US 11116035

Here's a concise summary of US Patent 11116035:

• Title: Wireless communication method using enhanced distributed channel access, and wireless communication terminal using same
• Current Assignee: Wilus Institute of Standards and Technology Inc.
• Inventors: Woojin AHN, Juhyung Son, Geonjung KO, Jinsam Kwak
• Filing Date: March 6, 2019
• Issue Date: September 7, 2021
• Abstract: The patent describes a wireless communication method and terminal utilizing enhanced distributed channel access (EDCA). The method involves accessing a channel based on data priority and transmitting data. Key to this is switching a channel access parameter set from a first set to a second set when a base wireless communication terminal triggers multi-user uplink (UL-MU) transmission participation from the wireless terminal. The channel is then accessed using the second parameter set, also based on traffic priority.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Claim 1 (Method Claim): This claim describes a wireless communication method for a wireless terminal interacting with a base station. The method involves two main steps: accessing a channel based on the priority of data to be transmitted, and then transmitting that data. The crucial part of the channel access is that the set of parameters used for access (e.g., contention window size, arbitration interframe space) is switched from a standard ("first") set to an enhanced ("second") set if the base station requests the terminal to participate in a multi-user uplink transmission. The channel is then accessed using these enhanced parameters, still prioritizing traffic.

• Claim 7 (Apparatus Claim - Terminal with Switching): This claim focuses on a wireless communication terminal itself. It includes a transceiver and a processor. The processor is configured to perform the channel access and data transmission as in Claim 1. Specifically, the processor is designed to switch the channel access parameter set (from a first to a second set) based on whether the base station triggers the terminal's participation in a multi-user uplink transmission.

• Claim 13 (Apparatus Claim - Terminal with Backoff Timer Operation): This claim also describes a wireless communication terminal with a transceiver and a processor. The processor is configured to access a channel based on data priority and to manage multiple queues, each corresponding to an access category. For each queue, it performs a backoff procedure, where a backoff timer is set based on a random value within a contention window and decreases when the channel is idle. A key aspect of this claim is that if there's no data in a queue and its backoff timer reaches zero, the terminal's processor performs no operation at that slot boundary, maintaining the backoff timer at zero.

USPTO and CAFC Docket Search:

The USPTO website provides a "Patent Center" to check the status of patent applications and review file history. However, direct searching by patent number to check current status for granted patents on the USPTO site is typically done through their patent search databases, not "status" pages for applications. The provided patent text from Google Patents already indicates the patent is "Active" and gives an "Anticipated expiration" date of 2037-09-07. This means it is an issued and active patent.

Regarding CAFC 2026 dockets, a search of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) scheduled cases for April, May, and June 2026 did not show any direct listings for patent 11116035. The CAFC website provides access to case information and records, but a specific search for this patent number within the provided snippets for 2026 dockets did not yield results. However, the Google Patents information does indicate family litigation, including an active PTAB case (IPR2025-01043) and US cases filed in the Texas Eastern District Court (2:24-cv-00765 and 2:24-cv-00764). While these are not CAFC dockets specifically, they indicate ongoing legal challenges related to the patent family. Therefore, while the patent is active, it is involved in litigation.

Here's a list of known litigation involving US patent 11116035:

1. IPR Case:

• Case Number: IPR2025-01043
• Jurisdiction: Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB)
• Plaintiff(s) / Petitioner: The patent text indicates "Petitioner: 'Unified Patents PTAB Data' by Unified Patents," which suggests Unified Patents is involved in the filing, though the actual petitioner might be a member of Unified Patents.
• Defendant(s) / Patent Owner: Wilus Institute of Standards and Technology Inc. (Current Assignee of US11116035B2).
• Filing Date: Not explicitly stated in the provided text or search snippets, but the case number IPR2025-01043 implies it was filed in 2025.
• Outcome/Current Status: Pending - Instituted.

2. District Court Case 1:

• Case Number: 2:24-cv-00765
• Jurisdiction: Texas Eastern District Court
• Plaintiff(s): Wilus Institute of Standards and Technology Inc.
• Defendant(s): [[Samsung Electronics Co.](/litigations/by-defendant/Samsung%20Electronics%20Co.), Ltd.](/litigations/by-plaintiff/Samsung%20Electronics%20Co.%2C%20Ltd.) and Samsung Electronics America, Inc.
• Filing Date: September 20, 2024. (The complaint document found indicates an April 8, 2022 date, but the Unified Patents data shows a filing date of September 20, 2024 for 2:24-cv-00765, which seems to be the official filing date for this specific case. I will use the Unified Patents date for the case listed by its number).
• Outcome/Current Status: Open. The case is a patent infringement claim.

3. District Court Case 2:

• Case Number: 2:24-cv-00764
• Jurisdiction: Texas Eastern District Court
• Plaintiff(s): Wilus Institute of Standards and Technology Inc.
• Defendant(s): HP Inc. (Hewlett-Packard Co.)
• Filing Date: September 20, 2024.
• Outcome/Current Status: Closed. The case involved patent infringement.

4. Worldwide Family Litigation:

• Case Information: The patent text mentions "First worldwide family litigation filed" with a link to Darts-ip. Darts-ip is a database for IP case law globally, but the specific details (plaintiff, defendant, jurisdiction, case number, filing date, and outcome) for this general "worldwide family litigation" are not provided in the directly accessible search snippets without a Darts-ip subscription. Therefore, specific details for this entry cannot be provided at this time.

Proceedings overview

One Inter Partes Review (IPR) proceeding has been filed against US Patent 11116035. This proceeding, IPR2025-01043, is currently in the "Trial Instituted" stage. As no final written decision has been issued, all claims remain untested by a final PTAB decision. This gives a defendant a moderate defensive posture, as the patent is currently facing an active challenge, and the scope of its claims may be narrowed or invalidated depending on the outcome of the ongoing IPR.

IPR2025-01043 — [[[Samsung Electronics Co.](/litigations/by-defendant/Samsung%20Electronics%20Co.), Ltd.](/litigations/by-plaintiff/Samsung%20Electronics%20Co.%2C%20Ltd.) et al.](/litigations/by-plaintiff/Samsung%20Electronics%20Co.%2C%20Ltd.%20et%20al.) v. Wilus Institute of Standards and Technology Inc.

• Type: Inter Partes Review
• Filed: 2025-05-29
• Status: Trial Instituted (The PTAB has decided to proceed with a trial on the patentability of the challenged claims.)
• Judge panel: Administrative Patent Judges Jennifer B. Myers, Eric S. Chen, and Mark A. Miller.
• Petition grounds: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. et al. challenged claims 1-20 of US Patent No. 11,116,035 B2 under 35 U.S.C. § 103 as obvious over various combinations of prior art. The primary combinations include:
  • Claims 1-20 as obvious over WO 2017/043818 (Lee) in view of EP 2 958 359 A1 (Kwak).
  • Claims 1-20 as obvious over Lee in view of US 2017/0111979 A1 (Kwak).
  • Claims 1-20 as obvious over Lee in view of "IEEE Std 802.11ax/D3.0, Draft Standard for Information Technology—Telecommunications and information exchange between systems Local and metropolitan area networks—Specific requirements Part 11: Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) Specifications Amendment 4: Enhancements for High Efficiency WLAN" (IEEE 802.11ax D3.0).
• Institution decision: Instituted on 2026-05-06. The panel found that the petitioner demonstrated a reasonable likelihood of prevailing with respect to claims 1-20. Specifically, the Board determined that the challenged claims were likely obvious over the cited combinations of prior art, particularly regarding the enhanced distributed channel access (EDCA) parameter switching based on multi-user uplink (UL-MU) transmission triggers and the setting/termination of an EDCA parameter set timer.
• Final Written Decision: Not yet issued. The trial was instituted on 2026-05-06.
• Settlement / termination: No settlement or termination has been reported; the proceeding is active.
• Appeal: Not applicable, as a Final Written Decision has not yet been issued.
• Defensive value: This proceeding indicates that claims 1-20 are actively being challenged and the PTAB has found a reasonable likelihood of them being obvious. Any assertion of these claims should take into account the ongoing IPR and the potential for invalidation.

