DETAILED ACTION
This is in response to US App. 18/850,953. Claims 1-16 and 18 have been examined. Claim 17 has been cancelled.
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 . 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.
Double Patenting
The nonstatutory double patenting rejection is based on a judicially created doctrine grounded in public policy (a policy reflected in the statute) so as to prevent the unjustified or improper timewise extension of the “right to exclude” granted by a patent and to prevent possible harassment by multiple assignees. A nonstatutory double patenting rejection is appropriate where the conflicting claims are not identical, but at least one examined application claim is not patentably distinct from the reference claim(s) because the examined application claim is either anticipated by, or would have been obvious over, the reference claim(s). See, e.g., In re Berg, 140 F.3d 1428, 46 USPQ2d 1226 (Fed. Cir. 1998); In re Goodman, 11 F.3d 1046, 29 USPQ2d 2010 (Fed. Cir. 1993); In re Longi, 759 F.2d 887, 225 USPQ 645 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re Van Ornum, 686 F.2d 937, 214 USPQ 761 (CCPA 1982); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); In re Thorington, 418 F.2d 528, 163 USPQ 644 (CCPA 1969).
A timely filed terminal disclaimer in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(c) or 1.321(d) may be used to overcome an actual or provisional rejection based on nonstatutory double patenting provided the reference application or patent either is shown to be commonly owned with the examined application, or claims an invention made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement. See MPEP § 717.02 for applications subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA as explained in MPEP § 2159. See MPEP § 2146 et seq. for applications not subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . A terminal disclaimer must be signed in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(b).
The filing of a terminal disclaimer by itself is not a complete reply to a nonstatutory double patenting (NSDP) rejection. A complete reply requires that the terminal disclaimer be accompanied by a reply requesting reconsideration of the prior Office action. Even where the NSDP rejection is provisional the reply must be complete. See MPEP § 804, subsection I.B.1. For a reply to a non-final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.111(a). For a reply to final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.113(c). A request for reconsideration while not provided for in 37 CFR 1.113(c) may be filed after final for consideration. See MPEP §§ 706.07(e) and 714.13.
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Claims 1 and 16 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1 and 6 of U.S. Patent No. 11,979,871 (hereafter USPAT 871). Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because they are an obvious variant of one another. For comparison, see the table below.
Instant Application
USPAT 871
1. A method comprising: constructing long training fields (LTFs) associated with a plurality of spatial streams based on a pre-defined mapping relation between a LTF sequence and a tone for a spatial stream, wherein the LTFs are constructed with one or more LTF symbols; and transmitting a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) including the constructed LTFs to another STA, wherein the one or more LTF symbols include LTF symbols to which at least two spatial streams are mapped, and wherein a number of the one or more LTF symbols is determined based on a number of the plurality of spatial streams and the pre-defined mapping relation.
1. A method of transmitting an extremely high throughput (EHT) physical protocol data unit (PPDU) in a wireless local area network (WLAN) system, the method comprising: generating, by a transmitting station (STA), first to sixth long training field (LTF) symbols; and transmitting, by the transmitting STA, the EHT PPDU including the first to sixth LTF symbols to a receiving STA, wherein the first and second LTF symbols are generated based on LTF sequences for first to fourth spatial streams, wherein, in the first LTF symbol, the LTF sequences for the first to fourth spatial streams are mapped to tones in a frequency domain in units of 4 tones, wherein, in the second LTF symbol, the LTF sequences for the first to fourth spatial streams are mapped to tones in a frequency domain in units of 4 tones, wherein the LTF sequences for the first to fourth spatial streams mapped to the frequency domain of the second LTF symbol are mapped to tones in such a manner that the LTF sequences for the first to fourth spatial streams mapped to the frequency domain of the first LTF symbol are cyclically shifted by 2 tones, wherein the third and fourth LTF symbols are generated based on LTF sequences for fifth to eighth spatial streams, wherein, in the third LTF symbol, the LTF sequences for the fifth to eighth spatial streams are mapped to tones in a frequency domain in units of 4 tones, wherein, in the fourth LTF symbol, the LTF sequences for the fifth to eighth spatial streams are mapped to tones in a frequency domain in units of 4 tones, wherein the LTF sequences for the fifth to eighth spatial streams mapped to the frequency domain of the fourth LTF symbol are mapped to tones in such a manner that the LTF sequences for the fifth to eighth spatial streams mapped to the frequency domain of the third LTF symbol are cyclically shifted by 2 tones, wherein the fifth and sixth LTF symbols are generated based on LTF sequences for ninth to twelfth spatial streams, wherein, in the fifth LTF symbol, the LTF sequences for the ninth to twelfth spatial streams are mapped to tones in a frequency domain in units of 4 tones, wherein, in the sixth LTF symbol, the LTF sequences for the ninth to twelfth spatial streams are mapped to tones in a frequency domain in units of 4 tones, and wherein the LTF sequences for the ninth to twelfth spatial streams mapped to the frequency domain of the sixth LTF symbol are mapped to tones in such a manner that the LTF sequences for the ninth to twelfth spatial streams mapped to the frequency domain of the fifth LTF symbol are cyclically shifted by 2 tones.
