6.1.2.2.2 of TS 23.503 [20]), the PCF checks the latest list of PSIs to decide which UE policies have to be sent to the UE. Section 4.2.4.3 page 84, PCF invokes Namf_Communication_N1N2 MessageTransfer service operation provided by the AMF. The message includes SUPI, UE Policy Container).
Consider Claim 5, 3GPP discloses the method of claim 4, further comprising:
transmitting, to the first PCF entity, a message for releasing the AM policy association; and (section 4.16.3.2 page 417, the (V-)PCF removes the policy context for the UE and replies to the AMF with an Acknowledgement including success or failure. In the non-roaming case, the PCF may unsubscribe to analytics from NWDAF).
deleting information on an AM policy associated with the released AM policy association. (Section 4.2.2.2.2 page 43, if new AMF received in the UE context transfer in step 5 the information about the AM Policy Association and the UE Policy Association and decides, based on local policies, not to use the PCF(s) identified by the PCF ID(s) for the AM Policy Association and the UE Policy Association, then it will inform the old AMF that the AM Policy Association and the UE Policy Association in the UE context is not used any longer and then the PCF selection is performed in step 15).
Consider Claim 6, 3GPP discloses an access and mobility management function (AMF) entity comprising:
receive, from a user equipment (UE), a registration request, wherein the registration request includes information on a UE policy container and an indicator for notifying of moving from an evolved packet system (EPS) to a fifth generation system (5GS), (section 4.11.1.2.2.3 page 247, the UE performs the EPS to 5GS Mobility Registration Procedure from step 2 in clause 4.11.1.3.3. The UE includes the UE Policy Container containing the list of PSIs, indication of UE support for ANDSP and OSID if available. If the UE holds a native 5G-GUTI it also includes the native 5G-GUTI as an additional GUTI in the Registration Request).
select a first policy control function (PCF) entity for requesting access and management (AM) policy information, (section 4.2.4.3 page 85, if the UE is registered in both 3GPP and non-3GPP accesses and reachable on both access and served by the same AMF, the AMF transfers transparently the UE Policy container to the UE via one of the accesses based on the AMF local policy).
transmit, to the first PCF entity, a first request message for an AM policy association, wherein the first request message includes the indicator for notifying of moving from the EPS to the 5GS, (Section 4.2.2.2.2 page 42, If the new AMF selects a new (V-)PCF in step 15, the new AMF performs AM Policy Association Establishment with the selected (V-)PCF as defined in clause 4.16.1.2. Section 4.11.1.2.2.2 page 242, see figure 4.11.1.2.2.2-1 shows the preparation phase of the Single Registration-based Interworking from EPS to 5GS procedure).
receive, from the first PCF entity, a response message including an identifier (ID) of a second PCF entity used for the EPS as a response to the first request message, (section 4.2.4.3 page 84, the case of initial registration and registration with 5GS (ID of second PCF) when the UE moves from EPS to 5GS, the PCF compares the list of PSIs included in the UE policy information in Npcf_UE Policy Control_Create request and determines, as described in clause 6.1.2.2.2 of TS 23.503 [20], whether UE policy information have to be updated and be provided to the UE via the AMF using DL NAS TRANSPORT message).
3GPP disclose the claimed invention an access and mobility management function (AMF) entity comprising: but fails to teach at least one processor; and
However, Zong at least one processor; and (paragraph 0218, the apparatus 800 includes at least one processor 801).
Zong teaches at least one memory, communicatively coupled to the at least one processor, storing instructions executable by the at least one processor individually or in any combination to cause the AMF entity to: (Paragraph 0034, including a processor and a memory. The memory is configured to store a computer-executable instruction, and when the apparatus runs, the processor executes the computer-executable instruction stored in the memory such that the apparatus performs the policy control method).
