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
Acknowledgment is made of Applicant's submission of amendment, dated on 07/17/2023. This communication is considered fully responsive and sets forth below:
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 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)(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 1-10,12-14 ,16-18 and 20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated Kuelzer et alUS20250365033A1.
-15 is cancelled.
Regarding claims 1 and 13, Kuelzer et alUS20250365033A1 discloses
A method of operating a wireless communication device, comprising:
13. A wireless communication device, comprising:
an interference detector;a communication circuit; and a controller coupled to the interference detector and the communication circuit[0057] method 100 may be also implemented in a computer program (product) having a program code for performing an embodiment of the proposed method, when the computer program is executed on a computer, a processor, or a programmable hardware component, wherein the controller is adapted to: detecting WiFi-related interference over an ultra-wideband (UWB) communication link between the wireless communication device and at least one second wireless communication device; FIG. 2 [0059] a user device 210 and a vehicle 220 are supposed to communicate in a UWB communication session. However, a WUAN signal 242 of a WUAN device 240 may potentially interfere with the UWB communication session 230 which may have an undesired impact on the UWB communication session, The WUAN device 240, e.g., is a WUAN router and may be installed in vehicle 220. Alternatively, the WUAN device 240 belongs to another vehicle or to infrastructure in the surrounding, wherein the UWB communication session, i.e., a UWB channel, UWB transmission, and/or reception, may be controlled by one or both of the user device 210 and the vehicle 220. So, the user device 210 and/or the vehicle 220 may be configured to detect potentially interfering signals and to adapt the UWB transmission and/or reception for interference mitigation according to the proposed concept)
estimating an interference pattern based on detected WiFi-related interference; and
adapting, based on the estimated interference pattern, a time-slotted transmission schedule of the wireless communication device to reduce an impact of the estimated interference pattern [0060]-[0061] the user device 210 and the vehicle 220 may communicate UWB signals in the UWB communication session 230 and determine, based on the UWB signals, the distance and/or relative position of the user device 210. However, the ranging may be interfered by the WUAN signal 242 of the WUAN device 240, e.g., when the UWB signals and the WUAN signal 242 are emitted simultaneously. In practice, e.g., the WUAN signal 242 interferes with the UWB signals such that the ranging fails. This may be avoided according to the proposed concept of interference mitigation. information on a potentially interfering radio signal is obtained. The information on the radio signal may indicate that the WUAN signal 242 may interfere with the UWB communication session 230. Consequently, based on this information, one or more of the proposed measures for interference mitigation may be taken. In doing so, e.g., the UWB communication session 230 is configured and/or timed/rescheduled such that the WUAN signal 242 at least interferes less with the UWB communication session 230, the user device 210 as well as the vehicle 220 both may be configured to take the proposed interference mitigation measures, e.g., the user device 210 as well as the vehicle 220 may be capable of selecting or changing the UWB channel and/or timing/rescheduling the UWB communication session 230. For example, [0012] obtaining information on a first time slot for the UWB communication session within a frame including the first and at least one alternative second time slot for the UWB communication session. In such cases, the method may further comprise obtaining, based on the information on the radio signal and the first time slot, information on interference of the radio signal with the first time slot. Then, configuring the UWB communication session may comprise selecting the second time slot for the UWB communication session based on the information on the interference with the first time slot. In this way, a less interfered time slot may be selected for the UWB communication in order to avoid or further reduce data or information loss in the UWB communication session.
Regarding claim 2 and 14, Kuelzer et alUS20250365033A1 discloses all features with respect to claim 1 and 13, respectively.
Kuelzer further discloses wherein estimating an interference pattern includes modelling the detected WiFi-related interference [0040]- [0042] the UWB receiver may detect the WLAN signal and the information on the radio signal may indicate that the UWB receiver detected a potentially interfering radio signal, i.e., that a potentially interfering radio signal is present. In particular, the UWB receiver may be also configured to determine a frequency, a frequency band, and/or a type (here: WLAN signal in the 6 GHz band) of the radio signal in order to determine which of the available UWB channels is/are affected/interfered. In practice, the WLAN signal in the 6 GHz, e.g., only interferes with UWB channel 5 while UWB channel 9 is not interfered. Accordingly, the information on the radio signal may indicate whether a UWB channel and/or which UWB channel is interfered. For example, the information on the radio signal indicates that UWB channel 5 is interfered. Consequently, the UWB application may be adjusted such that UWB channel 5 is avoided, e.g., by selecting and/or switching to UWB channel 9 or any other available UWB channel in order to avoid interference with the detected radio signal.
