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 .
Response to Amendment
Applicant's amendment filed on 03/27/2026 has been entered. Claims 1, 11, 21 and 26 have been amended. No claims have been added or cancelled. Claims 1-30 are still pending in this application, with claims 1, 11, 21 and 26, being independent.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments with respect to claim(s) 1-30 have been considered but are moot based on new grounds of rejection.
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.
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.
Claim(s) 1-6, 8-16 and 18-30 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kim et al. (US 2024/0251355; hereinafter Kim) in view of Jang et al. (US 2023/0422026; hereinafter Jang).
Regarding claim 1, Kim shows a first wireless device (Figure 4 shows an access point (AP) performing in part the disclosed method.), comprising:
a processing system that includes processor circuitry and memory circuitry that stores code, the processing system configured to cause the first wireless device (Figure 4; noted program stored in memory and executed by the processor to perform the disclosed method.) to:
transmit one or more first frame exchange parameters associated with a scheduled service period (Par. 0171; AP may indicate, through a target wake time (TWT) element transmitted to configure a restricted-TWT service period (R-TWT SP), information related to the traffic identifier (TID).), wherein the first wireless device is available for wireless communications with one or more second wireless devices during the scheduled service period (Par. 0171; the AP and the STAs may transmit only traffic corresponding to the specific TIDs within the specific R-TWT SP.); and
communicate with the one or more second wireless devices during the scheduled service period in accordance with the one or more first frame exchange parameters (Par. 0169, 0171; the AP and the STAs may transmit only traffic corresponding to the specific TIDs within the specific R-TWT SP.).
Kim shows all of the elements including the one or more frame exchange parameters, as discussed above. Kim does not specifically show the one or more first frame exchange parameters are associated with one or more resources available at the first wireless device for communications during a scheduled service period.
However, the above-mentioned claim limitations are well-established in the art as evidenced by Jang. Specifically, Jang shows the one or more first frame exchange parameters are associated with one or more resources available at the first wireless device for communications during a scheduled service period (Figure 13; Par. 0163-0165; transmitting link-related information that the corresponding MLD can support through ML setup. Link-related information includes at least information on the number/upper limit of uplink/downlink links supported by the MLD (or STA), information on the location/band/resource of uplink/downlink link supported by MLD (or STA), and/or information on available or preferred TID (traffic identifier) on at least one uplink/downlink link.).
In view of the above, having the system of Kim, then given the well-established teaching of Jang, it would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Kim as taught by Jang, in order to provide motivation to properly use increased number of spatial streams (Par. 0005 of Jang).
Regarding claim 2, modified Kim shows wherein, to communicate with the one or more second wireless devices, the processing system is further configured to cause the first wireless device to:
transmit a control frame during the scheduled service period in accordance with a capability of the first wireless device, wherein the first wireless device transmits the control frame during the scheduled service period and the control frame indicates a start of the first wireless device using the one or more first frame exchange parameters during the scheduled service period (Kim: Figure 11; Par. 0119, 0122, 0135; the AP transmits a beacon frame to configure a quiet interval and a restricted service period. In FIG. 11(a), the quiet interval is configured as a time interval identical to the restricted service period. Accordingly, the station participating in the restricted TWT in the quiet interval performs channel access. In FIG. 11(b), the quiet interval is configured as an interval from a time point earlier than a start point of the restricted service period to a time point later than an end time point of the restricted service period.).
Regarding claim 3, modified Kim shows wherein, to communicate with the one or more second wireless devices, the processing system is further configured to cause the first wireless device to:
receive a control frame during the scheduled service period in accordance with a capability of the first wireless device, wherein the first wireless device receives the control frame during the scheduled service period and in accordance with the one or more first frame exchange parameters (Kim: Figures 10-11; Par. 0122, 0135; the AP may configure dot11TWTOptionActivated to be “true” and a broadcast TWT support field (element) of an HE capabilities element to be 1 to signaling that the broadcast TWT is supported. The AP may configure a restricted service period to be similar to a service period of a TWT. After configuring the restricted service period, STA transmits PS-Poll frame to the AP.).