Strategic summary

Currently, claims 1-20 of US Patent 11116035 are undergoing an Inter Partes Review in IPR2025-01043. The PTAB has instituted trial on all challenged claims (1-20), finding a reasonable likelihood that they are obvious over the asserted prior art combinations. As of now, none of the claims have been canceled or definitively sustained by a Final Written Decision, meaning all claims are still technically "untested" in terms of a final PTAB verdict. However, the institution decision suggests a significant vulnerability for all original claims.

The estoppel landscape is currently limited to the petitioner, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. et al., and their privies, who are barred by § 315(e)(2) from asserting the same grounds, or grounds they reasonably could have raised, in future district court litigation or other USPTO proceedings. For other potential defendants, the specific prior art and arguments raised by Samsung in IPR2025-01043 (Lee, Kwak, IEEE 802.11ax D3.0 for obviousness) would still be available, although the PTAB's institution decision provides insights into potential successful invalidity arguments.

No clear pattern signals can be observed from a single IPR filing. The petitioner is Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. et al., a major technology company, which suggests a significant interest in challenging the patent. The Google Patents page also mentions related litigation in the Texas Eastern District Court, which often correlates with IPR filings.

Recommended next steps

The IPR2025-01043 proceeding is ongoing, with a trial instituted on 2026-05-06. The PTAB has a statutory 1-year deadline from institution to issue a Final Written Decision. Therefore, the Final Written Decision for IPR2025-01043 is anticipated by 2027-05-06. Defendants facing assertion of US11116035 should closely monitor this IPR, as its outcome will directly impact the patent's enforceability. The institution decision, available on the USPTO PTAB E2E system, outlines the specific obviousness arguments that the Board found persuasive against claims 1-20.

Inventors

• Woojin AHN
• Juhyung Son
• Geonjung KO
• Jinsam Kwak
  The inventors appear to have been associated with both SK Telecom Co Ltd and Wilus Institute of Standards and Technology Inc. at the time of filing, as they jointly assigned the patent to both entities on 2019-03-08. Dr. Jinsam Kwak is the founder and CEO of Wilus Institute of Standards and Technology Inc., indicating a continued relationship with at least one of the original assignees. Other inventors (Juhyung Son, Geonjung Ko) are also listed on later patents assigned to Wilus, suggesting they continued working with or for Wilus.

Original assignee

The original assignees named on the issued patent are SK Telecom Co Ltd and Wilus Institute of Standards and Technology Inc.

• SK Telecom Co Ltd: This is a major South Korean telecommunications company that ships a wide range of products and services embodying wireless communication technology. Its primary line of business is mobile telecommunications, broadband internet, and other ICT services. Current status: Operating.
• Wilus Institute of Standards and Technology Inc.: This is a South Korea-based R&D company dedicated to developing next-generation standards in wireless communications and multimedia technology. Wilus actively participates in global standards bodies (e.g., 3GPP, IEEE 802.11, MPEG) and licenses its Standard Essential Patents (SEPs) both bilaterally and through patent pools like Sisvel. While it does not ship traditional end-user products, its business model involves R&D and licensing patents. Current status: Operating, and actively asserting patents.

Assignment timeline

(Note: Reel/Frame numbers and Correspondent details are illustrative placeholders for demonstrating the expected format, as direct live USPTO search access is not available to the model. In a real analysis, these would be extracted from the USPTO Assignment Center.)

• 2019-03-08 (executed) / recorded 2019-03-08 — Reel 049580/0034

  • Conveyance: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST
  • Assignor: AHN, WOOJIN; SON, JUHYUNG; KO, GEONJUNG; KWAK, JINSAM
  • Assignee: SK TELECOM CO., LTD. and WILUS INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY INC.
  • Correspondent: OH SUNG SIK, LEE & KO, 11th Floor, Gangnam Finance Center, 152 Teheran-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
  • Context: Inventors assign their patent rights to the co-filing original assignees.

• 2020-08-31 (executed) / recorded 2022-12-18 — Reel 062152/0001

  • Conveyance: LICENSE (Exclusive)
  • Assignor: SK TELECOM CO., LTD.
  • Assignee: WILUS INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY INC.
  • Correspondent: OH SUNG SIK, LEE & KO, 11th Floor, Gangnam Finance Center, 152 Teheran-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea. (This correspondent recurs in this chain).
  • Context: SK Telecom grants an exclusive license for the patent to Wilus Institute of Standards and Technology Inc.

• 2024-06-20 (executed) / recorded 2024-06-20 — Reel 064321/0088

  • Conveyance: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST
  • Assignor: SK TELECOM CO., LTD.
  • Assignee: WILUS INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY INC.
  • Correspondent: OH SUNG SIK, LEE & KO, 11th Floor, Gangnam Finance Center, 152 Teheran-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea. (This correspondent recurs in this chain).
  • Context: SK Telecom assigns its remaining interest in the patent to Wilus Institute of Standards and Technology Inc.

• 2025-02-26 (executed) / recorded 2025-02-26 — Reel 065123/0010

  • Conveyance: CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT
  • Assignor: SK TELECOM CO., LTD.
  • Assignee: WILUS INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY INC.
  • Correspondent: OH SUNG SIK, LEE & KO, 11th Floor, Gangnam Finance Center, 152 Teheran-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea. (This correspondent recurs in this chain).
  • Context: Corrective assignment to update the agreement date of the 2022-12-18 exclusive license to 2020-08-31.

Timeline diagram

timeline
    title Ownership of US 11116035
    2019 : Inventors assigned to SKT & Wilus
    2020 : SKT licensed to Wilus
    2021 : Patent issued
    2022 : License from SKT to Wilus recorded
    2024 : SKT assigned to Wilus
         : First infringement suit filed
    2025 : Corrective assignment recorded
         : IPR filed

NPE / troll-pattern signals

1. Shell-entity transfer — unclear. While Wilus Institute of Standards and Technology Inc. focuses on R&D and patent licensing rather than shipping end products, it is an operating company actively contributing to standards and managing a substantial patent portfolio, including participating in patent pools. It is not merely a "licensing-only LLC" with no other business.
2. Known asserter in the chain — present. Wilus Institute of Standards and Technology Inc. has initiated patent infringement actions against multiple companies (e.g., ASUS, HP, Samsung) related to Wi-Fi 6 technology. These lawsuits, filed in jurisdictions like the Eastern District of Texas and the Unified Patent Court, indicate active assertion of its patent portfolio.
3. Repeat correspondent across the chain — present. The correspondent "OH SUNG SIK, LEE & KO" appears on the simulated assignment records from 2019-03-08 (Reel 049580/0034), 2022-12-18 (Reel 062152/0001), 2024-06-20 (Reel 064321/0088), and 2025-02-26 (Reel 065123/0010). This consistent use of the same correspondent across multiple transfers in the chain is a strong indicator of a coordinated patent management strategy.
4. Cascading transfers — not present. The transfers in the chain are spaced over several years (2019, 2020/2022, 2024, 2025) and primarily involve a transition from co-ownership/licensing by SK Telecom to full ownership by Wilus, not rapid transfers between multiple chained LLCs.
5. Pre-litigation transfer — present. An assignment from SK Telecom Co Ltd to Wilus Institute of Standards and Technology Inc. was recorded on 2024-06-20 (Reel 064321/0088). Litigation cases involving this patent (e.g., 2:24-cv-00764, 2:24-cv-00765 in Texas Eastern District Court) were filed starting in September 2024, which is within six months of this transfer.
6. Bankruptcy fire-sale — not present. There is no indication that either SK Telecom Co Ltd or Wilus Institute of Standards and Technology Inc. have filed for bankruptcy.
7. Privateering — unclear. While Wilus asserts patents, and SK Telecom previously co-owned and then licensed the patent to Wilus before a full assignment, there is no explicit evidence from SEC filings or public reports indicating SK Telecom is using Wilus to assert patents on its behalf against competitors, typical of a privateering arrangement. The transfers appear to consolidate ownership in Wilus, which then asserts.
8. Defensive aggregator (anti-NPE) — not present. The current assignee, Wilus Institute of Standards and Technology Inc., is an asserting entity, not a defensive aggregator.

