US 11516879

US patent 11516879, titled "Wireless communication method using enhanced distributed channel access, and wireless communication terminal using same," was issued on November 29, 2022, from an application filed on July 23, 2021. The current assignee is Wilus Institute of Standards and Technology Inc, and the inventors are Woojin AHN, Juhyung Son, Geonjung KO, and Jinsam Kwak.

Abstract:
The patent describes a wireless communication method and a terminal that use enhanced distributed channel access. A wireless communication terminal accesses a channel based on data priority and transmits data. This involves switching a channel access parameter set (from a first to a second set) if a base wireless communication terminal triggers its participation in a multi-user uplink transmission. The terminal then accesses the channel using this second set of parameters. After transmitting a trigger-based physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU), the terminal sets a timer (second parameter set timer) when an immediate response to a MAC protocol data unit (MPDU) within the PPDU is received. The application of the second parameter set is terminated when this timer expires.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Independent Claim 1 (Method): This claim describes a method for a wireless communication terminal to wirelessly communicate with a base terminal. The method involves the terminal accessing a channel and transmitting data based on the data's priority. A key aspect is that the terminal switches its channel access parameters (from an initial "first parameter set" to a "second parameter set") if the base terminal instructs it to participate in a multi-user uplink transmission. After the terminal sends a "trigger-based physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU)," it starts a timer (a "second parameter set timer") if it receives an immediate response to a "MAC protocol data unit (MPDU)" that was part of the PPDU. The use of this "second parameter set" stops when the timer expires.

• Independent Claim 6 (Wireless Communication Terminal): This claim outlines a wireless communication terminal that includes a transceiver and a processor. The processor is configured to perform the actions described in Claim 1. Specifically, it's designed to access a channel and transmit data based on priority, and to switch between a first and second set of channel access parameters when triggered by a base terminal for multi-user uplink transmission. The processor also transmits a trigger-based PPDU, sets a timer upon receiving an immediate response to an MPDU within that PPDU, and terminates the application of the second parameter set when the timer expires.

Litigation and Legal Status:
As of April 26, 2026, US patent 11516879 is listed as "Active."
The patent family has ongoing litigation. This includes:

• A PTAB (Patent Trial and Appeal Board) case, IPR2025-01044, which was filed and is currently pending (instituted).
• Two US district court cases filed in the Texas Eastern District Court (case numbers 2:24-cv-00765 and 2:24-cv-00764).

A search for "CAFC 2026 dockets 11516879" did not return any direct results, suggesting that none of the identified litigation has yet reached the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in 2026. However, the IPR was filed in 2025 and the district court cases in 2024, so it is plausible that appeals could arise in the future.