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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).
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U.S. Pat. 12,155,513
Instant Appl. 18/918,934
1. A communication apparatus comprising: circuitry which, in operation, generates a signal comprising one or more non-legacy long training field (LTF) symbols, each of the one or more non-legacy LTF symbols comprising a plurality of data tones and a plurality of pilot tones, maps a non-legacy LTF sequence to the plurality of data tones and the plurality of pilot tones, and groups the plurality of data tones with nonzero non-legacy LTF sequence values into a first tone group and a second tone group; and a transmitter which, in operation, transmits the generated signal, wherein the circuitry is configured to generate the signal such that the signal comprises information on a number N.sub.STS of space-time streams, wherein a total number of the one or more non-legacy LTF symbols is [N.sub.STS/2] when the N.sub.STS is 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 11, 12, 15 or 16; and [N.sub.STS/2]+1 when the Ners is 5, 6, 9, 10, 13 or 14.
2. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the circuitry is configured to group the plurality of data tones such that the first tone group comprises every second data tones with nonzero non-legacy LTF sequence values starting with a first data tone with nonzero non-legacy LTF sequence value; while the second tone group comprises every second data tones with nonzero non-legacy LTF sequence values starting with a second data tone with nonzero non-legacy LTF sequence value.
3. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the circuitry is configured to: group two or more space-time streams into a first stream group and a second stream group; apply a P.sub.1 matrix to multiplex one or more space-time streams in the first stream group to data tones in the first tone group for each of the one or more non-legacy LTF symbols; and apply a P.sub.2 matrix to multiplex one or more space-time streams in the second stream group to data tones in the second tone group for each of the one or more non-legacy LTF symbols.
4. The communication apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the P.sub.1 matrix is P.sub.2×2, P.sub.4×4, P.sub.6×6 or P.sub.8×8 when a total number of the one or more non-legacy LTF symbols is 2, 4, 6 or 8 respectively, and wherein the P.sub.2 matrix is a permutation of the P.sub.1 matrix.
5. The communication apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first stream group comprises one or more odd indexed space-time streams among the two or more space-time streams; while the second stream group comprises one or more even indexed space-time streams among the two or more space-time streams.
6. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, the circuitry is configured to generate the signal such that the signal comprises information on a number of space-time streams used for channel sounding, wherein the signal is a sounding null data packet (NDP).
7. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the circuitry is configured to generate the signal such that the signal comprises information on a number of space-time streams used for transmission of a physical layer service data unit (PSDU), wherein the signal is a single-user (SU) physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU).
8. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the circuitry is configured to generate the signal such that the signal comprises information on a number of the one or more non-legacy LTF symbols, and a number of space-time streams and starting space-time stream number used for transmission of a PSDU of each intended STA, and wherein the signal is a multi-user (MU) PPDU.
9. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a receiver which, in operation, receives a trigger frame for soliciting a transmission of the signal, wherein the trigger frame comprises information on a number of the one or more non-legacy LTF symbols, and a number of space-time streams and starting space-time stream number used for transmission of a PSDU of the communication apparatus, and wherein the signal is a trigger-based (TB) PPDU or a joint transmission (JT) PPDU.
10. A communication apparatus comprising: circuitry which, in operation, generates a signal comprising one or more non-legacy long training field (LTF) symbols, each of the one or more non-legacy LTF symbols comprising a plurality of data tones and a plurality of pilot tones, maps a non-legacy LTF sequence to the plurality of data tones and the plurality of pilot tones, and groups the plurality of data tones with nonzero non-legacy LTF sequence values into a first tone group and a second tone group; and a transmitter which, in operation, transmits the generated signal, wherein the circuitry is configured to generate the signal such that the signal comprises information on a number N.sub.STS of space-time streams, wherein a total number of the one or more non-legacy LTF symbols is [N.sub.STS+1] when the N.sub.STS is 3, 5, or 7; N.sub.STS when N.sub.STS is 2, 4, 6 or 8; and 8 when 9≤N.sub.STS≤16.
