DETAILED ACTION
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Amendment filed 9/18/2026 is acknowledged.
Claims 1, 2, 5, 6, 13, and 18 have been amended.
Claims 8-11, 14, 15, 19, and 20 previously cancelled.
Claims 1-7, 12, 13, 16-18, and 21-28 remain pending.
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 9/18/2026 is in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement is being considered by the examiner.
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.
Claims 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 12, 13, 16-18, 21-23, and 28 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Krcmaricic-Barackov et al. (US20200266989A1), hereafter Barackov, in view of Waheed et al. (US20220272633A1), hereafter Waheed.
Regarding claims 1 and 18,
Barackov (Title: Ad-Hoc Network) discloses a method of a first router device (Fig. 3, paragraph 34-36; router-eligible End Devices in a Thread network defined under IEEE 802.15.4) comprising transceiver circuitry (Fig. 5, Transmitter 308/Receiver 309/Antenna 305) and processing circuitry (Fig. 5, microcontroller 301; paragraph 121) operatively coupled to the transceiver circuitry and configured to cause the transceiver circuitry of the first router device to transmit an indication (paragraph 295; transmission/reception scheduling segments assigned by cluster master/coordinator and to commissioned router nodes and further distributed/transmitted to functional devices not directly in communication with cluster master/coordinator as shown in Fig. 2) of a first plurality of time slots and a second plurality of time slots to a second router device (Fig. 3, commissioned nodes including REED Thread Device) or an end device (Fig. 3, commissioned nodes including Regular Thread Device) that is communicatively coupled to the first router device via a wireless Thread network (Fig. 3; paragraph 34-36; Thread Network/IEEE 802.15.4) to cause at least a portion of the transceiver to enter a low power state during one or more times outside of the first plurality of time slots and the second plurality of time slots (paragraph 298; excluding reception slots when node does not have to listen/can power off antenna and transceiver), cause the transceiver circuitry to exit the low power state to receive wireless signals during the first plurality of time slots (paragraph 297 exclusive reception slots when node must listen for messages), and cause the transceiver circuitry to exit the low power state to transmit wireless signals during the second plurality of time slots (paragraph 296; exclusive transmission slot when node transmits without other node interfering signals).
Barackov does not expressly show the indication of first and second time slots is generated by the device also causing at least a portion of the transceiver to enter low power state during one or more of the times out of the first and second time slots.
Waheed discloses analogous art (Title: Autonomous Wake On Radio Schedule that Schedules Deterministic Radio Events to Reduce Involvement of Primary Processor; Fig. 2 and paragraphs 15-22; 802.15.4 ) including generating the indication of first and second time slots including causing at least a portion of the transceiver to enter low power state during one or more of the times out of the first and second time slots (Fig. 6, 8; paragraphs 17, 28-30, 37, 52-53; scheduling node generates indication of timeslot mode while also entering sleep mode during times outside of the timeslot mode).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the time of effective filing to modify Barackov by generating the indication of first and second time slots including causing at least a portion of the transceiver to enter low power state during one or more of the times out of the first and second time slots, as shown by Waheed, thereby minimizing processor intervention for maximum power savings.
Regarding claim 13,
Barackov discloses a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions (paragraph 40-41, 119-126) that, when executed by processing circuitry (Fig. 5, microcontroller 301; paragraph 121) of a first router device (Fig. 3, paragraph 34-36; router-eligible End Devices in a Thread network defined under IEEE 802.15.4) cause the processing circuitry to cause transceiver circuitry (Fig. 5, Transmitter 308/Receiver 309/Antenna 305) of the first router device to transmit an indication (paragraph 295; transmission/reception scheduling segments assigned by cluster master/coordinator and to commissioned router nodes and further distributed/transmitted to functional devices not directly in communication with cluster master/coordinator as shown in Fig. 2) of a first plurality of time slots and a second plurality of time slots to a second router device (Fig. 3, commissioned nodes including REED Thread Device) or an end device (Fig. 3, commissioned nodes including Regular Thread Device) that is communicatively coupled to the first router device via a wireless Thread network (Fig. 3; paragraph 34-36; Thread Network/IEEE 802.15.4) to cause at least a portion of the transceiver to enter a low power state during one or more times outside of the first plurality of time slots and the second plurality of time slots (paragraph 298; excluding reception slots when node does not have to listen/can power off antenna and transceiver), cause the transceiver circuitry to exit the low power state to receive wireless signals during the first plurality of time slots (paragraph 297; exclusive reception slots when node must listen for messages), and cause the transceiver circuitry to exit the low power state to transmit wireless signals during the second plurality of time slots (paragraph 296; exclusive transmission slot to transmit without interfering signals from other nodes).
