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 .
Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after final rejection. Since this application is eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on 06/04/2026 has been entered.
Claims 1, 10, 16, and 19 are amended. Claims 1-19 remain pending.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments filed with an after final amendment have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
The independent claims have been amended to recite “for a PPDU bandwidth including a plurality of 80 MHz segments… a RU allocation subfield index that indicates ordering or position of a RU allocation subfield in a same content channel.”
With regards to a PPDU BW including a plurality of 80 MHz segments, the Yu reference is believed to teach this. For example, in figure 5 a bandwidth of 160 MHz is described, which is equal to two 80 MHz segments. A bandwidth of 320 MHz, also covered by the teachings of the reference, would comprise four 80 MHz segments. Thus, unless these 80 MHz segments recited in the claims have a special definition, or they are distinctly linked to an inventive concept, the broadest reasonable interpretation of this term is believed to be met by the reference to Yu.
Regarding the claim amendment “… in a same content channel”, the Yu reference is also believed to meet the broadest reasonable interpretation of this limitation. Namely, the known definition of the RU allocation subfield index refers to “defines how a 20 MHz sub-channel frequency spectrum is divided in Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) and Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) networks; it determines the RU size (tone count), placement, and number of users assigned”. As seen in figure 3 of Yu, each content channel has an allocation subfield for the content channel. Thus, this is believed to be met by the art.
Regarding claim 19 – and as best understood – what it requires is being able to determine frequency-domain positions of component RUs of each of large-size RU combinations according to RU allocation subfield index and/or EHT-SIG CC index. To that extent, the secondary reference to Lim discloses an RU allocation subfield index that can be used to determine the frequency-domain positions of component RUs of each of large-size RU combinations. In paragraphs 0225 through 0257 and the tables shown. For example, a value such as 100011y2y1y0 can be used to indicate a combination of a 242RU and a 484RU. Thus, the reference is believed to meet the claim.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
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 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.
Claim(s) 1-4, 9-10, 12-13, and 16-18 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Yu et al. (USPN 11,626,958; hereinafter Yu).
Regarding claim 1 Yu discloses a communication apparatus, comprising: circuitry, which, in operation, generates a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) comprising two signal field content channels in each 80 MHz frequency segment (col. 16, lines 20-25; AP generates a PPDU, where a transmission bandwidth of the PPDU is divided into M subblocks, M is an integer greater than 1, the transmission bandwidth is greater than or equal to 80 MHz), each of the two signal field content channels comprising a plurality of resource unit (RU) allocation subfields (col. 16, lines 20-28; the PPDU includes M first fields, the M first fields are in a one-to-one correspondence with the M subblocks), wherein a value of each of the plurality of RU allocation subfields is indicative of sizes of component RUs of a large-size RU combination (col. 16, lines 20-28; the PPDU includes M first fields, the M first fields are in a one-to-one correspondence with the M subblocks); and a transmitter, which, in operation, transmits the generated PPDU (col. 16, lines 29-30; AP sends the PPDU to the plurality of STAs), wherein for a PPDU bandwidth (BW) including a plurality of 80 MHz frequency segments (figure 5 a bandwidth of 160 MHz is described, which is equal to two 80 MHz segments. A bandwidth of 320 MHz, also covered by the teachings of the reference, would comprise four 80 MHz segments), frequency-domain positions of component RUs of the large-size RU combination depend on a RU allocation subfield index that indicates ordering or position of a RU allocation subfield in a same content channel (column 14, lines 17-40; when the PPDU bandwidth is 80 MHz, there are still two CCs and there are four channels in total. Therefore, resource unit allocation information is overall indicated on the four channels based on a structure of CC1, CC2, CC1, and CC2 in ascending order of frequencies’ figure 3, each content channel comprises a RU allocation subfield index).
Regarding claim 2 Yu discloses the communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a frequency position of the component RUs of the large-size RU combination is based on both of the value of each of the plurality of the RU allocation subfields and positions of each of the plurality of the RU allocation subfields in the two signal field content channels (col. 17, lines 20-35; col. 18, line 30 – col. 19, line 10; In each subblock, the AP configures corresponding P20, S20, and S40 channels for a STA in the subblock to which the STA belongs. It may be considered that the entire bandwidth has a plurality of (temporary) P20 channels).