Zong teaches transmit, to the second PCF entity, a second request message for establishing the AM policy association based on the ID of the second PCF entity used for the EPS, and (paragraph 0032, the policy association is an association between the second mobility management network element and the policy control network (PCF) element, where the association is used for conveying, by the second mobility management network element to the policy control network element. For example, an identifier of the policy control network element, a resource identifier corresponding to the policy association(AM policy), and a policy for the terminal that is made and provided by the policy control network element. An identifier of the second mobility management network (EPS) element, an address of the second mobility management network element for receiving a policy update, and a policy made for the terminal by the policy control network element.
Zong teaches receive, from the second PCF entity, a second response message as a response to the second request message for establishing the AM policy association. (Paragraph 0148, in step 401 to step 406, in this AMF reselection scenario, the first AMF is a reselected AMF, the second AMF is an AMF selected before the reselection, and the PCF is a PCF that has established a policy association with the second AMF. After receiving the update request message sent by the first AMF, the PCF may update the information about the second AMF in the information of the policy association corresponding to the terminal).
Therefore, it would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which said subject matter pertains, to modify by incorporating the “Procedures for the 5G System (5GS)” of 3GPP with policy control method, apparatus and system of Zong. The motivation to do so would be to develop/provide technical improvements by enabling efficient and stable selection of PCFs when a UE moves from EPS to 5GS. Thereby, creating a smoother transition in the interworking between EPS and 5GS in wireless communication.
Consider Claim 7, 3GPP discloses the AMF entity of claim 6, wherein the second request message includes the information on the UE policy container, and (section 4.2.3.3 page 71, the PCF needs to send a message to the UE, using the Npcf_AMPolicyControl_Create Response service operation, or the Npcf_AMPolicyControl_Update Notify service operation and the UE is in CM-IDLE state).
wherein the second response message includes information on an AM policy for the UE. (Section 4.15.6.9.2 page 391, The PCF takes a policy decision and then an AM Policy Association Modification procedure initiated by the PCF for the UE may be performed as described in clause 4.16.2.2. If the AF has subscribed to access and mobility management related events i.e. request for service area coverage outcome in step 2, then the PCF reports the event (i.e. outcome of the request for service area coverage) to the AF as described in clause 4.16.2.2).
Consider Claim 8, 3GPP discloses the AMF entity of claim 6, wherein the response message further includes an indicator for a PCF relocation request, wherein the UE policy container includes at least one of information on a UE policy stored in the UE or information indicating that the UE is capable of receiving a UE policy via the EPS, and (section 4.16.2.1.2, figure 4.16.2.1.2-1: AM Policy Association Modification with the old PCF during AMF relocation. Section 4.2.4.3 page 85, If the UE is in CM-CONNECTED over 3GPP access or non-3GPP access, the AMF transfers transparently the UE Policy container (UE policy information) received from the PCF to the UE. The UE Policy container includes the list of Policy Sections as described in TS 23.503 [20])
wherein the first request message further includes a subscription permanent identifier for the UE. (Section 4.2.2.2.2 page 38, if old AMF was a consumer of UE related NWDAF services, the old AMF includes information about active analytics subscriptions, i.e. the Subscription Correlation ID, NWDAF identifier (i.e. Instance ID or Set ID), Analytics ID(s) and associated Analytics specific data in the Namf_Communication_UE Context Transfer response).
Consider Claim 9, 3GPP discloses the AMF entity of claim 6, wherein the instructions further cause the AMF entity to:
transmit, to the first PCF entity, a third request message for a UE policy association, and wherein the third request message includes the information on the UE policy container. (Section 4.2.4.3 page 84, for the network triggered UE policy update case (e.g. the change of UE location, the change of Subscribed S-NSSAIs as described in clause 6.1.2.2.2 of TS 23.503 [20]), the PCF checks the latest list of PSIs to decide which UE policies have to be sent to the UE. Section 4.2.4.3 page 84, PCF invokes Namf_Communication_N1N2 Message Transfer service operation provided by the AMF. The message includes SUPI, UE Policy Container).
