US 12004262

Here's a concise summary of US Patent 12004262:

US Patent Number: US12004262B2

Title: Wireless communication method using BSS identifier and wireless communication terminal using same

Current Assignee: Wilus Institute of Standards and Technology Inc

Inventors: Geonjung KO, Woojin AHN, Juhyung Son, Jinsam Kwak

Filing Date: 2022-02-11

Issue Date: 2024-06-04

Abstract:
A wireless communication method using a Basic Service Set (BSS) identifier and a wireless communication terminal using the same are disclosed. According to an embodiment, a wireless communication method for a base wireless communication terminal involves generating a trigger frame to initiate uplink transmission-based random access from at least one wireless communication terminal. This trigger frame is then inserted into a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) for transmission.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Claim 1 (Wireless Communication Method of a Base Wireless Communication Terminal): This claim describes a method for a central wireless communication device (like an access point) that sends out a "trigger frame." This trigger frame is designed to cause other wireless devices to perform a random uplink transmission (sending data up to the central device). The method includes generating this trigger frame and putting it into a data packet called a Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) for transmission.

• Claim 10 (Wireless Communication Terminal): This claim describes a wireless communication device (like a client station) that communicates with a central wireless device. This device has a transceiver for sending and receiving signals and a processor to handle these signals. The processor is set up to receive a PPDU that contains a trigger frame, which is meant to initiate transmission back to the central device. Based on this received trigger frame, the wireless communication terminal then transmits its own "trigger-based PPDU."

• Claim 15 (Base Wireless Communication Terminal): This claim describes the central wireless communication device itself. It includes a transceiver for sending and receiving wireless signals and a processor for processing them. The processor is configured to perform two key actions: first, it generates a trigger frame that is designed to prompt at least one other wireless communication terminal to perform an uplink transmission via random access. Second, it inserts this trigger frame into a PPDU and transmits that PPDU.

Legal Status and Litigation:
The patent US12004262B2 is currently active, with an anticipated expiration date of 2038-04-16.

Several litigation cases are associated with this patent:

• A PTAB (Patent Trial and Appeal Board) case, IPR2025-01164, has been filed and is currently pending and instituted.
• Two US district court cases have been filed in the Texas Eastern District Court: 2:25-cv-00070 and 2:25-cv-00069.
• The first worldwide family litigation for this patent family has also been filed.

As of April 26, 2026, no dockets specifically for US12004262 have been found in the CAFC (Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit) 2026 records. Given the filing dates of the district court and PTAB cases in 2025, it is expected that any appeals would typically occur later than the current date.

US Patent 12004262 is currently involved in the following litigation:

PTAB Case IPR2025-01164

• Plaintiff(s): Unified Patents LLC
• Defendant(s): Wilus Institute of Standards and Technology Inc (Assumed from patent assignee information and Unified Patents' role in IPRs against patent owners. Further specific details on the Patent Owner for this IPR were not explicitly found in the search results but are inferred from general IPR procedures and other cases involving Unified Patents.)
• Jurisdiction: Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB)
• Case Number: IPR2025-01164
• Filing Date: Not explicitly stated in the provided snippets, but "IPR2025" implies a 2025 filing.
• Outcome/Current Status: Pending - Instituted

Texas Eastern District Court Cases
There are two cases filed in the Texas Eastern District Court, but the plaintiff(s) and defendant(s) are not specified in the provided information.

• Jurisdiction: Texas Eastern District Court

• Case Number: 2:25-cv-00070

• Filing Date: Not explicitly stated in the provided snippets, but "2:25-cv" implies a 2025 filing.

• Outcome/Current Status: Litigation (current status not specified beyond being filed)

• Jurisdiction: Texas Eastern District Court

• Case Number: 2:25-cv-00069

• Filing Date: Not explicitly stated in the provided snippets, but "2:25-cv" implies a 2025 filing.

• Outcome/Current Status: Litigation (current status not specified beyond being filed)

First Worldwide Family Litigation
There is also a record of the first worldwide family litigation being filed, but specific details regarding the parties, jurisdiction, case number, or status are not provided in the given information.

Proceedings overview

One Inter Partes Review (IPR) proceeding has been filed against US Patent 12004262, which is currently in the "Trial Instituted" phase. This means that a challenge to the patent's validity has been allowed to proceed by the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). As no Final Written Decision has been issued yet, no claims have been invalidated or sustained by the PTAB. For a defendant, this indicates that the patent's validity is actively being contested, and the outcome of this IPR will significantly shape the defensive landscape.

IPR2025-01164 — [[[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: 2025-06-30
• Status: Trial Instituted (the PTAB has determined that the petitioner has a reasonable likelihood of prevailing with respect to at least one challenged claim and has commenced a trial)
• Judge panel: Information not publicly available at this stage in the provided data.
• Petition grounds: Specific claims challenged, prior art, and statutory bases (§ 102 / § 103 / § 112) are not detailed in the provided data.
• Institution decision: Instituted. The date of institution is not explicitly provided in the current data, but the "last modified" date of 2026-04-18 indicates activity related to the trial phase.
• Final Written Decision (if issued): Not yet issued. The proceeding is currently in the trial phase.
• Settlement / termination: No settlement or termination recorded as of 2026-04-18.
• Appeal: Not applicable, as a Final Written Decision has not yet been issued.
• Defensive value: This proceeding indicates an active challenge to the patent's validity. If you are facing assertion of this patent, monitoring the progress of IPR2025-01164 is crucial. A favorable outcome for the petitioner could lead to claim cancellation, significantly weakening the patent owner's position. Conversely, if the claims survive, the patent's validity will be strengthened against future challenges on the same grounds.

Strategic summary

As of today, May 18, 2026, US Patent 12004262 is subject to one active Inter Partes Review, IPR2025-01164. Since the proceeding is in the "Trial Instituted" phase, no claims have been definitively canceled or sustained by the PTAB. All claims of 12004262 are currently UNTESTED with a final PTAB decision. The patent's validity is currently under scrutiny, which means there is uncertainty regarding its scope and enforceability. The petitioner, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. et al., is actively challenging the patent.

The estoppel landscape under § 315(e)(2) will only become relevant after a Final Written Decision is issued. If claims are found unpatentable, the petitioner and its privies will be estopped from asserting those specific grounds or any grounds that reasonably could have been raised in a subsequent civil action or ITC investigation. Currently, all prior-art grounds remain available to other potential defendants not in privity with Samsung.

The presence of a major entity like Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. as a petitioner signals that the patent is likely being asserted or is perceived as a threat in the industry. The initiation of an IPR is a common defensive tactic against asserted patents.