Regarding claim 3 Yu discloses the communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein for a PPDU BW equal to or larger than 80 MHz frequency segment, frequency-domain positions of component RUs of the large-size RU combination depend on one of (i) the RU allocation subfield index, or (ii) the RU allocation subfield index and an EHT-SIG content channel (CC) index (col. 16, lines 31-67; preamble part includes the M first fields (the first field may be understood as EHT-SIG-B of each subblock, or may be understood as a resource unit allocation subfield in EHT-SIG-B. For convenience, the first field is considered as the resource unit allocation subfield in EHT-SIG-B in the following, to describe the resource unit indication method). Optionally, the PPDU may further include M second fields (the second field may be understood as EHT-SIG-A)).
Regarding claim 4 Yu discloses the communication apparatus according to claim 3, wherein in case the PPDU BW is equal to or larger than 80 MHz, and the large-size RU combination is a combination of one 484-tone RU and one 242-tone RU (col. 12, lines 35-42; may include various combinations of 26-tone RUs, 52-tone RUs, 106-tone RUs, 242-tone RUs, 484-tone RUs, and 996-tone RUs), the frequency-domain positions of component RUs of the large-size RU combination depend on the RU allocation subfield index and the EHT-SIG CC index (col. 17, lines 19-34; the first field is used to indicate an RU allocated by the AP to at least one of the plurality of STAs. For example, FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of EHT-SIG-B in a subblock unit of 80 MHz (including two CCs) according to an embodiment of this application. As shown in FIG. 14, each subblock includes four channels and two CCs. In Part 1, CC11 carries the following information: resource unit allocation subfields (which are respectively first fields corresponding to Part 1) within ranges of the first 242-tone RU and the third 242-tone RU of Part 1 and per STA information of a STA allocated in the corresponding 242-tone RU ranges).
Regarding claim 9 Yu discloses the communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a frequency position of the component RUs of the large-size RU combination is located within a defined 160 MHz segment (col. 16, lines 37-41; a subblock unit of 160 MHz or a larger bandwidth).
Regarding claim 10 Yu discloses a communication method comprising: generating a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) comprising two signal field content channels in each 80 MHz frequency segment (col. 16, lines 20-25; AP generates a PPDU, where a transmission bandwidth of the PPDU is divided into M subblocks, M is an integer greater than 1, the transmission bandwidth is greater than or equal to 80 MHz), each of the two signal field content channels comprising a plurality of resource unit (RU) allocation subfields (col. 16, lines 20-28; the PPDU includes M first fields, the M first fields are in a one-to-one correspondence with the M subblocks), wherein a value of each of the plurality of RU allocation subfields is able to indicate sizes of component RUs of a large-size RU combination (col. 16, lines 20-28; the PPDU includes M first fields, the M first fields are in a one-to-one correspondence with the M subblocks); and transmitting the generated PPDU (col. 16, lines 29-30; AP sends the PPDU to the plurality of STAs), wherein for a PPDU bandwidth (BW) including a plurality of 80 MHz frequency segments (figure 5 a bandwidth of 160 MHz is described, which is equal to two 80 MHz segments. A bandwidth of 320 MHz, also covered by the teachings of the reference, would comprise four 80 MHz segments), frequency-domain positions of component RUs of the large-size RU combination depend on a RU allocation subfield index that indicates ordering or position of a RU allocation subfield in a same content channel (column 14, lines 17-40; when the PPDU bandwidth is 80 MHz, there are still two CCs and there are four channels in total. Therefore, resource unit allocation information is overall indicated on the four channels based on a structure of CC1, CC2, CC1, and CC2 in ascending order of frequencies; figure 3, each content channel comprises a RU allocation subfield index).
Regarding claim 12 Yu discloses the communication method according to claim 10, wherein for a PPDU BW equal to or larger than 80 MHz, frequency-domain positions of component RUs of the large-size RU combination depend on one of (i) the RU allocation subfield index, or (ii) the RU allocation subfield index and an EHT-SIG content channel (CC) index (col. 16, lines 31-67; preamble part includes the M first fields (the first field may be understood as EHT-SIG-B of each subblock, or may be understood as a resource unit allocation subfield in EHT-SIG-B. For convenience, the first field is considered as the resource unit allocation subfield in EHT-SIG-B in the following, to describe the resource unit indication method). Optionally, the PPDU may further include M second fields (the second field may be understood as EHT-SIG-A)).
