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 Arguments
Following response to arguments is based on Applicant’s arguments filed on 10 July 2026.
Regarding Previous Rejection Under 35 USC § 102/103
Applicant’s arguments [Pages 9-10] with respect to rejection of claims 1, 11, 17, 24 have been fully considered but are not persuasive.
Regarding claim 1, on pages 9-10, Applicant argues that the combination of Yang and Fang fails to teach limitations of former claim 2, which are incorporated into claim 1, “wherein the first indication comprises a static beacon interval indication and the second indication comprises a dynamic beacon interval indication”.
The Examiner respectfully disagrees and submits as follows.
Claim 1’s scope is broadly interpreted as the transmission of several frames comprising indications. For example, the first frame is transmitted having a first indication, which is named as “static beacon interval indication”, but the limitation does not comprise an active feature/definition of the indication. That is, the claim does not indicate, for example, whether the static beacon interval indication indicates an interval for a static beacon to perform a certain function “XYZ”; in which case, the Examiner would be precluded from current interpretation. Similar reasoning applies to the “dynamic beacon interval indication”.
The Examiner respectfully recommends the incorporation of further details to the independent claims, not only about the definition of the “indications” but to reflect further steps/processing other than transmitting frames with indications, following, for example, illustration of Fig. 6 of the instant specification.
Hence, based on the above, Fang still discloses the transmission of frames comprising some types of beacon indicators, as in Fig. 3; wherein said beacons comprise dynamic beacons and other beacons, thus static beacons (although the claim does not claim beacons per se) [Paragraphs 39, 67].
Regarding claims 11, 17, 24, these claims have been amended to incorporate similar limitations to those set forth in independent claim 1, and are rejected based on similar reasoning.
Therefore, in view of the above reasons, the Examiner maintains the rejections.
Claim Status
Claims 1, 11, 17, 24 have been amended. Claims 2, 12, 18, 25 have been canceled. Thus, claims 1, 3-11, 13-17, 19-24, 26-30 are presented for examination.
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 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.
Claims 1, 3-5, 7-8, 10-11, 13-15, 17, 19, 21, 24, 26, 28 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Yang et al. (US Patent Application Publication No. 2019/0246351) in view of Fang et al. (US Patent Application Publication No. 2018/0279209).
Regarding claim 1, Yang teaches an apparatus for wireless communication at an access point (AP) (Fig. 2 – AP 205), comprising:
a processing system (Fig. 17A – processing unit 1702) that includes processor circuitry (Fig. 16A – processor 1600) and memory circuitry (memory 1608) that stores code, the processing system configured to cause the apparatus to:
transmit a first frame comprising a first indication of a first beacon interval and a second indication of a second beacon interval (AP 205 transmits a first beacon frame to stations 210-218 indicating the times at which subsequent frames will be transmitted, thus the first beacon frame comprises at least first and second beacon intervals [Paragraphs 10-13, 23, 25]), [
transmit a second frame at a first time associated with the first indication (thus, AP 205 transmits second frame at the first time established in the first frame [Paragraph 12]); and
transmit a third frame at a second time associated with the second indication (a third frame is then transmitted by AP 250 at the second time established in the first frame [Paragraph 13]).
However, Yang does not explicitly mention: wherein the first indication comprises a static beacon interval indication and the second indication comprises a dynamic beacon interval indication.
Fang teaches, in a similar field of endeavor of communication systems, the following:
wherein the first indication comprises a static beacon interval indication and the second indication comprises a dynamic beacon interval indication (Fang still discloses the transmission of frames comprising some types of beacon indicators, as in Fig. 3; wherein said beacons comprise dynamic beacons and other beacons, thus static beacons (although the claim does not claim beacons per se) [Paragraphs 39, 67]).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the communication system (as taught by Yang) with the implementation of static and dynamic beacons (as taught by Fang) for the purpose of synchronizing the network (Fang – Paragraph 5).
Regarding claim 3, Yang further teaches the apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second indication comprises an indication of a multiple of the first beacon interval (second indication comprises multiples of the first beacon interval [Paragraphs 162, 166, 194, 205]).
Regarding claim 4, Yang further teaches the apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first frame further comprises a third indication of an update to the second beacon interval (update of the intervals is included in the frames [Paragraphs 167, 171, 174]).
Regarding claim 5, Yang further teaches the apparatus of claim 4, wherein the third indication comprises a counter associated with the update to the second beacon interval, the counter indicating a time for transmission of a fourth frame associated with the update to the second beacon interval (counter for updating the beacons is included [Paragraphs 168-169, 171]).
