0DETAILED 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 .
Response to Amendment
This Action is in response to Applicant’s amendment filed September 18, 2025. Claims 2-9 and 15-34 are pending in the present application. This Action is made FINAL.
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.
The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness.
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.
Claims 2-9, 15-18, 21, 23, 24, 27, and 29-30 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Rahman et al. (US 2007/0250713, cited by IDS filed October 29, 2024, “Rahman”) in view of Gantman et al. (US 2014/0247711, “Gantman”).
Regarding claim 2, Rahman teaches a communication apparatus (FIG. 9 – Child mesh AP 921), comprising:
at least one processing circuit, causing the communication apparatus (FIG. 2, [0046]) to perform operations comprising:
{controlling to transmit, to a single access point apparatus, a Probe Request, and receive, from the single access point apparatus, a Probe Response that is a response to the Probe Request, wherein the Probe Request and the Probe Response are compliant with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 series standards};
controlling to transmit on one of a plurality of frequencies {and after receiving the Probe Response}, to the single access point apparatus, an Association Request that is compliant with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 series standards and that includes information ([0101] the child mesh AP, when requesting association, announces that it has two identities and is capable of multilink. [0060] 1) The child AP 104 as infrastructure supplicant (IS) sends a Mesh Association Request in 507 including its security parameters needed to establish link security with its selected parent node (mesh point), the parent mesh AP 114. [0104] - When the child mesh AP first associates with a controller 901 (C1) via the parent mesh AP 912 to form the first link, it indicates that it wishes to form multiple links to the advertised BSSID-M and BSSID-N using its two identities, e.g., two radios IS-A and IS-B, thus asserting it wishes to use the multiple-identities-key hierarchy. [0046] - In particular, the backhaul radio interface 201 is configured to communicate according to the IEEE 802.11a standard in the approximately 5 GHz band, and the access radio interface 203 is configured to communicate according to the IEEE 802.11b,g standard in the approximately 2.4 GHz band) indicating that the communication apparatus is capable of establishing multiple links ([0101] the child mesh AP, when requesting association, announces that it has two identities and is capable of multilink) ; and
controlling, at least after receiving an Association Response that the single access point apparatus transmits as a response to the Association Request and that is compliant with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 series standards ([0063] - The parent mesh AP 114, as the authenticator's agent, receives the LWAPP Mesh Response and sends a Mesh Association Response encoding the authenticator's association result in it) {and that includes information indicating that the single access point apparatus is capable of establishing multiple links}, to set up with the single access point apparatus, a plurality of links ([0064] Once the child AP 105 (the IS) receives the Mesh Association Response in 509 from the parent mesh AP 114 with success result, it proceeds to the authentication phase. If the response is negative, a different mesh network and/or parent mesh AP is/are selected in 503. Suppose in 511 the response to the association request is positive, i.e., the received response message includes a success result. The potential child mesh AP 105 proceeds to the mesh backhaul security protocol authentication phase. [0074] - Once the authentication phase is complete and the LWAPP join phase is complete, so that the child mesh AP 105 joins its chosen mesh network 110. [0103] - Suppose Parent mesh AP 912 (P2) also has two identities, e.g., radios identified by BSSID-M and BSSID-N. Again, and the child identities are identified as IS-A and IS-B. Suppose a first link between the parent identity BSSID-M and the child identity IS-A, denoted [IS-A, BSSID-M] is part of the backbone network of the mesh to the root AP and forms a first link. One embodiment allows the mesh network to form an additional second link from child mesh AP 921 to the parent mesh AP 912 using the second respective radio of both the parent and child) {using the different frequencies}.
Rahman does not expressively teaches
controlling to transmit, to a single access point apparatus, a Probe Request, and receive, from the single access point apparatus, a Probe Response that is a response to the Probe Request, wherein the Probe Request and the Probe Response are compliant with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 series standards… controlling to transmit… after receiving the Probe Response, to the single access point apparatus, an Association Request,
set up with the access point apparatus, the plurality of links… using the different frequencies
association Response… that includes information indicating that the single access point apparatus is capable of establishing multiple links.
Gantman teaches
controlling to transmit, to a single access point apparatus, a Probe Request, and receive, from the single access point apparatus, a Probe Response that is a response to the Probe Request, wherein the Probe Request and the Probe Response are compliant with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 series standards (FIG. 3, [0038] at messages 1b, the second device 320 may send a probe request and receive a probe response frame from the first device 310. [0033] A first wireless connection 231 utilizes the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz spectrum (and an associated protocol such as 802.11a/b/g/n/ac protocol). A second wireless connection 232 utilizes the 60 GHz spectrum (and an associated protocol such as 802.11ad protocol))… controlling to transmit… after receiving the Probe Response, to the single access point apparatus, an Association Request (FIG. 39, [0039] - At message 3, the second device 320 may send an Association Request frame to establish the first wireless connection),
set up with the access point apparatus, the plurality of links… using the different frequencies ([0033] A first wireless connection 231 utilizes the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz spectrum (and an associated protocol such as 802.11a/b/g/n/ac protocol). A second wireless connection 232 utilizes the 60 GHz spectrum (and an associated protocol such as 802.11ad protocol))
association Response… that includes information indicating that the single access point apparatus is capable of establishing multiple links ([0039] At message 4, the first device 310 may respond with an Association Response frame to grant the first wireless connection. In some implementations, the association response may also indicate support for reciprocal wireless connections. Furthermore, the association response may include configuration information regarding the establishment of the second wireless connections).
It would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention for a person with ordinary skill in the art to incorporate the feature
controlling to transmit, to a single access point apparatus, a Probe Request, and receive, from the single access point apparatus, a Probe Response that is a response to the Probe Request, wherein the Probe Request and the Probe Response are compliant with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 series standards… controlling to transmit… after receiving the Probe Response, to the single access point apparatus, an Association Request,
set up with the access point apparatus, the plurality of links… using the different frequencies
association Response… that includes information indicating that the single access point apparatus is capable of establishing multiple links, as taught by Gantman in Rahman to support support failover, load balancing, traffic distribution.
