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 .
This Office Action is in response to communication filed on 03/26/2026.
Claims 1-5, 8-16 and 18-20, are pending and rejected. Claims 6, 7 and 17 are objected.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 6, 7 and 17 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.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
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 (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) 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 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.
Claims 1-4, 11, 13-15 and 20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kim et al (US 20200029276 A1) (hereinafter “Kim”) in view of Cariou et al (US 20230292245 A1) (hereinafter “Cariou”).
Regarding claim 1, Kim discloses a method of operating a low power Wi-Fi device (see para. [0001];[0004];[0101]-[0106] discloses method and apparatus for efficiently and accurately operating a low power wake up receiver compatible with 802.11WLAN; Low Power wake up receiver that is operated by a STA in WLAN), comprising:
observing a behavior of an access point while the low power Wi-Fi device is in a default operation state (see para. [0006] and [0126] discloses to reduce the power consumption of the STA, the STA may monitor for a WUR packet via WUR (wake up receiver) receiver, and turn off a WLAN receiver (e.g., WUR mode), where the WUR mode corresponds to the default operation state; when the AP has data to transmit to the STA, the AP transmits a WUR packet to the STA to wake up the WLAN transceiver);
receiving a beacon with a Traffic Indication Map (TIM) bit associated with the low power Wi-Fi device set to a value indicating there is buffered data available for the low power Wi-Fi device, after the observing (see Fig. 7 to 9 (Listen, Beacon) para. [0057];[0087] discloses AP serves to periodically transmit a beacon frame. After receiving the beacon frame, the STA that perform the scanning, stores information about a BSS; the AP may periodically transmit a beacon frame to the STA in a BSS, that may include TIM (Traffic Indicator Map). The TIM information may include information indicating that the AP has buffered traffic for STA associated with the AP); and
if the behavior previously observed differs from an expected behavior, modifying an operation of the low power Wi-Fi device following receipt of the beacon with the Traffic Indication Map (TIM) bit associated with the low power Wi-Fi device set to the value indicating there is buffered data available for the low power Wi- Fi device after the low power Wi-Fi device has returned from a power saving or sleep mode to reduce transmissions or power consumption (see Fig. 7 to 9 (STA, PS-POLL, Sleep), para. [0089];[0091] discloses STA switches from sleep state to awake state, in order to receive the beacon frame that includes TIM from the AP. STA contends with other STAs for access medium for PS-POLL frame transmission. After receiving PS-Poll frame, the AP transmits a frame to STA. STA receives data frame and sends ACK, then switch to sleep state; STA switches from sleep state the awake state, receives a TIM from AP and transmits PS-Poll frame),
Although. Kim discloses wherein modifying the operation of the low power Wi-Fi device comprises transmitting packets from the low power Wi-Fi device with the power management (PM) bit set to a value indicating that the low power Wi-Fi device is in an active mode (see Fig. 13 (Wake-up packet) para. [0117] discloses is possible to define a bit value of 1 as power-off), Cariou is provided for clarity providing more specifics on the PM bit, wherein modifying the operation of the low power Wi-Fi device comprises transmitting packets from the low power Wi-Fi device with the power management (PM) bit set to a value indicating that the low power Wi-Fi device is in an active mode (see para. [0032];[0060] discloses PM bit may be sent in a frame to indicate whether a device is in active mode or in a power save mode; PM bit set to 0, that indicates the device is always awake (awake state), PM bit set to 1, that indicates the device is in a power save mode).
Kim and Cariou are considered analogous to the claimed invention because both are in the same field of wireless communication systems.
Therefore, it would have been obvious to someone of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to have a motivation to modify Kim to include the PM bit as described by Cariou.
The motivation to combine both references would come from improving performance and reducing overhead.
