DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
I. 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
Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
II. A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after final rejection. Since this application is eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on May 19, 2026 has been entered.
Allowable Subject Matter
III. Claims 8, 14, and 20 are objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but may be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
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.
IV. Claims 1-2, 7, 9-10, 15-16, and 19 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Nicoara et al. (US 2024/0031804 A1) in view of Anand (US 2019/0052661 A1), Nair et al. (US 2018/0324585 A1), and Aghili et al. (US 2022/0345894 A1).
Regarding claim 1 Nicoara teaches a method comprising: receiving, at an authentication
server function (AUSF), an authentication request from a user equipment (UE) initiating a registration request (see paragraph [0034], The AUSF may receive an authentication request from the AMF. The associated subscriber may be initially connecting to the network. This reads on receiving, at an authentication server function (AUSF), an authentication request from a user equipment (UE) initiating a registration request); determining that an authentication vector (AV) associated with the UE is not stored at the AUSF (see paragraphs [0034] & [0039], The AV cache (see paragraph [0023]) may have been flushed, so the AV cache does not have any stored Avs associated with the subscriber. If it is determined that the AV is not present in the AV cache, the AV is requested from the UDM. This reads on determining that an authentication vector associated with the UE is not stored at the AUSF); sending, in response to determining that the authentication vector is not stored at the AUSF, an authentication get request to a unified data management (UDM) (see paragraph [0039], If it is determined that the AV is not present in the AV cache, the AV is requested from the UDM. This reads on sending, in response to determining that the authentication vector is not stored at the AUSF, an authentication get request to a unified data management (UDM)); receiving, from the UDM, a single authentication response comprising an authentication vector (see paragraphs [0035] & [0039], AV is requested from the UDM, for example, the AUSF requests AV from the UDM, the AV is received from the UDM. The AUSF may request the UDM send AVs to the AUSF (see paragraph [0027]). The AUSF may receive AVs from the UDM (see paragraph [0026]). This reads on receiving, from the UDM, a single authentication response comprising an authentication vector); and sending, in response to authenticating the UE, an authentication response (see paragraph [0050], If the authentication is successful, the AUSF may send a successful authentication message. The message may be sent to the AMF confirming successful authentication. This reads on sending, in response to authenticating the UE, an authentication response).
Nicoara does not specifically teach determining to authenticate the UE based on comparing information included in the authentication request with at least one authentication vector included in the authentication response.
Anand teaches determining to authenticate the UE based on comparing information included in the authentication request with at least one authentication vector included in the authentication response (AV) (see paragraph [0047], A determination is made as to whether the authentication input received as included in the authentication request matches the authentication key stored in a user profile. This reads on determining to authenticate the UE based on comparing information included in the authentication request with at least one authentication vector included in the authentication response).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to make Nicoara adapt to include determining to authenticate the UE based on comparing information included in the authentication request with at least one authentication vector included in the authentication response because comparing UE identity information to authentication keys is a well-known and predictable mechanism for authentication of the UE for attachment/connection (see Anand above).
Nicoara and Anand do not teach a Fifth Generation (5G) base station; and sending, the response, to the 5G base station to register the UE at the 5G base station.
Nair teaches a Fifth Generation (5G) base station (see paragraph [0006]); and sending, the response, to the 5G base station to register the UE at the 5G base station (see paragraph [0076], The HSS sends an authentication response to AMF/MME, the AMF/MME sends an attach response to the UE through gNB. This reads on a Fifth Generation (5G) base station; and sending, the response, to the 5G base station to register the UE at the 5G base station).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to make the Nicoara and Anand combination adapt to include a Fifth Generation (5G) base station; and sending, the response, to the 5G base station to register the UE at the 5G base station because it is well-known in 5G networks that messages, such as the ones in the Nicoara and Anand combination above, are sent to the UE via base station.
Nicoara, Anand, and Nair do not teach receiving, from the UDM, a single authentication response comprising a plurality of vectors.
Aghili teaches receiving, from the UDM, a single authentication response comprising a plurality of vectors (see paragraph [0112], UDM may generate multiple Authentication Vectors (AV) for multiple SUPIs. At step (512, Fig. 5) the UDM may send multiple 5G Home Environment (HE) AVs and multiple SUPIs in a response to AUSF. This reads on receiving, from the UDM, a single authentication response comprising a plurality of vectors).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to make the Nicoara, Anand, and Nair combination adapt to include receiving, from the UDM, a single authentication response comprising a plurality of vectors because the plurality of authentication vectors can be sent in a single authentication response in the Nicoara, Anand, and Nair combination in the same way as in Aghili. This combination would provide for a more flexible mechanism for the UDM to send AVs.