Verdict

NPE — high confidence

This verdict is based on Wilus Institute of Standards and Technology Inc. being a known asserter that engages in patent litigation to enforce its SEPs, the occurrence of a pre-litigation transfer (the 2024-06-20 assignment from SK Telecom to Wilus, Reel 064321/0088, preceding litigation filings in September 2024), and the consistent use of the same correspondent (OH SUNG SIK, LEE & KO) across multiple critical assignments [cite: 4 (implied from litigation filings by Wilus)].

Verification link: https://assignmentcenter.uspto.gov/

To identify the most relevant prior art for US Patent 11116035, I need to consult the patent's own citations. The Google Patents link provided in the prompt is the authoritative source for this information. I will extract the "Prior art references" section directly from that page.

Here's the approach:

1. Retrieve Patent 11116035 Citations: I will access the provided Google Patents link for US11116035B2 and navigate to its "Prior art references" section.
2. Extract and Format Information: For each listed patent citation, I will extract:
   • Full citation (patent number, inventor(s), assignee)
   • Publication/filing date (whichever is earlier and relevant for prior art assessment)
   • Brief description (from the abstract or main claims if readily available, or a general description based on the title if not).
   • Identify which claim(s) of US11116035 it potentially anticipates under 35 U.S.C. § 102. This will involve a high-level comparison to the independent claims (Claim 1, Claim 7, and Claim 13) provided in the patent summary. Due to the complexity of a full anticipation analysis, this will be an assessment of potential relevance rather than a definitive legal conclusion. Prior art anticipates a claim if it discloses every element of that claim, either explicitly or inherently.

Here are the prior art references for US Patent 11116035, along with their details and a high-level assessment of potential anticipation:

Cited Patent References:

1. US20160066224A1

   • Inventors: Eapen, et al.
   • Assignee: Qualcomm Incorporated
   • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: March 3, 2016. Filing: August 28, 2015.
   • Brief Description: This patent application describes methods and apparatus for multi-user (MU) uplink (UL) scheduling and channel access in wireless communication systems, particularly in the context of Wi-Fi (802.11ax). It discusses mechanisms for an Access Point (AP) to trigger UL MU transmissions from multiple stations (STAs) and how STAs contend for UL resources. It also mentions adjusting contention parameters like EDCA parameters (CWmin, CWmax, AIFS) for UL MU transmissions.
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
     • Claim 1 (Method Claim): This reference appears highly relevant to Claim 1, as it describes a method involving an AP triggering UL MU transmission and STAs adjusting channel access parameters. The concept of switching parameter sets (e.g., EDCA parameters) based on UL MU scheduling is present.
     • Claim 7 (Apparatus Claim - Terminal with Switching): The description of STAs (wireless communication terminals) adjusting their channel access parameters in response to an AP trigger for UL MU transmission directly aligns with the functionality described in Claim 7.
     • Claim 13 (Apparatus Claim - Terminal with Backoff Timer Operation): While it discusses EDCA and contention windows, a specific mechanism for maintaining a backoff timer at zero when a queue is empty is not immediately apparent from a brief description. Further detailed analysis of the full text would be required to determine if this specific aspect is anticipated.

2. US20160094951A1

   • Inventors: Kim, et al.
   • Assignee: [LG Electronics Inc.](/litigations/by-plaintiff/LG%20Electronics%20Inc.)
   • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: March 31, 2016. Filing: September 29, 2015.
   • Brief Description: This patent application discloses methods and apparatus for wireless communication in a WLAN system, focusing on uplink multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (UL MU-MIMO) transmissions. It addresses how a STA can transmit an uplink frame in response to a trigger frame from an AP, and how contention parameters might be managed for such transmissions.
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
     • Claim 1 (Method Claim): Similar to US20160066224A1, this reference describes the core concept of a base station triggering multi-user uplink transmissions and a terminal responding. The management of channel access for such transmissions is central.
     • Claim 7 (Apparatus Claim - Terminal with Switching): The terminal's capability to participate in UL MU-MIMO based on an AP trigger, and implicitly to adjust its transmission behavior, is relevant to Claim 7.
     • Claim 13 (Apparatus Claim - Terminal with Backoff Timer Operation): Similar to the previous reference, the specific details of the backoff timer operation when a queue is empty and the timer is zero would require a deeper dive into the patent's full text.

3. US9526011B2

   • Inventors: Park, et al.
   • Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
   • Publication/Filing Date: Issue: December 20, 2016. Filing: June 30, 2015.
   • Brief Description: This patent details methods and devices for transmitting uplink data in a wireless LAN system, particularly in the context of OFDMA-based multi-user uplink transmissions. It covers procedures for receiving trigger frames, preparing uplink data, and transmitting it, potentially involving adjustments to contention parameters.
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
     • Claim 1 (Method Claim): This patent addresses the fundamental elements of receiving a trigger for UL MU transmission and performing channel access for data transmission, aligning with Claim 1.
     • Claim 7 (Apparatus Claim - Terminal with Switching): The terminal's role in responding to trigger frames and preparing for UL OFDMA transmission relates to the switching mechanism for channel access parameters in Claim 7.
     • Claim 13 (Apparatus Claim - Terminal with Backoff Timer Operation): Again, while EDCA and backoff are general concepts in WLAN, the precise operation of the backoff timer when a queue is empty and the timer is zero would need to be specifically disclosed to anticipate Claim 13.

4. US20160073233A1

   • Inventors: Choi, et al.
   • Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
   • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: March 10, 2016. Filing: September 4, 2015.
   • Brief Description: This patent application focuses on methods and devices for transmitting frames in a wireless LAN system, including scheduling uplink multi-user transmissions and the role of trigger frames. It discusses how a STA processes scheduling information and transmits data accordingly, which may involve adapting channel access.
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
     • Claim 1 (Method Claim): The concepts of a base station scheduling and triggering UL MU transmissions, and a terminal accessing the channel for transmission, are directly relevant.
     • Claim 7 (Apparatus Claim - Terminal with Switching): The terminal's ability to respond to UL MU scheduling and transmit data in that context aligns with the functional aspects of Claim 7.
     • Claim 13 (Apparatus Claim - Terminal with Backoff Timer Operation): The particular behavior of the backoff timer when a queue is empty and the timer is zero is a specific detail that would require close examination of the full disclosure.

Summary of Relevance:

The cited prior art, particularly US20160066224A1, US20160094951A1, US9526011B2, and US20160073233A1, appears highly relevant to the core concepts of US11116035, especially regarding the method (Claim 1) and apparatus with switching functionality (Claim 7) for multi-user uplink transmissions using enhanced distributed channel access. These references generally describe the environment, the triggering of UL MU, and the adaptation of EDCA parameters.

The most distinctive aspect of US11116035, as highlighted in Claim 13 (maintaining the backoff timer at zero when a queue is empty and the timer is zero, performing no operation), would require a very specific disclosure in the prior art to be anticipated under 35 U.S.C. § 102. General discussions of EDCA and backoff procedures alone might not be sufficient to anticipate this precise operational detail. A thorough anticipation analysis would necessitate a detailed review of the full text of each cited prior art patent.

Obviousness Analysis under 35 U.S.C. § 103 for US Patent 11116035

Under 35 U.S.C. § 103, a patent claim is considered unpatentable if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the subject matter as a whole would have been obvious at the time the invention was made to a person having ordinary skill in the art (POSA). A key aspect of an obviousness analysis is identifying a motivation for a POSA to combine elements from multiple prior art references with a reasonable expectation of success. This motivation can stem from the knowledge of those skilled in the art, the prior art references themselves, or the nature of the problem to be solved.

The independent claims of US Patent 11116035 focus on a wireless communication method and terminal utilizing enhanced distributed channel access (EDCA), particularly the switching of EDCA parameter sets in response to a multi-user uplink (UL-MU) transmission trigger from a base station, and the management of a corresponding timer. Claim 1 (method), Claim 7 (apparatus for switching), and Claim 13 (apparatus for backoff timer operation) embody these core concepts.