Regarding claim 2, Kim discloses a method (see para. [0001];[0004];[0101]-[0106] discloses method and apparatus for efficiently and accurately operating a low power wake up receiver compatible with 802.11WLAN; Low Power wake up receiver that is operated by a STA in WLAN), wherein, in the default operation state, the low power Wi-Fi device observes a response of the access point to PS-Poll (Power Save Poll) messages (see Fig. 7, para. [0089] discloses the STA contends with other STAs to access a medium for PS-Poll frame transmission; upon receiving the PS-Poll frame transmitted by the STA, the AP may transmit a frame to the STA, and the STA may receive the data frame and send an acknowledge (ACK) frame to the AP), and switch to the sleep state).
Regarding claim 3, Kim discloses a method (see para. [0001];[0004];[0101]-[0106] discloses method and apparatus for efficiently and accurately operating a low power wake up receiver compatible with 802.11WLAN; Low Power wake up receiver that is operated by a STA in WLAN), wherein if the access point does not respond to PS-Poll messages, the low power Wi-Fi device modifies the operation by transmitting packets with the power management (PM) bit set to values that indicate when the low power Wi-Fi device is in the active mode and a power saving mode (see Fig. 13 (Wake-up packet) para. [0117] discloses is possible to define a bit value of 1 as power-off), and
if the access point does respond to PS-Poll messages, the low power Wi-Fi device does not modify the operation and transmits a PS-Poll message (see para. [0148];[0150] discloses when STA fails to detect an intra BSS frame within certain period, the STA performs AP scanning; STA turned on transmits a frame for keep-alive check to the AP, this frame may be a PS-Poll frame).
Regarding claim 4, Kim discloses (see para. [0001];[0004];[0101]-[0106] discloses method and apparatus for efficiently and accurately operating a low power wake up receiver compatible with 802.11WLAN; Low Power wake up receiver that is operated by a STA in WLAN), wherein the packets transmitted with the PM bit set to the values are NULL packets (This part is optional), Quality of Service (QOS) NULL Packets (This part is optional), data packets (see para. [0148];[0150] discloses when STA fails to detect an intra BSS frame within certain period, the STA performs AP scanning; STA turned on transmits a frame for keep-alive check to the AP, this frame may be a PS-Poll frame).
or QOS data packets (This part is optional).
Regarding claim 11, Kim discloses a method (see para. [0001];[0004];[0101]-[0106] discloses method and apparatus for efficiently and accurately operating a low power wake up receiver compatible with 802.11WLAN; Low Power wake up receiver that is operated by a STA in WLAN), further comprising exiting a modified operation mode after a predetermined amount of time (see para [0006] discloses turning on a receiver of the STA, starting a timer as entering the mode and turning on the transceiver when the timer expires, to wake up the STA) or a predetermined number of packets (This part is optional), and repeating the observing (see para [0006] discloses turning on a receiver of the STA, starting a timer as entering the mode and turning on the transceiver when the timer expires, to wake up the STA).
Regarding claim 13, A low power Wi-Fi device (see para. [0101]-[0106] discloses Low Power wake up receiver that is operated by a STA in WLAN),
comprising: a Wi-Fi network interface (see para [0048] STA provide layer management service interface in which a layer management works);
a processing unit (see Fig. 21(processor, memory) para. [0182]-[0183] discloses STA including processor, memory, and transmitting/receiving unit; techniques or methods executed by software, modules can be stored in the memory and executed by processor); and
a memory device, in communication with the processing unit, containing instructions, which when executed by the processing unit (see Fig. 21(processor, memory) para. [0182]-[0183] discloses STA including processor, memory, and transmitting/receiving unit; techniques or methods executed by software, modules can be stored in the memory and executed by processor), enable the low power Wi-Fi device to:
observe a behavior of an access point while the low power Wi-Fi device is in a default operation state (see para. [0006] and [0126] discloses to reduce the power consumption of the STA, the STA may monitor for a WUR packet via WUR (wake up receiver) receiver, and turn off a WLAN receiver (e.g., WUR mode), where the WUR mode corresponds to the default operation state; when the AP has data to transmit to the STA, the AP transmits a WUR packet to the STA to wake up the WLAN transceiver);
