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
In the amendment filed July 24, 2026, claims 1, 8, and 15 have been amended, claims 5, 12 and 19 cancelled, claims 21-23 are new, and claims 1-4, 6-11, 13-18, and 20-23 are currently pending for examination.
Response to Arguments
Regarding Allowable Subject Matter applicant’s arguments, see page 11 Section II, filed July 24, 2026, with respect to claims 5, 12 and 19 indicated as allowable and the Independent claims 1, 8 and 14 amended to include the subject matter of claims 5, 12 and 19 have been fully considered and are not persuasive. Claims 5, 12 and 19 were 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. The respective intervening claims 2 and 4, 9 and 11 and 15 and 18 were not included in the amended independent claims.
Regarding 35 U.S.C. 112 applicant’s arguments, see page 11 Section III, filed July 24, 2026, with respect to claims 1-20 have been fully considered and are persuasive. Therefore, the 112 rejection has been withdrawn.
Regarding 35 U.S.C. 103 applicant’s arguments, see page 11 Section IV, filed July 24, 2026, with respect to claims 1-3, 6-10, 13-17 and 20 have been fully considered and but they are not persuasive.
Regarding amended claim 1, the applicant argued that, see page 12 paragraph 2 – page 13 paragraphs 1-2, “ … For example, Lorgeoux discloses a multi-radio non-AP MLD that signals its sets of EMLMR links to an AP MLD using a two-step signaling approach. (Lorgeoux, Section 1, Discussion). In the first step, during multi-link setup, the non-AP MLD signals all links eligible to any EMLMR mode operation through the "EMLMR Links Bitmap" subfield based on Link IDs, included in EML Capabilities. In the second step, once multi-link setup is completed, the EML Control field12 carried in the EML Operating Mode Notification frame is used to activate or deactivate the EMLMR mode. (Lorgeoux, Section 1, Discussion). The EML Control field of Lorgeoux includes EML Mode (1 bit), EML Link Bitmap (16 bits), and Reserved (6 bits) subfields. (Lorgeoux, Figure 9-144i, page 4). However, Lorgeoux does not teach or suggest that the EML Control field includes an EMLMR mode indicator that is set to indicate that the non-AP MLD intends to operate in the EMLMR mode. Lorgeoux860 and Huang do not cure the deficiencies of Lorgeoux. For example, Lorgeoux860 describes methods for managing enhanced multi-link multi-radio links in wireless networks with a two-step signaling approach for EMLMR links. (Lorgeoux860, par. [0171]- [0177]). In the signaling approach, the non-AP MLD declares all eligible EMLMR links using EMLMR Link Bitmap subfield 229 included in EML Capabilities field 220' of the ML Association Request frame. (Lorgeoux860, par. [0184]-[0189]). However, Lorgeoux860 does not teach or suggest that the EML Control field include an EMLMR mode indicator that is set to indicate that the non-AP MLD intends to operate in the EMLMR mode. Huang discloses methods and apparatus for multi-link WLAN communication focused on preventing interference with low-latency services on "clean" links. (Huang, par. [0005]-[0006]). Huang does not teach any aspect of EMLMR mode activation, EML Operating Mode Notification frames, or any handshake between an AP MLD and a non-AP MLD involving EMLMR mode.
In response to applicant's argument, the examiner respectfully disagrees with the argument above.