Regarding claim 7, Yang further teaches the apparatus of claim 4, wherein the processing system is further configured to cause the apparatus to:
receive, from a station, a request for an update to the second beacon interval, the first frame being transmitted in accordance with receipt of the request (updating of the beacons is received and used for transmission of all frames [Paragraph 221]).
Regarding claim 8, Yang further teaches the apparatus of claim 1, wherein the AP is associated with a first link of a multi-link device (MLD), and the first frame further comprises a third indication of an update to a third beacon interval associated with a second link of the MLD (APs 210-218 are MLD which are used for indicating which link is being used for the communication [Paragraphs 231, 244]).
Regarding claim 10, Yang further teaches the apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first frame further comprises an indication of an update to a beacon transmission period associated with the second beacon interval ([Paragraphs 167, 171]).
Regarding claims 11, 13-15, these claims are rejected as applied to claims 1, 3-5.
Regarding claim 17, Yang teaches an apparatus for wireless communications at a station (Fig. 2 – stations 210-218), comprising:
a processing system (Fig. 17A – processing unit 1702) that includes processor circuitry (Fig. 16A – processor 1600) and memory circuitry (memory 1608) that stores code, the processing system configured to cause the apparatus to:
receive, from an access point, a first frame comprising a first indication of a first beacon interval and a second indication of a second beacon interval (AP 205 transmits a first beacon frame to stations 210-218 indicating the times at which subsequent frames will be transmitted, thus the first beacon frame comprises at least first and second beacon intervals [Paragraphs 10-13, 23, 25]), [
receive, from the access point, a second frame at a first time associated with the second indication (thus, AP 205 transmits second frame at the first time established in the first frame [Paragraph 12]).
However, Yang does not explicitly mention: wherein the first indication comprises a static beacon interval indication and the second indication comprises a dynamic beacon interval indication.
Fang teaches, in a similar field of endeavor of communication systems, the following:
wherein the first indication comprises a static beacon interval indication and the second indication comprises a dynamic beacon interval indication (Fang still discloses the transmission of frames comprising some types of beacon indicators, as in Fig. 3; wherein said beacons comprise dynamic beacons and other beacons, thus static beacons (although the claim does not claim beacons per se) [Paragraphs 39, 67]).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the communication system (as taught by Yang) with the implementation of static and dynamic beacons (as taught by Fang) for the purpose of synchronizing the network (Fang – Paragraph 5).
Regarding claim 19, Yang further teaches the apparatus of claim 17, wherein the first frame further comprises a third indication of an update to the second beacon interval ([Paragraphs 167, 171]), the third indication comprises a counter associated with the update to the second beacon interval ([Paragraph 171]), and the counter indicates a time for reception of a third frame associated with the update to the second beacon interval, from the access point ([Paragraphs 171, 221-222]).
Regarding claim 21, Yang further teaches the apparatus of claim 17, wherein the processing system is further configured to cause the apparatus to: transmit, to the access point, a request for an update to the second beacon interval, the first frame being received in accordance with receipt of the request by the access point (updating of the beacons is received and used for transmission of all frames [Paragraph 221]).
Regarding claims 24, 26, 28, these claims are rejected as applied to claims 17, 19, 21.
Claims 6, 16, 20, 27 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Yang et al. (US Patent Application Publication No. 2019/0246351) in view of Fang et al. (US Patent Application Publication No. 2018/0279209) and further in view of Atefi (US Patent Application Publication No. 2023/0039035).
Regarding claim 6, the combination of Yang and Fang teaches all the limitations recited in claim 4.
However, the combination of Yang and Fang does not explicitly mention: wherein the processing system is further configured to cause the apparatus to: receive a fifth frame from a station indicating a request to cancel the update to the second beacon interval; and refrain from updating the second beacon interval in association with the request.
Atefi teaches, in a similar field of endeavor of communication systems, the following:
wherein the processing system is further configured to cause the apparatus to: receive a fifth frame from a station indicating a request to cancel the update to the second beacon interval; and refrain from updating the second beacon interval in association with the request (for the disclosed system, different frames cancel update of the intervals and refrain updating other intervals [Paragraphs 24, 26, 40-43]).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the communication system (as taught by Yang) with the implementation of static and dynamic beacons (as taught by Fang) with by refraining updates (as taught by Atefi) for the purpose of reducing latency (Atefi – Paragraph 3).
Regarding claim 16, this claim is rejected as applied to claim 6.
Regarding claim 20, the combination of Yang and Fang teaches all the limitations recited in claim 19.