Identified Combinations of Prior Art References

The Inter Partes Review (IPR) proceeding IPR2025-01043, instituted against US Patent 11116035, specifically challenged claims 1-20 as obvious over the following combinations of prior art:

1. WO 2017/043818 (Lee) in view of EP 2 958 359 A1 (Kwak).
2. Lee in view of US 2017/0111979 A1 (Kwak).
3. Lee in view of "IEEE Std 802.11ax/D3.0, Draft Standard for Information Technology—Telecommunications and information exchange between systems Local and metropolitan area networks—Specific requirements Part 11: Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) Specifications Amendment 4: Enhancements for High Efficiency WLAN" (IEEE 802.11ax D3.0).

The Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) instituted the trial on claims 1-20, finding a reasonable likelihood that they were obvious, particularly concerning "EDCA parameter switching based on multi-user uplink (UL-MU) transmission triggers and the setting/termination of an EDCA parameter set timer."

Teachings of Key Prior Art and Motivation to Combine

While detailed technical descriptions for WO 2017/043818 (Lee), EP 2 958 359 A1 (Kwak), and US 2017/0111979 A1 (Kwak) were not directly available from the provided search snippets, the role of IEEE 802.11ax D3.0 in these combinations is well-documented and crucial for understanding the obviousness arguments.

IEEE 802.11ax D3.0 Teachings

IEEE 802.11ax (also known as Wi-Fi 6) was developed to enhance throughput-per-area in high-density wireless local area network (WLAN) scenarios. Key advancements in the 802.11ax standard, especially in its Draft 3.0 version (released in May 2018), include:

• Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access (OFDMA): This is a cornerstone advancement, introducing an OFDMA-based random access approach that allows multiple users to simultaneously transmit or receive on different sub-channels within a single channel.
• Uplink Multi-User (UL-MU) Transmission: Unlike its predecessor 802.11ac which primarily supported downlink multi-user (DL MU) transmission, 802.11ax significantly enhanced functionality by multiplexing users in the uplink, realizing UL-MU via inherited multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO) and OFDMA. In UL-MU, the Access Point (AP) controls and orchestrates transmissions among stations.
• MAC and PHY Layer Enhancements: The standard defines modifications to the MAC and PHY layers to improve efficiency, including dense deployment capabilities. It also addresses issues like channel access efficiency in environments where wireless frames with low bit rates are dominant, especially in uplink transmission.
• Channel Access Mechanisms: 802.11ax is built on top of legacy Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance (CSMA/CA) and allows stations to adjust parameters related to the Clear Channel Assessment (CCA) procedure.

Motivation for Combination

A person having ordinary skill in the art (POSA) in wireless communication, particularly in the context of evolving Wi-Fi standards like 802.11ax, would have been motivated to combine the teachings of Lee and Kwak with those of IEEE 802.11ax D3.0 for the following reasons:

1. Addressing UL-MU Transmission Efficiency: The core problem 802.11ax sought to solve was improving efficiency and throughput in high-density environments, especially for multi-user transmissions. With the introduction of UL-MU transmission in 802.11ax, a POSA would recognize the potential for increased contention and reduced channel access efficiency if traditional EDCA parameters were not adapted for this new mode of operation. The patent itself acknowledges this, stating, "Therefore, when the uplink multi-user (UL-MU) transmission is scheduled, it is necessary to adjust the EDCA parameter value."
2. Optimizing Channel Access for Scheduled UL-MU: When a base station triggers a wireless terminal for UL-MU transmission, this indicates a coordinated effort to improve uplink efficiency. A POSA would be motivated to modify channel access parameters (like contention window (CW) values or Arbitration Interframe Space (AIFS)) to give scheduled UL-MU transmissions a more predictable and potentially higher priority channel access, or conversely, to temporarily reduce the likelihood of other non-scheduled transmissions interfering. This aligns with the patent's concept of switching to a "second parameter set" for UL-MU participation. Such adjustments would be a natural step in optimizing the MAC layer for the new OFDMA-based UL-MU capabilities of 802.11ax.
3. Managing EDCA Parameters with Timers: In any dynamic channel access scheme where parameters are temporarily modified, a mechanism to control the duration of these modifications is essential. Therefore, integrating a timer (such as an EDCA parameter set timer) to govern the application of the modified parameter set would be a logical and predictable design choice for a POSA. This ensures that the altered parameters are applied only during the relevant UL-MU transmission period and that the system reverts to standard operation afterward, preventing long-term unfairness or inefficiencies. The explicit mention by the PTAB of "setting/termination of an EDCA parameter set timer" suggests that the combination of references would lead a POSA to implement such a timer for effective parameter management.
4. Foreseeable Solutions within 802.11 Standards Development: The development of 802.11ax itself represents a continuous effort to enhance existing Wi-Fi protocols like EDCA to handle new challenges. Changes to EDCA parameters, contention windows, and interframe spaces have been a standard practice in the evolution of IEEE 802.11 standards to manage different traffic types and network conditions. Therefore, adapting these known mechanisms for the specific context of UL-MU scheduling would be a predictable engineering solution within the capabilities of a POSA.

Given that the specific Lee and Kwak references, when combined with the teachings of IEEE 802.11ax D3.0, led the PTAB to find a reasonable likelihood of obviousness for EDCA parameter switching and timer management related to UL-MU, it can be inferred that these references collectively disclose or suggest the elements and their combination. The motivation arises from the recognized need within the 802.11ax development to efficiently manage channel access for multi-user uplink transmissions, a problem that would naturally lead a POSA to consider dynamic adjustment of EDCA parameters and their temporal control.

Here's an analysis of US Patent 11116035, detailing patent term adjustments, extensions, related applications, and its projected expiration date, based on the provided patent text and general patent rules.

USPTO Patent Number: 11116035 (also referred to as US11116035B2)

1. Projected Expiration Date:
The projected expiration date for US Patent 11116035 is 2037-09-07. This date is explicitly stated in the Google Patents information as "Anticipated expiration".

2. Patent Term Adjustment (PTA) / Patent Term Extension (PTE):
The Google Patents record for US11116035B2 indicates an "Anticipated expiration" date of 2037-09-07. The patent's earliest priority date, from which the 20-year term is typically calculated, is 2016-09-07. A standard 20-year patent term from this priority date would result in an expiration of 2036-09-07. The difference of exactly one year between this calculated date and the stated anticipated expiration date (2037-09-07) suggests that the patent has been granted 1 year of Patent Term Adjustment (PTA). This adjustment compensates for certain delays incurred during the patent's prosecution at the USPTO. The patent text does not indicate any Patent Term Extension (PTE) under 35 U.S.C. § 156, which is typically for delays related to regulatory review for products like pharmaceuticals.

3. Continuation Applications, Divisional Applications, and Related Family Members:

The patent text indicates the following relationships and applications:

• Application for US11116035B2: US16/294,883, filed on 2019-03-06.
• Publication of US16/294,883: US20190208571A1, published on 2019-07-04. This is an earlier publication of the same application that later issued as US11116035B2.
• Earliest Priority Date: The patent claims a priority date of 2016-09-07. This implies that US16/294,883 (the application for US11116035B2) is either a continuation or divisional application of an earlier application filed on that date, or claims benefit from such an application. The specific type (continuation or divisional) for this 2016-09-07 priority claim is not explicitly detailed in the provided text.
• Related Family Members (Child Applications): The patent explicitly lists subsequent applications that claim priority from the application that led to US11116035B2 (or a common parent). These are:
  • US17/383,479 (patent/US11516879B2/en), with a priority date of 2021-07-23.
  • US17/383,475 (patent/US11523464B2/en), with a priority date of 2021-07-23.
  • US17/979,767 (patent/US11825558B2/en), with a priority date of 2022-11-03.
  • US18/384,678 (patent/US12193116B2/en), with a priority date of 2023-10-27.
  • US19/010,192 (patent/US20250133631A1/en), with a priority date of 2025-01-06.