receive a beacon with a Traffic Indication Map (TIM) bit associated with the low power Wi-Fi device set to a value indicating there is buffered data available for the low power Wi-Fi device after observing the behavior (see Fig. 7 to 9 (Listen (observing), Beacon) para. [0057];[0087] discloses AP serves to periodically transmit a beacon frame. After receiving the beacon frame, the STA that perform the scanning, stores information about a BSS; the AP may periodically transmit a beacon frame to the STA in a BSS, that may include TIM (Traffic Indicator Map). The TIM information may include information indicating that the AP has buffered traffic for STA associated with the AP); and
modify an operation of the low power Wi-Fi device following receipt of the beacon with the Traffic Indication Map (TIM) bit associated with the low power Wi-Fi device set to the value indicating there is buffered data available for the low power Wi-Fi device after the low power Wi-Fi device has returned from a power saving or sleep mode if the behavior previously observed differs from an expected behavior, in order to reduce transmissions or power consumption (see Fig. 7 to 9 (STA, PS-POLL, Sleep), para. [0089];[0091] discloses STA switches from sleep state to awake state, in order to receive the beacon frame that includes TIM from the AP. STA contends with other STAs for access medium for PS-POLL frame transmission. After receiving PS-Poll frame, the AP transmits a frame to STA. STA receives data frame and sends ACK, then switch to sleep state; STA switches from sleep state the awake state, receives a TIM from AP and transmits PS-Poll frame)),
Although. Kim discloses wherein modifying the operation of the low power Wi-Fi device comprises transmitting packets from the low power Wi-Fi device with the power management (PM) bit set to a value indicating that the low power Wi-Fi device is in an active mode (see Fig. 13 (Wake-up packet) para. [0117] discloses is possible to define a bit value of 1 as power-off), Cariou is provided for clarity providing more specifics on the PM bit, wherein modifying the operation of the low power Wi-Fi device comprises transmitting packets from the low power Wi-Fi device with the power management (PM) bit set to a value indicating that the low power Wi-Fi device is in an active mode (see para. [0032];[0060] discloses PM bit may be sent in a frame to indicate whether a device is in active mode or in a power save mode; PM bit set to 0, that indicates the device is always awake (awake state), PM bit set to 1, that indicates the device is in a power save mode).
Kim and Cariou are considered analogous to the claimed invention because both are in the same field of wireless communication systems.
Therefore, it would have been obvious to someone of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to have a motivation to modify Kim to include the PM bit as described by Cariou.
The motivation to combine both references would come from improving performance and reducing overhead.
Regarding claim 14, Kim discloses a low power Wi-Fi device (see para. [0101]-[0106] discloses Low Power wake up receiver that is operated by a STA in WLAN), wherein, in the default operation state, the low power Wi-Fi device observes a response of the access point to PS-Poll (Power Save Poll) messages (see Fig. 7, para. [0089] discloses the STA contends with other STAs to access a medium for PS-Poll frame transmission; upon receiving the PS-Poll frame transmitted by the STA, the AP may transmit a frame to the STA, and the STA may receive the data frame and send an acknowledge (ACK) frame to the AP), and switch to the sleep state).
Regarding claim 15, Kim discloses a low power Wi-Fi device (see para. [0101]-[0106] discloses Low Power wake up receiver that is operated by a STA in WLAN), wherein the memory device further comprising instructions (see para [0182]-[0183] discloses device with memory connected to processor, executing software and method techniques) that enable the low power Wi-Fi device to:
modify the operation by transmitting packets with the power management (PM) bit set to values that indicate when the low power Wi-Fi device is in the active mode and a power saving mode, if the access point does not respond to PS-Poll messages (see Fig. 13 (Wake-up packet) para. [0117] discloses is possible to define a bit value of 1 as power-off); and
not modify the operation and transmit a PS-Poll message if the access point does respond to PS-Poll messages (see para. [0148];[0150] discloses when STA fails to detect an intra BSS frame within certain period, the STA performs AP scanning; STA turned on transmits a frame for keep-alive check to the AP, this frame may be a PS-Poll frame).