Regarding claim 3, Rahman in view of Gantman teaches claim 1, and Rahman further teaches wherein the at least one processing circuit executes a set of instructions stored in at least one memory to cause the communication apparatus to perform the operations (FIG. 2, [0046]).
Regarding claim 4, Rahman in view of Gantman teaches claim 3, and further teaches wherein the at least one processing circuit is a central processing unit (FIG. 2, [0046]).
Regarding claim 5, Rahman in view of Gantman teaches claim 2, and further teaches wherein the at least one processing circuit is a central processing unit (FIG. 2, [0046]).
Regarding claim 6, Rahman in view of Gantman teaches claim 5 but fails to teach wherein the at least one processing circuit is an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC).
However, the Examiner take official notice that using an ASIC is well known in the art. ASICs are known to provide high performance at smaller footprint.
It would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention for a person with ordinary skill in the art to incorporate the feature of wherein the at least one processing circuit is an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), in Rahman to provide an integrated circuit at smaller footprint.
Regarding claim 7, Rahman in view of Gantman teaches claim 2 and further teaches wherein the communication apparatus is another access point apparatus (FIG. 9 shows child mesh AP 921).
Regarding claim 8, Rahman in view of Gantman teaches claim 2 but fails to teach wherein the communication apparatus supports a Wi-Fi EasyMesh standard.
However, EasyMesh is well known in a protocol developed reusing IEEE1905.1 standard to facilitate network with multiple 802.11x access points for improved range without reduced performance.
It would have been obvious to implement a mesh network using Wi-Fi EasyMesh in Rahman for improved range without reduce performance.
Regarding claim 9, Rahman teaches a communication apparatus (FIG. 9 – Parent mesh AP 912), comprising:
at least one processing circuit, causing the communication apparatus (FIG. 2, [0046]) to perform operations comprising:
{receiving, from a single other communication apparatus, a Probe Request, and transmit, to the single other communication apparatus, a Probe Response that is a response to the Probe Request, wherein the Probe Request and the Probe Response are compliant with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 series standards}
receiving, on one of a plurality of frequencies {and after transmitting the Probe Response}, from the single other communication apparatus, an Association Request that is compliant with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 series standards and that includes information ([0101] the child mesh AP, when requesting association, announces that it has two identities and is capable of multilink. [0060] 1) The child AP 104 as infrastructure supplicant (IS) sends a Mesh Association Request in 507 including its security parameters needed to establish link security with its selected parent node (mesh point), the parent mesh AP 114. [0104] - When the child mesh AP first associates with a controller 901 (C1) via the parent mesh AP 912 to form the first link, it indicates that it wishes to form multiple links to the advertised BSSID-M and BSSID-N using its two identities, e.g., two radios IS-A and IS-B, thus asserting it wishes to use the multiple-identities-key hierarchy. [0046] - In particular, the backhaul radio interface 201 is configured to communicate according to the IEEE 802.11a standard in the approximately 5 GHz band, and the access radio interface 203 is configured to communicate according to the IEEE 802.11b,g standard in the approximately 2.4 GHz band) indicating that the single other communications apparatus is capable of establishing multiple link ([0101] the child mesh AP, when requesting association, announces that it has two identities and is capable of multilink);
transmitting, to the single other communication apparatus, an Association Response that is compliant with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 series standards ([0063] - The parent mesh AP 114, as the authenticator's agent, receives the LWAPP Mesh Response and sends a Mesh Association Response encoding the authenticator's association result in it) {and that includes information indicating that the communication apparatus is capable of establishing multiple link}, and
after transmitting the Association Response, establishing the plurality of links with the other communication apparatus ([0064] Once the child AP 105 (the IS) receives the Mesh Association Response in 509 from the parent mesh AP 114 with success result, it proceeds to the authentication phase. If the response is negative, a different mesh network and/or parent mesh AP is/are selected in 503. Suppose in 511 the response to the association request is positive, i.e., the received response message includes a success result. The potential child mesh AP 105 proceeds to the mesh backhaul security protocol authentication phase. [0074] - Once the authentication phase is complete and the LWAPP join phase is complete, so that the child mesh AP 105 joins its chosen mesh network 110. [0103] - Suppose Parent mesh AP 912 (P2) also has two identities, e.g., radios identified by BSSID-M and BSSID-N. Again, and the child identities are identified as IS-A and IS-B. Suppose a first link between the parent identity BSSID-M and the child identity IS-A, denoted [IS-A, BSSID-M] is part of the backbone network of the mesh to the root AP and forms a first link. One embodiment allows the mesh network to form an additional second link from child mesh AP 921 to the parent mesh AP 912 using the second respective radio of both the parent and child) {using different frequencies}.
Rahman does not expressively teaches
receiving, from a single other communication apparatus, a Probe Request, and transmit, to the single other communication apparatus, a Probe Response that is a response to the Probe Request, wherein the Probe Request and the Probe Response are compliant with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 series standards… receiving… after transmitting the Probe Response, from the single other communication apparatus, an Association Request,
set up the plurality of links with the single other communication apparatus using the different frequencies.
association Response… that includes information indicating that the single access point apparatus is capable of establishing multiple links.
