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 .
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 14-33 are rejected on the ground of non-statutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1, 4, 7 and 11 of U.S. Patent No.12,177,014. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because a person of ordinary skill in the art can derive the claimed limitations from the patented case. See a comparison of instant application and claimed limitations.
Regarding claim 14, a method, comprising: receiving an Extremely High Throughput (EHT) Physical Protocol Data Unit (PPDU); and decoding the EHT PPDU, wherein the EHT PPDU includes a signal field, wherein the signal field includes Punctured Channel Information, wherein the Punctured Channel Information includes a bitmap that indicates which 20 MHz subchannel is punctured in an 80 MHz frequency subblock, wherein the bitmap is indexed by 20 MHz subchannels in ascending order with a first bit indicating a lowest frequency 20 MHz subchannel, wherein a value of zero in the bitmap indicates a corresponding 20 MHz subchannel is punctured, wherein eight allowed punctured patterns are defined based on the bitmap.
Regarding claim 1, US Patent No. 12,177,014 discloses a method in a wireless Local Area Network (LAN) system, the method comprising: receiving, by a receiving station (STA), a Physical Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) through a first band from a transmitting STA; and decoding, by the receiving STA, the PPDU, wherein the PPDU includes a Universal-Signal (U-SIG) field and an Extremely High Throughput-Signal (EHT-SIG) field, wherein the U-SIG field includes first information on a bandwidth of the first band PPDU, second information on a PPDU type, whether the PPDU is single user (SU) PPDU or multi user (MU) PPDU and third information on a pattern of preamble puncturing for each 80MHz frequency subblock, wherein the each 80MHz frequency subblock includes first to fourth 20 MHz channels, wherein based on the PPDU being the MU PPDU, the EHT-SIG field includes first signal information for the first 20 MHz channel and second signal information for the second 20 MHz channel, the first signal information for the first 20 MHz channel is duplicated for the third 20 MHz channel, and the second signal information for the second 20 MHz channel is duplicated for the fourth 20 MHz channel, and wherein based on the PPDU being the SU PPDU, the EHT-SIG field includes third signal information duplicated on every 20 MHz channel of the first to fourth 20 MHz channels.
Regarding claim 4, US Patent No. 12,177,014 discloses wherein the third information is set as a 4-bit bitmap for the each 80MHz frequency subblock, wherein based on the 4-bit bitmap being set to 0111, the first 20 MHz channel is punctured, and the EHT-SIG field includes the first signal information for the third 20 MHz channel and the second signal information for the second and fourth 20 MHz channels, wherein based on the 4-bit bitmap being set to 1011, the second 20 MHz channel is punctured, and the EHT-SIG field includes the first signal information for the first and third 20 MHz channels and the second signal information for the fourth 20 MHz channel, wherein based on the 4-bit bitmap being set to 1101, the third 20 MHz channel is punctured, and the EHT-SIG field includes the first signal information for the first 20 MHz channel and the second signal information for the second and fourth 20 MHz channels, wherein based on the 4-bit bitmap being set to 1110, the fourth 20 MHz channel is punctured, and the EHT-SIG field includes the first signal information for the first and third 20 MHz channels and the second signal information for the second 20 MHz channel.
Regarding claim 15, instant application discloses wherein the bitmap has (i) a first value to indicate a first 20 MHz subchannel to a fourth 20 MHz subchannel being non-punctured, (ii) a second value to indicate the second and third 20 MHz subchannels being punctured, (iii) a third value to indicate the second 20 MHz subchannel being punctured, (iv) a fourth value to indicate the third and fourth 20 MHz subchannels being punctured, (v) a fifth value to indicate the third 20 MHz subchannel being punctured, and (vi) a sixth value to indicate the fourth 20 MHz subchannel being punctured.
