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`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and TrademarkOffice
`Address; COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450
`
`16/768,354
`
`05/29/2020
`
`Lei HUANG
`
`733456.560USPC
`
`1954
`
`Seed IP Law Group LLP/Panasonic (PIPCA)
`701 5th Avenue, Suite 5400
`Seattle, WA 98104
`
`ANWAR, MOHAMMADS
`
`ART UNIT
`
`2463
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`NOTIFICATION DATE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`07/07/2021
`
`ELECTRONIC
`
`Please find below and/or attached an Office communication concerning this application or proceeding.
`
`The time period for reply, if any, is set in the attached communication.
`
`Notice of the Office communication was sent electronically on above-indicated "Notification Date" to the
`following e-mail address(es):
`USPTOeAction @ SeedIP.com
`
`pairlinkdktg @seedip.com
`
`PTOL-90A (Rev. 04/07)
`
`

`

`
`
`Disposition of Claims*
`10-27 is/are pending in the application.
`)
`Claim(s)
`5a) Of the above claim(s) ___ is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`C} Claim(s)
`is/are allowed.
`Claim(s) 10-27 is/are rejected.
`S)
`) © Claim(s)____is/are objected to.
`Cj) Claim(s
`are subjectto restriction and/or election requirement
`)
`S)
`* If any claims have been determined allowable, you maybeeligible to benefit from the Patent Prosecution Highway program at a
`participating intellectual property office for the corresponding application. For more information, please see
`http://www.uspto.gov/patents/init_events/pph/index.jsp or send an inquiry to PPHfeedback@uspto.gov.
`
`) )
`
`Application Papers
`10)( The specification is objected to by the Examiner.
`11){¥} The drawing(s) filed on 29 May 2020is/are: a)(¥) accepted or b)(J objected to by the Examiner.
`Applicant may not request that any objection to the drawing(s) be held in abeyance. See 37 CFR 1.85(a).
`Replacement drawing sheet(s) including the correction is required if the drawing(s) is objected to. See 37 CFR 1.121 (d).
`
`Priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119
`12) Acknowledgment is made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d)or (f).
`Certified copies:
`_—_c)L) None ofthe:
`b)L) Some**
`a)¥) All
`1.4) Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`2.2) Certified copies of the priority documents have been received in Application No.
`3.2.) Copies of the certified copies of the priority documents have been receivedin this National Stage
`application from the International Bureau (PCT Rule 17.2(a)).
`* See the attached detailed Office action for a list of the certified copies not received.
`
`Attachment(s)
`
`1)
`
`Notice of References Cited (PTO-892)
`
`Information Disclosure Statement(s) (PTO/SB/08a and/or PTO/SB/08b)
`2)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`
`3) (J Interview Summary (PTO-413)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date
`(Qj Other:
`
`4)
`
`PTOL-326 (Rev. 11-13)
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Part of Paper No./Mail Date 20210701
`
`Application No.
`Applicant(s)
`16/768,354
`HUANG etal.
`
`Office Action Summary Art Unit|AIA (FITF) StatusExaminer
`MOHAMMAD S ANWAR
`2463
`Yes
`
`
`
`-- The MAILING DATEofthis communication appears on the cover sheet with the correspondence address --
`Period for Reply
`
`A SHORTENED STATUTORY PERIOD FOR REPLYIS SET TO EXPIRE 3 MONTHS FROM THE MAILING
`DATE OF THIS COMMUNICATION.
`Extensions of time may be available underthe provisions of 37 CFR 1.136(a). In no event, however, may a reply betimely filed after SIX (6) MONTHSfrom the mailing
`date of this communication.
`If NO period for reply is specified above, the maximum statutory period will apply and will expire SIX (6) MONTHSfrom the mailing date of this communication.
`-
`- Failure to reply within the set or extended period for reply will, by statute, cause the application to become ABANDONED (35 U.S.C. § 133}.
`Any reply received by the Office later than three months after the mailing date of this communication, evenif timely filed, may reduce any earned patent term
`adjustment. See 37 CFR 1.704(b).
`
`Status
`
`1) Responsive to communication(s)filed on 29 May 2020.
`C) A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/werefiled on
`
`2a)L) This action is FINAL. 2b)¥)This action is non-final.
`3)02 An election was madeby the applicant in responseto a restriction requirement set forth during the interview
`on
`; the restriction requirement and election have been incorporated into this action.
