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 22nd May 2024 and 21st August 2025 in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement is being considered by the examiner.
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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 – 6, 8, 9, 17, 18 and 29 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Yiu (US 2022/0078686 A1).
Claim 1. Yiu shows a communication method (abstract), comprising: determining a target device according to a trigger message from a first node ([0032]: the UE may trigger handover (synchronization to target cell and random access) to the target cell); sending a visit message to the target device ([0100]: the UE may be triggered by the AMF with which the UE is registered by interacting with the NSSF, which may lead to a change of AMF… may communicate with another NSSF in a visited network via an N31 reference point; [0174]: a NAS Signaling Transport function for transporting or rerouting NAS messages between UE and AMF), wherein the visit message is used for instructing the target device to perform a corresponding operation ([0103]: interfaces/reference points may include an N5g-EIR service-based interface exhibited by a 5G-EIR, an N27 reference point between the NRF in the visited network and the NRF in the home network, and an N31 reference point between the NSSF in the visited network and the NSSF in the home network; [0209]: the source device can communicate with the target device of a target cell to reserve one or more resources associated with the target cell for the UE); and sending execution result information of the target device to the first node ([0209]: the source device can send an early handover request to the target cell and receive a handover acknowledgment from the target cell in response to the target cell accepting the handover; [0211]: the transmitting the signal can include transmitting a conditional HO command for a conditional handover of the UE to the target cell, where the conditional HO command can include a condition for the UE exiting the conditional handover).Claim 29. Yiu shows a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium (fig. 12), which is configured to store a computer program (fig. 12: instructions) which, when executed by a processor (fig. 12: processor), causes the processor to perform a communication method, wherein the communication method comprises: determining a target device according to a trigger message from a first node ([0032]: the UE may trigger handover (synchronization to target cell and random access) to the target cell); sending a visit message to the target device ([0100]: the UE may be triggered by the AMF with which the UE is registered by interacting with the NSSF, which may lead to a change of AMF… may communicate with another NSSF in a visited network via an N31 reference point; [0174]: a NAS Signaling Transport function for transporting or rerouting NAS messages between UE and AMF), wherein the visit message is used for instructing the target device to perform a corresponding operation ([0103]: interfaces/reference points may include an N5g-EIR service-based interface exhibited by a 5G-EIR, an N27 reference point between the NRF in the visited network and the NRF in the home network, and an N31 reference point between the NSSF in the visited network and the NSSF in the home network; [0209]: the source device can communicate with the target device of a target cell to reserve one or more resources associated with the target cell for the UE); and sending execution result information of the target device to the first node ([0209]: the source device can send an early handover request to the target cell and receive a handover acknowledgment from the target cell in response to the target cell accepting the handover; [0211]: the transmitting the signal can include transmitting a conditional HO command for a conditional handover of the UE to the target cell, where the conditional HO command can include a condition for the UE exiting the conditional handover).
Claim 2. Yiu shows the method of claim 1, wherein the trigger message comprises at least one of the following information about at least one device: a complete identifier or a partial identifier of the device ([0204]: a received signal from a source cell can be identified); all or part of data stored in the device ([0095]: this information may be stored at the NEF 523 as structured data, or at a data storage NF using standardized interfaces wherein the stored information can then be re-exposed by the NEF 523 to other NFs and AFs, and/or used for other purposes such as analytics); a change instruction for a selected flag or an inventory flag ([0100]: communicate with another NSSF 529 in a visited network via an N31 reference point); a selection message of the device ([0182]: the UDP/IP 952 may provide checksums for data integrity, port numbers for addressing different functions at the source and destination, and encryption and authentication on the selected data flows); capability information of the device ([0184]: a logical instantiation of the CN 420 may be referred to as a network slice 1001, and individual logical instantiations of the CN 420 may provide specific network capabilities and network characteristics); auxiliary information of the device (n/a); an operation type ([0135]: the battery parameters may be used to determine actions that the platform may perform, such as transmission frequency, network operation, sensing frequency, and the like); operation content ([0135]: the battery parameters may be used to determine actions that the platform may perform, such as transmission frequency, network operation, sensing frequency, and the like); a password (n/a); an operation message ([0135]: the battery parameters may be used to determine actions that the platform may perform, such as transmission frequency, network operation, sensing frequency, and the like); a connection request ([0093]: upon request from an application server, the 5GC may trigger a specific application in the UE); resource information for transmitting data ([0188]: slice awareness in the NG-RAN is introduced at the PDU session level by indicating the S-NSSAI corresponding to a PDU session in all signaling that includes PDU session resource information); connection information ([0169]: RRC connection paging, RRC connection establishment, RRC connection modification, and RRC connection release); or bearer information ([0080]: the S3 reference point between the MMEs 421 and the SGSN 425 may enable user and bearer information exchange for inter-3GPP access network mobility in idle and/or active states).