Regarding claim 4, US Patent No. 12,177,014 discloses wherein the third information is set as a 4-bit bitmap for the each 80MHz frequency subblock, wherein based on the 4-bit bitmap being set to 0111, the first 20 MHz channel is punctured, and the EHT-SIG field includes the first signal information for the third 20 MHz channel and the second signal information for the second and fourth 20 MHz channels, wherein based on the 4-bit bitmap being set to 1011, the second 20 MHz channel is punctured, and the EHT-SIG field includes the first signal information for the first and third 20 MHz channels and the second signal information for the fourth 20 MHz channel, wherein based on the 4-bit bitmap being set to 1101, the third 20 MHz channel is punctured, and the EHT-SIG field includes the first signal information for the first 20 MHz channel and the second signal information for the second and fourth 20 MHz channels, wherein based on the 4-bit bitmap being set to 1110, the fourth 20 MHz channel is punctured, and the EHT-SIG field includes the first signal information for the first and third 20 MHz channels and the second signal information for the second 20 MHz channel.
Regarding claim 16, instant application discloses wherein the bitmap has a length of 4 bits.
Regarding claim 4, US Patent No. 12,177,014 discloses wherein the third information is set as a 4-bit bitmap for the each 80MHz frequency subblock, wherein based on the 4-bit bitmap being set to 0111, the first 20 MHz channel is punctured, and the EHT-SIG field includes the first signal information for the third 20 MHz channel and the second signal information for the second and fourth 20 MHz channels, wherein based on the 4-bit bitmap being set to 1011, the second 20 MHz channel is punctured, and the EHT-SIG field includes the first signal information for the first and third 20 MHz channels and the second signal information for the fourth 20 MHz channel, wherein based on the 4-bit bitmap being set to 1101, the third 20 MHz channel is punctured, and the EHT-SIG field includes the first signal information for the first 20 MHz channel and the second signal information for the second and fourth 20 MHz channels, wherein based on the 4-bit bitmap being set to 1110, the fourth 20 MHz channel is punctured, and the EHT-SIG field includes the first signal information for the first and third 20 MHz channels and the second signal information for the second 20 MHz channel.
Regarding claim 17, instant application discloses wherein the EHT PPDU further includes an EHT signal (EHT-SIG) field, wherein the EHT-SIG field is duplicated on every 20 MHz subchannel in the 80 MHz frequency subblock.
Regarding claim 1, US Patent No. 12,177,014 discloses a method in a wireless Local Area Network (LAN) system, the method comprising: receiving, by a receiving station (STA), a Physical Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) through a first band from a transmitting STA; and decoding, by the receiving STA, the PPDU, wherein the PPDU includes a Universal-Signal (U-SIG) field and an Extremely High Throughput-Signal (EHT-SIG) field, wherein the U-SIG field includes first information on a bandwidth of the first band PPDU, second information on a PPDU type, whether the PPDU is single user (SU) PPDU or multi user (MU) PPDU and third information on a pattern of preamble puncturing for each 80MHz frequency subblock, wherein the each 80MHz frequency subblock includes first to fourth 20 MHz channels, wherein based on the PPDU being the MU PPDU, the EHT-SIG field includes first signal information for the first 20 MHz channel and second signal information for the second 20 MHz channel, the first signal information for the first 20 MHz channel is duplicated for the third 20 MHz channel, and the second signal information for the second 20 MHz channel is duplicated for the fourth 20 MHz channel, and wherein based on the PPDU being the SU PPDU, the EHT-SIG field includes third signal information duplicated on every 20 MHz channel of the first to fourth 20 MHz channels.
Regarding claim 18, instant application discloses wherein the allowed punctured patterns vary for different 80 MHz frequency subblocks.
Regarding claim 4, US Patent No. 12,177,014 discloses wherein the third information is set as a 4-bit bitmap for the each 80MHz frequency subblock, wherein based on the 4-bit bitmap being set to 0111, the first 20 MHz channel is punctured, and the EHT-SIG field includes the first signal information for the third 20 MHz channel and the second signal information for the second and fourth 20 MHz channels, wherein based on the 4-bit bitmap being set to 1011, the second 20 MHz channel is punctured, and the EHT-SIG field includes the first signal information for the first and third 20 MHz channels and the second signal information for the fourth 20 MHz channel, wherein based on the 4-bit bitmap being set to 1101, the third 20 MHz channel is punctured, and the EHT-SIG field includes the first signal information for the first 20 MHz channel and the second signal information for the second and fourth 20 MHz channels, wherein based on the 4-bit bitmap being set to 1110, the fourth 20 MHz channel is punctured, and the EHT-SIG field includes the first signal information for the first and third 20 MHz channels and the second signal information for the second 20 MHz channel.