12. A communication apparatus comprising: circuitry which, in operation, generates a signal comprising one or more non-legacy long training field (LTF) symbols, each of the one or more non-legacy LTF symbols comprising a plurality of data tones and a plurality of pilot tones, maps a non-legacy LTF sequence to the plurality of data tones and the plurality of pilot tones, and groups the plurality of data tones with nonzero non-legacy LTF sequence values into a first tone group and a second tone group; and a transmitter which, in operation, transmits the generated signal, wherein the circuitry is configured to generate the signal such that the signal comprises information on a number NsTs of space-time streams, wherein a total number of the one or more non-legacy LTF symbols is [N.sub.STS+1] when the N.sub.STS is 3, 5, or 7; N.sub.STS when NsTs is 2, 4, 6 or 8; 6 when 9≤N.sub.STS≤12; and 8 when 13≤N.sub.STS≤16.
1. An integrated circuit, which comprises circuitry configured to: generate a signal comprising one or more non-legacy long training field (LTF) symbols, each of the one or more non-legacy LTF symbols comprising a plurality of data tones and a plurality of pilot tones; map a non-legacy LTF sequence to the plurality of data tones and the plurality of pilot tones; group the plurality of data tones with nonzero non-legacy LTF sequence values into a first tone group and a second tone group; and transmit the generated signal, wherein the circuitry is configured to generate the signal such that the signal comprises information on a number N.sub.STS of space-time streams, wherein a total number of the one or more non-legacy LTF symbols is [N.sub.STS/2] when the N.sub.STS is 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 11, 12, 15 or 16; and [N.sub.STS/2]+1 when the N.sub.STS is 5, 6, 9, 10, 13 or 14.
17. The integrated circuit according to claim 1, wherein the circuitry, in operation, groups the plurality of data tones such that the first tone group comprises every second data tones with nonzero non-legacy LTF sequence values starting with a first data tone with nonzero non-legacy LTF sequence value, and the second tone group comprises every second data tones with nonzero non-legacy LTF sequence values starting with a second data tone with nonzero non-legacy LTF sequence value.
4. The integrated circuit according to claim 1, wherein the circuitry, in operation: groups two or more space-time streams into a first stream group and a second stream group; applies a P.sub.1 matrix to multiplex one or more space-time streams in the first stream group to data tones in the first tone group for each of the one or more non-legacy LTF symbols; and applies a P.sub.2 matrix to multiplex one or more space-time streams in the second stream group to data tones in the second tone group for each of the one or more non-legacy LTF symbols.
5. The integrated circuit according to claim 4, wherein the P.sub.1 matrix is P.sub.2×2, P.sub.4×4, P.sub.6×6 or P.sub.8×8 when a total number of the one or more non-legacy LTF symbols is 2, 4, 6 or 8 respectively, and wherein the P.sub.2 matrix is a permutation of the P.sub.1 matrix.
6. The integrated circuit according to claim 5, wherein the first stream group comprises one or more odd indexed space-time streams among the two or more space-time streams; while the second stream group comprises one or more even indexed space-time streams among the two or more space-time streams.
7. The integrated circuit according to claim 1, wherein the circuitry, in operation, generates the signal such that the signal comprises information on a number of space-time streams used for channel sounding, wherein the signal is a sounding null data packet (NDP).
8. The integrated circuit according to claim 1, wherein the circuitry, in operation, generates the signal such that the signal comprises information on a number of space-time streams used for transmission of a physical layer service data unit (PSDU), wherein the signal is a single-user (SU) physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU).
9. The integrated circuit according to claim 1, wherein the circuitry, in operation, generates the signal such that the signal comprises information on a number of the one or more non-legacy LTF symbols, and a number of space-time streams and starting space-time stream number used for transmission of a PSDU of each intended STA, and wherein the signal is a multi-user (MU) PPDU.
10. The integrated circuit according to claim 1, wherein the circuitry comprises receiving circuitry, which, in operation, receives a trigger frame for soliciting a transmission of the signal, wherein the trigger frame comprises information on a number of the one or more non-legacy LTF symbols, and a number of space-time streams and starting space-time stream number used for transmission of a PSDU of the communication apparatus, and wherein the signal is a trigger-based (TB) PPDU or a joint transmission (JT) PPDU.
