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 .
Election/Restriction
This application contains the following inventions or groups of inventions which are not so linked as to form a single general inventive concept under PCT Rule 13.1.
Group I, claim(s) 1-29 drawn to user equipment (UE) for supporting satellite wireless access by the UE.
Group II, claim(s) 30-58 drawn to a network node in a public land mobile network (PLMN) for supporting satellite wireless access by a user equipment (UE).
Applicant’s election was made without traverse to prosecute the invention of Group I, claims 1-29 in reply filed on 4/21/2026. Claims 30-58 are withdrawn from further consideration by the examiner, 37 CFR 1.142(b), as being drawn to a non-elected invention.
Response to Amendment
Office action in response to remarks filed 4/21/2026. No claims are amended, canceled, or added.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 4/21/2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
Applicant submits that Ryu, as cited in non-final rejection, does not teach or disclose a user equipment receiving an Indication of a registration area (RA) comprising a geodetric area determined by the network node based on a current geodetic location of the UE. Examiner respectfully disagrees.
First examiner notes that although terms from the specification are not read into the claims the claim language is read in light of the specification. The claim language currently is broad and does not limit it’s coverage to implementations where the UE plays no part in the determination of the registration area. In fact, applicant’s specification (e.g. Fig. 8, ¶201 ¶204) contemplates that the plays an active part in the process of “determination” of the registration area by not only determining its current location but also whether or not it is inside a given registration area or outside and further by sending a “registration request” RR message that includes the UE’s current location. The specification defines “current location” and “geodetic location” broadly to include similar location information (¶45--¶48). Lastly, the specification does not define what “an indication of a registration area” is and how it physically relates to the actual registration area in a limiting manner; only reciting that it is included in a registration accept message from the network.
Compared to the disclosure of Ryu, it is true that Rue teaches that a UE that determines it’s geographical location and sends a registration request message (e.g. ¶280-¶285). But, this appears no different from the instant application itself as contemplated by inventor e.g. Fig. 8, ¶201, ¶204. To the point, and as recited by claim 1, Ryu further teaches that the network node goes on to “determine a registration area update type and geographical zone information of the wireless device” and then “send a registration accept message to the wireless device” which comprises “the geographical zone information, the registration area update type, and/or the like.” Ryu ¶287. Thus Ryu is on point and anticipates this feature of the claims.
Applicant submits that Ryu, as cited in non-final rejection, does not teach or disclose a user equipment determining whether the radio cell provides coverage for the RA. Examiner respectfully disagrees.
As explained in section a Ryu teaches this aspect when the UE makes measurements and determinations in order to send a registration request message. Further see ¶262” In an example, the wireless device may determine the wireless device has left an area of the first zone identity based on a second geographical location.” Where ryu explicitly teaches this feature.
Applicant submits that Ryu, as cited in non-final rejection, does not teach or disclose performing registration in response to determining no coverage. Examiner respectfully disagrees.
As explained in section a and b Ryu teaches this aspect when the UE makes measurements and determinations in order to send a registration request message. Further see ¶262” In an example, the wireless device may determine the wireless device has left an area of the first zone identity based on a second geographical location. The wireless device may send a second registration request message indicating a second zone identity to the AMF.” Where Ryu explicitly teaches this feature as the second registration request message is clearly sent in response to determining the device has left the first zone.
Therefore claim 1 rejection under 102 by Ryu is maintained and all remaining rejections for all claims are maintained for the same reasons.
Priority
Receipt is acknowledged of certified copies of papers required by 37 CFR 1.55. All claims have priority of foreign filing date 05/06/2021.
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 4/21/2026 and 5/27/2026 are being considered by the examiner.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
A person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claim(s) 1-12, 14-20, 22-28 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by US 20210037496 A1 Ryu; Jinsook et al.