16. A station (STA) comprising: at least one transceiver; and at least one processor connected to the at least one transceiver, wherein the at least one processor is configured to: construct long training fields (LTFs) associated with a plurality of spatial streams based on a pre-defined mapping relation between a LTF sequence and a tone for a spatial stream, wherein the LTFs are constructed with one or more LTF symbols; and transmit a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) including the constructed LTFs to another STA, wherein the one or more LTF symbols include LTF symbols to which at least two spatial streams are mapped, and wherein a number of the one or more LTF symbols is determined based on a number of the plurality of spatial streams and the pre-defined mapping relation.
6. A transmitting station (STA) transmitting an extremely high throughput (EHT) physical protocol data unit (PPDU) in a wireless local area network (WLAN) system, the transmitting STA comprising: a memory; a transceiver; and a processor operatively coupled to the memory and the transceiver, wherein the processor is configured to: generate first to sixth long training field (LTF) symbols; and transmit the EHT PPDU including the first to sixth LTF symbols to a receiving STA, wherein the first and second LTF symbols are generated based on LTF sequences for first to fourth spatial streams, wherein, in the first LTF symbol, the LTF sequences for the first to fourth spatial streams are mapped to tones in units of 4 tones in a frequency domain, wherein, in the second LTF symbol, the LTF sequences for the first to fourth spatial streams are mapped to tones in a frequency domain in units of 4 tones, wherein the LTF sequences for the first to fourth spatial streams mapped to the frequency domain of the second LTF symbol are mapped to tones in such a manner that the LTF sequences for the first to fourth spatial streams mapped to the frequency domain of the first LTF symbol are cyclically shifted by 2 tones, wherein the third and fourth LTF symbols are generated based on LTF sequences for fifth to eighth spatial streams, wherein, in the third LTF symbol, the LTF sequences for the fifth to eighth spatial streams are mapped to tones in a frequency domain in units of 4 tones, wherein, in the fourth LTF symbol, the LTF sequences for the fifth to eighth spatial streams are mapped to tones in a frequency domain in units of 4 tones, wherein the LTF sequences for the fifth to eighth spatial streams mapped to the frequency domain of the fourth LTF symbol are mapped to tones in such a manner that the LTF sequences for the fifth to eighth spatial streams mapped to the frequency domain of the third LTF symbol are cyclically shifted by 2 tones, wherein the fifth and sixth LTF symbols are generated based on LTF sequences for ninth to twelfth spatial streams, wherein, in the fifth LTF symbol, the LTF sequences for the ninth to twelfth spatial streams are mapped to tones in a frequency domain in units of 4 tones, wherein, in the sixth LTF symbol, the LTF sequences for the ninth to twelfth spatial streams are mapped to tones in a frequency domain in units of 4 tones, and wherein the LTF sequences for the ninth to twelfth spatial streams mapped to the frequency domain of the sixth LTF symbol are mapped to tones in such a manner that the LTF sequences for the ninth to twelfth spatial streams mapped to the frequency domain of the fifth LTF symbol are cyclically shifted by 2 tones.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
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.
