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 .
Claim Interpretation
Observation 1: applicant introduces in claims 7-8 this term “wherein the response is indicative of whether the service request is complete or partially complete”. Examiner is required to choose only one of the two options. Furthermore, applicant has introduced in claim 9 one option only. Examiner as provided below a prior art rejection to these claims.
Observation 2: Applicant has used one of the NPLs introduced in the IDS “3GPPTS 23.501 V17.3.0 “ in the specification of the instant application under the section background in the specification of the instant application. Examiner has used applicant admitted prior art based on the background section.
Double Patenting
The nonstatutory double patenting rejection is based on a judicially created doctrine grounded in public policy (a policy reflected in the statute) so as to prevent the unjustified or improper timewise extension of the “right to exclude” granted by a patent and to prevent possible harassment by multiple assignees. A nonstatutory double patenting rejection is appropriate where the conflicting claims are not identical, but at least one examined application claim is not patentably distinct from the reference claim(s) because the examined application claim is either anticipated by, or would have been obvious over, the reference claim(s). See, e.g., In re Berg, 140 F.3d 1428, 46 USPQ2d 1226 (Fed. Cir. 1998); In re Goodman, 11 F.3d 1046, 29 USPQ2d 2010 (Fed. Cir. 1993); In re Longi, 759 F.2d 887, 225 USPQ 645 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re Van Ornum, 686 F.2d 937, 214 USPQ 761 (CCPA 1982); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); In re Thorington, 418 F.2d 528, 163 USPQ 644 (CCPA 1969).
A timely filed terminal disclaimer in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(c) or 1.321(d) may be used to overcome an actual or provisional rejection based on nonstatutory double patenting provided the reference application or patent either is shown to be commonly owned with the examined application, or claims an invention made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement. See MPEP § 717.02 for applications subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA as explained in MPEP § 2159. See MPEP §§ 706.02(l)(1) - 706.02(l)(3) for applications not subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . A terminal disclaimer must be signed in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(b).
The USPTO Internet website contains terminal disclaimer forms which may be used. Please visit www.uspto.gov/patent/patents-forms. The filing date of the application in which the form is filed determines what form (e.g., PTO/SB/25, PTO/SB/26, PTO/AIA /25, or PTO/AIA /26) should be used. A web-based eTerminal Disclaimer may be filled out completely online using web-screens. An eTerminal Disclaimer that meets all requirements is auto-processed and approved immediately upon submission. For more information about eTerminal Disclaimers, refer to www.uspto.gov/patents/process/file/efs/guidance/eTD-info-I.jsp.
Application 18840819 and US Patent 12069126
Claim 1 is non provisionally (Obviousness) rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claim 1 of US Patent 12069126.
Limitation “A method for handling a service request in a network, wherein the method is performed by a first network function (NF) node of a service consumer, the method comprising:
initiating transmission of a service request towards a first service communication proxy (SCP) node that is configured to operate as an SCP between the first NF node and a plurality of second NF nodes of one or more service producers, wherein the service request is for a service requested by the first NF node, and the service request comprises an indication that the service request is to be transmitted to one or more second NF nodes of the plurality of second NF nodes ” of claim 1 of the instant application and limitations “A method for handling a service request in a network, wherein the method is performed by a first service communication proxy, SCP, node that is configured to operate as an SCP between a first network function, NF, node of a service consumer and a second NF node of a service producer in the network, the method comprising: initiating transmission of information towards the first NF node if no response is received from the second NF node to a first request transmitted towards the second NF node via the first SCP node, wherein the first request is for the second NF node to execute a service requested by the first NF node and the information is indicative that no response is received from the second NF node to the first request” of claim 1 in the US Patent 12069126 have a similar subject matter.
Limitation “for the service request to be applied to all wireless devices served by the plurality of second NF nodes.” of claim 1 of the instant application which is not explicitly stated in claim 1 in the US Patent 12069126. It would have been obvious to a person skilled in the art, before the effective filing date of the invention, to modify claim 1 in the US Patent 12069126 in view of (“Ozturk”, US 20240334323 A1) in order to have for the service request to be applied to all wireless devices served by the plurality of second NF nodes ([0021-0031] the one or more service producer entities comprise at least one of: one or more network functions, which are configured to produce a service in or for the service-based access network, one or more microservices, which are configured to produce a service in or for the service-based access network, one or more communication control entity units, which are configured to produce a service for one or more cells, such as one or more distributed units of a base station entity, and one or more cells, which are configured to produce a service for one or more user equipment entities, such as a base transceiver or radio entity, and/or one or more sectors of at least one cell and/or one or more beams of at least one cell) because it will help provide energy saving on multiple network devices from base stations to network nodes through certain notification managed by the producers’ entities (Ozturk [0003-0012]).
Claim 2 is non provisionally (Obviousness) rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claim 2 of US Patent 12069126.
Limitation “the service request comprises a first hypertext transfer protocol, HTTP, header and the first HTTP header comprises the indication.” of claim 2 of the instant application and limitations “the information is a newly created hypertext transfer protocol, HTTP, status code or the information is accompanied by an existing HTTP status code.” of claim 2 in the US Patent 12069126 have a similar subject matter.