Consider Claim 10, 3GPP discloses the AMF entity of claim 9, wherein the instructions further cause the AMF entity to:
transmit, to the first PCF entity, a message for releasing the AM policy association, and (section 4.16.3.2 page 417, the (V-)PCF removes the policy context for the UE and replies to the AMF with an Acknowledgement including success or failure. In the non-roaming case, the PCF may unsubscribe to analytics from NWDAF).
delete information on an AM policy associated with the released AM policy association. (Section 4.2.2.2.2 page 43, if new AMF received in the UE context transfer in step 5 the information about the AM Policy Association and the UE Policy Association and decides, based on local policies, not to use the PCF(s) identified by the PCF ID(s) for the AM Policy Association and the UE Policy Association, then it will inform the old AMF that the AM Policy Association and the UE Policy Association in the UE context is not used any longer and then the PCF selection is performed in step 15).
Consider Claim 11, 3GPP discloses a method performed by a first policy control function (PCF) entity, the method comprising:
receiving, from an access and mobility management function (AMF) entity, a first request message for an access management (AM) policy association, wherein the first request message includes an indicator for notifying of moving from an evolved packet system (EPS) to a fifth generation system (5GS); and (Section 4.11.1.2.2.3 page 247, the UE performs the EPS to 5GS Mobility Registration Procedure from step 2 in clause 4.11.1.3.3. The UE includes the UE Policy Container containing the list of PSIs, indication of UE support for ANDSP and OSID if available. If the UE holds a native 5G-GUTI it also includes the native 5G-GUTI as an additional GUTI in the Registration Request).
transmitting, to the AMF entity, a response message including an identifier (ID) of a second PCF entity used for the EPS as a response to the first request message, (section 4.2.4.3 page 84, the case of initial registration and registration with 5GS (ID of second PCF) when the UE moves from EPS to 5GS, the PCF compares the list of PSIs included in the UE policy information in Npcf_UEPolicyControl_Create request and determines, as described in clause 6.1.2.2.2 of TS 23.503 [20], whether UE policy information have to be updated and be provided to the UE via the AMF using DL NAS TRANSPORT message).
wherein a selection of the first PCF entity for requesting AM policy information is based on a registration request of a user equipment (UE), and (Section 4.2.4.3 page 85, if the UE is registered in both 3GPP and non-3GPP accesses and reachable on both access and served by the same AMF, the AMF transfers transparently the UE Policy container to the UE via one of the accesses based on the AMF local policy).
wherein the registration request includes information on a UE policy container and the indicator for notifying of moving from the EPS to the 5GS. (Section 4.11.1.2.2.2 page 242, Figure 4.11.1.2.2.2-1 shows the preparation phase of the Single Registration-based Interworking from EPS to 5GS procedure).
Consider Claim 12, 3GPP discloses the method of claim 11, further comprising:
transmitting, to a binding support function (BSF) entity, a message for requesting the ID of the second PCF entity for the EPS; and (section 4.15.9.2 page 395, the PCF registers to BSF as described in TS 23.503 [20]. TSCTSF invokes a Npcf_PolicyAuthorization_Create request message to the PCF and stores the DNN, S-NSSAI and IP address as received from PCF and SUPI as received from BSF and associates them with the AF-session).
receiving, from the BSF entity, information on the ID of the second PCF entity,
wherein the response message includes a subscription permanent identifier (SUPI) for the UE, and (section 4.15.9.4 page 409, The BSF provides to the TSCTSF the identity of the PCF for the UE for the requested SUPI via an Nbsf_Management_Notify operation. If matching entries already existed in the BSF when step 6 is performed, this shall be immediately reported to the TSCTSF).
wherein the information on the ID of the second PCF entity includes at least one of an end point address or a uniform resource identifier (URI). (Section 4.9.1.3.2 page 211, Allowed NSSAI for each Access Type if available, Tracing Requirements, LTE M Indication, the list of PDU Session IDs along with the corresponding SMF information and the corresponding S-NSSAI(s), PCF ID(s), DNN, UE Radio Capability ID and UE Radio Capability Information, N2 Notify URI)).
