Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 18/408,029

METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PROTECTING PRIVACY IN WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

Non-Final OA §103
Filed
Jan 09, 2024
Examiner
HO, HUY C
Art Unit
2644
Tech Center
2600 — Communications
Assignee
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
77%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
3y 3m
To Grant
98%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 77% — above average
77%
Career Allow Rate
605 granted / 784 resolved
+15.2% vs TC avg
Strong +21% interview lift
Without
With
+20.8%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 3m
Avg Prosecution
24 currently pending
Career history
808
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
5.3%
-34.7% vs TC avg
§103
51.0%
+11.0% vs TC avg
§102
31.5%
-8.5% vs TC avg
§112
4.6%
-35.4% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 784 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. 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. 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. Claim(s) 1-20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Ben Henda et al. (Pub. No. US 2022/0159460) and further in view of Lee et al. (Pub. No. US 2018/0270666). Regarding claim 1. Ben Henda teaches a method performed by a first network entity in a wireless communication system (Ben Henda, the Abstract), the method comprising: receiving, from a second network entity, an authentication acquisition response message including a subscription permanent identifier (SUPI) of a user equipment (UE) (Ben Henda, Fig. 4, pp [74], [96]: step 2, AUSF receives authentication get response message from UMD/ARPF); transmitting, to a third network entity, an authentication response message including the temporary identifier, wherein the temporary identifier includes a variable filed which is generated as a random variable (Ben Henda, Fig. 4, pp [96]-[99], [270]: AUSF transmits Nausf_UEAuthentication_Authenticate Response to SEAF). Ben Henda does not teach “generating a temporary identifier for the UE based on the SUPI”. Lee teaches “generating a temporary identifier for the UE based on the SUPI” (Lee, pp [94], [123]: a globally unique temporary identifier GUTI is provided to a UE after registering with a network that includes information related to previously-accessed network slices so the UE might use it for privacy and security reason). Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the affective filing date of the claimed invention was made to modify Ben Henda by incorporating teachings of Lee, method and system provide network access privacy including transmitting, receiving and exchanging messages between network devices and user equipment wherein the system provides encryption communication using keyed hash algorithm in communication messages/packets, or using a globally unique temporary identifier GUTI, e.g., registration messages and identifier information, to enhance the high privacy and most secured information via the wireless communication network thus to prevent and protect privacy and sensitive exchanged data and information in the wireless network. Regarding claim 6. Ben Henda teaches a method performed by a second network entity in a wireless communication system (Ben Henda, the Abstract), the method comprising: receiving, from a first network entity, an authentication acquisition request message including a subscription concealed identifier (SUCI) of a user equipment (UE) (Ben Henda, Fig. 4, pp [74], [96]: step 2, AUSF receives authentication get response message from UMD/ARPF); identifying a subscription permanent identifier (SUPI) by de-concealing the SUCI (Ben Henda, pp [29], [146]-[147], [270]); transmitting, to the first network entity, an authentication acquisition response message including the temporary identifier, wherein the temporary identifier includes a variable filed which is generated as a random variable (Ben Henda, Fig. 4, pp [96]-[99], [270]: AUSF transmits Nausf_UEAuthentication_Authenticate Response to SEAF). Ben Henda does not teach “generating a temporary identifier for the UE based on the SUPI”. Lee teaches “generating a temporary identifier for the UE based on the SUPI” (Lee, pp [94], [123]: a globally unique temporary identifier GUTI is provided to a UE after registering with a network that includes information related to previously-accessed network slices so the UE might use it for privacy and security reason). Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the affective filing date of the claimed invention was made to modify Ben Henda by incorporating teachings of Lee, method and system provide network access privacy including transmitting, receiving and exchanging messages between network devices and user equipment wherein the system provides encryption communication using keyed hash algorithm in communication messages/packets, or using a globally unique temporary identifier GUTI, e.g., registration messages and identifier information, to enhance the high privacy and most secured information via the wireless communication network thus to prevent and protect privacy and sensitive exchanged data and information in the wireless network. Regarding claim 11. Ben Henda teaches a first network entity in a wireless communication system (Ben Henda, the Abstract), the first network entity comprising: a transceiver; and at least one processor coupled to the transceiver and configured to: receive, from a second network entity, an authentication acquisition response message including a subscription permanent identifier (SUPI) of a user equipment (UE) (Ben Henda, Fig. 4, pp [74], [96]: step 2, AUSF receives authentication get response message from UMD/ARPF), and transmit, to a third network entity, an authentication response message including a variable filed which is generated as a random variable (Ben Henda, Fig. 4, pp [96]-[99], [270]: AUSF transmits Nausf_UEAuthentication_Authenticate Response to SEAF). Ben Henda does not teach “generating a temporary identifier for the UE based on the SUPI”. Lee teaches “generating a temporary identifier for the UE based on the SUPI” (Lee, pp [94], [123]: a globally unique temporary identifier GUTI is provided to a UE after registering with a network that includes information related to previously-accessed network slices so the UE might use it for privacy and security reason). Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the affective filing date of the claimed invention was made to modify Ben Henda by incorporating teachings of Lee, method and system provide network access privacy including transmitting, receiving and exchanging messages between network devices and user equipment wherein the system provides encryption communication using keyed hash algorithm in communication messages/packets, or using a globally unique temporary identifier GUTI, e.g., registration messages and identifier information, to enhance the high privacy and most secured information via the wireless communication network thus to prevent and protect privacy and sensitive exchanged data and information in the wireless network. Regarding claim 16. Ben Henda teaches a second network entity in a wireless communication system (Ben Henda, the Abstract), comprising: a transceiver; and at least one processor coupled to the transceiver and configured to: receive, from a first network entity, an authentication acquisition request message including a subscription concealed identifier (SUCI) of a user equipment (UE) (Ben Henda, Fig. 4, pp [74], [96]: step 2, AUSF receives authentication get response message from UMD/ARPF), identify a subscription permanent identifier (SUPI) by de-concealing the SUCI (Ben Henda, pp [29], [146]-[147], [270]), and transmit, to the first network entity, an authentication acquisition response message including a variable filed which is generated as a random variable (Ben Henda, Fig. 4, pp [96]-[99], [270]: AUSF transmits Nausf_UEAuthentication_Authenticate Response to SEAF). Ben Henda does not teach “generating a temporary identifier for the UE based on the SUPI”. Lee teaches “generating a temporary identifier for the UE based on the SUPI” (Lee, pp [94], [123]: a globally unique temporary identifier GUTI is provided to a UE after registering with a network that includes information related to previously-accessed network slices so the UE might use it for privacy and security reason). Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the affective filing date of the claimed invention was made to modify Ben Henda by incorporating teachings of Lee, method and system provide network access privacy including transmitting, receiving and exchanging messages between network devices and user equipment wherein the system provides encryption communication using keyed hash algorithm in communication messages/packets, or using a globally unique temporary identifier GUTI, e.g., registration messages and identifier information, to enhance the high privacy and most secured information via the wireless communication network thus to prevent and protect privacy and sensitive exchanged data and information in the wireless network. Regarding claim 2. Ben Henda, as modified by Lee, teaches the method of claim 1, wherein the temporary identifier includes a mobile country code (MCC) field and a mobile network code (MNC) field (Ben Henda, pp [270]; Lee, Fig. 14, pp [123]: the GUTI includes MCC, MNC). wherein the variable field is generated by a hash function (Lee, pp [112]-[115]: a keyed hash value is generated and used for transmission of secured information such as identifier information MCC and MNC), and wherein a number of digits for the variable field is set to a predetermined number of digits (Lee, Fig. 14, pp [123]: the GUTI includes MCC, MNC and fields of GUMMEI 48 bits, M-TMSI 32 bits). Regarding claim 3. Ben Henda, as modified by Lee, teaches the method of claim 1, wherein the temporary identifier includes at least one of a region identifier field for a fourth network entity, a set identifier field for the fourth network entity, an identifier field of the fourth network entity, or a variable field (Lee, Fig. 14, pp [123]: the GUTI includes MCC, MNC and fields of GUMMEI 48 bits, M-TMSI 32 bits), wherein the variable