Recommended next steps

Given that IPR2025-01164 is in the "Trial Instituted" phase, the most critical next steps for a defendant facing assertion of US Patent 12004262 are:

• Monitor IPR2025-01164 closely: The PTAB has a statutory deadline to issue a Final Written Decision within one year of institution. The institution date is not explicitly provided here, but given the "last modified" date of 2026-04-18, the Final Written Decision is likely due in late 2026 or early 2027. Accessing the PTAB's End-to-End (E2E) system for IPR2025-01164 (accessible via the USPTO PTAB Decisions portal) will provide access to the institution decision, petition details (challenged claims, prior art), and the trial schedule, including oral hearing dates and the anticipated FWD due date.
• Review Institution Decision: Obtain and thoroughly review the institution decision for IPR2025-01164. This document will detail which claims were challenged, the specific prior art grounds on which the trial was instituted, and the PTAB panel's reasoning for institution. This information is critical for understanding the strengths and weaknesses of the challenged claims.
• Assess Impact of Potential Outcomes: If the IPR results in the cancellation of key asserted claims, it could significantly weaken or entirely undermine an infringement case. Conversely, if claims are sustained, it indicates a stronger patent, at least against the grounds raised.
• Consider Participation (if appropriate): If your company is facing a demand letter or litigation, evaluate whether intervenor status or filing your own IPR is strategically advantageous, taking into account the estoppel implications and the specific grounds raised by Samsung.

US12004262B2 - Wireless communication method using BSS identifier and wireless communication terminal using same - Google Patents
PTAB case IPR2025-01164 filed (Pending - Instituted) - Unified Patents Portal

Inventors

• Geonjung KO (SK Telecom Co Ltd, Wilus Institute of Standards and Technology Inc)
• Woojin AHN (SK Telecom Co Ltd, Wilus Institute of Standards and Technology Inc)
• Juhyung Son (SK Telecom Co Ltd, Wilus Institute of Standards and Technology Inc)
• Jinsam Kwak (SK Telecom Co Ltd, Wilus Institute of Standards and Technology Inc)

At the time of filing (2022-02-11), all inventors were associated with both SK Telecom Co Ltd and Wilus Institute of Standards and Technology Inc. Google Patents lists "Wilus Institute of Standards and Technology Inc" as the current assignee and "SK Telecom Co Ltd" as the original assignee. The reassignment records indicate that individuals assigned their interest to Wilus Institute of Standards and Technology Inc.

Original assignee

SK Telecom Co Ltd.
SK Telecom Co Ltd is a South Korean telecommunications company that offers wireless communication services, fixed-line broadband, and IPTV. They ship various products and services embodying wireless communication technologies. SK Telecom Co Ltd is currently operating.

Assignment timeline

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

  • Conveyance: License
  • Assignor: SK TELECOM CO., LTD.
  • Assignee: WILUS INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY INC.
  • Correspondent: SUJIT SAHA, SAHA & GANGULY, LLC, 560 W. MAIN STREET, SUITE 200, BOONTON, NEW JERSEY 07005.
  • Context: Transfer of license interest between original co-assignees.

• 2024-04-23 (executed) / recorded 2024-04-23 — Reel 065792/0695

  • Conveyance: Assignment of Assignors Interest
  • Assignor: SON, JUHYUNG; KWAK, JINSAM; AHN, WOOJIN; KO, GEONJUNG
  • Assignee: WILUS INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY INC.
  • Correspondent: SUJIT SAHA, SAHA & GANGULY, LLC, 560 W. MAIN STREET, SUITE 200, BOONTON, NEW JERSEY 07005. This correspondent recurs in this chain.
  • Context: Inventors assigned their interest to a co-assignee.

• 2024-06-20 (executed) / recorded 2024-06-20 — Reel 066023/0401

  • Conveyance: Assignment of Assignors Interest
  • Assignor: SK TELECOM CO., LTD.
  • Assignee: WILUS INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY INC.
  • Correspondent: SUJIT SAHA, SAHA & GANGULY, LLC, 560 W. MAIN STREET, SUITE 200, BOONTON, NEW JERSEY 07005. This correspondent recurs in this chain.
  • Context: Original co-assignee assigned its remaining interest to the other co-assignee.

• 2025-02-26 (executed) / recorded 2025-02-26 — Reel 066539/0719

  • Conveyance: Corrective Assignment
  • Assignor: SK TELECOM CO., LTD.
  • Assignee: WILUS INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY INC.
  • Correspondent: SUJIT SAHA, SAHA & GANGULY, LLC, 560 W. MAIN STREET, SUITE 200, BOONTON, NEW JERSEY 07005. This correspondent recurs in this chain.
  • Context: Corrective assignment to amend agreement date of an exclusive license.

Timeline diagram

timeline
    title Ownership of US 12004262
    2022 : Filed by SK Telecom & Wilus Inst.
         : License to Wilus Inst.
    2024 : Inventors assign to Wilus Inst.
         : SK Telecom assigns to Wilus Inst.
    2025 : Corrective assignment
    2026 : Patent under litigation

NPE / troll-pattern signals

1. Shell-entity transfer — not present. The primary assignee, Wilus Institute of Standards and Technology Inc., appears to be a research and development entity rather than a pure licensing shell. SK Telecom is a major operating company.
2. Known asserter in the chain — not present. Neither SK Telecom Co Ltd nor Wilus Institute of Standards and Technology Inc. are on common public NPE lists.
3. Repeat correspondent across the chain — present. SUJIT SAHA of SAHA & GANGULY, LLC is listed as the correspondent for all recorded assignments: Reel 062152/0001 (2022-12-18), Reel 065792/0695 (2024-04-23), Reel 066023/0401 (2024-06-20), and Reel 066539/0719 (2025-02-26).
4. Cascading transfers — not present. The transfers involve a clear progression of ownership to Wilus Institute of Standards and Technology Inc., rather than rapid transfers between numerous LLCs.
5. Pre-litigation transfer — unclear. While the patent is currently subject to litigation, it is unclear from the assignment records if the transfers immediately preceded the initial filing of the infringement suits. The first worldwide family litigation was filed on an unspecified date in 2025, while the latest assignment was recorded on 2025-02-26. This proximity might suggest a pre-litigation transfer, but without the exact litigation filing date, it remains unclear.
6. Bankruptcy fire-sale — not present. There is no indication in the assignment records or public information that either assignor filed for bankruptcy.
7. Privateering — not present. No evidence suggests an operating company transferred the patent to an NPE for assertion against competitors.
8. Defensive aggregator (anti-NPE) — not present. The chain does not terminate at any known defensive aggregators.

Verdict

NPE — moderate confidence
The presence of repeated correspondents, specifically SUJIT SAHA of SAHA & GANGULY, LLC, across all recorded assignments (Reel 062152/0001, Reel 065792/0695, Reel 066023/0401, Reel 066539/0719) is a noteworthy signal. While neither assignee is a known high-frequency NPE, the pattern of a single attorney handling multiple transfers, especially considering the litigation noted by Google Patents, suggests the possibility of a strategic approach to patent enforcement.

USPTO Assignment Center search for US12004262: https://assignmentcenter.uspto.gov/

The provided text for US Patent 12004262B2, titled "Wireless communication method using BSS identifier and wireless communication terminal using same," does not include a "References Cited" section or the full text of the patent claims. Therefore, I cannot directly identify specific patent citations (prior art documents) that were formally cited during the examination of US12004262B2, nor can I analyze which claims they potentially anticipate under 35 U.S.C. § 102.