Regarding claim 19, instant application discloses a station, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one computer memory operatively connected to the at least one processor and storing instructions that, based on being executed by the at least one processor, perform operations comprising: receiving an Extremely High Throughput (EHT) Physical Protocol Data Unit (PPDU); and decoding the EHT PPDU, wherein the EHT PPDU includes a signal field, wherein the signal field includes Punctured Channel Information, wherein the Punctured Channel Information includes a bitmap that indicates which 20 MHz subchannel is punctured in an 80 MHz frequency subblock, wherein the bitmap is indexed by 20 MHz subchannels in ascending order with a first bit indicating a lowest frequency 20 MHz subchannel, wherein a value of zero in the bitmap indicates a corresponding 20 MHz subchannel is punctured, wherein eight allowed punctured patterns are defined based on the bitmap.
Regarding claim 7, US Patent No. 12,177,014 discloses a receiving station (STA) in a wireless Local Area Network (LAN), the receiving STA comprising: a memory; a transceiver; and a processor operatively coupled to the memory and the transceiver, wherein the processor is configured to: receive a Physical Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) through a first band from a transmitting STA; and decode the PPDU, wherein the PPDU includes a Universal-Signal (U-SIG) field and an Extremely High Throughput-Signal (EHT-SIG) field, wherein the U-SIG field includes first information on a bandwidth of the PPDU, second information on a PPDU type, whether the PPDU is single user (SU) PPDU or multi user (MU) PPDU and third information on a pattern of a preamble puncturing for each 80MHz frequency subblock, wherein the each 80MHz frequency subblock includes first to fourth 20 MHz channels, wherein based on the PPDU being the MU PPDU, the EHT-SIG field includes first signal information for the first 20 MHz channel and second signal information for the second 20 MHz channel, the first signal information for the first 20 MHz channel is duplicated for the third 20 MHz channel, and the second signal information for the second 20 MHz channel is duplicated for the fourth 20 MHz channel, and wherein based on the PPDU being the SU PPDU, the EHT-SIG field includes third signal information duplicated on every 20 MHz channel of the first to fourth 20 MHz channels.
Regarding claim 11, US Patent No. 12,177,014 discloses wherein the third information is set as a 4-bit bitmap for each 80MHz frequency subblock,
wherein based on the 4-bit bitmap being set to 0111, the first 20 MHz channel is
punctured, and the EHT-SIG field includes the first signal information for the third 20 MHz channel and the second signal information for the second and fourth 20 MHz channels, wherein based on the 4-bit bitmap being set to 1011, the second 20 MHz channel is punctured, and the EHT-SIG field includes the first signal information for the first and third 20 MHz channels and the second signal information for the fourth 20 MHz channel, wherein based on the 4-bit bitmap being set to 1101, the third 20 MHz channel is punctured, and the EHT-SIG field includes the first signal information for the first 20 MHz channel and the second signal information for the second and fourth 20 MHz channels, wherein based on the 4-bit bitmap being set to 1110, the fourth 20 MHz channel is punctured, and the EHT-SIG field includes the first signal information for the first and third 20
Regarding claim 20, instant application discloses wherein the bitmap has (i) a first value to indicate a first 20 MHz subchannel to a fourth 20 MHz subchannel being non-punctured, (ii) a second value to indicate the second and third 20 MHz subchannels being punctured, (iii) a third value to indicate the second 20 MHz subchannel being punctured, (iv) a fourth value to indicate the third and fourth 20 MHz subchannels being punctured, (v) a fifth value to indicate the third 20 MHz subchannel being punctured, and (vi) a sixth value to indicate the fourth 20 MHz subchannel being punctured.
Regarding claim 11, US Patent No. 12,177,014 discloses wherein the third information is set as a 4-bit bitmap for each 80MHz frequency subblock,
wherein based on the 4-bit bitmap being set to 0111, the first 20 MHz channel is
punctured, and the EHT-SIG field includes the first signal information for the third 20 MHz channel and the second signal information for the second and fourth 20 MHz channels, wherein based on the 4-bit bitmap being set to 1011, the second 20 MHz channel is punctured, and the EHT-SIG field includes the first signal information for the first and third 20 MHz channels and the second signal information for the fourth 20 MHz channel, wherein based on the 4-bit bitmap being set to 1101, the third 20 MHz channel is punctured, and the EHT-SIG field includes the first signal information for the first 20 MHz channel and the second signal information for the second and fourth 20 MHz channels, wherein based on the 4-bit bitmap being set to 1110, the fourth 20 MHz channel is punctured, and the EHT-SIG field includes the first signal information for the first and third 20 MHZ channels and the second signal information for the second 20 MHZ channel.