11. An integrated circuit, which comprises circuitry configured to: generate a signal comprising one or more non-legacy long training field (LTF) symbols, each of the one or more non-legacy LTF symbols comprising a plurality of data tones and a plurality of pilot tones; map a non-legacy LTF sequence to the plurality of data tones and the plurality of pilot tones; group the plurality of data tones with nonzero non-legacy LTF sequence values into a first tone group and a second tone group; and transmit the generated signal, wherein the circuitry is configured to generate the signal such that the signal comprises information on a number N.sub.STS of space-time streams, wherein a total number of the one or more non-legacy LTF symbols is [N.sub.STS+1] when the N.sub.STS is 3, 5, or 7; N.sub.STS when N.sub.STS is 2, 4, 6 or 8; and 8 when 9≤N.sub.STS≤16.
14. An integrated circuit, which comprises circuitry configured to: generate a signal comprising one or more non-legacy long training field (LTF) symbols, each of the one or more non-legacy LTF symbols comprising a plurality of data tones and a plurality of pilot tones; map a non-legacy LTF sequence to the plurality of data tones and the plurality of pilot tones; group the plurality of data tones with nonzero non-legacy LTF sequence values into a first tone group and a second tone group; and transmit the generated signal, wherein the circuitry is configured to generate the signal such that the signal comprises information on a number N.sub.STS of space-time streams, wherein a total number of the one or more non-legacy LTF symbols is [N.sub.STS+1] when the N.sub.STS is 3, 5, or 7; N.sub.STS when N.sub.STS is 2, 4, 6 or 8; 6 when 9≤N.sub.STS≤12; and 8 when 13≤N.sub.STS≤16.
Claims 1, 4-10, 11, 14, 17 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-9, 10, 12 of U.S. Pat. 12,155,513. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because claims 1, 4-10, 11, 14, 17 of the instant application merely broadens the scope of the claims 1-9, 10, 12 of U.S. Pat. 12,155,513 by eliminating the elements and their functions of the claims 1-9, 10, 12 of U.S. Pat. 12,155,513. It has been held that the omission an element and its function is an obvious expedient if the remaining elements perform the same function as before. In re Karlson,136 USPQ 184 (CCPA). Also note Ex parte Rainu, 168 USPQ 375 (Bd.App.1969); omission of a reference element whose function is not needed would be obvious to one skilled in the art.
Claims 2-3, 12-13, 15-16 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over 1-9, 10, 12 of U.S. Pat. 12,155,513 in view of Verma et al (2019/0261369) hereinafter Verman.
Regarding claims 2-3, 12-13, 15-16, the claims of U.S. Pat. 12,155,513 fail to explicitly recite at least one input coupled to the circuitry, wherein the at least one input, in operation, inputs data; and at least one output coupled to the circuitry, wherein the at least one output, in operation, outputs data to be transmitted; and wherein the circuitry comprises: processing circuitry, which, in operation, controls the generating, the mapping and the grouping; and transmission circuitry, which, in operation, controls the transmitting of the generated signal.
Verman discloses at least one input coupled to the circuitry, wherein the at least one input, in operation, inputs data; and at least one output coupled to the circuitry, wherein the at least one output, in operation, outputs data to be transmitted; and wherein the circuitry comprises: processing circuitry, which, in operation, controls the generating, the mapping and the grouping; and transmission circuitry, which, in operation, controls the transmitting of the generated signal (see Figs. 2, 3, [0073] to [0079]. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective failing data of the claimed invention to control the generating, the mapping and the grouping and the transmitting of the generated signal as taught by Verman into the teachings of the U.S. Pat. 12,155,513 in order to control the operation of various processing units at the access point and wireless communication devices, respectively.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Parthasarathy et al (US 2021/0144558) disclose an advanced interference cancellation during spatial reuse transmissions in wireless systems
Yang et al (US 2025/0211473) disclose a 60 GHZ numerology for wireless local area networks (WLANS).
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/KHAI TRAN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2632
KTJanuary 7, 2026