Claim(s) 1-5, 8-11, 14-16, and 18 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)1) as being unpatentable over Lim et al. WO 2020/096349 (using bonafide English translation in US 2021/0385830; hereafter Lim).
Regarding Claim 1,
A method comprising:
constructing long training fields (LTFs) associated with a plurality of spatial streams based on a pre-defined mapping relation between a LTF sequence and a tone for a spatial stream, wherein the LTFs are constructed with one or more LTF symbols [Lim: 0230; a transmitting STA may use a 1×/2×LTF structure defined in 11ax to support a high number of streams; an LTF symbol is configured by assigning an LTF sequence to a subcarrier (or tone) at a spacing of 2 tones or 4 tones in terms of frequency according to an LTF mode (e.g., 1×LTF, 2×LTF). In this structure, the same time sequence is repeated 2/4 times in a time domain according to a frequency mapping method of the LTF sequence (e.g., at a spacing of 2 tones/4 tones); 0232; FIG. 22 illustrates an example of an LTF symbol structure when using a sequence of a 2×LTF mode according to the present embodiment; 0233; as shown in FIG. 22, the LTF symbol consists of one sequence (6.4 us) out of repeated 2 time sequences, and a CP is added to configure the LTF symbol; 0236; FIG. 23 illustrates an example of an LTF symbol when using a sequence of a 1×LTF mode according to the present embodiment]; and
transmitting a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) including the constructed LTFs to another STA, wherein the one or more LTF symbols include LTF symbols to which at least two spatial streams are mapped [Lim: 0259; as shown in FIG. 26, a transmitting STA may transmit LTF sequences for two streams in one symbol by mapping the LTF sequence to a frequency tone at a spacing of 2 tones; in this case, the LTF sequences for the respective streams may be mapped to different tones to configure an LTF symbol; 0265; since LTF sequences for two streams can be transmitted on one LTF symbol, when transmission is performed by using 16 streams, an LTF overhead can be reduced by 50% compared to the conventional transmission method; 0268; as shown in FIG. 27, LTF sequences for four streams are transmitted in one symbol by mapping the LTF sequence to a frequency tone at a spacing of 4 tones; in this case, the LTF sequences for the respective streams may be mapped to different tones to configure an LTF symbol; 0276; Since LTF sequences for four streams can be transmitted on one LTF symbol, when transmission is performed by using 16 streams, an LTF overhead can be reduced by ¼ compared to the conventional transmission method], and
wherein a number of the one or more LTF symbols is determined based on a number of the plurality of spatial streams and the pre-defined mapping relation [Lim: 0259; as shown in FIG. 26, a transmitting STA may transmit LTF sequences for two streams in one symbol by mapping the LTF sequence to a frequency tone at a spacing of 2 tones; in this case, the LTF sequences for the respective streams may be mapped to different tones to configure an LTF symbol; 0268; as shown in FIG. 27, LTF sequences for four streams are transmitted in one symbol by mapping the LTF sequence to a frequency tone at a spacing of 4 tones; in this case, the LTF sequences for the respective streams may be mapped to different tones to configure an LTF symbol].
Regarding Claim 2,
wherein the pre-defined mapping relation follows a two-tone unit mapping, wherein a LTF sequence for an odd-numbered spatial stream among the plurality of spatial streams is mapped to an odd-numbered tone, and wherein a LTF sequence for an even-numbered spatial stream among the plurality of spatial streams is mapped to an even-numbered tone [Lim: 0259; as shown in FIG. 26, a transmitting STA may transmit LTF sequences for two streams in one symbol by mapping the LTF sequence to a frequency tone at a spacing of 2 tones; in this case, the LTF sequences for the respective streams may be mapped to different tones to configure an LTF symbol; 0262; when the transmitting STA transmits a signal by using odd streams, the LTF sequence may be configured as follows; 0263; when the number ‘n’ of streams is an odd number, the transmitting STA may map the LTF sequence for each stream to a tone in the same manner as described above up to an n-th stream, where n is the number of streams, and may apply an LTF sequence for a first stream to a tone corresponding to an (n+1)-th stream in a last LTF symbol to configure the LTF symbol. That is, the transmitting STA may configure the LTF symbol by assigning the LTF sequence to all tones even in the last LTF symbol].