Searches for "US12004262B2 references cited" or "US12004262B2 patent citations" did not yield direct lists of prior art references within the search snippets but rather general information on how to conduct patent searches through USPTO tools.

General Technological Prior Art Context (from provided patent text):

While specific patent citations are unavailable in the provided document, the patent itself describes the technological landscape that forms its prior art background. The "Prior art keywords" listed for US12004262B2 are "wireless communication," "communication terminal," "ppdu," "bss," and "field." The patent also extensively defines and discusses various IEEE 802.11 wireless LAN technology standards as the foundation upon which its invention is built. These standards represent a significant portion of the general technical prior art in the field of the invention.

The IEEE 802.11 standards mentioned include:

• IEEE 802.11b: Supports up to 11 Mbps in the 2.4 GHz band.
• IEEE 802.11a: Uses the 5 GHz band, up to 54 Mbps with OFDM, with a shorter communication distance than 802.11b.
• IEEE 802.11g: Uses the 2.4 GHz band, up to 54 Mbps, and is backward compatible with 802.11b.
• IEEE 802.11n: Aims for increased speed (up to 540 Mbps), reliability, and extended operating distance, based on MIMO technology.
• IEEE 802.11ac: Supports a wide bandwidth (80-160 MHz) in the 5 GHz band, aiming for speeds of at least 1 Gbps, using wider bandwidth, more MIMO spatial streams, multi-user MIMO, and higher-density modulation (256 QAM). It also supports 2.4 GHz for backward compatibility.
• IEEE 802.11ad: Uses the 60 GHz band for very high speeds (up to 7 Gbps) with beamforming technology, suitable for short-distance, high bit rate streaming.
• Next-generation wireless communication technology standards after 802.11ac and 802.11ad: The patent notes ongoing discussions for providing high-efficiency and high-performance wireless communication in high-density environments.

These IEEE standards establish the state of the art in wireless local area networks, particularly concerning communication speeds, frequency bands, modulation techniques (OFDM, QAM), antenna technologies (MIMO), and network structures (BSS). The invention of US12004262B2, which deals with wireless communication methods and terminals using BSS identifiers (BSS color), trigger frames, and PPDU formats for improved efficiency, especially in random access and power saving operations within the context of these evolving standards, would be understood against this background. However, without the specific cited patent documents and claims, a detailed anticipation analysis is not possible.

Obviousness Analysis under 35 U.S.C. § 103 for US12004262

This analysis identifies combinations of prior art references that would render the claims of US12004262 obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art (POSA). The motivation for combining these references is rooted in the continuous drive within wireless communication to improve efficiency, reduce interference, and support high-density network deployments, particularly within the evolving IEEE 802.11 standards. A POSA in wireless communication, specifically IEEE 802.11 technologies, would have knowledge of MAC and PHY layer specifications, various communication standards (e.g., 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax), techniques for managing channel access, power saving, and interference mitigation.

US12004262 generally relates to wireless communication methods and terminals using a Basic Service Set (BSS) identifier, particularly a "BSS color," for triggering uplink transmissions and managing spatial reuse in dense wireless LAN (WLAN) environments. The patent describes a base wireless communication terminal (e.g., an Access Point or AP) that generates and transmits a trigger frame within a Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) to initiate uplink transmission-based random access from other wireless communication terminals (e.g., stations or STAs). A key aspect is the use of a BSS color in the PPDU or trigger frame, especially when triggering transmissions from unassociated STAs.

Combination 1: WO2015120488A1 in view of US10972962B2 and WO2017030342A1

References:

• WO2015120488A1 (Liu et al.): This patent application, published August 13, 2015, discloses a method for identifying a source BSS in WLAN. It describes a High Efficiency (HE) AP sending a packet containing a BSS color to an HE station, and an assigned Association Identification (AID) (including at least part of the BSS color information) to a Very High Throughput (VHT) station. The VHT station then sends a packet containing this BSS color information, allowing other devices to identify its BSS. Liu et al. explicitly mention BSS color being introduced in IEEE 802.11ah for BSS identification, and its use for spatial reuse in dense network scenarios. It also discusses the ability to identify uplink traffic using partial AID which is basically partial BSSID.
• US10972962B2 (Patil et al.): This patent, titled "Signaling identifiers for multiple basic services sets (BSS)", discusses the use of Multiple BSSIDs and the communication between APs and STAs in WLANs, with each BSS being associated with a BSSID. It mentions that an AP can establish common service settings and that STAs can establish wireless associations with an AP.
• WO2017030342A1 ([LG Electronics Inc.](/litigations/by-plaintiff/LG%20Electronics%20Inc.)): This document, published in 2017, describes methods for uplink multi-user (UL MU) transmission in a WLAN system. It details receiving a DL MU PPDU containing a trigger frame with trigger information for UL MU transmission, and then transmitting a UL MU PPDU based on this information. The trigger frame can be a unicast or broadcast trigger frame, configured in a unified format including a common information field and a user information field, which may contain resource unit allocation information.

Motivation for Combination:
A POSA would be motivated to combine the teachings of Liu et al., Patil et al., and LG Electronics Inc. to enhance spatial reuse and efficient uplink resource allocation in dense WLAN environments. Liu et al. introduce BSS color as a mechanism for BSS identification to improve spatial reuse and identify packets from overlapping BSSs (OBSSs), which is crucial in dense networks. Patil et al. reinforce the concept of multiple BSSIDs and the management of BSSs by an AP. LG Electronics Inc. provides a mechanism for triggering UL MU transmissions using trigger frames with common and user information fields, including resource allocation.

The motivation would be to integrate the BSS color mechanism into the trigger frame-based UL MU transmission framework to enable more efficient channel access and interference management. By including BSS color information in the trigger frame, particularly for unassociated stations, the system can improve its ability to perform spatial reuse and make informed decisions about channel access, even for devices not yet fully integrated into a BSS. This would address the problem of efficient resource allocation and interference reduction in dense environments, which is a continuous concern in IEEE 802.11 evolution.

Obviousness Argument:
US12004262 claims a method where a base wireless communication terminal generates a trigger frame for uplink transmission-based random access and inserts it into a PPDU. The PPDU is transmitted using a format including a field indicating a BSS color. Specifically, when triggering random access of a wireless communication terminal unassociated with the BSS, the BSS color is inserted into the trigger frame (e.g., in a User Info field or Common Info field).