Regarding claim 4, modified Kim shows wherein the processing system is further configured to cause the first wireless device to:
transmit a frame indicating a capability of the first wireless device to support applying different frame exchange parameters during different scheduled service periods, wherein communicating with the one or more second wireless devices during the scheduled service period is in accordance with the capability (Kim: Par. 0167; the configured R-TWT SP may be re-configured in multiple intervals, only traffic for the TID corresponding to the traffic having the specific condition may be transmitted in at least one specific interval, and the traffic for the TID corresponding to the traffic having no specific condition may be allowed to be transmitted under a restricted condition (or a specific constraint) in an interval remaining after excluding at least one specific interval. For example, when the R-TWT SP includes a first interval and a second interval, only traffic for the TID corresponding to the traffic having the specific condition (for example, low-latency, etc.) may be transmitted in the first interval, and traffic for the TID corresponding to the traffic having no specific condition may be allowed to be transmitted under a restricted condition (or a specific constraint) in the second interval.).
Regarding claim 5, modified Kim shows wherein the processing system is further configured to cause the first wireless device to:
receive a frame indicating a capability of a second wireless device to support applying different frame exchange parameters during different scheduled service periods, wherein communicating with the one or more second wireless devices during the scheduled service period is in accordance with the capability (Kim: Par. 0167; the configured R-TWT SP may be re-configured in multiple intervals, only traffic for the TID corresponding to the traffic having the specific condition may be transmitted in at least one specific interval, and the traffic for the TID corresponding to the traffic having no specific condition may be allowed to be transmitted under a restricted condition (or a specific constraint) in an interval remaining after excluding at least one specific interval. For example, when the R-TWT SP includes a first interval and a second interval, only traffic for the TID corresponding to the traffic having the specific condition (for example, low-latency, etc.) may be transmitted in the first interval, and traffic for the TID corresponding to the traffic having no specific condition may be allowed to be transmitted under a restricted condition (or a specific constraint) in the second interval.).
Regarding claim 6, modified Kim shows wherein the processing system is further configured to cause the first wireless device to:
communicate with the one or more second wireless devices according to a first operational mode, wherein the first wireless device enters the first operational mode in accordance with the one or more first frame exchange parameters (Kim: Figure 11A; Par. 0119, 0122, 0135; the AP transmits a beacon frame to configure a quiet interval and a restricted service period. In FIG. 11(a), the quiet interval is configured as a time interval identical to the restricted service period. Accordingly, the station participating in the restricted TWT in the quiet interval performs channel access defined by the parameters configured when the quiet interval is configured as a time interval identical to the restricted service period).
Regarding claim 8, modified Kim shows wherein, to communicate with the one or more second wireless devices during the scheduled service period, the processing system is configured to cause the first wireless device to:
transmit a frame to the one or more second wireless devices indicating an early termination of the scheduled service period Kim: (Figure 14; When the AP determines that all low-latency traffic transmissions have been completed within the restricted service period, the AP terminates the restricted service period early by transmitting the CF-end frame, and releases the quiet interval configured for the legacy station. In this case, the station supporting the restricted TWT determines that a channel access limit having been applied during the restricted service period has been lifted.).
Regarding claim 9, Kim shows wherein the processing system is further configured to cause the first wireless device to:
receive a frame from the one or more second wireless devices indicating an early termination of the scheduled service period (Kim: Figure 12B; Par. 0145; the station transmits an RTS frame to configure the TXOP. In this case, the station configures a value of a duration field of the RTS frame without considering the restricted service period. The station performs frame exchange with the AP and completes the frame exchange before the start of the restricted service period. In this case, the station releases the TXOP by lastly transmitting the CF-end frame.).
Regarding claim 10, modified Kim shows wherein the processing system is further configured to cause the first wireless device to:
communicate using one or more second frame exchange parameters responsive to an early termination of the scheduled service period (Kim: Par. 0160; The AP may transmit a pre-designated control frame to terminate the restricted service period early. In this case, the control frame may be a CF-end frame. In this case, the AP may configure a BSSID (TA) field of the CF-end frame as a MAC address or a BSSID of the AP. In addition, the AP may configure an individual/group bit of the BSSID (TA) field of the CF-end frame as 1.).