Barackov does not expressly show the indication of first and second time slots is generated by the device also causing at least a portion of the transceiver to enter low power state during one or more of the times out of the first and second time slots.
Waheed discloses analogous art (Title: Autonomous Wake On Radio Schedule that Schedules Deterministic Radio Events to Reduce Involvement of Primary Processor; Fig. 2 and paragraphs 15-22; 802.15.4 ) including generating the indication of first and second time slots including causing at least a portion of the transceiver to enter low power state during one or more of the times out of the first and second time slots (Fig. 6, 8; paragraphs 17, 28-30, 37, 52-53; scheduling node generates indication of timeslot mode while also entering sleep mode during times outside of the timeslot mode).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the time of effective filing to modify Barackov by generating the indication of first and second time slots including causing at least a portion of the transceiver to enter low power state during one or more of the times out of the first and second time slots, as shown by Waheed, thereby minimizing processor intervention for maximum power savings.
Regarding claim 2,
The combination of Barackov and Waheed discloses the processing circuitry configured to cause the transceiver circuitry to transmit a second indication of a third plurality of time slots and a fourth plurality of time slots to an electronic device (Fig. 3; further/additional REED and Regular Thread Devices) that is communicatively coupled to the first electronic device via the wireless network, wherein the third plurality of time slots is associated with the transceiver receiving wireless signals from the electronic device via the wireless Thread network and the fourth plurality of times slots is associated with the transceiver transmitting wireless signals to the electronic device via the wireless Thread network (Fig. 3; paragraphs 295-300; each commissioned node is assigned transmission/reception scheduling segments).
Regarding claim 4,
The combination of Barackov and Waheed discloses the first plurality of time slots and the third plurality of time slots are different (Abstract; each node in different states/distance to time references).
Regarding claim 6,
The combination of Barackov and Waheed discloses at least the portion of the transceiver circuitry to enter the low power state during one or more additional times outside of the first plurality of time slots and the third plurality of time slots (paragraph 298; excluding reception slots when node does not have to listen/can power off antenna and transceiver) and cause the transceiver to exit the low power state to receive wireless signals during the first plurality of time slots or the third plurality of time slots (paragraph 297; exclusive reception slots when node must listen for messages).
Regarding claim 7,
The combination of Barackov and Waheed discloses the processing circuitry is configured to determine the first plurality of time slots and the second plurality of time slots based at least in part on network traffic on a second wireless network to which the first electronic device is communicatively coupled (paragraph 295-300; listen/sync on to the cluster node of the Thread Network).
Regarding claims 12, 16, 17, 21, and 22,
The combination of Barackov and Waheed discloses the second router and/or end device comprises a sleepy end device (Fig. 3, Regular Thread Device)) or second router device (Fig. 3, REED Thread Device) of the wireless Thread network comprising WiFi, Bluetooth, or IEEE 802.11/802.15.4 networks (paragraph 34-36).
Regarding claim 23,
The combination of Barackov and Waheed does not expressly disclose determining the first plurality of time slots and the second plurality of time slots by performing coordinated sampled listening (paragraph 295; each commissioned node calculates their distance to time references to indicate the quality of their own clock in relation to network time).