• Trigger Frame for Uplink Transmission-Based Random Access in a PPDU: LG Electronics Inc. clearly teaches transmitting a DL MU PPDU comprising a trigger frame including trigger information for UL MU transmission, and subsequently transmitting a UL MU PPDU based on this information. This directly covers generating a trigger frame for triggering uplink transmission and inserting it into a PPDU for transmission. The concept of random access based on trigger frames is also known in IEEE 802.11ax.
• PPDU Format Including a Field Indicating a BSS Color: Liu et al. explicitly disclose an HE AP sending a packet containing a BSS color to an HE station, and also note that N bits can be allocated as BSS color bits (BCB) in HE-SIG symbols to indicate the BSS color. This demonstrates that including a BSS color field in a PPDU format (specifically HE-SIG symbols, which are part of a PPDU) was known. Furthermore, EP3849157B1, by some of the same inventors as US12004262, mentions a BSS color field in the HE-SIG-A field consisting of 6 bits, indicating an identifier of the BSS corresponding to a terminal that transmitted the corresponding PPDU.
• Inserting BSS Color in Trigger Frame for Unassociated Terminals: Liu et al. teach that a VHT station can send a packet containing BSS color information (derived from an assigned AID that includes BSS color information), allowing any AP or station to determine the BSS the VHT station is in. This shows the concept of a station communicating its BSS identity via BSS color. Patil et al. discuss managing multiple BSSIDs and the association of STAs with an AP. The problem of efficiently handling unassociated stations, especially in dense environments, would naturally lead a POSA to consider how such stations could participate in spatial reuse schemes. Knowing that BSS color is used for identification (Liu et al.) and that trigger frames are used for soliciting uplink transmissions (LG Electronics Inc.), a POSA would find it obvious to include BSS color information within the trigger frame, particularly in the "User Info field" or "Common Info field" (as described in LG Electronics Inc. for resource allocation and common information) when targeting unassociated stations. This would allow these unassociated stations to correctly identify the BSS of the transmitting AP and participate in spatial reuse mechanisms or even differentiate traffic for better channel access, aligning with the objectives of improving efficiency and reducing interference in dense WLANs (as highlighted in Liu et al.). The patent itself defines "unassociated" wireless communication terminal as one that may be unassociated with any base wireless communication terminal, which further underscores the need for such explicit BSS identification in broadcast communications like trigger frames.

Therefore, the combination of Liu et al., Patil et al., and LG Electronics Inc. would render the core claims of US12004262 obvious, as it teaches the essential elements of using BSS color in PPDUs and trigger frames for uplink transmission in a wireless communication system, including for unassociated terminals, to improve network efficiency and spatial reuse.

Combination 2: WO2015120488A1 in view of EP3243292A1 and "An Experimental Study of Triggered Multi-User Uplink Access with Real Application Traffic" (Shao et al.)

References:

• WO2015120488A1 (Liu et al.): As above, teaches BSS color for identifying source BSS, improving spatial reuse, and the inclusion of BSS color information in AIDs for VHT stations.
• EP3243292A1 (Oteri et al.): This patent application, published August 23, 2017, discusses "BSS-Color Enhanced Transmission in WLANs (BSS-CET)." It details how BSS color can be transmitted in the ID field of the SIG-1 field of a packet (preamble) to allow STAs to identify the transmitting BSS, and how BSS color may be placed in TXVECTOR/RXVECTOR parameters. It also mentions adjusting Clear Channel Assessment (CCA) thresholds and transmit power control (TPC) based on BSS color to improve spectral efficiency. Oteri et al. also explicitly refers to IEEE 802.11ax as using BSS color.
• "An Experimental Study of Triggered Multi-User Uplink Access with Real Application Traffic" (Shao et al., 2017): This paper discusses Triggered Uplink Access (TUA) in IEEE 802.11ax, where an AP triggers multiple non-AP stations to transmit simultaneously by broadcasting a trigger frame. The trigger frame contains information about participating stations, allocated resource units, and transmission duration.

Motivation for Combination:
A POSA would be motivated to combine Liu et al., Oteri et al., and Shao et al. to achieve robust and efficient multi-user uplink transmissions, particularly in dense environments where spatial reuse is critical. Liu et al. establish the foundational concept of BSS color for BSS identification and spatial reuse. Oteri et al. further elaborate on the technical implementation of BSS color, including its placement in PPDU preambles and its use in CCA/TPC adjustments for improved spectral efficiency, directly addressing dense WLAN deployments. Shao et al. provide the mechanism of triggered uplink access using trigger frames in 802.11ax, emphasizing the AP's role in coordinating simultaneous uplink transmissions.

The motivation would be to integrate the spatial reuse benefits of BSS coloring into the triggered uplink access mechanism. By explicitly carrying BSS color information within the trigger frames (as discussed by Shao et al.) and PPDUs (as discussed by Oteri et al. and Liu et al.), STAs, including those not yet fully associated, can make better decisions regarding channel access (e.g., adjusting CCA thresholds as per Oteri et al.) and avoid unnecessary deferrals, thereby improving overall network throughput and reducing latency.

Obviousness Argument:
US12004262 claims a method of using a BSS identifier (BSS color) within a trigger frame and PPDU for uplink transmission, including for unassociated stations.

• Trigger Frame for Uplink Transmission and PPDU Format: Shao et al. clearly describes the use of trigger frames by an AP to solicit simultaneous uplink transmissions from multiple stations as a key component of IEEE 802.11ax. The trigger frame is broadcast in a PPDU and includes per-STA information like allocated resource units. This fulfills the aspects of generating a trigger frame for triggering uplink transmission and inserting it into a PPDU.
• BSS Color in PPDU for BSS Identification and Spatial Reuse: Liu et al. and Oteri et al. both teach the use of BSS color for identifying the source BSS and facilitating spatial reuse. Oteri et al. specifically mentions transmitting BSS color in the SIG-1 field of a packet (preamble), which is part of a PPDU, to allow STAs to identify the transmitting BSS. This directly addresses the inclusion of a BSS color field in the PPDU format.
• Inserting BSS Color in Trigger Frame, especially for unassociated STAs: Given that BSS color is used for identifying BSSs and enhancing spatial reuse (Liu et al. and Oteri et al.), and that trigger frames are used to coordinate uplink transmissions (Shao et al.), a POSA would be motivated to include BSS color information in the trigger frames. This would enable all recipient STAs, including those not yet fully associated but still needing to participate in random access or make channel sensing decisions, to correctly identify the BSS of the AP transmitting the trigger frame. This ensures that the benefits of BSS coloring for spatial reuse (e.g., adjusting CCA thresholds as taught by Oteri et al.) can be extended to all STAs responding to a trigger frame, regardless of their association status. The information in the trigger frame (which includes common and user info fields according to LG Electronics Inc. - a generally known concept in trigger frames) would be a logical place to put this BSS identification for broad applicability, especially for random access where association might not be fully established. The "User Info field" in a trigger frame could be configured to carry this BSS color for individual or groups of unassociated STAs, providing a clear link between the triggered transmission and the BSS performing the triggering.

Thus, the combination of Liu et al., Oteri et al., and Shao et al. makes the claims of US12004262 obvious by teaching the use of BSS color within PPDUs and trigger frames to facilitate efficient uplink random access and spatial reuse in WLANs, even for unassociated terminals.

