`ges=tiex
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`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARKOFFICE
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`Seed IP Law Group LLP/Panasonic (PIPCA)
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`SONG, REBECCA E
`
`2414
`
`DATE MAILED: 10/27/2021
`
`APPLICATION NO.
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`FILING DATE
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`FIRST NAMED INVENTOR
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`ATTORNEY DOCKETNO.
`
`CONFIRMATIONNO.
`
`16/934,576
`
`07/21/2020
`
`LEI HUANG
`
`731456.514C2
`
`5001
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`TITLE OF INVENTION: TRANSMITTING APPARATUS AND RECEIVING APPARATUS
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`FIRST NAMED INVENTOR
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`ATTORNEY DOCKETNO.
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`CONFIRMATIONNO.
`
`16/934,576
`
`07/21/2020
`
`LEI HUANG
`
`731456.514C2
`
`5001
`
`TITLE OF INVENTION: TRANSMITTING APPARATUS AND RECEIVING APPARATUS
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`
`
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`APPLN. TYPE PUBLICATION FEE DUE|PREV. PAID ISSUE FEEENTITY STATUS ISSUE FEE DUE TOTAL FEE(S) DUE DATE DUE
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`EXAMINER
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`ART UNIT
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`CLASS-SUBCLASS
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`SONG, REBECCA E
`
`2414
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`370-329000
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`1. Change of correspondenceaddressor indication of "Fee Address” (37
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`(I Change of correspondence address (or Change of Correspondence
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`USS. Patent and Trademark Office; U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
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`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
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`APPLICATION NO.
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`FILING DATE
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`FIRST NAMED INVENTOR
`
`ATTORNEY DOCKETNO.
`
`CONFIRMATIONNO.
`
`16/934,576
`
`07/21/2020
`
`LEI HUANG
`
`731456.514C2
`
`5001
`
`125045
`
`7590
`
`10/27/2021
`
`Seed IP Law Group LLP/Panasonic (PIPCA)
`701 5th Avenue, Suite 5400
`
`SONG, REBECCA E
`
`2414
`
`DATE MAILED: 10/27/2021
`
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`

`

`.
`
`.
`
`16/934,576
`
`HUANG etal.
`
`REBECCA E SONG
`
`2414
`
`Yes
`
`-- The MAILING DATEof this communication appears on the cover sheet with the correspondence address--
`All claims being allowable, PROSECUTION ON THE MERITS IS (OR REMAINS) CLOSED in this application. If not included
`herewith (or previously mailed), a Notice of Allowance (PTOL-85) or other appropriate communication will be mailed in due course. THIS
`NOTICE OF ALLOWABILITY IS NOT A GRANTOF PATENTRIGHTS.This application is subject to withdrawal from issue at the initiative
`of the Office or upon petition by the applicant. See 37 CFR 1.313 and MPEP 1308.
`1.{¥] This communication is responsive to 10/7/21.
`(J A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/werefiled on
`
`.
`
`2._) Anelection was madebythe applicant in responseto a restriction requirementset forth during the interview on
`restriction requirement and election have been incorporatedinto this action.
`
`; the
`
`3.{¥) The allowed claim(s) is/are 1-10 . As a result of the allowed claim(s), you maybeeligible to benefit from the Patent Prosecution
`Highwayprogram at a participating intellectual property office for the corresponding application. For more information, please see
`http:/Awww.uspto.gov/patents/init_events/pph/index.jsp or send an inquiry to PPHfeedback@uspto.gov.
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`“ Certified copies not received:
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`Applicant has THREE MONTHS FROM THE "MAILING DATE"of this communication to file a reply complying with the requirements
`noted below.Failure to timely comply will result in ABANDONMENT ofthis application.
`THIS THREE-MONTH PERIOD IS NOT EXTENDABLE.
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`5._) CORRECTED DRAWINGS (as "replacement sheets") must be submitted.
`(} including changes required by the attached Examiner's Amendment / Commentor in the Office action of
`Paper No./Mail Date
`.
`Identifying indicia such as the application number (see 37 CFR 1.84(c)) should be written on the drawingsin the front (not the back) of each
`sheet. Replacement sheet(s) should be labeled as such in the header according to 37 CFR 1.121(d).
`
`6.LJ DEPOSIT OFand/or INFORMATION aboutthe deposit of BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL must be submitted. Note the
`attached Examiner's comment regarding REQUIREMENT FOR THE DEPOSIT OF BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL.
`
`4[¥] Acknowledgmentis made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d) or (f).
`Certified copies:
`c) () Noneofthe:
`a) MAI
`b) (] Some*
`1.
`Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`2. (J Certified copies of the priority documents have been received in Application No.
`3. (J Copiesof the certified copies of the priority documents have been receivedin this national stage application from the
`International Bureau (PCT Rule 17.2(a)).
`
`Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2414
`
`Attachment(s)
`
`1.{¥] Notice of References Cited (PTO-892) 5.YjExaminer's Amendment/Comment
`
`2.{Y} Information Disclosure Statements (PTO/SB/08), 6.lv}Examiner's Statement of Reasonsfor Allowance
`Paper No./Mail Date 7/21/20; 5/13/21.
