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 2023-12-07 (herein referred to as the Reply) where claim(s) 1-20 are pending for consideration.
35 USC §112(b) – Claim Rejections
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
Claim(s) is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) for not particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter of the invention.
Claim(s) 1, 9, 17 and 2-8, 10-16, 18-20
The claim(s) recite variants of:
a Multi-Link Operation (MLO) selection specifying one or more radio frequency (RF) bands
wherein the MLO configuration specifies MLO group RF bands selected from the one or more operational RF bands
In the scenario in which all instance of “one or more” is taken to be “one” then the claim effectively requires:
an MLO selection of one RF band
radio configuration specifies one RF band
MLO configuration specifies MLO group RF bands
With regard to 3, it is unclear how the MLO configuration specifies MLO group RF bands when the scenario dictates there is only one RF band. Consequently, is confusing how the MLO group is actually a group a since a group requires at least two elements; it is unclear if the claimed “MLO group RF bands” is a group since only one RF can be selected. Rather it appears when the scenario in which “one or more” is “one” then really MLO configuration specifies a “MLO RF band” as there is only a single RF to be selected (i.e., there really isn’t a choice to select multiple RF bands to constitute a “group”).
Dependent claims do not cure the deficiencies of the base/intervening claims as discussed herein and are therefore rejected for at least the same reasons.
35 USC §102 - Claim Rejections
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.
Claim(s) is/are rejected under AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being unpatentable over MIN_393 (US20240114393)
Claim(s) 1, 17
MIN_393 teaches
receiving, by a processor disposed in a wireless networking device, a Multi-Link Operation (MLO) selection specifying one or more radio frequency (RF) bands corresponding to a Service Set Identifier (SSID) configured on the wireless networking device; Association request frame is received by an external electronic device from an electronic device. Association request frame includes request for setup of additional links (second link, third link), each link corresponding to a particular RF. Association request frame can be associated with a BSSID. Accordingly the association request frame functions and acts in a similarly manner as the claimed MLO selection. <FIG(s). 3, 6; para. 0063-0068, 0116-0119>.
determining, by the processor, an MLO configuration for the SSID based on the MLO selection and a radio configuration of the wireless networking device, wherein the radio configuration specifies one or more operational RF bands on a plurality of radios of the wireless networking device, and External electronic devices determines which additional links can be setup by determining which links are operational/supported and responds to association request frame indicating as such. <FIG(s). 3, 6; para. 0063-0068, 0116-0119>.
wherein the MLO configuration specifies MLO group RF bands selected from the one or more operational RF bands; and Association request frame is received by an external electronic device from an electronic device. Association request frame includes request for setup of additional links (second link, third link), each link corresponding to a particular RF. Accordingly the association request frame functions and acts in a similarly manner as the claimed MLO selection. <FIG(s). 3, 6; para. 0063-0068, 0116-0119>.
communicating, by the processor, with a client device over the SSID using the MLO configuration. Subsequently, electronic device and external electronic device communication via the BBSID in accordance with the established/negotiated multi link configuration electronic device and external electronic device can be embodied as a user device such as smart phone. <para. 0003, 0051-0052, 0069, 0119, 0123>.
With regards to the hardware requirement of claim 17, MIN_393 teaches a plurality of radios for communicating over one or more operational RF bands and a machine-readable storage medium storing executable instructions for carrying out the embodiments <FIG. 2-5>
Claim(s) 1, 9
MIN_393 teaches
receiving, by a processor disposed in a wireless networking device, a Multi-Link Operation (MLO) selection specifying one or more radio frequency (RF) bands corresponding to a Service Set Identifier (SSID) configured on the wireless networking device; Association request frame is received by an external electronic device from an electronic device. Association request frame includes request for setup of additional links (second link, third link), each link corresponding to a particular RF. Association request frame can be associated with a BSSID. Accordingly the association request frame functions and acts in a similarly manner as the claimed MLO selection. <FIG(s). 3, 6; para. 0063-0068, 0116-0119>.