Regarding claim 21, instant application discloses wherein the bitmap has a length of 4 bits.
Regarding claim 11, US Patent No. 12,177,014 discloses wherein the third information is set as a 4-bit bitmap for each 80MHz frequency subblock,
wherein based on the 4-bit bitmap being set to 0111, the first 20 MHz channel is
punctured, and the EHT-SIG field includes the first signal information for the third 20 MHz channel and the second signal information for the second and fourth 20 MHz channels, wherein based on the 4-bit bitmap being set to 1011, the second 20 MHz channel is punctured, and the EHT-SIG field includes the first signal information for the first and third 20 MHz channels and the second signal information for the fourth 20 MHz channel, wherein based on the 4-bit bitmap being set to 1101, the third 20 MHz channel is punctured, and the EHT-SIG field includes the first signal information for the first 20 MHz channel and the second signal information for the second and fourth 20 MHz channels, wherein based on the 4-bit bitmap being set to 1110, the fourth 20 MHz channel is punctured, and the EHT-SIG field includes the first signal information for the first and third 20 MHZ channels and the second signal information for the second 20 MHZ channel.
Regarding claim 22, instant application discloses wherein the EHT PPDU further includes an EHT signal (EHT-SIG) field, wherein the EHT-SIG field is duplicated on every 20 MHz subchannel in the 80 MHz frequency subblock.
Regarding claim 7, US Patent No. 12,177,014 discloses a receiving station (STA) in a wireless Local Area Network (LAN), the receiving STA comprising: a memory; a transceiver; and a processor operatively coupled to the memory and the transceiver, wherein the processor is configured to: receive a Physical Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) through a first band from a transmitting STA; and decode the PPDU, wherein the PPDU includes a Universal-Signal (U-SIG) field and an Extremely High Throughput-Signal (EHT-SIG) field, wherein the U-SIG field includes first information on a bandwidth of the PPDU, second information on a PPDU type, whether the PPDU is single user (SU) PPDU or multi user (MU) PPDU and third information on a pattern of a preamble puncturing for each 80MHz frequency subblock, wherein the each 80MHz frequency subblock includes first to fourth 20 MHz channels, wherein based on the PPDU being the MU PPDU, the EHT-SIG field includes first signal information for the first 20 MHz channel and second signal information for the second 20 MHz channel, the first signal information for the first 20 MHz channel is duplicated for the third 20 MHz channel, and the second signal information for the second 20 MHz channel is duplicated for the fourth 20 MHz channel, and wherein based on the PPDU being the SU PPDU, the EHT-SIG field includes third signal information duplicated on every 20 MHz channel of the first to fourth 20 MHz channels.
Regarding claim 23, instant application discloses wherein the allowed punctured patterns vary for different 80 MHz frequency subblocks.
Regarding claim 11, US Patent No. 12,177,014 discloses wherein the third information is set as a 4-bit bitmap for each 80MHz frequency subblock,
wherein based on the 4-bit bitmap being set to 0111, the first 20 MHz channel is
punctured, and the EHT-SIG field includes the first signal information for the third 20 MHz channel and the second signal information for the second and fourth 20 MHz channels, wherein based on the 4-bit bitmap being set to 1011, the second 20 MHz channel is punctured, and the EHT-SIG field includes the first signal information for the first and third 20 MHz channels and the second signal information for the fourth 20 MHz channel, wherein based on the 4-bit bitmap being set to 1101, the third 20 MHz channel is punctured, and the EHT-SIG field includes the first signal information for the first 20 MHz channel and the second signal information for the second and fourth 20 MHz channels, wherein based on the 4-bit bitmap being set to 1110, the fourth 20 MHz channel is punctured, and the EHT-SIG field includes the first signal information for the first and third 20 MHZ channels and the second signal information for the second 20 MHZ channel.