Claim 3 is non provisionally (Obviousness) rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claim 1 of US Patent 12069126.
Limitation “the service request comprises a criterion on the basis of which the one or more second NF nodes are to be selected by the first SCP node.” of claim 3 of the instant application which is not explicitly stated in claim 1 in the US Patent 12069126. It would have been obvious to a person skilled in the art, before the effective filing date of the invention, to modify claim 1 in the US Patent 12069126 in view of Applicant Admitted Prior Art (“3GPPP TS 23.501 V17.3.0”, AAPR) to select certain second NF nodes by the first SCP node ([0004] NF node of the service consumer can query the NRF node to discover suitable NF nodes of the service producer to which to send the service request. In response to such a query, the NF node of the service consumer can receive an NF profile for one or more NF nodes of the service producer and, based on the received NF profile(s) can select an NF node of the service producer to which to send the service request.) because it would help the proxy node select the nodes based on grouping or services types delivering different services with different profiles (AAPR [0004] NF node of the service consumer can query the NRF node to discover suitable NF nodes of the service producer to which to send the service request. In response to such a query, the NF node of the service consumer can receive an NF profile for one or more NF nodes of the service producer and, based on the received NF profile(s) can select an NF node of the service producer to which to send the service request.).
Claim 4 is non provisionally (Obviousness) rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claim 1 of US Patent 12069126.
Limitation “the criterion is that the one or more second NF nodes are to comprise: a second NF node that has a predefined group identifier or at least two second NF nodes that have different group identifiers; a second NF node that has a predefined set identifier or at least two second NF nodes that have different set identifiers; and/or a second NF node that has a predefined service set identifier or at least two second NF nodes that have different service set identifiers” of claim 4 of the instant application which is not explicitly stated in claim 1 in the US Patent 12069126. It would have been obvious to a person skilled in the art, before the effective filing date of the invention, to modify claim 1 in the US Patent 12069126 in view of Applicant Admitted Prior Art (“3GPPP TS 23.501 V17.3.0”, AAPR) to have a certain selection second NF nodes by the first SCP node based on specific condition ([0004] NF node of the service consumer can query the NRF node to discover suitable NF nodes of the service producer to which to send the service request. In response to such a query, the NF node of the service consumer can receive an NF profile for one or more NF nodes of the service producer and, based on the received NF profile(s) can select an NF node of the service producer to which to send the service request.) ([0002-0009] discovery with selection parameter, address, location, capacity, based on service based interface); because it would help the proxy node select the nodes based on grouping or services types delivering different services with different profiles (AAPR [0004] NF node of the service consumer can query the NRF node to discover suitable NF nodes of the service producer to which to send the service request. In response to such a query, the NF node of the service consumer can receive an NF profile for one or more NF nodes of the service producer and, based on the received NF profile(s) can select an NF node of the service producer to which to send the service request.) (AAPR [0002-0009] discovery with selection parameter, address, location, capacity, based on service based interface).
Claim 5 is non provisionally (Obviousness) rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claim 1 of US Patent 12069126.
Limitation “the criterion is that the one or more second NF nodes are to comprise: a second NF node that has a predefined group identifier or at least two second NF nodes that have different group identifiers; a second NF node that has a predefined set identifier or at least two second NF nodes that have different set identifiers; and/or a second NF node that has a predefined service set identifier or at least two second NF nodes that have different service set identifiers” of claim 5 of the instant application which is not explicitly stated in claim 1 in the US Patent 12069126. It would have been obvious to a person skilled in the art, before the effective filing date of the invention, to modify claim 1 in the US Patent 12069126 in view of Applicant Admitted Prior Art (“3GPPP TS 23.501 V17.3.0”, AAPR) to have a certain selection of all second NF nodes by the first SCP node based on specific condition ([0004] NF node of the service consumer can query the NRF node to discover suitable NF nodes of the service producer to which to send the service request. In response to such a query, the NF node of the service consumer can receive an NF profile for one or more NF nodes of the service producer and, based on the received NF profile(s) can select an NF node of the service producer to which to send the service request.) ([0002-0009] discovery with selection parameter, address, location, capacity, based on service based interface); because it would help the proxy node select the nodes based on grouping or services types delivering different services with different profiles (AAPR [0004] NF node of the service consumer can query the NRF node to discover suitable NF nodes of the service producer to which to send the service request. In response to such a query, the NF node of the service consumer can receive an NF profile for one or more NF nodes of the service producer and, based on the received NF profile(s) can select an NF node of the service producer to which to send the service request.) (AAPR [0002-0009] discovery with selection parameter, address, location, capacity, based on service based interface);.
Claim 6 is non provisionally (Obviousness) rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claim 2 of US Patent 12069126.
Limitation “the service request comprises a second hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) header and the second HTTP header comprises the criterion.” of claim 6 of the instant application and limitations “the information is a newly created hypertext transfer protocol, HTTP, status code or the information is accompanied by an existing HTTP status code.” of claim 2 in the US Patent 12069126 have a similar subject matter.
Claim 7 is non provisionally (Obviousness) rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claim 1 of US Patent 12069126.