Regarding claim 28,
The combination of Barackov and Waheed discloses to determine the first and second plurality of time slots based on availability of the transceiver circuitry of the first router device and second router device/end device (paragraph 51, 108, 171, 214, 293; metadata of each node such as capabilities/characteristics including resources available on the node with its address and other identifying parameters).
Claim 3 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Barackov and Waheed in view of Lee et al. (US20240414737A1), hereafter Lee.
Regarding claim 3,
The combination of Barackov and Waheed does not expressly disclose a first time slot of the first plurality of time slots overlaps with a second time slot of the third plurality of time slots.
Lee discloses analogous art (paragraph 198; 802.15.4) including a first time slot of the first plurality of time slots overlaps with a second time slot of the third plurality of time slots (Fig. 11-13; paragraphs 153-156; RX slot/resource pool overlapping with TX slot/resource pool).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the time of effective filing to modify Barackov and Waheed by providing a first time slot of the first plurality of time slots overlaps with a second time slot of the third plurality of time slots, as shown by Lee, thereby enabling efficient sidelink communication in V2X networks.
Claims 5, 24, 25, and 27 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Barackov and Waheed in view of Hanley et al. (US20180132182A1), hereafter Hanley.
Regarding claim 5,
The combination of Barackov and Waheed does not expressly show a multi-device wake-up command to the second electronic device and the third electronic device and after transmitting the multi-device wake-up command, cause the transceiver to transmit the indication and the second indication.
Hanley discloses analogous art (Title: Optimization of Broadcast Messaging for Low-Energy Devices Communicating on a Time-Slotted Channel Hopping Network) including a routers and end devices (paragraph 2, 18; parent devices including routers defined by IEEE 802.15.4; Fig. 1-3; paragraph 3; Low-Energy Devices 104) in a low-energy network communicating over time slots (Fig. 4, time slots 411-415, 421-425 according to configured hopping pattern; Abstract; Fig. 5-7; paragraphs 3-6, 18-20, 38-51; sleep state during wake/sleep cycle) and further includes a multi-device wake-up command to the second electronic device and the third electronic device and after transmitting the multi-device wake-up command, cause the transceiver to transmit the indication and the second indication (Fig. 8, steps 810-830; paragraphs 4-6, 58-61; multi-device broadcast timeslot).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the time of effective filing to modify Barackov and Waheed by providing a multi-device wake-up command to the second electronic device and the third electronic device and after transmitting the multi-device wake-up command, cause the transceiver to transmit the indication and the second indication, as shown by Hanley, thereby optimizing transmissions between parent devices and connected LE devices operating on a time-slotted channel hopping networks such as 802.15.4 Thread networks.
Regarding claim 24,
The combination of Barackov and Waheed does not expressly disclose the second router device or an end device is configured to operate in a sleep mode and wake up to poll the first router device.
Hanley discloses analogous art (Title: Optimization of Broadcast Messaging for Low-Energy Devices Communicating on a Time-Slotted Channel Hopping Network) including a routers and end devices (paragraph 2, 18; parent devices including routers defined by IEEE 802.15.4; Fig. 1-3; paragraph 3; Low-Energy Devices 104) in a low-energy network communicating over time slots (Fig. 4, time slots 411-415, 421-425 according to configured hopping pattern; Abstract; Fig. 5-7; paragraphs 3-6, 18-20, 38-51; sleep state during wake/sleep cycle) and further shows the second router device or an end device is configured to operate in a sleep mode and wake up to poll the first router device (Abstract; Fig. 9, step 910; paragraph 63; LE endpoint sends check-in message upon exiting sleep state).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the time of effective filing to modify Barackov and Waheed by configuring the second router device or an end device is configured to operate in a sleep mode and wake up to poll the first router device, as shown by Hanley, thereby optimizing transmissions between parent devices and connected LE devices operating on a time-slotted channel hopping networks such as 802.15.4 Thread networks.
Regarding claim 25,
Barackov does not expressly show causing the transceiver circuitry of the first router device to transmit a wake-up signal to the second router device or the end device, wherein the wake-up signal is configured to cause the second router device or the end device to exit the low power state.
