Appl, No. 091637,146
`Anmdt. Dated January 7, 2004
`Reply to Office action at October 7, 2003
`Docket No. P1illgfl1JS2
`
`4r IP
`
`IN THE UN ITED
`
`STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`plicnt:
`Serial No:
`
`Bela Rathonyi
`09/537,1 46
`
`et EIL
`
`Group Art Unit:
`
`2155
`
`Examiner:
`
`Frantz B. Jean
`RECEIVEE
`JAN 14 2004
`For: Method for Minimizing Feedback Responses in ARQ Protocols Technology Center 21 O'
`Mail Stop NON-FEE AMENDMENT
`Commissioner for Patents
`P.0, Box 1450
`Alexandria, VA 22313-1450
`
`Filed:
`
`March 29, 2000
`
`CERTIFICATE OF MAILING OR TRANSMISSION
`I hereby certify
`that
`this correspondence
`is being
`the United Sates Postal Service with
`deposited with
`sufficient postage for First class or Express mail
`in an
`envolopu addressed to Commissioner for Patents, P 0
`Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450. or being facsimile
`transmitted to the USPTO, Group Art Unit 2155, (703)
`872-9300 on the date Indicated below.
`
`Date: January 7, 2004
`
`Name:
`
`jacguellng Wilson
`
`signat
`
`C 4 d J ll.,<.LdY.
`
`Dear Examiner:
`
`REPLY UNDER 37 C.F.R §1.1111
`
`In response to the Office action of October 7, 2003, the Applicants submit the
`following amendments and remarks.
`
`AMENDMENTS
`Amendments to the Claims are reflected in the listing of claims, which begins on page
`2 of this paper. This listing of claims will replace all prior versions, and listings, of claims
`in the application:
`
`Amendments to the Drawings begin on page 10 of this paper and include an attached
`replacement sheet that indicates the corrections made.
`
`Remarks/Arguments begin on page 11 of this paper.
`
`Page 1 of 14
`
`

`

`Appl. No. 091537,146
`Arndt. Dated January 7, 2004
`Reply to Office action of October 7, 2003
`Attorney Docket No, P11898-US2
`EUS/J/PI04-3004
`
`This listing of claims will replace all prior versions, and
`application:
`
`listings, of claims in the
`
`A method for minimizing feedback responses
`1.
`(Currently Amended)
`in an ARQ protocol, comprising the steps of:
`sending a plurality of first data units over a communication link;
`receiving said plurality of first data units; and
`responsive to the receiving step, constructing a message field for a second data
`unit, said message field including a type identifier field and at least one of a-type
`WasetifieF field, a sequence number field, a length field, and a content field.
`
`The method of Claim 1, wherein said message
`(Original)
`2.
`comprises a bitmap message.
`
`field
`
`The method of Claim 1, wherein said sequence number field
`3.
`(Original)
`includes a sequence number indicating an erroneous first data unit from said plurality of
`first data units.
`
`The method of Claim 1, wherein said sequence number field
`(Original)
`4.
`includes any sequence number from said plurality of first data units.
`
`The method of Claim 1, wherein said length field comprises
`5.
`(Original)
`a length value for said content field.
`
`6.
`a bitmap.
`
`(Original)
`
`The method of Claim 1, wherein said content field comprises
`
`The method of Claim 1, wherein said plurality of first data
`7.
`(Original)
`units comprises a plurality of ARQ protocol units including user data.
`
`Page 2 of 14
`
`

`

`Appi. No. 09/537,146
`Arndt. Dated January?7, 2004
`Reply to Office action of October 7, 2003
`Attorney Docket No. P1 1 898-US2
`EUS/JIP/04-3004
`
`The method of Claim 1, wherein said second data unit
`8.
`(Original)
`comprises information about missing or erroneous said first data units.
`
`The method of Claim 1, wherein the size of said length field
`9.
`(Original)
`is zero and a predefined bitmap size is used.
`
`The method of Claim 1, wherein said length field indicates a
`10.
`(Original)
`final sequence number in a bitmap.
`
`11.
`(Original)
`a value of zero.
`
`(Original)
`12.
`number field equals zero.
`
`The method of Claim 1, wherein said length field comprises
`
`The method of Claim 1, wherein a size of said sequence
`
`The method of Claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality
`13.
`(Original)
`of first data units is used to piggy-back said message field.
`
`The method of Claim 1, wherein said ARO protocol
`(Original)
`14.
`comprises a selective-repeat ARQ protocol.
`
`A method for minimizing feedback responses
`15.
`(Currently Amended)
`in an ARQ protocol, comprising the steps of:
`sending a plurality of first data units over a communication link;
`receiving said plurality of first data units; and
`responsive to the receiving step, constructing a message field for a second data
`identifier field and at least one of a-type
`unit, said message field including a type
`idei4fieFefield, a length field, a plurality of erroneous sequence number fields, and a
`plurality of erroneous sequence number length fields, each of said plurality of erroneous
`
`Page 3 of 14
`
`

