MULTICHANNEL TDMA MECHANISM

US 20100054230A1
Filed: 11/07/2008
Published: 03/04/2010
Est. Priority Date: 08/26/2008
Status: Active Grant

First Claim

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1. An apparatus for communications, comprising:

a transceiver; and

a processing system configured to dynamically allocate a plurality of channels to one or more nodes prior to a data transmission from the transceiver to the one or more nodes.

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Abstract

An apparatus and method for communications are disclosed. The apparatus may include a transceiver, and a processing system configured to dynamically allocate a plurality of channels to one or more nodes prior to a data transmission from the transceiver to the one or more nodes.

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158 Claims

1. An apparatus for communications, comprising:
- a transceiver; and
  
  a processing system configured to dynamically allocate a plurality of channels to one or more nodes prior to a data transmission from the transceiver to the one or more nodes.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
- - 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the channels include a plurality of frequency channels.
  - 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the processing system is further configured to exchange messages with the one or more nodes, the processing system being further configured to dynamically allocate the channels to the one or more nodes in response to the exchanged messages.
  - 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the processing system is further configured to exchange the messages by providing one or more of the messages to the transceiver for a multicast.
  - 5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the processing system is further configured to exchange the messages by providing one or more of the messages to the transceiver for a broadcast.
  - 6. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the processing system is further configured to exchange the messages with the one or more nodes by sending a list of free channels seen by the processing system to the one or more nodes on one of the free channels.
  - 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the transceiver is further configured to transmit channel reservation information on each of the free channels seen by the processing system.
  - 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the channel reservation information relates to a time duration for exchanging the messages on said one of the free channels.
  - 9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the processing system is further configured to embed in the list the channel reservation information for said one of the free channels.
  - 10. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the processing system is further configured to embed in the list a time schedule for each of the one or more nodes to transmit a response.
  - 11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the processing system is further configured to embed additional resource information for each of the one or more nodes to transmit a response.
  - 12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the additional resource information comprises information about at least one of space, frequency, time, data rate, or code.
  - 13. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the processing system is further configured to exchange the messages with the one or more nodes by receiving a list of one or more free channels seen by each of the one or more nodes in response to a request from the processing system.
  - 14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the processing system is further configured to receive the list from each one of the one or more nodes on one of the allocated channels.
  - 15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the processing system is further configured to receive the list from the one or more nodes on different spatial sub-channels on said one of the allocated channels.
  - 16. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the processing system is further configured to receive the list from the one or more nodes on different sub-carriers of one or more OFDM symbols on said one of the allocated channels.
  - 17. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the transceiver is further configured to transmit a request to send message on each of the channels allocated to the one or more nodes.
  - 18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the processing system is further configured to embed channel reservation information in each of the request to send messages.
  - 19. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the channel reservation information relates to a time duration for sending data on the channel on which the request to send message is transmitted.
  - 20. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the transceiver is configured to transmit to the one or more nodes on allocated channels, and to receive acknowledgements from the one or more nodes on one of the allocated channels.
  - 21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein each of the acknowledgements comprises a block acknowledgement.
  - 22. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the processing system is further configured to receive the acknowledgements from the one or more nodes on different spatial sub-channels in said one of the allocated channels.

23. An apparatus for communications, comprising:
- a processing system configured to provide information to a node prior to a data transmission from the node to the apparatus, the information relating to one or more free channels seen by the processing system; and
  
  a transceiver configured to receive the data transmission on at least one of the one or more free channels.
- View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
- - 24. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein each of the one or more free channels includes a plurality of frequency channels.
  - 25. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the processing system is further configured to provide the information to the node in response to multicast from the node.
  - 26. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the processing system is further configured to provide the information to the node in response to a broadcast from the node.
  - 27. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the transceiver is further configured to receive a list of channels from the node, and wherein the one or more free channels in the information provided by the processing system to the node are selected from the received list.
  - 28. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the transceiver is further configured to transmit channel reservation information on each of the one or more free channels in response to the received list.
  - 29. The apparatus of claim 28 wherein the channel reservation information transmitted by the transceiver is related to channel reservation information embedded in the received list.
  - 30. The apparatus of claim 28 wherein the transceiver is further configured to transmit the channel reservation information simultaneously with channel reservation information from another node receiving the list.
  - 31. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the processing system is further configured to provide the information to the node based on a time schedule embedded in the received list.
  - 32. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the transceiver is further configured to transmit the information on a spatial sub-channel of one of the one or more free channels.
  - 33. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the transceiver is further configured to transmit the information on different sub-carriers of one or more OFDM symbols on one of the one or more free channels.
  - 34. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the transceiver is further configured to receive a channel reservation message for the data transmission from the node on each of said at least one of the one or more free channels.
  - 35. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the transceiver is further configured to transmit a channel reservation message for the data transmission on each of said at least one of the one or more free channels.
  - 36. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein the channel reservation message indicates a time duration for the data transmission.
  - 37. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the transceiver is configured to transmit an acknowledgement to the node in response to the data transmission on each of said at least one of the one or more free channels.
  - 38. The apparatus of claim 37 wherein the acknowledgement comprises a block acknowledgement.
  - 39. The apparatus of claim 37 wherein the transceiver is further configured to transmit the acknowledgement on a spatial sub-channel of one of the one or more free channels.