Hanley discloses analogous art (Title: Optimization of Broadcast Messaging for Low-Energy Devices Communicating on a Time-Slotted Channel Hopping Network) including a routers and end devices (paragraph 2, 18; parent devices including routers defined by IEEE 802.15.4; Fig. 1-3; paragraph 3; Low-Energy Devices 104) in a low-energy network communicating over time slots (Fig. 4, time slots 411-415, 421-425 according to configured hopping pattern; Abstract; Fig. 5-7; paragraphs 3-6, 18-20, 38-51; sleep state during wake/sleep cycle) and further causing the transceiver circuitry of the first router device to transmit a wake-up signal to the second router device or the end device to cause the second router device or the end device to exit the low power state (Abstract; Fig. 9, step 920; paragraph 64; acknowledgement message to check-in identifying broadcast timeslot).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the time of effective filing to modify Barackov by causing the transceiver circuitry of the first router device to transmit a wake-up signal to the second router device or the end device to cause the second router device or the end device to exit the low power state, as shown by Hanley, thereby optimizing transmissions between parent devices and connected LE devices operating on a time-slotted channel hopping networks such as 802.15.4 Thread networks.
Regarding claim 27,
The combination of Barackov and Waheed fails to expressly disclose the first router device is configured to operate with the transceiver on, maintain IPv6 address mappings, and subscribe to an all-routers multicast address.
Hanley discloses analogous art (Title: Optimization of Broadcast Messaging for Low-Energy Devices Communicating on a Time-Slotted Channel Hopping Network) including a routers and end devices (paragraph 2, 18; parent devices including routers defined by IEEE 802.15.4; Fig. 1-3; paragraph 3; Low-Energy Devices 104) in a low-energy network communicating over time slots (Fig. 4, time slots 411-415, 421-425 according to configured hopping pattern; Abstract; Fig. 5-7; paragraphs 3-6, 18-20, 38-51; sleep state during wake/sleep cycle) and further discloses the first router device is configured to operate with the transceiver on (i.e. wake), maintain IPv6 address mappings (paragraph 21, 53; IP addressing), and subscribe to an all-routers multicast address (paragraph 56; multicast addressing).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the time of effective filing to modify Barackov and Waheed by configuring the first router device is configured to operate with the transceiver on, maintain IPv6 address mappings, and subscribe to an all-routers multicast address, as shown by Hanley, thereby optimizing transmissions between parent devices and connected LE devices operating on a time-slotted channel hopping networks such as 802.15.4 Thread networks.
Claim 26 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Barackov and Waheed in view of Dash et al. (USP 11265888B2), hereafter Dash.
Regarding claim 26,
The combination of Barackov and Waheed does not expressly disclose determining the first plurality of time slots and the second plurality of time slots based on current radio conditions.
Dash discloses analogous art (Title; Col. 2, lines 40-50; 802.15.4/Thread networks) including determining time slots based on current radio conditions (Col. 5-6, lines 55-8; slot determination based on channel quality/interference information).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the time of effective filing to modify Barackov and Waheed by determining the time slots based on current radio conditions, as shown by Dash, thereby enabling time slot allocation based on current channel quality and interference information of the network.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments with respect to the pending claims have been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection relies on the newly-cited Waheed reference for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Uhling et al. (US20210136692A1); paragraphs 46, 115; Fig. 16; 802.15.4 and building a schedule indicating timeslot groups with different sleep/wake cycles.
Han (US20210243079A1); Bi-directional Commissioning for Low-Power Wireless Network Devices; paragraphs 4, 20, 82; different temporary master devices controlling commissioning of low-power devices.
Das et al. (US20200252877A1); Power Constrained Neighbor Awareness Networking Device to Sleep; paragraphs 61, 78; 802.15.4/Thread protocol, indication of time slots.
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 GREGORY B SEFCHECK whose telephone number is (571)272-3098. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday 6AM-4PM.
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, Chirag Shah can be reached at 571-272-3144. 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.
/GREGORY B SEFCHECK/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2477