`

`Appl. No. M9837,146
`Arndt. Dated January 7, 2004
`Reply to Office actIon of October?7, 2003
`Attorney Docket No. P11898-US2
`EUSUJP/04.3004
`
`sequence number fields associated with a respective one of said plurality of erroneous
`sequence number length fields.
`
`16.
`(Original)
`comprises a list message.
`
`The method of Claim 15, wherein said message
`
`field
`
`17.
`The method of Claim 15, wherein at least one value for said
`(Original)
`plurality of erroneous sequence number length fields comprises zero,
`
`18.
`(Original)
`a value of zero.
`
`The method of Claim 15, wherein said length field comprises
`
`The method of Claim 15, wherein said length field comprises
`19.
`(Original)
`an odd value indicating that the last SN is an acknowledgment.
`
`The method of Claim 15, wherein said length field comprises
`(Original)
`20.
`an even value indicating that the last SN is not an acknowledgment.
`
`The method of Claim 15, wherein said plurality of first data
`(Original)
`21.
`units comprises a plurality of ARQ protocol units including user data.
`
`The method of Claim 15, wherein said second data unit
`(Original)
`22.
`comprises information about missing or erroneous said first data units.
`
`23.
`The method of Claim
`(Original)
`plurality of first data units is used to piggy-badk said
`
`15, wherein at
`message field.
`
`least one of said
`
`The method of Claim
`(Original)
`24.
`comprises a selective-repeat ARQ protocol.
`
`15, wherein said ARQ protocol
`
`Page 4 of 14
`
`

`

`App. No. 09/537,148
`Arndt. Dated January 7, 2004
`Reply to Office action of October 7.,2003
`Attorney Docket No. PI18598-US2
`EUSIJ/P/04-3004
`
`A method for minimizing feedback responses
`25.
`(Currently Amended)
`in an ARO protocol, comprising the steps of:
`sending a plurality of first data units over a communication link;
`receiving said plurality of first data units; and
`responsive to the receiving step, constructing between one to several message
`fields for a second data unit, said one to several message fields including a type
`sequence number field, a
`identifier field and at least one of ztp3dnifrfel,a
`length field, a content field, a plurality of erroneous sequence number fields, and a
`plurality of erroneous sequence number length fields, each of said plurality of erroneous
`sequence number fields associated with a respective one of said plurality of erroneous
`sequence number length fields.
`
`The method of Claim 25, wherein said one to several
`26.
`(Original)
`message fields further comprise an acknowledgment message.
`
`27.
`The method of Claim 25, wherein the last of said one to
`(Original)
`several message fields includes an acknowledgment of all SNs not indicated erroneous
`by all other of said one to several message fields in said second data unit.
`
`28.
`The method of Claim 25, wherein said one to several
`(Original)
`message fields further comprise a no more message,
`
`The method of Claim 25, wherein said one
`29.
`(Original)
`message fields include a bitmap message.
`
`to several
`
`The method of Claim 25, wherein said sequence number
`30.
`(Original)
`field includes a sequence number indicating an erroneous first data unit from said
`plurality of first data units.
`
`Page 5 of 1441
`
`

