Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 18/691,950

CAPABILITY INDICATION AND DETERMINATION METHODS AND APPARATUS, COMMUNICATION APPARATUS, AND STORAGE MEDIUM

Non-Final OA §102
Filed
Mar 14, 2024
Examiner
ANDERSON, MATTHEW D
Art Unit
2646
Tech Center
2600 — Communications
Assignee
BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO., LTD.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
47%
Grant Probability
Moderate
1-2
OA Rounds
2y 9m
To Grant
49%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 47% of resolved cases
47%
Career Allow Rate
7 granted / 15 resolved
-15.3% vs TC avg
Minimal +2% lift
Without
With
+2.2%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 9m
Avg Prosecution
4 currently pending
Career history
19
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
4.6%
-35.4% vs TC avg
§103
50.0%
+10.0% vs TC avg
§102
34.1%
-5.9% vs TC avg
§112
4.6%
-35.4% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 15 resolved cases

Office Action

§102
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 . Response to Amendment In response to the preliminary amendment filed 9/16/24, claims 33-35 and 39-41 have been cancelled. 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)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention. Claims 1-32 and 36-38 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Ly (WO 2020247043 A1), as discussed below. Claim 1. (Original) A capability indication method, performed by a base station, wherein the method comprises: sending first capability information to a core network, wherein the first capability information is used to indicate a support capability of the base station for a terminal to perform a multi-SIM card connection switching, as shown by the multi SIM switching in figure 16. Claim 2. (Original) The method according to claim 1, wherein the terminal is provided with a plurality of SIM cards, the plurality of SIM cards at least comprises a first SIM card and a second SIM card, and the multi-SIM card connection switching comprises switching to the second SIM card for a communication operation when performing the communication operation through the first SIM card, as shown by the indirect registration of SIM2 in figure 26. Claim 3. (Original) The method according to claim 1, wherein the first capability information is further used to indicate a support capability of other base station connected to the base station for the terminal to perform the multi-SIM card connection switching, as shown by the multiple RANs in the multi SIM switching in figure 16 . Claim 4. (Original) The method according to claim 1, wherein sending the first capability information to the core network comprises: in a process of establishing an interface with the core network, sending the first capability information to the core network, as shown by the multi Sim paging procedure in figure 15. Claim 5. (Original) The method according to claim 4, wherein in a case that the base station comprises an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) base station , the first capability information can be carried in an S1 interface setup request (S1 SETUP REQUEST) signaling, as shown by the E-UTRAN and S1-MME interface in figure 19. Claim 6. (Original) The method according to claim 4, wherein in a case that the base station comprises a New Radio (NR) base station, the first capability information is carried in an NG interface setup request (NG SETUP REQUEST) signaling, as taught by the new radio and 5G interface in paragraph 0057. Claim 7. (Original) The method according to claim 1, wherein sending the first capability information to the core network comprises: after establishing an interface with the core network, sending the first capability information to the core network, as shown by the attach procedure in figure 25. Claim 8. (Original) The method according to claim 7, wherein in a case that the base station comprises an E-UTRAN base station, the first capability information is carried in a base station configuration update (ENB CONFIGURATION UPDATE) signaling, as shown by the eNobe B in figure 1C. Claim 9. (Original) The method according to claim 7, wherein in a case that the base station comprises an NR base station, the first capability information is carried in a radio access network configuration update (RAN CONFIGURATION UPDATE) signaling, as taught by the new radio Ran in paragraph 0070. Claim 10. (Currently Amended) The method according to claim 1, further comprising: receiving second capability information sent by the core network, wherein the second capability information is used to indicate a support capability of the core network for the terminal to perform the multi-SIM card connection switching, as shown by the multi SIM attachment in figure 28. Claim 11. (Original) The method according to claim 10, further comprising: sending the second capability information to the terminal, as shown by the multi SIM attachment in figure 28. Claim 12. (Original) The method according to claim 11, wherein the second capability information is carried in a radio resource control (RRC) signaling and/or system information (SI) and sent to the terminal, as taught by the RRC signaling in paragraphs 139-142. Claim 13. (Original) The method according to claim 12, wherein the second capability information is carried in the RRC signaling and sent to the terminal, and sending the second capability information to the terminal comprises: receiving an acquisition request for the second capability information sent by the terminal; and sending the second capability information to the terminal, as taught by the paging requests in figure 28. Claim 14. (Original) The method according to claim 12, wherein sending the second capability information to the terminal comprises: determining a first condition; determining third capability information according to the second capability information, wherein the third capability information is used to indicate a support capability of the core network for the terminal to perform the multi-SIM card connection switching under the first condition; and sending the third capability information to the terminal, FIG. 31 shows a method of an error case resulting from a SIM switch. Claim 15. (Original) The method according to claim 11, wherein sending the second capability information to the terminal comprises: determining a target terminal that satisfies a second condition, wherein the second condition comprises at least one of following: a plurality of SIM cards is provided in the terminal, or the terminal supports the multi-SIM card connection switching; and sending the second capability information to the target terminal, figures 10-11 teach registration and paging requests being targeted for SIM2. Claim 16. (Original) A capability indication method, performed by a core network, wherein the method comprises: sending second capability information to a base station, wherein the second capability information is used to indicate a support capability of the core network for a terminal to perform a multi-SIM card connection switching, as shown by the multi SIM switching in figure 16. Claim 17. (Original) The method according to claim 16, wherein the terminal is provided with a plurality of SIM cards, the plurality of SIM cards at least comprises a first SIM card and a second SIM card, and the multi-SIM card connection switching comprises switching to the second SIM card for a communication operation when performing the communication operation through the first SIM card, as shown by the indirect registration of SIM2 in figure 26. Claim 18. (Original) The method according to claim 16, wherein sending