Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 01, 2026
Application No. 18/578,270

COMMUNICATION PAGING BASED ON MULTIPLE PATHS

Non-Final OA §102§103
Filed
Jan 10, 2024
Priority
Jul 21, 2021 — RE 10-2021-0095917 +2 more
Examiner
YANG, ZHAOHUI
Art Unit
2468
Tech Center
2400 — Computer Networks
Assignee
LG Electronics Inc.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
72%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
4m
Est. Remaining
84%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 72% — above average
72%
Career Allowance Rate
291 granted / 404 resolved
+14.0% vs TC avg
Moderate +12% lift
Without
With
+11.7%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 1m
Avg Prosecution
24 currently pending
Career history
448
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
3.0%
-37.0% vs TC avg
§103
66.4%
+26.4% vs TC avg
§102
17.7%
-22.3% vs TC avg
§112
10.4%
-29.6% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 404 resolved cases

Office Action

§102 §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 § 102 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 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. Claims 1-7 and 10-11 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Ryu; Jinsook et al. US PGPUB 20200196375 A1. Regarding claim 1. Ryn teaches A method for performing communication, the method performed by an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), and comprising: receiving a first registration request message from a user equipment (UE) over a New Generation Radio Access Network (NG-RAN); ([0280] The wireless device 1700 may send a registration request message 1710 to the AMF 1708. The wireless device 1700 may send the registration request message 1710 to the AMF 1708, for example, via a first access network 1702.) transmitting, in response to the first registration request message, a first registration accept message to the UE over the NG-RAN; (Ibid. The AMF 1708 may accept the registration request 1710. The AMF 1708 may accept the registration request 1710, for example, by sending a registration accept message 1712 to the wireless device 1700 via the first access network 1702.) receiving, in response to the first registration request message, a second registration request message from the UE over the NG-RAN; (Ibid. The wireless device 1700 may register with the same AMF 1708 via the second access network 1704. The wireless device 1700 may register with the same AMF 1708 via the second access network 1704, for example, by sending a second registration request message 1714 comprising a wireless device identity (e.g., a 5G globally unique temporary identifier (GUTI)) for the initial registration via the second access network 1704.) transmitting, in response to the second registration request message, a second registration accept message to the UE over the NG-RAN; (Ibid. he AMF 1708 may accept the second registration request 1714. The AMF 1708 may accept the second registration request 1714, for example, by sending a second registration accept message 1716 to the wireless device 1700 via the second access network 1704) and transmitting a paging message to the UE over the NG-RAN, wherein the second registration request message includes information indicating that a second path, over which the second registration request message was sent, has been added as a path for the UE, ([0348] Resume procedures for a wireless device in an inactive state, in at least some systems, may require RAN paging, for example, if an AMF has a pending NAS message for a wireless device in an inactive state for a first access technology. As described herein, a second access technology may be used to improve the connection setup and resume procedures for a wireless device.) wherein the paging message is transmitted to the UE over a paging path, ([0348] Resume procedures for a wireless device in an inactive state, in at least some systems, may require RAN paging,) and wherein the paging path being determined to be one of the second path or the first path over which the first registration request message was transmitted. ([0348] An AMF may query a base station of the first access technology to determine the state of the wireless device for which the AMF may have a pending NAS message. The AMF may determine whether the wireless device is connected via a second access technology, for example, if the wireless device is inactive for the first access technology. The second access technology may be used,) Regarding claim 2. Ryu teaches The method of The method of wherein the first path and the second path are different communication paths generated between the UE and the NG-RAN. ([0348] Messaging using the second access technology may decrease resources used for the first access technology, for example, by reducing the amount of RAN paging. Reduced RAN paging may reduce power consumption of the wireless device. Systems, methods, and apparatuses described herein may provide advantages such as improved connection setup and/or connection resume speed (e.g., reduced delay).) Regarding claim 3. Ryu teaches The method of The method of wherein the second registration accept message includes information related to paging path. ([0280] The wireless device 1700 may register with the same AMF 1708 via the second access network 1704, for example, by sending a second registration request message 1714 comprising a