Claim 3. Yiu shows the method of claim 1, after determining the target device according to the trigger message from the first node, further comprising: sending information about the target device to the first node ([0209]: the source device can send an early handover request to the target cell and receive a handover acknowledgment from the target cell in response to the target cell accepting the handover); wherein the information about the target device comprises at least one of: a complete identifier or a partial identifier of the target device ([0204]: a received signal from a source cell can be identified); all or part of data stored in the target device ([0095]: this information may be stored at the NEF 523 as structured data, or at a data storage NF using standardized interfaces wherein the stored information can then be re-exposed by the NEF 523 to other NFs and AFs, and/or used for other purposes such as analytics); a random code corresponding to the target device ([0206]: if the UE does not exit the conditional handover, the UE can perform synchronization and random access operations with a target device of the target cell in response to a measurement on the target cell satisfying a second measurement threshold); an instruction of an access result of the target device ([0032]: when the HO execution threshold condition is met, the UE may trigger handover (synchronization to target cell and random access) to the target cell); capability information of the target device ([0184]: a logical instantiation of the CN 420 may be referred to as a network slice 1001, and individual logical instantiations of the CN 420 may provide specific network capabilities and network characteristics); auxiliary information of the target device (n/a); a feedback message of the target device ([0133]: channel quality feedback); a connection request for the target device ([0093]: upon request from an application server, the 5GC may trigger a specific application in the UE); or resource information for transmitting data ([0188]: slice awareness in the NG-RAN is introduced at the PDU session level by indicating the S-NSSAI corresponding to a PDU session in all signaling that includes PDU session resource information).
Claim 4. Yiu shows the method of claim 1, before sending the visit message to the target device, further comprising: receiving a visit instruction message from the first node ([0097]: the PCF 526 may communicate with the AMF 521 via an N15 reference point between the PCF 526 and the AMF 521, which may include a PCF 526 in a visited network and the AMF 521 in case of roaming scenarios), wherein the visit instruction message is used for instructing an operation performed on the target device ([0097]: the system 500 and/or CN 520 may also include an N24 reference point between the PCF 526 (in the home network) and a PCF 526 in a visited network); wherein the visit instruction message comprises at least one of the following information about the target device: a complete identifier or a partial identifier of the target device ([0204]: a received signal from a source cell can be identified); a random code corresponding to the target device ([0206]: if the UE does not exit the conditional handover, the UE can perform synchronization and random access operations with a target device of the target cell in response to a measurement on the target cell satisfying a second measurement threshold); an operation type ([0135]: the battery parameters may be used to determine actions that the platform may perform, such as transmission frequency, network operation, sensing frequency, and the like); operation content ([0135]: the battery parameters may be used to determine actions that the platform may perform, such as transmission frequency, network operation, sensing frequency, and the like); a password (n/a); an operation message ([0135]: the battery parameters may be used to determine actions that the platform may perform, such as transmission frequency, network operation, sensing frequency, and the like); a connection request for the target device ([0093]: upon request from an application server, the 5GC may trigger a specific application in the UE); resource information for transmitting data ([0188]: slice awareness in the NG-RAN is introduced at the PDU session level by indicating the S-NSSAI corresponding to a PDU session in all signaling that includes PDU session resource information); capability information of the target device ([0184]: a logical instantiation of the CN 420 may be referred to as a network slice 1001, and individual logical instantiations of the CN 420 may provide specific network capabilities and network characteristics); auxiliary information of the target device (n/a); connection information of the target device ([0169]: RRC connection paging, RRC connection establishment, RRC connection modification, and RRC connection release); or bearer information of the target device ([0080]: the S3 reference point between the MMEs 421 and the SGSN 425 may enable user and bearer information exchange for inter-3GPP access network mobility in idle and/or active states).
