Prior art

Here's an analysis of the most relevant prior art for US Patent 8,259,688, based on the provided patent text and a search of its citations.

US Patent 8,259,688, titled "Pre-allocated random access identifiers," generally describes systems and methods where a base station pre-allocates one or more unique random access codes to specific subscriber stations. These pre-allocated codes can uniquely identify the requesting subscriber station and/or convey specific semantics (beyond just a general usage type) to the base station. This approach aims to reduce random access channel collisions, decrease latency, and conserve resources by allowing the base station to process requests more efficiently without requiring additional identification or request details in a subsequent communication.

The patent explicitly aims to improve upon traditional random access procedures (e.g., in IEEE 802.16 systems) where a base station receiving a randomly selected code only knows the general purpose of the request (e.g., bandwidth request) but not the identity of the requester or specific details, necessitating a multi-stage access process.

The following prior art references were cited by US8259688:

Patent Citations

1. US20020137517A1 - Method and apparatus for allocating codes in a wireless communication system

   • Full Citation: US20020137517A1.
   • Publication Date: 2002-09-26.
   • Filing Date: 2001-03-23.
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a method for a base station to allocate unique codes to users in a CDMA system for various communication purposes, including access channels. The codes can be associated with specific functions or meanings and are used to distinguish between different types of messages or users.
   • Potential Anticipation: This reference potentially anticipates claims of US8259688 related to a base station allocating random access codes to subscriber stations and associating functions/meanings with these codes (e.g., Claims 1, 10-14, and related apparatus claims 26-29). The concept of allocating codes for user identification and specific functions is central to both.

2. US6760309B1 - Method for dynamic allocation of access channel codes in a wireless communication system

   • Full Citation: US6760309B1.
   • Publication Date: 2004-07-06.
   • Filing Date: 2000-03-31.
   • Brief Description: This patent details a method for dynamically allocating access channel codes (e.g., CDMA codes) to mobile stations. The base station manages a pool of codes and assigns them to differentiate between various types of access requests (e.g., initial access, handover, data requests).
   • Potential Anticipation: This reference potentially anticipates claims concerning a base station allocating random access codes, especially dynamically, for different request types (e.g., Claims 1, 10-14, and related apparatus claims 26-29).

3. US20030099238A1 - Method and apparatus for fast bandwidth request

   • Full Citation: US20030099238A1.
   • Publication Date: 2003-05-29.
   • Filing Date: 2002-11-20.
   • Brief Description: This patent proposes a method and apparatus for expediting bandwidth requests to reduce latency associated with multi-stage request procedures. It suggests using short-form request messages or predefined identifiers for quick conveyance of bandwidth needs.
   • Potential Anticipation: This reference potentially anticipates aspects of US8259688 related to reducing latency in resource requests and using specific identifiers for bandwidth requests (e.g., Claims 2, 3, 15-25, and related apparatus claims 30-39). The "predefined identifiers" could be analogous to US8259688's pre-allocated codes with semantics.

4. US7099307B2 - Bandwidth allocation in a broadband wireless access system

   • Full Citation: US7099307B2.
   • Publication Date: 2006-08-29.
   • Filing Date: 2002-09-03.
   • Brief Description: This patent describes mechanisms for managing and granting uplink bandwidth requests in broadband wireless access systems (like WiMAX), potentially including fast grant mechanisms or prioritization of requests.
   • Potential Anticipation: This reference broadly describes efficient bandwidth allocation. If its fast grant mechanisms involve pre-assigned identifiers that uniquely identify a requester or a specific request, it could potentially anticipate aspects of US8259688's claims related to processing such requests (e.g., Claims 2, 15-20, and related apparatus claims 30-34).

5. US20040184428A1 - Uplink resource request and grant in a wireless communication system

   • Full Citation: US20040184428A1.
   • Publication Date: 2004-09-23.
   • Filing Date: 2003-03-20.
   • Brief Description: This patent outlines a system and method for requesting and granting various types of uplink resources (e.g., initial access, periodic ranging, bandwidth) in a wireless communication system.
   • Potential Anticipation: This reference generally covers uplink resource request and grant procedures. If it describes the use of pre-assigned or pre-known codes by individual subscriber stations for direct identification and specific request conveyance, it could potentially anticipate claims covering both base station processing (e.g., Claims 2, 15-20, 30-34) and subscriber station initiation (e.g., Claims 3, 21-25, 35-39).

6. US20050013264A1 - Pre-negotiated dynamic bandwidth allocation

   • Full Citation: US20050013264A1.
   • Publication Date: 2005-01-20.
   • Filing Date: 2003-07-16.
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a system and method for dynamic bandwidth allocation based on pre-negotiated parameters or service agreements, aiming to optimize resource allocation through prior knowledge of subscriber station needs.
   • Potential Anticipation: The "pre-negotiated" aspect of this reference is highly relevant to US8259688's pre-allocated codes. It potentially anticipates claims related to efficient resource allocation based on prior arrangements, especially if these arrangements involve specific identifiers that directly convey request information to the base station (e.g., Claims 1, 2, 10-20, and related apparatus claims 26-34).