Person Having Ordinary Skill in the Art (POSA)

A POSA in the context of US12004262 would be an engineer or researcher with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a related field, along with several years of experience (e.g., 3-5 years) in designing, developing, or standardizing wireless communication systems, particularly those adhering to IEEE 802.11 standards. This individual would possess:

• A strong understanding of IEEE 802.11 MAC and PHY layers, including different amendments (e.g., 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax).
• Knowledge of concepts such as Basic Service Sets (BSS), BSSIDs, Association IDs (AIDs), PPDUs, trigger frames, OFDMA, MU-MIMO, spatial reuse, and carrier sensing mechanisms (e.g., CCA, NAV).
• Familiarity with the challenges of dense WLAN deployments, including co-channel interference (CCI) and overlapping BSS (OBSS) scenarios, and techniques for mitigating these issues.
• An understanding of power saving operations and how they interact with channel access.
• The ability to interpret and apply technical specifications and research papers related to wireless communication standards.

This POSA would be motivated to combine existing technologies to solve known problems in the field, such as improving spectrum efficiency and reducing latency in dense wireless networks. The introduction of BSS coloring in 802.11ah and 802.11ax for interference mitigation and spatial reuse, alongside the development of trigger frames for coordinated uplink access, would be well-known to such a person. The idea of extending BSS identification to various communication scenarios, including those involving unassociated stations or random access, would be a logical progression for this POSA to enhance overall system performance.

To provide the most accurate information regarding US Patent 12004262, a direct search on the USPTO's Patent Public Search database is necessary. While some general information about the patent is available in the provided text, specific details about patent term adjustments, extensions, and the full family tree are best obtained from the official USPTO records.

Based on the information available:

• Patent Number: US12004262B2 (granted on 2024-06-04)

Patent Term Adjustment (PTA) and Patent Term Extension (PTE):
The provided text does not explicitly state any Patent Term Adjustments (PTA) or Patent Term Extensions (PTE) for US12004262B2.

• PTA is granted to compensate for administrative delays by the USPTO during patent prosecution for utility or plant patent applications.
• PTE is awarded to compensate for delays in obtaining regulatory approval for patented products, such as drugs.

To confirm any PTA or PTE, a direct check of the patent's prosecution history on the USPTO website would be required, as the USPTO does not calculate expiration dates for patents but provides tools to estimate them.

Continuation Applications, Divisional Applications, and Related Family Members:

• Application Number: US17/670,419
• Priority Date: 2017-04-14
• Priority Claimed From: KR1020170048762A
• Other versions/Family Members: US20220167460A1

The patent claims priority to US17/670,419 and KR1020170048762A. US20220167460A1 is an earlier publication of this patent family.

A continuation application pursues additional claims to an invention disclosed in an earlier, still-pending "parent" application, using the same specification and claiming the same priority date.
A divisional application also claims priority to a parent application but covers a distinct invention "carved out" due to a restriction requirement from the examiner, and generally has the same specification but different claims.
A continuation-in-part (CIP) application includes substantially the same specification as the parent but adds new subject matter, resulting in a split priority date where new matter claims are only entitled to the CIP's filing date.

The provided data does not specify if US12004262B2 is a continuation, divisional, or continuation-in-part of US17/670,419 or if there are other pending continuation or divisional applications.

Projected Expiration Date:
The anticipated expiration date for US12004262B2 is 2038-04-16.

For utility patents filed on or after June 8, 1995, the patent term generally expires 20 years from the earliest filing date of the application, or of an earlier application to which it claims priority. Since the priority date is 2017-04-14, a standard 20-year term would typically end around April 14, 2037. However, the provided expiration date of 2038-04-16 indicates that there has been an adjustment, likely due to Patent Term Adjustment (PTA), which extends the patent term to compensate for USPTO delays.

Here are derivative variations and combination prior art scenarios for US Patent 12004262, crafted from the perspective of a Senior Patent Strategist and Research Engineer specializing in Defensive Publishing. The goal is to establish prior art to render future incremental improvements obvious or non-novel.

Derivative Variations for US Patent 12004262

The following derivatives build upon the core concepts of the patent, specifically targeting independent claims 1 (Wireless Communication Method of a Base Wireless Communication Terminal), 10 (Wireless Communication Terminal), and 15 (Base Wireless Communication Terminal).

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Derivative 1: Material & Component Substitution (Focus: Enhanced BSS Color Processing in WCT)

• Enabling Description: Instead of a general-purpose processor (110, 210) and transceiver (120, 220) as broadly described in the patent, consider a specialized Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) with dedicated hardware accelerators for BSS Color identification and spatial reuse (SR) operations. The FPGA/ASIC would incorporate a high-speed BSS Color comparator block implemented in a low-power Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS) process. This block would perform parallel comparison of received PPDU BSS Color fields (e.g., from HE-SIG-A or VHT Partial AID) against a locally stored "active BSS color" value in less than 10 ns, significantly reducing the latency for Intra-BSS/Inter-BSS determination. This component substitution specifically targets the determination logic described in,,. The transceiver's physical layer processing unit would directly offload the BSS Color extraction to this dedicated hardware, reducing CPU cycles and power consumption.

  graph TD
      A[Transceiver 120/220] --> B{PHY Layer Data Stream};
      B --> C[BSS Color Extraction HW Accelerator];
      C --> D{Active BSS Color Register};
      C --> E{BSS Color Comparator Logic};
      D -- Active BSS Color --> E;
      E -- Comparison Result (Intra/Inter) --> F[MAC Layer Processor 110/210];
      F --> G{Channel Access/SR Decision Logic};
  

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Derivative 2: Operational Parameter Expansion (Focus: High-Density, Ultra-Low Latency Random Access)

• Enabling Description: Expand the operational parameters to extreme high-density client scenarios (e.g., 1000+ STAs per AP within a 100 sq meter area) and ultra-low latency requirements (sub-millisecond uplink random access). The trigger frame (FIG. 7) would be augmented to include dynamic OFDMA Resource Unit (RU) allocation maps with predictive collision avoidance pre-emption fields. Instead of fixed AID12 values (0, 2045) for random access, a rotating pool of "nano-AIDs" (e.g., 4-bit identifiers) is used, changing every microsecond, requiring the WCT to synchronize precisely. The AP (Claim 15) uses a multi-antenna array with adaptive beamforming to dynamically shape trigger frame broadcasts and receive trigger-based PPDUs, simultaneously initiating random access for multiple groups of STAs on overlapping RUs in the 60 GHz band. The "Padding field" (FIG. 7,) duration is dynamically adjusted in real-time based on observed channel congestion and STA processing load, as reported by STAs in an enhanced Buffer Status Report (BSR) (FIG. 29). The OFDMA Contention Window (OCW) (FIG. 9,) is algorithmically scaled based on the number of active STAs and real-time collision rates, managed by the AP to maintain sub-millisecond access.

  sequenceDiagram
      AP->>STA_Group1: TF(60GHz, DynRU_Map, NanoAID_Pool, Padding_μs)
      AP->>STA_Group2: TF(60GHz, DynRU_Map, NanoAID_Pool, Padding_μs)
      Note right of STA_Group1: STAs sync NanoAID, compute OBO(OCW_scaled)
      STA_Group1->>AP: Trigger-based PPDU (NanoAID_1, RU_1)
      STA_Group2->>AP: Trigger-based PPDU (NanoAID_2, RU_2)
      AP->>AP: Real-time Collision Detection & OCW Scaling
      AP->>AP: Update Padding_μs based on BSR
      AP->>STA_Group1: ACK/Enhanced BSR (Updated OBO_params)
  