Limitation “receiving a response to the service request from the first SCP node, wherein the response is indicative of whether the service request is complete or partially complete.” of claim 7 of the instant application which is not explicitly stated in claim 1 in the US Patent 12069126. It would have been obvious to a person skilled in the art, before the effective filing date of the invention, to modify claim 1 in the US Patent 12069126 in view of (“US 20220060547 A1”, Krishan) to in order to receive a response whether it has been completed fully or partially ([0087-0094] Fig. 8, SCP forward responses coming from producers to the NF consumer, whether it is completed to unhealthy ) because it will help manage and optimize Network function discovery and routing using NRF and SCP (Krishan [0008-0010]).
Claim 8 is non provisionally (Obviousness) rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claim 1 of US Patent 12069126.
Limitation “the response is indicative that the service request is complete when every second NF node, towards which transmission of the service request is initiated, has successfully executed the service request; and/or the response is indicative that the service request is partially complete when not every second NF node, towards which transmission of the service request is initiated, has successfully executed the service request” of claim 8 of the instant application which is not explicitly stated in claim 1 in the US Patent 12069126. It would have been obvious to a person skilled in the art, before the effective filing date of the invention, to modify claim 1 in the US Patent 12069126 in view of (“US 20220060547 A1”, Krishan) to in order to receive a response whether it has been completed fully or partially ([0087-0094] Fig. 8, SCP forward responses coming from producers to the NF consumer, whether it is completed to unhealthy ) because it will help manage and optimize Network function discovery and routing using NRF and SCP (Krishan [0008-0010]).
Claim 9 is non provisionally (Obviousness) rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claim 1 of US Patent 12069126.
Limitation “the response is indicative that the service request is partially complete, and the response comprises an indication of which one or more second NF nodes, towards which transmission of the service request is initiated, have not successfully executed the service request.” of claim 9 of the instant application which is not explicitly stated in claim 1 in the US Patent 12069126. It would have been obvious to a person skilled in the art, before the effective filing date of the invention, to modify claim 1 in the US Patent 12069126 in view of (“US 20220060547 A1”, Krishan) to in order to receive a response whether it has been completed fully or partially ([0087-0094] Fig. 8, SCP forward responses coming from producers to the NF consumer, whether it is completed to unhealthy ) because it will help manage and optimize Network function discovery and routing using NRF and SCP (Krishan [0008-0010]).
Claim 10 is non provisionally (Obviousness) rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claim 1 of US Patent 12069126.
Limitation “the wireless devices are in a single public land mobile network (PLMN) or a plurality of PLMNs.” of claim 10 of the instant application which is not explicitly stated in claim 1 in the US Patent 12069126. It would have been obvious to a person skilled in the art, before the effective filing date of the invention, to modify claim 1 in the US Patent 12069126 in view of (”US 20220256439 A1”, Casati) to in order to have all wireless devices in one PLMN network ([0008, 0013, 0018] The requested NSSAI comprises one or more single-NSSAIs (S-NSSAIs) subject to a capping number of UEs allowed to access one or more network slices associated with the one or more S-NSSAIs. Each of the one or more S-NSSAIs is supported by a single access and mobility function (AMF) or AMF set in a single public land mobile network (PLMN)) because it will help manage the network slicing and manage certain number of UEs not to exceed the predefined limits of the wireless devices within each slice (Casati [0002]).
Claim 11 is non provisionally (Obviousness) rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claim 1 of US Patent 12069126.
Limitation “the service is a service that provides a notification to the first NF node of a change to an international mobile equipment identity (IMEI) or a permanent equipment identifier (PEI) for any of the wireless devices; or the service is a service that provides a notification to the first NF node of any of the wireless devices moving to a different public land mobile network (PLMN).” of claim 11 of the instant application which is not explicitly stated in claim 1 in the US Patent 12069126. It would have been obvious to a person skilled in the art, before the effective filing date of the invention, to modify claim 1 in the US Patent 12069126 in view of (”US 20220256439 A1”, Casati) to in order to notify network nodes when one wireless device is moving between different PLMN networks ([0054] In roaming cases, the NSSF of the visited Public Land Mobile Network (VPLMN) can be configured per S-NSSAI of home Public Land Mobile Network (HPLMN) to report to the HPLMN NSSF when a user joins or leaves the S-NSSAI)([0077] . In such roaming cases, the NSSF of a visited Public Land Mobile Network (VPLMN) can be configured per S-NSSAI of home Public Land Mobile Network (HPLMN) to report to the HPLMN NSSF when a user equipment joins or leaves the S-NSSAI) because it will help manage the network slicing and manage certain number of UEs not to exceed the predefined limits of the wireless devices within each slice (Casati [0002]).
Claim 12 is non provisionally (Obviousness) rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claim 1 of US Patent 12069126.