Regarding claim 20, A method of operating a low power Wi-Fi device (see para. [0101]-[0106] discloses Low Power wake up receiver that is operated by a STA in WLAN), comprising:
observing a behavior of an access point while the low power Wi-Fi device is in a default operation state (see para. [0006] and [0126] discloses to reduce the power consumption of the STA, the STA may monitor for a WUR packet via WUR (wake up receiver) receiver, and turn off a WLAN receiver (e.g., WUR mode), where the WUR mode corresponds to the default operation state; when the AP has data to transmit to the STA, the AP transmits a WUR packet to the STA to wake up the WLAN transceiver);
receiving a beacon with a Traffic Indication Map (TIM) associated with the low power Wi-Fi device set to a value indicating there is buffered data available for the low power Wi-Fi device, after the observing (see Fig. 7 to 9 (Listen (observing), Beacon) para. [0057];[0087] discloses AP serves to periodically transmit a beacon frame. After receiving the beacon frame, the STA that perform the scanning, stores information about a BSS; the AP may periodically transmit a beacon frame to the STA in a BSS, that may include TIM (Traffic Indicator Map). The TIM information may include information indicating that the AP has buffered traffic for STA associated with the AP); and
if the behavior previously observed differs from an expected behavior, modifying an operation of the low power Wi-Fi device following receipt of the beacon with the TIM bit associated with the low power Wi-Fi device set to the value indicating there is buffered data available for the low power Wi-Fi device after the low power Wi-Fi device has returned from a power saving or sleep mode (see Fig. 7 to 9 (STA, PS-POLL, Sleep), para. [0089];[0091] discloses STA switches from sleep state to awake state, in order to receive the beacon frame that includes TIM from the AP. STA contends with other STAs for access medium for PS-POLL frame transmission. After receiving PS-Poll frame, the AP transmits a frame to STA. STA receives data frame and sends ACK, then switch to sleep state; STA switches from sleep state the awake state, receives a TIM from AP and transmits PS-Poll frame) by transmitting a packet with a power management (PM) bit indicating that the low power Wi-Fi device is in an active mode (see para. [0084] discloses the WLAN system supports power management mode (PM) for the STA, the power management PM of the STA with active mode and power save (PS) mode); and
if the behavior previously observed does not differ from the expected behavior, transmitting a PS- Poll message (see para [0089] discloses the after the STA contends with other STAs, the STA may transmit PS-Poll frame to the AP).
Claims 5, 12 and 16 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kim et al (US 20200029276 A1) (hereinafter “Kim”) in view of Cariou et al (US 20230292245 A1) (hereinafter “Cariou”) as applied to claim 1 and 13 above and further in view of Jia et al (US 20090067407 A1) (hereinafter “Jia”).
Regarding claim 5, Kim discloses a method (see para. [0001];[0004];[0101]-[0106] discloses method and apparatus for efficiently and accurately operating a low power wake up receiver compatible with 802.11WLAN; Low Power wake up receiver that is operated by a STA in WLAN),
Kim fails to disclose but Jia teaches wherein, in the default operation state, the low power Wi-Fi device observes a number of "keep alive" messages transmitted by the access point while the low power Wi-Fi device is in the power saving or sleep mode by counting the number of "keep alive" messages received after one or more previous PS-Poll messages (see para. [0056] discloses …when the device 500 is not actively transmitting or receiving, a mode controller 520 may set one or more of the components of the device 500 (e.g., transceiver components) to a power save state...at the times designated by the keep-alive schedule (e.g., as indicated by an interrupt or some other suitable mechanism), the mode controller 520 may switch the mode of the device 500 from a power save state to an active state (e.g., active mode); para. [0044] discloses a keep-alive schedule may take a variety of forms. For example, a schedule may relate to a keep-alive transmission rate, designated times, a count, or some other suitable criterion).