`

`Appl. No. 09/537,146
`Arndt, Dated January 7. 2004
`Reply to Offica action of October 7, 2003
`Attorney Dodaet No. P11898-US2
`EUJS/J/PI04-3D04
`
`The method of Claim 25, wherein said length field comprises
`31.
`(Original)
`a length value for said content field,
`
`32.
`(Original)
`comprises a bitmap.
`
`The method of Claim 25, wherein said content
`
`field
`
`33.
`The method of Claim 25, wherein said plurality of first data
`(Original)
`units comprises a plurality of ARQ protocol units including user data.
`
`The method of Claim 25, wherein said second data unit
`(Original)
`34.
`comprises information about missing or erroneous said first data units.
`
`The method of Claim 25, wherein the size of said length field
`35.
`(Original)
`is zero and a predefined bitmap size is used.
`
`The method of Claim 25, wherein said length field indicates
`36.
`(Original)
`a final sequence number in a bitmap,
`
`37.
`(Original)
`a value of zero.
`
`38.
`(Original)
`number field equals zero.
`
`The method of Claim 25, wherein said length field comprises
`
`The method of Claim 25, wherein a size of said sequence
`
`39.
`The method of Claim 25, wherein said one to several
`(Original)
`message fields include a list message.
`
`The method of Claim 25, wherein at least one value for said
`(Original)
`40.
`plurality of erroneous sequence number length fields comprises zero.
`
`Page 6 of 14
`
`41
`
`

`

`Appl. No. 09/537,1 48
`Arndt Dated January?7, 2004
`Reply to Office actIon of October?7, 2003
`Attorney Docket No. P1 1898-US2
`EUS/J/P/04-3DO4
`
`The method of Claim 25, wherein said length field comprises
`41.
`(Original)
`an odd value indicating that the last SN is an acknowledgment.
`
`The method of Claim 25, wherein said length field comprises
`(Original)
`42.
`an even value indicating that the last SN is not an acknowledgment.
`
`The method of Claim 25, wherein said ARQ protocol
`(Original)
`43.
`comprises a selective-repeat ARQ protocol.
`
`The method of Claim 25, wherein at least one of said
`(Original)
`44.
`plurality of first data units is used to piggy-back said one to several message fields.
`
`A system for minimizing feedback responses in
`
`(Currently Amended)
`45.
`an ARQ protocol, comprising:
`a first peer entity;
`a second peer entity; and
`a communication link coupled between said first peer entity and said second peer
`entity for communicating data therebetween;
`said first peer entity including means for sending a plurality of first data units over
`said communication link to said second peer entity;
`said second peer entity including means for receiving said plurality of first data
`units, and constructing one to several message fields for a second data unit, said one to
`several message fields including a tvpe identifier field and at least one of a-type
`ideMeFerfield, a sequence number field, a length field, a content field, a plurality of
`erroneous sequence number fields, and a plurality of erroneous sequence number
`length fields, each of said plurality of erroneous sequence number fields associated with
`a respective one of said plurality of erroneous sequence number length fields.
`
`The system of Claim 45, wherein said one to several
`(Original)
`46.
`message fields further comprise an acknowledgment message.
`
`Page 7 of 14
`i I -
`
`

`

`Appl. No. 09/537,146
`Amdt. Dated January 7, 2004
`Reply to Office action of October 7, 2003
`Attorney Docket No. P1 1898-US2
`EIJSUJP104-3004
`
`(Original)
`47.
`The system of Claim 45, wherein the last of said one to
`several message fields includes an acknowledgment of all SNs not indicated erroneous
`by all other of said one to several message fields in said second data unit.
`
`The system of Claim 45, wherein said one
`(Original)
`46.
`message fields further comprise a no more message.
`
`to several
`
`49.
`The system of Claim 45, wherein said one
`(Original)
`message fields include a bitmap message.
`
`to several
`
`50.
`(Original)
`The system of Claim 45, wherein said sequence number
`field includes a sequence number indicating an erroneous first data unit from said
`plurality of first data units.
`
`51.
`The system of Claim 45, wherein said length field comprises
`(Original)
`a length value for said content field.
`
`52.
`(Original)
`comprises a bitmap.
`
`The system of Claim 45, wherein said content
`
`field
`
`53.
`The system of Claim 45, wherein said plurality of first data
`(Original)
`units comprises a plurality of ARQ protocol units including user data.
`
`(Original)
`54.
`The system of Claim 45, wherein
`comprises information about missing or erroneous said first data
`
`said second data unit
`units.
`
`55.
`The system of Claim 45, wherein the
`(Original)
`is zero and a predefined bitmap size is used.
`
`size of said length field
`
`Page 8 of 14
`
`445
`
`