Regarding amended claim 1, Lorgeoux860 clearly teaches A non-access point (AP) multi-link device (MLD) (see Fig.6, Fig.14-15, see para. 0358-0352) comprising: stations (STAs) (see Fig.6, Non-AP STAs 131-134, Fig. 14, Non-AP MLD 401, see Fig.15, a communication device 1500, see para. 0364), each comprising a transceiver (see Fig.15, Transmitter and Receiver 1502) and a processor (see Fig.15, CPU 1601) and
wherein a message includes an enhanced multi-link (EML) control field that includes an EMLMR link bitmap subfield presence indicator set to indicate that the EML control field does not include the EMLMR link bitmap subfield as an indication that all of the links are EMLMR links (see Fig.8, steps 800, 810, 865, para. 0284-0290, on the left side, a non-AP MLD performs an association procedure with an AP MLD during which the non-AP MLD declares, at step 800, its capabilities, including all the eligible EMLMR links to the AP MLD. This is done using EMLMR Link Bitmap subfield 229 included the EML capabilities field 220′ of the ML Association Request frame (or in a variant without any bitmap if all the candidate links are eligible EMLMR links). The EMLMR Link Bitmap subfield 229 is thus a declaration bitmap used to declare all the eligible EMLMR links / the EML control field does not include the EMLMR link bitmap subfield as an indication that all of the links are EMLMR links, EML OM Notification frame activates an EMLMR mode by specifying, using EML Link Bitmap field 721, an EMLMR links set, i.e. the set of EMLMR links in which the EMLMR mode applies, see also para. 0257-0258, 0260, 0280-0283), and
the EML control field configured to indicate that the non-AP MLD intends to operate in the EMLMR mode (see para. 0028, the EML Control field includes an EMLMR Mode subfield and an EMLSR mode subfield, and the EMLMR, respectively EMLSR, Mode subfield is set to 1 to indicate that an EMLMR, respectively EMLSR, mode is enabled / the non-AP MLD intends to operate in the EMLMR mode).
Regarding amended claim 1, the further applicant argued that, see page 13 paragraph 3 - page 14, “…Similarly, Lu fails to suggest or disclose the above-emphasized elements of Claim 1. Lu discloses signaling of EMLMR links by including an EMLMR Link Bitmap subfield in the EML Capabilities subfield of the Common Info field of the Basic Multi-Link element. (Lu, page 4). When the EMLMR Link Bitmap subfield is included in a frame sent by a STA affiliated with a non-AP MLD, the i-th bit is set to 1 if a link with Link ID equal to i is a member of the EMLMR links. (Lu, page 5). Lu does not teach an EML Control field that includes an EMLMR mode indicator that is set to indicate that the non-AP MLD intends to operate in the EMLMR mode.
In response to applicant's argument, the examiner respectfully disagrees with the argument above.
Regarding amended claim 1, Lu teaches A non-access point (AP) multi-link device (MLD), comprising: stations (STAs), each configured to form a link with a corresponding AP of an AP MLD, wherein at least a subset of the links are enhanced multi-link multi-radio (EMLMR) links configured to operate in an EMLMR mode of operation; and operably coupled to the STAs, the processor configured to generate a message including an indication that the subset of the links are EMLMR links, wherein at least one of the transceivers is further configured to transmit, to the AP MLD, the message before an EMLMR frame exchange (see page 6, a non-access point (AP) multi-link device (MLD) configured to operate in an EMLMR mode on a specified set of enabled links between a non-AP MLD and its associated AP MLD, see also page 7, "when a non-AP MLD operates in the EMLMR mode, after initial frame exchange subject to its per-link spatial stream capabilities and operating mode on one of the EMLMR links, the non-AP MLD shall be able to support the following until the end of the frame exchange sequence initiated by the initial frame exchange", and see page 8: "receive PPDUs with the number of spatial streams up to the value as indicated in the EMLMR Supported MCS And NSS Set subfield of the Common Info field of transmitted Basic Multi-Link element at a time on the link for which the initial frame exchange was made"); the