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. Information Disclosure Statement The information disclosure statements (IDS) submitted on 15 th May 2024 and 14 th July 2025 are in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement is 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. Claims 1 – 9, 16, 17 and 20 a re rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102 (a)(1) as being anticipated by Li et al ( US 2020 / 0196208 A1 ) . Claim 1 (similarly Claims 17 and 20 ) . Li shows a n apparatus configured for wireless communications (fig s . 1 , 5, 6 and 7 : terminal device ) , comprising: one or more memories (fig. 1 4B : memory 1 4 0 6 ) ; and one or more processors (fig. 1 4B : processor 1 110 ) , coupled to the one or more memories, configured to cause the apparatus to: send one or more indications of apparatus information ( fig. 5: S501 session setup ) comprising one or more of : user equipment (UE) control plane assistance information, of the apparatus, related to a first radio access network (RAN) ([0052]: a unified control plane network element may be decomposed into an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element and a session management function (SMF) network element ; [0108]: a terminal device sends a session setup request message to an AMF network element by using a first RAN device ) , wherein the UE control plane assistance information is sent to a second RAN ([0167]: capability information of the RAN 2 includes a DNN 2 and a cell identifier of a cell 1, indicating that the LADN 2 uses a cell as a granularity and that the cell (cell 1) of the RAN 2 supports an LADN corresponding to the DNN 2 ) ; capability information of a capability of the apparatus to be connected to both the first RAN and the second RAN at a same time ( [0 133]: when the terminal device simultaneously initiates a plurality of sessions , the SMF network element stores a plurality of groups of associations between the session identifier and the network name ) ; or a measurement report comprising measurement information related to communications on the second RAN ([0163]: after the first RAN device decides, based on the measurement report , to perform a handover for terminal device, the first RAN device first determines that the terminal device accesses the LADN by using a first session … the first RAN device determines whether there is a RAN device (for example, the second RAN device ) whose capability information includes the network name in the candidate RAN devices ) , wherein the measurement information is based on a measurement configuration obtained from the first RAN ( see above ; [0202]: the radio access network device may be configured to perform operations of the first RAN device ) ; obtain configuration information associated with the second RAN ([0167]: capability information of the RAN 2 includes a DNN 2 and a cell identifier of a cell 1, indicating that the LADN 2 uses a cell as a granularity and that the cell (cell 1) of the RAN 2 supports an LADN corresponding to the DNN 2 ; [0172]: the first RAN device sends a handover request to a target RAN (for example, the second RAN device) ; [0202]: the receiving module is configured to receive capability information of a second RAN device from the second RAN device, where the capability information is used to indicate a local area data network LADN supported by the RAN device and the sending module is configured to send a handover request message to the second RAN device ) ; and communicate, based on the configuration information, with the second RAN ([0174]: a handover process from the first RAN device to the target RAN device is completed ; [0203]: when a mobile handover is performed for a terminal device, the radio access network device may send, based on obtained capability information of a plurality of adjacent RAN devices, a handover request to the second RAN device supporting the LADN, so that a mobile terminal can access an LADN service after accessing the second RAN device – this step implies communication with the second RAN has begun ) . Claim 2 (similarly claim 18) . Li shows t he apparatus of claim 1, wherein to send the one or more indications comprises to send the one or more indications to the second RAN ([0167]: capability information of the RAN 2 includes a DNN 2 and a cell identifier of a cell 1, indicating that the LADN 2 uses a cell as a granularity and that the cell (cell 1) of the RAN 2 supports an LADN corresponding to the DNN 2 ) . Claim 3 (similarly claim 19) . Li shows t he apparatus of claim 2, wherein the apparatus information comprises the capability information ( see claim 2 ) . Claim 4 . Li shows t he apparatus of claim 2, wherein: the apparatus information comprises the UE control plane assistance information ([0052]: a unified control plane network element may be decomposed into an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element and a session management function (SMF) network element ; [0108]: a terminal device sends a session setup request message to an AMF network element by using a first RAN device ) ; and the UE control plane assistance information comprises one or more of : a RAN configuration of the apparatus for the first RAN ([0202]: the radio access network device may be configured to perform operations of the first RAN device ) ; or one or more RAN capabilities