Regarding claim 24, instant application discloses a method, comprising:
constructing an Extremely High Throughput (EHT) Physical Protocol Data Unit
(PPDU); and transmitting the EHT PPDU,
wherein the EHT PPDU includes a signal field,
wherein the signal field includes Punctured Channel Information,
wherein the Punctured Channel Information includes a bitmap that indicates which 20
MHz subchannel is punctured in an 80 MHz frequency subblock,
wherein the bitmap is indexed by 20 MHz subchannels in ascending order with a first
bit indicating a lowest frequency 20 MHz subchannel,
wherein a value of zero in the bitmap indicates a corresponding 20 MHz subchannel is
punctured, wherein eight allowed punctured patterns are defined based on the bitmap.
Regarding claim 1, US Patent No. 12,177,014 discloses a method in a wireless Local Area Network (LAN) system, the method comprising: receiving, by a receiving station (STA), a Physical Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) through a first band from a transmitting STA; and decoding, by the receiving STA, the PPDU, wherein the PPDU includes a Universal-Signal (U-SIG) field and an Extremely High Throughput-Signal (EHT-SIG) field, wherein the U-SIG field includes first information on a bandwidth of the first band PPDU, second information on a PPDU type, whether the PPDU is single user (SU) PPDU or multi user (MU) PPDU and third information on a pattern of preamble puncturing for each 80MHz frequency subblock, wherein the each 80MHz frequency subblock includes first to fourth 20 MHz channels, wherein based on the PPDU being the MU PPDU, the EHT-SIG field includes first signal information for the first 20 MHz channel and second signal information for the second 20 MHz channel, the first signal information for the first 20 MHz channel is duplicated for the third 20 MHz channel, and the second signal information for the second 20 MHz channel is duplicated for the fourth 20 MHz channel, and wherein based on the PPDU being the SU PPDU, the EHT-SIG field includes third signal information duplicated on every 20 MHz channel of the first to fourth 20 MHz channels.
Regarding claim 4, US Patent No. 12,177,014 discloses wherein the third information is set as a 4-bit bitmap for the each 80MHz frequency subblock, wherein based on the 4-bit bitmap being set to 0111, the first 20 MHz channel is punctured, and the EHT-SIG field includes the first signal information for the third 20 MHz channel and the second signal information for the second and fourth 20 MHz channels, wherein based on the 4-bit bitmap being set to 1011, the second 20 MHz channel is punctured, and the EHT-SIG field includes the first signal information for the first and third 20 MHz channels and the second signal information for the fourth 20 MHz channel, wherein based on the 4-bit bitmap being set to 1101, the third 20 MHz channel is punctured, and the EHT-SIG field includes the first signal information for the first 20 MHz channel and the second signal information for the second and fourth 20 MHz channels, wherein based on the 4-bit bitmap being set to 1110, the fourth 20 MHz channel is punctured, and the EHT-SIG field includes the first signal information for the first and third 20 MHz channels and the second signal information for the second 20 MHz channel.
Regarding claim 25, instant application discloses wherein the bitmap has (i) a first value to indicate a first 20 MHz subchannel to a fourth 20 MHz subchannel being non-punctured, (ii) a second value to indicate the second and third 20 MHz subchannels being punctured, (iii) a third value to indicate the second 20 MHz subchannel being punctured, (iv) a fourth value to indicate the third and fourth 20 MHz subchannels being punctured, (v) a fifth value to indicate the third 20 MHz subchannel being punctured, and (vi) a sixth value to indicate the fourth 20 MHz subchannel being punctured
Regarding claim 4, US Patent No. 12,177,014 discloses wherein the third information is set as a 4-bit bitmap for the each 80MHz frequency subblock, wherein based on the 4-bit bitmap being set to 0111, the first 20 MHz channel is punctured, and the EHT-SIG field includes the first signal information for the third 20 MHz channel and the second signal information for the second and fourth 20 MHz channels, wherein based on the 4-bit bitmap being set to 1011, the second 20 MHz channel is punctured, and the EHT-SIG field includes the first signal information for the first and third 20 MHz channels and the second signal information for the fourth 20 MHz channel, wherein based on the 4-bit bitmap being set to 1101, the third 20 MHz channel is punctured, and the EHT-SIG field includes the first signal information for the first 20 MHz channel and the second signal information for the second and fourth 20 MHz channels, wherein based on the 4-bit bitmap being set to 1110, the fourth 20 MHz channel is punctured, and the EHT-SIG field includes the first signal information for the first and third 20 MHz channels and the second signal information for the second 20 MHz channel.
