Prosecution Insights
Last updated: August 17, 2026
Application No. 18/625,613

VARYING PATH GROUP SPEED BASED ON SUSTAINABILITY TARGETS

Non-Final OA §103
Filed
Apr 03, 2024
Examiner
NGUYEN, ANH
Art Unit
2458
Tech Center
2400 — Computer Networks
Assignee
International Business Machines Corporation
OA Round
2 (Non-Final)
79%
Grant Probability
Favorable
2-3
OA Rounds
4m
Est. Remaining
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 79% — above average
79%
Career Allowance Rate
292 granted / 371 resolved
+20.7% vs TC avg
Strong +25% interview lift
Without
With
+25.4%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 9m
Avg Prosecution
19 currently pending
Career history
394
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
14.8%
-25.2% vs TC avg
§103
61.3%
+21.3% vs TC avg
§102
7.9%
-32.1% vs TC avg
§112
10.1%
-29.9% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 371 resolved cases

Office Action

§103
DETAILED ACTION Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . This communication is in response to the amendment filed on 04/22/2016. Claims 1-20 are pending and are rejected. Claims 1, 4, 12, and 17 have been amended. Response to Arguments Applicant’s arguments with respect to claims 1, 12, and 17 have been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection does not rely on any reference applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument. The other amendment are still taught by the prior art of record (see the rejection below). 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. Claims 1-8, 11-14, 16, 17-19 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Bart (EP 2110996 A1) in view of Devriendt (US 20210149563 A1) and further in view of Ota (US 20050207411 A1). Regarding claim 1, Bart teaches a method comprising: identifying, in a first network, a path group consisting of a plurality of data paths between a first endpoint and a second endpoint, the plurality of data paths including at least a first data path and a second data path ([0036], fig. 1, the DSLAM 102 is in this case equipped with an embodiment of a device according to the present invention to support multiple QoS differentiated transmission paths on the link between the DSLAM 102 and the CPE, 1031 to 103n), wherein a first link speed of the first data path is slower than a second link speed of the second data path ([0037] there are 4 data transmission paths, each with a different interleaving depth, the selector may put the highest two priorities (first link speed) on the fastest DSL line transmission path, the next two priorities on the second transmission path and so forth, with the lowest two priorities (second link speed) on the slowest but best protected data transmission path); adjusting, in response to the latency value associated with the first data path meeting a service level requirement, a path selection mechanism by changing a path selection policy to a slowest-speed first path selection policy that favor the first data path over the second data path ([0024] if the device is connected to both a "fast" latency channel in the sense of the xDSL standards, which offers lower protection, and a slower but well protected interleaved channel, the device can select the DSL line transmission path based on the acceptable delay for each packet and place packets with a delay requirement below the delay caused by the protection on this "fast" channel; [0026] the device may select the fastest DSL line transmission path for a few of the highest delay priorities and use the slowest of the two DSL line transmission paths for all other priorities (favor the first data path over the second data path); [0063] the storage path cost values may include measured response time to prior requests sent to each storage element and the comparison will select the subset with the fastest response times in order to reduce overall latency for all requests). Bart does not explicitly teach determining, based on a transaction time for packets transmitted between the first endpoint and the second endpoint, a latency value associated with the first data path; by changing a path selection policy to a slowest-speed first path selection policy that favor the first data path over the second data path. Devriendt teaches determining, based on a transaction time for packets transmitted between the first endpoint and the second endpoint, a latency value associated with the first data path ([0009] the hierarchical address may include a plurality of hierarchy level identifiers corresponding to a hierarchical path from at least one controller node to a selected storage element; [0064] selecting a slower path for users and processes that do not require low latency). It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention made to include in the Bart disclosure, the first communication link latency is measured, as taught by Devriendt. One would be motivated to do so to optimize the power efficiency of a distributed storage system (DSS) by choosing storage paths that allow for storage and retrieval of data blocks in a power efficient way. Bart and Devriendt do not explicitly teach by changing a path selection policy to a slowest-speed first path selection policy that favor the first data path over the second data path Ota teaches by changing a path selection policy to a slowest-speed first path selection policy that favor the first data path over the second data path ([0174] [0174] The priority policy applied here specifies that when the packet flow of a subscriber having a low priority exceeds the threshold level, the default path is switched to a slower path). It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention made to include in the Bart and Devriendt disclosure, a slower path is select as default based on the priority of the packet flow, as taught by Ota. One would be motivated to do so to decrease the packet loss probabilities of the other users through effective use of the network and can save the packets of the heavy user. Regarding claim 2, Bart, Devriendt, and Ota teach the method of claim 1, wherein Bart further teaches the path selection mechanism is adjusted by setting a preference parameter indicating a preference for at least one of a link speed and a data path ([0037] The storage can then indicate that non-interleaved data channel and the lowest priorities should be transported on the slower interleaved data channel). Regarding claim 3, Bart, Devriendt, and Ota teach the method of claim 1, wherein Bart further teaches the path selection mechanism is adjusted by adjusting a ranking of the plurality of data paths in the path group ([0007] Another important aspect of QoS is delay variation. Delay variation is typically kept within bounds in packet networks by scheduling for delay priority, by segregating (Internet Protocol) packets or (Ethernet) frames in different queues). Regarding claim 4, Bart, Devriendt, and Ota teach the method of claim 1, wherein Bart further teaches the path selection mechanism is adjusted by changing the path selection policy to favor a path in the path group having a slowest link speed that meets the service level requirement ([0013] by selecting the first logical transmission path or second logical transmission path based on quality of service information related to the data packets; [0024] a slower but well protected interleaved channel, the device can select the DSL line transmission path based on the acceptable delay for each packet). Regarding claims 5, 13, and 18, Bart, Devriendt, and Ota teach all limitations of parent claim 1, Bart further teaches: transmitting, based on the adjusted path selection mechanism, a packet using the first data path instead of the second data path (0013] , by selecting the first logical transmission path or second logical transmission path based on quality of service information related to the data packets, the effort in configuring a network can greatly be reduced and the use of multiple transmission paths can be added to existing networks with little effort). Regarding claim 6, Bart, Devriendt, and Ota teach the method of claim 1, wherein Bart further teaches the latency value is based on an end-to-end transaction time for packets transmitted from the first endpoint to the second endpoint ([0021] The third logical transmission path uses some of the time frames or bandwidth of the first and/second logical transmission path to transport its data). Regarding claim 7, Bart, Devriendt, and Ota teach the method of claim 6, wherein Bart further teaches the plurality of data paths traverses the first network and a second network; and wherein a latency of a path accounts for a first latency within the first network and a second latency within the second network ([0037] The xDSL transmitter 200 in this particular example is built to transmit on e.g. two channels, an interleaved channel which offers more protection at higher delay and a noninterleaved channel which offers a lower delay but at a lower level of protection for the transported data). Regarding claims 8, 14, and 19, Bart, Devriendt, and Ota teach all limitations of parent claims 1, 12, Bart further teaches: reducing, based on the first data path meeting the service level requirement, a link speed of a particular data path in the path group ([0030] This way, the traffic flowing through the operator network will be placed on appropriate DSL line transmission paths to meet seamlessly the quality of service requirements for all the traffic flowing through the network, up to the subscriber CPE). Regarding claims 11 and 16, Bart, Devriendt, and Ota teach all limitations of parent claims 1 and 12, wherein Bart further teaches the first network is storage area network that utilizes a Fibre Channel policy ([0113] Computer code embodied on a computer-readable medium may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to, wireless, wired, optical fiber cable, radio frequency (RF), etc., or any suitable combination of the foregoing). Regarding claim 12, Bart teaches an apparatus comprising: a processing device; and memory operatively coupled to the processing device ([0041] a computer system, a processor), wherein the memory stores computer program instructions that, when executed, cause the processing device to: identify, in a first network, a path group consisting of a plurality of data paths between a first endpoint and a second endpoint, the plurality of data paths including at least a first data path and a second data path ([0036], fig. 1, the DSLAM 102 is in this case equipped with an embodiment of a device according to the present invention to support multiple QoS differentiated transmission paths on the link between the DSLAM 102 and the CPE, 1031 to 103n), wherein a first link speed of the first data path is slower than a second link speed of the second data path ([0037] there are 