`

`Appl. No. 09/537,148
`Amndt. Dated January?7, 2004
`Reply to Office action of October?7, 2003
`Attorney Docket No. PI11898-US2
`EUS/J/P/04-3004
`
`56.
`(Original)
`final sequence number in
`
`The system of Claim 45, wherein said length field indicates a
`a bitmap.
`
`57.
`(Original)
`a value of zero.
`
`58.
`(Original)
`number field equals zero.
`
`The system of Claim 45, wherein said length field comprises
`
`The system of Claim 45, wherein a size of said sequence
`
`59.
`The system of Claim 45, wherein said one to several
`(Original)
`message fields include a list message.
`
`60.
`The system of Claim 45, wherein at least one value for said
`(Original)
`plurality of erroneous sequence number length fields comprises zero.
`
`61.
`The system of Claim 45, wherein said length
`(Original)
`an odd value indicating that the last SN is an acknowledgment,
`
`field comprises
`
`62.
`The system of Claim 45, wherein said length
`(Original)
`an even value indicating that the last SN is not an acknowledgment.
`
`field comprises
`
`63.
`The system of Claim 45, wherein said
`(Original)
`comprises a selective- repeat ARID protocol,
`
`ARO protocol
`
`The system of Claim 45, wherein at least one of said plurality
`(Original)
`64.
`of first data units is used to piggy-back said one to several message fields.
`
`Page 9 of 14
`
`

`

`Appl, No. O/37,146
`Arndt. Dated January 7, 2004
`Reply to Office action of October 7, 2003
`Attorney Docket No. P1 1 8S8-US2
`EUSIJ/P/04-3004
`
`Amendments to the Drawings:
`The attached sheet of drawings includes proposed corrections to Figs 1, 2 and 3.
`Attachment: Sheet 1 of 3
`
`Page 10 of 14
`
`

`

`Appl. No. 091537,145
`Arndt. Dated January 7, 2004
`Reply to Office action of October 7, 2003
`Attorney Docket No, P1 1898-US2
`ELJSIJIPI04.3004
`
`REMARKS/ARGUMENTS
`
`Amendments
`The Applicants have amended Claims 1, 15, 25 and 45. Claims 1-64 are pending
`in the application. Favorable reconsideration of the application is respectfully requested
`in view of the foregoing amendments and the following remarks.
`
`Claim Rejections - 36 U.S.C. § 102(b)
`The Examiner rejected Claims 1-8, 13-16, 19-34, 39, 41-54, 59, and 61-64 under
`35 U.S.C. 102(b) as being anticipated by Cam et at IEEE vol. 45, No 1, January 1997
`(hereinafter, Cam). The Applicant respectfully traverses this rejection and submits that
`Cam does not disclose at
`least
`the emphasized
`feature present
`in amended.
`independent Claim I below.
`A method
`1 ,
`minimizing
`for
`(Currently Amended)
`feedback responses in an ARQ protocol, comprising the steps of:
`sending a plurality of first data units over a communication link;
`receiving said plurality of first data units; and
`responsive to the receiving step, constructing a message field for a
`second data unit, said message field including a type identifier field and at
`least one of a sequence number field, a length field, and a content field.
`(emphasis added)
`
`Cam appears to disclose the effect of feedback errors on the throughput of ARQ
`protocols in a point-to-point channel under feedback assumptions. The Cam reference
`shows that feedback errors on the throughputs of continuous ARQ protocols can be
`reduced by modifying the retransmission by sending the complete state of the receiver
`back with each acknowledgment. As noted in the Detailed Action, a correspondence is
`drawn between
`the sequence number
`field,
`length
`field and content
`field.
`In
`independent Claim 1 and the description of a complete feedback scheme found on page
`36 col. 2 line 34 to page 37, col. 1, line 19 of the Cam reference. In this passage, Cam
`is discussing the state of the receiver and discloses that the "complete receiver state
`
`Page 11 of 14
`
`