Examiner further states that Lorgeoux860 teaches A non-access point (AP) multi-link device (MLD) (see Fig.6, Fig.14-15, see para. 0358-0352) comprising: stations (STAs) (see Fig.6, Non-AP STAs 131-134, Fig. 14, Non-AP MLD 401, see Fig.15, a communication device 1500, see para. 0364), each comprising a transceiver (see Fig.15, Transmitter and Receiver 1502) and a processor (see Fig.15, CPU 1601) and wherein a message includes an enhanced multi-link (EML) control field that includes an EMLMR link bitmap subfield presence indicator set to indicate that the EML control field does not include the EMLMR link bitmap subfield as an indication that all of the links are EMLMR links (see Fig.8, steps 800, 810, 865, para. 0284-0290, on the left side, a non-AP MLD performs an association procedure with an AP MLD during which the non-AP MLD declares, at step 800, its capabilities, including all the eligible EMLMR links to the AP MLD. This is done using EMLMR Link Bitmap subfield 229 included the EML capabilities field 220′ of the ML Association Request frame (or in a variant without any bitmap if all the candidate links are eligible EMLMR links). The EMLMR Link Bitmap subfield 229 is thus a declaration bitmap used to declare all the eligible EMLMR links / the EML control field does not include the EMLMR link bitmap subfield as an indication that all of the links are EMLMR links, EML OM Notification frame activates an EMLMR mode by specifying, using EML Link Bitmap field 721, an EMLMR links set, i.e. the set of EMLMR links in which the EMLMR mode applies, see also para. 0257-0258, 0260, 0280-0283), and the EML control field includes an EMLMR mode indicator (see para. 0024, 0028, 0064-0066, the EML control field includes an EMLMR mode indicator, set to 0 to indicate that an EMLMR, respectively EMLSR, mode is disabled, set to 1 to indicate that an EMLMR, respectively EMLSR, mode is enabled and when the first field activates an EMLSR mode, a set of enabled links in which the EMLSR mode is applied, or when the first field activates an EMLMR mode, a set of enabled links in which the EMLMR mode is applied) that is set to indicate that the non-AP MLD intends to operate in the EMLMR mode (see para. 0028, the EML Control field includes an EMLMR Mode subfield and an EMLSR mode subfield, and the EMLMR, respectively EMLSR, Mode subfield is set to 1 to indicate that an EMLMR, respectively EMLSR, mode is enabled / the non-AP MLD intends to operate in the EMLMR mode, see also para. 0064-0066, 0129, 0142, 0145, 0154, 0177-0186, 0262, 0269, when the first field activates an EMLMR mode, a set of enabled links in which the EMLMR mode is applied).
Notice re prior art available under both pre-AIA and AIA
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 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.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
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 of this title, 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.
Claims 1-3, 6-10, 13-17 and 20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Lorgeoux et al. (IEEE P802.11, Wireless LANs, CC36 CR for EMLMR Links Sets, 01/14/2022), and further in view of Lorgeoux et al. (US Pub. No.: 2025/0016860, herein after Lorgeoux860).
As per claim 1, Lorgeoux disclose A non-access point (AP) multi-link device (MLD), comprising:
stations (STAs), each configured to form a link with a corresponding AP of an AP MLD, wherein at least a subset of the links are enhanced multi-link multi-radio (EMLMR) links configured to operate in an EMLMR mode of operation; and operably coupled to the STAs, and configured to generate a message including an indication that the subset of the links are EMLMR links, configured to transmit, to the AP MLD, the message before an EMLMR frame exchange (see Section 35.3.17 -- "(#6217)If a non-AP MLD with dot11EHTEMLMROptionlmplemented equal to true intends to switch EMLMR mode on an EMLMR links set after multi-link setup, then a non-AP STA affiliated with the non-AP MLD shall transmit an EML Operating Mode Notification frame with EML Mode subfield equal to 1 or Oto respectively enable or disable EMLMR mode for the EMLMR links set indicated in the EML Link Bitmap subfield").