Gantman teaches
receiving, from a single other communication apparatus, a Probe Request, and transmit, to the single other communication apparatus, a Probe Response that is a response to the Probe Request, wherein the Probe Request and the Probe Response are compliant with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 series standards (FIG. 3, [0038] at messages 1b, the second device 320 may send a probe request and receive a probe response frame from the first device 310. [0033] A first wireless connection 231 utilizes the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz spectrum (and an associated protocol such as 802.11a/b/g/n/ac protocol). A second wireless connection 232 utilizes the 60 GHz spectrum (and an associated protocol such as 802.11ad protocol))… receiving… after transmitting the Probe Response, from the single other communication apparatus, an Association Request (FIG. 39, [0039] - At message 3, the second device 320 may send an Association Request frame to establish the first wireless connection),
set up the plurality of links with the single other communication apparatus using the different frequencies ([0033] A first wireless connection 231 utilizes the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz spectrum (and an associated protocol such as 802.11a/b/g/n/ac protocol). A second wireless connection 232 utilizes the 60 GHz spectrum (and an associated protocol such as 802.11ad protocol))
Association Response… that includes information indicating that the single access point apparatus is capable of establishing multiple links. ([0039] At message 4, the first device 310 may respond with an Association Response frame to grant the first wireless connection. In some implementations, the association response may also indicate support for reciprocal wireless connections. Furthermore, the association response may include configuration information regarding the establishment of the second wireless connections).
It would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention for a person with ordinary skill in the art to incorporate the feature
receiving, from a single other communication apparatus, a Probe Request, and transmit, to the single other communication apparatus, a Probe Response that is a response to the Probe Request, wherein the Probe Request and the Probe Response are compliant with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 series standards… receiving… after transmitting the Probe Response, from the single other communication apparatus, an Association Request,
set up the plurality of links with the single other communication apparatus using the different frequencies.
association Response… that includes information indicating that the single access point apparatus is capable of establishing multiple links, as taught by Gantman in Rahman to support support failover, load balancing, traffic distribution
Regarding claim 15, Rahman teaches a control method executed by a communication apparatus (FIG. 9 – Child mesh AP 921), the control method comprising:
{controlling to transmit, to an a single access point apparatus, a Probe Request, and receive, from the single access point apparatus, a Probe Response that is a response to the Probe Request, wherein the Probe Request and the Probe Response are compliant with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 series standards}
controlling to transmit on one of a plurality of frequencies {and after receiving the Probe Response}, to the access point apparatus, an Association Request that is compliant with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 series standards and that includes information ([0101] the child mesh AP, when requesting association, announces that it has two identities and is capable of multilink. [0060] 1) The child AP 104 as infrastructure supplicant (IS) sends a Mesh Association Request in 507 including its security parameters needed to establish link security with its selected parent node (mesh point), the parent mesh AP 114. [0104] - When the child mesh AP first associates with a controller 901 (C1) via the parent mesh AP 912 to form the first link, it indicates that it wishes to form multiple links to the advertised BSSID-M and BSSID-N using its two identities, e.g., two radios IS-A and IS-B, thus asserting it wishes to use the multiple-identities-key hierarchy. [0046] - In particular, the backhaul radio interface 201 is configured to communicate according to the IEEE 802.11a standard in the approximately 5 GHz band, and the access radio interface 203 is configured to communicate according to the IEEE 802.11b,g standard in the approximately 2.4 GHz band) indicating that the communication apparatus is capable of establishing multiple links ([0101] the child mesh AP, when requesting association, announces that it has two identities and is capable of multilink) and
controlling, at least after receiving an Association Response that the single access point apparatus transmits as a response to the Association Request ([0063] - The parent mesh AP 114, as the authenticator's agent, receives the LWAPP Mesh Response and sends a Mesh Association Response encoding the authenticator's association result in it) {that is compliant with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 series standards and that includes information indicating that the single access point apparatus is capable of establishing multiple links}, to set up, with the single access point apparatus, a plurality of links ([0064] Once the child AP 105 (the IS) receives the Mesh Association Response in 509 from the parent mesh AP 114 with success result, it proceeds to the authentication phase. If the response is negative, a different mesh network and/or parent mesh AP is/are selected in 503. Suppose in 511 the response to the association request is positive, i.e., the received response message includes a success result. The potential child mesh AP 105 proceeds to the mesh backhaul security protocol authentication phase. [0074] - Once the authentication phase is complete and the LWAPP join phase is complete, so that the child mesh AP 105 joins its chosen mesh network 110. [0103] - Suppose Parent mesh AP 912 (P2) also has two identities, e.g., radios identified by BSSID-M and BSSID-N. Again, and the child identities are identified as IS-A and IS-B. Suppose a first link between the parent identity BSSID-M and the child identity IS-A, denoted [IS-A, BSSID-M] is part of the backbone network of the mesh to the root AP and forms a first link. One embodiment allows the mesh network to form an additional second link from child mesh AP 921 to the parent mesh AP 912 using the second respective radio of both the parent and child) {using the different frequencies}.
Rahman does not expressively teaches
controlling to transmit, to an a single access point apparatus, a Probe Request, and receive, from the single access point apparatus, a Probe Response that is a response to the Probe Request, wherein the Probe Request and the Probe Response are compliant with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 series standards… controlling to transmit… after receiving the Probe Response, to the single access point apparatus, an Association Request,
set up, with the single access point apparatus, a plurality of links … using the different frequencies
Association Response… that includes information indicating that the single access point apparatus is capable of establishing multiple links.
Gantman teaches
controlling to transmit, to a single access point apparatus, a Probe Request, and receive, from the single access point apparatus, a Probe Response that is a response to the Probe Request, wherein the Probe Request and the Probe Response are compliant with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 series standards (FIG. 3, [0038] at messages 1b, the second device 320 may send a probe request and receive a probe response frame from the first device 310. [0033] A first wireless connection 231 utilizes the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz spectrum (and an associated protocol such as 802.11a/b/g/n/ac protocol). A second wireless connection 232 utilizes the 60 GHz spectrum (and an associated protocol such as 802.11ad protocol))… controlling to transmit… after receiving the Probe Response, to the single access point apparatus, an Association Request (FIG. 39, [0039] - At message 3, the second device 320 may send an Association Request frame to establish the first wireless connection),
set up, with the single access point apparatus, a plurality of links … using the different frequencies ([0033] A first wireless connection 231 utilizes the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz spectrum (and an associated protocol such as 802.11a/b/g/n/ac protocol). A second wireless connection 232 utilizes the 60 GHz spectrum (and an associated protocol such as 802.11ad protocol))
Association Response… that includes information indicating that the single access point apparatus is capable of establishing multiple links ([0039] At message 4, the first device 310 may respond with an Association Response frame to grant the first wireless connection. In some implementations, the association response may also indicate support for reciprocal wireless connections. Furthermore, the association response may include configuration information regarding the establishment of the second wireless connections).