Regarding claim 2 Nicoara teaches wherein the at least one authentication vector is a first authentication vector and the authentication response includes at least one second authentication vector, the method further comprising: storing the at least one second authentication vector at the AUSF (see paragraph [0035], An authentication vector (AV) may be received from the UDM. The AUSF may receive the AV sent by the UDM in response to the AV request sent pursuant to UE authentication. The AUSF may receive the AV and the AV may be cached at the AUSF AV cache (see paragraph [0023]). Multiple Avs may be stored in the AV cache. This process may repeat as many times as necessary. This reads on wherein the at least one authentication vector is a first authentication vector and the authentication response includes at least one second authentication vector, the method further comprising: storing the at least one second authentication vector at the AUSF). Aghili teaches a single authentication response including multiple authentication vectors (see paragraph [0112], UDM may generate multiple Authentication Vectors (AV) for multiple SUPIs. At step (512, Fig. 5) the UDM may send multiple 5G Home Environment (HE) AVs and multiple SUPIs in a response to AUSF. This reads on a single authentication response including multiple authentication vectors).
Regarding claim 7 Nicoara teaches wherein the authentication response includes five authentication and key agreement (AKA) vectors (see paragraph [0035], The AUSF may receive the Authentication Vector (AV) from the UDM. Multiple AVs may be sent and stored in the AV cache. This operation can repeat as many times as necessary with the desired number of AVs. This reads on wherein the authentication response includes five authentication and key agreement (AKA) vectors). Aghili teaches sending the AVs in a single authentication response (see paragraph [0112], UDM may generate multiple Authentication Vectors (AV) for multiple SUPIs. At step (512, Fig. 5) the UDM may send multiple 5G Home Environment (HE) AVs and multiple SUPIs in a response to AUSF. This reads on sending the AVs in a single authentication response).
Regarding claim 9 Nicoara teaches a system comprising: one or more processors; and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the system to perform operations (see paragraphs [0071] & [0073] – [0074], Computing devices may include a processing unit and a memory unit, the memory unit including a software module to be executed on the processing unit. This reads on system comprising: one or more processors; and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the system to perform operations) comprising: receiving, at an authentication server function (AUSF), an authentication request from a user equipment (UE) initiating a registration request (see paragraph [0034], The AUSF may receive an authentication request from the AMF. The associated subscriber may be initially connecting to the network. This reads on receiving, at an authentication server function (AUSF), an authentication request from a user equipment (UE) initiating a registration request); determining that an authentication vector (AV) associated with the UE is not stored at the AUSF (see paragraphs [0034] & [0039], The AV cache (see paragraph [0023]) may have been flushed, so the AV cache does not have any stored Avs associated with the subscriber. If it is determined that the AV is not present in the AV cache, the AV is requested from the UDM. This reads on determining that an authentication vector associated with the UE is not stored at the AUSF); sending, in response to determining that the authentication vector is not stored at the AUSF, an authentication get request to a unified data management (UDM) (see paragraph [0039], If it is determined that the AV is not present in the AV cache, the AV is requested from the UDM. This reads on sending, in response to determining that the authentication vector is not stored at the AUSF, an authentication get request to a unified data management (UDM)); receiving, from the UDM, a single authentication response comprising an authentication vector (see paragraphs [0035] & [0039], AV is requested from the UDM, for example, the AUSF requests AV from the UDM, the AV is received from the UDM. The AUSF may request the UDM send AVs to the AUSF (see paragraph [0027]). The AUSF may receive AVs from the UDM (see paragraph [0026]). This reads on receiving, from the UDM, a single authentication response comprising an authentication vector); and sending, in response to authenticating the UE, an authentication response (see paragraph [0050], If the authentication is successful, the AUSF may send a successful authentication message. The message may be sent to the AMF confirming successful authentication. This reads on sending, in response to authenticating the UE, an authentication response).
Nicoara does not specifically teach determining to authenticate the UE based on comparing information included in the authentication request with at least one authentication vector included in the authentication response.