40. An access terminal, comprising:
- a processing system configured to receive from another access terminal a dynamic allocation of a plurality of channels prior to a data transmission; and
  
  a transceiver configured to receive the data transmission from said another access terminal on the channels.
- View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51)
- - 41. The access terminal of claim 40 wherein the channels comprise a plurality of frequency channels.
  - 42. The access terminal of claim 40 wherein the processing system is further configured to provide information to said another access terminal prior to the data transmission, the information relating to free channels seen by the access terminal, wherein the free channels include the dynamically allocated channels.
  - 43. The access terminal of claim 42 wherein the transceiver is further configured to receive a list of channels from said another access terminal, and wherein the free channels in the information provided by the processing system to said another access terminal are selected from the received list.
  - 44. The access terminal of claim 43 wherein the transceiver is further configured to transmit channel reservation information on each of the free channels in response to the received list.
  - 45. The access terminal of claim 44 wherein the channel reservation information transmitted by the transceiver is related to channel reservation information embedded in the received list.
  - 46. The access terminal of claim 42 wherein the processing system is further configured to provide the information to said another access terminal based on time information embedded in the received list.
  - 47. The access terminal of claim 40 wherein the transceiver is further configured to receive a channel reservation message for the data transmission from said another access terminal on each of the channels.
  - 48. The access terminal of claim 40 wherein the transceiver is further configured to transmit a channel reservation message for the data transmission on each of the channels.
  - 49. The access terminal of claim 48 wherein the channel reservation message indicates a time duration for the data transmission.
  - 50. The access terminal of claim 40 wherein the transceiver is configured to transmit an acknowledgement to the said another access terminal in response to the data transmission on each of the channels.
  - 51. The access terminal of claim 50 wherein the acknowledgement comprises a block acknowledgement.

52. A method for communications, comprising:
- dynamically allocating a plurality of channels to one or more nodes prior to a data transmission from a transceiver to the one or more nodes.
- View Dependent Claims (53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73)
- - 53. The method of claim 52 wherein the channels include a plurality of frequency channels.
  - 54. The method of claim 52 further comprising exchanging messages with the one or more nodes, and dynamically allocating the channels to the one or more nodes in response to the exchanged messages.
  - 55. The method of claim 54 wherein the exchanging of messages comprises exchanging the messages by providing one or more of the messages to the transceiver for a multicast.
  - 56. The method of claim 54 wherein the exchanging of messages comprises exchanging the messages by providing one or more of the messages to the transceiver for a broadcast.
  - 57. The method of claim 54 wherein the exchanging of messages comprises exchanging the messages with the one or more nodes by sending a list of free channels seen to the one or more nodes on one of the free channels.
  - 58. The method of claim 57 further comprising transmitting channel reservation information on each of the free channels seen.
  - 59. The method of claim 58 wherein the channel reservation information relates to a time duration for exchanging the messages on said one of the free channels.
  - 60. The method of claim 58 further comprising embedding in the list the channel reservation information for said one of the free channels.
  - 61. The method of claim 57 further comprising embedding in the list a time schedule for each of the one or more nodes to transmit a response.
  - 62. The method of claim 61 further comprising embedding additional resource information for each of the one or more nodes to transmit a response.
  - 63. The method of claim 62 wherein the additional resource information comprises information about at least one of space, frequency, time, data rate, or code.
  - 64. The method of claim 54 wherein the exchanging of messages comprises exchanging the messages with the one or more nodes by receiving a list of one or more free channels seen by each of the one or more nodes in response to a request.
  - 65. The method of claim 64 further comprising receiving the list from each one of the one or more nodes on one of the allocated channels.
  - 66. The method of claim 65 wherein the receiving of the list further comprises receiving the list from the one or more nodes on different spatial sub-channels on said one of the allocated channels.
  - 67. The method of claim 65 wherein the receiving of the list further comprises receiving the list from the one or more nodes on different sub-carriers of one or more OFDM symbols on said one of the allocated channels.
  - 68. The method of claim 52 further comprising transmitting a request to send message on each of the channels allocated to the one or more nodes.
  - 69. The method of claim 68 further comprising embedding channel reservation information in each of the request to send messages.
  - 70. The method of claim 68 wherein the channel reservation information relates to a time duration for sending data on the channel on which the request to send message is transmitted.
  - 71. The method of claim 52 further comprising transmitting to the one or more nodes on allocated channels, and receiving acknowledgements from the one or more nodes on one of the allocated channels.
  - 72. The method of claim 71 wherein each of the acknowledgements comprises a block acknowledgement.
  - 73. The method of claim 71 further comprising receiving the acknowledgements from the one or more nodes on different spatial sub-channels in said one of the allocated channels.