It would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention for a person with ordinary skill in the art to incorporate the feature
controlling to transmit, to an a single access point apparatus, a Probe Request, and receive, from the single access point apparatus, a Probe Response that is a response to the Probe Request, wherein the Probe Request and the Probe Response are compliant with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 series standards… controlling to transmit… after receiving the Probe Response, to the single access point apparatus, an Association Request,
set up, with the single access point apparatus, a plurality of links … using the different frequencies
Association Response… that includes information indicating that the single access point apparatus is capable of establishing multiple links, as taught by Gantman in Rahman to support support failover, load balancing, traffic distribution
Regarding claim 16, Pirzada teaches a control method executed by a communication apparatus (FIG. 9 – Parent mesh AP 912), comprising:
{receiving, from a single other communication apparatus, a Probe Request, and transmit, the single other communication apparatus, a Probe Response that is a response to the Probe Request, wherein the Probe Request and the Probe Response are compliant with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 series standards;}
receiving on one of a plurality of frequencies {and after transmitting the Probe Response}, from the single other communication apparatus, an Association Request that is compliant with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 series standards and that includes information ([0101] the child mesh AP, when requesting association, announces that it has two identities and is capable of multilink . [0060] 1) The child AP 104 as infrastructure supplicant (IS) sends a Mesh Association Request in 507 including its security parameters needed to establish link security with its selected parent node (mesh point), the parent mesh AP 114. [0104] - When the child mesh AP first associates with a controller 901 (C1) via the parent mesh AP 912 to form the first link, it indicates that it wishes to form multiple links to the advertised BSSID-M and BSSID-N using its two identities, e.g., two radios IS-A and IS-B, thus asserting it wishes to use the multiple-identities-key hierarchy. [0046] - In particular, the backhaul radio interface 201 is configured to communicate according to the IEEE 802.11a standard in the approximately 5 GHz band, and the access radio interface 203 is configured to communicate according to the IEEE 802.11b,g standard in the approximately 2.4 GHz band) indicating that the single other communication apparatus is capable of establishing multiple link ([0101] the child mesh AP, when requesting association, announces that it has two identities and is capable of multilink); and
transmitting, to the other communication apparatus, an Association Response that is compliant with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 series standards ([0063] - The parent mesh AP 114, as the authenticator's agent, receives the LWAPP Mesh Response and sends a Mesh Association Response encoding the authenticator's association result in it),
after transmitting the Association Response, establishing the plurality of links with the other communication apparatus ([0064] Once the child AP 105 (the IS) receives the Mesh Association Response in 509 from the parent mesh AP 114 with success result, it proceeds to the authentication phase. If the response is negative, a different mesh network and/or parent mesh AP is/are selected in 503. Suppose in 511 the response to the association request is positive, i.e., the received response message includes a success result. The potential child mesh AP 105 proceeds to the mesh backhaul security protocol authentication phase. [0074] - Once the authentication phase is complete and the LWAPP join phase is complete, so that the child mesh AP 105 joins its chosen mesh network 110. [0103] - Suppose Parent mesh AP 912 (P2) also has two identities, e.g., radios identified by BSSID-M and BSSID-N. Again, and the child identities are identified as IS-A and IS-B. Suppose a first link between the parent identity BSSID-M and the child identity IS-A, denoted [IS-A, BSSID-M] is part of the backbone network of the mesh to the root AP and forms a first link. One embodiment allows the mesh network to form an additional second link from child mesh AP 921 to the parent mesh AP 912 using the second respective radio of both the parent and child) {using different frequencies}
Rahman does not expressively teaches
receiving, from a single other communication apparatus, a Probe Request, and transmit, the single other communication apparatus, a Probe Response that is a response to the Probe Request, wherein the Probe Request and the Probe Response are compliant with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 series standards… receiving… after transmitting the Probe Response, from the single other communication apparatus, an Association Request,
set up the plurality of links with the single other communication apparatus using the different frequencies.
Association Response… that includes information indicating that the single access point apparatus is capable of establishing multiple links.
Gantman teaches
receiving, from a single other communication apparatus, a Probe Request, and transmit, the single other communication apparatus, a Probe Response that is a response to the Probe Request, wherein the Probe Request and the Probe Response are compliant with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 series standards (FIG. 3, [0038] at messages 1b, the second device 320 may send a probe request and receive a probe response frame from the first device 310. [0033] A first wireless connection 231 utilizes the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz spectrum (and an associated protocol such as 802.11a/b/g/n/ac protocol). A second wireless connection 232 utilizes the 60 GHz spectrum (and an associated protocol such as 802.11ad protocol))… receiving… after transmitting the Probe Response, from the single other communication apparatus, an Association Request (FIG. 39, [0039] - At message 3, the second device 320 may send an Association Request frame to establish the first wireless connection),
set up the plurality of links with the single other communication apparatus using the different frequencies ([0033] A first wireless connection 231 utilizes the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz spectrum (and an associated protocol such as 802.11a/b/g/n/ac protocol). A second wireless connection 232 utilizes the 60 GHz spectrum (and an associated protocol such as 802.11ad protocol))
Association Response… that includes information indicating that the single access point apparatus is capable of establishing multiple links. ([0039] At message 4, the first device 310 may respond with an Association Response frame to grant the first wireless connection. In some implementations, the association response may also indicate support for reciprocal wireless connections. Furthermore, the association response may include configuration information regarding the establishment of the second wireless connections).