4 data transmission paths, each with a different interleaving depth, the selector may put the highest two priorities (first link speed) on the fastest DSL line transmission path, the next two priorities on the second transmission path and so forth, with the lowest two priorities (second link speed) on the slowest but best protected data transmission path); determine a latency value associated the first data path; and adjust, in response to the latency value associated with the first data path meeting a service level requirement, a path selection mechanism to favor the first data path over the second data path ([0024] if the device is connected to both a "fast" latency channel in the sense of the xDSL standards, which offers lower protection, and a slower but well protected interleaved channel, the device can select the DSL line transmission path based on the acceptable delay for each packet and place packets with a delay requirement below the delay caused by the protection on this "fast" channel; [0026] the device may select the fastest DSL line transmission path for a few of the highest delay priorities and use the slowest of the two DSL line transmission paths for all other priorities (favor the first data path over the second data path)). Bart does not explicitly teach determining a latency value associated the first data path; Bart does not explicitly teach determine, based on a transaction time for packets transmitted between the first endpoint and the second endpoint, a latency value associated with the first data path; by changing a path selection policy to a slowest-speed first path selection policy that favor the first data path over the second data path. Devriendt teaches determine, based on a transaction time for packets transmitted between the first endpoint and the second endpoint, a latency value associated with the first data path ([0009] the hierarchical address may include a plurality of hierarchy level identifiers corresponding to a hierarchical path from at least one controller node to a selected storage element; [0064] selecting a slower path for users and processes that do not require low latency). It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention made to include in the Bart disclosure, the first communication link latency is measured, as taught by Devriendt. One would be motivated to do so to optimize the power efficiency of a distributed storage system (DSS) by choosing storage paths that allow for storage and retrieval of data blocks in a power efficient way. Bart and Devriendt do not explicitly teach by changing a path selection policy to a slowest-speed first path selection policy that favor the first data path over the second data path Ota teaches by changing a path selection policy to a slowest-speed first path selection policy that favor the first data path over the second data path ([0174] [0174] The priority policy applied here specifies that when the packet flow of a subscriber having a low priority exceeds the threshold level, the default path is switched to a slower path). It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention made to include in the Bart and Devriendt disclosure, a slower path is select as default based on the priority of the packet flow, as taught by Ota. One would be motivated to do so to decrease the packet loss probabilities of the other users through effective use of the network and can save the packets of the heavy user. Regarding claim 17, Bart teaches a computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium, wherein the computer readable storage medium comprises computer program instructions that, when executed: identify, in a first network, a path group consisting of a plurality of data paths between a first endpoint and a second endpoint, the plurality of data paths including at least a first data path and a second data path ([0036], fig. 1, the DSLAM 102 is in this case equipped with an embodiment of a device according to the present invention to support multiple QoS differentiated transmission paths on the link between the DSLAM 102 and the CPE, 1031 to 103n), wherein a first link speed of the first data path is slower than a second link speed of the second data path ([0037] there are 4 data transmission paths, each with a different interleaving depth, the selector may put the highest two priorities (first link speed) on the fastest DSL line transmission path, the next two priorities on the second transmission path and so forth, with the lowest two priorities (second link speed) on the slowest but best protected data transmission path); adjust, in response to the latency value associated with the first data path meeting a service level requirement, a path selection mechanism to favor the first data path over the second data path ([0024] if the device is connected to both a "fast" latency channel in the sense of the xDSL standards, which offers lower protection, and a slower but well protected interleaved channel, the device can select the DSL line transmission path based on the acceptable delay for each packet and place packets with a delay requirement below the delay caused by the protection on this "fast" channel; [0026] the device may select the fastest DSL line transmission path for a few of the highest delay priorities and use the slowest of the two DSL line transmission paths for all other priorities (favor the first data path over the second data