wireless device identity (e.g., a 5G globally unique temporary identifier (GUTI)) for the initial registration via the second access network 1704.) Regarding claim 4. Ryu teaches The method of The method of if the paging path is an indirect path through a UE-to-Network Relay, wherein the information related to the paging path is used by the UE to request that the UE-to-Network Relay receive a paging message. ([0132] The functionality of non-3GPP interworking function N3IWF 170, 270 for non-3GPP access 265 may comprise at least one or more of the following: supporting of IPsec tunnel establishment with the wireless device, terminating the IKEv2/IPsec protocols with the wireless device 100, 200 over NWu, relaying over N2 the information needed to authenticate the wireless device 100 and authorize its access to the 5GC,) Regarding claim 5. Ryu teaches The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining the paging path based on that the information indicating that the second path has been added as a path for the UE is received. ([0280] The wireless device 1700 may register with the same AMF 1708 via the second access network 1704,… by sending a second registration request message 1714 comprising a wireless device identity (e.g., a 5G globally unique temporary identifier (GUTI))) Regarding claim 6. Nyu teaches The method of claim 5, wherein the paging path is determined, based on at least one of: whether a direct path exists among the first path or the second path, an order of generation of the first path and the second path, the priority of the first path and the second path, and whether a main path exists among the first path and the second path. Regarding claim 7. Ryu teaches The method of The method of wherein a combination of the first path and the second path is any one of among: a combination that the first path is a direct path and the second path is an indirect path; a combination that the first path is an indirect path and the second path is a direct path; a combination that wherein the first path is an indirect path and the second path is an indirect path. ([0293] The wireless device 1900 may use an idle mode mobility (e.g., use idle mode DRX period, perform mobility-based registration procedure) and/or delete a wireless device context of the first access technology for an existing connection upon entering RRC idle state 1920. The wireless device 1900 may send a release notification response message 1922 to the AMF 1906 via the second access technology.) Regarding claim 10. Ryu teaches Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) for performing communication, the AMF comprising: at least one transceiver; at least one processor; and at least one computer memory operably connectable to the at least one processor and storing instructions that, based on being executed by the at least one processor, perform operations comprising steps recited in claim 1. It is rejected for the same reasons. Regarding claim 11. Ryu teaches A method for performing communication, the method performed by a User Equipment (UE), and comprising: transmitting a first registration request message to an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) over a New Generation Radio Access Network (NG-RAN); ([0280] The wireless device 1700 may send a registration request message 1710 to the AMF 1708. The wireless device 1700 may send the registration request message 1710 to the AMF 1708, for example, via a first access network 1702.) receiving, in response to the first registration request message, a first registration accept message from the AMF over the NG-RAN; (Ibid. The AMF 1708 may accept the registration request 1710. The AMF 1708 may accept the registration request 1710, for example, by sending a registration accept message 1712 to the wireless device 1700 via the first access network 1702.) transmitting, in response to the first registration request message, a second registration request message to the AMF over the NG-RAN; (Ibid. The wireless device 1700 may register with the same AMF 1708 via the second access network 1704. The wireless device 1700 may register with the same AMF 1708 via the second access network 1704, for example, by sending a second registration request message 1714 comprising a wireless device identity (e.g., a 5G globally unique temporary identifier (GUTI)) for the initial registration via the second access network 1704.) receiving, in response to the second registration request message, a second registration accept message from the AMF over the NG-RAN; (Ibid. he AMF 1708 may accept the second registration request 1714. The AMF 1708 may accept the second registration request 1714, for example, by sending a second registration accept message 1716 to the wireless device 1700 via the second access network 1704) and receiving a paging message from the AMF over the NG-RAN, ([0348] Resume procedures for a wireless device in an inactive state, in at least some systems, may require RAN paging, for example, if an AMF has a pending NAS message for a wireless device in an inactive state for a first access technology. As described herein, a second access technology may be used to improve the connection setup and resume procedures for a wireless device.) wherein the second registration request message includes information indicating that a second path, over which the second registration on request message was sent, has been