DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement submitted on 04/15/2024 and 06/26/2025, have been considered by the examiner and made of record in the application file.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
A person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claims 1, 3-10 and 12-19 are rejected under U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by JUNGHAK et al. (KR102588062 B1, hereinafter JUNGHAK).
Consider Claim 1, JUNGHAK discloses an access point comprising: a memory; and a processor communicatively coupled to the memory, the processor configured to:
provide a location determination for a client device according to a first accuracy level; (Paragraph 0042, the Wi-Fi positioning unit 220 generates Wi-Fi-based positioning results based on infrastructure information (Wi-Fi AP installation location information) and communication with a Wi-Fi AP (Access Point). Paragraph 0043, the Wi-Fi positioning unit 220 generates Wi-Fi-based positioning results based on infrastructure information (Wi-Fi AP installation location information) and communication with a Wi-Fi AP (Access Point)).
in response to receiving, from the client device, a request for a second accuracy level of location determination greater than the first accuracy level, determine a location device that provides the second accuracy level; and (paragraph 0024, The terminal 110 communicates with the UWB anchor based on the installation location of the Wi-Fi AP (Access Point) and BLE beacon downloaded from the positioning server 120. Paragraph 0042, The infrastructure download unit 210 downloads infrastructure information (installation location information of BLE beacons, Wi-Fi APs, and UWB anchors) from the positioning server 120).
communicate, to the client device, a report indicating a neighboring access point and the location device. (Paragraph 0029, the terminal 110 reversely selects the BLE estimated position and selects a nearby UWB anchor based on the estimated position. Paragraph 0051, the terminal 110 specifies the location of the closest UWB anchor based on the distance value of the closest UWB anchor among the distances between the plurality of UWB anchors and the terminal 110. Paragraph 0056, the UWB anchor does not calculate distance information to the terminal 110, but only transmits information that the terminal 110 can calculate to the terminal 110).
Consider Claim 3, JUNGHAK discloses the access point of Claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to determine a type of the client device, wherein determining the location device is based on the type of the client device. (Paragraph 0024, the terminal 110 according to this embodiment uses the single ranging function of a general commercial terminal 110 as an API to determine the location by using a combination of BLE, Wi-Fi, and UWB. Paragraph 0056, the terminal 110 performs UWB anchor and UWB-based TWR to determine more accurate indoor location. Here, the UWB anchor does not calculate distance information to the terminal 110, but only transmits information that the terminal 110 can calculate to the terminal 110).
Consider Claim 4, JUNGHAK discloses the access point of Claim 1, wherein the location device comprises an ultra-wideband anchor. (Paragraph 0024, The terminal 110 according to this embodiment uses the single ranging function of a general commercial terminal 110 as an API to determine the location by using a combination of BLE, Wi-Fi, and UWB. The terminal 110 communicates with the UWB anchor based on the installation location of the Wi-Fi AP (Access Point) and BLE beacon downloaded from the positioning server 120. Paragraph 0051, The terminal 110 performs UWB anchor and UWB-based Two Way Ranging (TWR) to determine more accurate indoor location. Here, the UWB anchor does not calculate distance information to the terminal 110).
Consider Claim 5, JUNGHAK discloses the access point of Claim 4, wherein the location device further comprises an access point connected to the ultra-wideband anchor. (Paragraph 0024, The terminal 110 according to this embodiment uses the single ranging function of a general commercial terminal 110 as an API to determine the location by using a combination of BLE, Wi-Fi, and UWB. The terminal 110 communicates with the UWB anchor based on the installation location of the Wi-Fi AP (Access Point) and BLE beacon downloaded from the positioning server 120. Paragraph 0051, The terminal 110 performs UWB anchor and UWB-based Two Way Ranging (TWR) to determine more accurate indoor location. Here, the UWB anchor does not calculate distance information to the terminal 110).