Limitation “A method for handling a service request in a network, wherein the method is performed by a first service communication proxy (SCP) node that is configured to operate as an SCP between a first network function (NF) node of a service consumer and a plurality of second NF nodes of one or more service producers, the method comprising: selecting one or more second NF nodes of the plurality of second NF nodes to which to transmit a service request received from the first NF node, wherein the service request is for a service requested by the first NF node, and the service request comprises an indication that the service request is to be transmitted to one or more second NF nodes of the plurality of second NF nodes” of claim 12 of the instant application and limitations “A method for handling a service request in a network, wherein the method is performed by a first service communication proxy, SCP, node that is configured to operate as an SCP between a first network function, NF, node of a service consumer and a second NF node of a service producer in the network, the method comprising: initiating transmission of information towards the first NF node if no response is received from the second NF node to a first request transmitted towards the second NF node via the first SCP node, wherein the first request is for the second NF node to execute a service requested by the first NF node and the information is indicative that no response is received from the second NF node to the first request” of claim 1 in the US Patent 12069126 have a similar subject matter.
Limitation “for the service request to be applied to all wireless devices served by the plurality of second NF nodes.” of claim 1 of the instant application which is not explicitly stated in claim 12 in the US Patent 12069126. It would have been obvious to a person skilled in the art, before the effective filing date of the invention, to modify claim 1 in the US Patent 12069126 in view of (“Ozturk”, US 20240334323 A1) in order to have for the service request to be applied to all wireless devices served by the plurality of second NF nodes ([0021-0031] the one or more service producer entities comprise at least one of: one or more network functions, which are configured to produce a service in or for the service-based access network, one or more microservices, which are configured to produce a service in or for the service-based access network, one or more communication control entity units, which are configured to produce a service for one or more cells, such as one or more distributed units of a base station entity, and one or more cells, which are configured to produce a service for one or more user equipment entities, such as a base transceiver or radio entity, and/or one or more sectors of at least one cell and/or one or more beams of at least one cell) because it will help provide energy saving on multiple network devices from base stations to network nodes through certain notification managed by the producers’ entities (Ozturk [0003-0012]).
Claim 14 is non provisionally (Obviousness) rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claim 1 of US Patent 12069126.
Limitation “the service request comprises a criterion on the basis of which the one or more second NF nodes are to be selected by the first SCP node; and selecting the one or more second NF nodes comprises selecting the one or more second NF nodes based on the criterion.” of claim 14 of the instant application which is not explicitly stated in claim 1 in the US Patent 12069126. It would have been obvious to a person skilled in the art, before the effective filing date of the invention, to modify claim 1 in the US Patent 12069126 in view of Applicant Admitted Prior Art (“3GPPP TS 23.501 V17.3.0”, AAPR) to select certain second NF nodes by the first SCP node ([0004] NF node of the service consumer can query the NRF node to discover suitable NF nodes of the service producer to which to send the service request. In response to such a query, the NF node of the service consumer can receive an NF profile for one or more NF nodes of the service producer and, based on the received NF profile(s) can select an NF node of the service producer to which to send the service request.) because it would help the proxy node select the nodes based on grouping or services types delivering different services with different profiles (AAPR [0004] NF node of the service consumer can query the NRF node to discover suitable NF nodes of the service producer to which to send the service request. In response to such a query, the NF node of the service consumer can receive an NF profile for one or more NF nodes of the service producer and, based on the received NF profile(s) can select an NF node of the service producer to which to send the service request.).
Claim 15 is non provisionally (Obviousness) rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claim 1 of Patent US 12069126.
Limitation “the criterion is that the one or more second NF nodes are to comprise a second NF node that has a predefined group identifier and selecting the one or more second NF nodes comprises selecting a second NF node that has the predefined group identifier, or the criterion is that the one or more second NF nodes are to comprise at least two second NF nodes that have different group identifiers and selecting the one or more second NF nodes comprises selecting at least two second NF nodes that have different group identifiers; the criterion is that the one or more second NF nodes are to comprise a second NF node that has a predefined set identifier and selecting the one or more second NF nodes comprises selecting a second NF node that has the predefined set identifier, or the criterion is that the one or more second NF nodes are to comprise at least two second NF nodes that have different set identifiers and selecting the one or more second NF nodes comprises selecting at least two second NF nodes that have different set identifiers; and/or the criterion is that the one or more second NF nodes are to comprise a second NF node that has a predefined service set identifier and selecting the one or more second NF nodes comprises selecting a second NF node that has the predefined service set identifier, or the criterion is that the one or more second NF nodes are to comprise at least two second NF nodes that have different service set identifiers and selecting the one or more second NF nodes comprises selecting at least two second NF nodes that have different service set identifiers” of claim 15 of the instant application which is not explicitly stated in claim 1 in the US Patent 12069126. It would have been obvious to a person skilled in the art, before the effective filing date of the invention, to modify claim 1 in the US Patent 12069126 in view of Applicant Admitted Prior Art (“3GPPP TS 23.501 V17.3.0”, AAPR) to have a certain selection second NF nodes by the first SCP node based on specific condition ([0004] NF node of the service consumer can query the NRF node to discover suitable NF nodes of the service producer to which to send the service request. In response to such a query, the NF node of the service consumer can receive an NF profile for one or more NF nodes of the service producer and, based on the received NF profile(s) can select an NF node of the service producer to which to send the service request.) ([0002-0009] discovery with selection parameter, address, location, capacity, based on service based interface); because it would help the proxy node select the nodes based on grouping or services types delivering different services with different profiles (AAPR [0004] NF node of the service consumer can query the NRF node to discover suitable NF nodes of the service producer to which to send the service request. In response to such a query, the NF node of the service consumer can receive an NF profile for one or more NF nodes of the service producer and, based on the received NF profile(s) can select an NF node of the service producer to which to send the service request.) (AAPR [0002-0009] discovery with selection parameter, address, location, capacity, based on service based interface);.