Claim 5. Yiu shows the method of claim 1, wherein the execution result information comprises at least one of: a complete identifier or a partial identifier of the target device ([0204]: a received signal from a source cell can be identified); all or part of data stored in the target device ([0095]: this information may be stored at the NEF 523 as structured data, or at a data storage NF using standardized interfaces wherein the stored information can then be re-exposed by the NEF 523 to other NFs and AFs, and/or used for other purposes such as analytics); a random code corresponding to the target device ([0206]: if the UE does not exit the conditional handover, the UE can perform synchronization and random access operations with a target device of the target cell in response to a measurement on the target cell satisfying a second measurement threshold); an instruction of an access result of the target device ([0032]: when the HO execution threshold condition is met, the UE may trigger handover (synchronization to target cell and random access) to the target cell); auxiliary information of the target device (n/a); a feedback message of the target device ([0133]: channel quality feedback); an operation type ([0135]: the battery parameters may be used to determine actions that the platform may perform, such as transmission frequency, network operation, sensing frequency, and the like); an execution result ([0210]: determining the conditional HO command can also include determining or generating a signal that includes and/or is based on the conditional HO command that includes the HO execution threshold); read content ([0098]: the Nudr service-based interface may be exhibited by the UDR 221 to allow the UDM 527, PCF 526, and NEF 523 to access a particular set of the stored data, as well as to read, update (e.g. add, modify), delete, and subscribe to notification of relevant data changes in the UDR); a connection request for the target device ([0093]: upon request from an application server, the 5GC may trigger a specific application in the UE); resource information for transmitting data ([0188]: slice awareness in the NG-RAN is introduced at the PDU session level by indicating the S-NSSAI corresponding to a PDU session in all signaling that includes PDU session resource information); or an application layer data packet ([0073]: the SCTP may be on top of an IP layer, and may provide the guaranteed delivery of application layer messages).
Claim 6. Yiu shows the method of claim 1, wherein the target device is in one of the following states: an idle state in which the target device does not support a data transmission ([0133]: if there is no data traffic activity for an extended period of time, then the platform 700 may transition off to an RRC_Idle state, where it disconnects from the network and does not perform operations such as channel quality feedback, handover, etc.); an access state in which the target device supports an access operation and does not support a visit operation ([0191]: admission or rejection of access to a slice may depend on factors such as support for the slice, availability of resources, support of the requested service by NG-RAN); a connected state in which the target device supports a visit operation ([0097]: the PCF 526 may communicate with the AMF 521 via an N15 reference point between the PCF 526 and the AMF 521, which may include a PCF 526 in a visited network and the AMF 521 in case of roaming scenarios); an inactive state in which the target device does not operate ([0133]: where it is still connected to the RAN node as it expects to receive traffic shortly, then it may enter a state known as Discontinuous Reception Mode (DRX) after a period of inactivity); or a silent state in which the target device enters a power saving mode ([0133]: if the platform 700 is in an RRC_Connected state, where it is still connected to the RAN node as it expects to receive traffic shortly, then it may enter a state known as Discontinuous Reception Mode (DRX) after a period of inactivity wherein during this state, the platform 700 may power down for brief intervals of time and thus save power).
Claim 8. Yiu shows the method of claim 1, before sending the visit message to the target device, further comprising: sending a request message to the target device ([0165] – [0167]: process requests from and provide indications to an instance of PDCP; [0209]: the source device can send an early handover request to the target cell and receive a handover acknowledgment from the target cell in response to the target cell accepting the handover), wherein the request message is used for instructing the target device to generate a random number ([0206]: if the UE does not exit the conditional handover, the UE can perform synchronization and random access operations with a target device of the target cell in response to a measurement on the target cell satisfying a second measurement threshold); and receiving the random number returned by the target device (see above).