It would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention for a person with ordinary skill in the art to incorporate the feature
receiving, from a single other communication apparatus, a Probe Request, and transmit, the single other communication apparatus, a Probe Response that is a response to the Probe Request, wherein the Probe Request and the Probe Response are compliant with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 series standards… receiving… after transmitting the Probe Response, from the single other communication apparatus, an Association Request,
set up the plurality of links with the single other communication apparatus using the different frequencies.
Association Response… that includes information indicating that the single access point apparatus is capable of establishing multiple links, as taught by Gantman in Rahman to support support failover, load balancing, traffic distribution
Regarding claim 17, Rahman teaches a non-transitory computer readable storage medium that stores a program (FIG. 2, [0046]) for causing a communication apparatus (FIG. 9 – Child mesh AP 921) to perform operations comprising:
{controlling to transmit, to a single access point apparatus, a Probe Request, and receive, from the single access point apparatus, a Probe Response that is a response to the Probe Request, wherein the Probe Request and the Probe Response are compliant with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 series standards};
controlling to transmit on one of a plurality of frequencies {and after receiving the Probe Response}, to the single access point apparatus, an Association Request that is compliant with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 series standards and that includes information ([0060] 1) The child AP 104 as infrastructure supplicant (IS) sends a Mesh Association Request in 507 including its security parameters needed to establish link security with its selected parent node (mesh point), the parent mesh AP 114. [0104] - When the child mesh AP first associates with a controller 901 (C1) via the parent mesh AP 912 to form the first link, it indicates that it wishes to form multiple links to the advertised BSSID-M and BSSID-N using its two identities, e.g., two radios IS-A and IS-B, thus asserting it wishes to use the multiple-identities-key hierarchy. [0046] - In particular, the backhaul radio interface 201 is configured to communicate according to the IEEE 802.11a standard in the approximately 5 GHz band, and the access radio interface 203 is configured to communicate according to the IEEE 802.11b,g standard in the approximately 2.4 GHz band) indicating that the communication apparatus is capable of establishing multiple links ; and
controlling, at least after receiving an Association Response that the single access point apparatus transmits as a response to the Association Request that is compliant with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 series standards ([0063] - The parent mesh AP 114, as the authenticator's agent, receives the LWAPP Mesh Response and sends a Mesh Association Response encoding the authenticator's association result in it), {and that includes information indicating that the single access point apparatus is capable of establishing multiple links} to set up with the single access point apparatus, the plurality of links ([0064] Once the child AP 105 (the IS) receives the Mesh Association Response in 509 from the parent mesh AP 114 with success result, it proceeds to the authentication phase. If the response is negative, a different mesh network and/or parent mesh AP is/are selected in 503. Suppose in 511 the response to the association request is positive, i.e., the received response message includes a success result. The potential child mesh AP 105 proceeds to the mesh backhaul security protocol authentication phase. [0074] - Once the authentication phase is complete and the LWAPP join phase is complete, so that the child mesh AP 105 joins its chosen mesh network 110. [0103] - Suppose Parent mesh AP 912 (P2) also has two identities, e.g., radios identified by BSSID-M and BSSID-N. Again, and the child identities are identified as IS-A and IS-B. Suppose a first link between the parent identity BSSID-M and the child identity IS-A, denoted [IS-A, BSSID-M] is part of the backbone network of the mesh to the root AP and forms a first link. One embodiment allows the mesh network to form an additional second link from child mesh AP 921 to the parent mesh AP 912 using the second respective radio of both the parent and child) {using the different frequencies}.
Rahman does not expressively teaches
controlling to transmit, to a single access point apparatus, a Probe Request, and receive, from the single access point apparatus, a Probe Response that is a response to the Probe Request, wherein the Probe Request and the Probe Response are compliant with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 series standards… controlling to transmit… after receiving the Probe Response, to the single access point apparatus, an Association Request,
set up with the single access point apparatus, the plurality of links… using the different frequencies
Association Response… that includes information indicating that the single access point apparatus is capable of establishing multiple links.
Gantman teaches
controlling to transmit, to a single access point apparatus, a Probe Request, and receive, from the single access point apparatus, a Probe Response that is a response to the Probe Request, wherein the Probe Request and the Probe Response are compliant with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 series standards (FIG. 3, [0038] at messages 1b, the second device 320 may send a probe request and receive a probe response frame from the first device 310. [0033] A first wireless connection 231 utilizes the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz spectrum (and an associated protocol such as 802.11a/b/g/n/ac protocol). A second wireless connection 232 utilizes the 60 GHz spectrum (and an associated protocol such as 802.11ad protocol))… controlling to transmit… after receiving the Probe Response, to the single access point apparatus, an Association Request (FIG. 39, [0039] - At message 3, the second device 320 may send an Association Request frame to establish the first wireless connection),
set up with the access point apparatus, the plurality of links… using the different frequencies ([0033] A first wireless connection 231 utilizes the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz spectrum (and an associated protocol such as 802.11a/b/g/n/ac protocol). A second wireless connection 232 utilizes the 60 GHz spectrum (and an associated protocol such as 802.11ad protocol))
Association Response… that includes information indicating that the single access point apparatus is capable of establishing multiple links ([0039] At message 4, the first device 310 may respond with an Association Response frame to grant the first wireless connection. In some implementations, the association response may also indicate support for reciprocal wireless connections. Furthermore, the association response may include configuration information regarding the establishment of the second wireless connections).