of the apparatus for the first RAN ([0167]: capability information of the RAN 1 includes a DNN 1, indicating that the RAN 1 supports an LADN 1 corresponding to the DNN 1 ) . Claim 5 . Li shows t he apparatus of claim 4, wherein: the UE control plane assistance information comprises the RAN configuration; and the RAN configuration comprises one or more of : a data radio bearer configuration of the apparatus for the first RAN ( n/a ) ; a carrier aggregation configuration of the apparatus for the first RAN ( n/a ) ; or the measurement configuration ([0158]: the measurement control information may include at least one of an object that needs to be measured ; [0159]: the measurement report includes a candidate RAN device and a cell identifier within a coverage area of each RAN device in the candidate RAN devices ) . Claim 6 . Li shows t he apparatus of claim 2, wherein the apparatus information comprises the measurement report ([0163]: after the first RAN device decides, based on the measurement report , to perform a handover for terminal device, the first RAN device first determines that the terminal device accesses the LADN by using a first session … the first RAN device determines whether there is a RAN device (for example, the second RAN device ) whose capability information includes the network name in the candidate RAN devices ) . Claim 7 . Li shows t he apparatus of claim 1, wherein: to send the one or more indications comprises to send the one or more indications to the first RAN ([0163]: after the first RAN device decides, based on the measurement report , to perform a handover for terminal device, the first RAN device first determines that the terminal device accesses the LADN by using a first session ) ; and the apparatus information comprises the measurement report ( see above ) . Claim 8 . Li shows t he apparatus of claim 7, wherein the configuration information comprises: a connection establishment indication to connect to the second RAN ([0213] – [0214]: send a connection setup response message to the first RAN device, where the connection setup response message includes the capability information … the radio access network device may further implement other operations or functions of the second RAN device ; [0217]: the communications apparatus completes setup of a connection to the RAN device ) . Claim 9 . Li shows t he apparatus of claim 7, wherein the configuration information comprises: one or more suggested data sessions to move from the first RAN to the second RAN ( pg. 10 TABLE 2 ; [0167] ) ; or one or more suggested candidate cells of the second RAN ( see above ) . Claim 16 . Li shows t he apparatus of claim 1, wherein the configuration information comprises one or more of : a data radio bearer configuration of the apparatus for the second RAN ( n/a ) ; a carrier aggregation configuration of the apparatus for the second RAN ( n/a ) ; or a measurement configuration of the apparatus for the second RAN ([0158]: the measurement control information may include at least one of an object that needs to be measured ; [0159]: the measurement report includes a candidate RAN device and a cell identifier within a coverage area of each RAN device in the candidate RAN devices – the candidate RAN device can be the second RAN device ) . ---------- ---------- ---------- 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. 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 s 1 0 – 12 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Li et al in view of Li et al in view of Sarkas et al ( US 2024 / 0090052 A1 ). Claim 10 . Li shows t he apparatus of claim 1 ; Li does not expressly describe wherein the one or more processors are configured to cause the apparatus to: obtain an indication that the apparatus is not allowed to be connected to both the first RAN and the second RAN at the same time. Sarkas teaches feature of obtain ing an indication that an apparatus is not allowed to be connected to both the first RAN and the second RAN at the same time ([0011]: the slot indication of the method is associated with non-simultaneous communications of the first radio access network and of the second radio access network ) . It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to implement the feature as taught by Sarkas in the apparatus of Li to save processing power. Claim 11 . Li, modified by Sarkas , shows t he apparatus of claim 10, wherein to obtain the indication comprises to obtain the indication in one or more of a system information message or a dedicated radio resource control message ( Sarkas , [0011]: the frequency modulated carrier waveform during a dedicated sensing time after outputting the carrier signal ) . Claim 12 . Li, modified by Sarkas , shows t he apparatus of claim 10, wherein to obtain the indication comprises to obtain the indication as part of a policy configuration ( see claim 10 – the “slot indication” is a policy configuration as it takes into account of a first and a second frequency spectrum ) . ---------- ---------- ---------- Claim 13 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Li et al in view of Li et al in view of Sarkas et a l, applied to claim 10, and in further view of Liu ( US 2021 / 0014176 A1 ) . Claim 13 . Li, modified by Sarkas , shows t he apparatus of claim 10 ; Li, modified by Sarkas , does not expressly describe wherein to obtain the indication comprises to obtain the indication from a core network (CN) policy management node. Liu teaches feature of a CN policy management node (fig. 1 and [0068]: a policy function module is also configured in the core network for policy management ). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to implement the CN policy management node as taught by Liu in the apparatus of Li, modified by Sarkas , to improve operational efficiency, reduced misconfigurations, faster (5G) service deployment, and granular traffic control . ---------- ---------- ---------- Claim s 14 and 15 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Li et al in view of Gaal et al ( US 2019 / 0363866 A1 ) . Claim 14 . Li shows t he apparatus of claim 1 ; Li does not expressly describe wherein the one or more processors are configured to cause the apparatus to: obtain an indication of one or more conditions to satisfy for the apparatus to be allowed to be connected to both the first RAN and the second RAN at the same time. Gaal teaches feature of obtain ing an indication of one or more conditions to satisfy for an apparatus to be allowed to be connected to both a first RAN and a second RAN at the same time ([0072]: the UE may provide an indication of UE capabilities … a capability for dynamic sharing between the different RANs of the DC connection … the UE may be a dual transmitter UE that is capable of concurrent transmissions on both the first RAN and the second RAN ) . It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to implement the feature as taught by Gaal in the apparatus of Li to facilitate dynamic sharing between different RANs . Claim 15 . Li, modified by Gaal , shows t he apparatus of claim 14, wherein the one or more conditions comprise at least one of : one or more measurement-related conditions associated with the first RAN ( Gaal , [0055]: different spatial layers may be associated with different antenna ports used for channel measurement and reporting ) ; or one or more user plane-related conditions associated with the first RAN ( Gaal , [0058]: in the control plane, the Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol layer may provide establishment, configuration, and maintenance of an RRC connection between a UE and a base station or core network supporting radio bearers for user plane data ) . ========== ========== ========== Conclusion The prior art made of record is considered pertinent to applicant’s disclosure. 1. Kollár et al, US 2024 / 0340678 A1 : a method comprising transmitting, by a first radio access network node, to a second radio access network node, a request message for requesting one or more measurements, wherein the request message comprises priority information indicating a priority level per a measurement of the one or more measurements; and receiving, by the first radio access network node, from the second radio access network node, a response message indicating whether or not at least one of the one or more measurements can be provided from the second radio access network node . 2. Lunardi et al, US 2023 / 0319616 A1 : a method performed by a first RAN node for handling QoE measurement configuration and/or reporting during RAN overload comprises performing one or more actions related to one or more aspects of QoE measurement configuration, QoE measurement reporting, or both QoE measurement configuration and QoE measurement reporting that mitigate an RAN overload condition. In one embodiment, performing the one or more actions comprises performing one or more actions related to transfer of one or more aspects of QoE measurement configuration from the first RAN node to a second RAN node, transfer of one or more aspects of QoE measurement reporting from the first RAN node to the second RAN node, or both . 3. Ke et al, US 2019 / 0116527 A1 : a method by a first radio access network node for controlling Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) aggregation of a terminal, the method comprising receiving, from a second radio access network node, configuration information on WLAN aggregation for the terminal; and controlling the WLAN aggregation for the terminal based on the configuration information . Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to FILLIN "Examiner name" \* MERGEFORMAT Xavier Szewai Wong whose telephone number is FILLIN "Phone number" \* MERGEFORMAT 571.270.1780 . The examiner can normally be reached on FILLIN "Work Schedule?" \* MERGEFORMAT 11:30 am - 8:30 pm Mon to Fri . 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, Jeffrey Rutkowski can be reached on 571.270.1215. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. Information regarding the status of an application may be obtained from the Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system. Status information for published applications may be obtained from either Private PAIR or Public PAIR. Status information for unpublished applications is available through Private PAIR only. For more information about the PAIR system, see http://pair-direct.uspto.gov. Should you have questions on access to the Private PAIR system, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative or access to the automated information system, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. /XAVIER S WONG/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2415 23 rd March 2026