Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 17/662,157

PREDICTIVE DATA ANALYSIS TECHNIQUES USING A HIERARCHICAL RISK PREDICTION MACHINE LEARNING FRAMEWORK

Non-Final OA §112
Filed
May 05, 2022
Examiner
ROY, SANCHITA
Art Unit
2146
Tech Center
2100 — Computer Architecture & Software
Assignee
Optum Services (Ireland) Limited
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
72%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
3y 3m
To Grant
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 72% — above average
72%
Career Allow Rate
228 granted / 316 resolved
+17.2% vs TC avg
Strong +46% interview lift
Without
With
+46.0%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 3m
Avg Prosecution
19 currently pending
Career history
335
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
11.3%
-28.7% vs TC avg
§103
45.4%
+5.4% vs TC avg
§102
10.9%
-29.1% vs TC avg
§112
27.3%
-12.7% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 316 resolved cases

Office Action

§112
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 . Claims 1-20 are presented for examination. Examiner attempted to contact Applicant to discuss 35 U.S.C. 112(b) issues and for claim interpretation, but was unsuccessful. Applicant is encouraged to contact Examiner to discuss claim issues. Allowable Subject Matter Claims 1-6, 8-13, 15-20 are allowed. The prior arts made of record do not teach generating, ... based at least in part on the input feature data object, an input deidentified three-dimensional model; generating, ... based at least in part on the input deidentified three-dimensional model, and using a dynamically-deployed risk prediction machine learning model, ... predicted risk score, wherein: the dynamically-deployed risk prediction machine learning model is deployed when a dynamic deployment training entry count of one or more dynamic deployment training entries satisfies a dynamic deployment training entry count threshold, the dynamically-deployed risk prediction machine learning model is trained using the one or more dynamic deployment training entries, each dynamic deployment training entry comprises a corresponding training entry deidentified three-dimensional model that is associated with a corresponding training entry feature data object and a corresponding dynamic deployment ground-truth indicator, each corresponding dynamic deployment ground-truth indicator of a corresponding dynamic deployment training entry is determined based at least in part on a corresponding recommendation validation indicator for a corresponding predicted recommendation that is generated based at least in part on an initial risk score, and each initial risk score is generated by an initially-deployed risk prediction machine learning model based at least in part on an identifiable feature data object for the corresponding dynamic deployment training entry; and performing, by the one or more processors, one or more prediction-based actions based at least in part on the predicted risk score. The prior art search revealed - prior art that discloses using knowledge distillation and Dark Knowledge for three-dimensional data to predict health risks, but is silent regarding using deidentified information, - prior art that discloses a machine learning model (MLM) to determine health risk using user movement data, - prior art that discloses sending model parameters from multiple MLMs to a central MLM and deeming a model stable after it has been trained on at least a threshold number of data points, but is silent regarding sending a predictive output, - prior art that discloses training student MLM(s) using knowledge distillation and comparing output with ground truth data, but is silent regarding deidentification of information, - prior art that discloses generating ground truth based on output of an MLM trained on deidentification information, and - prior art that discloses sending encrypted information or parameter information to a central MLM, but is silent regarding deidentification of information. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112 The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b): (b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention. The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph: The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention. Claims 7 and 14 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor, or for pre-AIA the applicant regards as the invention. Claim(s) 7 and 14 recite(s) “wherein the comprises a convolutional neural network and an image-based classification machine learning component”. Applicant’s disclosure states (a) “An example of an initially-deployed risk determination machine learning model is a trained supervised machine learning model (e.g., a trained supervised regression model, a convolutional neural network model, and/or the like) and/or an image-based classification machine learning component” in [0029], and (b) “An example of a dynamically-deployed risk determination machine learning model is a trained supervised machine learning model (e.g., a trained supervised regression model, a convolutional neural network model, and/or the like) and/or an image-based classification machine learning component” in [0033]. However the terms “initially-deployed risk determination machine learning model” and “dynamically-deployed risk determination machine learning model” are absent in the claims. Further the terms from claims 1 and 8 “initially-deployed risk prediction machine learning model” and “dynamically-deployed risk prediction machine learning model”, are not associated with convolutional neural network or image-based classification machine learning component in applicant’s disclosure. Therefore it is unclear what comprises “a convolutional neural network and an image-based classification machine learning component”, rendering the claim(s) indefinite. Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Lai et al “Capturing causality and bias in human action recognition” discloses using knowledge distillation and Dark Knowledge for three-dimensional data to predict health risks, rather than using deidentified information, retrieved from Pattern Recognition Letters, Volume 147, 2021, Pages 164-171, ISSN 0167-8655, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.patrec.2021.04.008 , https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167865521001380 , ISSN 0167-8655. Shah (US 20220399132 A1) discloses a machine learning model (MLM) to determine health risk. Cheng (US 20200218974 A1) discloses MLM predicting health risk using user movement data. Sprague (US 20200334524 A1) discloses sending model parameters (rather than a predictive output) from multiple MLMs to a central MLM, and deeming a model stable after it has been trained on at least a threshold number of data points. Hall (US 20220344049 A1) discloses training student MLM(s) using knowledge distillation and comparing output with ground truth data, but is silent regarding deidentification of information. Aghaei (US 20220351860 A1) discloses generating ground truth based on output of an MLM trained on deidentification information. Hassanzadeh (US 20230025754 A1) discloses sending encrypted information or parameter information to a central MLM, but is silent regarding deidentification of information. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to SANCHITA ROY whose telephone number is (571)272-5310. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday 12-8. 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, Usmaan Saeed can be reached at (571) 272-4046. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. SANCHITA . ROY Primary Examiner Art Unit 2146 /SANCHITA ROY/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2146
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Prosecution Timeline

May 05, 2022
Application Filed
Jan 10, 2026
Non-Final Rejection — §112 (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

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
72%
Grant Probability
99%
With Interview (+46.0%)
3y 3m
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 316 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allow rate.

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