Claim 16 is non provisionally (Obviousness) rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claim 1 of US Patent 12069126.
Limitation “the criterion is that the one or more second NF nodes are to comprise all second NF nodes of the plurality of second NF nodes; and selecting the one or more second NF nodes comprises selecting all second NF nodes of the plurality of second NF nodes” of claim 16 of the instant application which is not explicitly stated in claim 1 in the US Patent 12069126. It would have been obvious to a person skilled in the art, before the effective filing date of the invention, to modify claim 1 in the US Patent 12069126 in view of Applicant Admitted Prior Art (“3GPPP TS 23.501 V17.3.0”, AAPR) to have a certain selection of all second NF nodes by the first SCP node based on specific condition ([0004] NF node of the service consumer can query the NRF node to discover suitable NF nodes of the service producer to which to send the service request. In response to such a query, the NF node of the service consumer can receive an NF profile for one or more NF nodes of the service producer and, based on the received NF profile(s) can select an NF node of the service producer to which to send the service request.) ([0002-0009] discovery with selection parameter, address, location, capacity, based on service based interface); because it would help the proxy node select the nodes based on grouping or services types delivering different services with different profiles (AAPR [0004] NF node of the service consumer can query the NRF node to discover suitable NF nodes of the service producer to which to send the service request. In response to such a query, the NF node of the service consumer can receive an NF profile for one or more NF nodes of the service producer and, based on the received NF profile(s) can select an NF node of the service producer to which to send the service request.) (AAPR [0002-0009] discovery with selection parameter, address, location, capacity, based on service based interface);.
Claim 17 is non provisionally (Obviousness) rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claim 2 of US Patent 12069126.
Limitation “the service request comprises a second hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) header and the second HTTP header comprises the criterion.” of claim 17 of the instant application and limitations “the information is a newly created hypertext transfer protocol, HTTP, status code or the information is accompanied by an existing HTTP status code.” of claim 2 in the US Patent 12069126 have a similar subject matter.
Claim 27: claim 27 is rejected with the same double patenting reasoning as claim 1 of the instant application.
Claim 29: claim 29 is rejected with the same double patenting reasoning as claim 12 of the instant application.
Claim 32: claim 32 is rejected with the same double patenting reasoning as claim 1 of the instant application.
Claim 34: claim 34 is rejected with the same double patenting reasoning as claim 12 of the instant application.
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.
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.
Claims 1-6, 12, 14-17, 27, 29, 32, 34 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being un-patentable by Applicant Admitted Prior Art (“3GPPP TS 23.501 V17.3.0”, AAPR) hereinafter AAPR, in view of Ozturk et al. (“Ozturk”, US 20240334323 A1) hereinafter Ozturk.
Regarding claim 1, AAPR teaches a method for handling a service request in a network, wherein the method is performed by a first network function (NF) node of a service consumer ([0002-0009] Figs. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, consumer node in all figures 1A-1D), the method comprising:
initiating transmission of a service request towards a first service communication proxy (SCP) ([0002-0009] Figs. 1C, 1D, consumer node in all figures 1A-1D, SCP in figures 1C, 1D) node that is configured to operate as an SCP between the first NF node and a plurality of second NF nodes of one or more service producers ([0002-0009] the NRF node is not used and instead the NF node of the service consumer may be configured with the NF profile(s) of the NF node(s) of the service producer, a service request is sent indirectly from the NF node of the service consumer to the NF node of the service producer via a service communication proxy (SCP) node), wherein
the service request is for a service requested by the first NF node ([0002-0009] the NRF node is not used and instead the NF node of the service consumer may be configured with the NF profile(s) of the NF node(s) of the service producer, a service request is sent indirectly from the NF node of the service consumer to the NF node of the service producer via a service communication proxy (SCP) node), and
the service request comprises an indication that the service request is to be transmitted to one or more second NF nodes of the plurality of second NF nodes ([0002-0009] the NRF node is not used and instead the NF node of the service consumer may be configured with the NF profile(s) of the NF node(s) of the service producer, a service request is sent indirectly from the NF node of the service consumer to the NF node of the service producer via a service communication proxy (SCP) node),
AAPR does not explicitly teach, but Rajput teaches
for the service request to be applied to all wireless devices served by the plurality of second NF nodes ([0021-0031] the one or more service producer entities comprise at least one of: one or more network functions, which are configured to produce a service in or for the service-based access network, one or more microservices, which are configured to produce a service in or for the service-based access network, one or more communication control entity units, which are configured to produce a service for one or more cells, such as one or more distributed units of a base station entity, and one or more cells, which are configured to produce a service for one or more user equipment entities, such as a base transceiver or radio entity, and/or one or more sectors of at least one cell and/or one or more beams of at least one cell).