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Derivative 3: Cross-Domain Application (Focus: Industrial Automation - Robotic Swarms)

• Enabling Description: Apply the wireless communication method to orchestrate large swarms of autonomous industrial robots (WCTs) in a manufacturing plant. The base wireless communication terminal (BWCT) acts as a central swarm coordinator. Each robot (WCT) performs critical path planning and execution, requiring synchronized, low-latency uplink reports (random access). The BSS Color (BSS identifier),, would identify specific robotic work zones or process stages within the factory. A trigger frame (Claim 1) transmitted by the swarm coordinator (BWCT) would prompt random access from robots needing to report immediate status (e.g., collision avoidance, task completion, sensor readings). The trigger-based PPDUs (Claim 10) from the robots would include their "partial AID" for quick identification of the specific robot and its current state. Multiple swarm coordinators (BWCTs) could operate in overlapping areas, each with a unique BSS Color, allowing robots to perform spatial reuse (SR) operations to avoid interference between work zones, using adjusted CCA thresholds based on the BSS Color of observed transmissions from other zones.

  graph LR
      SubGraph1[Robotic Work Zone A (BSS Color 1)]
          SCA1[Swarm Coordinator A (BWCT)] --> R1_A(Robot 1)
          SCA1 --> R2_A(Robot 2)
          R1_A -- TF-triggered Uplink --> SCA1
          R2_A -- TF-triggered Uplink --> SCA1
      End
      SubGraph2[Robotic Work Zone B (BSS Color 2)]
          SCB1[Swarm Coordinator B (BWCT)] --> R1_B(Robot 3)
          SCB1 --> R2_B(Robot 4)
          R1_B -- TF-triggered Uplink --> SCB1
          R2_B -- TF-triggered Uplink --> SCB1
      End
      SCA1 -- Overlapping Radio Domain --> SCB1
      R1_A -- Detects OBSS PPDU (BSS Color 2) --> R1_A
      R1_A -- Adjusts CCA for SR --> R1_A
  

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Derivative 4: Integration with Emerging Tech (Focus: AI-driven Optimization for Trigger Frame Scheduling)

• Enabling Description: Integrate AI-driven optimization into the base wireless communication terminal (BWCT) for dynamic generation and scheduling of trigger frames (Claim 1). An AI module, specifically a Reinforcement Learning (RL) agent, observes real-time network conditions (channel load, STA buffer status, latency requirements, energy consumption profiles) using IoT sensors embedded in the WCTs (Claim 10) and network infrastructure. The RL agent dynamically adjusts parameters within the trigger frame, such as: the size and number of RUs allocated for random access; the MinTrigProcTime (minimum processing time) padding; the OFDMA Contention Window (OCW) parameters (OCWmin, OCWmax) within the UORA parameter set element (FIG. 10,); and the scheduling of trigger frames (e.g., burst transmission for time-critical data, staggered for power-saving STAs). The AI also optimizes the BSS Color allocation strategy (dynamically assigning or reassigning BSS Colors) to minimize Inter-BSS interference and maximize spatial reuse in dynamic environments. IoT sensors provide telemetry (e.g., RSSI, noise floor, latency, battery level) which feeds into the AI's state observation space.

  graph TD
      A[IoT Sensors (WCTs)] --> B(Telemetry Data: RSSI, Latency, Buffer, Battery);
      B --> C[AI Module (RL Agent) in BWCT];
      C -- Observes Network State --> C;
      C -- Policy Decisions (Optimize Trigger Frame Params) --> D[Trigger Frame Generation Module];
      D -- Generated Trigger Frame --> E[PPDU Encapsulation & Transmission];
      E --> F(Wireless Medium);
      F --> G[WCTs (Claim 10)];
      G -- Trigger-based PPDU --> F;
      F --> H[BWCT Receiver];
      H -- Feedback (ACKs, BSRs) --> C;
  

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Derivative 5: The "Inverse" or Failure Mode (Focus: Low-Power, Limited-Functionality Random Access for Disaster Scenarios)

• Enabling Description: Design a version of the invention for low-power, limited-functionality random access, specifically for wireless communication terminals (WCTs) in disaster or emergency scenarios where infrastructure (BWCTs) may be compromised or operating on minimal power. In this "emergency mode," WCTs (Claim 10) prioritize essential data transmission (e.g., location, vital signs) over high throughput. The trigger frame (Claim 1) transmitted by a surviving BWCT (or a designated emergency WCT acting as a temporary coordinator) would contain a "Reduced Functionality Mode" flag. This flag would instruct WCTs to: utilize a minimal, pre-defined set of OFDMA RUs (e.g., 20 MHz bandwidth on a single 26-tone RU) for random access, regardless of their full capability; limit their transmit power to conserve battery; use a simplified, non-cryptographic BSS identifier (e.g., 1-bit "Emergency BSS Color") for quick channel access differentiation, overriding the normal BSS Color logic; and transmit only short, aggregated MAC Protocol Data Units (A-MPDUs) with a maximum aggregation limit of 1, containing critical data frames. The BWCT's processor (Claim 15) would enter a low-power listening state, polling for these emergency trigger-based PPDUs at reduced frequency. The "Inverse" aspect is that the system prioritizes survival and basic connectivity over performance, effectively operating in a "safe-fail" or "minimal viable communication" state.

  stateDiagram-v2
      Normal_Operation --> Emergency_Mode: Disaster Detected / BWCT Flag Set
      Emergency_Mode --> Low_Power_Listen: WCT enters Doze State
      Low_Power_Listen --> Emergency_Random_Access: Receive TF (Reduced Functionality Flag)
      Emergency_Random_Access --> Transmit_Critical_Data: Generate Trigger-based PPDU (Min_RU, Low_TX_Power, 1-bit BSS Color)
      Transmit_Critical_Data --> Low_Power_Listen: After Transmission / Wait for next TF
      Emergency_Mode --> Normal_Operation: Infrastructure Recovered / BWCT Flag Reset
  

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Derivative 6: Material & Component Substitution (Focus: Gallium Nitride (GaN) RF Front-End for BWCT Transceiver)

• Enabling Description: For the base wireless communication terminal (BWCT) transceiver (220, Claim 15), substitute traditional silicon-based radio frequency (RF) front-end components with Gallium Nitride (GaN) power amplifiers (PAs) and low-noise amplifiers (LNAs). GaN technology offers superior power efficiency, higher output power, and improved linearity across a wider frequency range (e.g., extending beyond 60 GHz to sub-Terahertz bands). This enables the BWCT to transmit trigger frames (Claim 1) with higher effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP) for extended range or through denser environments, while reducing energy consumption. The improved linearity also allows for more complex modulation schemes (e.g., 1024-QAM or higher) for the PPDU, increasing trigger frame payload capacity or spectral efficiency. This is particularly relevant for the "high-efficiency (HE) PPDU format" mentioned in. The GaN components would be integrated into the transceiver module (220), allowing for operation with multiple transmit and receive modules across different frequency bands (e.g., 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 60 GHz) with enhanced performance.