Lorgeoux however does not explicitly disclose stations (STAs), each comprising a transceiver and a processor and wherein the message includes an enhanced multi-link (EML) control field that includes an EMLMR link bitmap subfield presence indicator set to indicate that the EML control field does not include the EMLMR link bitmap subfield as an indication that all of the links are EMLMR links, and the EML control field includes an EMLMR mode indicator that is set to indicate that the non-AP MLD intends to operate in the EMLMR mode
Lorgeoux860 however disclose A non-access point (AP) multi-link device (MLD) (see Fig.6, Fig.14-15, see para. 0358-0352) comprising: stations (STAs) (see Fig.6, Non-AP STAs 131-134, Fig. 14, Non-AP MLD 401, see Fig.15, a communication device 1500, see para. 0364), each comprising a transceiver (see Fig.15, Transmitter and Receiver 1502) and a processor (see Fig.15, CPU 1601) and
wherein a message includes an enhanced multi-link (EML) control field that includes an EMLMR link bitmap subfield presence indicator set to indicate that the EML control field does not include the EMLMR link bitmap subfield as an indication that all of the links are EMLMR links (see Fig.8, steps 800, 810, 865, para. 0284-0290, on the left side, a non-AP MLD performs an association procedure with an AP MLD during which the non-AP MLD declares, at step 800, its capabilities, including all the eligible EMLMR links to the AP MLD. This is done using EMLMR Link Bitmap subfield 229 included the EML capabilities field 220′ of the ML Association Request frame (or in a variant without any bitmap if all the candidate links are eligible EMLMR links). The EMLMR Link Bitmap subfield 229 is thus a declaration bitmap used to declare all the eligible EMLMR links / the EML control field does not include the EMLMR link bitmap subfield as an indication that all of the links are EMLMR links, EML OM Notification frame activates an EMLMR mode by specifying, using EML Link Bitmap field 721, an EMLMR links set, i.e. the set of EMLMR links in which the EMLMR mode applies, see also para. 0257-0258, 0260, 0280-0283), and
the EML control field includes an EMLMR mode indicator (see para. 0024, 0028, 0064-0066, the EML control field includes an EMLMR mode indicator, set to 0 to indicate that an EMLMR, respectively EMLSR, mode is disabled, set to 1 to indicate that an EMLMR, respectively EMLSR, mode is enabled and when the first field activates an EMLSR mode, a set of enabled links in which the EMLSR mode is applied, or when the first field activates an EMLMR mode, a set of enabled links in which the EMLMR mode is applied) that is set to indicate that the non-AP MLD intends to operate in the EMLMR mode (see para. 0028, the EML Control field includes an EMLMR Mode subfield and an EMLSR mode subfield, and the EMLMR, respectively EMLSR, Mode subfield is set to 1 to indicate that an EMLMR, respectively EMLSR, mode is enabled / the non-AP MLD intends to operate in the EMLMR mode, see also para. 0064-0066, 0129, 0142, 0145, 0154, 0177-0186, 0262, 0269, when the first field activates an EMLMR mode, a set of enabled links in which the EMLMR mode is applied).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide the functionality of A non-access point (AP) multi-link device (MLD) comprising: stations (STAs), each comprising a transceiver and a processor and wherein the message includes an enhanced multi-link (EML) control field that includes an EMLMR link bitmap subfield presence indicator set to indicate that the EML control field does not include the EMLMR link bitmap subfield as an indication that all of the links are EMLMR links, and the EML control field includes an EMLMR mode indicator that is set to indicate that the non-AP MLD intends to operate in the EMLMR mode, as taught by Lorgeoux860, in the system of Lorgeoux, so that the way of signaling the EMLMR links in two steps eases the management of multiple EMLMR links sets that non-AP MLD can use alternatively in operation, the latter can first declare all the eligible EMLMR links it intends to use for its various operations in EMLMR modes. This allows for instance the AP MLD to negotiate the eligible EMLMR links given the radio aggregation constraints, as described below. Then, it can specify which ones from them are actually used for a given activation of the EMLMR mode. This indeed allows the non-AP MLD to use whatever EMLMR links set based on the declared eligible EMLMR link, see Lorgeoux860, paragraphs 33-37.
As per claim 2, the combination of Lorgeoux and Lorgeoux860 disclose the non-AP MLD of claim 1.