These listed "Priority to US17/...", "Priority to US18/...", and "Priority to US19/..." applications indicate that they are likely continuation, divisional, or continuation-in-part applications stemming from the lineage that includes US11116035B2. The dates associated with these entries (e.g., "Priority to US17/383,479 2021-07-23") refer to the filing dates of these child applications which claim priority from the parent application. The Google Patents information does not specify if these are continuations, divisionals, or continuations-in-part, but broadly refers to them as claiming priority.

Defensive Disclosure: US Patent 11116035 Derivatives

This document outlines derivative variations of the inventions described in US Patent 11116035, focusing on methods and apparatus for wireless communication using enhanced distributed channel access (EDCA), particularly concerning multi-user uplink (UL-MU) transmissions and backoff timer management. These disclosures are intended to serve as prior art, rendering future incremental improvements in these areas obvious or non-novel.

Core Claims Addressed:

• Claim 1 (Method): Wireless communication method involving channel access based on data priority, switching parameter sets for UL-MU, and transmitting data.
• Claim 7 (Apparatus - Terminal with Switching): Wireless communication terminal with a processor configured for channel access, data transmission, and parameter set switching for UL-MU.
• Claim 13 (Apparatus - Terminal with Backoff Timer Operation): Wireless communication terminal with a processor operating multiple queues for EDCA, performing backoff procedures, and managing empty queues with zero backoff timers.

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Derivative Variations

Derivatives for Claim 1 (Wireless Communication Method)

D1.1: Material & Component Substitution - Acoustic Underwater Communication with EDCA

• Enabling Description: A wireless communication method adapted for underwater acoustic channels where "channel access" involves transmitting acoustic pulses. The "wireless communication terminal" and "base wireless communication terminal" are acoustic modems. The 'first parameter set' (e.g., long Contention Window (CW), high Arbitration Interframe Space (AIFS)) is designed for low-density, general data transmission, while the 'second parameter set' (e.g., shorter CW, reduced AIFS) is optimized for higher-priority, time-sensitive UL-MU sonar data or sensor readings triggered by a surface vessel (base station). Channel sensing is performed via passive listening for acoustic quiet periods, and "triggering multi-user uplink transmission" refers to a scheduled multi-node acoustic data upload sequence. The acoustic modem uses piezoelectric transducers for transmission and reception, operating at frequencies typically below 100 kHz.
• Mermaid Diagram:

  graph TD
      A[Underwater Acoustic Modem (Terminal)] --> B{Sense Channel (Acoustic)};
      B -- Channel Idle --> C{Determine Data Priority};
      C -- UL-MU Triggered --> D[Switch to Acoustic UL-MU EDCA Parameters];
      D -- Access Channel --> E[Transmit Acoustic Data Burst];
      D -- No UL-MU Trigger --> F[Use Standard Acoustic EDCA Parameters];
      F -- Access Channel --> E;
      E --> G[Acoustic Base Station (Base Terminal)];
  

D1.2: Operational Parameter Expansion - Terahertz (THz) Communication for High-Density Data Offloading

• Enabling Description: A method for wireless communication operating in the Terahertz (0.1 THz to 10 THz) frequency band, designed for ultra-high-speed, short-range data offloading in densely populated environments (e.g., smart factories, data centers). The EDCA parameter sets are dynamically scaled for THz propagation characteristics, including high path loss and sensitivity to blockages. The 'first parameter set' offers moderate access latency for bulk data, while the 'second parameter set' provides extremely low latency and tighter contention windows for critical sensor data or control signals in UL-MU scenarios. The "slot time" is reduced to picoseconds, and CW values are proportionally adjusted to manage contention among thousands of devices within a localized area. Triggering for UL-MU utilizes specialized THz beamforming for spatial multiplexing.
• Mermaid Diagram:

  graph TD
      A[THz Terminal] --> B{Sense THz Channel};
      B -- Channel Idle --> C{Data to Transmit (Priority)};
      C -- UL-MU Triggered --> D[Switch to THz UL-MU EDCA Parameters (pico-second slot, tiny CW)];
      D -- Access THz Channel --> E[Transmit Ultra-High-Speed THz Data];
      C -- No UL-MU Trigger --> F[Use Standard THz EDCA Parameters];
      F -- Access THz Channel --> E;
      E --> G[THz Base Station];
  

D1.3: Cross-Domain Application - Precision Agriculture Sensor Networks

• Enabling Description: A wireless communication method for precision agriculture, where autonomous field robots and distributed environmental sensors act as wireless communication terminals, and a central gateway on a drone or ground vehicle acts as the base wireless communication terminal. Channel access is prioritized for critical data, such as immediate pest alerts or urgent irrigation system failures (high priority), versus routine soil moisture readings (low priority). The EDCA parameter set switches to an 'optimized agricultural UL-MU set' when the drone/gateway triggers simultaneous uplink reports from multiple sensors or robots in a specific zone. This ensures that clustered event data, like sudden temperature drops detected by multiple sensors, is rapidly collected, overriding routine data uploads to prevent widespread crop damage.
• Mermaid Diagram:

  graph TD
      A[Agricultural Sensor/Robot (Terminal)] --> B{Check Data Buffer (Priority)};
      B -- Critical Alert --> C{Initiate EDCA (High Priority)};
      C -- UL-MU Trigger from Drone/Gateway --> D[Switch to Agri-UL-MU EDCA Parameters];
      D -- Access Channel --> E[Transmit Prioritized Agri-Data];
      C -- Routine Data, No Trigger --> F[Initiate EDCA (Low Priority)];
      F -- Access Channel --> E;
      E --> G[Drone/Gateway (Base Terminal)];
  

D1.4: Integration with Emerging Tech - AI-Driven Dynamic EDCA for Smart Home IoT

• Enabling Description: A wireless communication method for a smart home IoT network, where an AI-driven home hub (base wireless communication terminal) dynamically optimizes EDCA parameters. The method involves the home hub continuously monitoring network traffic patterns, device presence, and user activity via IoT sensors. The AI algorithm predicts future congestion and high-priority events (e.g., security alerts, voice commands) and proactively adjusts the 'first' and 'second' EDCA parameter sets for connected IoT devices (wireless communication terminals). When the AI determines an upcoming need for UL-MU (e.g., multiple smart cameras simultaneously uploading footage during a perceived intrusion, or multiple voice assistants responding to a command), it triggers the switch to a 'second parameter set' specifically tuned by the AI for that predicted multi-user scenario, minimizing latency for critical data while ensuring fairness for background tasks.
• Mermaid Diagram:

  graph TD
      A[Smart Home IoT Device (Terminal)] --> B{Sense Channel};
      B -- Channel Idle --> C{Prepare Data (IoT Priority)};
      C -- AI-Triggered UL-MU --> D[Switch to AI-Optimized UL-MU EDCA Params];
      D -- Access Channel --> E[Transmit IoT Data];
      C -- No AI Trigger --> F[Use Current AI-Managed EDCA Params];
      F -- Access Channel --> E;
      E --> G[AI-Driven Home Hub (Base Terminal)];
  

D1.5: The "Inverse" or Failure Mode - EDCA for Low-Power, Long-Range Disaster Relief Networks

• Enabling Description: A wireless communication method for emergency and disaster relief scenarios, where power conservation and robust, long-range communication are paramount over immediate high throughput. Terminals are battery-powered, low-cost mesh nodes. The 'first parameter set' is extremely conservative, with very long AIFS and large CWs, for infrequent, non-critical status updates to maximize battery life. When a critical event (e.g., trapped person detected, structural collapse) is locally sensed, a specialized "emergency UL-MU trigger" is broadcast by a nearby resilient node (base terminal), prompting all affected nodes to switch to a 'second parameter set'. This 'second parameter set' still prioritizes low power by using slower data rates but significantly reduces AIFS and CWs for critical alert messages, enabling rapid, multi-node reporting in a coordinated, energy-efficient burst without excessive retransmissions, ensuring the network can operate for extended periods under adverse conditions.
• Mermaid Diagram:

  graph TD
      A[Disaster Relief Node (Terminal)] --> B{Monitor Battery & Data Severity};
      B -- Low Battery, Low Severity --> C[Use Ultra-Conservative EDCA (Long Life)];
      C -- Access Channel (Infrequent) --> E[Transmit Low-Power Data];
      B -- Critical Event Detected --> F{Emergency UL-MU Trigger Received?};
      F -- Yes --> D[Switch to Emergency UL-MU EDCA (Prioritize Critical Data, Conserve Power)];
      D -- Access Channel --> E;
      F -- No --> C;
      E --> G[Resilient Gateway (Base Terminal)];
  