It would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention for a person with ordinary skill in the art to incorporate the feature
controlling to transmit, to a single access point apparatus, a Probe Request, and receive, from the single access point apparatus, a Probe Response that is a response to the Probe Request, wherein the Probe Request and the Probe Response are compliant with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 series standards… controlling to transmit… after receiving the Probe Response, to the single access point apparatus, an Association Request… controlling to transmit… after receiving the Probe Response, to the single access point apparatus, an Association Request,
set up with the access point apparatus, the plurality of links… using the different frequencies
association Response… that includes information indicating that the single access point apparatus is capable of establishing multiple links, as taught by Gantman in Rahman to support support failover, load balancing, traffic distribution
Regarding claim 18, Rahman teaches a non-transitory computer readable storage medium that stores a program (FIG. 2, [0046]) for causing a communication apparatus (FIG. 9 – Parent mesh AP 912) to perform operations comprising:
{receiving, from a single other communication apparatus, a Probe Request, and transmit, to the single other communication apparatus, a Probe Response that is a response to the Probe Request, wherein the Probe Request and the Probe Response are compliant with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 series standards}
receiving, on one of a plurality of frequencies {and after transmitting the Probe Response}, from the single other communication apparatus, an Association Request that is compliant with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 series standards and that includes information related to setting up of a plurality of links using respective one of the plurality frequencies ([0101] the child mesh AP, when requesting association, announces that it has two identities and is capable of multilink [0060] 1) The child AP 104 as infrastructure supplicant (IS) sends a Mesh Association Request in 507 including its security parameters needed to establish link security with its selected parent node (mesh point), the parent mesh AP 114. [0104] - When the child mesh AP first associates with a controller 901 (C1) via the parent mesh AP 912 to form the first link, it indicates that it wishes to form multiple links to the advertised BSSID-M and BSSID-N using its two identities, e.g., two radios IS-A and IS-B, thus asserting it wishes to use the multiple-identities-key hierarchy. [0046] - In particular, the backhaul radio interface 201 is configured to communicate according to the IEEE 802.11a standard in the approximately 5 GHz band, and the access radio interface 203 is configured to communicate according to the IEEE 802.11b,g standard in the approximately 2.4 GHz band) indicating that the single other communication apparatus is capable of establishing multiple links ([0101] the child mesh AP, when requesting association, announces that it has two identities and is capable of multilink);
transmitting, to the single other communication apparatus, an Association Response that is compliant with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 series standards ([0063] - The parent mesh AP 114, as the authenticator's agent, receives the LWAPP Mesh Response and sends a Mesh Association Response encoding the authenticator's association result in it) {and that includes information indicating that the communication apparatus is capable of establishing multiple links}, and
after transmitting the Association Response, establishing the plurality of links with the single other communication apparatus ([0064] Once the child AP 105 (the IS) receives the Mesh Association Response in 509 from the parent mesh AP 114 with success result, it proceeds to the authentication phase. If the response is negative, a different mesh network and/or parent mesh AP is/are selected in 503. Suppose in 511 the response to the association request is positive, i.e., the received response message includes a success result. The potential child mesh AP 105 proceeds to the mesh backhaul security protocol authentication phase. [0074] - Once the authentication phase is complete and the LWAPP join phase is complete, so that the child mesh AP 105 joins its chosen mesh network 110. [0103] - Suppose Parent mesh AP 912 (P2) also has two identities, e.g., radios identified by BSSID-M and BSSID-N. Again, and the child identities are identified as IS-A and IS-B. Suppose a first link between the parent identity BSSID-M and the child identity IS-A, denoted [IS-A, BSSID-M] is part of the backbone network of the mesh to the root AP and forms a first link. One embodiment allows the mesh network to form an additional second link from child mesh AP 921 to the parent mesh AP 912 using the second respective radio of both the parent and child) {using different frequencies}.
Rahman does not expressively teaches
receiving, from a single other communication apparatus, a Probe Request, and transmit, to the single other communication apparatus, a Probe Response that is a response to the Probe Request, wherein the Probe Request and the Probe Response are compliant with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 series standards… receiving… after transmitting the Probe Response, from the single other communication apparatus, an Association Request,
set up the plurality of links with the single other communication apparatus using the different frequencies.
Association Response… that includes information indicating that the single access point apparatus is capable of establishing multiple links.
Gantman teaches
receiving, from a single other communication apparatus, a Probe Request, and transmit, to the single other communication apparatus, a Probe Response that is a response to the Probe Request, wherein the Probe Request and the Probe Response are compliant with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 series standards (FIG. 3, [0038] at messages 1b, the second device 320 may send a probe request and receive a probe response frame from the first device 310. [0033] A first wireless connection 231 utilizes the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz spectrum (and an associated protocol such as 802.11a/b/g/n/ac protocol). A second wireless connection 232 utilizes the 60 GHz spectrum (and an associated protocol such as 802.11ad protocol))… receiving… after transmitting the Probe Response, from the single other communication apparatus, an Association Request (FIG. 39, [0039] - At message 3, the second device 320 may send an Association Request frame to establish the first wireless connection),
set up the plurality of links with the single other communication apparatus using the different frequencies ([0033] A first wireless connection 231 utilizes the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz spectrum (and an associated protocol such as 802.11a/b/g/n/ac protocol). A second wireless connection 232 utilizes the 60 GHz spectrum (and an associated protocol such as 802.11ad protocol))
Association Response… that includes information indicating that the single access point apparatus is capable of establishing multiple links. ([0039] At message 4, the first device 310 may respond with an Association Response frame to grant the first wireless connection. In some implementations, the association response may also indicate support for reciprocal wireless connections. Furthermore, the association response may include configuration information regarding the establishment of the second wireless connections).
It would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention for a person with ordinary skill in the art to incorporate the feature
receiving, from a single other communication apparatus, a Probe Request, and transmit, to the single other communication apparatus, a Probe Response that is a response to the Probe Request, wherein the Probe Request and the Probe Response are compliant with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 series standards… receiving… after transmitting the Probe Response, from the single other communication apparatus, an Association Request,
set up the plurality of links with the single other communication apparatus using the different frequencies.
Association Response… that includes information indicating that the single access point apparatus is capable of establishing multiple links, as taught by Gantman in Rahman to support support failover, load balancing, traffic distribution.
