Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 15/852,518

Expandable Grip With Wireless Communication Module

Final Rejection §102§103
Filed
Dec 22, 2017
Examiner
WU, JERRY
Art Unit
2841
Tech Center
2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems
Assignee
Popsockets LLC
OA Round
12 (Final)
68%
Grant Probability
Favorable
13-14
OA Rounds
2y 4m
To Grant
88%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 68% — above average
68%
Career Allow Rate
667 granted / 978 resolved
At TC average
Strong +20% interview lift
Without
With
+19.9%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 4m
Avg Prosecution
33 currently pending
Career history
1011
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.1%
-39.9% vs TC avg
§103
56.0%
+16.0% vs TC avg
§102
22.6%
-17.4% vs TC avg
§112
17.8%
-22.2% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 978 resolved cases

Office Action

§102 §103
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . DETAILED ACTION The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102 In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status. The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action: A person shall be entitled to a patent unless – (a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention. (a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention. Claims 32, 45, 46, 48, 49, 54 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) and/or (a)(2) as being anticipated by Rothbaum (US 20110192857). With regard claim 32, Rothbaum discloses A docking accessory system, (abstract, see also fig 1-65) comprising: a platform comprising a mating mechanism for detachably attaching a plurality of types of accessories to a mobile electronic device (at least fig 57-63; see also paragraph [239]-[255]; see also abstract); a first accessory type of the plurality of types of accessories configured to detachably attach to the platform by way of the mating mechanism (see fig 1-65; there are many accessory type of the plurality of types of accessories configured to detachably attach to the platform by way of the mating mechanism); and a second accessory type of the plurality of types of accessories, configured to detachably attach to the platform by way of the mating mechanism (see fig 1-65; there are many accessory type of the plurality of types of accessories configured to detachably attach to the platform by way of the mating mechanism), wherein the platform is configured as a case to attach to the mobile electronic device and wherein the mobile electronic device is configured as a mobile phone (abstract), wherein the second accessory type is configured as a grip accessory (fig 1-65, Examiner consider any structure can be gripped by hand is a grip accessory), and wherein the first accessory type is a battery configured to charge the mobile electronic device (fig 1-65; paragraph [255]-[262]). Regarding claim 45, Rothbaum further disclosed the mating mechanism is configured to attach the first and/or second accessory type to the platform in a plurality of attachment orientations (fig 1-65). Regarding claim 46, Rothbaum further disclosed the mating mechanism is configured to adjustably attach the first and/or second accessory type to the platform (fig 1-65). Regarding claim 48, Rothbaum further disclosed the first accessory type comprises a rotatable accessory configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the rotatable accessory relative to the mobile device and platform (fig 1-65; see also fig 46-52). Regarding claim 49, Rothbaum further disclosed the first accessory type comprises a tiltable docking accessory configured to tilt at an angle relative to the mobile device and platform (fig 1-65; see also fig 46-55). Regarding claim 54, Rothbaum further disclosed mating mechanism is configured to detachably attach the first accessory type completely flush against the platform (fig 1-65; see also fig 49-58). Examiner’s note: “Flush” : https://www.thefreedictionary.com/flush Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103 In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status. The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action: A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102 of this title, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made. Claims 41-43 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Rothbaum (US 20110192857) in view of Lin (WO 2011035512 A1). With regard claim 41, the above discussed art further disclosed the grip accessory is an extendable accessory configured to extent outward from the mobile device platform (abstract, fig 1-65; paragraph [27]-[32]). The primary art and/or the modified structure discussed in the preceding claim disclosed all the subject matter except for “ to retract back to the mobile device platform”. Lin teaches a mobile device comprising: an accessory which can be retracted back to the mobile device platform (at least fig 3-9). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the invention was made to include this feature (accessory which is configured to retract back to the device platform) and modify to previous discussed structure (modified to the discussed Primary art’s structure which allows the accessory to be retracted back to the mobile device platform with a modification of thickness; and still allow the original feature of changing the accessories) so as to further allow more user adjustments or lens’ facing angle for the modified structure. Regarding claim 42, the modified art further disclosed the extendable accessory comprises a tapered tubular accordion having a first end and a second end (at least Lin’s fig 5-9), the tapered tubular accordion movable for expanding and collapsing along a longitudinal axis of the extendable accessory (at least Lin’s fig 5-9; see also page-4), the tapered tubular accordion being coupleable to the platform at the first end (at least Lin’s fig 5-9). “tapered”: https://www.thefreedictionary.com/taper Regarding claim 43, the modified art further disclosed the extendable accessory further comprises a disc operatively coupled to the second end of the tapered tubular accordion (at least Lin’s fig 5-9, the disc shape of component operatively coupled to the second end; see also the claim 41 modification). Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to JERRY WU whose telephone number is (571)270-5420. The examiner can normally be reached on PHP: M-Th: 8:30-12:30; 2:30-8:30pm. Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice. If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Imani Hayman can be reached on 571.270.5528. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. Information regarding the status of an application may be obtained from the Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system. Status information for published applications may be obtained from either Private PAIR or Public PAIR. Status information for unpublished applications is available through Private PAIR only. For more information about the PAIR system, see http://pair-direct.uspto.gov. Should you have questions on access to the Private PAIR system, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative or access to the automated information system, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. /JERRY WU/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2841
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Dec 22, 2017
Application Filed
Dec 22, 2017
Response after Non-Final Action
May 28, 2018
Non-Final Rejection — §102, §103
Sep 12, 2018
Response Filed
Mar 21, 2019
Applicant Interview (Telephonic)
May 29, 2019
Final Rejection — §102, §103
Sep 13, 2019
Response after Non-Final Action
Nov 04, 2019
Notice of Allowance
Nov 04, 2019
Response after Non-Final Action
Jan 16, 2020
Response after Non-Final Action
Mar 20, 2020
Applicant Interview (Telephonic)
Mar 20, 2020
Applicant Interview
Apr 24, 2020
Request for Continued Examination
May 02, 2020
Response after Non-Final Action
May 23, 2020
Non-Final Rejection — §102, §103
Nov 27, 2020
Response Filed
Feb 08, 2021
Final Rejection — §102, §103
May 14, 2021
Request for Continued Examination
May 18, 2021
Response after Non-Final Action
May 29, 2021
Non-Final Rejection — §102, §103
Nov 17, 2021
Response Filed
Feb 12, 2022
Final Rejection — §102, §103
Jun 28, 2022
Request for Continued Examination
Jul 01, 2022
Response after Non-Final Action
Jul 02, 2022
Non-Final Rejection — §102, §103
Oct 10, 2022
Response Filed
Dec 25, 2022
Final Rejection — §102, §103
Aug 28, 2023
Request for Continued Examination
Sep 03, 2023
Response after Non-Final Action
Oct 28, 2023
Non-Final Rejection — §102, §103
Mar 01, 2024
Response Filed
Jun 06, 2024
Final Rejection — §102, §103
Nov 13, 2024
Applicant Interview (Telephonic)
Nov 13, 2024
Examiner Interview Summary
Nov 22, 2024
Examiner Interview Summary
Nov 22, 2024
Applicant Interview (Telephonic)
Dec 10, 2024
Request for Continued Examination
Dec 16, 2024
Response after Non-Final Action
Mar 07, 2025
Non-Final Rejection — §102, §103
Sep 11, 2025
Response Filed
Dec 20, 2025
Final Rejection — §102, §103 (current)

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Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

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Prosecution Projections

13-14
Expected OA Rounds
68%
Grant Probability
88%
With Interview (+19.9%)
2y 4m
Median Time to Grant
High
PTA Risk
Based on 978 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allow rate.

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