Consider Claim 13, 3GPP discloses the method of claim 11, wherein the response message further includes an indicator for a PCF relocation request, wherein the UE policy container includes at least one of information on a UE policy stored in the UE or information indicating that the UE is capable of receiving a UE policy via the EPS, and (section 4.16.2.1.2, figure 4.16.2.1.2-1: AM Policy Association Modification with the old PCF during AMF relocation. Section 4.2.4.3 page 85, If the UE is in CM-CONNECTED over 3GPP access or non-3GPP access, the AMF transfers transparently the UE Policy container (UE policy information) received from the PCF to the UE. The UE Policy container includes the list of Policy Sections as described in TS 23.503 [20])
wherein the first request message further includes a subscription permanent identifier (SUPI) for the UE. (Section 4.2.2.2.2 page 38, if old AMF was a consumer of UE related NWDAF services, the old AMF includes information about active analytics subscriptions, i.e. the Subscription Correlation ID, NWDAF identifier (i.e. Instance ID or Set ID), Analytics ID(s) and associated Analytics specific data in the Namf_Communication_UE Context Transfer response).
Consider Claim 14, 3GPP discloses the method of claim 11, further comprising:
receiving, from the AMF entity, a third request message for a UE policy association, wherein the third request message includes the information on the UE policy container. (Section 4.2.4.3 page 84, for the network triggered UE policy update case (e.g. the change of UE location, the change of Subscribed S-NSSAIs as described in clause 6.1.2.2.2 of TS 23.503 [20]), the PCF checks the latest list of PSIs to decide which UE policies have to be sent to the UE. Section 4.2.4.3 page 84, PCF invokes Namf_Communication_N1N2 Message Transfer service operation provided by the AMF. The message includes SUPI, UE Policy Container).
Consider Claim 15, 3GPP discloses the method of claim 14, further comprising:
receiving, from the AMF entity, a message for releasing the AM policy association; and (section 4.16.3.2 page 417, the (V-)PCF removes the policy context for the UE and replies to the AMF with an Acknowledgement including success or failure. In the non-roaming case, the PCF may unsubscribe to analytics from NWDAF).
deleting information on an AM policy associated with the released AM policy association. (Section 4.2.2.2.2 page 43, If new AMF received in the UE context transfer in step 5 the information about the AM Policy Association and the UE Policy Association and decides, based on local policies, not to use the PCF(s) identified by the PCF ID(s) for the AM Policy Association and the UE Policy Association, then it will inform the old AMF that the AM Policy Association and the UE Policy Association in the UE context is not used any longer and then the PCF selection is performed in step 15).
Consider Claim 16, 3GPP discloses a first policy control function (PCF) entity comprising:
receive, from an access and mobility management function (AMF) entity, a first request message for an access management (AM) policy association, wherein the first request message includes an indicator for notifying of moving from an evolved packet system (EPS) to a fifth generation system (5GS), and (Section 4.11.1.2.2.3 page 247, the UE performs the EPS to 5GS Mobility Registration Procedure from step 2 in clause 4.11.1.3.3. The UE includes the UE Policy Container containing the list of PSIs, indication of UE support for ANDSP and OSID if available. If the UE holds a native 5G-GUTI it also includes the native 5G-GUTI as an additional GUTI in the Registration Request).
transmit, to the AMF entity, a response message including an identification (ID) of a second PCF entity used for the EPS as a response to the first request message, (section 4.2.4.3 page 84, the case of initial registration and registration with 5GS when the UE moves from EPS to 5GS, the PCF compares the list of PSIs included in the UE policy information in Npcf_UE Policy Control_Create request and determines, as described in clause 6.1.2.2.2 of TS 23.503 [20], whether UE policy information have to be updated and be provided to the UE via the AMF using DL NAS TRANSPORT message).