Regarding claim 21, Rahman in view of Gantman teaches claim 2 and Rahman further teaches wherein the Association Request includes an information to initiate the establishment of the plurality of links ([0101] – the child mesh AP, when requesting association, announces that it has two identities and is capable of multilink. [0104] - When the child mesh AP first associates with a controller 901 (C1) via the parent mesh AP 912 to form the first link, it indicates that it wishes to form multiple links to the advertised BSSID-M and BSSID-N using its two identities, e.g., two radios IS-A and IS-B, thus asserting it wishes to use the multiple-identities-key hierarchy).
Regarding claim 23, Rahman in view of Gantman teaches claim 2 and Rahman further teaches wherein the Association Request includes a profile relating to the establishment of the plurality of links by the communication apparatus ([0101] – the child mesh AP, when requesting association, announces that it has two identities and is capable of multilink. [0104] - When the child mesh AP first associates with a controller 901 (C1) via the parent mesh AP 912 to form the first link, it indicates that it wishes to form multiple links to the advertised BSSID-M and BSSID-N using its two identities, e.g., two radios IS-A and IS-B, thus asserting it wishes to use the multiple-identities-key hierarchy).
Regarding claim 24, Rahman in view of Gantman teaches claim 2 and Rahman further teaches and Rahman further teaches wherein the Association Request is addressed to a single access point apparatus ([0060] 1) The child AP 104 as infrastructure supplicant (IS) sends a Mesh Association Request in 507 including its security parameters needed to establish link security with its selected parent node (mesh point)).
Regarding claim 27, Rahman in view of Gantman teaches claim 2 and Rahman further teaches claim 9 and Rahman further teaches wherein the Association Request includes a information to initiate the establishment of the plurality of links ([0101] – the child mesh AP, when requesting association, announces that it has two identities and is capable of multilink. [0104] - When the child mesh AP first associates with a controller 901 (C1) via the parent mesh AP 912 to form the first link, it indicates that it wishes to form multiple links to the advertised BSSID-M and BSSID-N using its two identities, e.g., two radios IS-A and IS-B, thus asserting it wishes to use the multiple-identities-key hierarchy).
Regarding claim 29, Rahman in view of Gantman teaches claim 9 and Rahman further teaches wherein the Association Response includes a profile relating to the establishment of the plurality of links by the communication apparatus ([0063] - The parent mesh AP 114, as the authenticator's agent, receives the LWAPP Mesh Response and sends a Mesh Association Response encoding the authenticator's association result in it. [0064] - Once the child AP 105 (the IS) receives the Mesh Association Response in 509 from the parent mesh AP 114 with success result, it proceeds to the authentication phase. [0046] - the backhaul radio interface 201 is configured to communicate according to the IEEE 802.11a standard in the approximately 5 GHz band, and the access radio interface 203 is configured to communicate according to the IEEE 802.11b,g standard in the approximately 2.4 GHz band).
Regarding claim 30, Rahman in view of Gantman teaches claim 9 and Rahman further teaches wherein the Association Response is addressed to only the other communication apparatus ([0063] - The parent mesh AP 114, as the authenticator's agent, receives the LWAPP Mesh Response and sends a Mesh Association Response encoding the authenticator's association result in it. [0064] - Once the child AP 105 (the IS) receives the Mesh Association Response in 509 from the parent mesh AP 114 with success result, it proceeds to the authentication phase. [0046] - the backhaul radio interface 201 is configured to communicate according to the IEEE 802.11a standard in the approximately 5 GHz band, and the access radio interface 203 is configured to communicate according to the IEEE 802.11b,g standard in the approximately 2.4 GHz band).
Regarding claim 31, Rahman in view of Gantman teaches claim 2 but Rahman fails to teach controlling to perform, before the Association Request is transmitted, a process to share information used for authentication.
Gantman teaches controlling to perform, before the Association Request is transmitted, a process to share information used for authentication (FIG.3, [0038] At messages 2, an authentication process may be used between the first and second devices 310, 320 prior to association [0043] - security pre-configuration or reuse of security credentials via the first wireless connection).
It would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention for a person with ordinary skill in the art to incorporate the feature
controlling to perform, before the Association Request is transmitted, a process to share information used for authentication, as taught by Gantman in Rahman to support secured connections.
Regarding claim 32, Rahman in view of Gantman teaches claim 31 but Rahman fails to teach wherein the process to share the information used for the authentication is a WPS process.
Gantman teaches wherein the process to share the information used for the authentication is a WPS process (FIG.3, [0038] At messages 2, an authentication process may be used between the first and second devices 310, 320 prior to association [0043] - security pre-configuration or reuse of security credentials via the first wireless connection).
It would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention for a person with ordinary skill in the art to incorporate the feature
wherein the process to share the information used for the authentication is a WPS process, as taught by Gantman in Rahman to support secured connections.
Regarding claim 33, Rahman in view of Gantman teaches claim 9 but Rahman fails to teach controlling to perform, before the Association Request is received, a process to share information used for authentication.
Gantman teaches controlling to perform, before the Association Request is received, a process to share information used for authentication (FIG.3, [0038] At messages 2, an authentication process may be used between the first and second devices 310, 320 prior to association. [0043] - security pre-configuration or reuse of security credentials via the first wireless connection).
It would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention for a person with ordinary skill in the art to incorporate the feature
controlling to perform, before the Association Request is received, a process to share information used for authentication, as taught by Gantman in Rahman to support secured connections.
Regarding claim 34, Rahman in view of Gantman teaches claim 33 but Rahman fails to teach wherein the process to share the information used for the authentication is a WPS process.
Gantman teaches wherein the process to share the information used for the authentication is a WPS process (FIG.3, [0038] At messages 2, an authentication process may be used between the first and second devices 310, 320 prior to association. [0043] - security pre-configuration or reuse of security credentials via the first wireless connection).