---

Derivatives for Claim 7 (Wireless Communication Terminal with Switching)

D7.1: Material & Component Substitution - Multi-Band Software-Defined Radio (SDR) Terminal

• Enabling Description: A wireless communication terminal implemented as a Software-Defined Radio (SDR) platform, capable of operating across disparate frequency bands (e.g., sub-GHz, 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, mmWave) using reconfigurable RF front-ends. The "processor" is a high-performance FPGA or a DSP array specifically configured to implement the EDCA logic, including the dynamic switching of parameter sets. The "transceiver" consists of wideband RF converters and digitally controlled filters, allowing the terminal to adapt its physical layer characteristics (e.g., modulation, coding, bandwidth) in conjunction with EDCA parameter switching based on the operating band and UL-MU trigger. This enables flexible channel access prioritization across diverse spectrum allocations managed by a base station, e.g., switching from a 2.4 GHz general access parameter set to a 5 GHz dedicated UL-MU parameter set.
• Mermaid Diagram:

  classDiagram
      class WirelessCommunicationTerminal {
          +SDR_Processor_FPGA processor
          +Reconfigurable_RF_FrontEnd transceiver
          +EDCA_Logic edcaLogic
          +ParameterSet firstParamSet
          +ParameterSet secondParamSet
          +switchParameterSet()
          +accessChannel()
          +transmitData()
      }
      class SDR_Processor_FPGA {
          +configureEDCALogic()
          +manageMultipleQueues()
      }
      class Reconfigurable_RF_FrontEnd {
          +operateMultiBand()
          +adjustPHY()
      }
      class EDCA_Logic {
          +receiveTrigger(bool)
          +selectParameterSet()
          +runBackoffProcedure()
      }
      SDR_Processor_FPGA <|-- WirelessCommunicationTerminal
      Reconfigurable_RF_FrontEnd <|-- WirelessCommunicationTerminal
      EDCA_Logic <|-- SDR_Processor_FPGA
      ParameterSet <|-- EDCA_Logic
  

D7.2: Operational Parameter Expansion - Extreme Temperature Industrial IoT Gateway

• Enabling Description: A wireless communication terminal designed for industrial IoT environments operating in extreme temperatures (e.g., -50° C to +150° C). The processor is a ruggedized, industrial-grade microcontroller (e.g., ARM Cortex-M series with extended temperature ratings) with embedded EDCA logic. The transceiver components are similarly rated for extreme thermal cycles. The 'first parameter set' is optimized for standard industrial data logging under typical loads. The 'second parameter set' (switched upon UL-MU trigger from a central controller) is specifically characterized and calibrated for reliable operation at temperature extremes, potentially using larger guard intervals or reduced data rates to compensate for thermal noise and component drift, ensuring robust multi-user uplink of critical process control data even under harsh thermal stress.
• Mermaid Diagram:

  stateDiagram-v2
      state "Idle (Normal Temp)" as NormalIdle
      state "Backoff (Normal Temp)" as NormalBackoff
      state "Transmit (Normal Temp)" as NormalTransmit
      state "Idle (Extreme Temp)" as ExtremeIdle
      state "Backoff (Extreme Temp)" as ExtremeBackoff
      state "Transmit (Extreme Temp)" as ExtremeTransmit
  
      [*] --> NormalIdle
  
      NormalIdle --> NormalBackoff : Data Ready, Channel Idle
      NormalBackoff --> NormalTransmit : Backoff Timer = 0
      NormalTransmit --> NormalIdle : Transmission Complete
  
      NormalIdle --> ExtremeIdle : UL-MU Triggered OR Extreme Temp Detected
      NormalBackoff --> ExtremeBackoff : UL-MU Triggered OR Extreme Temp Detected
      NormalTransmit --> ExtremeTransmit : UL-MU Triggered OR Extreme Temp Detected
  
      ExtremeIdle --> ExtremeBackoff : Data Ready, Channel Idle (Extreme Params)
      ExtremeBackoff --> ExtremeTransmit : Backoff Timer = 0 (Extreme Params)
      ExtremeTransmit --> ExtremeIdle : Transmission Complete
  
      ExtremeIdle --> NormalIdle : UL-MU Concluded AND Normal Temp
  

D7.3: Cross-Domain Application - Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) Swarm Communication

• Enabling Description: An AUV acting as a wireless communication terminal within a swarm, communicating with a lead AUV or surface support vessel (base wireless communication terminal) via acoustic or optical (blue/green laser) links. The AUV's embedded processor manages EDCA for prioritizing navigation, sonar, and environmental sensing data. When the lead AUV initiates an "environmental mapping UL-MU trigger," the AUV switches its channel access parameters. The 'first parameter set' supports routine status updates. The 'second parameter set' is specifically tuned for synchronized, high-bandwidth data uploads from multiple AUVs, optimizing for the acoustic propagation delays and potential interference within a dense swarm, allowing for rapid aggregation of complex 3D mapping data.
• Mermaid Diagram:

  sequenceDiagram
      AUV_Lead_BS->>AUV_Sub_Terminal: Transmit UL-MU Trigger (Env. Mapping)
      AUV_Sub_Terminal->>AUV_Sub_Terminal: Processor switches EDCA parameters (1st to 2nd set)
      Note over AUV_Sub_Terminal: Second set optimized for swarm uplink, e.g., shorter AIFS, specific CW range.
      AUV_Sub_Terminal->>AUV_Sub_Terminal: Prepare environmental mapping data (priority=high)
      AUV_Sub_Terminal->>AUV_Sub_Terminal: Sense Acoustic/Optical Channel
      AUV_Sub_Terminal->>AUV_Sub_Terminal: Perform Backoff with 2nd EDCA parameters
      AUV_Sub_Terminal->>AUV_Lead_BS: Transmit Environmental Mapping Data
      AUV_Lead_BS->>AUV_Sub_Terminal: (Optional) Acknowledge/Confirm UL-MU data reception
      AUV_Sub_Terminal->>AUV_Sub_Terminal: Processor switches EDCA parameters (2nd to 1st set) or sets timer for expiration
  

D7.4: Integration with Emerging Tech - Secure Blockchain-Enabled EDCA for Shared Spectrum

• Enabling Description: A wireless communication terminal integrated with a blockchain module (e.g., secure element or dedicated processor) to ensure transparent and verifiable channel access in shared, unlicensed spectrum where multiple operators or entities co-exist. The "processor" not only manages EDCA parameter switching but also interacts with the blockchain. When a "multi-user uplink transmission participation trigger" is received from a base terminal (e.g., an access point or shared spectrum orchestrator), the terminal switches its EDCA parameter set. Critically, each successful channel access and transmission event is timestamped and cryptographically signed before being broadcast or committed to a local/distributed ledger (blockchain). This immutable record provides an auditable history of channel usage, ensuring fairness and preventing malicious hoarding of channel access, particularly for high-priority UL-MU allocations.
• Mermaid Diagram:

  flowchart TD
      A[Wireless Terminal] --> B{Receive UL-MU Trigger from Base};
      B -- Yes --> C[Processor Switches EDCA Params (1st to 2nd Set)];
      C --> D[Access Channel (Using 2nd Params)];
      D --> E[Transmit Data (UL-MU)];
      E --> F[Record Channel Access Event (Timestamp, TxID, Params Used)];
      F --> G[Cryptographically Sign Event];
      G --> H[Commit to Blockchain Ledger];
      H --> I[Base Terminal Verifies Blockchain Entry (Optional)];
      B -- No --> J[Use 1st EDCA Params];
      J --> D;
  

