Prosecution Insights
Last updated: July 17, 2026
Application No. 18/793,684

MULTI-AP COORDINATION FOR PEER-TO-PEER COMMMUNICATIONS

Non-Final OA §103
Filed
Aug 02, 2024
Priority
Aug 18, 2023 — provisional 63/533,577
Examiner
LIN, WILL W
Art Unit
Tech Center
Assignee
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
94%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
1m
Est. Remaining
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 94% — above average
94%
Career Allowance Rate
464 granted / 495 resolved
+33.7% vs TC avg
Moderate +6% lift
Without
With
+5.6%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Fast prosecutor
2y 1m
Avg Prosecution
21 currently pending
Career history
534
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
2.1%
-37.9% vs TC avg
§103
76.2%
+36.2% vs TC avg
§102
2.0%
-38.0% vs TC avg
§112
9.5%
-30.5% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 495 resolved cases

Office Action

§103
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 . DETAILED ACTION This office action is in response to the application filed on 08/02/2024. Claims 1-20 are currently pending. Claims 1-20 are rejected. Claims 1, 9 and 17 are independent claims. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103 5. 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. 6. 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. 7. 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. 8. Claims 1-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Rubayet Shafin et al. (US 2022/0408355 A1), hereinafter Shafin, in view of James June-Ming Wang et al. (US 2021/0120427 A1), hereinafter Wang, and George CHERIAN et al. (US 2023/0209466 A1), hereinafter CHERIAN. For claim 1, Shafin teaches a first station (STA) in a wireless network (Shafin, Fig. 1 item 111.), comprising: a memory (Shafin, Fig. 2B item 260.); and a processor (Shafin, Fig. 2B item 111.) coupled to the memory, the processor configured to cause: establishing one or more peer-to-peer (P2P) links with one or more second STAs; transmitting, to a first access point (AP), an assistance request frame requesting that the first AP coordinates with a second AP to reduce interference from the second AP (Shafin, Fig. 19 and paragraphs 123-128.), wherein a first basic service set (BSS) corresponding to the first AP and a second BSS corresponding to the second AP partially overlap (Shafin, Fig. 8 and paragraphs 95-98.); receiving, from the first AP, an assistance response frame indicating an assistance provided by the second AP in response to the assistance request frame (Shafin, Fig. 19 and paragraphs 123-128.). Wang also teaches transmitting, to a first access point (AP), report for the first AP coordinates with a second AP to reduce interference from the second AP (Wang, Fig. 6 and paragraph 53.), wherein a first basic service set (BSS) corresponding to the first AP and a second BSS corresponding to the second AP partially overlap (Wang, Fig. 7 and paragraph 54.); receiving, from the first AP, a trigger indicating an assistance provided by the second AP in response to the report (Wang, Fig. 6 and paragraph 53.). CHERIAN further teaches a STA in a wireless network establishing one or more P2P links with one or more second STAs, the STA works as a P2P group owner to communicates with a first AP (CHERIAN, Fig. 4 and paragraphs 76-81.). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the method taught in Shafin and Wang with a STA in a wireless network establishing one or more P2P links with one or more second STAs, the STA works as a P2P group owner to communicates with a first AP taught in CHERIAN to have establishing one or more peer-to-peer (P2P) links with one or more second STAs; transmitting, to a first access point (AP), an assistance request frame requesting that the first AP coordinates with a second AP to protect P2P communication between the first STA and the one or more second STAs, wherein a first basic service set (BSS) corresponding to the first AP and a second BSS corresponding to the second AP partially overlap; receiving, from the first AP, an assistance response frame indicating an assistance provided by the second AP in response to the assistance request frame; and communicating with one or more second STAs based on the assistance provided from the second AP, as all components were active areas of 802.11be/802.11bn standardization. For claim 2, Shafin, Wang and CHERIAN further teach the first STA of claim 1, wherein the assistance is associated with a power control performed by the second AP (Shafin, Fig. 8 and paragraphs 4 and 7.). For claim 3, Shafin, Wang and CHERIAN further teach the first STA of claim 1, wherein the assistance is associated with reduction of interference to the one or more P2P links from the second BSS (Shafin, Fig. 9 and paragraphs 82 and 99.). For claim 4, Shafin, Wang and CHERIAN further teach the first STA of claim 1, wherein the assistance is associated with spatial