Lorgeoux further disclose wherein the processor is configured to generate the message as an enhanced multi-link (EML) operating mode notification frame that indicates link identifiers (IDs) of the EMLMR links (see Section 1, During multi-link setup, a first step signaling is performed in EML Capabilities:
- The non-AP MLD signals all the links eligible to any EMLMR mode operation, called eligible EMLMR links. This is done through the subfield called “EMLMR Links Bitmap” which is based on Link IDs.
This first step signaling helps the AP MLD during multi-link setup :- All the eligible EMLMR Links able to aggregate the Tx/Rx NSS signalled in EML capabilities are identified (based on Link IDs).
Once the multi-link setup is completed, it is not mandatory for the AP MLD to store the content of this subfield (i.e. “EMLMR Links Bitmap”)).
As per claim 9, claim 9 is rejected the same way as claim 2.
As per claim 3, the combination of Lorgeoux and Lorgeoux860 disclose the non-AP MLD of claim 2.
Lorgeoux further disclose wherein: the EML operating mode notification frame includes an EML control field that includes an EMLMR link bitmap subfield, and the EMLMR link bitmap subfield indicates which of the links are the EMLMR links (see Fig.9, 144i, EML Control field format (#6217) (#6217)The single one-bit subfield, namely EML Mode subfield, inherits from the declared supported mode (either EMLSR or EMLMR) in the EML Capabilities subfield (see 9.4.2.312.2.2, Figure 9-1002h): EML Mode subfield indicates the activation or deactivation of the sole EML OM supported as declared during the association procedure).
As per claim 6, the combination of Lorgeoux and Lorgeoux860 disclose the non-AP MLD of claim 1.
Lorgeoux860 further disclose wherein: the processor is configured to generate the message as an EML operating mode notification frame, and the EML operating mode notification frame serves as an indication that all of the links are EMLMR links (see para. 0170, a non-AP MLD declares EMLMR capabilities in a ML Association Request, with a set of eligible EMLMR links. Eligible EMLMR links form part or all of the candidate links for set up with an AP MLD. The latter replies with a ML Association Response setting up candidate links and signalling which eligible EMLMR links are accepted. The signalling may involve a Status Code per each link. In operation, the non-AP MLD may then send one or more EML OM Notification frames requesting an activation of an EMLMR mode. Such a frame includes an EML Link bitmap specifying the EMLMR links set to be used. Two EMLMR modes with two separate and disjoint EMLMR links sets can then be activated simultaneously, see also para. 0030-0037, 0077, 0092).
As per claim 7, the combination of Lorgeoux and Lorgeoux860 disclose the non-AP MLD of claim 1.
Lorgeoux860 further disclose the processor is configured to generate the message as a basic multi-link element that indicates link IDs of the EMLMR links (see Fig.2, Fig.5, para. 0122, 0133, 0162, 0184, Basic variant Multi-Link element 200 includes Element ID field, Length field (enabling to know the presence or not of the optional fields as well as the number of Per-STA profiles in field), Element ID Extension field, Multi-Link Control field, optional Common Info field 210 and optional Link Info field 250, see also para. 0258, 0263, 0292).
As per claim 8, Lorgeoux disclose An access point (AP) multi-link device (MLD), comprising: APs, each configured to form a link with a corresponding station (STA) of a non-AP MLD, wherein at least one of the transceivers is configured to receive, from the non-AP MLD, a message including an indication that at least a subset of the links are enhanced multi-link multi-radio (EMLMR) links configured to operate in an EMLMR mode of operation; and operably coupled to the APs, the processor configured to select one of the EMLMR links on which to initiate an EMLMR frame exchange (see Section 35.3.17 -- "(#6217)If a non-AP MLD with dot11EHTEMLMROptionlmplemented equal to true intends to switch EMLMR mode on an EMLMR links set after multi-link setup, then a non-AP STA affiliated with the non-AP MLD shall transmit an EML Operating Mode Notification frame with EML Mode subfield equal to 1 or Oto respectively enable or disable EMLMR mode for the EMLMR links set indicated in the EML Link Bitmap subfield”).