determining, by the processor, an MLO configuration for the SSID based on the MLO selection and a radio configuration of the wireless networking device, wherein the radio configuration specifies one or more operational RF bands on a plurality of radios of the wireless networking device, and External electronic devices determines which additional links can be setup by determining which links are operational/supported and responds to association request frame indicating as such. <FIG(s). 3, 6; para. 0063-0068, 0116-0119>.
wherein the MLO configuration specifies MLO group RF bands selected from the one or more operational RF bands; and Association request frame is received by an external electronic device from an electronic device. Association request frame includes request for setup of additional links (second link, third link), each link corresponding to a particular RF. Accordingly the association request frame functions and acts in a similarly manner as the claimed MLO selection. <FIG(s). 3, 6; para. 0063-0068, 0116-0119>.
instructing, by the processor, the wireless networking device to communicate with a client device over the SSID using the MLO configuration Subsequently, electronic device and external electronic device communication via the BBSID in accordance with the established/negotiated multi link configuration electronic device and external electronic device can be embodied as a user device such as smart phone. The processor of the external electronic device would implicitly control the communication <FIG. 3; para. 0003, 0051-0052, 0069, 0119, 0123>.
Claim(s) 2
MIN_393 teaches
wherein the one or more operational RF bands comprise
a sub-frequency range in one or more of the RF bands available for the WLAN communication. External electronic devices determines which additional links can be setup by determining which links are active/operational/supported and responds to association request frame indicating as such. Some link are not available and will not be setup, hence a sub-range occurs. <FIG(s). 3, 6; para. 0063-0068, 0116-0119>.
Claim(s) 8, 16
MIN_393 teaches
wherein the wireless networking device is an access point. external electronic device can be embodied as an access point. <para. 0012>.
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 MIN_393 (US20240114393) in view of YOSHIKAWA_306 (US20240107306)
Claim(s) 3, 10, 18
MIN_393 does not explicitly teach
wherein receiving the MLO selection comprises:
presenting, by the processor, a user interface (UI) to a user; and
receiving, by the processor, a user input indicating the MLO selection via the UI.
However in a similar endeavor, YOSHIKAWA_306 teaches
wherein receiving the MLO selection comprises: presenting, by the processor, a user interface (UI) to a user; and receiving, by the processor, a user input indicating the MLO selection via the UI. UI for mult-link band configuration and selection enables user to select one or more Ghz bands for multi-link communication setup for an associated SSID. <FIG(s). 11, 12, 13, 8, 9; para. 0092-0115>.
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 MIN_393 with the embodiment(s) disclosed by YOSHIKAWA_306. One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to make this modification in order to improve security in performing communication compliant with the IEEE 802.11be standard with another communication apparatus. <para. 0009>.
Claim(s) 4, 11, 19
MIN_393 does not explicitly teach
further comprising
determining, by the processor, an MLO preference based on the MLO selection,
wherein the MLO preference comprises
the one or more RF bands and
one or more RF sub-bands within the one or more RF bands that the user prefers to include in the MLO group RF bands for the SSID.
However in a similar endeavor, YOSHIKAWA_306 teaches
determining, by the processor, an MLO preference based on the MLO selection, wherein the MLO preference comprises the one or more RF bands and one or more RF sub-bands within the one or more RF bands that the user prefers to include in the MLO group RF bands for the SSID. UI for mult-link band configuration enables selection of 2.4, 5, 6Ghz bands and selection sub-channels within each band. <FIG(s). 11, 12, 13, 8, 9; para. 0092-0115>.
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 MIN_393 with the embodiment(s) disclosed by YOSHIKAWA_306. One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to make this modification in order to improve security in performing communication compliant with the IEEE 802.11be standard with another communication apparatus. <para. 0009>.
Claim(s) is/are rejected under AIA 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over MIN_393 (US20240114393) in view of STEPHENSON_387 (US20160094387)
Claim(s) 15
MIN_393 does not explicitly teach
wherein the processor is hosted on a cloud infrastructure communicatively coupled to the wireless networking device.