Regarding claim 13 Yu discloses the communication method according to claim 12, wherein in case the PPDU BW is equal to or larger than 80 MHz, and the large-size RU combination is a combination of one 484-tone RU and one 242-tone RU (col. 12, lines 35-42; may include various combinations of 26-tone RUs, 52-tone RUs, 106-tone RUs, 242-tone RUs, 484-tone RUs, and 996-tone RUs), the frequency-domain positions of component RUs of the large-size RU combination depend on the RU allocation subfield index and the EHT-SIG CC index (col. 17, lines 19-34; the first field is used to indicate an RU allocated by the AP to at least one of the plurality of STAs. For example, FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of EHT-SIG-B in a subblock unit of 80 MHz (including two CCs) according to an embodiment of this application. As shown in FIG. 14, each subblock includes four channels and two CCs. In Part 1, CC11 carries the following information: resource unit allocation subfields (which are respectively first fields corresponding to Part 1) within ranges of the first 242-tone RU and the third 242-tone RU of Part 1 and per STA information of a STA allocated in the corresponding 242-tone RU ranges).
Regarding claim 16 Yu discloses a communication apparatus, comprising: a receiver, which, in operation, receives a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) comprising two signal field content channels in each 80 MHz frequency segment (col. 16, lines 20-25; AP generates a PPDU, where a transmission bandwidth of the PPDU is divided into M subblocks, M is an integer greater than 1, the transmission bandwidth is greater than or equal to 80 MHz), each of the two signal field content channels comprising a plurality of resource unit (RU) allocation subfields (col. 16, lines 20-28; the PPDU includes M first fields, the M first fields are in a one-to-one correspondence with the M subblocks), wherein a value of each of the plurality of RU allocation subfields is indicative of sizes of component RUs of a large-size RU combination (col. 16, lines 20-28; the PPDU includes M first fields, the M first fields are in a one-to-one correspondence with the M subblocks); and circuitry, which, in operations, decodes the PPDU (col. 16, lines 29-30; AP sends the PPDU to the plurality of STAs), wherein for a PPDU bandwidth (BW) including a plurality of 80 MHz frequency segments (figure 5 a bandwidth of 160 MHz is described, which is equal to two 80 MHz segments. A bandwidth of 320 MHz, also covered by the teachings of the reference, would comprise four 80 MHz segments), frequency-domain positions of component RUs of the large-size RU combination depend on a RU allocation subfield index that indicates ordering or position of a RU allocation subfield in a same content channel (column 14, lines 17-40; when the PPDU bandwidth is 80 MHz, there are still two CCs and there are four channels in total. Therefore, resource unit allocation information is overall indicated on the four channels based on a structure of CC1, CC2, CC1, and CC2 in ascending order of frequencies; figure 3, each content channel comprises a RU allocation subfield index).
Regarding claim 17 Yu discloses the communication apparatus according to claim 16, wherein a frequency position of the component RUs of the large-size RU combination is based on both of the value of each of the plurality of the RU allocation subfields and positions of each of the plurality of the RU allocation subfields in the two signal field content channels (col. 17, lines 20-35; col. 18, line 30 – col. 19, line 10; In each subblock, the AP configures corresponding P20, S20, and S40 channels for a STA in the subblock to which the STA belongs. It may be considered that the entire bandwidth has a plurality of (temporary) P20 channels).
Regarding claim 18 Yu discloses the communication apparatus according to claim 16, wherein a frequency position of the component RUs of the large-size RU combination is located within a defined 160 MHz segment (col. 16, lines 37-41; a subblock unit of 160 MHz or a larger bandwidth).
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.
This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any evidence to the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the later invention in order for the examiner to consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) prior art against the later invention.
Claim(s) 5-8, 11, 14-15, and 19 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Yu in view of Lim et al. (US Patent Application 2023/0188304; hereinafter Lim).