74. A method for communications, comprising:
- providing information to a node prior to a data transmission from the node to the method, the information relating to one or more free channels seen; and
  
  receiving the data transmission on at least one of the one or more free channels.
- View Dependent Claims (75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90)
- - 75. The method of claim 74 wherein each of the one or more free channels includes a plurality of frequency channels.
  - 76. The method of claim 74 wherein the providing further comprises providing the information to the node in response to multicast from the node.
  - 77. The method of claim 74 wherein the providing further comprises providing the information to the node in response to a broadcast from the node.
  - 78. The method of claim 74 further comprising receiving a list of channels from the node, and wherein the one or more free channels in the information provided to the node are selected from the received list.
  - 79. The method of claim 78 further comprising transmitting channel reservation information on each of the one or more free channels in response to the received list.
  - 80. The method of claim 79 wherein the channel reservation information transmitted is related to channel reservation information embedded in the received list.
  - 81. The method of claim 79 further comprising transmitting the channel reservation information simultaneously with channel reservation information from another node receiving the list.
  - 82. The method of claim 78 wherein the providing comprises providing the information to the node based on a time schedule embedded in the received list.
  - 83. The method of claim 74 further comprising transmitting the information on a spatial sub-channel of one of the one or more free channels.
  - 84. The method of claim 74 further comprising transmitting the information on different sub-carriers of one or more OFDM symbols on one of the one or more free channels.
  - 85. The method of claim 74 further comprising receiving a channel reservation message for the data transmission from the node on each of said at least one of the one or more free channels.
  - 86. The method of claim 74 further comprising transmitting a channel reservation message for the data transmission on each of said at least one of the one or more free channels.
  - 87. The method of claim 86 wherein the channel reservation message indicates a time duration for the data transmission.
  - 88. The method of claim 74 further comprising transmitting an acknowledgement to the node in response to the data transmission on each of said at least one of the one or more free channels.
  - 89. The method of claim 88 wherein the acknowledgement comprises a block acknowledgement.
  - 90. The method of claim 88 wherein the transmitting the acknowledgement comprises transmitting the acknowledgement on a spatial sub-channel of one of the one or more free channels.

91. A method for communications, comprising:
- receiving from another access terminal a dynamic allocation of a plurality of channels prior to a data transmission; and
  
  receiving the data transmission from said another access terminal on the channels.
- View Dependent Claims (92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102)
- - 92. The method of claim 91 wherein the channels comprise a plurality of frequency channels.
  - 93. The method of claim 91 further comprising providing information to said another access terminal prior to the data transmission, the information relating to free channels seen, wherein the free channels include the dynamically allocated channels.
  - 94. The method of claim 93 further comprising receiving a list of channels from said another access terminal, and wherein the free channels in the information provided to said another access terminal are selected from the received list.
  - 95. The method of claim 94 further comprising transmitting channel reservation information on each of the free channels in response to the received list.
  - 96. The method of claim 95 wherein the channel reservation information transmitted is related to channel reservation information embedded in the received list.
  - 97. The method of claim 93 wherein the providing the information comprises providing the information to said another access terminal based on time information embedded in the received list.
  - 98. The method of claim 91 further comprising receiving a channel reservation message for the data transmission from said another access terminal on each of the channels.
  - 99. The method of claim 91 further comprising transmitting a channel reservation message for the data transmission on each of the channels.
  - 100. The method of claim 99 wherein the channel reservation message indicates a time duration for the data transmission.
  - 101. The method of claim 91 further comprising transmitting an acknowledgement to said another access terminal in response to the data transmission on each of the channels.
  - 102. The method of claim 101 wherein the acknowledgement comprises a block acknowledgement.

