DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
1. The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Status of Claims
2. Claims 1-3, 6-8, 11-12, and 15 are pending wherein claims 1, 8, and 11 are in independent form.
3. Claims 1, 3, 6-8, 11-12, and 15 have been amended.
4. Claims 4-5, 9-10, and 13-14 have been cancelled.
Response to Arguments
5. Applicant’s arguments with respect to claim(s) 1, 8, and 11 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.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
6. 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.
7. Claims 1-3 and 6-8 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Won et al (US 20220361135 A1, hereinafter referred to as Won) in view of Gao et al (US 20230262588 A1, hereinafter referred to as Gao).
Re claim 1, Won teaches a wireless terminal (UE, Fig. 3A-B, Fig. 4) served by a public land mobile network (PLMN) (PLMN, Par 0030), the PLMN providing the wireless terminal with one or more network slices (S-NSSAI n, S-NSSAI m etc., Table 1-3) each of the one or more network slices providing a designated service within the PLMN (network slice providing a specific network capabilities/service, Par 0020-0021), the wireless terminal comprising:
(i) receiver circuitry (transceiver, Fig. 6B, Par 0059, Par 0065-0066) configured to:
(ii) receive a mapping configuration (registration accept message providing information configuring registration area, NSSAI, TAI, Table 1-3, Par 0028-0031, Par 0034-0036), configuring one or more network slice groups (Allowed NSSAI, partially allowed/rejected NSSAI), each of the one or more network slice groups indicating grouping of one or more network slices (Allowed NSSAI includes slice S-NSSAI n, partially allowed/rejected NSSAI includes slice S-NSSAI m, Table 1-3), the mapping configuration being associated with area scope information (Registration area comprising TAI J, TAI K, Table 1-3) (Fig. 5A-B, Par 0026, Par 0028-0031, Par 0034-0036, Par 0039, Par 0042), and;
(iii) receive, from a cell, a tracking area identity of the cell (receiving current TAI from the NG-RAN node broadcast, Par 0027, Par 0043);
(iv) processor circuitry (processor, Fig. 6B, Par 0059-0061) configured to determine, based on the area scope information (TAI list included in the registration area) and the tracking area identity (Current TAI), whether the mapping configuration is valid in the cell (allowed S-NSSAI valid in a registration area, Par 0024, determining allowed S-NSSAIs based on the list of TAIs, S-NSSAIs, and the current TAI, step 570, Fig. 5B; skipping registration within registration area, Par 0045) (Fig. 5B, Par 0026-0027, Par 0043-0045),
(v) wherein the area scope information indicates one or more tracking areas in which the mapping configuration is valid (Registration area includes a list of TAIs supporting S-NSSAIs; skipping registration procedure within the TAIs included in the registration area, Table 1-3, Par 0026-0031, Par 0043-0045).
Won does not explicitly disclose that
(vi) each of the one or more network slice groups shares group-specific cell reselection priorities.
Re component (vi), Gao teaches that
(vi) each of the one or more network slice groups shares group-specific cell reselection priorities (Configuration information including cell reselection priority associated with a network slice or a network slice group) (Fig. 4-9, Par 0029-0030, Par 0034-0035, Par 0044, Par 0047-0051, Par 0053).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Won by including the function that each of the one or more network slice groups shares group-specific cell reselection priorities, as taught by Gao for the purpose of assisting a UE to “select a cell supporting the intended slice during the cell reselection procedure”, as taught by Gao (Par 0026).
Re claim 2, Won teaches that the mapping configuration and the area scope information are received by the wireless terminal during a registration procedure (registration accept message providing information configuring registration area, NSSAI, TAI, Table 1-3, Par 0028-0031, Par 0034-0036, Par 0038-0042).
Re claim 3, Won teaches that the tracking area identity is included in system information (current tracking area identity is considered the system information) and is received via a broadcast from the cell (receiving current TAI from the NG-RAN node broadcast, Par 0027, Par 0043).
Re claim 6, Won teaches that each of the one or more network slice groups is identified by a network slice grouping index (Allowed NSSAI, partially allowed/rejected NSSAI) (Table 1-3, Par 0028-31, Par 0034-0036, Par 0042).