Lorgeoux860 however disclose A non-access point (AP) multi-link device (MLD) (see Fig.6, Fig.14-15, see para. 0358-0352) comprising: stations (STAs) (see Fig.6, Non-AP STAs 131-134, Fig. 14, Non-AP MLD 401, see Fig.15, a communication device 1500, see para. 0364), each comprising a transceiver (see Fig.15, Transmitter and Receiver 1502) and a processor (see Fig.15, CPU 1601) and
wherein a message includes an enhanced multi-link (EML) control field that includes an EMLMR link bitmap subfield presence indicator set to indicate that the EML control field does not include the EMLMR link bitmap subfield as an indication that all of the links are EMLMR links (see Fig.8, steps 800, 810, 865, para. 0284-0290, on the left side, a non-AP MLD performs an association procedure with an AP MLD during which the non-AP MLD declares, at step 800, its capabilities, including all the eligible EMLMR links to the AP MLD. This is done using EMLMR Link Bitmap subfield 229 included the EML capabilities field 220′ of the ML Association Request frame (or in a variant without any bitmap if all the candidate links are eligible EMLMR links). The EMLMR Link Bitmap subfield 229 is thus a declaration bitmap used to declare all the eligible EMLMR links / the EML control field does not include the EMLMR link bitmap subfield as an indication that all of the links are EMLMR links, EML OM Notification frame activates an EMLMR mode by specifying, using EML Link Bitmap field 721, an EMLMR links set, i.e. the set of EMLMR links in which the EMLMR mode applies, see also para. 0257-0258, 0260, 0280-0283), and
the EML control field includes an EMLMR mode indicator (see para. 0024, 0028, 0064-0066, the EML control field includes an EMLMR mode indicator, set to 0 to indicate that an EMLMR, respectively EMLSR, mode is disabled, set to 1 to indicate that an EMLMR, respectively EMLSR, mode is enabled and when the first field activates an EMLSR mode, a set of enabled links in which the EMLSR mode is applied, or when the first field activates an EMLMR mode, a set of enabled links in which the EMLMR mode is applied) that is set to indicate that the non-AP MLD intends to operate in the EMLMR mode (see para. 0028, the EML Control field includes an EMLMR Mode subfield and an EMLSR mode subfield, and the EMLMR, respectively EMLSR, Mode subfield is set to 1 to indicate that an EMLMR, respectively EMLSR, mode is enabled / the non-AP MLD intends to operate in the EMLMR mode, see also para. 0064-0066, 0129, 0142, 0145, 0154, 0177-0186, 0262, 0269, when the first field activates an EMLMR mode, a set of enabled links in which the EMLMR mode is applied).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide the functionality of A non-access point (AP) multi-link device (MLD) comprising: stations (STAs), each comprising a transceiver and a processor and wherein the message includes an enhanced multi-link (EML) control field that includes an EMLMR link bitmap subfield presence indicator set to indicate that the EML control field does not include the EMLMR link bitmap subfield as an indication that all of the links are EMLMR links, and the EML control field includes an EMLMR mode indicator that is set to indicate that the non-AP MLD intends to operate in the EMLMR mode, as taught by Lorgeoux860, in the system of Lorgeoux, so that the way of signaling the EMLMR links in two steps eases the management of multiple EMLMR links sets that non-AP MLD can use alternatively in operation, the latter can first declare all the eligible EMLMR links it intends to use for its various operations in EMLMR modes. This allows for instance the AP MLD to negotiate the eligible EMLMR links given the radio aggregation constraints, as described below. Then, it can specify which ones from them are actually used for a given activation of the EMLMR mode. This indeed allows the non-AP MLD to use whatever EMLMR links set based on the declared eligible EMLMR link, see Lorgeoux860, paragraphs 33-37.
As per claim 9, claim 9 is rejected the same way as claim 2.
As per claim 10, claim 10 is rejected the same way as claim 3.