`

`Appl, No. 09/537,146
`Arndt. Dated January 7, 20D4
`Reply to Office action of October 7, 2003
`Attorney Docket No. P1 1898-US2
`EUSIJ/P/04-3004
`
`information" consists of the sequence number of the first outstanding packet and the
`contents of the re-sequencing buffer (page 36, col. 2, lines 27-32). The sequence
`number field is discussed, but the Applicants are unable to determine any of the other
`fields claimed in the original version of Claim 1. The Applicants respecfully submit that
`amended Claim 1 provides the tyoe identifier field and at least one of a sequence
`number field, a length field, and a content field. The only field that is disclosed in Cam is
`the sequence number field. The other fields don't seem to be present or suggested in
`the Cam reference. Therefore, Claim 1 is not anticipated by the Cam reference. This
`being the case, Claims 2-8 and 13-14 depend from Claim 1 and are not anticipated by
`Cam,
`
`As between Claim 1 and the Cam reference, the Applicants submit that amended
`independent Claims 15, 25 and 45 contain limitations analogous to those found in Claim
`1. For the above given reasons the Applicants respectfully submit that Claim 15, 26 and
`45 are patentable aver the Cam reference. This being the case, Claims 16 and 19-24,
`which depend from Claim 15 are not anticipated by Cam. Claims 26-34, 39 and 41-44,
`which depend from Claim 25 are also not anticipated by Cam. Also, Claims 54, 69, and
`6 1-64, which depend from Claim 45 are not anticipated by the Cam reference.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 U.S.C. § 103 (a)
`The Examiner rejected claims 9-12, 17-18, 35-38, 40, 55-58 and 60 under 35.
`U.S.C § 103(a) as being unpatentable over Cam etal. IEEE vol 45, No 1, January 1997
`in view of Knisely et al. (US 6,317,430) (Knisely).
`The Knisely reference is cited for providing a size of length field that is zero and a
`predetermined bitmap size that is used, a final sequence number in a bitmap, a length
`field value of zero and a sequence number field equal to zero (fig. 4-7; col 2, lines 30-
`51; col 5-cal 7). Knisely discloses a size of length field, a sequence number field but not
`seem to disclose a content field or a type identifier field. Therefore, the present
`invention is patentable over Cam in view of Knisely
`The Applicants' respectfully submit that the present invention is patentable over
`the art of record for at least the reasons provided above with respect to Claim 1. In
`
`Page 12 of 14
`
`

`

`Appi. No, 09/537,146
`Arndt. Dated January 7, 2004
`Reply to Office action of October 7, 2003
`Attorney Docket No. P11 808-US2
`EUS/JIP/04-3004
`
`addition, Applicant respectfully submits that there is no suggestion or motivation in
`either Cam or Knisely to combine the references to teach the claimed invention, Even if
`there were motivation to combine, neither reference includes disclosure of a content
`field and a type identifier field. Therefore, Claims 9-12 which depend from Claim 1 and
`contain the type identifier field and content field limitations are also patentable over the
`independent Claim 15, Claims 35-38 and 40
`prior art. Claims 17-18 depend from
`depend from Claim 25 and Claims 55-58 and 60 depend from Claim 45 and contain the
`novel type identifier field and content field are also patentable over the Cam and Knisely
`references.
`
`Page 13 of 14
`
`

`

`Appl. No. U9/537,148
`Arndt. Dated January 7, 2004
`Reply to Office action of Octoboer?7 2003
`Attorney Docket No. P31 1898-US2
`EUS/J/P104-3004
`
`CONCLUSION
`In view of the foregoing remarks, the Applicants believe all of the claims currently
`pending in the Application to be in a condition for allowance. The Applicant, therefore,
`respectfully requests that the Examiner withdraw all rejections and issue a Notice of
`Allowance for Claims 1-64.
`The Applicants request a telep)honic interview if the Examiner has any questions
`or requires any additional information that would further or expedite the prosecution of
`the Application.
`
`Respectfully submitted,
`
`By Sidney L. Weatherfo d
`Registration No. 45,602
`Ericsson Patent Counsel
`
`Ericsson Inc.
`6300 Legacy Drive
`MIS EVW 2-0-2
`Piano, TX 75024
`Phone: 972-583-8656
`Fax: 972-583-7864
`sidney.weatherford@ericsson.com
`
`Page 14 of 14
`
`

`

`Replacement Sheet
`
`-113
`
`FIG. 1,
`
`--PRIOR AIRT--
`
`FIG. 2
`-PRIOR ART-
`
`PDU_format--$-PDU'
`Lenofl=5
`SW-n3
`SN=4
`8N=5
`8*94
`SN=16
`
`FIG. 4
`
`FIG. 6
`
`FIG. 3
`
`--PRIOR ART--
`PDU fonna-S-PDU
`'SSN=2
`EInMAP4iOOOOllli111O0O
`
`FIG. 5
`
`LENGTHNO
`
`j=1
`SN2 -2Z
`SN3=50
`SN4-95
`
`