`3.1 Examiner's Comment Regarding Requirementfor Deposit
`of Biological Material
`.
`4.() Interview Summary (PTO-413),
`Paper No./Mail Date.
`/REBECCA E SONG/
`
`7. LD Other
`
`.
`
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`PTOL-37 (Rev. 08-13)
`
`Notice of Allowability
`
`.
`Part of Paper No./Mail Date 20211005
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/934,576
`Art Unit: 2414
`
`Page 2
`
`DETAILED ACTION
`
`Notice of Pre-AlA or AIA Status
`
`1.
`
`The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first
`
`inventor to file provisions of the AIA.
`
`2.
`
`Claims 1-10 are pending in this application.
`
`Information Disclosure Statement
`
`3.
`
`The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 7/21/20; 5/13/21 was filed in
`
`compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statementis
`
`being considered by the examiner.
`
`EXAMINER’S AMENDMENT
`
`4.
`
`An examiner’s amendmentto the record appears below. Should the changes and/or additions
`
`be unacceptable to applicant, an amendment maybefiled as provided by 37 CFR 1.312. To ensure
`
`consideration of such an amendment, it MUST be submitted no later than the paymentof the issue fee.
`
`Authorization for this examiner’s amendmentwas given in an email of Applicant’s
`
`representative Ms. Shoko Leek on 10/6/21.
`
`Please amend the claims as below:
`
`1.
`
`A reception apparatus comprising:
`
`a receiving circuit which, in operation, receives a MAC frame from a
`
`transmission apparatus over a primary channel, the MAC frame includingafirst type of
`
`schedule element and a second type of schedule element, the first type of schedule
`
`element corresponding to channel allocation(s) over the primary channel and the
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/934,576
`Art Unit: 2414
`
`Page 3
`
`second type of schedule element corresponding to channel allocations over a plurality
`
`of channels; and
`
`a signal processing circuit which, in operation, determines the channel
`
`allocations over the plurality of channels, by using at least the second type of schedule
`
`element included in the MAC frame,
`
`wherein for a channel allocation wherethe plurality of channels includes the
`
`primary channel,
`
`the first type of schedule element includes an Allocation field
`
`containing allocation time information; and
`
`the second type of schedule element includes a Channel
`
`Allocation field containing supplemental allocation information to the Allocation field in
`
`the first type of schedule element, and
`
`wherein for another channel allocation where the plurality of channels
`
`does not include the primary channel,
`
`the second type of schedule element includes a Channel
`
`Allocation field containing complete allocation information regarding the etkeranother
`
`channel allocation over the plurality of channels.
`
`Double Patenting
`
`5.
`
`Claims 1-10 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable
`
`over claims 7-16 of U.S. Patent No. 10,757,723. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are
`
`not patentably distinct from each other because while directed to different apparatus (i.e., a reception
`
`apparatus in instant application and a transmission apparatus in the reference patent), both instant
`
`application and the references patent recite apparatus performing generalized complimentary functions
`
`with the same features. The mapping of claims comparison is provided as below.
`
`Referenced Patent No. 10,757,723 A reception apparatus comprising:[7~~ a transmission apparatus comprising:
`
`Instant Application
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/934,576
`Art Unit: 2414
`
`
`Page 4
`
`a receiving circuit which, in operation,
`receives a MAC frame from a
`
`LYarisrnissian anoaratus aver 3a primary
`channel, the MAC frame including a first
`type of schedule elernent and a second
`type of schedule element, the first type
`of schedule element corresponding ta
`channel allocation{s} aver the primary
`channel and the second type of schedule
`element corresponding ta channel
`allocations over a plurality of channels:
`and @ signal processing circult which, in
`operation, determines the channel
`allocations over the plurality of channels,
`by using at igast the second type of
`schedule elernent inchided in the MAC
`
`frame,
`wherein fora channel alocation where
`
`the mlurality of channels includes the
`primary channel, the first type of
`schedule element includes an AHocation
`
`field cartaining allocation time
`information; and the secand tyne af
`schedule element includes a Charinel
`
`4 transrnission-signal generating circuit
`which, in operation, generates a MAC
`frame including a first type of schedule
`elernent and a second type of schechile
`elernent, the first type of schedule
`elernent corresponding to channel
`allocation(s} aver a primary channel and
`the second type of schedule elerment
`a
`corresponding ta channel allocatian(s}
`over a slurality of channels:
`
`and a transmitting circuit which, in
`operation, transmits the generated MAC
`frame over the primary channel,
`
`wherein, for a channel allocation where
`the nlurality of channels includes the
`primary channel, the first type of
`schedule element includes an Allocation
`
`field containing allocation time
`information; and the secand type of
`schedule element includes a Channel
`
`aver the plurality of channels.
`
`where the plurality of channels does not
`include the primary channel, the second
`type of schedule element includes a
`Channel Allocation Held containing
`complete allocation information
`regarding the other channel allocation
`over the plurality of channels.
