Prosecution Insights
Last updated: July 17, 2026
Application No. 18/533,831

METHOD FOR DETERMINING TRANSMIT POWER IN WIRELESS LOCAL AREA NETWORK AND RELATED APPARATUS

Final Rejection §103
Filed
Dec 08, 2023
Priority
Jun 11, 2021 — CN 202110657250.2 +1 more
Examiner
BEYEN, ZEWDU A
Art Unit
2461
Tech Center
2400 — Computer Networks
Assignee
Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
OA Round
2 (Final)
83%
Grant Probability
Favorable
3-4
OA Rounds
1m
Est. Remaining
98%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 83% — above average
83%
Career Allowance Rate
708 granted / 850 resolved
+25.3% vs TC avg
Moderate +15% lift
Without
With
+15.0%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 9m
Avg Prosecution
20 currently pending
Career history
881
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.5%
-39.5% vs TC avg
§103
88.5%
+48.5% vs TC avg
§102
7.9%
-32.1% vs TC avg
§112
1.7%
-38.3% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 850 resolved cases

Office Action

§103
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 filled on 03/27/2026 has been entered. Claims 1, 12,20 are amended. Claims 1-20 are pending. Response to Arguments Applicant arguments filed on 03/27/2026 have been fully considered and but are moot in view of the new ground of rejection(s) 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. The factual inquiries 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 nonobviousness. Claim(s) 1-4,6-7,10-15,17-18,20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Sutskover to (US20170289926) in view of Noh to (US 20220360397 A1) Regarding claims 1,12,20 Sutskover teaches a method for determining transmit power in a wireless local area network, ([0027] The WLAN 100 may comprise a basis service set (BSS) 100 that may include a master station 102, which may be an AP, a plurality of high-efficiency wireless (e.g., IEEE 802.11ax) (HE) stations ) comprising: receiving, by a station, a trigger frame([0173] decode a trigger frame from an access point for an uplink communication, the trigger frame including an uplink resource allocation for the station, the uplink resource allocation including common information and per station information, the common information including anindication of a maximum receive power at the access point, the per station information including an identification of the station, and an indication of a resource unit (RU), encode an uplink (UL) physical layer convergence procedure (PLCP) protocol data unit (PPDU)(UL-PPDU) in accordance with the indication of the RU; determine a transmit power for the UL-PPDU based on the maximum receive power; and configure the wireless device to transmit the UL-PPDU using the determined transmit power) , wherein the trigger frame indicates a first resource unit allocated to the station([0183] determine the transmit power for the UL-PPDU based on a proportion of the RU to a total bandwidth, the total bandwidth indicated in the trigger frame or based determined based on a communication standard) , and wherein the trigger frame comprises an access point (AP) transmit power subfield ([0181] where the common information further comprises an indication of a transmit power used to transmit the trigger frame) and an uplink target receive power subfield; ([0173] decode a trigger frame from an access point for an uplink communication, the trigger frame including an uplink resource allocation for the station, the uplink resource allocation including common information and per station information, the common information including an indication of a maximum receive power at the access point, the per station information including an identification of the station, and an indication of a resource unit (RU), encode an uplink (UL) physical layer convergence procedure (PLCP) protocol data unit (PPDU)(UL-PPDU) in accordance with the indication of the RU; determine a transmit power for the UL-PPDU based on the maximum receive power; and configure the wireless device to transmit the UL-PPDU using the determined transmit power) and sending, by the station, a trigger-based physical layer protocol data unit (TB PPDU) at first transmit power, wherein the TB PPDU occupies a second resource unit comprised in the first resource unit,([0173] decode a trigger frame from an access point for an uplink communication, the trigger frame including an uplink resource allocation for the station, the uplink resource allocation including common information and per station information, the common information including an indication of a maximum receive power at the access point, the per station information including an identification of the station, and an indication of a resource unit (RU), encode an uplink (UL) physical layer convergence procedure (PLCP) protocol data unit (PPDU)(UL-PPDU) in accordance with the indication of the RU; determine a transmit power for the UL-PPDU based on the maximum receive power; and configure the wireless device to transmit the UL-PPDU using the determined transmit power) and wherein the first transmit power is determined based on an indication of the AP transmit power subfield,([0182] determine a path loss based on the an indication of the transmit power used to transmit the trigger frame and a received power of the trigger frame at the station; and determine the transmit power for the packet) an indication of the uplink target receive power subfield, the second resource unit, and the first resource unit([0109] derive their proportional receive power 1308 based on the MAX RX power 1002 and on