7. US20050117537A1 - Method and apparatus for random access in a wireless communication system

   • Full Citation: US20050117537A1.
   • Publication Date: 2005-06-02.
   • Filing Date: 2003-12-01.
   • Brief Description: This patent details methods for random access, including how mobile stations select and transmit random access preambles (codes) and how collision resolution and communication establishment are handled.
   • Potential Anticipation: This reference broadly covers random access procedures. If it describes a mechanism where specific users are pre-assigned unique random access codes for direct identification or specific request types, it could anticipate claims related to code processing and use by both the base station and subscriber station (e.g., Claims 2, 3, 15-25, 30-39).

8. US7424011B2 - Resource allocation with reduced overhead in a broadband wireless access system

   • Full Citation: US7424011B2.
   • Publication Date: 2008-09-09.
   • Filing Date: 2003-12-01.
   • Brief Description: This patent describes techniques to reduce overhead in resource allocation in broadband wireless access systems, aiming for more efficient resource requests and grants by minimizing signaling.
   • Potential Anticipation: As US8259688's pre-allocated codes aim to reduce overhead and latency, this reference could potentially anticipate claims related to improving resource allocation efficiency and reducing signaling overhead (e.g., Claims 2, 3, 15-25, 30-39), particularly if it describes using specific identifiers to achieve these goals. This patent's filing date (2003-12-01) precedes the priority date of US8259688 (2006-09-01), making it prior art under 35 U.S.C. § 102(e).

9. US20050286525A1 - Methods and systems for enhancing random access control for high data rate wireless local area networks

   • Full Citation: US20050286525A1.
   • Publication Date: 2005-12-29.
   • Filing Date: 2004-06-25.
   • Brief Description: This patent describes methods and systems to enhance random access control, focusing on improving efficiency and reducing collisions in high data rate wireless local area networks, possibly through optimized code selection or allocation strategies.
   • Potential Anticipation: This reference, by enhancing random access control and reducing collisions, could potentially anticipate claims of US8259688 if it teaches pre-assigning unique identifiers to specific users to achieve these benefits, especially regarding code allocation and processing (e.g., Claims 1, 2, 10-20, 26-34).

10. US20060002324A1 - Method and apparatus for random access

    • Full Citation: US20060002324A1.
    • Publication Date: 2006-01-05.
    • Filing Date: 2004-07-02.
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a general method and apparatus for random access, covering the generation of random access preambles and mobile station procedures for initiating communication with a base station.
    • Potential Anticipation: Similar to US20050117537A1, this reference broadly covers random access procedures. For it to anticipate US8259688, it would need to disclose the pre-allocation of specific random access codes to individual users that enable direct identification of the requester and their request type, thereby streamlining access (e.g., Claims 1-3, 10-25, 26-39).

11. US20060133306A1 - Method and apparatus for ranging

    • Full Citation: US20060133306A1.
    • Publication Date: 2006-06-22.
    • Filing Date: 2004-12-16.
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a method and apparatus for ranging, which is crucial for initial access and synchronization in wireless systems. It likely involves mobile stations sending ranging codes and base stations providing adjustments.
    • Potential Anticipation: This reference focuses on ranging, one of the usage types in US8259688. If it describes pre-allocating specific ranging codes to individual subscriber stations for efficient and identified ranging, it could potentially anticipate claims related to pre-allocated codes for ranging (e.g., Claims 1-3, 10-25, 26-39).

12. US7280497B2 - Method and system for requesting bandwidth and assigning bandwidth on demand in wireless communication systems

    • Full Citation: US7280497B2.
    • Publication Date: 2007-10-09.
    • Filing Date: 2003-08-01.
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a method and system for on-demand bandwidth request and assignment in wireless communication systems, detailing how mobile stations request and base stations grant bandwidth.
    • Potential Anticipation: This reference, focusing on on-demand bandwidth, could potentially anticipate US8259688 if it specifies the pre-allocation of unique identifiers to individual users that allow for immediate identification and specific request interpretation by the base station (e.g., Claims 2, 3, 15-25, 30-39). Its filing date (2003-08-01) precedes the priority date of US8259688 (2006-09-01), making it prior art under 35 U.S.C. § 102(e).

13. US7289467B2 - Method and apparatus for an efficient bandwidth request mechanism

    • Full Citation: US7289467B2.
    • Publication Date: 2007-10-30.
    • Filing Date: 2003-08-01.
    • Brief Description: This patent aims to provide an efficient bandwidth request mechanism to reduce overhead and latency in wireless systems, likely through optimized signaling.
    • Potential Anticipation: This reference's focus on efficient bandwidth requests and reducing latency makes it relevant. If it discloses pre-assigning uniquely identifying codes that convey specific request semantics, thereby reducing multi-stage access as claimed by US8259688, it could potentially anticipate relevant claims (e.g., Claims 2, 3, 15-25, 30-39). Its filing date (2003-08-01) precedes the priority date of US8259688 (2006-09-01), making it prior art under 35 U.S.C. § 102(e).

