DETAILED ACTION
This action is in response to Applicant’s Request for Reconsideration filed on 04/24/2026. Claims 1, 9 and 15 are presently amended. Claims 3-15 and 19 have been amended previously. Claims 17, 18 and 20 are as originally filed. No new Claims have been added. Claims 2 and 16 have been cancelled.
Response to Amendment
Applicant's request for reconsideration of the finality of the rejection of the last Office action is persuasive and, therefore, the finality of that action is withdrawn.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
The text of those sections of Title 35, U.S. Code not included in this action can be found in a prior Office action.
Claim(s) 1, 3-5, 14, 15 and 17-19 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Chiang et al (2020/0329078 A1) in view of Velsuamy et al (10,542,575 B1).
As per Claim 1, Chiang teaches a method for establishing Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) services at a user equipment (UE) device, the method comprising: initiating an IMS service with an IMS network; responsive to initiating the IMS service, sending a message to the IMS network specifying one or more preconditions for establishing the IMS service (Figure 3 – References 302 and 306; Page 4, Paragraphs [0026], [0027] and [0029]).
(Note: In paragraph [0026], Chiang describes how once in receipt of a request to establish and/or change a communication session between user equipment’s [UEs] and a corresponding quality of service [QoS] requirement needed to support such highest quality encoding scheme is determined)
(Note: In paragraph [0027], Chiang describes an IMS component receiving a request to establish the communication connection from the first UE; wherein the request uses the session initiation protocol [SIP] and the session description protocol [SDP] which indicates a list of encoding schemes for video communication. In paragraph [0029], Chiang describes the IMS component determining a QoS requirement for supporting communication sessions)
Chiang does not teach sending, over a default data radio bearer, a message to the IMS network specifying one or more preconditions for establishing the IMS service over a dedicated radio bearer; and selectively transmitting one or more service packets for the IMS service over either the dedicated data radio bearer responsive to at least one of the one or more preconditions having been satisfied, or over the default data radio bearer responsive to at least one of the one or more preconditions having not been satisfied.
However, Velusamy teaches sending, over a default data radio bearer, a message to the IMS network specifying one or more preconditions for establishing the IMS service over a dedicated radio bearer (Column 1, Lines 33-53; Column 6, Line 46 – Column 7, Line 2; Column 9, Lines 39-50). (Note: In Column 1, Lines 33-53; Velusamy describes dedicated and default radio bearers and indicates that a dedicated radio bearer may provide a quality of service [QoS] having a guaranteed bit rate. Velusamy also indicates that a default radio bearer enables the routing of network traffic with the best quality level available at the time)
(Note: In Column 1, Lines 33-53; Velusamy indicates that both dedicated and default radio bearers may have a priority level based on a QoS class identifier [QCI] of the respective radio bearer. In Column 6, Line 46 – Column 7, Line 2; Velusamy describes QCI values indicating a low value [QCI: 1] corresponds to the highest service level [i.e. high guaranteed bit rate] whereas a lower value [QCI: 9] corresponds to the lowest service level [i.e. best effort carrying general IP communication]. As an example, Velusamy indicates that an IMS signaling bearer carrying SIP signaling having a medium service level [QCI: 5])
Velusamy also teaches selectively transmitting one or more service packets for the IMS service over either the dedicated data radio bearer responsive to at least one of the one or more preconditions having been satisfied, or over the default data radio bearer responsive to at least one of the one or more preconditions having not been satisfied (Column 7, Line 42-66; Column 12, Lines 9-27).
(Note: In Column 7, Line 42-66; Velusamy describes the SIP INVITE message including a preconditions-supported parameter that functions to postpone ringing until the setup of an appropriate radio bearer [i.e. dedicated radio bearer or default radio bearer] for the communication is established. In Column 10, Lines 10-18; Velusamy describes initiating the setup of both a default bearer connection and a dedicated bearer connection)
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the method taught by Chiang with the method taught by Velusamy to allow telecommunication networks to separate control signaling from user media traffic ensuring high-quality reliable communication so in a standard VoLTE calling scenario the network uses a default bearer for call signaling while simultaneously using a dedicated bearer for the voice conversation thereby ensuring the best possible user experience.