the RU 1128 size compared with the BW 1302. For example, STA1 1304.1, STA2 1304.2, and STA6 1304.6, (RU 1128/BW 1302) is equal to (10 MHz/80 MHz), which is equal to ⅛, which may be −50 dBm−9 dB=−59 dBm. For STA4 and STA5 (5 MHz/80 MHz), which is equal to 1/16th, which may be −50 dBm−12 dB=−62 dBm. For STA3 1304.3 and STA7 1304.7 (20 MHz/80 MHz), which is equal to ¼th, which may be −50 dBm−6 dB=−56 dBm for proportional TX PWR) Sutskover does not explicitly teach the second resource unit that is used by the station for transmission and is in the first resource unit, and the first resource unit that is allocated to the station However, Noh teaches the second resource unit that is used by the station for transmission and is in the first resource unit, and the first resource unit that is allocated to the station([0167] discloses ,,, HE STAs could be assigned on the primary 160 MHz channel. For the secondary 160 MHz channel, PS160 subfield and RU Allocation field are used to indicate the location of RU or MRU on the secondary 160 MHz channel for EHT STAs) Therefore, it would have been obvious to one ordinarily skilled in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to enable the system of Sutskover include the second resource unit that is used by the station for transmission and is in the first resource unit, and the first resource unit that is allocated to the station, as suggested by Noh. This modification would benefit the system to reduce transmission power waste. Regarding claims 2,13 Sutskover teaches wherein the first transmit power is determined based on a value indicated by the AP transmit power subfield, a value indicated by the uplink target receive power subfield, a size of the second resource unit, and a size of the first resource unit,([0182] determine a path loss based on the an indication of the transmit power used to transmit the trigger frame and a received power of the trigger frame at the station; and determine the transmit power for the packet.[0109] derive their proportional receive power 1308 based on the MAX RX power 1002 and on the RU 1128 size compared with the BW 1302. For example, STA1 1304.1, STA2 1304.2, and STA6 1304.6, (RU 1128/BW 1302) is equal to (10 MHz/80 MHz), which is equal to ⅛, which may be −50 dBm−9 dB=−59 dBm. For STA4 and STA5 (5 MHz/80 MHz), which is equal to 1/16th, which may be −50 dBm−12 dB=−62 dBm. For STA3 1304.3 and STA7 1304.7 (20 MHz/80 MHz), which is equal to ¼th, which may be −50 dBm−6 dB=−56 dBm for proportional TX PWR). Regarding claims 3,14 Sutskover teaches wherein that the first transmit power is determined based on an indication of the AP transmit power subfield, an indication of the uplink target receive power subfield, a second resource unit, and the first resource unit comprises: the first transmit power is determined based on the indication of the AP transmit power subfield, ([0173] decode a trigger frame from an access point for an uplink communication, the trigger frame including an uplink resource allocation for the station, the uplink resource allocation including common information and per station information, the common information including an indication of a maximum receive power at the access point, the per station information including an identification of the station, and an indication of a resource unit (RU), encode an uplink (UL) physical layer convergence procedure (PLCP) protocol data unit (PPDU)(UL-PPDU) in accordance with the indication of the RU) the indication of the uplink target receive power subfield, and a ratio of a size of the second resource unit to a size of the first resource unit([0109] derive their proportional receive power 1308 based on the MAX RX power 1002 and on the RU 1128 size compared with the BW 1302. For example, STA1 1304.1, STA2 1304.2, and STA6 1304.6, (RU 1128/BW 1302) is equal to (10 MHz/80 MHz), which is equal to ⅛, which may be −50 dBm−9 dB=−59 dBm. For STA4 and STA5 (5 MHz/80 MHz), which is equal to 1/16th, which may be −50 dBm−12 dB=−62 dBm. For STA3 1304.3 and STA7 1304.7 (20 MHz/80 MHz), which is equal to ¼th, which may be −50 dBm−6 dB=−56 dBm for proportional TX PWR). Regarding claims 4,15 Sutskover teaches wherein the size of the first resource unit is determined based on a total quantity of subcarriers comprised in the first resource unit, and the size of the second resource unit is determined based on a total quantity of subcarriers comprised in the second resource unit([0109] derive their proportional receive power 1308 based on the MAX RX power 1002 and on the RU 1128 size compared with the BW 1302. For example, STA1 1304.1, STA2 1304.2, and STA6 1304.6, (RU 1128/BW 1302) is equal to (10 MHz/80 MHz), which is equal to ⅛, which may be −50 dBm−9 dB=−59 dBm. For STA4 and STA5 (5 MHz/80 MHz), which is equal to 1/16th, which may be −50 dBm−12 dB=−62 dBm. For STA3 1304.3 and STA7 1304.7 (20 MHz/80 MHz), which is equal to ¼th, which may be −50 dBm−6 dB=−56 dBm for proportional TX PWR). Regarding claims 6,17 Sutskover teaches wherein the size of the first resource unit is determined based on a quantity of first bandwidth sizes comprised in a bandwidth of the first resource unit, and the size of the second resource unit is determined based on a quantity of second bandwidth sizes comprised in a bandwidth of the second resource unit([0112],[0109] derive their proportional receive power 1308 based on the MAX RX power 1002 and on the RU 1128 size compared with the BW 1302. For example, STA1 1304.1, STA2 1304.2, and STA6 1304.6, (RU 1128/BW 1302) is equal to (10 MHz/80 MHz), which