wherein a selection of the first PCF entity for requesting AM policy information is based on a registration request of a user equipment (UE), and (Section 4.2.4.3 page 85, if the UE is registered in both 3GPP and non-3GPP accesses and reachable on both access and served by the same AMF, the AMF transfers transparently the UE Policy container to the UE via one of the accesses based on the AMF local policy).
wherein the registration request includes information on a UE policy container and the indicator for notifying of moving from the EPS to the 5GS. (Section 4.11.1.2.2.2 page 242, Figure 4.11.1.2.2.2-1 shows the preparation phase of the Single Registration-based Interworking from EPS to 5GS procedure).
3GPP disclose the claimed invention but fails to teach at least one processor;
However, Zong at least one processor; and (paragraph 0218, the apparatus 800 includes at least one processor 801).
Zong teaches at least one memory, communicatively coupled to the at least one processor, storing instructions executable by the at least one processor individually or in any combination to cause the AMF entity to: (Paragraph 0034, including a processor and a memory. The memory is configured to store a computer-executable instruction, and when the apparatus runs, the processor executes the computer-executable instruction stored in the memory such that the apparatus performs the policy control method).
Therefore, it would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which said subject matter pertains, to modify by incorporating the “Procedures for the 5G System (5GS)” of 3GPP with policy control method, apparatus and system of Zong. The motivation to do so would be to develop/provide technical improvements by enabling efficient and stable selection of PCFs when a UE moves from EPS to 5GS. Thereby, creating a smoother transition in the interworking between EPS and 5GS in wireless communication.
Consider Claim 17, 3GPP discloses the first PCF entity of claim 16, wherein instructions further cause the first PCF entity to:
transmit, to a binding support function (BSF) entity, a message for requesting the ID of the second PCF entity for the EPS, and (section 4.15.9.2 page 395, the PCF registers to BSF as described in TS 23.503 [20]. TSCTSF invokes a Npcf_PolicyAuthorization_Create request message to the PCF and stores the DNN, S-NSSAI and IP address as received from PCF and SUPI as received from BSF and associates them with the AF-session).
receive, from the BSF entity, information on the ID of the second PCF entity,
wherein the response message includes a subscription permanent identifier (SUPI) for the UE, and (section 4.15.9.4 page 409, The BSF provides to the TSCTSF the identity of the PCF for the UE for the requested SUPI via an Nbsf_Management_Notify operation. If matching entries already existed in the BSF when step 6 is performed, this shall be immediately reported to the TSCTSF).
wherein the information on the ID of the second PCF entity includes at least one of an end point address or a uniform resource identifier (URI). (Section 4.9.1.3.2 page 211, Allowed NSSAI for each Access Type if available, Tracing Requirements, LTE M Indication, the list of PDU Session IDs along with the corresponding SMF information and the corresponding S-NSSAI(s), PCF ID(s), DNN, UE Radio Capability ID and UE Radio Capability Information, N2 Notify URI)).
Consider Claim 18, 3GPP discloses the first PCF entity of claim 16, wherein the response message further includes an indicator for a PCF relocation request, wherein the UE policy container includes at least one of information on a UE policy stored in the UE or information indicating that the UE is capable of receiving a UE policy via the EPS, and (section 4.16.2.1.2, figure 4.16.2.1.2-1: AM Policy Association Modification with the old PCF during AMF relocation. Section 4.2.4.3 page 85, If the UE is in CM-CONNECTED over 3GPP access or non-3GPP access, the AMF transfers transparently the UE Policy container (UE policy information) received from the PCF to the UE. The UE Policy container includes the list of Policy Sections as described in TS 23.503 [20])
wherein the first request message further includes a subscription permanent identifier (SUPI) for the UE. (Section 4.2.2.2.2 page 38, if old AMF was a consumer of UE related NWDAF services, the old AMF includes information about active analytics subscriptions, i.e. the Subscription Correlation ID, NWDAF identifier (i.e. Instance ID or Set ID), Analytics ID(s) and associated Analytics specific data in the Namf_Communication_UE Context Transfer response).