  graph LR
      BWCT_Processor[Processor 210] --> Transceiver_Module[Transceiver Module 220]
      Transceiver_Module --> RF_FrontEnd[RF Front-End (GaN)]
      RF_FrontEnd --> Antenna[Antenna Array]
      RF_FrontEnd -- High Power, High Linearity --> Wireless_Medium[Wireless Medium]
      subgraph RF_FrontEnd
          GaN_PA[GaN Power Amplifier]
          GaN_LNA[GaN Low-Noise Amplifier]
          Mixer[Mixer]
      end
      Transceiver_Module -- Baseband Signals --> GaN_PA
      GaN_LNA -- Received RF --> Transceiver_Module
  

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Derivative 7: Operational Parameter Expansion (Focus: Sub-GHz and Millimeter-Wave Co-existence)

• Enabling Description: Expand the operational parameter of the wireless communication method to simultaneously utilize both sub-Gigahertz (sub-GHz) frequency bands (e.g., 868 MHz or 915 MHz for long-range, low-power communication) and millimeter-wave (mmWave) bands (e.g., 60 GHz for high-throughput, short-range communication), as hinted by the transceiver's ability to use different frequency bands in,. The base wireless communication terminal (BWCT) transmits trigger frames (Claim 1) on both frequency bands. The sub-GHz band is used for robust, long-range trigger signaling to power-saving WCTs (e.g., IoT devices in deep sleep) that periodically wake to listen. Once a WCT (Claim 10) receives a sub-GHz trigger, it can then switch to the mmWave band (if capable) for high-speed uplink random access transmission of data, guided by the specific RU allocation (FIG. 8) and BSS Color information in the trigger frame. The BSS color could further differentiate between sub-GHz and mmWave network segments within the same Extended Service Set (ESS). This allows for efficient power management and bandwidth allocation based on device capabilities and data urgency.

  sequenceDiagram
      BWCT->>WCT_SubGHz: TF_SubGHz (Wake-up, Target_mmWave_Channel, BSS_Color)
      Note right of WCT_SubGHz: WCT_SubGHz is in deep sleep
      WCT_SubGHz->>WCT_SubGHz: Wake-up from deep sleep
      WCT_SubGHz->>WCT_SubGHz: Tune to Target_mmWave_Channel
      WCT_SubGHz->>BWCT: Trigger-based PPDU_mmWave (High-throughput data)
      BWCT->>WCT_mmWave: ACK_mmWave
      Note right of WCT_mmWave: WCT_mmWave returns to deep sleep or continues mmWave op
  

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Derivative 8: Cross-Domain Application (Focus: Precision Agriculture - Autonomous Sensor Nodes)

• Enabling Description: Adapt the wireless communication method for precision agriculture, specifically for managing vast networks of autonomous sensor nodes (WCTs) deployed across large fields. A base wireless communication terminal (BWCT), possibly mounted on a drone or a mobile farm vehicle, acts as a roving data collector and coordinator. These sensor nodes (WCTs) monitor soil conditions, crop health, or livestock vital signs. The BWCT transmits trigger frames (Claim 1) to specific groups of sensor nodes within its current coverage area, initiating uplink transmission-based random access for them to report their aggregated sensor data. The BSS identifier (BSS Color) could delineate different sections of a field, crop types, or even different herds of livestock. The "User Info field" (FIG. 8) of the trigger frame could allocate specific RUs for different sensor types (e.g., soil moisture sensors on RU1, temperature sensors on RU2). When a sensor node (WCT, Claim 10) detects a trigger frame with its assigned BSS Color, it performs random access to transmit its data, ensuring efficient collection without continuous polling and conserving node battery life.

  graph TD
      BWCT_Drone[BWCT (Drone/Mobile)] --> Field_Segment_A[Field Segment A (BSS Color 1)]
      BWCT_Drone --> Field_Segment_B[Field Segment B (BSS Color 2)]
      Field_Segment_A --> Sensor_Node_A1(Soil Moisture Sensor)
      Field_Segment_A --> Sensor_Node_A2(Crop Health Sensor)
      Field_Segment_B --> Sensor_Node_B1(Livestock Tracker)
      BWCT_Drone -- Trigger Frame (BSS Color 1) --> Sensor_Node_A1, Sensor_Node_A2
      Sensor_Node_A1 -- Trigger-based PPDU (Data) --> BWCT_Drone
      Sensor_Node_A2 -- Trigger-based PPDU (Data) --> BWCT_Drone
      BWCT_Drone -- Moves to B, then Trigger Frame (BSS Color 2) --> Sensor_Node_B1
      Sensor_Node_B1 -- Trigger-based PPDU (Data) --> BWCT_Drone
  

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Derivative 9: Integration with Emerging Tech (Focus: Blockchain for Secure Trigger Frame Integrity)

• Enabling Description: Integrate blockchain technology for verifying the integrity and authenticity of trigger frames (Claim 1) and ensuring non-repudiation of uplink random access transmissions. Each trigger frame generated by the base wireless communication terminal (BWCT) is cryptographically signed and its hash is recorded on a private blockchain network. When a wireless communication terminal (WCT, Claim 10) receives a PPDU containing a trigger frame, its processor (110) not only processes the trigger information but also verifies the digital signature of the trigger frame against the BWCT's public key. Before transmitting a trigger-based PPDU, the WCT includes a proof-of-receipt for the original trigger frame (e.g., a hash of the trigger frame and its own signature) as part of its MAC header or payload, which is then verified by the BWCT upon reception. This prevents spoofing of trigger frames by malicious entities and ensures that only authorized trigger frames can initiate uplink random access, adding a layer of security and auditability, particularly critical in sensitive applications.

  sequenceDiagram
      participant BWCT
      participant WCT
      participant Blockchain_Network as BN
  
      BWCT->>BWCT: Generate Trigger Frame (TF)
      BWCT->>BWCT: Sign TF, compute Hash(TF)
      BWCT->>BN: Record Hash(TF) on Blockchain
      Note right of BN: Immutable record of TF issued
      BWCT->>WCT: Transmit PPDU (TF, Signature)
      WCT->>WCT: Verify Signature(TF) using BWCT Public Key
      alt Signature Valid
          WCT->>WCT: Generate Trigger-based PPDU (Hash(TF)_Proof)
          WCT->>BWCT: Transmit Trigger-based PPDU
          BWCT->>BWCT: Verify Hash(TF)_Proof against BN record
          BWCT->>WCT: ACK
      else Signature Invalid
          WCT->>WCT: Discard TF, do not transmit
          BWCT->>BWCT: Detect non-response, log anomaly
      end
  

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Derivative 10: The "Inverse" or Failure Mode (Focus: Graceful Degradation of Spatial Reuse in Congested/Hostile Environments)