103. An apparatus for communications, comprising:
- means for determining accessibility of a plurality of channels; and
  
  means for dynamically allocating the plurality of channels to one or more nodes prior to a data transmission from a transceiver to the one or more nodes based on the accessibility.
- View Dependent Claims (104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124)
- - 104. The apparatus of claim 103 wherein the channels include a plurality of frequency channels.
  - 105. The apparatus of claim 103 further comprising means for exchanging messages with the one or more nodes, and means for dynamically allocating the channels to the one or more nodes in response to the exchanged messages.
  - 106. The apparatus of claim 105 wherein the means for exchanging of messages is configured to exchange the messages by providing one or more of the messages to the transceiver for a multicast.
  - 107. The apparatus of claim 105 wherein the means for exchanging of messages is configured to exchange the messages by providing one or more of the messages to the transceiver for a broadcast.
  - 108. The apparatus of claim 105 wherein the means for exchanging of messages is configured to exchange the messages with the one or more nodes by sending a list of free channels seen to the one or more nodes on one of the free channels.
  - 109. The apparatus of claim 108 further comprising means for transmitting channel reservation information on each of the free channels seen.
  - 110. The apparatus of claim 109 wherein the channel reservation information relates to a time duration for exchanging the messages on said one of the free channels.
  - 111. The apparatus of claim 109 further comprising means for embedding in the list the channel reservation information for said one of the free channels.
  - 112. The apparatus of claim 108 further comprising means for embedding in the list a time schedule for each of the one or more nodes to transmit a response.
  - 113. The apparatus of claim 112 further comprising means for embedding additional resource information for each of the one or more nodes to transmit a response.
  - 114. The apparatus of claim 113 wherein the additional resource information comprises information about at least one of space, frequency, time, data rate, or code.
  - 115. The apparatus of claim 105 wherein the means for exchanging of messages is configured to exchange the messages with the one or more nodes by receiving a list of one or more free channels seen by each of the one or more nodes in response to a request.
  - 116. The apparatus of claim 115 further comprising means for receiving the list from each one of the one or more nodes on one of the allocated channels.
  - 117. The apparatus of claim 116 wherein the means for receiving of the list is configured to receive the list from the one or more nodes on different spatial sub-channels on said one of the allocated channels.
  - 118. The apparatus of claim 116 wherein the means for receiving of the list is configured to receive the list from the one or more nodes on different sub-carriers of one or more OFDM symbols on said one of the allocated channels.
  - 119. The apparatus of claim 103 further comprising means for transmitting a request to send message on each of the channels allocated to the one or more nodes.
  - 120. The apparatus of claim 119 further comprising means for embedding channel reservation information in each of the request to send messages.
  - 121. The apparatus of claim 119 wherein the channel reservation information relates to a time duration for sending data on the channel on which the request to send message is transmitted.
  - 122. The apparatus of claim 103 further comprising means for transmitting to the one or more nodes on allocated channels, and means for receiving acknowledgements from the one or more nodes on one of the allocated channels.
  - 123. The apparatus of claim 122 wherein each of the acknowledgements comprises a block acknowledgement.
  - 124. The apparatus of claim 122 further comprising means for receiving the acknowledgements from the one or more nodes on different spatial sub-channels in said one of the allocated channels.

125. An apparatus for communications, comprising:
- means for providing information to a node prior to a data transmission from the node to the apparatus, the information relating to one or more free channels seen; and
  
  means for receiving the data transmission on at least one of the one or more free channels.
- View Dependent Claims (126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141)
- - 126. The apparatus of claim 125 wherein each of the one or more free channels includes a plurality of frequency channels.
  - 127. The apparatus of claim 125 wherein the means for providing is configured to provide the information to the node in response to multicast from the node.
  - 128. The apparatus of claim 125 wherein the means for providing is configured to provide the information to the node in response to a broadcast from the node.
  - 129. The apparatus of claim 125 further comprising means for receiving a list of channels from the node, and wherein the one or more free channels in the information provided to the node are selected from the received list.
  - 130. The apparatus of claim 129 further comprising means for transmitting channel reservation information on each of the one or more free channels in response to the received list.
  - 131. The apparatus of claim 130 wherein the channel reservation information transmitted is related to channel reservation information embedded in the received list.
  - 132. The apparatus of claim 130 further comprising means for transmitting the channel reservation information simultaneously with channel reservation information from another node receiving the list.
  - 133. The apparatus of claim 129 wherein the providing means is configured to provide the information to the node based on a time schedule embedded in the received list.
  - 134. The apparatus of claim 125 further comprising means for transmitting the information on a spatial sub-channel of one of the one or more free channels.
  - 135. The apparatus of claim 125 further comprising means for transmitting the information on different sub-carriers of one or more OFDM symbols on one of the one or more free channels.
  - 136. The apparatus of claim 125 further comprising means for receiving a channel reservation message for the data transmission from the node on each of said at least one of the one or more free channels.
  - 137. The apparatus of claim 125 further comprising means for transmitting a channel reservation message for the data transmission on each of said at least one of the one or more free channels.
  - 138. The apparatus of claim 137 wherein the channel reservation message indicates a time duration for the data transmission.
  - 139. The apparatus of claim 125 further comprising means for transmitting an acknowledgement to the node in response to the data transmission on each of said at least one of the one or more free channels.
  - 140. The apparatus of claim 139 wherein the acknowledgement comprises a block acknowledgement.
  - 141. The apparatus of claim 139 wherein the means for transmitting is configured to transmit the acknowledgement on a spatial sub-channel of one of the one or more free channels.