Kim and Jia are considered analogous to the claimed invention because both are in the same field of power saving in wireless communication systems.
Therefore, it would have been obvious to someone of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to modify Kim to include the keep-alive as described by Jia.
The motivation to combine both references would come from the use of one of the keep alive schedule scenarios.
Regarding claim 12, Kim discloses a method (see para. [0001];[0004];[0101]-[0106] discloses method and apparatus for efficiently and accurately operating a low power wake up receiver compatible with 802.11WLAN; Low Power wake up receiver that is operated by a STA in WLAN).
Kim fails to disclose but Jia teaches further comprising exiting a modified operation mode if a connection between the low power Wi-Fi device and the access point is terminated and repeating the observing (see para. [0003] discloses if keep-alive messages are not received from a given device for a certain period of time, communication with that device may be terminated; para. [0025] discloses in this case, the device 102 may simply monitor the received keep-alive to determine whether to maintain or terminate the multicast session); para. [0029] discloses the device 102 includes a keep-alive monitor 116 that monitors for the keep-alive messages).
Kim and Jia are considered analogous to the claimed invention because both are in the same field of power saving in wireless communication systems.
Therefore, it would have been obvious to someone of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to modify Kim to include the keep-alive as described by Jia.
The motivation to combine both references would come from the need to maintain quality and reliability on the wireless link.
Regarding claim 16, Kim discloses a low power Wi-Fi device (see para. [0101]-[0106] discloses Low Power wake up receiver that is operated by a STA in WLAN).
Kim fails to disclose but Jia teaches wherein, in the default operation state, the low power Wi-Fi device observes a number of "keep alive" messages transmitted by the access point while the low power Wi-Fi device is in the power saving or sleep mode by counting the number of "keep alive" messages received after one or more previous PS-Poll messages (see para. [0056] discloses …when the device 500 is not actively transmitting or receiving, a mode controller 520 may set one or more of the components of the device 500 (e.g., transceiver components) to a power save state...at the times designated by the keep-alive schedule (e.g., as indicated by an interrupt or some other suitable mechanism), the mode controller 520 may switch the mode of the device 500 from a power save state to an active state (e.g., active mode); para. [0044] discloses a keep-alive schedule may take a variety of forms. For example, a schedule may relate to a keep-alive transmission rate, designated times, a count, or some other suitable criterion).
Kim and Jia are considered analogous to the claimed invention because both are in the same field of power saving in wireless communication systems.
Therefore, it would have been obvious to someone of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to modify Kim to include the keep-alive as described by Jia.
The motivation to combine both references would come from the use of one of the keep alive schedule scenarios.
Claims 8, 9, 10, 18 and 19 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kim et al (US 20200029276 A1) (hereinafter “Kim”) in view of in view of Cariou et al (US 20230292245 A1) (hereinafter “Cariou”) as applied to claim 1 and 13 above and further in view of Xia et al. (US 20240008081 A1) (herein after “Xia”).
Regarding claim 8, Kim discloses a method (see para. [0001];[0004];[0101]-[0106] discloses method and apparatus for efficiently and accurately operating a low power wake up receiver compatible with 802.11WLAN; Low Power wake up receiver that is operated by a STA in WLAN).
Kim fails to disclose but Xia teaches wherein, in the default operation state, the low power Wi-Fi device observes a number and type of TIDs (traffic identifiers) for which aggregation context is requested by the access point (see para. [0092] discloses an apparatus or method of any preceding implementation, further comprising communicating a multiple transmission identification (TID) aggregation-MAC protocol data units (A-MPDU) limit subfield in the frame indicating requested AC requirements as sent by the AP STA; and wherein said TID A-MPDU limit subfield indicates a number of MPDUs allowed in an A-MPDU and a maximum number of TIDs that can be aggregated by the non-AP STA in the A-MPDU).
Kim and Xia are considered analogous to the claimed invention because both are in the same field of wireless communication systems.