`4\0) Since this application is in condition for allowance except for formal matters, prosecution as to the merits is
`closed in accordance with the practice under Exparte Quayle, 1935 C.D. 11, 453 O.G. 213.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/768,354
`Art Unit: 2463
`
`Page 2
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`DETAILED ACTION
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`Notice of Pre-AlA or AIA Status
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`1.
`
`The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined
`
`under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
`
`2.
`
`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 madein this Office action:
`
`A person shall be entitled to a patent unless —
`
`(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an
`application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the
`patent or application, as the case may be, namesanother inventor and waseffectively filed
`before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
`
`3.
`
`Claims 10-13, 15-16, 19-22 and 24-25 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as
`
`being anticipated by Abraham et al. (US 2018/0132176 A1, hereinafter “Abraham’).
`
`Regarding claim 10, Abraham discloses a transmission apparatus comprising:
`
`circuitry which, in operation, assigns a WUR (Wake up Radio) ID thatidentifies a station
`
`(see para. 0078, 0083 and 0086, paged device identifier or SSID hash field for an
`
`identifier of a station) and a WUR group ID that identifies a group of one or more
`
`stations (see para. 0143, each station is assigned a group ID); and a transmitter which,
`
`in operation, transmits a WUR frame containing a type field (see para, 0145, different
`
`type field) and an ID field which indicates either the WUR ID or the WUR group
`
`ID, wherein the WUR ID is not any of the WUR group ID (see para. 0143, WUR ID that
`
`identifies a station is a paging ID of a device and Group ID is separate ID assigned to
`
`multiple stations).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/768,354
`Art Unit: 2463
`
`Page 3
`
`Regarding claim 11, Abraham discloses wherein the WUR ID uniquely identifies
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`the station in a Basic Service Set (BSS) to which the transmission apparatus belongs,
`
`and the station is associated with the transmission apparatus (see para. 0113 and 0126,
`
`paged device ID with service setidentifier).
`
`Regarding claim 12, Abraham discloses wherein the WUR group ID uniquely
`
`identifies the group of one or morestations in a Basic Service Set (BSS) to which the
`
`transmission apparatus belongs, wherein each of the one or more stations is associated
`
`with the transmission apparatus (see para. 0113, 0126 and 0143).
`
`Regarding claim 13, Abraham discloses wherein the circuitry assigns a
`
`transmitter ID that identifies the transmission apparatus when the WUR frame is a
`
`broadcast WUR frame (see para. 0094 and 0127, sender identifier).
`
`Regarding claim 15, Abraham discloses wherein a portion of the WUR group ID
`
`is indicated to the one or more stations which are associated with the transmission
`
`apparatus during a WUR negotiation procedure (see para. 0143, 0072, and 0078).
`
`Regarding claim 16, Abraham discloses wherein the portion of the WUR group
`
`ID comprises a plurality of Least Significant Bits (LSBs) of the WUR group ID (see para.
`
`0140).
`
`Regarding claim 19, Abraham discloses a transmission method comprising:
`
`assigning a WUR (Wake up Radio) ID that identifies a station (see para. 0078, 0083
`
`and 0086, paged device identifier or SSID hashfield for an identifier of a station) anda
`
`WUR group ID that identifies a group of one or more stations (see para. 0143, each
`
`station is assigned a group ID); and transmitting a WUR frame containing a typefield
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/768,354
`Art Unit: 2463
`
`Page 4
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`(see para, 0145, different type field) and an ID field which indicates either the WUR ID
`
`or the WUR group ID, wherein the WUR ID is not any of the WUR group ID (see para.
`
`0143, WUR ID thatidentifies a station is a paging ID of a device and Group ID is
`
`separate ID assigned to multiple stations)
`
`Regarding claim 20, Abraham discloses wherein the WUR ID uniquely identifies
`
`the station in a Basic Service Set (BSS) (see para. 0113 and 0126, paged device ID
`
`with service set identifier).
`
`Regarding claim 21, Abraham discloses wherein the WUR group ID uniquely
`
`identifies the group of one or morestations in a Basic Service Set (BSS) (see para.
`
`0113 and 0126, paged device ID with service setidentifier).
`
`Regarding claim 22, Abraham discloses comprising: assigning a transmitter ID
`
`that identifies a transmission apparatus implementing the transmission method when
`
`the WUR frame is a broadcast WUR frame (see para. 0094 and 0127, sender identifier)
`
`Regarding claim 24, Abraham discloses wherein a portion of the WUR group ID
`
`is indicated to the one or more stations during a WUR negotiation procedure (see para.