Consider Claim 6, JUNGHAK discloses the access point of Claim 1, wherein providing the location determination according to the first accuracy level comprises performing a fine timing measurement exchange with the client device. (Paragraph 0028, the UWB anchor transmits to the terminal 110 the time at which the terminal 110 can calculate the distance. The terminal 110 measures the distance between the UWB anchor and the terminal 110 using the time of the signal transmitted and received from the UWB anchor).
Consider Claim 7, JUNGHAK discloses the access point of Claim 1, wherein the report is an 802.11k neighbor report. (Paragraph 0024, The terminal 110 communicates with the UWB anchor based on the installation location of the Wi-Fi AP (Access Point) and BLE beacon downloaded from the positioning server 120. Paragraph 0041, The infrastructure download unit 210 downloads infrastructure information (installation location information of BLE beacons, Wi-Fi APs, and UWB anchors) from the positioning server 120).
Consider Claim 8, JUNGHAK discloses the access point of Claim 1, wherein the report indicates an address of the neighboring access point and an address of the location device. (Paragraph 0041, The infrastructure download unit 210 downloads infrastructure information (installation location information of BLE beacons, Wi-Fi APs, and UWB anchors) from the positioning server 120. Here, the infrastructure information includes installation location information of the BLE beacon, installation location information of the Wi-Fi AP, and installation location information of the UWB anchor).
Consider Claim 9, JUNGHAK discloses the access point of Claim 1, wherein the report indicates a location of the neighboring access point and a location of the location device. (Paragraph 0041, The infrastructure download unit 210 downloads infrastructure information (installation location information of BLE beacons, Wi-Fi APs, and UWB anchors) from the positioning server 120. Here, the infrastructure information includes installation location information of the BLE beacon, installation location information of the Wi-Fi AP, and installation location information of the UWB anchor).
Consider Claim 10, JUNGHAK discloses a method comprising:
providing, by an access point, a location determination for a client device according to a first accuracy level; (Paragraph 0042, the Wi-Fi positioning unit 220 generates Wi-Fi-based positioning results based on infrastructure information (Wi-Fi AP installation location information) and communication with a Wi-Fi AP (Access Point). Paragraph 0043, the Wi-Fi positioning unit 220 generates Wi-Fi-based positioning results based on infrastructure information (Wi-Fi AP installation location information) and communication with a Wi-Fi AP (Access Point)).
in response to receiving, from the client device, a request for a second accuracy level of location determination greater than the first accuracy level, determining a location device that provides the second accuracy level; and (paragraph 0024, The terminal 110 communicates with the UWB anchor based on the installation location of the Wi-Fi AP (Access Point) and BLE beacon downloaded from the positioning server 120. Paragraph 0042, The infrastructure download unit 210 downloads infrastructure information (installation location information of BLE beacons, Wi-Fi APs, and UWB anchors) from the positioning server 120).
communicating, to the client device, a report indicating a neighboring access point and the location device. (Paragraph 0029, the terminal 110 reversely selects the BLE estimated position and selects a nearby UWB anchor based on the estimated position. Paragraph 0051, the terminal 110 specifies the location of the closest UWB anchor based on the distance value of the closest UWB anchor among the distances between the plurality of UWB anchors and the terminal 110. Paragraph 0056, the UWB anchor does not calculate distance information to the terminal 110, but only transmits information that the terminal 110 can calculate to the terminal 110).
Consider Claim 12, JUNGHAK discloses the method of Claim 10, further comprising determining a type of the client device, wherein determining the location device is based on the type of the client device. (Paragraph 0024, the terminal 110 according to this embodiment uses the single ranging function of a general commercial terminal 110 as an API to determine the location by using a combination of BLE, Wi-Fi, and UWB. Paragraph 0056, the terminal 110 performs UWB anchor and UWB-based TWR to determine more accurate indoor location. Here, the UWB anchor does not calculate distance information to the terminal 110, but only transmits information that the terminal 110 can calculate to the terminal 110).