field is generated by a hash function or as a random variable (Lee, pp [112]-[115]: a keyed hash value is generated and used for transmission of secured information such as identifier information MCC and MNC; Fig. 14, pp [123]: the GUTI includes MCC, MNC and fields of GUMMEI 48 bits, M-TMSI 32 bits), and wherein the fourth network entity includes an access and mobility management function (AMF) entity or a security anchor function (SEAF) entity (Lee, pp [107]; and Ben Henda, Fig. 7, pp [94], [99]). Regarding claim 4. Ben Henda, as modified by Lee, teaches the method of claim 1, wherein the first network entity includes an authentication server function (AUSF) entity, wherein the second network entity includes a unified data manager (UDM) entity, and wherein the third network entity includes a security anchor function (SEAF) entity (Ben Henda, pp [144], [270]). Regarding claim 5. Ben Henda, as modified by Lee, teaches the method of claim 1, further comprising: generating authentication information based on the temporary identifier (Ben Henda, Fig. 4, pp [96]-[99], [270]; and Lee, pp [94], [123]); performing authentication based on the temporary identifier (Ben Henda, Fig. 4, pp [96]-[99], [270]; and Lee, pp [94], [123]); generating an authentication key based on the temporary identifier and the authentication information (Ben Henda, Figs. 6A-6B, pp [82], [91]-[92]; and Lee, pp [94], [123]); and transmitting, to the third network entity, the generated authentication key (Ben Henda, Fig. 7, pp [96]-[99]). Regarding claim 7. Ben Henda, as modified by Lee, teaches the method of claim 6, wherein the temporary identifier includes a mobile country code (MCC) field and a mobile network code (MNC) field (Lee, Fig. 14, pp [123]: the GUTI includes MCC, MNC and fields of GUMMEI 48 bits, M-TMSI 32 bits), wherein the variable field is generated by a hash function (Lee, pp [112]-[115]: a keyed hash value is generated and used for transmission of secured information such as identifier information MCC and MNC; Fig. 14, pp [123]: the GUTI includes MCC, MNC and fields of GUMMEI 48 bits, M-TMSI 32 bits), and wherein a number of digits for the variable field is set to a predetermined number of digits (Lee, Fig. 14, pp [123]: the GUTI includes MCC, MNC and fields of GUMMEI 48 bits, M-TMSI 32 bits). Regarding claim 8. Ben Henda, as modified by Lee, teaches the method of claim 6, wherein the temporary identifier includes at least one of a region identifier field for a fourth network entity, a set identifier field for the fourth network entity, an identifier field of the fourth network entity, or a variable field, wherein the variable field is generated by a hash function or as a random variable (Lee, pp [112]-[115]: a keyed hash value is generated and used for transmission of secured information such as identifier information MCC and MNC; Fig. 14, pp [123]: the GUTI includes MCC, MNC and fields of GUMMEI 48 bits, M-TMSI 32 bits), and wherein the fourth network entity is an access and mobility management function (AMF) entity or a security anchor function (SEAF) entity (Lee, pp [107]; and Ben Henda, Fig. 7, pp [94], [99]). Regarding claim 9. Ben Henda, as modified by Lee, teaches the method of claim 6, wherein the first network entity includes an authentication server function (AUSF) entity, and wherein the second network entity includes a unified data manager (UDM) (Ben Henda, entity [144], [270]). Regarding claim 10. Ben Henda, as modified by Lee, teaches the method of claim 6, further comprising: generating authentication information based on the temporary identifier (Ben Henda, Fig. 4, pp [96]-[99], [270]; and Lee, pp [94], [123]); performing authentication based on the temporary identifier (Ben Henda, Fig. 4, pp [96]-[99], [270]; and Lee, pp [94], [123]); generating an authentication key based on the temporary identifier and the authentication information (Ben Henda, Figs. 6A-6B, pp [82], [91]-[92]; and Lee, pp [94], [123]); and transmitting, to the first network entity, the generated authentication key (Ben Henda, Fig. 7, pp [96]-[99]). Regarding claim 12. Ben Henda, as modified by Lee, teaches the first network entity of claim 11, wherein the temporary identifier includes a mobile country code (MCC) field and a mobile network code (MNC) field (Ben Henda, pp [270]; and Lee, Fig. 14, pp [123]: the GUTI includes MCC, MNC and fields of GUMMEI 48 bits, M-TMSI 32 bits). wherein the variable field is generated by a hash function (Lee, pp [112]-[115]: a keyed hash value is generated and used for transmission of secured information such as identifier information MCC and MNC; Fig. 14, pp [123]: the GUTI includes MCC, MNC and fields of GUMMEI 48 bits, M-TMSI 32 bits), and wherein a number of digits for the variable field is set to a predetermined number of digits (Lee, Fig. 14, pp [123]: the GUTI includes MCC, MNC and fields of GUMMEI 48 bits, M-TMSI 32 bits). Regarding claim 13. Ben Henda, as modified by Lee, teaches the first network entity of claim 11, wherein the temporary identifier includes at least one of a region identifier field for a fourth network entity, a set identifier field for the fourth network