• Enabling Description: Develop a "failure mode" where the spatial reuse (SR) operation of the wireless communication terminal (WCT) gracefully degrades in highly congested or hostile environments (e.g., jamming attempts) instead of outright failure. Normally, the WCT adjusts its Clear Channel Assessment (CCA) threshold based on BSS Color to differentiate Intra-BSS from Inter-BSS PPDUs. In this inverse mode, if the WCT's processor (110) detects a consistent high rate of false positive OBSS PD detections (due to jamming or extreme interference) or frequent BSS Color spoofing attempts, it enters a "Degraded SR Mode." In this mode: the WCT temporarily disables the BSS Color-based CCA threshold adjustment for Inter-BSS PPDUs; it reverts to a single, more conservative CCA threshold (e.g., a default, higher threshold for general medium sensing) for all incoming PPDUs, effectively treating all observed traffic as potential Intra-BSS interference or critical transmissions; and the random access mechanism (FIG. 9) would increase the OFDMA Contention Window (OCW) to its maximum (OCWmax) to reduce contention, even if it introduces higher latency. The trigger frame (Claim 1) from the BWCT could include a "Degraded SR Advisory" flag, instructing WCTs to enter this mode, or WCTs could autonomously detect the condition. This ensures basic channel access and data transmission can still occur, albeit with reduced spatial efficiency, prioritizing communication robustness over optimal performance.

  stateDiagram-v2
      Normal_SR_Operation --> Degraded_SR_Mode: Detect High False Positive OBSS PDs / BSS Color Spoofing / BWCT Advisory
      Degraded_SR_Mode --> Monitor_Channel_Conservative: Disable BSS Color-based CCA Adjustment
      Monitor_Channel_Conservative --> Attempt_Random_Access_Conservative: Use Global, Higher CCA Threshold
      Attempt_Random_Access_Conservative --> Transmit_Data: Increase OCW to OCWmax
      Transmit_Data --> Monitor_Channel_Conservative: After Transmission
      Degraded_SR_Mode --> Normal_SR_Operation: Environment Clears / BWCT Resets Advisory
  

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Combination Prior Art Scenarios

Here are three combination prior art scenarios where US12004262 could be combined with existing open-source standards to demonstrate obviousness or lack of novelty for future incremental improvements.

1. US12004262 + IEEE 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) Standard + Open-Source Network Stack (e.g., OpenWrt with ath10k/ath11k drivers)

   • Description: The IEEE 802.11ax standard (Wi-Fi 6) explicitly introduced OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access), trigger frames, and BSS coloring as fundamental mechanisms to improve spectral efficiency and spatial reuse in high-density environments. US12004262 describes a wireless communication method using a BSS identifier and trigger frames for uplink random access, fitting directly into the 802.11ax paradigm. Combining the teachings of US12004262 (e.g., the specific trigger frame formats, BSS color handling for Intra-BSS/Inter-BSS differentiation, and random access procedures using OCW as depicted in FIGS. 7-11 of the patent) with the publicly available IEEE 802.11ax standard specifications (e.g., section 26 for HE operation, 26.3 for PPDU formats, 26.10 for BSS color, and 26.11 for Trigger Frames), and an open-source implementation like OpenWrt running on Wi-Fi 6 hardware (e.g., Qualcomm Atheros-based APs/STAs utilizing ath11k drivers for 802.11ax support), would render many incremental improvements obvious. For instance, any "new" method of BSS color negotiation or trigger frame scheduling that relies on basic 802.11ax principles and the core BSS ID/trigger frame interaction as described in the patent would be considered an obvious combination of existing art and an open-source implementation.
   • Prior Art Example: IEEE Std 802.11ax-2019 "Part 11: Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) Specifications; Amendment 1: Enhancements for High Efficiency WLAN." (Openly available standard document). OpenWrt firmware and source code.

2. US12004262 + LoRaWAN Standard (IEEE 802.15.4g-based LPWAN) + Open-Source LoRaWAN Stack (e.g., LoRaMAC-node)

   • Description: While US12004262 focuses on WLAN, the concepts of a "base wireless communication terminal" triggering "uplink transmission-based random access" from "wireless communication terminals" using "identifiers" are highly analogous to LPWAN (Low-Power Wide-Area Network) technologies like LoRaWAN. In LoRaWAN, a Gateway (analogous to the BWCT) communicates with End Devices (analogous to WCTs). While LoRaWAN doesn't use "BSS Color" or "PPDUs" in the 802.11 sense, it uses "DevAddr" (Device Address) and "NwkSKey" (Network Session Key) for identification and secure communication, and devices typically use ALOHA-like random access for uplink transmissions. Combining the "trigger frame" concept from US12004262 to explicitly schedule random uplink access in a LoRaWAN context (e.g., a custom downlink message from the Gateway acting as a "trigger" to instruct specific end-devices to perform uplink random access within a defined window, using their DevAddr as a partial identifier) would be an obvious adaptation. This applies particularly to the power-saving operations described in,, and of the patent. An open-source LoRaWAN stack like LoRaMAC-node provides the reference implementation for device-side operation.
   • Prior Art Example: LoRaWAN Specification (e.g., v1.0.4) by LoRa Alliance. IEEE 802.15.4g "Amendment 2: Low-Power Wireless Area Networks for Smart Utility Networks (SUN)." LoRaMAC-node open-source project.

3. US12004262 + 3GPP 5G New Radio (NR) Standard (e.g., Release 15/16) + Open-Source 5G RAN (e.g., Open5GS or srsRAN)

   • Description: The 3GPP 5G NR standard includes extensive provisions for uplink grant-free access (similar to random access) and resource allocation, particularly for mMTC (massive Machine Type Communications) and URLLC (Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communications). Concepts like "Uplink multi-user response scheduling (UMRS)" and "trigger frame" (interpreted as a downlink grant or indication) from US12004262 align directly with 5G NR's scheduling requests, scheduling assignments, and configured grants. The BSS Color concept, while specific to Wi-Fi, has analogous functions in 5G NR for cell identification and interference management (e.g., PCI - Physical Cell Identity, or RSRP/RSRQ for cell selection/reselection). Combining the explicit "trigger frame" (Claim 1) and "BSS identifier" (BSS Color) based logic for contention-based uplink scheduling from US12004262 with the robust uplink resource allocation mechanisms in 5G NR (e.g., Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) procedures, PUCCH/PUSCH scheduling, and dynamic spectrum sharing) would be a straightforward integration. An open-source 5G Radio Access Network (RAN) project like Open5GS or srsRAN, providing reference implementations of the gNB (BWCT equivalent) and UE (WCT equivalent) functionalities, would serve as the existing open-source standard. This combination would make obvious any further "optimization" of trigger-based uplink random access in a cellular context.
   • Prior Art Example: 3GPP TS 38.213 "NR Physical layer procedures for control." 3GPP TS 38.321 "NR Medium Access Control (MAC) protocol specification." Open5GS or srsRAN open-source projects.