It would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention for a person with ordinary skill in the art to incorporate the feature
controlling to perform, before the Association Request is received, a process to share information used for authentication, as taught by Gantman in Rahman to support secured connections.
Claims 19-20, 22, 25, 26 and 28 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Rahman in view of Gantman and further in view of Strong et al. (US 2018/0132174, “Strong”).
Regarding claim 19, Rahman in view of Gantman teaches claim 2 but fails to teach wherein the plurality of links include a first link established using a first frequency band and a second link established using a second frequency band that is different from the first frequency band.
However, Strong teaches wherein the plurality of links include a first link established using a first frequency band and a second link established using a second frequency band that is different from the first frequency band ([0057] - two nodes can be simultaneously connected by multiple wireless links (e.g., in different bands, such as 2.4 GHz, 5.2 GHz, and/or 5.8 GHz. See also FIGs. 4 and 5)
It would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention for a person with ordinary skill in the art to include the feature wherein the plurality of links include a first link established using a first frequency band and a second link established using a second frequency band that is different from the first frequency band, as taught by Strong in Rahman to minimize interference.
Regarding claim 20, Rahman in view of Gantman and Strong teaches claim 19 but fails to teach wherein the first frequency band is a 2.4GHz frequency band and the second frequency band is a 5GHz frequency band.
However, Strong teaches wherein the first frequency band is a 2.4GHz frequency band and the second frequency band is a 5GHz frequency band ([0057] - two nodes can be simultaneously connected by multiple wireless links (e.g., in different bands, such as 2.4 GHz, 5.2 GHz, and/or 5.8 GHz. See also FIGs. 4 and 5)
It would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention for a person with ordinary skill in the art to include the feature wherein the first frequency band is a 2.4GHz frequency band and the second frequency band is a 5GHz frequency band, as taught by Strong in Rahman to minimize interference.
Regarding claim 22, Rahman in view of Gantman teaches claim 2 but fails to teach comprising a first wireless interface for a communication using a first frequency band and a second wireless interface for a communication using a second frequency band different from the first frequency band, wherein the communication apparatus constructs a first network using the first frequency band and a second network using the second frequency band, and Rahman wherein a first link of the plurality of links is established via the first network and a second link of the plurality of links is established via the second network
Strong teaches comprising a first wireless interface for a communication using a first frequency band and a second wireless interface for a communication using a second frequency band different from the first frequency band, wherein the communication apparatus constructs a first network using the first frequency band and a second network using the second frequency band, and Rahman wherein a first link of the plurality of links is established via the first network and a second link of the plurality of links is established via the second network ([0057] - two nodes can be simultaneously connected by multiple wireless links (e.g., in different bands, such as 2.4 GHz, 5.2 GHz, and/or 5.8 GHz. See also FIGs. 4 and 5).
It would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention for a person with ordinary skill in the art to include the feature comprising a first wireless interface for a communication using a first frequency band and a second wireless interface for a communication using a second frequency band different from the first frequency band, wherein the communication apparatus constructs a first network using the first frequency band and a second network using the second frequency band, and Rahman wherein a first link of the plurality of links is established via the first network and a second link of the plurality of links is established via the second network, as taught by Strong in Rahman to minimize interference.
Regarding claim 25, Rahman in view of Gantman teaches claim 9 but fails to teach wherein the plurality of links include a first link established using a first frequency band and a second link established using a second frequency band that is different from the first frequency band.
However, Strong teaches wherein the plurality of links include a first link established using a first frequency band and a second link established using a second frequency band that is different from the first frequency band ([0057] - two nodes can be simultaneously connected by multiple wireless links (e.g., in different bands, such as 2.4 GHz, 5.2 GHz, and/or 5.8 GHz. See also FIGs. 4 and 5)
It would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention for a person with ordinary skill in the art to include the feature wherein the plurality of links include a first link established using a first frequency band and a second link established using a second frequency band that is different from the first frequency band, as taught by Strong in Rahman to minimize interference.
Regarding claim 26, Rahman in view of Gantman and Strong teaches claim 25 but fails to teach wherein the first frequency band is a 2.4GHz frequency band and the second frequency band is a 5GHz frequency band.
However, Strong teaches wherein the first frequency band is a 2.4GHz frequency band and the second frequency band is a 5GHz frequency band ([0057] - two nodes can be simultaneously connected by multiple wireless links (e.g., in different bands, such as 2.4 GHz, 5.2 GHz, and/or 5.8 GHz. See also FIGs. 4 and 5)
It would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention for a person with ordinary skill in the art to include the feature wherein the first frequency band is a 2.4GHz frequency band and the second frequency band is a 5GHz frequency band, as taught by Strong in Rahman to minimize interference.
Regarding claim 28, Rahman in view of Gantman teaches claim 9 but fails to teach comprising a first wireless interface for a communication using a first frequency band and a second wireless interface for a communication using a second frequency band different from the first frequency band, wherein the another communication apparatus constructs a first network using the first frequency band and a second network using the second frequency band, and wherein a first link of the plurality of links is established via the first network and a second link of the plurality of links is established via the second network
Strong teaches comprising a first wireless interface for a communication using a first frequency band and a second wireless interface for a communication using a second frequency band different from the first frequency band, wherein the another communication apparatus constructs a first network using the first frequency band and a second network using the second frequency band, and wherein a first link of the plurality of links is established via the first network and a second link of the plurality of links is established via the second network ([0057] - two nodes can be simultaneously connected by multiple wireless links (e.g., in different bands, such as 2.4 GHz, 5.2 GHz, and/or 5.8 GHz. See also FIGs. 4 and 5).
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments with respect to claims 2-9 and 15-34 have been considered but are moot in view of new ground of rejection.
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 QUOC THAI NGOC VU whose telephone number is (571)270-5901. The examiner can normally be reached M-F, 9:30AM-6:00PM.
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/QUOC THAI N VU/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2642
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