Regarding claim 3, Kuelzer et alUS20250365033A1 discloses all features with respect to claim 2.
Kuelzer further discloses wherein modelling the detected WiFi-related interference includes predicting WiFi-related interference [0040]- [0042] the UWB receiver may detect the WLAN signal and the information on the radio signal may indicate that the UWB receiver detected a potentially interfering radio signal, i.e., that a potentially interfering radio signal is present. In particular, the UWB receiver may be also configured to determine a frequency, a frequency band, and/or a type (here: WLAN signal in the 6 GHz band) of the radio signal in order to determine which of the available UWB channels is/are affected/interfered. In practice, the WLAN signal in the 6 GHz, e.g., only interferes with UWB channel 5 while UWB channel 9 is not interfered. Accordingly, the information on the radio signal may indicate whether a UWB channel and/or which UWB channel is interfered. For example, the information on the radio signal indicates that UWB channel 5 is interfered. Consequently, the UWB application may be adjusted such that UWB channel 5 is avoided, e.g., by selecting and/or switching to UWB channel 9 or any other available UWB channel in order to avoid interference with the detected radio signal.
Regarding claims 4 and 20, Kuelzer et alUS20250365033A1 discloses all features with respect to claim 2 and 14.
Kuelzer further discloses wherein modelling the detected WiFi-related interference includes determining at least one of
power level,
channel frequency[0040]- [0042] the UWB receiver may detect the WLAN signal and the information on the radio signal may indicate that the UWB receiver detected a potentially interfering radio signal, i.e., that a potentially interfering radio signal is present. In particular, the UWB receiver may be also configured to determine a frequency, a frequency band, and/or a type (here: WLAN signal in the 6 GHz band) of the radio signal in order to determine which of the available UWB channels is/are affected/interfered. In practice, the WLAN signal in the 6 GHz, e.g., only interferes with UWB channel 5 while UWB channel 9 is not interfered. Accordingly, the information on the radio signal may indicate whether a UWB channel and/or which UWB channel is interfered. For example, the information on the radio signal indicates that UWB channel 5 is interfered. Consequently, the UWB application may be adjusted such that UWB channel 5 is avoided, e.g., by selecting and/or switching to UWB channel 9 or any other available UWB channel in order to avoid interference with the detected radio signal),
average packet duration,
average package arrival rate, or
average packet interval.
Regarding claim 5, Kuelzer et alUS20250365033A1 discloses all features with respect to claim 2.
Kuelzer further discloses wherein modelling the detected WiFi-related interference includes utilizing a trained machine learning model to generate a model of the WiFi-related interference.
[0010] discloses the UWB application comprises a UWB communication session between a vehicle and a user device. In such embodiments, adjusting the UWB application may comprise configuring the UWB communication session based on the information on the radio signal. In this way, (potential) data or information loss in the UWB communication may be avoided or at least reduced. In practice, a first and at least one second UWB channel may be available for the UWB communication session. In this case, the information on the radio signal may comprise information on an interference of the radio signal with at least one of the first and the second UWB channel. Configuring the UWB communication session, then, may comprise selecting one of the first and the second UWB channel for the UWB communication session based on the information on the interference with at least one of the first and the second UWB channel. This, e.g., allows to avoid interfered UWB channels and/or to select an interference-free or less interfered UWB channel for less data or information loss in the UWB communication session.
Regarding claims 6 and 18, Kuelzer et alUS20250365033A1 discloses all features with respect to claims 1 and 13, respectively.
Kuelzer further discloses
performing a frame exchange check between the wireless communication device and the at least one second wireless communication device; and determining, based on the frame exchange check, a distance between the wireless communication device and the at least one second wireless communication device. [0060] the UWB communication session 230 serves ranging, i.e., determining a distance and/or position of the user device 210 relative to the vehicle 220 in order to make sure that the user device 210 cannot lock/unlock, start, and/or move the vehicle 220 from too far away (i.e., more than a certain maximum distance away) using the user device 210. To this end, as the skilled person having benefit from the present disclosure will understand, the user device 210 and the vehicle 220 may communicate UWB signals in the UWB communication session 230 and determine, based on the UWB signals, the distance and/or relative position of the user device 210.
Regarding claim 7, Kuelzer et alUS20250365033A1 discloses all features with respect to claim 2.