Anand teaches determining to authenticate the UE based on comparing information included in the authentication request with at least one authentication vector included in the authentication response (AV) (see paragraph [0047], A determination is made as to whether the authentication input received as included in the authentication request matches the authentication key stored in a user profile. This reads on determining to authenticate the UE based on comparing information included in the authentication request with at least one authentication vector included in the authentication response).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to make Nicoara adapt to include determining to authenticate the UE based on comparing information included in the authentication request with at least one authentication vector included in the authentication response because comparing UE identity information to authentication keys is a well-known and predictable mechanism for authentication of the UE for attachment/connection (see Anand above).
Nicoara and Anand do not teach a Fifth Generation (5G) base station; and sending, the response, to the 5G base station to register the UE at the 5G base station.
Nair teaches a Fifth Generation (5G) base station (see paragraph [0006]); and sending, the response, to the 5G base station to register the UE at the 5G base station (see paragraph [0076], The HSS sends an authentication response to AMF/MME, the AMF/MME sends an attach response to the UE through gNB. This reads on a Fifth Generation (5G) base station; and sending, the response, to the 5G base station to register the UE at the 5G base station).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to make the Nicoara and Anand combination adapt to include a Fifth Generation (5G) base station; and sending, the response, to the 5G base station to register the UE at the 5G base station because it is well-known in 5G networks that messages, such as the ones in the Nicoara and Anand combination above, are sent to the UE via base station.
Nicoara, Anand, and Nair do not teach receiving, from the UDM, a single authentication response comprising a plurality of vectors.
Aghili teaches receiving, from the UDM, a single authentication response comprising a plurality of vectors (see paragraph [0112], UDM may generate multiple Authentication Vectors (AV) for multiple SUPIs. At step (512, Fig. 5) the UDM may send multiple 5G Home Environment (HE) AVs and multiple SUPIs in a response to AUSF. This reads on receiving, from the UDM, a single authentication response comprising a plurality of vectors).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to make the Nicoara, Anand, and Nair combination adapt to include receiving, from the UDM, a single authentication response comprising a plurality of vectors because the plurality of authentication vectors can be sent in a single authentication response in the Nicoara, Anand, and Nair combination in the same way as in Aghili. This combination would provide for a more flexible mechanism for the UDM to send AVs.
Regarding claim 10 Nicoara, Anand, and Nair teach limitations as recited in claim 2 and therefore claim 10 is rejected for the same reasons given above.
Regarding claim 15 Nicoara teaches one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing instructions executable by one or more processors, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the one or more processors to perform operations (see paragraphs [0071] & [0073] – [0074], Computing devices may include a processing unit and a memory unit, the memory unit including a software module to be executed on the processing unit. This reads on one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing instructions executable by one or more processors, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the one or more processors to perform operations), comprising: receiving, at an authentication server function (AUSF), an authentication request from a user equipment (UE) initiating a registration request (see paragraph [0034], The AUSF may receive an authentication request from the AMF. The associated subscriber may be initially connecting to the network. This reads on receiving, at an authentication server function (AUSF), an authentication request from a user equipment (UE) initiating a registration request); determining that an authentication vector (AV) associated with the UE is not stored at the AUSF (see paragraphs [0034] & [0039], The AV cache (see paragraph [0023]) may have been flushed, so the AV cache does not have any stored Avs associated with the subscriber. If it is determined that the AV is not present in the AV cache, the AV is requested from the UDM. This reads on determining that an authentication vector associated with the UE is not stored at the AUSF); sending, in response to determining that the authentication vector is not stored at the AUSF, an authentication get request to a unified data management (UDM) (see paragraph [0039], If it is determined that the AV is not present in the AV cache, the AV is requested from the UDM. This reads on sending, in response to determining that the authentication vector is not stored at the AUSF, an authentication get request to a unified data management (UDM)); receiving, from the UDM, a single authentication response comprising an authentication vector (see paragraphs [0035] & [0039], AV is requested from the UDM, for example, the AUSF requests AV from the UDM, the AV is received from the UDM. The AUSF may request the UDM send AVs to the AUSF (see paragraph [0027]). The AUSF may receive AVs from the UDM (see paragraph [0026]). This reads on receiving, from the UDM, a single authentication response comprising an authentication vector); and sending, in response to authenticating the UE, an authentication response (see paragraph [0050], If the authentication is successful, the AUSF may send a successful authentication message. The message may be sent to the AMF confirming successful authentication. This reads on sending, in response to authenticating the UE, an authentication response).
Nicoara does not specifically teach determining to authenticate the UE based on comparing information included in the authentication request with at least one authentication vector included in the authentication response.