Regarding claim 11, Kim shows a second wireless device (Figure 3 shows an STA performing in part the disclosed method.), comprising:
a processing system that includes processor circuitry and memory circuitry that stores code, the processing system configured to cause the second wireless device (Figure 3; noted program stored in memory and executed by the processor to perform the disclosed method.) to:
receive one or more first frame exchange parameters associated with a scheduled service period (Par. 0171; STA receives, through a target wake time (TWT) element transmitted to configure a restricted-TWT service period (R-TWT SP), information related to the traffic identifier (TID).), wherein the second wireless device is available for wireless communications with one or more first wireless devices (Par. 0171; the AP and the STAs may transmit only traffic corresponding to the specific TIDs within the specific R-TWT SP.); and
communicate with the one or more first wireless devices during the scheduled service period in accordance with the one or more first frame exchange parameters (Par. 0169, 0171; the AP and the STAs may transmit only traffic corresponding to the specific TIDs within the specific R-TWT SP.).
Kim shows all of the elements including the one or more frame exchange parameters, as discussed above. Kim does not specifically show the one or more first frame exchange parameters are associated with one or more resources available at the first wireless device for communications during a scheduled service period.
However, the above-mentioned claim limitations are well-established in the art as evidenced by Jang. Specifically, Jang shows the one or more first frame exchange parameters are associated with one or more resources available at the first wireless device for communications during a scheduled service period (Figure 13; Par. 0163-0165; transmitting link-related information that the corresponding MLD can support through ML setup. Link-related information includes at least information on the number/upper limit of uplink/downlink links supported by the MLD (or STA), information on the location/band/resource of uplink/downlink link supported by MLD (or STA), and/or information on available or preferred TID (traffic identifier) on at least one uplink/downlink link.).
In view of the above, having the system of Kim, then given the well-established teaching of Jang, it would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Kim as taught by Jang, in order to provide motivation to properly use increased number of spatial streams (Par. 0005 of Jang).
Regarding claims 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19 and 20, these claims are rejected based on the same reasoning as presented in the rejection of claims 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10, respectively.
Regarding claim 21, Kim shows a method (Figure 4 shows an access point (AP) performing in part the disclosed method.) for wireless communications at a first wireless device, comprising:
transmitting one or more first frame exchange parameters associated with a scheduled service period (Par. 0171; AP may indicate, through a target wake time (TWT) element transmitted to configure a restricted-TWT service period (R-TWT SP), information related to the traffic identifier (TID).), wherein the first wireless device is available for wireless communications with one or more second wireless devices during the scheduled service period (Par. 0171; the AP and the STAs may transmit only traffic corresponding to the specific TIDs within the specific R-TWT SP.); and
communicating with the one or more second wireless devices during the scheduled service period in accordance with the one or more first frame exchange parameters (Par. 0169, 0171; the AP and the STAs may transmit only traffic corresponding to the specific TIDs within the specific R-TWT SP.).
Kim shows all of the elements including the one or more frame exchange parameters, as discussed above. Kim does not specifically show the one or more first frame exchange parameters are associated with one or more resources available at the first wireless device for communications during a scheduled service period.
However, the above-mentioned claim limitations are well-established in the art as evidenced by Jang. Specifically, Jang shows the one or more first frame exchange parameters are associated with one or more resources available at the first wireless device for communications during a scheduled service period (Figure 13; Par. 0163-0165; transmitting link-related information that the corresponding MLD can support through ML setup. Link-related information includes at least information on the number/upper limit of uplink/downlink links supported by the MLD (or STA), information on the location/band/resource of uplink/downlink link supported by MLD (or STA), and/or information on available or preferred TID (traffic identifier) on at least one uplink/downlink link.).
In view of the above, having the system of Kim, then given the well-established teaching of Jang, it would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Kim as taught by Jang, in order to provide motivation to properly use increased number of spatial streams (Par. 0005 of Jang).
Regarding claims 22, 23, 24 and 25, these claims are rejected based on the same reasoning as presented in the rejection of claims 2, 3, 4 and 5, respectively.