Claim 9. Yiu shows the method of claim 1, wherein the visit message comprises instruction information of at least one of a read operation ([0098]: the Nudr service-based interface may be exhibited by the UDR 221 to allow the UDM 527, PCF 526, and NEF 523 to access a particular set of the stored data, as well as to read, update (e.g. add, modify), delete, and subscribe to notification of relevant data changes in the UDR); a write operation ([0098]: the Nudr service-based interface may be exhibited by the UDR 221 to allow the UDM 527, PCF 526, and NEF 523 to access a particular set of the stored data, as well as to read, update (e.g. add, modify), delete, and subscribe to notification of relevant data changes in the UDR); an inactivation operation ([0133]: then it may enter a state known as Discontinuous Reception Mode (DRX) after a period of inactivity); a lock operation ([0156]: a delay-locked loop (DLL)); a visit operation ([0097]: the system 500 and/or CN 520 may also include an N24 reference point between the PCF 526 (in the home network) and a PCF 526 in a visited network); a block write operation (n/a); or a block erase operation (n/a).
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Claim 17. Yiu shows a communication method (abstract), comprising: receiving a visit message from a second node ([0097]: the PCF 526 may communicate with the AMF 521 via an N15 reference point between the PCF 526 and the AMF 521, which may include a PCF 526 in a visited network and the AMF 521 in case of roaming scenarios… the system 500 and/or CN 520 may also include an N24 reference point between the PCF 526 (in the home network) and a PCF 526 in a visited network), and performing a corresponding operation according to the visit message ([0100]: the selection of a set of network slice instances for the UE 501 may be triggered by the AMF 521 with which the UE 501 is registered by interacting with the NSSF 529, which may lead to a change of AMF 521; [0103]: interfaces/reference points may include an N5g-EIR service-based interface exhibited by a 5G-EIR, an N27 reference point between the NRF in the visited network and the NRF in the home network, and an N31 reference point between the NSSF in the visited network and the NSSF in the home network; [0209]: the source device can communicate with the target device of a target cell to reserve one or more resources associated with the target cell for the UE); and sending execution result information to the second node ([0209]: the source device can send an early handover request to the target cell and receive a handover acknowledgment from the target cell in response to the target cell accepting the handover; [0211]: the transmitting the signal can include transmitting a conditional HO command for a conditional handover of the UE to the target cell, where the conditional HO command can include a condition for the UE exiting the conditional handover).
Claim 18. Yiu shows the method of claim 17, wherein a target device is in one of the following states: an idle state in which the target device does not support a data transmission ([0133]: the platform may transition off to an RRC_Idle state, where it disconnects from the network and does not perform operations such as channel quality feedback, handover, etc.); an access state in which the target device supports an access operation and does not support a visit operation (n/a); a connected state in which the target device supports a visit operation ([0100]: the NSSF 529 may interact with the AMF 521 via an N22 reference point between AMF 521 and NSSF 529, and may communicate with another NSSF 529 in a visited network via an N31 reference point); an inactive state in which the target device does not operate ([0133]: if the platform is in an RRC_Connected state, where it is still connected to the RAN node as it expects to receive traffic shortly, then it may enter a state known as Discontinuous Reception Mode (DRX) after a period of inactivity); or a silent state in which the target device enters a power saving mode ([0133]: an additional power saving mode may allow a device to be unavailable to the network for periods longer than a paging interval).
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Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 7, 10, 11, 12, 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23 are objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
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Conclusion
The prior art made of record is considered pertinent to applicant’s disclosure.
1. Al, US 10,827,458 B2: a paging method, an Mobile Management Entity (MME) and a terminal, which relate to the field of communication technology, to reduce signaling overheard of the terminal and prevent the transmission of downlink data from being delayed.
2. Li et al, US 2019/0191339 A1: a method of policy control, of user equipment (UE) having a first data network (DN) connection that uses a first forwarding plane network element as an anchor, and the method comprising: updating, by a second forwarding plane network element, a forwarding path of the first DN connection, so that an updated forwarding path of the first DN connection passes through the second forwarding plane network element; and performing, by the second forwarding plane network element, policy control on a packet on the first DN connection existing after the forwarding path is updated.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Xavier Szewai Wong whose telephone number is 571.270.1780. The examiner can normally be reached on 11:30 am - 8:30 pm Mon to Fri.
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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.
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/XAVIER S WONG/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2415 26th May 2026
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