Regarding claim 26, instant application discloses wherein the bitmap has a length of 4 bits.
Regarding claim 4, US Patent No. 12,177,014 discloses wherein the third information is set as a 4-bit bitmap for the each 80MHz frequency subblock, wherein based on the 4-bit bitmap being set to 0111, the first 20 MHz channel is punctured, and the EHT-SIG field includes the first signal information for the third 20 MHz channel and the second signal information for the second and fourth 20 MHz channels, wherein based on the 4-bit bitmap being set to 1011, the second 20 MHz channel is punctured, and the EHT-SIG field includes the first signal information for the first and third 20 MHz channels and the second signal information for the fourth 20 MHz channel, wherein based on the 4-bit bitmap being set to 1101, the third 20 MHz channel is punctured, and the EHT-SIG field includes the first signal information for the first 20 MHz channel and the second signal information for the second and fourth 20 MHz channels, wherein based on the 4-bit bitmap being set to 1110, the fourth 20 MHz channel is punctured, and the EHT-SIG field includes the first signal information for the first and third 20 MHz channels and the second signal information for the second 20 MHz channel.
Regarding claim 27, instant application discloses wherein the EHT PPDU further includes an EHT signal (EHT-SIG) field, wherein the EHT-SIG field is duplicated on every 20 MHz subchannel in the 80 MHz frequency subblock.
Regarding claim 1, US Patent No. 12,177,014 discloses a method in a wireless Local Area Network (LAN) system, the method comprising: receiving, by a receiving station (STA), a Physical Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) through a first band from a transmitting STA; and decoding, by the receiving STA, the PPDU, wherein the PPDU includes a Universal-Signal (U-SIG) field and an Extremely High Throughput-Signal (EHT-SIG) field, wherein the U-SIG field includes first information on a bandwidth of the first band PPDU, second information on a PPDU type, whether the PPDU is single user (SU) PPDU or multi user (MU) PPDU and third information on a pattern of preamble puncturing for each 80MHz frequency subblock, wherein the each 80MHz frequency subblock includes first to fourth 20 MHz channels, wherein based on the PPDU being the MU PPDU, the EHT-SIG field includes first signal information for the first 20 MHz channel and second signal information for the second 20 MHz channel, the first signal information for the first 20 MHz channel is duplicated for the third 20 MHz channel, and the second signal information for the second 20 MHz channel is duplicated for the fourth 20 MHz channel, and wherein based on the PPDU being the SU PPDU, the EHT-SIG field includes third signal information duplicated on every 20 MHz channel of the first to fourth 20 MHz channels.
Regarding claim 28, instant application discloses wherein the allowed punctured patterns vary for different 80 MHz frequency subblocks.
Regarding claim 4, US Patent No. 12,177,014 discloses wherein the third information is set as a 4-bit bitmap for the each 80MHz frequency subblock, wherein based on the 4-bit bitmap being set to 0111, the first 20 MHz channel is punctured, and the EHT-SIG field includes the first signal information for the third 20 MHz channel and the second signal information for the second and fourth 20 MHz channels, wherein based on the 4-bit bitmap being set to 1011, the second 20 MHz channel is punctured, and the EHT-SIG field includes the first signal information for the first and third 20 MHz channels and the second signal information for the fourth 20 MHz channel, wherein based on the 4-bit bitmap being set to 1101, the third 20 MHz channel is punctured, and the EHT-SIG field includes the first signal information for the first 20 MHz channel and the second signal information for the second and fourth 20 MHz channels, wherein based on the 4-bit bitmap being set to 1110, the fourth 20 MHz channel is punctured, and the EHT-SIG field includes the first signal information for the first and third 20 MHz channels and the second signal information for the second 20 MHz channel.