Consider Claims 1 and 14, Ryu teaches A method performed by and A user equipment (UE) (Ryu Figs. 18-21 UE as depicted, configured for supporting satellite wireless access by the UE to a serving public land mobile network (PLMN), the UE comprising:
a wireless transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate with a communication satellite; at least one memory; at least one processor coupled to the wireless transceiver and the at least one memory (Ryu ¶289 “a device such as, for example, a wireless device, off-network wireless device, a base station, and/or the like, may comprise one or more processors and memory”), wherein the at least one processor is configured to:
receive from a network node an indication of a registration area (RA) (Ryu ¶¶ 214 “wireless device area/location tracking may include UE registration area tracking (e.g. UE registration area update) and UE reachability tracking (e.g. UE periodic registration area update. . . performing a registration area update by a wireless device”, 233, 236 and 237), wherein the RA comprises a geodetic area that is determined by the network node based on a current geodetic location of the UE (Ryu Fig. 20-21 and ¶217 “ The wireless device may receive a registration area 1 via the cell 1 from a network. The registration area 1 may comprise TA1 and TA2. The wireless device may not send a registration request message to update registration area if the wireless device moves inside the current registration area (e.g. registration area 1)”; See also AMF “determine a registration area update type and geographical zone information of the wireless device” and then “send a registration accept message to the wireless device” which comprises “the geographical zone information, the registration area update type, and/or the like.” Ryu ¶287.);
access a radio cell for the serving PLMN, wherein the radio cell is supported by a satellite (Ryu Fig. 19-20 ¶¶212-214 “a wireless device may be able to access the non-terrestrial access network and the terrestrial access network. In this deployment scenario, separate NG instances (e.g. N2, N3) are handling separate access type nodes. The coverage of the non-terrestrial access network may span over the coverage of the terrestrial access network. In an example, the PLMN A is a Verizon, AT&T and/or the like. In an example, Verizon may deploy a cellular access network (e.g. 4G, 5G terrestrial network) and a non-terrestrial access network. . .”)
determine whether the radio cell provides coverage for the RA; and perform a Registration with the serving PLMN via the radio cell in response to determining that the radio cell does not provide coverage for the RA (Ryu Fig. 19-20 ¶¶212-214 “. . .A wireless device which is a subscriber of Verizon may access to a core network via the terrestrial access network when the wireless device is in a coverage area of the terrestrial access network. In an example, urban area or suburban area may be the coverage area of the terrestrial access network. The wireless device may access the core network via the non-terrestrial access network when the wireless device is out of coverage area of the terrestrial access network. In an example, the rural area or mountain area may be out of the terrestrial access network coverage”; ¶262” In an example, the wireless device may determine the wireless device has left an area of the first zone identity based on a second geographical location. The wireless device may send a second registration request message indicating a second zone identity to the AMF.”).
Consider Claims 2 and 15, Ryu teaches The UE of claim 14, wherein the at least one processor is configured to determine whether the radio cell provides coverage for the RA by being configured to:
obtain an updated geodetic location for the UE (Ryu ¶229 “ the network may track a location (e.g., relative location) of the wireless device, e.g., a location of the wireless device relative to one or more tracking areas.”); determine whether the updated geodetic location is inside or outside the RA; determine that the radio cell provides coverage for the RA if the updated geodetic location is inside the RA; and determine that the radio cell does not provide coverage for the RA if the updated geodetic location is outside the RA (Ryu ¶229 “The wireless device may register with the network based on the tracking areas. As an example, the wireless device may register with the TN in tracking area #1 and adopt tracking area #1 as its registration area. If the wireless device moves from tracking area #1 to tracking area #2 (as determined based on, for example, cell measurements), it will re-register with the TN via one or more cells in tracking area #2, and adopt tracking area #2 as its registration area.. “).
Consider Claims 3 and 16, Ryu teaches The UE of claim 15, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:
attempt to obtain additional updated geodetic locations for the UE over a time period Ryu ¶229 “ the network may track a location (e.g., relative location) of the wireless device, e.g., a location of the wireless device relative to one or more tracking areas.”; ¶269 and 271 teaching multiple locations and time stamps );
for each additional updated geodetic location, either fail to obtain the additional updated geodetic location or fail to determine whether the additional updated geodetic location is inside or outside the RA (Ryu ¶258 “If the wireless device cannot measure an absolute geographical positioning of the wireless device, the wireless device may select a cell-based tracking type for the registration area update type.”); and
perform the Registration with the serving PLMN when the time period exceeds a threshold time period (Ryu ¶66 “ the UE 100 may update its registration with the network periodically in order to remain reachable (periodic registration update)”).
Consider Claims 4 and 17, Ryu teaches The UE of claim 15, wherein the at least one processor is configured to obtain the updated geodetic location of the UE by being configured to:
obtain location measurements for downlink signals received from one or more communication satellites, one or more Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) satellites, one or more terrestrial base stations or a combination thereof; and determine the updated geodetic location based on the location measurements (¶245 “ if the wireless device capable of GNSS, the wireless device may select/determine a registration area update type as a geographical zone-based type” ¶229 “. If the wireless device moves from tracking area #1 to tracking area #2 (as determined based on, for example, cell measurements)”).
