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 . This Office Action is in response to the submission filed 2026-02-18 (herein referred to as the Reply) where claim(s) 1-16 are pending for consideration.
Priority
Applicant cannot rely upon the certified copy/copies of the foreign priority application(s) to overcome rejection(s) because a translation of said application(s) has not been made of record in accordance with 37 CFR 1.55.
An English language translation of a non-English language foreign application is not required except:
(i) When the application is involved in an interference (see § 41.202 of this chapter) or derivation (see part 42 of this chapter) proceeding;
(ii) When necessary to overcome the date of a reference relied upon by the examiner; or
(iii) When specifically required by the examiner.
If an English language translation of a non-English language foreign application is required, it must be filed together with a statement that the translation of the certified copy is accurate. See MPEP §§ 213, 215 and 216.
Accordingly, because one of more reference used in the rejection(s) herein has one or associated dates that is intervening from the instant application’s filing date and priority claim date, the Examiner is requesting translations be made of record for all non-English priority documents in the instant application, in accordance with 37 CFR 1.55.
35 USC §103 - Claim Rejections
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102 of this title, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
The factual inquiries set forth in Graham v. John Deere Co., 383 U.S. 1, 148 USPQ 459 (1966), that are applied 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.
Claim(s) is/are rejected under AIA 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over KWON_637 (US20210144637) in view of KIM_119 (US20240008119)
Claim(s) 1, 9
KWON_637 teaches
receiving, by a first station in a first multi-link device, a first frame from a second station in a second multi-link device, wherein the first frame is used to request to tear down a target wake time (TWT) agreement for a first link, and Teardown frame may further include an indication (e.g., an all link subfield) that the teardown is for more than one link, for example, this link only or for all links. <para. 0047-0048>.
multiple TWT agreements are set up for the multiple links, Per-link TWT agreements such that each link corresponds to a TWT agreement in an MLD environment. <FIG(s). 1A, 1B, 1C; para. 0025-0027, 0055-0058>.
the multiple links are set up respectively between stations in the first multi-link device and stations in the second multi-link device, multiple links between STA MLD <FIG(s). 1, 1B; para. 0026>.
tearing down a TWT agreement for the first link, Teardown frame may further include an indication (e.g., an all link subfield) that the teardown is for more than one link, for example, this link only or for all links. Teardown tears down the TWT agreement for this link. <para. 0047-0048>.
wherein the TWT agreement corresponds to
a TWT flow identifier of the TWT agreement, A TWT agreement for MLD corresponds to: TWT flow identifier <para. 0059>.
MAC address information of a station requesting to set up the TWT agreement and corresponding to the first link, and MAC address of the first STA, wherein the first STA is a TWT requesting STA <para. 0059>.
MAC address information of a station responding to a setup request and corresponding to the first link. A TWT agreement for MLD corresponds to: MAC address of the second STA, wherein the second STA is a TWT responding STA <para. 0059>.
KWON_637 does not explicitly teach
wherein the first frame comprises link identifier information indicating the first link being any link in multiple links,
the link identifier information comprising a link bitmap; and
However in a similar endeavor, KIM_119 teaches
wherein the first frame comprises link identifier information indicating the first link being any link in multiple links, Station of the multi-link device may tear down at least one of multiple TWT agreements on the basis of the identifier of the link, that is, the link ID indicated by the TWT teardown frame <FIG(s). 23; para. 0224, 0261>.
the link identifier information comprising a link bitmap; and In another specific embodiment, the MLD TWT teardown frame may include a link ID bitmap for indicating multiple links. <FIG(s). 24, 25; para. 0272-0279>.
Before the effective filing date of the claim invention, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in art to have modified the system/techniques disclosed by KWON_637 with the embodiment(s) disclosed by KIM_119. One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to make this modification in order to provide a multi-link device operating in multiple links. Furthermore, an embodiment of the disclosure provides a method in which a multi-link device effectively performs a TWT operation <para. 0029>.
Claim(s) 2, 10
KWON_637 does not explicitly teach
wherein a first correspondence exists between the TWT agreement for the first link and the link identifier information of the first link,
wherein the first correspondence is the following combination information:
a TWT flow identifier of the TWT agreement,
MAC address information of a third station setting up the TWT agreement in the first multi-link device, and
MAC address information of a fourth station setting up the TWT agreement in the second multi-link device,
wherein the third station in the first multi-link device and the fourth station in the second multi-link device work on the first link; and
the TWT flow identifier occupies 3 bits or 4 bits carried in the first frame.
However in a similar endeavor, KIM_119 teaches
wherein a first correspondence exists between the TWT agreement for the first link and the link identifier information of the first link, Each of the multiple TWT agreements established on a link may be identified based on a link ID, a medium access control (MAC) address of the multi-link device, and a TWT Flow ID <FIG(s). 17, 18; para. 0016, 0199, 0213, 0216>.
wherein the first correspondence is the following combination information:
a TWT flow identifier of the TWT agreement, Each of the multiple TWT agreements established on the multiple links may be identified based on a link ID of each of the multiple links, a medium access control (MAC) address of the multi-link device, and a TWT Flow ID <FIG(s). 17, 18; para. 0016, 0199, 0213, 0216>.