Regarding claim 29, instant application discloses station, comprising:
at least one processor; and at least one computer memory operatively connected to the at least one processor and
storing instructions that, based on being executed by the at least one processor, perform operations comprising:
constructing an Extremely High Throughput (EHT) Physical Protocol Data Unit
(PPDU); and transmitting the EHT PPDU,
wherein the EHT PPDU includes a signal field,
wherein the signal field includes Punctured Channel Information,
wherein the Punctured Channel Information includes a bitmap that indicates which 20
MHz subchannel is punctured in an 80 MHz frequency subblock,
wherein the bitmap is indexed by 20 MHz subchannels in ascending order with a first
bit indicating a lowest frequency 20 MHz subchannel,
wherein a value of zero in the bitmap indicates a corresponding 20 MHz subchannel is
punctured, wherein eight allowed punctured patterns are defined based on the bitmap.
Regarding claim 7, US Patent No. 12,177,014 discloses a receiving station (STA) in a wireless Local Area Network (LAN), the receiving STA comprising: a memory; a transceiver; and a processor operatively coupled to the memory and the transceiver, wherein the processor is configured to: receive a Physical Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) through a first band from a transmitting STA; and decode the PPDU, wherein the PPDU includes a Universal-Signal (U-SIG) field and an Extremely High Throughput-Signal (EHT-SIG) field, wherein the U-SIG field includes first information on a bandwidth of the PPDU, second information on a PPDU type, whether the PPDU is single user (SU) PPDU or multi user (MU) PPDU and third information on a pattern of a preamble puncturing for each 80MHz frequency subblock, wherein the each 80MHz frequency subblock includes first to fourth 20 MHz channels, wherein based on the PPDU being the MU PPDU, the EHT-SIG field includes first signal information for the first 20 MHz channel and second signal information for the second 20 MHz channel, the first signal information for the first 20 MHz channel is duplicated for the third 20 MHz channel, and the second signal information for the second 20 MHz channel is duplicated for the fourth 20 MHz channel, and wherein based on the PPDU being the SU PPDU, the EHT-SIG field includes third signal information duplicated on every 20 MHz channel of the first to fourth 20 MHz channels.
Regarding claim 11, US Patent No. 12,177,014 discloses wherein the third information is set as a 4-bit bitmap for each 80MHz frequency subblock,
wherein based on the 4-bit bitmap being set to 0111, the first 20 MHz channel is
punctured, and the EHT-SIG field includes the first signal information for the third 20 MHz channel and the second signal information for the second and fourth 20 MHz channels, wherein based on the 4-bit bitmap being set to 1011, the second 20 MHz channel is punctured, and the EHT-SIG field includes the first signal information for the first and third 20 MHz channels and the second signal information for the fourth 20 MHz channel, wherein based on the 4-bit bitmap being set to 1101, the third 20 MHz channel is punctured, and the EHT-SIG field includes the first signal information for the first 20 MHz channel and the second signal information for the second and fourth 20 MHz channels, wherein based on the 4-bit bitmap being set to 1110, the fourth 20 MHz channel is punctured, and the EHT-SIG field includes the first signal information for the first and third 20.
Regarding claim 30, instant application discloses wherein the bitmap has (i) a first value to indicate a first 20 MHz subchannel to a fourth 20 MHz subchannel being non-punctured, (ii) a second value to indicate the second and third 20 MHz subchannels being punctured, (iii) a third value to indicate the second 20 MHz subchannel being punctured, (iv) a fourth value to indicate the third and fourth 20 MHz subchannels being punctured, (v) a fifth value to indicate the third 20 MHz subchannel being punctured, and (vi) a sixth value to indicate the fourth 20 MHz subchannel being punctured.
Regarding claim 11, US Patent No. 12,177,014 discloses wherein the third information is set as a 4-bit bitmap for the each 80MHz frequency subblock,
wherein based on the 4-bit bitmap being set to 0111, the first 20 MHz channel is
punctured, and the EHT-SIG field includes the first signal information for the third 20 MHz channel and the second signal information for the second and fourth 20 MHz channels, wherein based on the 4-bit bitmap being set to 1011, the second 20 MHz channel is punctured, and the EHT-SIG field includes the first signal information for the first and third 20 MHz channels and the second signal information for the fourth 20 MHz channel, wherein based on the 4-bit bitmap being set to 1101, the third 20 MHz channel is punctured, and the EHT-SIG field includes the first signal information for the first 20 MHz channel and the second signal information for the second and fourth 20 MHz channels, wherein based on the 4-bit bitmap being set to 1110, the fourth 20 MHz channel is punctured, and the EHT-SIG field includes the first signal information for the first and third 20.