Regarding claim 5 Yu discloses the communication apparatus according to claim 3, wherein in case the PPDU BW is one of 160 MHz, 80+80 MHz, 320 MHz and 160+160 MHz, and the large-size RU combination is a combination of one 996-tone RU and one 484-tone RU (col. 12, lines 43-48; When a bandwidth is 160 MHz or 80 MHz+80 MHz, the entire bandwidth may be considered as a duplicate of two 80 MHz tone plans, and the entire bandwidth may include one entire 2*996-tone RU, or may include various combinations of 26-tone RUs, 52-tone RUs, 106-tone RUs, 242-tone RUs, 484-tone RUs, and 996-tone RUs), the frequency-domain positions of component RUs of the large-size RU combination depend on the RU allocation subfield index (col. 12, lines 10-15; An indication manner of the resource unit allocation subfield depends on tone plans in different PPDU bandwidths).
Yu fails to explicitly disclose but Lim, in the same field of endeavor related to WLAN RU allocation, discloses wherein in case the PPDU BW is one of 240 MHz and 160+80 MHz, and the large-size RU combination is a combination of one 996-tone RU and one 484-tone RU, the frequency-domain positions of component RUs of the large-size RU combination depend on the RU allocation subfield index and the EHT-SIG CC index (paragraphs 0290-0295; when transmitting MU-PPDU for BW (160 MHz, 240 MHz, 320 MHz) over 80 MHz, the value of the number N of the RU allocation subfields included in the EHT-SIG content channel may be fixed to 2 and used). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claim invention to modify the teachings of Yu with the teachings of Lim, in order to improve the WLAN system (Lim: paragraph 0004).
Regarding claim 6 Yu discloses the communication apparatus according to claim 3. Yu fails to explicitly disclose but Lim, in the same field of endeavor related to WLAN RU allocation, discloses wherein in case the PPDU BW is one of 240 MHz, 160+80 MHz, 320 MHz and 160+160 MHz, and the large-size RU combination is a combination of two 996-tone RUs, the frequency-domain positions of component RUs of the large-size RU combination depend on the RU allocation subfield index (paragraphs 0225-0229, table 9; The 2×996-tone RU and 3×996-tone RU indicators of the SRU allocation information and the MRU allocation information are not used when full bandwidth MIMO or a common field exists at 160 MHz and 240 MHz). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claim invention to modify the teachings of Yu with the teachings of Lim, in order to improve the WLAN system (Lim: paragraph 0004).
Regarding claim 7 Yu discloses the communication apparatus according to claim 3. Yu fails to explicitly disclose but Lim, in the same field of endeavor related to WLAN RU allocation, discloses wherein in case the PPDU BW is 320 MHz or 160+160 MHz, and the large-size RU combination is a combination of two 996-tone RUs and one 484-tone RU, the frequency-domain positions of component RUs of the large-size RU combination depend on the RU allocation subfield index (paragraphs 0225-0235; RU allocation (RA) information may further include an MRU combination consisting of 484 tone+2×996 tone); wherein in case the PPDU BW is 240 MHz or 160+80 MHz, and the large-size RU combination is a combination of two 996-tone RUs and one 484-tone RU, the frequency-domain positions of component RUs of the large-size RU combination depend on the RU allocation subfield index and the EHT-SIG CC index (paragraphs 0225-0229, table 9; The 2×996-tone RU and 3×996-tone RU indicators of the SRU allocation information and the MRU allocation information are not used when full bandwidth MIMO or a common field exists at 160 MHz and 240 MHz). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claim invention to modify the teachings of Yu with the teachings of Lim, in order to improve the WLAN system (Lim: paragraph 0004).
Regarding claim 8 Yu discloses the communication apparatus according to claim 3. Yu fails to explicitly disclose but Lim, in the same field of endeavor related to WLAN RU allocation, discloses wherein in case the PPDU BW is 320 MHz or 160+160 MHz and the large-size RU combination is one of a combination of three 996-tone RUs or a combination of three 996-tone RUs and one 484-tone RU, the frequency-domain positions of component RUs of the large-size RU combination depend on the RU allocation subfield index (paragraphs 0225-0240; RU allocation (RA) information may further include an MRU combination consisting of 484 tone+2×996 tone, and an MRU combination consisting of 484 tone+3 x 996 tone at 320 MHz). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claim invention to modify the teachings of Yu with the teachings of Lim, in order to improve the WLAN system (Lim: paragraph 0004).