Therefore, it would have been obvious to someone of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to modify Kim to include the TIDs as described by Xia.
The motivation to combine both references would come from improvement of data rate.
Regarding claim 9, Kim discloses a method (see para. [0001];[0004];[0101]-[0106] discloses method and apparatus for efficiently and accurately operating a low power wake up receiver compatible with 802.11WLAN; Low Power wake up receiver that is operated by a STA in WLAN).
Kim fails to disclose but Xia teaches wherein if the low power Wi-Fi device has continuous or bursty data associated with the TIDs, it establishes the aggregation context (see para. [0092] discloses an apparatus or method of any preceding implementation, further comprising communicating a multiple transmission identification (TID) aggregation-MAC protocol data units (A-MPDU) limit subfield in the frame indicating requested AC requirements as sent by the AP STA; and wherein said TID A-MPDU limit subfield indicates a number of MPDUs allowed in an A-MPDU and a maximum number of TIDs that can be aggregated by the non-AP STA in the A-MPDU) ; see para. [0093] discloses an apparatus or method of any preceding implementation, wherein a non-AP STA transmitting a multiple-TID A-MPDU in the allocated time as indicated by the frame containing the requested AC (Access Class) value indicated, should aggregate data units).
Kim and Xia are considered analogous to the claimed invention because both are in the same field of wireless communication systems.
Therefore, it would have been obvious to someone of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to modify Kim to include the TIDs as described by Xia.
The motivation to combine both references would come from improvement of data rate.
Regarding claim 10, Kim discloses a method (see para. [0001];[0004];[0101]-[0106] discloses method and apparatus for efficiently and accurately operating a low power wake up receiver compatible with 802.11WLAN; Low Power wake up receiver that is operated by a STA in WLAN), the low power Wi-Fi device modifies the operation by rejecting the request and transmitting packets with the power management (PM) bit indicating that the low power Wi-Fi device is in the active mode (see Fig. 13 (Wake-up packet) para. [0117] discloses is possible to define a bit value of 1 as power-off).
Kim fails to disclose but Xia teaches wherein if the low power Wi-Fi device has occasional data associated with the TIDs (see para. [0092] discloses an apparatus or method of any preceding implementation, further comprising communicating a multiple transmission identification (TID) aggregation-MAC protocol data units (A-MPDU) limit subfield in the frame indicating requested AC requirements as sent by the AP STA; and wherein said TID A-MPDU limit subfield indicates a number of MPDUs allowed in an A-MPDU and a maximum number of TIDs that can be aggregated by the non-AP STA in the A-MPDU) ; see para. [0093] discloses an apparatus or method of any preceding implementation, wherein a non-AP STA transmitting a multiple-TID A-MPDU in the allocated time as indicated by the frame containing the requested AC (Access Class) value indicated, should aggregate data units).
Kim and Xia are considered analogous to the claimed invention because both are in the same field of wireless communication systems.
Therefore, it would have been obvious to someone of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to modify Kim to include the TIDs as described by Xia.
The motivation to combine both references would come from improvement of data rate.
Regarding claim 18, Kim discloses a low power Wi-Fi device (see para. [0101]-[0106] discloses Low Power wake up receiver that is operated by a STA in WLAN),
Kim fails to disclose but Xia teaches wherein, in the default operation state, the low power Wi-Fi device observes a number and type of TIDs (traffic identifiers) for which aggregation context is requested by the access point (see para. [0092] discloses an apparatus or method of any preceding implementation, further comprising communicating a multiple transmission identification (TID) aggregation-MAC protocol data units (A-MPDU) limit subfield in the frame indicating requested AC requirements as sent by the AP STA; and wherein said TID A-MPDU limit subfield indicates a number of MPDUs allowed in an A-MPDU and a maximum number of TIDs that can be aggregated by the non-AP STA in the A-MPDU).
Kim and Xia are considered analogous to the claimed invention because both are in the same field of wireless communication systems.