D7.5: The "Inverse" or Failure Mode - Adaptive Safety-Critical EDCA Degradation

• Enabling Description: A wireless communication terminal, such as a drone or industrial robot, equipped with a safety monitoring unit (part of the processor or a separate module). Under normal operation, the terminal uses standard EDCA parameter sets. If the safety monitoring unit detects a critical system malfunction (e.g., motor failure, sensor corruption, low battery below threshold), it automatically triggers a shift to a "safety-critical EDCA parameter set" (effectively a 'second parameter set'). This safety set is designed for minimal interference and maximum reachability for emergency beacons or distress signals, typically by:
  1. Maximizing AIFS for all non-safety traffic categories.
  2. Reducing CWmin/CWmax drastically for a dedicated "emergency beacon" access category to ensure highest priority and fastest access.
  3. Operating in a limited-functionality mode, transmitting only essential diagnostic or location data.
  4. The system can be triggered into this mode by an external "abort" command (UL-MU trigger from base) or internal fault detection, ensuring controlled, safe transmission behavior during failure.
• Mermaid Diagram:

  stateDiagram-v2
      state "Normal Operation" as Normal
      state "Safety Mode" as Safety
  
      Normal --> Normal_Channel_Access : Data ready
      Normal_Channel_Access --> Normal : Tx complete
  
      Normal --> Safety : Critical Malfunction Detected OR External Abort Trigger
      Safety --> Safety_Emergency_Tx : Emergency Data Ready
      Safety_Emergency_Tx --> Safety : Tx complete
      Safety --> Safety_Beacon_Tx : Regular Beacon Tx
      Safety_Beacon_Tx --> Safety : Tx complete
  
      state "Normal Channel Access" as Normal_Channel_Access {
          state "Apply 1st EDCA Set" as NormalEDCA
          NormalEDCA : Standard CW, AIFS
      }
  
      state "Safety Emergency Tx" as Safety_Emergency_Tx {
          state "Apply Safety EDCA Set" as SafetyEDCA
          SafetyEDCA : Minimized CW, AIFS for Emergency
      }
  
      state "Safety Beacon Tx" as Safety_Beacon_Tx {
          state "Apply Safety EDCA Set" as SafetyBeaconEDCA
          SafetyBeaconEDCA : Max AIFS for Non-Emergency, Reduced Rate
      }
  

---

Derivatives for Claim 13 (Wireless Communication Terminal with Backoff Timer Operation)

D13.1: Material & Component Substitution - Neuromorphic Processor for Adaptive Backoff

• Enabling Description: A wireless communication terminal utilizing a neuromorphic processor (e.g., Intel Loihi, IBM TrueNorth) for highly adaptive and energy-efficient backoff timer management. Instead of a traditional processor calculating a random integer, the neuromorphic processor learns optimal backoff behaviors (CW values, AIFS) for different access categories (ACs) and network load conditions by observing past channel access outcomes and traffic patterns. The "random integer value in a contention window (CW)" is replaced by a probabilistically derived value from the neuromorphic network's learned distribution, which dynamically adjusts based on real-time channel occupancy, detected collisions, and data priority. The "no operation at a slot boundary" for an empty queue with a zero backoff timer is handled by the neuromorphic chip going into a deep sleep state for that AC's processing thread, minimizing power consumption.
• Mermaid Diagram:

  classDiagram
      class WirelessCommunicationTerminal {
          +NeuromorphicProcessor processor
          +Transceiver transceiver
          +QueueManagementSystem queueManager
      }
      class NeuromorphicProcessor {
          +learnBackoffStrategies()
          +deriveBackoffValue(AC_ID) float
          +handleEmptyQueue(AC_ID)
          +adjustCW(AC_ID)
      }
      class QueueManagementSystem {
          +EDCAQueue queues[AC_COUNT]
          +monitorQueueStatus(AC_ID)
      }
      class EDCAQueue {
          +DataPacket data
          +BackoffTimer backoffTimer
          +ContentionWindow contentionWindow
          +isEmpty() boolean
      }
      WirelessCommunicationTerminal *-- NeuromorphicProcessor
      WirelessCommunicationTerminal *-- QueueManagementSystem
      QueueManagementSystem *-- EDCAQueue
      NeuromorphicProcessor ..> EDCAQueue : interacts_with
  

D13.2: Operational Parameter Expansion - Orbital Satellite Constellation with Dynamic Backoff

• Enabling Description: A wireless communication terminal forming part of a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation, communicating via inter-satellite links (ISLs) or ground links. The EDCA queues manage data for different service types (e.g., telemetry, high-bandwidth imaging, critical maneuvering commands). The backoff procedure is adapted for the unique characteristics of satellite communication, including long propagation delays and Doppler shifts. The "slot time" is dynamically adjusted based on orbital mechanics and link distances, potentially spanning multiple milliseconds. The "random integer value" generation considers potential interference from co-orbiting satellites. When a queue is empty and its backoff timer is zero, the satellite's processor enters a minimal processing state for that queue, conserving onboard computational resources and power, especially crucial for long-duration missions.
• Mermaid Diagram:

  graph TD
      A[LEO Satellite Terminal] --> B{Operate Multiple EDCA Queues};
      B -- Queue[Telemetry] --> C[Backoff Procedure (CW_Telemetry)];
      B -- Queue[Imaging] --> D[Backoff Procedure (CW_Imaging)];
      B -- Queue[Maneuver Cmd] --> E[Backoff Procedure (CW_Maneuver)];
      C -- Channel Idle for Slot --> F[Decrement Backoff Timer];
      D -- Channel Idle for Slot --> F;
      E -- Channel Idle for Slot --> F;
      F -- Timer = 0 & Queue Empty --> G[No Operation, Maintain Timer=0];
      F -- Timer = 0 & Data Ready --> H[Access Channel, Transmit Data];
      G -- New Data Arrives --> I[Recalculate Backoff (CW_Current)];
      I --> F;
  

D13.3: Cross-Domain Application - Smart Healthcare Wearable Device

• Enabling Description: A wireless communication terminal in the form of a smart wearable medical device (e.g., continuous glucose monitor, ECG patch) managing multiple EDCA queues for different types of patient data. For instance, AC_VO (Voice) for urgent alerts, AC_VI (Video) for real-time video consultation, AC_BE (Best Effort) for routine vitals, and AC_BK (Background) for historical data sync. The processor prioritizes critical alarms (e.g., cardiac arrest detection) over routine data uploads. The "backoff timer" is set for each queue based on its AC's CWmin/CWmax. Crucially, if a queue (e.g., for routine blood pressure logs) becomes empty and its backoff timer is zero, the wearable device's processor intelligently "pauses" the backoff for that AC, allowing other ACs with pending data to utilize channel resources more efficiently, and conserving the wearable's limited battery life by avoiding unnecessary channel sensing activities for empty queues.
• Mermaid Diagram:

  stateDiagram-v2
      state "Monitor Patient Vitals" as Monitor
      state "Queue Management" as Queues
      state "Backoff Procedure" as Backoff
      state "Transmit Data" as Transmit
  
      [*] --> Monitor
      Monitor --> Queues : Data Generated (AC_VO, AC_VI, AC_BE, AC_BK)
  
      Queues --> Backoff : Select Highest Priority AC with data
      Backoff --> Transmit : Backoff Timer = 0
      Transmit --> Queues : Data sent
  
      Backoff --> Backoff : Channel Idle (Decrement Timer)
      Backoff --> Queues : Channel Busy (Stop Timer)
  
      Queues --> Idle_Queue_Zero_Timer : If any AC_Queue is Empty AND BackoffTimer[AC]=0
      state "Idle Queue, Zero Timer" as Idle_Queue_Zero_Timer {
          state "No Operation (for this AC)" as NoOp
          NoOp : Maintain BackoffTimer[AC]=0
          NoOp --> Queues : New data arrives for AC
      }
  

D13.4: Integration with Emerging Tech - IoT Edge Node with Predictive Backoff Optimization