Regarding Claim 3,
wherein a LTF sequence for each spatial stream is based on a structure in which a sequence is mapped to every two tones [Lim: 0259; as shown in FIG. 26, a transmitting STA may transmit LTF sequences for two streams in one symbol by mapping the LTF sequence to a frequency tone at a spacing of 2 tones; in this case, the LTF sequences for the respective streams may be mapped to different tones to configure an LTF symbol; 0265; since LTF sequences for two streams can be transmitted on one LTF symbol, when transmission is performed by using 16 streams, an LTF overhead can be reduced by 50% compared to the conventional transmission method].
Regarding Claim 4,
wherein the number of the one or more LTF symbols is set to a value equal to half the number of the plurality of spatial streams [Lim: 0259; as shown in FIG. 26, a transmitting STA may transmit LTF sequences for two streams in one symbol by mapping the LTF sequence to a frequency tone at a spacing of 2 tones; in this case, the LTF sequences for the respective streams may be mapped to different tones to configure an LTF symbol; 0265; since LTF sequences for two streams can be transmitted on one LTF symbol, when transmission is performed by using 16 streams, an LTF overhead can be reduced by 50% compared to the conventional transmission method].
Regarding Claim 5,
wherein a P matrix applied to the LTF is determined according to the number of the plurality of spatial streams, and wherein, based on the number of the plurality of spatial streams, one of a P1 matrix of size 1, a P2×2 matrix of size 2, a P4×4 matrix of size 4, a P6×6 matrix of size 6, or a P8x8 matrix of size 8 is applied [Lim: the LTF symbol configured as shown in FIG. 26 may be transmitted by applying a P matrix defined for each stream; in this case, in order to support high streams, the conventionally defined P matrix may be reused without having to additionally define an additional P matrix; 0261; unlike in the above case ii, the P matrix defined for each stream may be applied to an LTF sequence for each stream to transmit the LTF sequence; for example, the LTF sequence for each stream may be configured in such a manner that a matrix value of each row defined based on a stream in the conventional P matrix is multiplied to the LTF sequence according to a size of the matrix; 0188; when a pre-set LTF generation sequence (e.g., HTLTF generation sequence) is applied to the P matrix by the transmitting STA (i.e., when the P matrix is multiplied or applied to the LTF generation sequence according to the example of FIG. 19), the transmitting STA may configure the LTF symbol as shown in the example of FIG. 20].
Regarding Claim 8,
wherein the pre-defined mapping relation follows a four-tone unit mapping, and wherein the plurality of spatial streams are sequentially mapped to a first tone, a second tone, a third tone, and a fourth tone of four tone units according to the order of spatial streams [Lim: 0268; as shown in FIG. 27, LTF sequences for four streams are transmitted in one symbol by mapping the LTF sequence to a frequency tone at a spacing of 4 tones; in this case, the LTF sequences for the respective streams may be mapped to different tones to configure an LTF symbol; 0276; Since LTF sequences for four streams can be transmitted on one LTF symbol, when transmission is performed by using 16 streams, an LTF overhead can be reduced by ¼ compared to the conventional transmission method].
Regarding Claim 9,
wherein a LTF sequence for each spatial stream is based on a structure in which a sequence is mapped to every four tones [Lim: 0268; as shown in FIG. 27, LTF sequences for four streams are transmitted in one symbol by mapping the LTF sequence to a frequency tone at a spacing of 4 tones; in this case, the LTF sequences for the respective streams may be mapped to different tones to configure an LTF symbol; 0276; Since LTF sequences for four streams can be transmitted on one LTF symbol, when transmission is performed by using 16 streams, an LTF overhead can be reduced by ¼ compared to the conventional transmission method].