the second capability information to the base station comprises: in a process of establishing an interface with the base station, sending the second capability information to the base station, as shown by the multi Sim paging procedure in figure 15. Claim 19. (Original) The method according to claim 18, wherein in a case that the core network comprises an E-UTRAN core network, the second capability information can be carried in an S1 interface setup response (Si SETUP RESPONSE) signaling, as shown by the E-UTRAN and S1-MME interface in figure 19. Claim 20. (Original) The method according to claim 18, wherein in a case that the core network comprises an NR core network, the second capability information is carried in an NG interface setup response (NG SETUP RESPONSE) signaling, as taught by the new radio and 5G interface in paragraph 0057. Claim 21. (Original) The method according to claim 16, wherein sending the second capability information to the base station comprises: after establishing an interface with the base station, sending the second capability information to the core network, as shown by the attach procedure in figure 25. Claim 22. (Original) The method according to claim 21, wherein in a case that the core network comprises an E-UTRAN core network, the second capability information is carried in a core network configuration update (MME CONFIGURATION UPDATE) signaling, as shown by the E-UTRAN and S1-MME interface in figure 19. Claim 23. (Original) The method according to claim 21, wherein in a case that the core network comprises an NR core network, the second capability information is carried in an access mobile management function network configuration update (AMF CONFIGURATION UPDATE) signaling, paragraph 00206 discloses AMF configuration. Claim 24. (Currently Amended) The method according to claim 16 any one of claims 16 to 22, further comprising: receiving first capability information sent by the base station, wherein the first capability information is used to indicate a support capability of the base station for the terminal to perform the multi-SIM card connection switching, as shown by the multi Sim attachment in figure 28. Claim 25. (Original) The method according to claim 24, wherein the first capability information is further used to indicate a support capability of other base station connected to the base station for the terminal to perform the multi-SIM card connection switching, fig 28 discloses RAN1 and RAN2 function in the multi SIM switching. Claim 26. (Original) The method according to claim 25, further comprising: sending the first capability information to the terminal, as shown by the multi Sim attachment in figure 28. Claim 27. (Original) The method according to claim 26, wherein sending the first capability information to the terminal comprises: determining a third condition; determining fourth capability information according to the first capability information, wherein the fourth capability information is used to indicate a support capability of the core network for the terminal to perform the multi-SIM card connection switching under the third condition; sending the fourth capability information to the terminal, FIG. 31 shows a method of an error case resulting from a SIM switch. Claim 28. (Original) The method according to claim 26, wherein sending the first capability information to the terminal comprises: determining a target terminal that meets a second condition, wherein the second condition comprises at least one of following: a plurality of SIM cards is provided in the terminal, or the terminal supports the multi-SIM card connection switching; sending the first capability information to the target terminal, figures 10-11 teach registration and paging requests being targeted for SIM2. Claim 29. (Original) A capability determining method, performed by a terminal, wherein the method comprises: receiving capability information obtained by a first network-side device from a second network-side device; and determining, according to the capability information, a support capability of the second network-side device for the terminal to perform a multi-SIM card connection switching, as shown by the multi SIM switching in figure 16. Claim 30. (Original) The method according to claim 29, wherein the terminal is provided with a plurality of SIM cards, the plurality of SIM cards at least comprises a first SIM card and a second SIM card, and the multi-SIM card connection switching comprises switching to the second SIM card for a communication operation when performing the communication operation through the first SIM card, as shown by the indirect registration of SIM2 in figure 26. Claim 31. (Original) The method according to claim 29, wherein the first network-side device comprises a base station, and the second network-side device comprises a core network, and the method further comprises: determining, according to the capability information, a support capability for the terminal to perform the multi-SIM card connection switching and a target core network that matches a capability of the terminal to perform the multi-SIM card connection switching; and attaching or registering to the target core network, as shown by the multi SIM attach procedures in figures 25 and Claim 32. (Original) The method according to claim 29, wherein the first network-side device comprises a core network, and the second network-side device comprises a base station, and the method further comprises: determining, according to the capability information, a support capability for the terminal to perform the multi-SIM card connection switching and a target base station that matches a capability of the terminal to perform the multi-SIM card connection switching; and camping on or performing a cell reselection to the target base station, as shown by the MME selection in figure 25. Claim 36. (Original) A communication apparatus, comprising: a processor; and a memory for storing a computer program; wherein when the computer program is executed by the processor, the capability indication method according to claim 1 is implemented, as shown in figures 1F ang 1G. Claim 37. (Original) A communication apparatus, comprising: a processor; and a memory for storing a computer program; wherein when the computer program is executed by the processor, the capability indication method according to claim 16 is implemented, as shown in figures 1F ang 1G. Claim 38. (Original) A communication apparatus, comprising: a processor; and a memory for storing a computer program: wherein when the computer program is executed by the processor, the capability determining method according to claim 29 is implemented, as shown in figures 1F ang 1G. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to MATTHEW D ANDERSON whose telephone number is (571)272-4177. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 8a-4p. 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. 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. /MATTHEW D. ANDERSON/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2646
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Prosecution Timeline

Mar 14, 2024
Application Filed
Feb 06, 2026
Non-Final Rejection — §102 (current)

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Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

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Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
47%
Grant Probability
49%
With Interview (+2.2%)
2y 9m
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 15 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allow rate.

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