As per Claims 3 and 17, Chiang teaches wherein the one or more preconditions request that a dedicated data radio bearer be configured for the IMS service (Page 4, Paragraph [0026]). (Note: The dedicated data radio bearer can be configured since it can be selected and used for communication)
As per Claims 4 and 18, Chiang teaches wherein the one or more preconditions further indicate at least one quality of service configuration for the IMS service (Page 4, Paragraphs [0027] and [0029]). (Note: In paragraph [0027], Chaing describes SDP indicating a list of available encoding schemes for video communication. In paragraph [0029], Chaing indicates the IMS component determines a QoS requirement for supporting communication sessions)
As per Claims 5 and 19, Chiang teaches wherein transmitting the one or more service packets for the IMS service over the default data radio bearer comprises: determining that the IMS service is a video call using both voice packets and video packets; transmitting the voice packets over the default data radio bearer; and refraining from transmitting the video packets over the default data radio bearer (Page 2, Paragraph [0016], Page 4, Paragraph [0031]; Page 5, Paragraph [0037]).
(Note: In paragraph [0016], Chiang describes the use of dedicated communication channels [guaranteed bit rate – GBR: i.e. default data radio bearer] and general communication channels [non-guaranteed bit rate – non-GBR]. In paragraph [0031], Chiang describes selecting a channel that meets a determined QoS requirement, a prioritized [i.e. preferred] communication channel or a best available communication channel; and provides an example of changing communication type [i.e. switching a video call to a voice call])
(Note: In a scenario where due to channel constraints [i.e. QoS requirement not able to be maintained] a video call in which audio and video packets are being delivered the call is downgraded as recited in Chiang dependent claim 7 and the call continues as audio only on a different channel that has a lower QoS requirement [i.e. refraining from transmitting the video packets over the default data radio bearer])
As per Claim 14, the combination of Chiang and Velusamy teaches a method as described in Claim 1. Chaing also teaches a user equipment device (Figure 2 – References 102, 104 and 110; Page 2, Paragraphs [0020] and [0021]), comprising: one or more radio frequency (RF) modems (Figure 2 – References 220 and 250; Page 3, Paragraph [0023]) configured to wirelessly communicate with at least one network (Figure 2 – Reference 120; Page 3, Paragraphs [0023] and [0024]); one or more processors coupled to the one or more RF modems (Figure 2 – Reference 214 and 234; Page 3, Paragraph [0022]); and at least one memory storing executable instructions (Figure 2 – References 212, 216, 236 and 232; Page 3, Paragraph [0022]).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the method taught by Chiang with the method taught by Velusamy to allow telecommunication networks to separate control signaling from user media traffic ensuring high-quality reliable communication so in a standard VoLTE calling scenario the network uses a default bearer for call signaling while simultaneously using a dedicated bearer for the voice conversation thereby ensuring the best possible user experience
As per Claim 15, the combination of Chiang and Velusamy teaches a method and apparatus as described in Claims 1 and 14. Chiang also teaches a computer-readable storage medium embodying a set of executable instructions (Page 3, Paragraph [0022]). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the method and computer-readable storage medium taught by Chiang with the method taught by Velusamy to allow telecommunication networks to separate control signaling from user media traffic ensuring high-quality reliable communication so in a standard VoLTE calling scenario the network uses a default bearer for call signaling while simultaneously using a dedicated bearer for the voice conversation thereby ensuring the best possible user experience.
Claim(s) 6-13 and 20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Chiang et al (2020/0329078 A1) in view of Velsuamy et al (10,542,575 B1) as applied to Claims 1 and 14 above, and further in view of Zhao et al (2014/0118462 A1).
As per Claims 6, 7 and 20, the combination of Chiang and Velsuamy teaches the method and device of Claims 1 and 14; but does not teach starting one or more timers associated with the at least one of the one or more preconditions, wherein responsive to expiration of at least one of the one or more timers the IMS service is released; and responsive to determining that at least one of the one or more preconditions has not been satisfied, stopping the one or more timers; and wherein the one or more timers include at least one of a quality of service timer, a media inactivity timer, a dedicated data radio bearer configuration timer, or a combination thereof.
However, Zhao teaches starting one or more timers associated with the at least one of the one or more preconditions, wherein responsive to expiration of at least one of the one or more timers the IMS service is released; and responsive to determining that at least one of the one or more preconditions has not been satisfied, stopping the one or more timers; and wherein the one or more timers include at least one of a quality of service timer, a media inactivity timer, a dedicated data radio bearer configuration timer, or a combination thereof (Page 4, Paragraph [0043]).
(Note: In paragraph [0043], Zhao describes the use of a Quality of Service [QoS] timer – e.g. WaitForQoS timer. If the timer expires while waiting for a QoS activation notification the videotelephony [VT] application may consider the resource reservation for the corresponding media to have failed and the IMS service is released)
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the method and apparatus taught by Chiang and Velsuamy with the method and apparatus taught by Zhao to ensure that resources are not held indefinitely so that when a reservation is request but a corresponding session is not established the reserved resources are released which prevents the reserved resource from being held unnecessarily and going unused.