Won does not explicitly disclose that each network slice grouping index is associated with the group-specific cell reselection priorities.
Gao teaches that each network slice grouping index is associated with the group-specific cell reselection priorities (Fig. 4-9, Par 0034-0035, Par 0044, Par 0047-0051, Par 0053).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Won by including the function that each network slice grouping index is associated with the group-specific cell reselection priorities, as taught by Gao for the purpose of assisting a UE to “select a cell supporting the intended slice during the cell reselection procedure”, as taught by Gao (Par 0026).
Re claim 7, Won teaches to initiate a registration in a case that the mapping configuration is determined to be invalid (initiating registration procedure, step 585, Fig. 5B, Par 0044) (Par 0024, Par 0044).
Re claim 8, Won teaches an access node (RAN node/base station, Fig. 6A, Par 0047) of a public land mobile network (PLMN) (PLMN, Par 0030), the PLMN providing a wireless terminal with one or more network slices (S-NSSAI n, S-NSSAI m etc., Table 1-3), each of the one or more network slices providing a designated service within the PLMN (network slice providing a specific network capabilities/service, Par 0020-0021), the access node comprising:
(i) processor circuitry (Processor, Fig. 6A, Par 0047, Par 0049) configured to generate a tracking area identity of a cell (current TAI), and transmitter circuitry (Transceiver, Fig. 6A, Par 0047, Par 0053) configured to transmit, to a wireless terminal (UE), via the cell, the tracking area identity (broadcasting current TAI by the NG-RAN node, Par 0027, Par 0043); wherein
(ii) the tracking area identity is used to determine validity of a mapping configuration in the cell (allowed S-NSSAI valid in a registration area, Par 0024, determining allowed S-NSSAIs based on the list of TAIs, S-NSSAIs, and the current TAI, step 570, Fig. 5B; skipping registration within registration area, Par 0045) (Fig. 5B, Par 0026-0027, Par 0043-0045, the mapping configuration being configured to the wireless terminal (registration accept message to a UE providing information configuring registration area, NSSAI, TAI, Table 1-3, Par 0028-0031, Par 0034-0036) for configuring one or more network slice groups (Allowed NSSAI, partially allowed/rejected NSSAI), each of the one or more network slice groups indicating grouping of one or more network slices (Allowed NSSAI includes slice S-NSSAI n, partially allowed/rejected NSSAI includes slice S-NSSAI m, Table 1-3), the mapping configuration being associated with area scope information (Registration area comprising TAI J, TAI K, Table 1-3) (Fig. 5A-B, Par 0026, Par 0028-0031, Par 0034-0036, Par 0039, Par 0042),
(iii) the area scope information indicating one or more tracking areas in which the mapping configuration is valid (allowed S-NSSAI valid in a registration area, Par 0024, Registration area includes a list of TAIs supporting S-NSSAIs; skipping registration procedure within the TAIs included in the registration area, Table 1-3, Par 0026-0031, Par 0043-0045).
Won does not explicitly disclose that
(iv) each of the one or more network slice groups shares group-specific cell reselection priorities.
Re component (iv), Gao teaches that
(iv) each of the one or more network slice groups shares group-specific cell reselection priorities (Configuration information including cell reselection priority associated with a network slice or a network slice group) (Fig. 4-9, Par 0029-0030, Par 0034-0035, Par 0044, Par 0047-0051, Par 0053).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Won by including the function that each of the one or more network slice groups shares group-specific cell reselection priorities, as taught by Gao for the purpose of assisting a UE to “select a cell supporting the intended slice during the cell reselection procedure”, as taught by Gao (Par 0026).
8. Claims 11-12 and 15 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Won et al (US 20220361135 A1, hereinafter referred to as Won) in view of Lee et al (US 20180317163 A1, hereinafter referred to as Lee) and further in view of Gao et al (US 20230262588 A1, hereinafter referred to as Gao).