It would have been obvious to a person skilled in the art, before the effective filing date of the invention, to modify AAPR in view of Ozturk in order to have apply a service request coming from consumer to multiple producers based on certain discovery procedure because it will help provide energy saving on multiple network devices from base stations to network nodes through certain notification managed by the producers’ entities (Ozturk [0003-0012]).
Regarding claim 2, AAPR and Ozturk teach the method of claim 1, wherein:
AARP does not explicitly teach, but Ozturk teaches
the service request comprises a first hypertext transfer protocol, HTTP, header and the first HTTP header comprises the indication ([0008] 5GC SBA Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) are based on the HTTP(S) protocol. A Network Function (NF) service is one type of capability exposed by an NF (NF service producer entity) to another authorized NF (NF service consumer entity) through a service-based interface (SBI). A Network Function (NF) may expose one or more NF services. NF services may communicate directly between NF service consumer entities and NF service producer entities, or indirectly via a Service Communication Proxy (SCP).).
It would have been obvious to a person skilled in the art, before the effective filing date of the invention, to modify AAPR in view of Ozturk in order to have apply a service request coming from consumer to multiple producers based on certain discovery procedure because it will help provide energy saving on multiple network devices from base stations to network nodes through certain notification managed by the producers’ entities (Ozturk [0003-0012]).
Regarding claim 3, AAPR and Ozturk teach the method of claim 1, wherein:
AARP teaches the service request comprises a criterion on the basis of which the one or more second NF nodes are to be selected by the first SCP node ([0004] NF node of the service consumer can query the NRF node to discover suitable NF nodes of the service producer to which to send the service request. In response to such a query, the NF node of the service consumer can receive an NF profile for one or more NF nodes of the service producer and, based on the received NF profile(s) can select an NF node of the service producer to which to send the service request.).
Regarding claim 4, AAPR and Ozturk teach the method of claim 3, wherein:
AAPR teaches
the criterion is that the one or more second NF nodes are to comprise:
a second NF node that has a predefined group identifier or at least two second NF nodes that have different group identifiers;
a second NF node that has a predefined set identifier or at least two second NF nodes that have different set identifiers ([0002-0009] discovery with selection parameter, address, location, capacity, based on service based interface); and/or
a second NF node that has a predefined service set identifier or at least two second NF nodes that have different service set identifiers.
Regarding claim 5, AAPR and Ozturk teach the method of claim 3, wherein:
AAPR teaches the criterion is that the one or more second NF nodes are to comprise all second NF nodes of the plurality of second NF nodes ([0002-0009] discovery with selection parameter, address, location, capacity, based on service based interface, the NF node of the service consumer can receive an NF profile for one or more NF nodes of the service producer and, based on the received NF profile(s) can select an NF node of the service producer to which to send the service request);.
Regarding claim 6, AAPR and Ozturk teach the method of claim 3, wherein:
AARP does not explicitly teach, but Ozturk teaches
the service request comprises a second hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) header and the second HTTP header comprises the criterion ([0008] 5GC SBA Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) are based on the HTTP(S) protocol. A Network Function (NF) service is one type of capability exposed by an NF (NF service producer entity) to another authorized NF (NF service consumer entity) through a service-based interface (SBI). A Network Function (NF) may expose one or more NF services. NF services may communicate directly between NF service consumer entities and NF service producer entities, or indirectly via a Service Communication Proxy (SCP).).
It would have been obvious to a person skilled in the art, before the effective filing date of the invention, to modify AAPR in view of Ozturk in order to have apply a service request coming from consumer to multiple producers based on certain discovery procedure because it will help provide energy saving on multiple network devices from base stations to network nodes through certain notification managed by the producers’ entities (Ozturk [0003-0012]).
Regarding claim 12, AAPR teaches a method for handling a service request in a network, wherein the method is performed by a first service communication proxy (SCP) node that is configured to operate as an SCP between a first network function (NF) node of a service consumer and a plurality of second NF nodes of one or more service producers ([0002-0009] Figs. 1C, 1D, consumer node in all figures 1A-1D, SCP in figures 1C, 1D) ([0002-0009] Figs. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, consumer node in all figures 1A-1D, producer node or plurality of produce nodes), the method comprising:
selecting one or more second NF nodes of the plurality of second NF nodes to which to transmit a service request received from the first NF node ([0002-0009] Figs 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D the NRF node is not used and instead the NF node of the service consumer may be configured with the NF profile(s) of the NF node(s) of the service producer, a service request is sent indirectly from the NF node of the service consumer to the NF node of the service producer via a service communication proxy (SCP) node),, wherein
the service request is for a service requested by the first NF node ([0002-0009] the NRF node is not used and instead the NF node of the service consumer may be configured with the NF profile(s) of the NF node(s) of the service producer, a service request is sent indirectly from the NF node of the service consumer to the NF node of the service producer via a service communication proxy (SCP) node), and
the service request comprises an indication that the service request is to be transmitted to one or more second NF nodes of the plurality of second NF nodes ([0002-0009] the NRF node is not used and instead the NF node of the service consumer may be configured with the NF profile(s) of the NF node(s) of the service producer, a service request is sent indirectly from the NF node of the service consumer to the NF node of the service producer via a service communication proxy (SCP) node),.