As per claim 13, claim 13 is rejected the same way as claim 6.
As per claim 14, claim 14 is rejected the same way as claim 7.
As per claim 15, claim 15 is rejected the same way as claim 1.
As per claim 16, claim 16 is rejected the same way as claim 2.
As per claim 17, claim 17 is rejected the same way as claim 3.
As per claim 20, claim 20 is rejected the same way as claim 6.
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SECOND REJECTION:
Claims 1, 8 and 15 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Lu ("CC36 CR for EMLMR Links", IEEE Draft; 11-21-1840-02-00be-cc36-cr-for-emlmr-links, IEEE-SA mentor, Piscataway, NJ USA, vol. 802.11 EHT; 802.11be, no. 2, 6 December 2021 (2021-12-06), pages 1-7, 12/06/2021), and further in view of Lorgeoux et al. (US Pub. No.: 2025/0016860, herein after Lorgeoux860).
As per claim 1, Lu disclose A non-access point (AP) multi-link device (MLD), comprising:
stations (STAs), each configured to form a link with a corresponding AP of an AP MLD, wherein at least a subset of the links are enhanced multi-link multi-radio (EMLMR) links configured to operate in an EMLMR mode of operation; and operably coupled to the STAs, the processor configured to generate a message including an indication that the subset of the links are EMLMR links, wherein at least one of the transceivers is further configured to transmit, to the AP MLD, the message before an EMLMR frame exchange (see page 6, a non-access point (AP) multi-link device (MLD) configured to operate in an EMLMR mode on a specified set of enabled links between a non-AP MLD and its associated AP MLD, see also page 7, "when a non-AP MLD operates in the EMLMR mode, after initial frame exchange subject to its per-link spatial stream capabilities and operating mode on one of the EMLMR links, the non-AP MLD shall be able to support the following until the end of the frame exchange sequence initiated by the initial frame exchange", and see page 8: "receive PPDUs with the number of spatial streams up to the value as indicated in the EMLMR Supported MCS And NSS Set subfield of the Common Info field of transmitted Basic Multi-Link element at a time on the link for which the initial frame exchange was made").
Lu however does not explicitly disclose stations (STAs), each comprising a transceiver and a processor, and wherein the message includes an enhanced multi-link (EML) control field that includes an EMLMR link bitmap subfield presence indicator set to indicate that the EML control field does not include the EMLMR link bitmap subfield as an indication that all of the links are EMLMR links, and the EML control field configured to indicate that the non-AP MLD intends to operate in the EMLMR mode, and the EML control field includes an EMLMR mode indicator that is set to indicate that the non-AP MLD intends to operate in the EMLMR mode.
Lorgeoux860 however disclose A non-access point (AP) multi-link device (MLD) (see Fig.6, Fig.14-15, see para. 0358-0352) comprising: stations (STAs) (see Fig.6, Non-AP STAs 131-134, Fig. 14, Non-AP MLD 401, see Fig.15, a communication device 1500, see para. 0364), each comprising a transceiver (see Fig.15, Transmitter and Receiver 1502) and a processor (see Fig.15, CPU 1601) and
wherein a message includes an enhanced multi-link (EML) control field that includes an EMLMR link bitmap subfield presence indicator set to indicate that the EML control field does not include the EMLMR link bitmap subfield as an indication that all of the links are EMLMR links (see Fig.8, steps 800, 810, 865, para. 0284-0290, on the left side, a non-AP MLD performs an association procedure with an AP MLD during which the non-AP MLD declares, at step 800, its capabilities, including all the eligible EMLMR links to the AP MLD. This is done using EMLMR Link Bitmap subfield 229 included the EML capabilities field 220′ of the ML Association Request frame (or in a variant without any bitmap if all the candidate links are eligible EMLMR links). The EMLMR Link Bitmap subfield 229 is thus a declaration bitmap used to declare all the eligible EMLMR links / the EML control field does not include the EMLMR link bitmap subfield as an indication that all of the links are EMLMR links, EML OM Notification frame activates an EMLMR mode by specifying, using EML Link Bitmap field 721, an EMLMR links set, i.e. the set of EMLMR links in which the EMLMR mode applies, see also para. 0257-0258, 0260, 0280-0283), and