As per Claim 8, the combination of Chaing, Velsuamy and Zhao teaches setting the one or more timers to a first expiration time if the UE device is operating in a first public land mobile network and setting the one or more timers to a second expiration time if the UE device is operating in a second public land mobile network, wherein the second expiration time is different than the first expiration time and the second public land mobile network is different than the first public land mobile network.
(Note: In response to real-time conditions [i.e. network congestion, service outages or quality of service requirements] associated with public land mobile networks it is clear that having a universal timer time would not allow for efficient communication within a communication network. It is much more reasonable to have configurable timers responsible to the traffic and demands associated with a particular network during a specific time period)
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the method taught by Chiang and Velsuamy with the method taught by Zhao to ensure that resources are not held indefinitely so that when a reservation is request but a corresponding session is not established the reserved resources are released which prevents the reserved resource from being held unnecessarily and going unused.
As per Claim 9, the combination of Chaing, Velsuamy and Zhao teaches determining that at least one quality of service requirement specified in the one or more preconditions has not been granted, and the method further comprises refraining from starting a quality-of-service timer responsive to determining that the at least one quality of service requirement has not been granted. (Note: Determining that at least one quality of service requirement specified in the one or more preconditions has not been granted is taught by Chiang – Downgrading the video call to an audio call due to QoS. As this has been determined there is no need to start the QoS timer)
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the method taught by Chiang and Velsuamy with the method taught by Zhao to ensure that resources are not held indefinitely so that when a reservation is request but a corresponding session is not established the reserved resources are released which prevents the reserved resource from being held unnecessarily and going unused.
As per Claim 10, the combination of Chaing, Velsuamy and Zhao teaches determining that one or more real-time transport packets have not been received over the default radio data bearer within a time threshold; and responsive to determining that the one or more real-time transport packets have not been received over the default radio data within the time threshold, maintaining one or more active timers associated with the at least one of the one or more preconditions.
(Note: The use of a timer is taught as described by Zhao. One of the biggest advantages of using times in the IMS is to handle network failures due to events like a lost message [i.e. one or more real-time transport packets have not been received over the default radio data bearer] during reservation setup. Use of timers ensure that the system does not get “stuck” in a pending state. Upon expiration the timer [i.e. maintaining one or more active timers – until expiration] the reserved resources are released)
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the method taught by Chiang and Velsuamy with the method taught by Zhao to ensure that resources are not held indefinitely so that when a reservation is request but a corresponding session is not established the reserved resources are released which prevents the reserved resource from being held unnecessarily and going unused.
As per Claim 11, the combination of Chaing, Velsuamy and Zhao teaches determining that one or more real-time transport packets have been received over the default radio data bearer within a time threshold; and responsive to determining that the one or more real-time transport packets have been received over the default radio data bearer within the time threshold, stopping one or more active timers associated with the at least one of the one or more preconditions as described in Claim 10.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the method taught by Chiang and Velsuamy with the method taught by Zhao to ensure that resources are not held indefinitely so that when a reservation is request but a corresponding session is not established the reserved resources are released which prevents the reserved resource from being held unnecessarily and going unused.
As per Claims 12 and 13, the combination of Chaing, Velsuamy and Zhao teaches determining if the UE device is operating within a given public land mobile network; and responsive to determining that the UE device is not operating within the given public land mobile network, maintaining one or more active timers associated with the at least one of the one or more preconditions; or stopping one or more active timers associated with the at least one of the one or more preconditions as described in Claims 8-10.
(Note: A PLMN is a cellular network operated by a telecom service provider in a country [i.e. Verizon in the United States] that is technology inclusive [i.e. 2G, 3G, 4G or 5G] which may have a QoS timer associated with 5G service in America. Whereas if the same user was in a foreign country [i.e. Peru] and is roaming internationally they may have access to a QoS timer associated with 2G or 3G service)
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the method taught by Chiang and Velsuamy with the method taught by Zhao to ensure that resources are not held indefinitely so that when a reservation is request but a corresponding session is not established the reserved resources are released which prevents the reserved resource from being held unnecessarily and going unused.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Lu et al (2019/0166168 A1), Paladugu et al (10,412,618 B2), FACCIN et al (2017/0034756 A1), Ulupinar et al (2010/0103862 A1), STILLE et al (2020/0344711 A1), Chiang (2021/0022197 A1), Lovsen et al (2013/0016658 A1), Hongisto et al (2010/0182912 A1) and ISLAM et al (2017/0374635 A1). Each of these describes systems and methods of implementing communications with the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS).
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to KHARYE POPE whose telephone number is (571)270-5587. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday 8AM - 4PM.
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KHARYE POPE
Primary Examiner
Art Unit 2693
/KHARYE POPE/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2693
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