14. US7330456B2 - System and method for fast uplink bandwidth request and allocation in a broadband wireless access system

    • Full Citation: US7330456B2.
    • Publication Date: 2008-02-12.
    • Filing Date: 2003-08-01.
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a system and method for fast uplink bandwidth request and allocation, specifically in broadband wireless access systems, to accelerate the acquisition of uplink resources.
    • Potential Anticipation: Similar to US20030099238A1, this reference focuses on "fast" bandwidth requests, a core benefit of US8259688. If it employs pre-assigned or pre-negotiated identifiers for identified requests that convey specific details, it could potentially anticipate claims related to processing such fast requests and associated latency reduction (e.g., Claims 2, 3, 15-25, 30-39). Its filing date (2003-08-01) precedes the priority date of US8259688 (2006-09-01), making it prior art under 35 U.S.C. § 102(e).

15. US20070086389A1 - Method and apparatus for providing a ranging code allocation to a mobile station based on mobility

    • Full Citation: US20070086389A1.
    • Publication Date: 2007-04-19.
    • Filing Date: 2005-10-18.
    • Brief Description: This patent describes allocating ranging codes to mobile stations based on their mobility, allowing for more efficient ranging for high-mobility users.
    • Potential Anticipation: This reference is highly relevant as US8259688 explicitly discusses allocating codes based on mobility. It directly anticipates claims related to a base station allocating random access codes based on subscriber station mobility (e.g., Claims 1, 10-14, and related apparatus claims 26-29), particularly if the allocated codes are unique to the mobile station and enable direct identification or specific ranging types. Its filing date (2005-10-18) precedes the priority date of US8259688 (2006-09-01), making it prior art under 35 U.S.C. § 102(e).

16. US7519391B2 - Apparatus and method for reducing latency for bandwidth requests in a broadband wireless access communication system

    • Full Citation: US7519391B2.
    • Publication Date: 2009-04-14.
    • Filing Date: 2004-12-16.
    • Brief Description: This patent focuses on reducing latency for bandwidth requests in broadband wireless systems through efficient signaling and allocation mechanisms.
    • Potential Anticipation: This directly addresses reducing latency for bandwidth requests, a key benefit of US8259688. If it achieves this through pre-assigned, identifiable codes that convey specific request details, it could potentially anticipate claims related to the processing and use of such codes for fast requests (e.g., Claims 2, 3, 15-25, 30-39). Its filing date (2004-12-16) precedes the priority date of US8259688 (2006-09-01), making it prior art under 35 U.S.C. § 102(e).

17. US7590412B2 - Apparatus and method for reducing latency for bandwidth requests in a broadband wireless access communication system

    • Full Citation: US7590412B2.
    • Publication Date: 2009-09-15.
    • Filing Date: 2004-12-16.
    • Brief Description: This patent also focuses on reducing latency for bandwidth requests in broadband wireless systems, likely a related application to US7519391B2, addressing similar problems with potentially different specific implementations.
    • Potential Anticipation: Similar to US7519391B2, this reference's focus on reducing latency for bandwidth requests makes it highly relevant. If its method involves pre-assigned, uniquely identifying codes with specific request semantics to reduce multi-stage access, it could potentially anticipate claims related to US8259688's core invention (e.g., Claims 2, 3, 15-25, 30-39). Its filing date (2004-12-16) precedes the priority date of US8259688 (2006-09-01), making it prior art under 35 U.S.C. § 102(e).

Non-Patent Literature

1. IEEE 802.16-2004, "Part 16: Air Interface for Fixed Broadband Wireless Access Systems", Oct. 2004, sections 6.3.6 and 8.3.4.
   • Full Citation: IEEE 802.16-2004, "Part 16: Air Interface for Fixed Broadband Wireless Access Systems", Oct. 2004, sections 6.3.6 and 8.3.4.
   • Publication Date: October 2004.
   • Brief Description: This industry standard specifies the air interface for fixed broadband wireless access systems (WiMAX). Section 6.3.6 typically describes ranging procedures (initial and periodic), and Section 8.3.4 covers uplink bandwidth request mechanisms, including both contention-based and non-contention-based access. It defines the general framework for random access and resource requests in such systems.
   • Potential Anticipation: This standard is fundamental prior art for US8259688, as the patent explicitly operates within and improves upon an IEEE 802.16 context. It anticipates the general concept of random access channels, common usage types (ranging, bandwidth request, handover), and the use of pseudorandom codes (implicitly relevant to claims defining these contexts, such as Claim 1's "determining a set of random access codes," and claims related to usage types). However, for specific anticipation under 35 U.S.C. § 102, one would need to determine if IEEE 802.16-2004 explicitly discloses the pre-allocation of unique random access codes to individual subscriber stations such that the base station can identify the requester and the specific, detailed request solely from the received code, thereby avoiding the described multi-stage access and reducing collisions in the manner claimed by US8259688. If the standard primarily describes random selection from a shared pool for general usage types, then US8259688's specific pre-allocation mechanism would likely be considered novel.