Consider Claim 13, JUNGHAK discloses the method of Claim 10, wherein the location device comprises an ultra-wideband anchor. (Paragraph 0024, The terminal 110 according to this embodiment uses the single ranging function of a general commercial terminal 110 as an API to determine the location by using a combination of BLE, Wi-Fi, and UWB. The terminal 110 communicates with the UWB anchor based on the installation location of the Wi-Fi AP (Access Point) and BLE beacon downloaded from the positioning server 120. Paragraph 0051, The terminal 110 performs UWB anchor and UWB-based Two Way Ranging (TWR) to determine more accurate indoor location. Here, the UWB anchor does not calculate distance information to the terminal 110).
Consider Claim 14, JUNGHAK discloses the method of Claim 13, wherein the location device further comprises an access point connected to the ultra-wideband anchor. (Paragraph 0024, The terminal 110 according to this embodiment uses the single ranging function of a general commercial terminal 110 as an API to determine the location by using a combination of BLE, Wi-Fi, and UWB. The terminal 110 communicates with the UWB anchor based on the installation location of the Wi-Fi AP (Access Point) and BLE beacon downloaded from the positioning server 120. Paragraph 0051, The terminal 110 performs UWB anchor and UWB-based Two Way Ranging (TWR) to determine more accurate indoor location. Here, the UWB anchor does not calculate distance information to the terminal 110).
Consider Claim 15, JUNGHAK discloses the method of Claim 10, wherein providing the location determination according to the first accuracy level comprises performing a fine timing measurement exchange with the client device. (Paragraph 0028, the UWB anchor transmits to the terminal 110 the time at which the terminal 110 can calculate the distance. The terminal 110 measures the distance between the UWB anchor and the terminal 110 using the time of the signal transmitted and received from the UWB anchor).
Consider Claim 16, JUNGHAK discloses the method of Claim 10, wherein the report is an 802.11k neighbor report. (Paragraph 0024, The terminal 110 communicates with the UWB anchor based on the installation location of the Wi-Fi AP (Access Point) and BLE beacon downloaded from the positioning server 120. Paragraph 0041, The infrastructure download unit 210 downloads infrastructure information (installation location information of BLE beacons, Wi-Fi APs, and UWB anchors) from the positioning server 120).
Consider Claim 17, JUNGHAK discloses the method of Claim 10, wherein the report indicates an address of the neighboring access point and an address of the location device. (Paragraph 0041, The infrastructure download unit 210 downloads infrastructure information (installation location information of BLE beacons, Wi-Fi APs, and UWB anchors) from the positioning server 120. Here, the infrastructure information includes installation location information of the BLE beacon, installation location information of the Wi-Fi AP, and installation location information of the UWB anchor).
Consider Claim 18, JUNGHAK discloses the method of Claim 10, wherein the report indicates a location of the neighboring access point and a location of the location device. (Paragraph 0041, The infrastructure download unit 210 downloads infrastructure information (installation location information of BLE beacons, Wi-Fi APs, and UWB anchors) from the positioning server 120. Here, the infrastructure information includes installation location information of the BLE beacon, installation location information of the Wi-Fi AP, and installation location information of the UWB anchor).
Consider Claim 19, JUNGHAK discloses a non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:
perform a fine timing exchange with a client device to determine a location of the client device according to a first accuracy level; (Paragraph 0042, the Wi-Fi positioning unit 220 generates Wi-Fi-based positioning results based on infrastructure information (Wi-Fi AP installation location information) and communication with a Wi-Fi AP (Access Point). Paragraph 0043, the Wi-Fi positioning unit 220 generates Wi-Fi-based positioning results based on infrastructure information (Wi-Fi AP installation location information) and communication with a Wi-Fi AP (Access Point)).