Consider Claim 19, 3GPP discloses the first PCF entity of claim 16, wherein the instructions further cause the first PCF entity to:
receive, from the AMF entity, a third request message for a UE policy association, and wherein the third request message includes the information on the UE policy container. (Section 4.2.4.3 page 84, for the network triggered UE policy update case (e.g. the change of UE location, the change of Subscribed S-NSSAIs as described in clause 6.1.2.2.2 of TS 23.503 [20]), the PCF checks the latest list of PSIs to decide which UE policies have to be sent to the UE. Section 4.2.4.3 page 84, PCF invokes Namf_Communication_N1N2 Message Transfer service operation provided by the AMF. The message includes SUPI, UE Policy Container).
Consider Claim 20, 3GPP discloses the first PCF entity of claim 19, wherein the instructions further cause the first PCF entity to:
receive, from the AMF entity, a message for releasing the AM policy association, and (section 4.16.3.2, AMF-initiated AM Policy Association Termination. The AMF decides to terminate the AM Policy Association during Deregistration procedure or due to mobility with change of AMF and (V-)PCF in the registration procedure or handover procedure).
delete information on an AM policy associated with the released AM policy association. (Section 4.2.2.2.2 page 43, if new AMF received in the UE context transfer in step 5 the information about the AM Policy Association and the UE Policy Association and decides, based on local policies, not to use the PCF(s) identified by the PCF ID(s) for the AM Policy Association and the UE Policy Association, then it will inform the old AMF that the AM Policy Association and the UE Policy Association in the UE context is not used any longer and then the PCF selection is performed in step 15).
Response to Arguments
Applicant' s arguments/remarks made in an amendment filed on April 14, 2026, with respect to independent claims 1, 6, 11 and 16 have been fully considered.
With regards to Applicants arguments (page 12) that cited reference 3GPP does not teach or suggest “transmitted from an AMF to a PCF”, Examiner respectfully disagrees. The cited reference 3GPP does disclose (section 4.2.2.2.2 page 42, if the new AMF selects a new (V-)PCF in step 15, the new AMF performs AM Policy Association Establishment with the selected (V-)PCF as defined in clause 4.16.1.2).
With regards to Applicants arguments (page 12) that cited reference 3GPP does not teach or suggest “suggest transmitting an ID of a second PCF”, Examiner respectfully disagrees. The cited reference 3GPP does disclose (section 4.2.4.3 page 84, the case of initial registration and registration with 5GS (ID of second PCF) when the UE moves from EPS to 5GS, the PCF compares the list of PSIs included in the UE policy information in Npcf_UEPolicyControl_Create request and determines, as described in clause 6.1.2.2.2 of TS 23.503 [20], whether UE policy information have to be updated and be provided to the UE via the AMF using DL NAS TRANSPORT message).
With regards to Applicants arguments (page 12) that cited reference 3GPP does not teach or suggest “the registration request includes information on a UE policy container”, Examiner respectfully disagrees. The cited reference 3GPP does disclose (Section 4.11.1.2.2.3 page 247, the UE performs the EPS to 5GS Mobility Registration Procedure from step 2 in clause 4.11.1.3.3. The UE includes the UE Policy Container containing the list of PSIs, indication of UE support for ANDSP and OSID if available).
In as such Examiner respectfully rejects independent claims 1, 6, 11 and 16. In addition, depended claims 2-5, 7-10, 12-15 and 17-20, which depends therefrom independent claims 1, 6, 11 and 16 are also rejected by virtue of their dependence.
As a result, the claims are written such that they read upon the cited references.
Conclusion
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 MICHELE CAMILLE DOUGLAS whose telephone number is (571)270-0458. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday 6:30 am - 5:00 pm.
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/MICHELE C DOUGLAS/ Examiner, Art Unit 2646
/JEANETTE J PARKER/ Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2646
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