reuse operation performed by the second AP (Wang, Fig. 28 and paragraphs 6 and 43-45.). For claim 5, Shafin, Wang and CHERIAN further teach the first STA of claim 1, wherein the first STA is an owner of a P2P group that includes the first STA and the one or more second STAs (CHERIAN, Fig. 4 and paragraphs 76-81.). For claim 6, Shafin, Wang and CHERIAN further teach the first STA of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to cause: receiving, from at least one second STA, an assistance request from the second AP; and including the assistance request to the assistance request frame (Shafin, Fig. 19 and paragraphs 123-128.). For claim 7, Shafin, Wang and CHERIAN further teach the first STA of claim 1, wherein the first STA is associated with the first AP (CHERIAN, Fig. 4 and paragraphs 76-81.). For claim 8, Shafin, Wang and CHERIAN further teach the first STA of claim 1, wherein the first STA is not associated with the first AP, and the first STA and the one or more second STAs form an independent basic service set (IBSS) (Wang, Fig. 3 and paragraphs 48-49. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the method taught in Shafin, Wang and CHERIAN to have the first STA is not associated with the first AP, and the first STA and the one or more second STAs form an independent basic service set (IBSS), as all components were active areas of 802.11be/802.11bn standardization). For claim 9, Shafin teaches a first access point (AP) in a wireless network (Shafin, Fig. 1 item 101.), comprising: a memory (Shafin, Fig. 2A item 229.); and a processor (Shafin, Fig. 2A item 224.) coupled to the memory, the processor configured to cause: receiving, from a first station (STA), an assistance request frame requesting that the first AP coordinates with a second AP to reduce interference (Shafin, Fig. 19 and paragraphs 123-128.), wherein a first basic service set (BSS) corresponding to the first AP and a second BSS corresponding to the second AP partially overlap (Shafin, Fig. 8 and paragraphs 95-98.); coordinating with the second AP to reduce the interference (Shafin, Fig. 19 and paragraphs 123-128.); and transmitting, to the first STA, an assistance response frame indicating an assistance provided by the second AP (Shafin, Fig. 19 and paragraphs 123-128.). Wang also teaches transmitting, to a first access point (AP), report for the first AP coordinates with a second AP to reduce interference from the second AP (Wang, Fig. 6 and paragraph 53.), wherein a first basic service set (BSS) corresponding to the first AP and a second BSS corresponding to the second AP partially overlap (Wang, Fig. 7 and paragraph 54.); receiving, from the first AP, a trigger indicating an assistance provided by the second AP in response to the report (Wang, Fig. 6 and paragraph 53.). CHERIAN further teaches a STA in a wireless network establishing one or more P2P links with one or more second STAs, the STA works as a P2P group owner to communicates with a first AP (CHERIAN, Fig. 4 and paragraphs 76-81.). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the method taught in Shafin and Wang with a STA in a wireless network establishing one or more P2P links with one or more second STAs, the STA works as a P2P group owner to communicates with a first AP taught in CHERIAN to have receiving, from a first station (STA), an assistance request frame requesting that the first AP coordinates with a second AP to protect peer-to-peer (P2P) communication between the first STA and one or more second STAs, wherein a first basic service set (BSS) corresponding to the first AP and a second BSS corresponding to the second AP partially overlap; coordinating with the second AP to protect the P2P communication; and transmitting, to the first STA, an assistance response frame indicating an assistance provided by the second AP, as all components were active areas of 802.11be/802.11bn standardization. For claim 10, Shafin, Wang and CHERIAN further the first AP of claim 9, wherein the assistance provided by the second AP is associated with a power control performed by the second AP (Shafin, Fig. 8 and paragraphs 4 and 7.). For claim 11, Shafin, Wang and CHERIAN further teach the first AP of claim 9, wherein the assistance provided by the second AP is associated with reduction of interference to the P2P communication (Shafin, Fig. 9 and paragraphs 82 and 99.). For claim 12, Shafin, Wang and CHERIAN further teach the first AP of claim 9, wherein the assistance provided by the second AP is associated with spatial reuse operation (Wang, Fig. 28 and paragraphs 6 and 43-45.). For claim 13, Shafin, Wang and CHERIAN further teach the first AP of claim 9, wherein the first STA is an owner of a P2P group that includes the first STA and the one or more second STAs (CHERIAN, Fig. 4 and paragraphs 76-81.). For claim 14, Shafin, Wang and CHERIAN further teach the first AP of claim 9, wherein the assistance request frame includes one or more assistance requests from one or more second STAs (Shafin, Fig. 19 and paragraphs 123-128.). For claim 15, Shafin, Wang and CHERIAN further teach the first AP of claim 9, wherein the first STA is associated with the first AP (CHERIAN, Fig. 4 and paragraphs 76-81.). For claim 16, Shafin, Wang and CHERIAN further teach the first AP of claim 9, wherein the first STA is not associated with the first AP, and the first AP and the one or more second STAs are members of an independent service set (IBSS) (Wang, Fig. 3 and paragraphs 48-49. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the method taught in Shafin, Wang and CHERIAN to have the first STA is not associated with the first AP, and the first STA and the one or more second STAs form an independent basic service set (IBSS), as all components were active areas of 802.11be/802.11bn standardization). For claim 17, Shafin teaches a first access point (AP) in a wireless network (Shafin, Fig. 1 item 103.), comprising: a memory (Shafin, Fig. 2A item 229.); and a processor (Shafin, Fig. 2A item 224.) coupled to the memory, the processor configured to cause: receiving, from a second AP, a first frame requesting the first AP to reduce interference (Shafin, Fig. 19 and paragraphs 123-128.), wherein a first basic service set (BSS) corresponding to the first AP and a second BSS corresponding to the second AP partially overlap (Shafin, Fig. 8 and paragraphs 95-98.); transmitting, to the second AP, a second frame indicating an assistance that the first AP is able to provide (Shafin, Fig. 19 and paragraphs 123-128.); and performing the assistance indicated in the second frame (Shafin, Fig. 19 and paragraphs 123-128.). Wang also teaches transmitting, to a first access point (AP), report for the first AP coordinates with a second AP to reduce interference from the second AP (Wang, Fig. 6 and paragraph 53.), wherein a first basic service set (BSS) corresponding to the first AP and a second BSS corresponding to the second AP partially overlap (Wang, Fig. 7 and paragraph 54.); receiving, from the first AP, a trigger indicating an assistance provided by the second AP in response to the report (Wang, Fig. 6 and paragraph 53.). CHERIAN further teaches a STA in a wireless network establishing one or more P2P links with one or more second STAs, the STA works as a P2P group owner to communicates with a first AP (CHERIAN, Fig. 4 and paragraphs 76-81.). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the method taught in Shafin and Wang with a STA in a wireless network establishing one or more P2P links with one or more second STAs, the STA works as a P2P group owner to communicates with a first AP taught in CHERIAN to have receiving, from a second AP, a first frame requesting the first AP to assist in protecting peer-to-peer (P2P) communication between a first STA and one or more second STAs, wherein a first basic service set (BSS) corresponding to the first AP and a second BSS corresponding to the second AP partially overlap; transmitting, to the second AP, a second frame indicating an assistance that the first AP is able to provide; and performing the assistance indicated in the second frame, as all components were active areas of 802.11be/802.11bn standardization. For claim 18, Shafin, Wang and CHERIAN further teach the first AP of claim 17, wherein the assistance provided by the second AP is associated with a power control performed by the second AP (Shafin, Fig. 8 and paragraphs 4 and 7.). For claim 19, Shafin, Wang and CHERIAN further teach the first AP of claim 17, wherein the assistance provided by the second AP is associated with reduction of interference to the P2P communication (Shafin, Fig. 9 and paragraphs 82 and 99.). For claim 20, Shafin, Wang and CHERIAN further teach the first AP of claim 17, wherein the assistance provided by the second AP is associated with spatial reuse operation (Wang, Fig. 28 and paragraphs 6 and 43-45.). Conclusion 9. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to WILL W LIN whose telephone number is (571)272-8749. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 8:00-5:00. 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, Charles Jiang can be reached at 571-270-7191. 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. /WILL W LIN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2412
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Prosecution Timeline

Aug 02, 2024
Application Filed
Jun 03, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103 (current)

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Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

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Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
94%
Grant Probability
99%
With Interview (+5.6%)
2y 1m (~1m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 495 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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