the EML control field includes an EMLMR mode indicator (see para. 0024, 0028, 0064-0066, the EML control field includes an EMLMR mode indicator, set to 0 to indicate that an EMLMR, respectively EMLSR, mode is disabled, set to 1 to indicate that an EMLMR, respectively EMLSR, mode is enabled and when the first field activates an EMLSR mode, a set of enabled links in which the EMLSR mode is applied, or when the first field activates an EMLMR mode, a set of enabled links in which the EMLMR mode is applied) that is set to indicate that the non-AP MLD intends to operate in the EMLMR mode (see para. 0028, the EML Control field includes an EMLMR Mode subfield and an EMLSR mode subfield, and the EMLMR, respectively EMLSR, Mode subfield is set to 1 to indicate that an EMLMR, respectively EMLSR, mode is enabled / the non-AP MLD intends to operate in the EMLMR mode, see also para. 0064-0066, 0129, 0142, 0145, 0154, 0177-0186, 0262, 0269, when the first field activates an EMLMR mode, a set of enabled links in which the EMLMR mode is applied).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide the functionality of A non-access point (AP) multi-link device (MLD) comprising: stations (STAs), each comprising a transceiver and a processor and wherein the message includes an enhanced multi-link (EML) control field that includes an EMLMR link bitmap subfield presence indicator set to indicate that the EML control field does not include the EMLMR link bitmap subfield as an indication that all of the links are EMLMR links, and the EML control field includes an EMLMR mode indicator that is set to indicate that the non-AP MLD intends to operate in the EMLMR mode, as taught by Lorgeoux860, in the system of Lu, so that the way of signaling the EMLMR links in two steps eases the management of multiple EMLMR links sets that non-AP MLD can use alternatively in operation, the latter can first declare all the eligible EMLMR links it intends to use for its various operations in EMLMR modes. This allows for instance the AP MLD to negotiate the eligible EMLMR links given the radio aggregation constraints, as described below. Then, it can specify which ones from them are actually used for a given activation of the EMLMR mode. This indeed allows the non-AP MLD to use whatever EMLMR links set based on the declared eligible EMLMR link, see Lorgeoux860, paragraphs 33-37.
As per claim 8, claim 8 is rejected the same way as claim 1. Claim 8 relates to an access point (AP) multi-link device (MLD). The features of claim 8 are substantially the same as those of claim l and further comprise 'selecting one of EMLMR links on which to initiate an EMLMR frame exchange'. However, the different feature would be easily derived from the disclosure of DI (see page 7: "an AP of an AP MLD transmits a PPDU that initiates a frame exchange with a non-AP MLD operating in EMLMR mode").
As per claim 15, claim 15 is rejected the same way as claim 1.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 4, 11 and 18 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.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Sevin (US Pub. No.:2024/0381466) – see para. 0050-0058, “… a communication method in a wireless network, comprises at a requesting multi-link device, MLD: [0051] sending, to a requested MLD, a requesting Enhanced Multi-Link, EML, Operating Mode, OM, Notification frame requesting an activation or deactivation of an EML Single-Radio, EMLSR, OM or of an EML Multi-Radio, EMLMR, OM, [0052] wherein the requesting EML OM Notification frame includes a single bitmap subfield that indicates either a set of links to be used in the EMLSR OM if the requesting EML OM Notification frame requests an activation of the EMLSR OM or a set of links to be used in the EMLMR OM if the requesting EML OM Notification frame requests an activation of the EMLMR OM”.
Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to LAKERAM JANGBAHADUR whose telephone number is (571)272-1335. The examiner can normally be reached on M-F 7 am - 4 pm.
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/LAKERAM JANGBAHADUR/
Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2469
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