`
`0143, 0072, and 0078).
`
`Regarding claim 25, Abraham discloses wherein the portion of the WUR group
`
`ID comprises a plurality of Least Significant Bits (LSBs) of the WUR group ID (see para.
`
`0140).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/768,354
`Art Unit: 2463
`
`Page 5
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`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
`
`4.
`
`The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all
`
`obviousnessrejections setforth in this Office action:
`
`A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed
`invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the
`claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have
`been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having
`ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be
`negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
`
`5.
`
`The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness
`
`under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized asfollows:
`
`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 presentin the application indicating
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`obviousness or nonobviousness.
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`6.
`
`This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the
`
`claims the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was
`
`commonly ownedasof the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any
`
`evidenceto the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to
`
`point out the inventor and effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly
`
`ownedas ofthe effectivefiling date of the later invention in order for the examiner to
`
`consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2)
`
`prior art against the later invention.
`
`7.
`
`Claims 14 and 23 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over
`
`Abraham in view of Aoyagi et al. (US 2014/0248914 A1, hereinafter “Aoyagi’).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/768,354
`Art Unit: 2463
`
`Page 6
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`Regarding claims 14 and 23, Abraham discloses all the subject matter
`
`wherein a value range of the WUR group ID is a subset of consecutive values obtained
`
`from an identifier's space. However, Aoyagi from a similar field of endeavor discloses
`
`wherein a value range of the WUR group ID is a subset of consecutive values obtained
`
`from an identifier's soace (see para. 0112 and 0120, see also Figure 9, steps S922,
`
`$913). Thus, it would have been obvious to one ordinary skill in the art before the
`
`effective filing date of the claimed invention was made to include Aoyagi identification
`
`scheme into Abraham group identification scheme. The method can be implementedin
`
`a WUR frame. The motivation of doing this is to resolve congestion (see para. 0022).
`
`8.
`
`Claims 17-18 and 26-27 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable
`
`over Abraham in view of Geng et al. (US 2016/0057692 A1, hereinafter “Geng’).
`
`Regarding claims 17 and 26, Abraham discloses all the subject matter but fails
`
`to mention wherein a value range of the WUR group ID is configurable. However, Geng
`
`from a similar field of endeavor discloses wherein a value range of the WUR group ID is
`
`configurable (see para. 0161 and 0199). Thus, it would have been obvious to one
`
`ordinaryskill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention was made
`
`to include Geng group ID scheme into Abraham group ID scheme. The method can be
`
`implemented in a WUR frame. The motivation of doing this is to reduce signaling burden
`
`on network (see para. 0006).
`
`Regarding claims 18 and 27, Abraham discloses all the subject matter but fails
`
`to mention wherein the value range of the WUR group ID is indicated to the one or more
`
`stations which are associated with the transmission apparatus. However, Geng from a
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/768,354
`Art Unit: 2463
`
`Page 7
`
`similar field of endeavor discloses wherein the value range of the WUR group ID is
`
`indicated to the one or morestations which are associated with the transmission
`
`apparatus (see para. 0161 and 0199). Thus, it would have been obvious to one ordinary
`
`skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention was made to
`
`include Geng group ID scheme into Abraham group ID scheme. The method can be
`
`implemented in a WUR frame. The motivation of doing this is to reduce signaling burden
`
`on network (see para. 0006).
`
`Conclusion
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`9.
`
`The prior art made of record and notrelied upon is considered pertinent to
`
`applicant's disclosure. Azizi et al. (US 20170111858 A1) discloses encoding
`
`identification of station or group of station (see claim 14 and paragraph 47).
`
`10.=Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the
`
`examiner should be directed to MOHAMMAD S ANWAR whosetelephone number is
`
`(571)270-5641. The examiner can normally be reached on M-F 8-8 EST.
`
`Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video
`
`conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-basedcollaboration tool. To schedule an
`
`interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request
`
`(AIR) at http:/Awww.uspto.gov/interviewpractice.
`
`If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner's
`
`supervisor, PANKAJ KUMAR can be reached on 571-272-3011. The fax phone number
`
`for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/768,354
`Art Unit: 2463
`
`Page 8
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`
`MOHAMMAD 8S. ANWAR
`Primary Examiner
`Art Unit 2463
`
`/MOHAMMAD S$ ANWAR/
`Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2463
`
`