Re claim 11, Won teaches a management entity (AMF, Fig. 6A, Par 0047) of a public land mobile network (PLMN) (PLMN, Par 0030), the PLMN providing a wireless terminal with one or more network slices (S-NSSAI n, S-NSSAI m etc., Table 1-3), each of the one or more network slices providing a designated service within the PLMN (network slice providing a specific network capabilities/service, Par 0020-0021), the management entity comprising:
(i) processor circuitry (Processor, Fig. 6A, Par 0047, Par 0049) configured to generate a mapping configuration (registration accept message providing information configuring registration area, NSSAI, TAI, Table 1-3, Par 0028-0031, Par 0034-0036), configuring the wireless terminal with one or more network slice groups (Allowed NSSAI, partially allowed/rejected NSSAI), each of the one or more network slice groups indicating grouping of one or more network slices (Allowed NSSAI includes slice S-NSSAI n, partially allowed/rejected NSSAI includes slice S-NSSAI m, Table 1-3), the mapping configuration being associated with area scope information (Registration area comprising TAI J, TAI K, Table 1-3) (Fig. 5A-B, Par 0026, Par 0028-0031, Par 0034-0036, Par 0039, Par 0042),
(ii) the area scope information indicating one or more tracking areas in which the mapping configuration is valid (allowed S-NSSAI valid in a registration area, Par 0024, Registration area includes a list of TAIs supporting S-NSSAIs; skipping registration procedure within the TAIs included in the registration area, Table 1-3, Par 0026-0031, Par 0043-0045),
(iii) interface circuitry (Transceiver, Fig. 6A, Par 0047, Par 0053) configured to provide the mapping configuration and the area scope information (registration accept message providing information configuring registration area, NSSAI, TAI, Table 1-3, Par 0028-0031, Par 0034-0036) to UE, whereby the mapping configuration and the area scope information are provided to the wireless terminal served by the radio access network (registration accept message sent to the UE) (Fig. 5A-B, Par 0034-0036, Par 0038-0042).
Won discloses that AMF sends the registration accept message including configuration information to a UE. However, Won does not disclose that the AMF sends the registration accept message to a UE via a radio access network.
Lee teaches that the AMF sends the registration accept message to a UE via a radio access network (Fig. 1A, Fig. 1G, Par 0093-0096).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Won by including the function that the AMF sends the registration accept message to a UE via a radio access network, as taught by Lee for the purpose of “facilitating a 5G terminal registration procedure”, as taught by Lee (Par 0009).
Won also does not explicitly disclose that
(iv) each of the one or more network slice groups shares group-specific cell reselection priorities.
Re component (iv), Gao teaches that
(iv) each of the one or more network slice groups shares group-specific cell reselection priorities (Configuration information including cell reselection priority associated with a network slice or a network slice group) (Fig. 4-9, Par 0029-0030, Par 0034-0035, Par 0044, Par 0047-0051, Par 0053).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Won by including the function that each of the one or more network slice groups shares group-specific cell reselection priorities, as taught by Gao for the purpose of assisting a UE to “select a cell supporting the intended slice during the cell reselection procedure”, as taught by Gao (Par 0026).
Re claim 12, Won teaches to signal the mapping configuration and the area scope information to the wireless terminal during a registration procedure (registration accept message providing information configuring registration area, NSSAI, TAI, Table 1-3, Par 0028-0031, Par 0034-0036, Par 0038-0042).
Re claim 15, Won teaches that each of the one or more network slice groups is identified by a network slice grouping index (Allowed NSSAI, partially allowed/rejected NSSAI) (Table 1-3, Par 0028-31, Par 0034-0036, Par 0042).
Won does not explicitly disclose that each network slice grouping index is associated with the group-specific cell reselection priorities.
Gao teaches that each network slice grouping index is associated with the group-specific cell reselection priorities (Fig. 4-9, Par 0034-0035, Par 0044, Par 0047-0051, Par 0053).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Won by including the function that each network slice grouping index is associated with the group-specific cell reselection priorities, as taught by Gao for the purpose of assisting a UE to “select a cell supporting the intended slice during the cell reselection procedure”, as taught by Gao (Par 0026).
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 HARUN UR R CHOWDHURY whose telephone number is (571)270-3895. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday 9AM-5PM.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Kwang B Yao can be reached at 5712723182. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/HARUN CHOWDHURY/Examiner, Art Unit 2473
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