AAPR does not explicitly teach, but Rajput teaches
for the service request to be applied to all wireless devices served by the plurality of second NF nodes ([0021-0031] the one or more service producer entities comprise at least one of: one or more network functions, which are configured to produce a service in or for the service-based access network, one or more microservices, which are configured to produce a service in or for the service-based access network, one or more communication control entity units, which are configured to produce a service for one or more cells, such as one or more distributed units of a base station entity, and one or more cells, which are configured to produce a service for one or more user equipment entities, such as a base transceiver or radio entity, and/or one or more sectors of at least one cell and/or one or more beams of at least one cell).
It would have been obvious to a person skilled in the art, before the effective filing date of the invention, to modify AAPR in view of Ozturk in order to have apply a service request coming from consumer to multiple producers based on certain discovery procedure because it will help provide energy saving on multiple network devices from base stations to network nodes through certain notification managed by the producers’ entities (Ozturk [0003-0012]).
Regarding claim 14, AAPR and Ozturk teach the method of claim 12, wherein:
AAPR teaches
the service request comprises a criterion on the basis of which the one or more second NF nodes are to be selected by the first SCP node ([0004] NF node of the service consumer can query the NRF node to discover suitable NF nodes of the service producer to which to send the service request. In response to such a query, the NF node of the service consumer can receive an NF profile for one or more NF nodes of the service producer and, based on the received NF profile(s) can select an NF node of the service producer to which to send the service request.); and
selecting the one or more second NF nodes comprises selecting the one or more second NF nodes based on the criterion ([0004] NF node of the service consumer can query the NRF node to discover suitable NF nodes of the service producer to which to send the service request. In response to such a query, the NF node of the service consumer can receive an NF profile for one or more NF nodes of the service producer and, based on the received NF profile(s) can select an NF node of the service producer to which to send the service request.).
Regarding claim 15, AAPR and Ozturk teach the method of claim 14, wherein:
AAPR teaches
the criterion is that the one or more second NF nodes are to comprise a second NF node that has a predefined group identifier and selecting the one or more second NF nodes comprises selecting a second NF node that has the predefined group identifier, or the criterion is that the one or more second NF nodes are to comprise at least two second NF nodes that have different group identifiers and selecting the one or more second NF nodes comprises selecting at least two second NF nodes that have different group identifiers;
the criterion is that the one or more second NF nodes are to comprise a second NF node that has a predefined set identifier and selecting the one or more second NF nodes comprises selecting a second NF node that has the predefined set identifier, or the criterion is that the one or more second NF nodes are to comprise at least two second NF nodes that have different set identifiers and selecting the one or more second NF nodes comprises selecting at least two second NF nodes that have different set identifiers; and/or
the criterion is that the one or more second NF nodes are to comprise a second NF node that has a predefined service set identifier and selecting the one or more second NF nodes comprises selecting a second NF node that has the predefined service set identifier ([0002-0009] discovery with selection parameter, address, location, capacity, based on service based interface);, or the criterion is that the one or more second NF nodes are to comprise at least two second NF nodes that have different service set identifiers and selecting the one or more second NF nodes comprises selecting at least two second NF nodes that have different service set identifiers.
Regarding claim 16, AAPR and Ozturk teach the method of claim 14, wherein:
AAPR teaches the criterion is that the one or more second NF nodes are to comprise all second NF nodes of the plurality of second NF nodes([0002-0009] discovery with selection parameter, address, location, capacity, based on service based interface, the NF node of the service consumer can receive an NF profile for one or more NF nodes of the service producer and, based on the received NF profile(s) can select an NF node of the service producer to which to send the service request);.
; and
selecting the one or more second NF nodes comprises selecting all second NF nodes of the plurality of second NF nodes ([0002-0009] discovery with selection parameter, address, location, capacity, based on service based interface, the NF node of the service consumer can receive an NF profile for one or more NF nodes of the service producer and, based on the received NF profile(s) can select an NF node of the service producer to which to send the service request);.
Regarding claim 17, AAPR and Ozturk teach the method of claim 12, wherein:
the service request comprises a second hypertext transfer protocol, HTTP, header and the second HTTP header comprises the criterion ([0008] 5GC SBA Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) are based on the HTTP(S) protocol. A Network Function (NF) service is one type of capability exposed by an NF (NF service producer entity) to another authorized NF (NF service consumer entity) through a service-based interface (SBI). A Network Function (NF) may expose one or more NF services. NF services may communicate directly between NF service consumer entities and NF service producer entities, or indirectly via a Service Communication Proxy (SCP).).
It would have been obvious to a person skilled in the art, before the effective filing date of the invention, to modify AAPR in view of Ozturk in order to have apply a service request coming from consumer to multiple producers based on certain discovery procedure because it will help provide energy saving on multiple network devices from base stations to network nodes through certain notification managed by the producers’ entities (Ozturk [0003-0012]).
Regarding claim 27, claim 27 is rejected with the same reasoning as claim 1.
Regarding claim 29, claim 29 is rejected with the same reasoning as claim 12.
Regarding claim 32, claim 32 is rejected with the same reasoning as claim 1.
Regarding claim 34, claim 34 is rejected with the same reasoning as claim 12.
