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 .
Response to Arguments
Applicants’ arguments regarding the 103 rejection have been considered and are not persuasive. The combination of Kwon, Patil and Don clearly teaches each and every limitation in the amended claims. Detailed responses can be found in the office action.
Applicant argues, page 8/11,
By contrast, claim 20 as amended recites the first frame including a first frame
which "indicates a duration of a first time resource allocated for transmission by the
apparatus." Thus, claim 20 recites an apparatus sending its own PPDU duration
contrary to the device sending a PPDU duration for a second device's frame disclosed by
Kwon.
The examiner respectfully disagrees. It is true that the first resource is allocated by the first device, however, in view of the application specification, [0223-224], [0249][0255], the first resource is allocated and used for the second device to transmit a SU PPDU or exchange frames with other devices. The first resource is not allocated for transmission used by the first device. Kwon teaches, slides, 7, 8, 11, a device can include an indication in a PPDU that enables a peer device to transmit a control response frame in an SU PPDU whose duration is indicated by, the indication. Detailed responses can be found in the office action.
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, 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.
Claim(s) 1-2, 11-12, 20-21, 27 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kwon (Singles STA trigger, IEEE 802.11-20/0689r1, April, 2020, cited in IDS) in view of Patil (US 20190191451) further in view of Dong (US 20230262801).
Regarding claim 20, Kwon discloses a communication apparatus, wherein the communication apparatus (AP MLD through D1, STA) comprises a processor and a non-transitory memory, the memory is configured to store a computer program, and the processor is configured to execute the computer program stored in the memory, to enable the communication apparatus to perform steps comprising:
generating a first frame, wherein the first frame comprises a first field and a second field, the first field indicates a duration of a first time resource allocated for transmission by the apparatus (slides 7, 8, 11, figure, transmitting data and TR, trigger frame, generating first frame before transmitting, one field indicates PPDU duration. Note that, at the time when the frame is generated, the duration of the first resource must be allocated or determined by the first device), the second field is used to determine a purpose of the first time resource (slides 7, 8, 11, figure, transmitting data and TR, trigger frame, generating first frame before transmitting, one field indicates the purpose of the duration) and the purpose of the first time resource comprises one of: the first time resource is used to transmit a single-user physical layer protocol data unit PPDU (slide 6-8, 11, the use of SU PPDU, indicate that SU type PPDU is solicited, that is, the first resource is for transmission by other nodes; can include an indication in a PPDU that enables a peer to transmit a control response frame in an SU PPDU whose duration is indicated by the indication), or the first time resource is used to perform frame exchange (slide 6, allowing an acknowledgement frame transmission indicates that there are frame exchanges); wherein the second field enables determination of a plurality of purposes for the first time resource comprising at least single-user PPDU transmission (slide 6-8, the use of SU PPDU, indicate that SU type PPDU is solicited), cooperation device frame exchange slide 6, allowing an acknowledgement frame transmission indicates that there are frame exchanges), and peer-to-peer station frame exchange,
wherein the first frame further comprises a triggered response scheduling (TRS) A-control control field (Kwon, slide 8), and
sending the first frame to a second device (slide 7, figure, sending Tr to another node or STA).
Kwon discloses an AP, which normally or implicitly comprises a processor and a non-transitory memory, the memory is configured to store a computer program, and the processor is configured to execute the computer program stored in the memory. Known does not explicitly disclose the A-control field comprises a TRS control field, the TRS control field comprises the first field and the second field, and a reserved bit in the TRS control field is set to 1.
Patil discloses the communication apparatus comprises a processor and a non-transitory memory, the memory is configured to store a computer program, and the processor is configured to execute the computer program stored in the memory (Patil, figs. 3-4).
Patil discloses the first frame further comprises a triggered response scheduling (TRS) A-control control field, and the A-control field comprises a TRS control field, the TRS control field comprises the first field and the second field, and a reserved bit in the TRS control field is set to 1 (Patil, [0068][0081], figs. 16-17, the control field 1618 may include an A-Control subfield that includes the TRS control field 1700 shown in FIG. 17. In some implementations, the TRS control field 1700 may include a high efficiency (HE) trigger-based (TB) PPDU length field 1702, an RU allocation field 1704, a DL Tx power field 1706, an UL target received signal strength indicator (RSSI) 1708, an UL modulation coding scheme (MCS) field 1710, and reserved field(s) 1712. Here, the reserved bit can be 0 or 1).
Patil also discloses the trigger frame comprises a field for duration (Patil, fig. 16).
It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the time of effective filing to combine the teachings of a method for generating trigger frame as given by Kwon with the teachings of implementation using processor and memory to carry the method as given by Patil. The motivation for doing so would have been to improve WiFi technology in terms of throughput and efficiency.
Kwon and Patil do not explicitly disclose the second field enables determination of a plurality of purposes for the first time resource comprising peer-to-peer station frame exchange.
Dong discloses the second field enables determination of a plurality of purposes for the first time resource comprising peer-to-peer station frame exchange (Dong, [0058], specific identifier field contains an identifier assigned by a peer-to-peer application to identify specific peer-to-peer frame exchange).
It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the time of effective filing to combine the teachings of a method for generating trigger frame as given by Kwon with the teachings of identifying peer-to-peer communication given by Dong. The motivation for doing so would have been to improve the system throughput and spectrum efficiency (Dong, [0007]). It is noted that the applicant uses selective language in this claim and the examiner is only showing one of the claimed options.