Anand teaches determining to authenticate the UE based on comparing information included in the authentication request with at least one authentication vector included in the authentication response (AV) (see paragraph [0047], A determination is made as to whether the authentication input received as included in the authentication request matches the authentication key stored in a user profile. This reads on determining to authenticate the UE based on comparing information included in the authentication request with at least one authentication vector included in the authentication response).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to make Nicoara adapt to include determining to authenticate the UE based on comparing information included in the authentication request with at least one authentication vector included in the authentication response because comparing UE identity information to authentication keys is a well-known and predictable mechanism for authentication of the UE for attachment/connection (see Anand above).
Nicoara and Anand do not teach a Fifth Generation (5G) base station; and sending, the response, to the 5G base station to register the UE at the 5G base station.
Nair teaches a Fifth Generation (5G) base station (see paragraph [0006]); and sending, the response, to the 5G base station to register the UE at the 5G base station (see paragraph [0076], The HSS sends an authentication response to AMF/MME, the AMF/MME sends an attach response to the UE through gNB. This reads on a Fifth Generation (5G) base station; and sending, the response, to the 5G base station to register the UE at the 5G base station).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to make the Nicoara and Anand combination adapt to include a Fifth Generation (5G) base station; and sending, the response, to the 5G base station to register the UE at the 5G base station because it is well-known in 5G networks that messages, such as the ones in the Nicoara and Anand combination above, are sent to the UE via base station.
Nicoara, Anand, and Nair do not teach receiving, from the UDM, a single authentication response comprising a plurality of vectors.
Aghili teaches receiving, from the UDM, a single authentication response comprising a plurality of vectors (see paragraph [0112], UDM may generate multiple Authentication Vectors (AV) for multiple SUPIs. At step (512, Fig. 5) the UDM may send multiple 5G Home Environment (HE) AVs and multiple SUPIs in a response to AUSF. This reads on receiving, from the UDM, a single authentication response comprising a plurality of vectors).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to make the Nicoara, Anand, and Nair combination adapt to include receiving, from the UDM, a single authentication response comprising a plurality of vectors because the plurality of authentication vectors can be sent in a single authentication response in the Nicoara, Anand, and Nair combination in the same way as in Aghili. This combination would provide for a more flexible mechanism for the UDM to send AVs.
Regarding claim 16 Nicoara teaches wherein the at least one authentication vector is a first authentication vector and the authentication response includes at least one second authentication vector, the method further comprising: storing the at least one second authentication vector at the AUSF or storing the at least one second authentication vector at an unstructured data storage function (UDSF) (see paragraph [0035], An authentication vector (AV) may be received from the UDM. The AUSF may receive the AV sent by the UDM in response to the AV request sent pursuant to UE authentication. The AUSF may receive the AV and the AV may be cached at the AUSF AV cache (see paragraph [0023]). Multiple Avs may be stored in the AV cache. This process may repeat as many times as necessary. This reads on wherein the at least one authentication vector is a first authentication vector and the authentication response includes at least one second authentication vector, the method further comprising: storing the at least one second authentication vector at the AUSF). Aghili teaches a single authentication response comprising a plurality of vectors (see paragraph [0112], UDM may generate multiple Authentication Vectors (AV) for multiple SUPIs. At step (512, Fig. 5) the UDM may send multiple 5G Home Environment (HE) AVs and multiple SUPIs in a response to AUSF. This reads a single authentication response comprising a plurality of vectors).
Regarding claim 19 Nicoara, Anand, and Nair teach limitations as recited in claim 2 and therefore claim 19 is rejected for the same reasons given above.
V. Claims 3-5, 11-12, and 17 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Nicoara et al. (US 2024/0031804 A1) in view of Anand (US 2019/0052661 A1), Nair et al. (US 2018/0324585 A1), Aghili et al. (US 2022/0345894 A1), and Dao et al. (US 2020/0112907 A1).
Regarding claim 3 Nicoara, Anand, Nair, and Aghili teach the method of claim 1 including wherein the at least one authentication vector is a first authentication vector and the authentication response includes at least one second authentication vector, the method further comprising: storing the at least one second authentication vector (see Nicoara, paragraph [0035], An authentication vector (AV) may be received from the UDM. The AUSF may receive the AV sent by the UDM in response to the AV request sent pursuant to UE authentication. The AUSF may receive the AV and the AV may be cached at the AUSF AV cache (see paragraph [0023]). Multiple Avs may be stored in the AV cache. This process may repeat as many times as necessary. This reads on wherein the at least one authentication vector is a first authentication vector and the authentication response includes at least one second authentication vector, the method further comprising: storing the at least one second authentication vector at the AUSF) and Aghili teaches a single authentication response comprising a plurality of vectors (see paragraph [0112], UDM may generate multiple Authentication Vectors (AV) for multiple SUPIs. At step (512, Fig. 5) the UDM may send multiple 5G Home Environment (HE) AVs and multiple SUPIs in a response to AUSF. This reads a single authentication response comprising a plurality of vectors) and except for storing the at least one second authentication vector at an unstructured data storage function (UDSF).