Kuelzer further discloses wherein the time-slotted transmission schedule includes UWB transmission slots [0060]-[0061] the user device 210 and the vehicle 220 may communicate UWB signals in the UWB communication session 230 and determine, based on the UWB signals, the distance and/or relative position of the user device 210. However, the ranging may be interfered by the WUAN signal 242 of the WUAN device 240, e.g., when the UWB signals and the WUAN signal 242 are emitted simultaneously. In practice, e.g., the WUAN signal 242 interferes with the UWB signals such that the ranging fails. This may be avoided according to the proposed concept of interference mitigation. information on a potentially interfering radio signal is obtained. The information on the radio signal may indicate that the WUAN signal 242 may interfere with the UWB communication session 230. Consequently, based on this information, one or more of the proposed measures for interference mitigation may be taken. In doing so, e.g., the UWB communication session 230 is configured and/or timed/rescheduled such that the WUAN signal 242 at least interferes less with the UWB communication session 230, the user device 210 as well as the vehicle 220 both may be configured to take the proposed interference mitigation measures, e.g., the user device 210 as well as the vehicle 220 may be capable of selecting or changing the UWB channel and/or timing/rescheduling the UWB communication session 230. For example, [0012] obtaining information on a first time slot for the UWB communication session within a frame including the first and at least one alternative second time slot for the UWB communication session. In such cases, the method may further comprise obtaining, based on the information on the radio signal and the first time slot, information on interference of the radio signal with the first time slot. Then, configuring the UWB communication session may comprise selecting the second time slot for the UWB communication session based on the information on the interference with the first time slot. In this way, a less interfered time slot may be selected for the UWB communication in order to avoid or further reduce data or information loss in the UWB communication session.
Regarding claim 8 and 17, Kuelzer et alUS20250365033A1 discloses all features with respect to claim 1 and 13, respectively.
Kuelzer further discloses wherein adapting a time-slotted transmission schedule includes applying a transmission offset to one or more packet transmissions over the UWB communication link. 0060]-[0061] the user device 210 and the vehicle 220 may communicate UWB signals in the UWB communication session 230 and determine, based on the UWB signals, the distance and/or relative position of the user device 210. However, the ranging may be interfered by the WUAN signal 242 of the WUAN device 240, e.g., when the UWB signals and the WUAN signal 242 are emitted simultaneously. In practice, e.g., the WUAN signal 242 interferes with the UWB signals such that the ranging fails. This may be avoided according to the proposed concept of interference mitigation. information on a potentially interfering radio signal is obtained. The information on the radio signal may indicate that the WUAN signal 242 may interfere with the UWB communication session 230. Consequently, based on this information, one or more of the proposed measures for interference mitigation may be taken. In doing so, e.g., the UWB communication session 230 is configured and/or timed/rescheduled such that the WUAN signal 242 at least interferes less with the UWB communication session 230, the user device 210 as well as the vehicle 220 both may be configured to take the proposed interference mitigation measures, e.g., the user device 210 as well as the vehicle 220 may be capable of selecting or changing the UWB channel and/or timing/rescheduling the UWB communication session 230. For example, [0012] obtaining information on a first time slot for the UWB communication session within a frame including the first and at least one alternative second time slot for the UWB communication session. In such cases, the method may further comprise obtaining, based on the information on the radio signal and the first time slot, information on interference of the radio signal with the first time slot. Then, configuring the UWB communication session may comprise selecting the second time slot for the UWB communication session based on the information on the interference with the first time slot. In this way, a less interfered time slot may be selected for the UWB communication in order to avoid or further reduce data or information loss in the UWB communication session.
Regarding claim 9, Kuelzer et alUS20250365033A1 discloses all features with respect to claim 8.
Kuelzer further discloses wherein the transmission offset is applied to packets transmitted by the wireless communication device over the UWB communication link0060]-[0061] the user device 210 and the vehicle 220 may communicate UWB signals in the UWB communication session 230 and determine, based on the UWB signals, the distance and/or relative position of the user device 210. However, the ranging may be interfered by the WUAN signal 242 of the WUAN device 240, e.g., when the UWB signals and the WUAN signal 242 are emitted simultaneously. In practice, e.g., the WUAN signal 242 interferes with the UWB signals such that the ranging fails. This may be avoided according to the proposed concept of interference mitigation. information on a potentially interfering radio signal is obtained. The information on the radio signal may indicate that the WUAN signal 242 may interfere with the UWB communication session 230. Consequently, based on this information, one or more of the proposed measures for interference mitigation may be taken. In doing so, e.g., the UWB communication session 230 is configured and/or timed/rescheduled such that the WUAN signal 242 at least interferes less with the UWB communication session 230, the user device 210 as well as the vehicle 220 both may be configured to take the proposed interference mitigation measures, e.g., the user device 210 as well as the vehicle 220 may be capable of selecting or changing the UWB channel and/or timing/rescheduling the UWB communication session 230. For example, [0012] obtaining information on a first time slot for the UWB communication session within a frame including the first and at least one alternative second time slot for the UWB communication session. In such cases, the method may further comprise obtaining, based on the information on the radio signal and the first time slot, information on interference of the radio signal with the first time slot. Then, configuring the UWB communication session may comprise selecting the second time slot for the UWB communication session based on the information on the interference with the first time slot. In this way, a less interfered time slot may be selected for the UWB communication in order to avoid or further reduce data or information loss in the UWB communication session.