MAC address information of a third station setting up the TWT agreement in the first multi-link device, and MAC address of second station in MLD <FIG(s). 17, 9; para. 0218-0219>.
MAC address information of a fourth station setting up the TWT agreement in the second multi-link device, MAC address of second AP of the MLD device. <FIG(s). 17, 9; para. 0218-0219>.
wherein the third station in the first multi-link device and the fourth station in the second multi-link device work on the first link; and The TWT agreement/session is with respect to a particular TWT flow ID such as a first link. <FIG(s). 17, 9; para. 0218-0219>.
the TWT flow identifier occupies 3 bits or 4 bits carried in the first frame. the TWT Flow ID may be indicated by using 3 bits. Accordingly, the TWT Flow ID bitmap may indicate a single TWT Flow ID value by using a field having a size of 3-bit <FIG(s). 25; para. 0277>.
Before the effective filing date of the claim invention, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in art to have modified the system/techniques disclosed by KWON_637 with the embodiment(s) disclosed by KIM_119. One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to make this modification in order to provide a multi-link device operating in multiple links. Furthermore, an embodiment of the disclosure provides a method in which a multi-link device effectively performs a TWT operation <para. 0029>.
Claim(s) 3, 11
KWON_637 does not explicitly teach
wherein a first correspondence exists between the TWT agreement for the first link and the link identifier information of the first link,
wherein the first correspondence is the following combination information:
a TWT flow identifier of the TWT agreement,
MAC address information of a station requesting to set up the TWT agreement, and
MAC address information of a station responding to a setup request,
wherein the station requesting to set up the TWT agreement and the station responding to a setup request work on the first link; and
the TWT flow identifier occupies 3 bits or 4 bits carried in the first frame.
However in a similar endeavor, KIM_119 teaches
wherein a first correspondence exists between the TWT agreement for the first link and the link identifier information of the first link, Each of the multiple TWT agreements established on a link may be identified based on a link ID, a medium access control (MAC) address of the multi-link device, and a TWT Flow ID <FIG(s). 17, 18; para. 0016, 0199, 0213, 0216>.
wherein the first correspondence is the following combination information:
a TWT flow identifier of the TWT agreement, Each of the multiple TWT agreements established on the multiple links may be identified based on a link ID of each of the multiple links, a medium access control (MAC) address of the multi-link device, and a TWT Flow ID <FIG(s). 17, 18; para. 0016, 0199, 0213, 0216>.
MAC address information of a station requesting to set up the TWT agreement, and MAC address of second station in MLD. Second station can be the station that sent a TWT request for the agreement. <FIG(s). 17, 9; para. 0011, 0218-0219>.
MAC address information of a station responding to a setup request, MAC address of second AP of the MLD device. Second AP can be the TWT response station can be the second AP. <FIG(s). 17, 9; para. 0011, 0218-0219>.
wherein the station requesting to set up the TWT agreement and the station responding to a setup request work on the first link; and The TWT agreement/session is with respect to a particular TWT flow ID such as a first link. <FIG(s). 17, 9; para. 0218-0219>.
the TWT flow identifier occupies 3 bits or 4 bits carried in the first frame. the TWT Flow ID may be indicated by using 3 bits. Accordingly, the TWT Flow ID bitmap may indicate a single TWT Flow ID value by using a field having a size of 3-bit <FIG(s). 25; para. 0277>.
Before the effective filing date of the claim invention, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in art to have modified the system/techniques disclosed by KWON_637 with the embodiment(s) disclosed by KIM_119. One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to make this modification in order to provide a multi-link device operating in multiple links. Furthermore, an embodiment of the disclosure provides a method in which a multi-link device effectively performs a TWT operation <para. 0029>.
Claim(s) 5, 13 and 6, 14 and 7, 15
KWON_637 teaches
tearing down the TWT agreement based on the first correspondence. Teardown frame may further include an indication (e.g., an all link subfield) that causes teardown for more than one link, for example, this link only or for all links. <para. 0047-0048>.
Additional, secondary reference KIM_119 teaches
tearing down the TWT agreement based on the first correspondence. TWT teardown frame indicates TWT Flow ID and link ID, which corresponds to a TWT agreement associated with the IDs. <FIG(s). 23; para. 0017, 0224-0227, 0261>.
Before the effective filing date of the claim invention, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in art to have modified the system/techniques disclosed by KWON_637 with the embodiment(s) disclosed by KIM_119. One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to make this modification in order to provide a multi-link device operating in multiple links. Furthermore, an embodiment of the disclosure provides a method in which a multi-link device effectively performs a TWT operation <para. 0029>.