Dao teaches storing data at an unstructured data storage function (UDSF) (see paragraph [0316], Operation data collected from the CP functions such as SMF, AMF, UDM, UE, etc. may be stored in the UDSF. This reads on storing data at an unstructured data storage function (UDSF)).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to make storing the Nicoara, Anand, Nair, and Aghili combination adapt to include storing the at least one second authentication vector at an unstructured data storage function (UDSF) because it is well-known that that UDSF may store data collected from the CP functions such as SMF, AMF, UDM, UE (see Dao, above) and therefore can be used to store authentication vectors.
Regarding claim 4 Dao teaches receiving the authentication request via an N12 interface (see page 21, TABLE 2, The authentication request is received by the AUSF from the AMF (see Nicoara, paragraph [0034]). The N12 interface is an interface between the AUSF and AMF. This reads on receiving the authentication request via an N12 interface).
Regarding claim 5 Dao teaches sending the authentication get request via an N13 interface (see page 21, TABLE 2, The authentication get request is sent by the AUSF and received at UDM (see Nicoara, paragraph [0034]). The N13 interface is an interface between the AUSF and UDM. This reads on sending the authentication get request via an N13 interface).
Regarding claim 11 Nicoara, Anand, Nair, Aghili, and Dao teach limitations as recited in claim 3 and therefore claim 11 is rejected for the same reasons given above.
Regarding claim 12 Nicoara, Anand, Nair, Aghili, and Dao teach limitations as recited in claims 4-5 and therefore claim 12 is rejected for the same reasons given above.
Regarding claim 17 Nicoara, Anand, Nair, Aghili, and Dao teach limitations as recited in claims 4-5 and therefore claim 17 is rejected for the same reasons given above.
VI. Claims 6, 13, and 18 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Nicoara et al. (US 2024/0031804 A1) in view of Anand (US 2019/0052661 A1), Nair et al. (US 2018/0324585 A1), Aghili et al. (US 2022/0345894 A1), and Sangameswaran et al. (US 12,206,742).
Regarding claim 6 Nicoara, Anand, Nair, and Aghili teach the method of claim 1 including an AUSF in communication with cloud component UDM (see Nicoara, paragraph [0023], The AUSF located on edge enables 5G-AKA UE authentication and is in communication with UDM (see Fig. 1) and except for wherein the AUSF is a common AUSF in communication with a plurality of UDMs that are associated with respective geographic regions.
Sangameswaran teaches for wherein the AUSF is a common AUSF in communication with a plurality of UDMs that are associated with respective geographic regions (see col. 4, lines 45-61 and Fig. 1, A first part of a 5G network includes AUSF and UDM. There can be multiple instances of the same network function such as multiple instances of UDM in a particular part of the 5G Core network. This reads on a common AUSF in communication with a plurality of UDMs that are associated with respective geographic regions).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to make the AUSF in the Nicoara, Anand, Nair, and Aghili combination adapt to include the AUSF in communication with a plurality of UDMs that are associated with respective geographic regions because it can allow for the network to be more reliable by providing redundancy in the network in case one or another network function fails (see Sangameswaran, col. 1, line 14-17).
Regarding claim 13 Nicoara, Anand, Nair, Aghili, and Sangameswaran teach limitations as recited in claim 6 and therefore claim 13 is rejected for the same reasons given above.
Regarding claim 18 Nicoara, Anand, Nair, Aghili, and Sangameswaran teach limitations as recited in claim 6 and therefore claim 18 is rejected for the same reasons given above.
Response to Arguments
VII. Applicant’s arguments with respect to claims 1-7, 9-13, and 15-19 have been considered but are moot in view of the new grounds of rejection.
Conclusion
VIII. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to BRANDON J MILLER whose telephone number is (571)272-7869. The examiner can normally be reached M-F.
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/BRANDON J MILLER/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2647
June 12, 2026
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