entity, an identifier field of the fourth network entity, or a variable field, wherein the variable field is generated by a hash function or as a random variable (Lee, pp [112]-[115]: a keyed hash value is generated and used for transmission of secured information such as identifier information MCC and MNC; Fig. 14, pp [123]: the GUTI includes MCC, MNC and fields of GUMMEI 48 bits, M-TMSI 32 bits), and wherein the fourth network entity is an access and mobility management function (AMF) entity or a security anchor function (SEAF) entity (Lee, pp [107]; and Ben Henda, Fig. 7, pp [94], [99]). Regarding claim 14. Ben Henda, as modified by Lee, teaches the first network entity of claim 11, wherein the first network entity includes an authentication server function (AUSF) entity, wherein the second network entity includes a unified data manager (UDM) entity, and wherein the third network entity includes a security anchor function (SEAF) entity (Ben Henda, [144], [270]). Regarding claim 15. Ben Henda, as modified by Lee, teaches the first network entity of claim 11, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: generate authentication information based on the temporary identifier (Ben Henda, Fig. 4, pp [96]-[99], [270]; and Lee, pp [94], [123]), perform authentication based on the temporary identifier (Ben Henda, Fig. 4, pp [96]-[99], [270]; and Lee, pp [94], [123]), generate an authentication key based on the temporary identifier and the authentication information (Ben Henda, Figs. 6A-6B, pp [82], [91]-[92]; and Lee, pp [94], [123]), and transmit, to the third network entity, the generated authentication key (Ben Henda, Fig. 7, pp [96]-[99]). Regarding claim 17. Ben Henda, as modified by Lee, teaches the second network entity of claim 16, wherein the temporary identifier includes a mobile country code (MCC) field and a mobile network code (MNC) field (Ben Henda, pp [270]; and Lee, Fig. 14, pp [123]: the GUTI includes MCC, MNC and fields of GUMMEI 48 bits, M-TMSI 32 bits). wherein the variable field is generated by a hash function (Lee, pp [112]-[115]: a keyed hash value is generated and used for transmission of secured information such as identifier information MCC and MNC; Fig. 14, pp [123]: the GUTI includes MCC, MNC and fields of GUMMEI 48 bits, M-TMSI 32 bits), and wherein a number of digits for the variable field is set to a predetermined number of digits (Lee, Fig. 14, pp [123]: the GUTI includes MCC, MNC and fields of GUMMEI 48 bits, M-TMSI 32 bits). Regarding claim 18. Ben Henda, as modified by Lee, teaches the second network entity of claim 16, wherein the temporary identifier includes at least one of a region identifier field for a fourth network entity, a set identifier field for the fourth network entity, an identifier field of the fourth network entity, or a variable field, wherein the variable field is generated by a hash function or as a random variable (Lee, pp [112]-[115]: a keyed hash value is generated and used for transmission of secured information such as identifier information MCC and MNC; Fig. 14, pp [123]: the GUTI includes MCC, MNC and fields of GUMMEI 48 bits, M-TMSI 32 bits), and wherein the fourth network entity is an access and mobility management function (AMF) entity or a security anchor function (SEAF) entity (Lee, pp [107]; and Ben Henda, Fig. 7, pp [94], [99]). Regarding claim 19. Ben Henda, as modified by Lee, teaches the second network entity of claim 16, wherein the first network entity includes an authentication server function (AUSF) entity, and wherein the second network entity includes a unified data manager (UDM) entity (Ben Henda, pp [144], [270]). Regarding claim 20. Ben Henda, as modified by Lee, teaches the second network entity of claim 16, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: generate authentication information based on the temporary identifier (Ben Henda, Fig. 4, pp [96]-[99], [270]; and Lee, pp [94], [123]), perform authentication based on the temporary identifier (Ben Henda, Fig. 4, pp [96]-[99], [270]; and Lee, pp [94], [123]), generate an authentication key based on the temporary identifier and the authentication information (Ben Henda, Figs. 6A-6B, pp [82], [91]-[92]; and Lee, pp [94], [123]), and transmit, to the first network entity, the generated authentication key (Ben Henda, Fig. 7, pp [96]-[99]). Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to HUY C HO whose telephone number is (571)270-1108. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 8AM-5PM. 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, KATHY WANG-HURST can be reached at (571)270-5371. 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. /HUY C HO/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2644
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Prosecution Timeline

Jan 09, 2024
Application Filed
Jan 09, 2026
Non-Final Rejection — §103 (current)

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Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
77%
Grant Probability
98%
With Interview (+20.8%)
3y 3m
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
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