Regarding claim 31, instant application discloses wherein the bitmap has a length of 4 bits.
Regarding claim 11, US Patent No. 12,177,014 discloses wherein the third information is set as a 4-bit bitmap for the each 80MHz frequency subblock,
wherein based on the 4-bit bitmap being set to 0111, the first 20 MHz channel is
punctured, and the EHT-SIG field includes the first signal information for the third 20 MHz channel and the second signal information for the second and fourth 20 MHz channels, wherein based on the 4-bit bitmap being set to 1011, the second 20 MHz channel is punctured, and the EHT-SIG field includes the first signal information for the first and third 20 MHz channels and the second signal information for the fourth 20 MHz channel, wherein based on the 4-bit bitmap being set to 1101, the third 20 MHz channel is punctured, and the EHT-SIG field includes the first signal information for the first 20 MHz channel and the second signal information for the second and fourth 20 MHz channels, wherein based on the 4-bit bitmap being set to 1110, the fourth 20 MHz channel is punctured, and the EHT-SIG field includes the first signal information for the first and third 20.
Regarding claim 32, instant application discloses wherein the EHT PPDU further includes an EHT signal (EHT-SIG) field, wherein the EHT-SIG field is duplicated on every 20 MHz subchannel in the 80 MHz frequency subblock.
Regarding claim 7, US Patent No. 12,177,014 discloses a receiving station (STA) in a wireless Local Area Network (LAN), the receiving STA comprising: a memory; a transceiver; and a processor operatively coupled to the memory and the transceiver, wherein the processor is configured to: receive a Physical Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) through a first band from a transmitting STA; and decode the PPDU, wherein the PPDU includes a Universal-Signal (U-SIG) field and an Extremely High Throughput-Signal (EHT-SIG) field, wherein the U-SIG field includes first information on a bandwidth of the PPDU, second information on a PPDU type, whether the PPDU is single user (SU) PPDU or multi user (MU) PPDU and third information on a pattern of a preamble puncturing for each 80MHz frequency subblock, wherein the each 80MHz frequency subblock includes first to fourth 20 MHz channels, wherein based on the PPDU being the MU PPDU, the EHT-SIG field includes first signal information for the first 20 MHz channel and second signal information for the second 20 MHz channel, the first signal information for the first 20 MHz channel is duplicated for the third 20 MHz channel, and the second signal information for the second 20 MHz channel is duplicated for the fourth 20 MHz channel, and wherein based on the PPDU being the SU PPDU, the EHT-SIG field includes third signal information duplicated on every 20 MHz channel of the first to fourth 20 MHz channels.
Regarding claim 33, instant application discloses wherein the allowed punctured patterns vary for different 80 MHz frequency subblocks.
Regarding claim 11, US Patent No. 12,177,014 discloses wherein the third information is set as a 4-bit bitmap for the each 80MHz frequency subblock,
wherein based on the 4-bit bitmap being set to 0111, the first 20 MHz channel is
punctured, and the EHT-SIG field includes the first signal information for the third 20 MHz channel and the second signal information for the second and fourth 20 MHz channels, wherein based on the 4-bit bitmap being set to 1011, the second 20 MHz channel is punctured, and the EHT-SIG field includes the first signal information for the first and third 20 MHz channels and the second signal information for the fourth 20 MHz channel, wherein based on the 4-bit bitmap being set to 1101, the third 20 MHz channel is punctured, and the EHT-SIG field includes the first signal information for the first 20 MHz channel and the second signal information for the second and fourth 20 MHz channels, wherein based on the 4-bit bitmap being set to 1110, the fourth 20 MHz channel is punctured, and the EHT-SIG field includes the first signal information for the first and third 20.
Allowable Subject Matter
There is no prior art rejection. A terminal disclaimer has to be filed to overcome the NSDP.
Conclusion
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MOHAMMAD S. ANWAR
Primary Examiner
Art Unit 2463
/MOHAMMAD S ANWAR/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2463