Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 18/951,519

IMPLEMENTING NETWORK SECURITY RULES IN HOME ROUTERS

Non-Final OA §101§DP
Filed
Nov 18, 2024
Examiner
SALL, EL HADJI MALICK
Art Unit
2457
Tech Center
2400 — Computer Networks
Assignee
AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
91%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
2y 9m
To Grant
83%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 91% — above average
91%
Career Allow Rate
829 granted / 909 resolved
+33.2% vs TC avg
Minimal -8% lift
Without
With
+-8.4%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 9m
Avg Prosecution
15 currently pending
Career history
924
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
9.1%
-30.9% vs TC avg
§103
38.1%
-1.9% vs TC avg
§102
20.0%
-20.0% vs TC avg
§112
7.7%
-32.3% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 909 resolved cases

Office Action

§101 §DP
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 . DETAILED ACTION 1. This action is in response to the application filed on November 18, 2024. Claims 1-20 are pending. Claims 1-20 represent IMPLEMENTING NETWORK SECURITY RULES IN HOME ROUTERS. Double Patenting A rejection based on double patenting of the “same invention” type finds its support in the language of 35 U.S.C. 101 which states that “whoever invents or discovers any new and useful process... may obtain a patent therefor...” (Emphasis added). Thus, the term “same invention,” in this context, means an invention drawn to identical subject matter. See Miller v. Eagle Mfg. Co., 151 U.S. 186 (1894); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); In re Ockert, 245 F.2d 467, 114 USPQ 330 (CCPA 1957). A statutory type (35 U.S.C. 101) double patenting rejection can be overcome by canceling or amending the claims that are directed to the same invention so they are no longer coextensive in scope. The filing of a terminal disclaimer cannot overcome a double patenting rejection based upon 35 U.S.C. 101. 18/951,519 12,149,552 1. A method comprising: monitoring, by a processing system including at least one processor, network traffic flowing into or out of a home network that is connected to a core network of a telecommunications network via a gateway device; constructing, by the processing system, a model of the network traffic flowing into or out of the home network, based on the monitoring; detecting, by the processing system, an anomaly in the model of the network traffic; generating, by the processing system, a rule based on the anomaly, where the rule specifies an action to be taken when a match condition related to the anomaly is detected; and deploying, by the processing system, the rule on the gateway device. 1. A method comprising: monitoring, by a processing system including at least one processor, network traffic flowing into and out of a home network that is connected to a core network of a telecommunications network via a gateway device; constructing, by the processing system, a model of the network traffic flowing into and out of the home network, based on the monitoring; detecting, by the processing system, an anomaly in the model of the network traffic; generating, by the processing system, a rule based on the anomaly, where the rule specifies an action to be taken when a match condition related to the anomaly is detected; and deploying, by the processing system, the rule on the gateway device. 2. Claims 1-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 as claiming the same invention as that of claims 1-20 of prior U.S. Patent No. 12,149,552 issued to Kanza. This is a statutory double patenting rejection. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to EL HADJI SALL whose telephone number is (571)272-4010. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday 8:00-8:30 (flexible). Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice. If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Ario Etienne can be reached at 5712724001. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. 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. /EL HADJI M SALL/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2457
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Nov 18, 2024
Application Filed
Feb 21, 2026
Non-Final Rejection — §101, §DP (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
91%
Grant Probability
83%
With Interview (-8.4%)
2y 9m
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 909 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allow rate.

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