However, the combination of Yang and Fang does not explicitly mention: wherein the processing system is further configured to cause the apparatus to: transmit, to the access point, a fifth frame indicating a request to cancel the update to the second beacon interval.
Atefi teaches, in a similar field of endeavor of communication systems, the following:
wherein the processing system is further configured to cause the apparatus to: transmit, to the access point, a fifth frame indicating a request to cancel the update to the second beacon interval (for the disclosed system, different frames cancel update of the intervals and refrain updating other intervals [Paragraphs 24, 26, 40-43]).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the communication system (as taught by Yang) with the implementation of static and dynamic beacons (as taught by Fang) with by refraining updates (as taught by Atefi) for the purpose of reducing latency (Atefi – Paragraph 3).
Regarding claim 27, this claim is rejected as applied to claim 20.
Claim 9 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Yang et al. (US Patent Application Publication No. 2019/0246351) in view of Fang et al. (US Patent Application Publication No. 2018/0279209) and further in view of Ryu (US Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0305069).
Regarding claim 9, the combination of Yang and Fang teaches all the limitations recited in claim 1.
However, the combination of Yang and Fang does not explicitly mention: receive a probe request from a station while the access point has suspended beacon frame generation; and resume beacon frame generation in accordance with receipt of the probe request, the first frame being transmitted in accordance with receipt of the probe request.
Ryu teaches, in a similar field of endeavor of communication systems, the following:
receive a probe request from a station while the access point has suspended beacon frame generation; and resume beacon frame generation in accordance with receipt of the probe request, the first frame being transmitted in accordance with receipt of the probe request (for the disclosed system, beacon suspension is performed and resumed in accordance with probe request so that transmission of the frame is based on the request [Paragraphs 5-6, 40, 42]).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the communication system (as taught by Yang) with the implementation of static and dynamic beacons (as taught by Fang) with beacons suspension (as taught by Ryu) for the purpose of supporting communication (Ryu – Paragraph 2).
Claims 22-23, 29-30 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Yang et al. (US Patent Application Publication No. 2019/0246351) in view of Fang et al. (US Patent Application Publication No. 2018/0279209) and further in view of Fang (hereinafter Fang2) et al. (US Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0071821).
Regarding claim 22, the combination of Yang and Fang teaches all the limitations recited in claim 17.
However, the combination of Yang and Fang does not explicitly mention: wherein the first frame further comprises an indication of an update to a beacon transmission period associated with the second beacon interval, and the processing system is further configured to cause the apparatus to: enter a low power state after the beacon transmission period has expired following a time associated with the second indication without receipt of a third frame associated with the second indication.
Fang2 teaches, in a similar field of endeavor of communication systems, the following:
wherein the first frame further comprises an indication of an update to a beacon transmission period associated with the second beacon interval, and the processing system is further configured to cause the apparatus to: enter a low power state after the beacon transmission period has expired following a time associated with the second indication without receipt of a third frame associated with the second indication (for the disclosed system, low power state is entered after beacon transmission has expired for time association [Paragraphs 43-50, 54, 72, 76]).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the communication system (as taught by Yang) with the implementation of static and dynamic beacons (as taught by Fang) transmission of beacons (as taught by Fang2) for the purpose of synchronizing the network (Fang2 – Paragraph 4).
Regarding claim 23, the combination of Yang and Fang teaches all the limitations recited in claim 17.
However, the combination of Yang and Fang does not explicitly mention: refrain from performing passive scanning during a first time period; determine a distance between the station and the access point is below a threshold distance; and transmit, to the access point after the first time period, a third frame in accordance with the determination that the distance between the station and the access point is below the threshold distance, the first frame being received in accordance with the third frame.
Fang2 teaches, in a similar field of endeavor of communication systems, the following:
refrain from performing passive scanning during a first time period; determine a distance between the station and the access point is below a threshold distance; and transmit, to the access point after the first time period, a third frame in accordance with the determination that the distance between the station and the access point is below the threshold distance, the first frame being received in accordance with the third frame (for the disclosed system, distances between stations are considered when under threshold and thus modifying the transmission of the beacons [Paragraphs 43-50, 54, 72, 76]).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the communication system (as taught by Yang) with the implementation of static and dynamic beacons (as taught by Fang) transmission of beacons (as taught by Fang2) for the purpose of synchronizing the network (Fang2 – Paragraph 4).
Regarding claims 29-30, these claims are rejected as applied to claims 22-23.
Conclusion
THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. 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 FABRICIO R MURILLO GARCIA whose telephone number is (571)270-5708. The examiner can normally be reached 9-5pm.
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July 20, 2026
/FABRICIO R MURILLO GARCIA/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2633
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