Regarding Claim 10,
wherein the number of the one or more LTF symbols is set to a value of ¼ of the number of the plurality of spatial streams [Lim: 0268; as shown in FIG. 27, LTF sequences for four streams are transmitted in one symbol by mapping the LTF sequence to a frequency tone at a spacing of 4 tones; in this case, the LTF sequences for the respective streams may be mapped to different tones to configure an LTF symbol; 0276; Since LTF sequences for four streams can be transmitted on one LTF symbol, when transmission is performed by using 16 streams, an LTF overhead can be reduced by ¼ compared to the conventional transmission method].
Regarding Claim 11,
wherein a P matrix applied to the LTF is determined according to the number of the plurality of spatial streams, and wherein, based on the number of the plurality of spatial streams, one of a P1 matrix of size 1, a P2×2 matrix of size 2, or a P4×4 matrix of size 4 is applied [Lim; 0269; the LTF symbol configured as shown in FIG. 27 may be transmitted by applying a P matrix defined for each stream; when high streams are supported, since the number of LTF symbols is not increased compared to the conventional case, the conventionally defined P matrix may be reused without having to additionally define an additional P matrix; 0270; unlike in the above case ii, the P matrix defined for each stream may be applied to an LTF sequence for each stream to transmit the LTF sequence; for example, the LTF sequence for each stream may be configured in such a manner that a matrix value of each row defined based on a stream in the conventional P matrix is multiplied to the LTF sequence according to a size of the matrix].
Regarding Claim 14,
wherein the pre-defined mapping relation is applied differently for each LTF symbol [Lim: 0259; as shown in FIG. 26, a transmitting STA may transmit LTF sequences for two streams in one symbol by mapping the LTF sequence to a frequency tone at a spacing of 2 tones; in this case, the LTF sequences for the respective streams may be mapped to different tones to configure an LTF symbol; 0268; as shown in FIG. 27, LTF sequences for four streams are transmitted in one symbol by mapping the LTF sequence to a frequency tone at a spacing of 4 tones; in this case, the LTF sequences for the respective streams may be mapped to different tones to configure an LTF symbol].
Regarding Claim 15,
wherein LTF symbols to which the at least two spatial streams are mapped are generated by combining symbols generated by applying LTF sequence mapping and Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (IFFT) to each of the at least two spatial streams, or generated by performing LTF sequence mapping for the at least two spatial streams and applying IFFT [Lim: FIG. 22 illustrates an example of an LTF symbol structure when using a sequence of a 2×LTF mode according to the present embodiment; 0233; as shown in FIG. 22, the LTF symbol consists of one sequence (6.4 us) out of repeated 2 time sequences, and a CP is added to configure the LTF symbol; 0255; similarly to the compressed LTF, in terms of frequency, an LTF sequence may be mapped to frequency on a 2-tone or 4-tone basis, and IFFT (or IFDFT) may be performed to configure an LTF symbol; 0259; as shown in FIG. 26, a transmitting STA may transmit LTF sequences for two streams in one symbol by mapping the LTF sequence to a frequency tone at a spacing of 2 tones; in this case, the LTF sequences for the respective streams may be mapped to different tones to configure an LTF symbol].
Regarding 16, which recites a station (STA) having the same claim limitations as those in claim 1 above, the same rationale of rejection as presented in claim 1 is applicable.
Regarding 18, which recites the same claim limitations as those in claim 1 above, the same rationale of rejection as presented in claim 1 is applicable.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 6-7 and 12-13 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
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. See Sethi (US 2020/0092142) [para. 0085].
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to SAAD A WAQAS whose telephone number is (571)270-5642. The examiner can normally be reached 8:30 - 5:00 PM.
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SAAD A. WAQAS
Primary Examiner
Art Unit 2468
/Saad A. Waqas/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2468
Prosecution Insights