Consider Claims 5 and 18, ____ teaches The UE of claim 14, wherein the at least one processor is configured to determine whether the radio cell provides coverage for the RA by being configured to: receive an indication of a geodetic area of coverage for the radio cell; determine whether the geodetic area of coverage includes at least part of the RA; and determine that the radio cell provides coverage for the RA if the geodetic area of coverage includes the at least part of the RA; and determine that the radio cell does not provide coverage for the RA if the geodetic area of coverage does not include the at least part of the RA (Ryu Fig. 19-20 ¶¶212-214 “. . .A wireless device which is a subscriber of Verizon may access to a core network via the terrestrial access network when the wireless device is in a coverage area of the terrestrial access network. In an example, urban area or suburban area may be the coverage area of the terrestrial access network. The wireless device may access the core network via the non-terrestrial access network when the wireless device is out of coverage area of the terrestrial access network. In an example, the rural area or mountain area may be out of the terrestrial access network coverage”)..
Consider Claims 6 and 19, Ryu teaches The UE of claim 18, wherein the indication of the geodetic area of coverage for the radio cell includes an indication of a current geodetic area of coverage for the radio cell, one or more indications of future geodetic areas of coverage for the radio cell or a combination of these (¶¶212-214 “. . .A wireless device which is a subscriber of Verizon may access to a core network via the terrestrial access).
Consider Claim 20, Ryu teaches The UE of claim 14, wherein the RA is not a preconfigured area (¶221 “a geographical zone configuration parameter may be provided by an access network or pre-configured in a wireless device” thus not pre-configured when provided by access network) and does not have an associated identifier (¶221 only teaches parameter and no mention of an associated identifier, further there is no meaningful function as a result of this feature and thus a simple design choice).
Consider Claim 22, Ryu teaches The UE of claim 21, wherein the RA is defined by a radius of the circle (Ryu ¶252 “. The serving geographical area information may comprise a region (e.g. country, state, city), a combination of a center of area (e.g., geographical coordinates) and the radius of the area, a combination of a center of area (e.g., geographical coordinates) and a width and a length, and/or the like”).
Consider Claims 7 and 23, Ryu teaches The UE of claim 14, wherein the RA is based on an extended geodetic area comprising a first portion covering all or part of a home country for the serving PLMN and a second portion covering one or more other countries, wherein the RA comprises the first portion of the extended geodetic area and excludes the second portion of the extended geodetic area.
Consider Claims 8 and 24, Ryu teaches The UE of claim 14, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:
send a Registration Request message to a serving base station, wherein the serving base station forwards the Registration Request message to the network node; and receive a Registration Accept message from the network node via the serving base station, wherein the Registration Accept message comprises the indication of the RA (Ryu ¶236 “The wireless device may send a first registration request message comprising the first geographical zone identity (e.g. geographical zone identity 1) to inform a registration area of the wireless device. The network may send a first registration accept message indicating a successful registration area update in response to receiving the first registration request message”).
Consider Claims 9 and 25, Ryu teaches The UE of claim 24, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:
obtain current location information for the UE; and include the current location information with the Registration Request message sent to the serving base station for the UE ((Ryu ¶236 “The wireless device may send a first registration request message comprising the first geographical zone identity (e.g. geographical zone identity 1) to inform a registration area of the wireless device.), wherein the current geodetic location is determined by the serving PLMN based in part on the current location information (¶236 “The network may use the first geographical zone identity as a registration area of the wireless device.”).
Consider Claims 10 and 26, Ryu teaches The UE of claim 14, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: receive an indication of a second RA as part of performing the Registration with the serving PLMN, wherein the second RA comprises a second geodetic area that is determined by the network node based on an updated geodetic location of the UE; and replace the RA with the second RA (¶236 “The wireless device may determine/detect that the wireless device has left the area of the first geographical zone identity and may enter a second geographical location. The second geographical area/location may be still under the area of cell 1. In an example, the wireless device may send a registration request message to indicate a change of registration area while the wireless device locates in a same tracking area of the access network. The wireless device may identify a second geographical zone identity (e.g., geographical zone identity 2) of the second geographical location based on the geographical coordinates of the second geographical location and the zone configuration parameter. The wireless device may send a second registration request message indicating a change of a registration area in response to the determination. The second registration request message may comprise the second geographical zone identity (e.g., geographical zone identity 2). The network may send a second registration accept message indicating a successful registration area update in response to receiving the first registration request message. The network may use the second geographical zone identity as a registration area of the wireless device.”).