path)). Bart does not explicitly teach determine, based on a transaction time for packets transmitted between the first endpoint and the second endpoint, a latency value associated with the first data path; by changing a path selection policy to a slowest-speed first path selection policy that favor the first data path over the second data path. Devriendt teaches determine, based on a transaction time for packets transmitted between the first endpoint and the second endpoint, a latency value associated with the first data path ([0009] the hierarchical address may include a plurality of hierarchy level identifiers corresponding to a hierarchical path from at least one controller node to a selected storage element; [0064] selecting a slower path for users and processes that do not require low latency). It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention made to include in the Bart disclosure, the first communication link latency is measured, as taught by Devriendt. One would be motivated to do so to optimize the power efficiency of a distributed storage system (DSS) by choosing storage paths that allow for storage and retrieval of data blocks in a power efficient way. Bart and Devriendt do not explicitly teach by changing a path selection policy to a slowest-speed first path selection policy that favor the first data path over the second data path Ota teaches by changing a path selection policy to a slowest-speed first path selection policy that favor the first data path over the second data path ([0174] [0174] The priority policy applied here specifies that when the packet flow of a subscriber having a low priority exceeds the threshold level, the default path is switched to a slower path). It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention made to include in the Bart and Devriendt disclosure, a slower path is select as default based on the priority of the packet flow, as taught by Ota. One would be motivated to do so to decrease the packet loss probabilities of the other users through effective use of the network and can save the packets of the heavy user. Claims 9-10, 15, and 20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Bart (EP 2110996 A1) in view of Devriendt (US 20210149563 A1) in view of Ota (US 20050207411 A1) and further in view of Zong (US 20250247341 A1). Regarding claims 9, 15, and 20, Bart, Devriendt, and Ota teach all limitations of parent claims 1, 12, and 17, Bart does not explicitly teach: reducing a link speed of a particular data path in the path group responsive to determining that a utilization of the particular data path has decreased. Zong teaches reducing a link speed of a particular data path in the path group responsive to determining that a utilization of the particular data path has decreased ([0072] the speed of data requests may be dynamically adjusted based on the evaluation of the utilization level of the DBCPU resource, in order to maintain the utilization level of the DBCPU resource within a predetermined target range). It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention made to include in the Bart disclosure, the speed of data request is dynamically adjust to either increase or decrease, as taught by Zong. One would be motivated to do so that the utilization level of the computing resource is maintained within a predetermined target range. Regarding claim 10, Bart, Devriendt, Ota, and Zong teach the method of claim 9, wherein Zong further teaches an amount of reduction in the link speed is determined based on a utilization of the particular data path and a predetermined headroom ([0055] The speed of data requests received at the DBCPU resource (from the top contributing user, after the throttling) and a utilization level of the DBCPU resource may be evaluated. As is commonly known in the art, the speed of data requests may be indicative of a quota that allows the queue to emit a request). It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention made to include in the Bart disclosure, the speed of data request is dynamically adjust to either increase or decrease, as taught by Zong. One would be motivated to do so that the utilization level of the computing resource is maintained within a predetermined target range. Conclusion Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). 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. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ANH NGUYEN whose telephone number is (571)270-0657. The examiner can normally be reached 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, Umar Cheema can be reached at 5712703037. 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. /ANH NGUYEN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2458
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Apr 03, 2024
Application Filed
Jan 22, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103
Apr 22, 2026
Response Filed
May 26, 2026
Final Rejection mailed — §103
Jul 24, 2026
Examiner Interview Summary
Jul 24, 2026
Applicant Interview (Telephonic)
Jul 27, 2026
Response after Non-Final Action

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Prosecution Projections

2-3
Expected OA Rounds
79%
Grant Probability
99%
With Interview (+25.4%)
2y 9m (~4m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Moderate
PTA Risk
Based on 371 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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