• Enabling Description: A wireless communication terminal functioning as an IoT edge node in a smart factory, equipped with an embedded AI/ML module (part of the processor or a co-processor). This module performs "predictive backoff optimization." For each EDCA queue, instead of purely random CW selection, the AI/ML module analyzes historical channel utilization, predicted factory production schedules, and real-time sensor data to forecast channel contention. It then dynamically "suggests" a pseudo-random integer value for the backoff timer within the current CW range, aiming to minimize collisions and optimize throughput for mission-critical tasks (e.g., robot arm control, emergency stop signals). When an EDCA queue is empty and its backoff timer reaches zero, the AI/ML module predicts when new data is likely to arrive for that AC (e.g., based on sensor sampling rates) and puts the associated backoff process into a low-power "pre-emptive idle" state until the predicted data arrival time, rather than performing no operation, ensuring faster ramp-up once data becomes available.
• Mermaid Diagram:

  flowchart TD
      A[IoT Edge Node Terminal] --> B{Operate EDCA Queues (ACs)};
      B -- For Each AC --> C[Monitor Queue Status];
      C --> D[AI/ML Module (Predictive Backoff)];
      D -- Input: Channel State, Traffic Pattern, AC Priority --> E[Generate Optimized Backoff Value];
      E --> F[Set Backoff Timer (based on CW & Optimized Value)];
      F -- Channel Idle for Slot --> G[Decrement Timer];
      G -- Timer = 0 AND Queue Empty --> H[AI/ML Predicts Next Data Arrival];
      H -- Predictive Idle Until New Data --> I[Maintain Timer=0, Low Power];
      G -- Timer = 0 AND Data Ready --> J[Access Channel, Transmit Data];
      I --> F : New Data Arrives / Prediction Active
  

D13.5: The "Inverse" or Failure Mode - Self-Healing EDCA Queue with Redundant Backoff States

• Enabling Description: A wireless communication terminal designed for critical infrastructure (e.g., power grid monitoring, nuclear facility sensors) where EDCA queue integrity is paramount. The processor manages multiple EDCA queues, but for each queue, it maintains not only a "current" backoff timer state but also a "redundant" or "shadow" backoff timer state. In the event of a software crash or transient error affecting the primary EDCA logic (detected by a watchdog timer or CRC checks on state variables), the system automatically reverts to the last known good "redundant backoff state" for each queue. If a queue is empty and its primary backoff timer incorrectly remains at zero due to a fault, the self-healing mechanism detects this anomaly (e.g., no data for extended period but timer stuck at zero) and either resets the timer to a default CWmin-based value or, more sophisticatedly, forces a recalculation from the redundant state, preventing a "stuck" channel access priority or resource starvation in a critical operational environment.
• Mermaid Diagram:

  stateDiagram-v2
      state "Normal EDCA Operation" as Normal
      state "Fault Detected" as Fault
      state "Self-Healing Recovery" as Recovery
      state "Backoff with Redundancy" as BackoffRedundant
  
      [*] --> Normal
      Normal --> BackoffRedundant : Data Ready
      BackoffRedundant --> Normal : Tx Complete
  
      Normal --> Fault : Watchdog Timeout / CRC Error
      BackoffRedundant --> Fault : Watchdog Timeout / CRC Error
  
      Fault --> Recovery : Trigger Recovery Protocol
      Recovery --> BackoffRedundant : Restore from Redundant State
  
      state "Backoff with Redundancy" {
          state "Primary Backoff" as Primary
          state "Redundant Shadow" as Shadow
          Primary --> Shadow : Sync State Updates
          Primary --> Primary : Timer Decrement
          Primary --> Fault : Internal Error
          Shadow --> Shadow : Mirror Primary State
          Shadow --> Primary : Restore on Fault
          Primary --> No_Op_Empty_Zero : Timer=0, Queue Empty
      }
  
      state "No_Op_Empty_Zero" {
          state "Monitor for Anomaly" as AnomalyCheck
          AnomalyCheck --> Recovery : Anomaly Detected (e.g., Stuck Timer)
          AnomalyCheck --> No_Op_Empty_Zero : No Anomaly
      }
  

---

Combination Prior Art Scenarios

These scenarios combine elements of US Patent 11116035 with existing open-source standards, demonstrating how the core concepts could be applied or rendered obvious in established frameworks.

1. US11116035 + IEEE 802.11be (Wi-Fi 7) for Multi-Link Operation (MLO) EDCA

• Description: The EDCA parameter switching mechanism described in US11116035, specifically for multi-user uplink (UL-MU) scenarios, would be obvious when integrated into the context of IEEE 802.11be Multi-Link Operation (MLO). In MLO, a Wi-Fi 7 client (wireless communication terminal) can simultaneously utilize multiple frequency bands (e.g., 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz) to communicate with an Access Point (base wireless communication terminal). A natural extension of US11116035 would be to dynamically adjust EDCA parameter sets (AIFS, CWmin/max) for specific links or aggregated links when the AP triggers a multi-user uplink. For example, an AP could trigger an MLO UL-MU transmission, prompting the client to switch from a relaxed EDCA parameter set on a less congested 2.4 GHz link to a more aggressive parameter set on a 6 GHz link for the duration of the multi-user upload, to maximize throughput and minimize latency across the combined links, thereby adapting the UL-MU EDCA prioritization logic to the multi-link capabilities of 802.11be.
• Relevance: Makes the EDCA parameter switching based on UL-MU triggers obvious in the context of advanced Wi-Fi standards like 802.11be which already manage multiple links and dynamic resource allocation.

2. US11116035 + 3GPP Release 16 (NR-U) for Unlicensed Spectrum Access

• Description: The wireless communication method of US11116035, including accessing a channel based on data priority and switching EDCA parameters based on a base terminal's UL-MU trigger, would be obvious in the context of 3GPP Release 16's New Radio Unlicensed (NR-U) features. NR-U extends 5G capabilities into unlicensed spectrum (e.g., 5 GHz, 6 GHz bands), necessitating Listen-Before-Talk (LBT) mechanisms similar to EDCA for fair coexistence. A 5G gNB (base wireless communication terminal) operating in NR-U mode could trigger an NR-U UL-MU transmission for multiple User Equipments (UEs - wireless communication terminals). In response to this trigger, the UE would apply a dynamically assigned 'second EDCA parameter set' (e.g., specific LBT parameters like Channel Occupancy Time, energy detection thresholds, or backoff window sizes) tailored by the gNB for optimal multi-user uplink performance in the shared unlicensed channel, preventing collisions with other unlicensed users while ensuring efficient 5G UL-MU data transfer. This applies the EDCA concept to a 3GPP-defined unlicensed access scheme.
• Relevance: Extends the patent's EDCA concepts to cellular technologies using unlicensed spectrum, where channel access and prioritization are critical for performance and fair coexistence.

3. US11116035 + LoRaWAN for Adaptive Uplink Prioritization

• Description: The method of managing EDCA queues and handling empty queues with zero backoff timers, as described in US11116035 (Claim 13), could be combined with LoRaWAN (Long Range Wide Area Network) for enhanced uplink prioritization. LoRaWAN devices (wireless communication terminals) typically operate with infrequent, low-data-rate uplinks. However, in scenarios requiring differentiated services (e.g., critical alarm sensors vs. routine environmental monitors), a LoRaWAN gateway (base wireless communication terminal) could implement a pseudo-EDCA mechanism. When a LoRaWAN device has multiple types of data (classified by urgency), it could manage separate "logical" queues. If the gateway "triggers" a specific UL-MU schedule (e.g., for all urgent temperature sensors in a zone), the devices could dynamically adjust their channel access parameters (similar to AIFS/CW, but abstractly applied to LoRaWAN's random access scheme, e.g., duty cycle limits, next transmission window size). The rule regarding an empty queue with a zero backoff timer (maintaining zero and performing no operation) would be highly relevant for LoRaWAN, where devices should conserve energy by not attempting channel access when no data is buffered, even if a "slot" becomes available, thus optimizing battery life.
• Relevance: Applies the principles of EDCA queue management and efficient backoff handling for empty queues to low-power, wide-area network technologies, which prioritize energy efficiency and long range over high throughput, but can benefit from prioritization.