Claim(s) 8, 16
KWON_637 does not explicitly teach
prior to the receiving a first frame from a second station in a second multi-link device, the method further comprising:
receiving, by the first multi-link device, a third frame sent by the second multi-link device,
wherein the third frame comprises a TWT element comprising a TWT flow identifier,
wherein the TWT element is used to request to set up a TWT agreement on the first link;
or
transmitting, by the first multi-link device, a fourth frame to the second multi-link device,
wherein the fourth frame comprises a TWT element comprising a TWT flow identifier,
wherein the TWT element is used to request to set up a TWT agreement on the first link.
However in a similar endeavor, KIM_119 teaches
prior to the receiving a first frame from a second station in a second multi-link device, the method further comprising:
receiving, by the first multi-link device, a third frame sent by the second multi-link device, wherein the third frame comprises a TWT element comprising a TWT flow identifier, wherein the TWT element is used to request to set up a TWT agreement on the first link; Before TWT tear down, TWT request station sends, to a TWT a response station, TWT element to establish TWT agreement. TWT element for TWT setup request for TWT agreement includes TWT Flow that will be applied to the TWT agreement. <FIG(s). 16; para. 0009-0011, 0195-0201>.
Before the effective filing date of the claim invention, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in art to have modified the system/techniques disclosed by KWON_637 with the embodiment(s) disclosed by KIM_119. One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to make this modification in order to provide a multi-link device operating in multiple links. Furthermore, an embodiment of the disclosure provides a method in which a multi-link device effectively performs a TWT operation <para. 0029>.
Claim(s) 4, 12
KWON_637 does not explicitly teach
wherein a first correspondence exists between the TWT agreement for the first link and the link identifier information of the first link,
wherein the first correspondence is the following combination information:
a TWT flow identifier of the TWT agreement,
MAC address information of a station requesting to set up the TWT agreement,
MAC address information of a station responding to a setup request and
the link identifier information indicating the first link;
or
a TWT flow identifier of the TWT agreement,
MAC address information of an MLD requesting to set up a TWT agreement,
MAC address information of an MLD responding to a setup request and
the link identifier information indicating the first link,
wherein the TWT flow identifier occupies 3 bits or 4 bits carried in the first frame.
However in a similar endeavor, KIM_119 teaches
wherein a first correspondence exists between the TWT agreement for the first link and the link identifier information of the first link, Each of the multiple TWT agreements established on a link may be identified based on a link ID, a medium access control (MAC) address of the multi-link device, and a TWT Flow ID <FIG(s). 17, 18; para. 0016, 0199, 0213, 0216>.
wherein the first correspondence is the following combination information:
a TWT flow identifier of the TWT agreement, Each of the multiple TWT agreements established on the multiple links may be identified based on a link ID of each of the multiple links, a medium access control (MAC) address of the multi-link device, and a TWT Flow ID <FIG(s). 17, 18; para. 0016, 0199, 0213, 0216>.
MAC address information of a station requesting to set up the TWT agreement, and MAC address of second station in MLD. Second station can be the station that sent a TWT request for the agreement. <FIG(s). 17, 9; para. 0011, 0218-0219>.
MAC address information of a station responding to a setup request, MAC address of second AP of the MLD device. Second AP can be the TWT response station can be the second AP. <FIG(s). 17, 9; para. 0011, 0218-0219>.
the link identifier information indicating the first link; Link ID field indicating the identifier of the link to which the TWT agreement to be torn down is applied. <FIG(s). 23; para. 0224-0226, 0261>.
wherein the TWT flow identifier occupies 3 bits or 4 bits carried in the first frame. the TWT Flow ID may be indicated by using 3 bits. Accordingly, the TWT Flow ID bitmap may indicate a single TWT Flow ID value by using a field having a size of 3-bit <FIG(s). 25; para. 0277>.
Before the effective filing date of the claim invention, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in art to have modified the system/techniques disclosed by KWON_637 with the embodiment(s) disclosed by KIM_119. One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to make this modification in order to provide a multi-link device operating in multiple links. Furthermore, an embodiment of the disclosure provides a method in which a multi-link device effectively performs a TWT operation <para. 0029>.
Response to Arguments
Examiner notes the Applicant has failed to furnish a requested certified English translation of the foreign priority documents. In the Remarks, the Examiner notes the request was not acknowledged.
The Reply’s arguments with respect to the other matters have been considered but are moot because the arguments do not apply to the rejection(s), which was necessitated by the Applicant’s amendments, being used in the current 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 extension fee 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 date of this final action.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ANDRE TACDIRAN whose telephone number is 571-272-1717. The examiner can normally be reached on M-TH, 10-5PM EST. If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Jeffrey Rutkowski can be reached on 571-270-1215. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
/ANDRE TACDIRAN/
Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2415
Prosecution Insights