However in a similar endeavor, STEPHENSON_387 teaches
wherein the processor is hosted on a cloud infrastructure communicatively coupled to the wireless networking device. Access point is controlled by multiple cloud-based controllers from or deployed by different providers. <FIG(s). 1; para. 0028, 0033-0036>.
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 MIN_393 with the embodiment(s) disclosed by STEPHENSON_387. One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to make this modification in order to improve the user experience when installing an access point. <para. 0044>.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claim(s) is/are indicated as having allowable subject matter over the prior art but rejected to herein.
Claim(s) 5, 7, 12, 14, 20 and 6, 13
The claim(s) include allowable subject matter with respect to the prior art and would be allowable if:
(i) Rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
(ii) Amended to overcome other non-prior art rejections and/or objections presented herein (e.g., 35 USC 112 and 101 rejections), including rejections/objections directed to base and intervening claims.
(iii) In cases where claim limitations were unclear/indefinite and the Examiner indicated what he/she thought what the limitations attempted to convey, any clarifying amendments would need to be commensurate with the Examiner’s interpretation.
In addition any explicit reasons given herein, allowability is also determined in view of the combination of references required for obviousness, the inter-relationship between other claimed limitations, and the claimed invention as a whole. Accordingly, amendments that do not incorporate the allowable claims into the base/intervening claims in its entirely, are not allowable. This includes amendments that incorporate the allowable claims into the base/intervening claims in part or in a non-narrowing manner (i.e., changing the scope of the subject matter).
Relevant Cited References
BARTON - US20240381462 teaches MLO mode selection techniques with regards to switching between modes of: STR, NSTR and/or eMLSR. However these modes do not change/configuration the RF bands of the MLO.
INOHIZA - US20240224349 teaches An each-frequency-band communication settings UI unit 303 is a block that, in a case where an AP in each frequency band is desired to independently operate without performing the multi-link communication, provides a UI for making the communication settings of the AP in each frequency band. Through this UI unit, the channel of the AP in each frequency band is set, and the BI value of the AP in each frequency band is set.
US20240381462
Examiner’s Notes
Claim Interpretation
The Examiner has interpreted the claimed term “Multi-Link Operation (MLO)” as referring to particular technology that is a term of art in the IEEE 802.11be (Wi-Fi 7) standards. This is interpretation is supported in the context of the Specification:
[0001] The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11be Standard (generally known as Wi-Fi 7) is the successor to the IEEE 802.11ax Standard (generally known as Wi-Fi 6) and which promises to significantly boost the speed and stability of wireless connections while offering lower latency and the ability to seamlessly manage more connections than prior. This is achieved, at least in part, due to a feature called Multi-Link Operation (MLO) proposed in Wi-Fi 7. The MLO enables devices to simultaneously send and receive data across different frequency bands and channels, such as a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi band, a 5 GHz Wi-Fi band, and a 6 GHz Wi-Fi band. While the MLO allows the access points and client devices to communicate simultaneously across different frequency bands, the configuration of the MLO may become challenging due to advanced radio frequency filtering techniques that allow the AP to operate with several combinations of the frequency bands and sub-bands within such frequency bands.
[0011] The Multi-Link Operation (MLO) feature of the Wi-Fi 7 enables wireless devices to merge multiple frequency bands into a single, seamless wireless connection, unlike previous Wi-Fi standards that allowed connections between two devices on a single band. In particular, with the introduction of the Wi-Fi 7, client devices can now connect to an access point (AP) simultaneously across multiple frequency bands, which significantly increases the potential bandwidth available to the client. In particular, by enabling the client devices to take advantage of multiple frequency bands at the same time, MLO can provide faster and more reliable wireless connections, even in areas with high network traffic. This makes the Wi-Fi 7 a significant upgrade over the previous Wi-Fi standards and is expected to improve the user experience for those who rely on wireless networks for their day-to-day activities.
Conclusion
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.
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/ANDRE TACDIRAN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2415