142. An access terminal, comprising:
- means for receiving from another access terminal a dynamic allocation of a plurality of channels prior to a data transmission; and
  
  means for receiving the data transmission from said another access terminal on the channels.
- View Dependent Claims (143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153)
- - 143. The access terminal of claim 142 wherein the channels comprise a plurality of frequency channels.
  - 144. The access terminal of claim 142 further comprising means for providing information to said another access terminal prior to the data transmission, the information relating to free channels seen by the access terminal, wherein the free channels include the dynamically allocated channels.
  - 145. The access terminal of claim 144 further comprising means for receiving a list of channels from said another access terminal, and wherein the free channels in the information provided to said another access terminal are selected from the received list.
  - 146. The access terminal of claim 145 further comprising means for transmitting channel reservation information on each of the free channels in response to the received list.
  - 147. The access terminal of claim 146 wherein the channel reservation information transmitted is related to channel reservation information embedded in the received list.
  - 148. The access terminal of claim 144 wherein the providing means is configured to provide the information to said another access terminal based on time information embedded in the received list.
  - 149. The access terminal of claim 142 further comprising means for receiving a channel reservation message for the data transmission from said another access terminal on each of the channels.
  - 150. The access terminal of claim 142 further comprising means for transmitting a channel reservation message for the data transmission on each of the channels.
  - 151. The access terminal of claim 150 wherein the channel reservation message indicates a time duration for the data transmission.
  - 152. The access terminal of claim 142 further comprising means for transmitting an acknowledgement to said another access terminal in response to the data transmission on each of the channels.
  - 153. The access terminal of claim 152 wherein the acknowledgement comprises a block acknowledgement.

154. An access point, comprising:
- a wireless network adapter configured to support a backhaul connection for a peer node to a network;
  
  a transceiver; and
  
  a processing system configured to dynamically allocate a plurality of channels to one or more nodes prior to a data transmission from the transceiver to the one or more nodes.

155. An access terminal, comprising:
- a processing system configured to provide information to a node prior to a data transmission from the node to the apparatus, the information relating to one or more free channels seen by the processing system;
  
  a transceiver configured to receive the data transmission on at least one of the one or more free channels; and
  
  a user interface supported by the processing system.

156. A computer-program product for communication, comprising:
- a machine-readable medium encoded with instructions executable to;
  
  dynamically allocate a plurality of channels to one or more nodes prior to a data transmission from a transceiver to the one or more nodes.

157. A computer-program product for communication, comprising:
- a machine-readable medium encoded with instructions executable by a processing system to;
  
  provide information to a node prior to a data transmission from the node, the information relating to one or more free channels seen by the processing system; and
  
  receive the data transmission by a transceiver on at least one of the one or more free channels.

158. A computer-program product for communication, comprising:
- a machine-readable medium encoded with instructions executable to;
  
  receive from an access terminal a dynamic allocation of a plurality of channels prior to a data transmission; and
  
  receive the data transmission from the access terminal on the channels.

Specification

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Current Assignee
Qualcomm, Inc.
Original Assignee
Qualcomm, Inc.
Inventors
Sampath, Hemanth, Sridhara, Vinay, Abraham, Santosh P.

Granted Patent

US 8,654,753 B2
Time in Patent Office

Days
Field of Search
US Class Current

370/348
CPC Class Codes

H04L 5/0007   the frequencies being ortho...

H04L 5/0032   Distributed allocation, i.e...

H04L 5/0094   Indication of how sub-chann...

H04W 72/0453   Resources in frequency doma...

H04W 72/20   Control channels or signall...

MULTICHANNEL TDMA MECHANISM

First Claim

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Accused Products

Abstract

36 Citations

158 Claims

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MULTICHANNEL TDMA MECHANISM

First Claim

1 Assignment

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0 Petitions

Subscription Required

Accused Products

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Abstract

36 Citations

158 Claims

Specification

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Solutions

Use Cases

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