Claims 7-9 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being un-patentable by Applicant Admitted Prior Art (“3GPPP TS 23.501 V17.3.0”, AAPR) hereinafter AAPR, and Ozturk et al. (“Ozturk”, US 20240334323 A1) hereinafter Ozturk, in view of Krishan (“US 20220060547 A1”, Krishan) hereinafter Krishan.
Regarding claim 7, AAPR and Ozturk teach the method of claim 1, further comprising:
AAPR and Ozturk do not teach explicitly, but Krishan teaches
receiving a response to the service request from the first SCP node, wherein the response is indicative of whether the service request is complete or partially complete ([0087-0094] Fig. 8, SCP forward responses coming from producers to the NF consumer, whether it is completed or unhealthy ).
It would have been obvious to a person skilled in the art, before the effective filing date of the invention, to modify AAPR and Ozturk in view of Krishan in order to notify the consumer about the unhealthy and the completed services by the NF producers because it will help manage and optimize Network function discovery and routing using NRF and SCP (Krishan [0008-0010]).
Regarding claim 8, AAPR, Ozturk and Krishan teach the method of claim 7, wherein:
AAPR and Ozturk do not teach explicitly, but Krishan teaches
the response is indicative that the service request is complete when every second NF node, towards which transmission of the service request is initiated, has successfully executed the service request ([0087-0094] Fig. 8, SCP forward responses coming from producers to the NF consumer, whether it is completed or unhealthy ).
It would have been obvious to a person skilled in the art, before the effective filing date of the invention, to modify AAPR and Ozturk in view of Krishan in order to notify the consumer about the unhealthy and the completed services by the NF producers because it will help manage and optimize Network function discovery and routing using NRF and SCP (Krishan [0008-0010]).
; and/or
the response is indicative that the service request is partially complete when not every second NF node, towards which transmission of the service request is initiated, has successfully executed the service request.
Regarding claim 9, AAPR, Ozturk and Krishan teach the method of claim 7, wherein:
AAPR and Ozturk do not teach explicitly, but Krishan teaches
the response is indicative that the service request is partially complete, and the response comprises an indication of which one or more second NF nodes, towards which transmission of the service request is initiated, have not successfully executed the service request ([0087-0094] Fig. 8, SCP forward responses coming from producers to the NF consumer, whether it is completed or unhealthy ).
It would have been obvious to a person skilled in the art, before the effective filing date of the invention, to modify AAPR and Ozturk in view of Krishan in order to notify the consumer about the unhealthy and the completed services by the NF producers because it will help manage and optimize Network function discovery and routing using NRF and SCP (Krishan [0008-0010]).
Claims 10-11 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being un-patentable by Applicant Admitted Prior Art (“3GPPP TS 23.501 V17.3.0”, AAPR) hereinafter AAPR, in view of Ozturk et al. (“Ozturk”, US 20240334323 A1) hereinafter Ozturk, in view of Casati et al. (”US 20220256439 A1”, Casati) hereinafter Casati.
Regarding claim 10, AAPR and Ozturk teach the method of claim 1, wherein:
AAPR and Ozturk do not explicitly teach, but Casati teaches
the wireless devices are in a single public land mobile network (PLMN) or a plurality of PLMNs ([0008, 0013, 0018] The requested NSSAI comprises one or more single-NSSAIs (S-NSSAIs) subject to a capping number of UEs allowed to access one or more network slices associated with the one or more S-NSSAIs. Each of the one or more S-NSSAIs is supported by a single access and mobility function (AMF) or AMF set in a single public land mobile network (PLMN)).
It would have been obvious to a person skilled in the art, before the effective filing date of the invention, to modify AAPR and Ozturk in view of Casati in order to have wireless devices in a single PLMN because it will help manage the network slicing and manage certain number of UEs not to exceed the predefined limits of the wireless devices within each slice (Casati [0002]).
Regarding claim 11, AAPR and Ozturk teach the method of claim 1, wherein:
AAPR and Ozturk do not explicitly teach, but Casati teaches
the service is a service that provides a notification to the first NF node of a change to an international mobile equipment identity (IMEI) or a permanent equipment identifier (PEI) for any of the wireless devices; or
the service is a service that provides a notification to the first NF node of any of the wireless devices moving to a different public land mobile network (PLMN) ([0054] In roaming cases, the NSSF of the visited Public Land Mobile Network (VPLMN) can be configured per S-NSSAI of home Public Land Mobile Network (HPLMN) to report to the HPLMN NSSF when a user joins or leaves the S-NSSAI)([0077] . In such roaming cases, the NSSF of a visited Public Land Mobile Network (VPLMN) can be configured per S-NSSAI of home Public Land Mobile Network (HPLMN) to report to the HPLMN NSSF when a user equipment joins or leaves the S-NSSAI).
It would have been obvious to a person skilled in the art, before the effective filing date of the invention, to modify AAPR and Ozturk in view of Casati in order to have wireless devices in a single PLMN because it will help manage the network slicing and manage certain number of UEs not to exceed the predefined limits of the wireless devices within each slice (Casati [0002]).
Conclusion
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/FADI HAJ SAID/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2444