Claims 1 and 11 are rejected similarly as claim 20, noting Patil discloses parsing a trigger frame ([0034], receive a first frame, from a first wireless communication device, that includes at least a first A-MPDU). It is noted that the applicant uses selective language in this claim and the examiner is only showing one of the claimed options.
Regarding claims 2, 12, 21, Kwon and Patil disclose the method according to claim 1, wherein when the first time resource is used to transmit the single-user PPDU, a duration of the single-user PPDU is equal to the duration of the first time resource (Kwon, slides 5, 7, 10, a SU PPDU with indicated PPDU length).
Regarding claims 27, Kwon, Patil and Dong disclose the communication apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the apparatus and second device are access points (APs) (Kwon, slide, slide 2; Patil, [0003], may be formed by one or more access points (APs) that provide a shared wireless communication medium; Dong, [0030]).
Claim(s) 5-7, 10, 15-17, 22-24, 26 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kwon, Patil and Dong further in view of Hedayat (US 20210345339).
Regarding claim 5, 15, 22, Kwon, Patil and Dong disclose the method according to claim 1,
Kwon, Patil and Dong do not explicitly disclose wherein the first frame further comprises a trigger type field, and a value of the trigger type field being one of 8 to 15.
Hedayat discloses wherein the first frame further comprises a trigger type field, and a value of the trigger type field being one of 8 to 15 (Hedayat, [0067], fig. 9, the value of the type of the trigger frame is set at 8).
It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the time of effective filing to combine the teachings of a method for generating trigger frame as given by Kwon with the teachings of defining the A-control frame by Hedayat. The motivation for doing so would have been to improve WiFi technology in terms of throughput and efficiency (Hedayat, [0003]).
Regarding claim 6, 16, 23, Kwon, Patil and Dong disclose the method according to claim 1,
Kwon, Patil and Dong do not explicitly disclose wherein the first frame is a basic trigger frame, and a B63 bit in the basic trigger frame is set to 1.
Hedayat disclose wherein the first frame is a basic trigger frame (Hedayat, trigger type is basic, fig. 9, [0070]), and a B63 bit in the basic trigger frame is set to 1 (Hedayat, [0019], B63 is one bit, which can be set at 0 or 1, a finite number).
It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the time of effective filing to combine the teachings of a method for generating trigger frame as given by Kwon with the teachings of defining the A-control frame by Hedayat. The motivation for doing so would have been to improve WiFi technology in terms of throughput and efficiency (Hedayat, [0003]).
Regarding claim 7, 17, 24, Kwon, Patil and Dong disclose the method according to claim 1,
Kwon, Patil and Dong do not explicitly disclose wherein the first field and the second field are located in a common information field.
Hedayat discloses wherein the first field and the second field are located in a common information field (Hedayat, fig. 4, common information field comprises many fields including the first field and the second field ) or a user information field of the first frame (Hedayat, fig. 5, user information field comprises many fields including the first field and the second field).
It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the time of effective filing to combine the teachings of a method for generating trigger frame as given by Kwon with the teachings of defining the A-control frame by Hedayat. The motivation for doing so would have been to improve WiFi technology in terms of throughput and efficiency (Hedayat, [0003]).
It is noted that the applicant uses selective language in this claim and the examiner is only showing one of the claimed options.
Regarding claims 10, 26, Kwon, Patil and Dong disclose the method according to claim 1,
Kwon, Patil and Dong do not explicitly disclose wherein the method further comprises: receiving, by the first device, a response frame sent by the second device, wherein the response frame comprises a third field, and the third field indicates whether the second device accepts the first time resource.
Hedayat discloses wherein the method further comprises: receiving, by the first device, a response frame sent by the second device, wherein the response frame comprises a third field, and the third field indicates whether the second device accepts the first time resource (Hedayat, [0110], AP receives trigger frame, uses/accepts the attributes in the trigger frame and sends an ACK or response to acknowledge the trigger frame).
It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the time of effective filing to combine the teachings of a method for generating trigger frame as given by Kwon with the teachings of defining the A-control frame by Hedayat. The motivation for doing so would have been to improve WiFi technology in terms of throughput and efficiency (Hedayat, [0003]).
Claim(s) 8, 18, 25 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over
Kwon, Patil and Dong further in view of Asterjadh (US 20200280975).
Regarding claim 8, 18, 25, Kwon, Patil and Dong disclose the method according to claim 1, wherein the A-control control field (Kwon, slide 8) further comprises
a control identifier field (Kwon, slide 8, define a new Control ID; Patil, fig. 16, 17).
Kwon, Patil and Dong do not explicitly disclose a value of the control identifier field being one of 7 to 14.
Asterjadh discloses the A-control field comprises a control identifier field, a value of the control identifier field being one of 7 to 14 (Asterjadh, [0061][0081-83], an A-Control field 362 has a series of control parameters (Control 1, Control 2, and so on); following the Control ID 374, the control information 378 may have a different length depending on the control ID 374 value; it is also possible to use one of the reserved values (control ID 7 to 14) to indicate the length of the A-Control Field).
It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the time of effective filing to combine the teachings of defining method for generating trigger frame as given by Kwon with the teachings of A-control field given by Asterjadh. The motivation for doing so would have been to provide efficient control information in wireless LAN (Asterjadh, [0003-4]).
Conclusion
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 ZHENSHENG ZHANG whose telephone number is (571)270-1985. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Thursday 8:00am-6:00pm.
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, Michael Thier can be reached at 571-272-2832. 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.
/ZHENSHENG ZHANG/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2474
Prosecution Insights