Regarding claim 10 and 16, Kuelzer et alUS20250365033A1 discloses all features with respect to claim 1 and 14, respectively.
Kuelzer further discloses wherein the wireless communication device operates as an UWB initiator for a ranging exchange with the at least one second wireless communication device. 0060]-[0061] the user device 210 and the vehicle 220 may communicate UWB signals in the UWB communication session 230 and determine, based on the UWB signals, the distance and/or relative position of the user device 210. However, the ranging may be interfered by the WUAN signal 242 of the WUAN device 240, e.g., when the UWB signals and the WUAN signal 242 are emitted simultaneously. In practice, e.g., the WUAN signal 242 interferes with the UWB signals such that the ranging fails. This may be avoided according to the proposed concept of interference mitigation. information on a potentially interfering radio signal is obtained. The information on the radio signal may indicate that the WUAN signal 242 may interfere with the UWB communication session 230. Consequently, based on this information, one or more of the proposed measures for interference mitigation may be taken. In doing so, e.g., the UWB communication session 230 is configured and/or timed/rescheduled such that the WUAN signal 242 at least interferes less with the UWB communication session 230, the user device 210 as well as the vehicle 220 both may be configured to take the proposed interference mitigation measures, e.g., the user device 210 as well as the vehicle 220 may be capable of selecting or changing the UWB channel and/or timing/rescheduling the UWB communication session 230. For example, [0012] obtaining information on a first time slot for the UWB communication session within a frame including the first and at least one alternative second time slot for the UWB communication session. In such cases, the method may further comprise obtaining, based on the information on the radio signal and the first time slot, information on interference of the radio signal with the first time slot. Then, configuring the UWB communication session may comprise selecting the second time slot for the UWB communication session based on the information on the interference with the first time slot. In this way, a less interfered time slot may be selected for the UWB communication in order to avoid or further reduce data or information loss in the UWB communication session.
Regarding claim 12, Kuelzer et al US20250365033A1 discloses all features with respect to claim 1.
Kuelzer further discloses wherein detecting WiFi-related interference is performed prior to a two-way ranging (TWR) round or between TWR rounds. [0040]the information on the radio signal may be obtained prior to executing of the UWB application. To this end, the UWB receiver, e.g., checks whether a potentially interfering radio signal is present before the UWB application is initiated, for example, before the UWB communication session is established. Accordingly, this may be understood as “UWB-based” LBT. UWB-based LBT, e.g., allows to adjust the UWB application in such a way that no interference occurs at all, i.e., that interference is avoided.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
The following is a quotation of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a) which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
(a) A patent may not be obtained though the invention is not identically disclosed or described as set forth in section 102 of this title, if the differences between the subject matter sought to be patented and the prior art are such that the subject matter as a whole would have been obvious at the time the invention was made to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which said subject matter pertains. Patentability shall not be negatived 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 pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a) 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. Claims 11 and 19 are rejected under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as being unpatentable over Kuelzer et al US20250365033A1 in view of ALDANA et al US20230168336A1
Regarding claims 11 and 19, Kuelzer et alUS20250365033A1 discloses all features with respect to claims10 and 18, respectively.
Kuelzer does not disclose wherein the wireless communication device is a key fob.
ALDANA et al US20230168336A1 discloses wherein the wireless communication device is a key fob. 0064] The user device 704 may be a mobile device, a keyfob, a tag or token, etc. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Kuelzer by including wherein the wireless communication device is a key fob, as taught by ALDANA, in order to determine the distance between the devices (see ALDANA [0049]-[0052]) .
Response to Remarks/Arguments
Applicant’s argument with respect to the pending claims have been fully considered, but they are not persuasive for at least the following reasons. Applicant’s amendment to claims necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Therefore, Applicant's arguments with respect to the amended claims have been considered but are moot in view of the new ground(s) 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.
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/ABDELTIF AJID/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2478
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