is equal to ⅛, which may be −50 dBm−9 dB=−59 dBm. For STA4 and STA5 (5 MHz/80 MHz), which is equal to 1/16th, which may be −50 dBm−12 dB=−62 dBm. For STA3 1304.3 and STA7 1304.7 (20 MHz/80 MHz), which is equal to ¼th, which may be −50 dBm−6 dB=−56 dBm for proportional TX PWR). Regarding claims 7,18 Sutskover teaches wherein one of the first bandwidth sizes is one of the following: 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, 160 MHz, or 320 MHz([0109] derive their proportional receive power 1308 based on the MAX RX power 1002 and on the RU 1128 size compared with the BW 1302. For example, STA1 1304.1, STA2 1304.2, and STA6 1304.6, (RU 1128/BW 1302) is equal to (10 MHz/80 MHz), which is equal to ⅛, which may be −50 dBm−9 dB=−59 dBm. For STA4 and STA5 (5 MHz/80 MHz), which is equal to 1/16th, which may be −50 dBm−12 dB=−62 dBm. For STA3 1304.3 and STA7 1304.7 (20 MHz/80 MHz), which is equal to ¼th, which may be −50 dBm−6 dB=−56 dBm for proportional TX PWR). Regarding claim 10, Sutskover teaches wherein the trigger frame further comprises indication information indicating one or more of the following: determining the first transmit power based on the indication of the AP transmit power subfield and the indication of the uplink target receive power subfield,([0173] decode a trigger frame from an access point for an uplink communication, the trigger frame including an uplink resource allocation for the station, the uplink resource allocation including common information and per station information, the common information including an indication of a maximum receive power at the access point, the per station information including an identification of the station, and an indication of a resource unit (RU), encode an uplink (UL) physical layer convergence procedure (PLCP) protocol data unit (PPDU)(UL-PPDU) in accordance with the indication of the RU; determine a transmit power for the UL-PPDU based on the maximum receive power; and configure the wireless device to transmit the UL-PPDU using the determined transmit power) . Regarding claim 11, Sutskover teaches wherein the indication information is located in a common information field or a user information field of the trigger frame,([0173] decode a trigger frame from an access point for an uplink communication, the trigger frame including an uplink resource allocation for the station, the uplink resource allocation including common information and per station information, the common information including an indication of a maximum receive power at the access point) . Claim(s) 9 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Sutskover to (US20170289926) in view of Noh to (US 20220360397 A1) and further in view IEEE P802.11ax/D8.0, "Draft Standard for Information technology-Telecommunications and information exchange between systems Local and metropolitan area networks-Specific requirements; Part 11: Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) Specifications; Amendment 1: Enhancements for High Efficiency WLAN," from IDS referred here as “IEEE P802.11ax/D8.0” Regarding claim 9, Sutskover does not explicitly teach the bandwidth of the first resource unit is a sum of bandwidths occupied by one or more resource units comprised in the first resource unit, and the bandwidth of the second resource unit is a sum of bandwidths occupied by one or more resource units comprised in the second resource unit However, “IEEE P802.11ax/D8.0” teaches the bandwidth of the first resource unit is a sum of bandwidths occupied by one or more resource units comprised in the first resource unit, and the bandwidth of the second resource unit is a sum of bandwidths occupied by one or more resource units comprised in the second resource unit(section 27.3.10, page ,567-574) Therefore, it would have been obvious to one ordinarily skilled in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to enable the system of Sutskover include the bandwidth of the first resource unit is a sum of bandwidths occupied by one or more resource units comprised in the first resource unit, and the bandwidth of the second resource unit is asum of bandwidths occupied by one or more resource units comprised in the second resource unit, as suggested by . “IEEE P802.11ax/D8.0.” This modification would benefit the system to reduce transmission power waste. Allowable Subject Matter Claims 5,8,16,19 are objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims. 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. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ZEWDU A BEYEN whose telephone number is (571)270-7157. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 9:00-6:00. Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice. If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Huy D Vu can be reached at 571-272-3155. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. /ZEWDU A BEYEN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2461
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Dec 08, 2023
Application Filed
Dec 20, 2023
Response after Non-Final Action
Dec 08, 2025
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103
Mar 06, 2026
Response Filed
Jun 05, 2026
Final Rejection mailed — §103 (current)

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Prosecution Projections

3-4
Expected OA Rounds
83%
Grant Probability
98%
With Interview (+15.0%)
2y 9m (~1m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Moderate
PTA Risk
Based on 850 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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