in response to receiving, from the client device, a request for a second accuracy level greater than the first accuracy level, determine a location device that provides the second accuracy level, wherein the location device comprises a neighboring access point and an ultra-wideband anchor; and (paragraph 0024, The terminal 110 communicates with the UWB anchor based on the installation location of the Wi-Fi AP (Access Point) and BLE beacon downloaded from the positioning server 120. Paragraph 0042, The infrastructure download unit 210 downloads infrastructure information (installation location information of BLE beacons, Wi-Fi APs, and UWB anchors) from the positioning server 120).
communicate, to the client device, an 802.11k neighbor report that indicates (i) an address of the neighboring access point and (ii) an address of the location device. (Paragraph 0029, the terminal 110 reversely selects the BLE estimated position and selects a nearby UWB anchor based on the estimated position. Paragraph 0051, the terminal 110 specifies the location of the closest UWB anchor based on the distance value of the closest UWB anchor among the distances between the plurality of UWB anchors and the terminal 110. Paragraph 0056, the UWB anchor does not calculate distance information to the terminal 110, but only transmits information that the terminal 110 can calculate to the terminal 110).
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
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 non-obviousness.
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, 11 and 20, are rejected under the U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over JUNGHAK et al. (KR102588062 B1, hereinafter JUNGHAK) in view of Etemad et al. (US 2008/0214213 A1, hereinafter Etemad).
Consider Claim 2, JUNGHAK discloses the claim invention but he fails to teach the access point of Claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to communicate, to the client device, a first key, wherein the report comprises a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first key decrypts the second portion, wherein the first portion indicates the neighboring access point, and wherein the second portion indicates the location device.
However, Etemad teaches (paragraph 0035, The second encrypted location information of the BS (as well as the other neighboring base stations) may then be decrypted using the second decryption key to recover the second location information of the BS (as well as the second location information of the other neighboring base stations). Paragraph 0037, the servicing base station (or simply "servicing BS") may broadcast to the MS an encrypted message, which in some instances may be an L3 message, that provides the geographical locations of the serving base station and neighboring base stations (NBR)).
Consider Claim 11, JUNGHAK discloses the claim invention but he fails to teach the method of Claim 10, further comprising communicating, to the client device, a first key, wherein the report comprises a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first key decrypts the second portion, wherein the first portion indicates the neighboring access point, and wherein the second portion indicates the location device.
However, Etemad teaches (paragraph 0035, The second encrypted location information of the BS (as well as the other neighboring base stations) may then be decrypted using the second decryption key to recover the second location information of the BS (as well as the second location information of the other neighboring base stations). Paragraph 0037, the servicing base station (or simply "servicing BS") may broadcast to the MS an encrypted message, which in some instances may be an L3 message, that provides the geographical locations of the serving base station and neighboring base stations (NBR)).
Consider Claim 20, JUNGHAK discloses the claim invention but he fails to teach the medium of Claim 19, wherein the instructions further cause the processor to communicate, to the client device, a first key, wherein the 802.11k neighbor report comprises a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first key decrypts the second portion, wherein the first portion indicates the address of the neighboring access point, and wherein the second portion indicates the address of the location device.
However, Etemad teaches (paragraph 0035, The second encrypted location information of the BS (as well as the other neighboring base stations) may then be decrypted using the second decryption key to recover the second location information of the BS (as well as the second location information of the other neighboring base stations). Paragraph 0037, the servicing base station (or simply "servicing BS") may broadcast to the MS an encrypted message, which in some instances may be an L3 message, that provides the geographical locations of the serving base station and neighboring base stations (NBR)).
Therefore, it would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which said subject matter pertains, to modify by incorporating the UWB single ranging-based Wi-Fi and Bluetooth convergence location determination method of JUNGHAK to include the navigation service a decryption key to decrypt encrypted location information of multiple base station's (BS's) in its local area of Etemad. The motivation to do so would be to develop a combination methods for providing mobile station location services by providing location positioning. There by creating a communication system for providing different levels of location accuracy to different types of devices using different types of location technologies.
Conclusion
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/MICHELE C DOUGLAS/Examiner, Art Unit 2646
/MATTHEW D. ANDERSON/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2646