`
`Allocation field containing supclermental
`allocation information to the Albocation
`
`Allocation field containing sunmlernental
`allocation information to the Allocation
`
`field in the first tyoe of schedule element,
`and
`
`field in the first tyioe of schedule element,
`and
`
`wherein for another channel allocation
`
`wherein for another channel allocation
`
`where the plurality of channeis does not
`include the crimary channel, the second
`type of schedule element inchices a
`Channel Allocation Held containing
`complete allocation information
`regarding the other channel allocation
`
`The terminal disclaimer filed on 10/7/21 overcomes the double patenting rejection.
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`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/934,576
`Art Unit: 2414
`
`Page 5
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`Allowable Subject Matter
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`Claims 1-10 are allowed.
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`The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance:
`
`6.
`
`7.
`
`A search has been performed and no prior art has been found that solely, or in any reasonable
`
`combination, reads on the claims as recited, “wherein for a channe/ alfacation where the plurality of
`
`chonneis includes the primary channel, the first type of schedule element inciudes an Allocation field
`
`containing allocation time information; and the secand tyne of schedure element includes a Channei
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`Affocation field containing supplemental allocation information ta the Allocation field in the first type of
`
`schedule element, and wherein for another channel allocation where the plurality of channels does nat
`
`include the primary channel, the second type of schedule element inciudes a Channel Allocation feid
`
`containing compete allocation information regarding the ather channe/ allocation over the olurality of
`
`channels” {claims 1, G}. The closest prior art found, which was previously cited, is as follows:
`
`Huangetal. (U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019/0110285), whichis directed to
`
`resource allocation notification method and apparatus; and teaches that a terminal device performs
`
`multi-channel extension transmission needs to first obtain primary allocation information by using an
`
`allocation field in the existing extended schedule element, then obtain supplementary allocation
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`information by using an allocation field in the new extended schedule element (par [0112]); if the
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`wireless access point allocates only one channel to a terminal device, the terminal device needs to
`
`obtain only the allocation information in the existing extended schedule element, and does not need to
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`obtain allocation information in a new extended schedule element (par [0113]);
`
`Cariou et al. (U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019/0159239), which is directed to
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`centralized channel access for primary and secondary channels in a wireless local-area network; and
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`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/934,576
`Art Unit: 2414
`
`Page 6
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`teaches that PCP/AP can only be one of the STAsallocated in the secondary channels if it is not
`
`scheduled in the primary allocation (par [0028));
`
`Park et al. (U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018/0255537), which is directed to
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`operation method in wireless LAN system and apparatus therefor; and teachesthatif the at least one
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`channel except the primary channelis allocated to STAs, the STAs is unable to use the primary channel
`
`of the system, and thus,it is necessary to establish a configuration for using a separate channel as a
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`primary channel during a period in which the at least one separate channel that can be used as the
`
`primary channel (par [0090]); and
`
`Lou et al. (U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019/0208463), which is directed to multi-
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`channel setup mechanisms and waveform designs for millimeter wave (MMW)systems; and teaches
`
`AP/PCP transmits a beacon frame sent on the primary channel and includes at least a multi-channel
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`SP/CBAPallocation (par [0104]); an extended schedule information element is used to carry SP/CBAP
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`scheduling information, and extended to signal additional information (par [0124]).
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`None of these references, taken alone or in any reasonable combination, teach the claims as
`
`recited, “wherein for a channel allocation where the plurality of channels includes the primary channel,
`
`the first typeof schedule element includes an Allocation field containing allocation time information; and
`
`the second typeof schedule element includes a Channel Allocation Field containing supplemental
`
`allocation information to the Allocation field in the first type of schedule element, and wherein for
`
`another channel allocation where the plurality of channels does not include the prirnary channel, the
`
`second type of schedule element includes a Channel Allocation field containing complete allocation
`
`information regarding the other channel! allocation over the plurality of channels” {claims 1, G}in
`
`conjunction with otherlimitations recited in the claims, and thus the claims are allowed over the prior
`
`art of record.
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`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/934,576
`Art Unit: 2414
`
`Page 7
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`Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later than the payment
`
`of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably accompanythe issue fee. Such
`
`submissions should beclearly labeled “Comments on Statement of Reasons for Allowance.”
`
`Conclusion
`
`Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner
`
`should be directed to REBECCA E SONG whosetelephone numberis (571)270-3667. The examiner can
`
`normally be reached Monday-Friday: 8-4 PM.
`
`Examiner interviewsare available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a
`
`USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use
`
`the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at
`
`If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor,
`
`Edan Orgad can be reached on 5712727884. The fax phone number for the organization where this
`
`application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
`
`Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from
`
`Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To
`
`file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit
`
`https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and
`
`https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information aboutfiling in DOCX format. For additional
`
`questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like
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`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/934,576
`Art Unit: 2414
`
`Page 8
`
`assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA)or
`
`571-272-1000.
`
`/REBECCA E SONG/
`Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2414
`
`