added as a path for the UE, (([0280] The wireless device 1700 may register with the same AMF 1708 via the second access network 1704,… by sending a second registration request message 1714 comprising a wireless device identity (e.g., a 5G globally unique temporary identifier (GUTI)))) wherein the paging message is transmitted to the UE over a paging path, ([0348] Resume procedures for a wireless device in an inactive state, in at least some systems, may require RAN paging,) and wherein the paging path being determined to be one of the second path or the first path over which the first registration request message was transmitted. ([0348] An AMF may query a base station of the first access technology to determine the state of the wireless device for which the AMF may have a pending NAS message. The AMF may determine whether the wireless device is connected via a second access technology, for example, if the wireless device is inactive for the first access technology. The second access technology may be used,) 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 8 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Ryu as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Yang; Mingyue et al. US PGPUB 20230292208 A1. Regarding claim 8. Ryu teaches The method of claim 1, but it does not teach wherein the path identification information includes at least one of: a path number, a path ID, a order of generation of the path, a path type, a priority of the path, a preference of the path, whether the path is a main path, information relating to a UE-to-Network Relay if the path type is an indirect path, or a number of UE-to-Network Relays on the path if the path type is an indirect path. However, Yang teaches wherein the path identification information ([0102] In some implementations, the receiving unit is further configured to: [0103] receive a registration request from the first terminal device, where the registration request includes path support capability information of the first terminal device.) includes at least one of: a path number, a path ID, a order of generation of the path, a path type, a priority of the path, a preference of the path, whether the path is a main path, information relating to a UE-to-Network Relay if the path type is an indirect path, or a number of UE-to-Network Relays on the path if the path type is an indirect path. ([0373] The registration request includes path support capability information of the first terminal device. The path support capability information indicates that the first terminal device supports one or more of the following: the Uu interface and PC5 interface dual connectivity, the Uu interface connectivity, or the PC5 interface connectivity.) in order to improve data transmission efficiency. ([0040]) Ryu and Yang are analogous art in the same field of endeavor of wireless communication. It would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person with ordinary skill in the art to modify the method in Ryu with the technique of path information in register request in Yang in order to improve data transmission efficiency. Claim 9 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Ryu as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of YU HYUN et al. KR 20190074614 A. Regarding claim 9. Ryu teaches The method of claim 1, but it does not teach wherein the second registration request message is a path addition request message, wherein the second registration accept message is a path addition accept message. However, Yu teaches wherein the second registration request message is a path addition request message, wherein the second registration accept message is a path addition accept message. (Page 9/18, first para “In this way, when the gateway 200 accepts the control registration request according to the service type requested by the terminal 100, the transmission path can be added or the transmission path can be changed according to the registered control condition.”) in order to improve terminal performance by increasing the tunnels between terminal and gateways. (page 9/18, para starting with “Next, a method…”) Ryu and Yu are analogous art in the same field of endeavor of wireless communication. It would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person with ordinary skill in the art to modify the method in Ryu with the technique of path addition in Yu in order to improve terminal performance by increasing the tunnels between terminal and gateways. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ZHAOHUI YANG whose telephone number is (571)270-7527. The examiner can normally be reached 9 AM to 5 PM M-F. 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, Marcus Smith can be reached at 571 270-1096. 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. /ZHAOHUI YANG/Examiner, Art Unit 2468 /MARCUS SMITH/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2468
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Jan 10, 2024
Application Filed
Jun 23, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §102, §103
Sep 23, 2026
Response Filed

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Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
72%
Grant Probability
84%
With Interview (+11.7%)
3y 1m (~4m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 404 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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