Consider Claims 11 and 27, Ryu teaches The UE of claim 14, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to receive a paging message from the serving PLMN via the radio cell, wherein the paging message is transmitted by the serving PLMN in the radio cell based on the radio cell having radio coverage of at least part of the RA (¶246 “The network may use the geographical location information for paging or for determine the dedicated geographical zone configuration parameter. The network may use the tracking area code to escalate a paging area for paging retransmission.” And ¶257 “The wireless device may send a service request message to the AMF requesting a connection setup with the network in response to receiving the paging message for the wireless device.” Implying the page is received).
Consider Claims 12 and 28, Ryu teaches The UE of claim 14, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: receive an indication of a current geodetic area of coverage for the radio cell; determine whether the current geodetic area of coverage includes at least part of the RA; and camp on the radio cell or access the serving PLMN via the radio cell when the current geodetic area of coverage is determined to include at least part of the RA (¶237 “FIG. 28 comprises one zone (e.g. zone 1) and two cells (e.g. cell 1, cell 2). The one zone is illustrated as a rectangular and the two cells are illustrated as a circle. A wireless device may be in a first geographical location. In an example, the first geographical location may be cell 1 as a relative location of an access network. The first geographical location may be zone 1 as an absolute location based on geographical coordinates. The wireless device may camp on cell 1 based on cell reselection criteria when the wireless device is located in the first geographical location”).
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, 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.
Claim(s) 13 and 29 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over US 20210037496 A1 Ryu; Jinsook et al. in view of CN 110036663 A WANG, GUAN-ZHOU et al.
Consider Claims 13 and 29, Ryu does not teach The UE of claim 14, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:
receive from the serving PLMN an indication of one or more forbidden geodetic areas;
determine whether an updated geodetic location of the UE is within any of the one or more forbidden geodetic areas; and
refrain from requesting service from the serving PLMN when the updated geodetic location is determined to be within any of the one or more forbidden geodetic areas.
Wang teaches receive from the serving PLMN an indication of one or more forbidden geodetic areas (Wang pg. 9 Forbidden area list communicated to the WTRU from network);
determine whether an updated geodetic location of the UE is within any of the one or more forbidden geodetic areas (Wang Pg. 9 “the WTRU may be based on one or more region identification (e.g., the current region identifier) to determine the WTRU is in the allowable area or in the restricted area”); and
refrain from requesting service from the serving PLMN when the updated geodetic location is determined to be within any of the one or more forbidden geodetic areas (Wang Pg. 9 “If the WTRU determines the WTRU in the restricted area, then the WTRU may avoid initiating the service request.”).
It would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art, to modify the invention of Ryu to include the noted teachings of Wang In order to implementing limited mobility in the mobile network. (Wang Abstract)
Claim(s) 21 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over US 20210037496 A1 Ryu; Jinsook et al. in view of US 5588043 A Tiedemann, Jr.; Edward G. et al.
Consider Claim 21, Ryu teaches The UE of claim 14, but does not teach wherein the RA comprises an interior of a circle centered on the current geodetic location of the UE.
Tiedemann teaches wherein the RA comprises an interior of a circle centered on the current geodetic location of the UE (Tiedemann Col. 12 L16-30 “Referring to FIG. 3, by the registration of mobile station 100 in coverage area C1.sub.A, all base stations within a predetermined range or distance dr of coverage area C1.sub.A form a paging region for mobile station 100 as indicated by circle 160.”).
It would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art, to modify the invention of AAA to include the noted teachings of Tiedemann In order to provide zone based registration of mobile station. Tiedemann Col. 12 L16-30.
Pertinent Prior Art(s)
The prior art made of record though not relied upon in the current rejection is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure:
WO 2020197271 A1 LEE OANYONG et al. Abstract: A method and apparatus for de-prioritization of non-terrestrial networks (NTN) cells not providing current tracking area code (TAC) of a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system is provided. The UE, which is camping on a NTN cell, receives, from a network node serving the NTN cell, information on multiple TACs, and de-prioritizes the NTN cell based on that a TAC of an area where the wireless device is currently located is not included in the multiple TACs.
WO 2020089438 A1 DANG THI UYEN LY et al. Abstract: A wireless communication system comprising: at least a first terrestrial or non-terrestrial base station, the first base station (10, 10', 156) configured to generate one or more beams (10, 10', 156) for covering at least a first beam coverage area (12); wherein the first base station (10, 10', 156) is configured to broadcast at least to the first beam coverage area (12) a list of tracking area IDs comprising a first tracking area ID belonging to a first tracking region (12a) and a second tracking area ID belonging to a second tracking region (12b).
Conclusion
THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. 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.
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/UMAIR AHSAN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2647
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