Therefore, it would have been obvious to someone of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to have a motivation to modify Kim to include the TIA and aggregation as described by Xia.
The motivation to combine both references would come from improvement of data rate and lower overhead.
Regarding claim 19, Kim discloses a low power Wi-Fi device (see para. [0101]-[0106] discloses Low Power wake up receiver that is operated by a STA in WLAN).
Kim fails to disclose but Xia teaches wherein the memory device further comprising instructions that enable the low power Wi-Fi device to:
establish the aggregation context if the low power Wi-Fi device has continuous or bursty data associated with the TIDs (see para. [0092]-[0093] discloses the apparatus or method of any preceding implementation, further comprising communicating a multiple transmission identification (TID) aggregation-MAC protocol data units (A-MPDU) limit subfield in the frame indicating requested AC requirements as sent by the AP STA; and wherein said TID A-MPDU limit subfield indicates a number of MPDUs allowed in an A-MPDU and a maximum number of TIDs that can be aggregated by the non-AP STA in the A-MPDU) ; the apparatus or method of any preceding implementation, wherein a non-AP STA transmitting a multiple-TID A-MPDU in the allocated time as indicated by the frame containing the requested AC (Access Class) value indicated, should aggregate data units).
Kim and Xia are considered analogous to the claimed invention because both are in the same field of wireless communication systems.
Therefore, it would have been obvious to someone of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to have a motivation to modify Kim to include the TIA and aggregation as described by Xia.
The motivation to combine both references would come from improvement of data rate and lower overhead.
Xia fails to disclose but Cariou teaches reject request and transmit packets with the power management (PM) bit indicating that the low power Wi-Fi device is in the active mode if the low power Wi- Fi device has occasional data associated with the TIDs (see para. [0100]-[0101] discloses the device may set up a traffic identifier (TID) associated with data traffic to be exchanged with the non-AP MLD, wherein the setting up of the TID comprises mapping a plurality of TIDs to one or more enabled links of the plurality links. The TID comprises a TID mapping update comprising an indication a change of an initial power state of the first STA); block 406, the device may determine, based on the request frame, a power save mode associated with each of the STAs of the non-AP MLD. The power save mode may comprise an active state or a doze state based on a power management bit set 1 in the request frame).
Xia and Cariou are considered analogous to the claimed invention because are in the same field of wireless communication systems.
Therefore, it would have been obvious to someone of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to have a motivation to modify Xia to include the aggregation and TID as described by Cariou.
The motivation to combine both references would come to maintain quality and reliability on the wireless link.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments, see pages 9-12, filed on 03/26/2026, with respect to the rejection of claims 1 and 13 under 35 U.S.C. 102 and the amended to recite “modifying the operation of the low power Wi-Fi device comprises transmitting packets from the low power Wi-Fi device with the power management (PM) bit set to a value indicating that the low power Wi-Fi device is in an active mode” have been fully considered. However, a rejection under 35 U.S.C. 103 under Cariou is provided for the amended claim. Under the broadest reasonable interpretation, claims 1 and 13 are still broad and do not disclose all elements in the specification regarding the behavior of the access point. The rejection is maintained.
Applicant’s arguments, see pages 12-13, filed on 03/26/2026, with respect to the rejection of claim 20 under 35 U.S.C. 102 regarding “the selection of which mode is used is bases on the observed behavior of the access point” have been fully considered. However, examiner respectfully disagrees. Under the broadest reasonable interpretation, claims 20 still broad and do not disclose all elements in the specification regarding the behavior of the access point. The behavior for transmitting PS-Poll may be associated with the existence of not of buffered data (change on behavior on the AP). The rejection is maintained.
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 LUIS GUILLERMO LEMA LEMOS whose telephone number is (571)-272-5710. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 8-5 EST.
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, Nishant Divecha, can be reached at 571-270-3125. 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.
/LUIS GUILLERMO LEMA LEMOS/Examiner, Art Unit 2419
/Nishant Divecha/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2419
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