Regarding claim 11 Yu discloses the communication method according to claim 10. Yu fails to explicitly disclose but Lim, in the same field of endeavor related to WLAN RU allocation, discloses wherein the value of each of the plurality of RU allocation subfields is not able to indicate information on frequency-domain positions of the component RUs of the large-size RU combination (paragraphs 0249-0253; RU allocation subfield and index and EHT SIG content). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claim invention to modify the teachings of Yu with the teachings of Lim, in order to improve the WLAN system (Lim: paragraph 0004).
Regarding claim 14 Yu discloses the communication method according to claim 12, wherein in case the PPDU BW is one of 160 MHz, 80+80 MHz, 320 MHz and 160+160 MHz, and the large-size RU combination is a combination of one 996-tone RU and one 484-tone RU (col. 12, lines 43-48; When a bandwidth is 160 MHz or 80 MHz+80 MHz, the entire bandwidth may be considered as a duplicate of two 80 MHz tone plans, and the entire bandwidth may include one entire 2*996-tone RU, or may include various combinations of 26-tone RUs, 52-tone RUs, 106-tone RUs, 242-tone RUs, 484-tone RUs, and 996-tone RUs), the frequency-domain positions of component RUs of the large-size RU combination depend on the RU allocation subfield index(col. 12, lines 10-15; An indication manner of the resource unit allocation subfield depends on tone plans in different PPDU bandwidths).
Yu fails to explicitly disclose but Lim, in the same field of endeavor related to WLAN RU allocation, discloses wherein in case the PPDU BW is one of 240 MHz and 160+80 MHz, and the large-size RU combination is a combination of one 996-tone RU and one 484-tone RU, the frequency-domain positions of component RUs of the large-size RU combination depend on the RU allocation subfield index and the EHT-SIG CC index (paragraphs 0290-0295; when transmitting MU-PPDU for BW (160 MHz, 240 MHz, 320 MHz) over 80 MHz, the value of the number N of the RU allocation subfields included in the EHT-SIG content channel may be fixed to 2 and used). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claim invention to modify the teachings of Yu with the teachings of Lim, in order to improve the WLAN system (Lim: paragraph 0004).
Regarding claim 15 Yu discloses the communication method according to claim 12. Yu fails to explicitly disclose but Lim, in the same field of endeavor related to WLAN RU allocation, discloses wherein in case the PPDU BW is one of 240 MHz, 160+80 MHz, 320 MHz and 160+160 MHz, and the large-size RU combination is a combination of two 996-tone RUs, the frequency-domain positions of component RUs of the large-size RU combination depend on the RU allocation subfield index (paragraphs 0225-0229, table 9; The 2×996-tone RU and 3×996-tone RU indicators of the SRU allocation information and the MRU allocation information are not used when full bandwidth MIMO or a common field exists at 160 MHz and 240 MHz). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claim invention to modify the teachings of Yu with the teachings of Lim, in order to improve the WLAN system (Lim: paragraph 0004).
Regarding claim 19 Yu discloses the communication apparatus according to claim 1. Yu fails to explicitly disclose but Lim, in the same field of endeavor related to WLAN RU allocation, discloses wherein the value of each of the plurality of RU allocation subfields is not able to indicate information on frequency-domain positions of component RUs of the large-size RU combination (paragraphs 0249-0253; RU allocation subfield and index and EHT SIG content), and indicates sizes of the component RUs of the large-size RU combination regardless of the frequency-domain positions of the component RUs (paragraphs 0225-0257; RU allocation bit index for large RUs). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claim invention to modify the teachings of Yu with the teachings of Lim, in order to improve the WLAN system (Lim: paragraph 0004).
Citation of Pertinent Prior Art
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
USPN 10,327,246 to Seok – that discloses a method and apparatus for a wideband Physical layer Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) transmission in a High Efficiency WLAN (HEW).
USPN 10,165,551 to Bharadwaj et al. – which discloses techniques for resource allocation signaling in a high efficiency wireless local area network (WLAN) preamble.
Conclusion
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/Aixa Guadalupe-Cruz/
Examiner
Art Unit 2466
/FARUK HAMZA/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2466
Prosecution Insights