Regarding claim 26, Kim shows a method for wireless communications at a second wireless device (Figure 3 shows an STA performing in part the disclosed method.), comprising:
receiving one or more first frame exchange parameters associated with a scheduled service period (Par. 0171; STA receives, through a target wake time (TWT) element transmitted to configure a restricted-TWT service period (R-TWT SP), information related to the traffic identifier (TID).), wherein the second wireless device is available for wireless communications with one or more first wireless devices (Par. 0171; the AP and the STAs may transmit only traffic corresponding to the specific TIDs within the specific R-TWT SP.); and
communicating with the one or more first wireless devices during the scheduled service period in accordance with the one or more first frame exchange parameters (Par. 0169, 0171; the AP and the STAs may transmit only traffic corresponding to the specific TIDs within the specific R-TWT SP.).
Kim shows all of the elements including the one or more frame exchange parameters, as discussed above. Kim does not specifically show the one or more first frame exchange parameters are associated with one or more resources available at the first wireless device for communications during a scheduled service period.
However, the above-mentioned claim limitations are well-established in the art as evidenced by Jang. Specifically, Jang shows the one or more first frame exchange parameters are associated with one or more resources available at the first wireless device for communications during a scheduled service period (Figure 13; Par. 0163-0165; transmitting link-related information that the corresponding MLD can support through ML setup. Link-related information includes at least information on the number/upper limit of uplink/downlink links supported by the MLD (or STA), information on the location/band/resource of uplink/downlink link supported by MLD (or STA), and/or information on available or preferred TID (traffic identifier) on at least one uplink/downlink link.).
In view of the above, having the system of Kim, then given the well-established teaching of Jang, it would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Kim as taught by Jang, in order to provide motivation to properly use increased number of spatial streams (Par. 0005 of Jang).
Regarding claims 27, 28, 29 and 30, these claims are rejected based on the same reasoning as presented in the rejection of claims 2, 3, 4 and 5, respectively.
Claim(s) 7 and 17 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kim in view of Jang and Jia et al. (US 2017/0339680; hereinafter Jia).
Regarding claim 7, modified Kim shows all of the elements except communicating with one or more third wireless devices during a second period outside of the scheduled service period and in accordance with one or more second frame exchange parameters, wherein a duration of the second period is defined in accordance with a capability of the first wireless device, a capability of a second wireless device, or both.
However, the above-mentioned claim limitations are well-established in the art as evidenced by Jia. Specifically, Jia shows communicating with one or more third wireless devices during a second period outside of the scheduled service period and in accordance with one or more second frame exchange parameters, wherein a duration of the second period is defined in accordance with a capability of the first wireless device, a capability of a second wireless device, or both (Figure 4; Par. 0058; a TWT schedule may be sent to the stations STA1-STA4 indicating that each of the stations STA1-STA4 is assigned to the TWT1 service period, as well as a time at which the TWT1 service period is scheduled to occur. For example, the TWT schedule may be provided in beacon frames broadcast by the AP at TBTT intervals. Furthermore, stations STA3 and STA4 are the primary subset of STAs assigned to a second TWT (TWT2) service period, and stations STA1 and STA2 are the secondary subset of STAs assigned to the TWT2 service period. Accordingly, the TWT schedule broadcast to the stations STA1-STA4 may further indicate that each of the stations STA1-STA4 is further assigned to the TWT2 service period, as well as a time at which the TWT2 service period is scheduled to occur.).
In view of the above, having the system of Kim, then given the well-established teaching of Jia, it would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Kim as taught by Jia, in order to provide motivation for reducing communications latency for each of the STAs associated with the AP (Par. 0012 of Jia).
Regarding claim 17, this claim is rejected based on the same reasoning as presented in the rejection of claim 7.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
US 20220346176 A1 - METHOD FOR CHANGING CHANNEL IN MULTI-LINKS
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 REDENTOR M PASIA whose telephone number is (571)272-9745. The examiner can normally be reached Mondays-Thursdays - 5am-245pm and Fridays 5am-330pm.
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/REDENTOR PASIA/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2413
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