Prosecution Insights
Last updated: July 17, 2026
Application No. 17/673,965

MEMORY ARCHITECTURE AND KIOSK FOR PROVIDING RECOMMENDATION SERVICE USING THE SAME

Non-Final OA §101
Filed
Feb 17, 2022
Priority
Nov 30, 2021 — RE 10-2021-0168413
Examiner
SMITH, LINDSEY B
Art Unit
3688
Tech Center
3600 — Transportation & Electronic Commerce
Assignee
Korea Institute of Science and Technology
OA Round
5 (Non-Final)
52%
Grant Probability
Moderate
5-6
OA Rounds
0m
Est. Remaining
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 52% of resolved cases
52%
Career Allowance Rate
134 granted / 260 resolved
-0.5% vs TC avg
Strong +54% interview lift
Without
With
+54.5%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 1m
Avg Prosecution
26 currently pending
Career history
296
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
23.5%
-16.5% vs TC avg
§103
66.1%
+26.1% vs TC avg
§102
6.3%
-33.7% vs TC avg
§112
3.5%
-36.5% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 260 resolved cases

Office Action

§101
DETAILED ACTION Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114 A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after final rejection. Since this application is eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on 6/4/2026 has been entered. 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 . Priority Applicant claims foreign priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0168413, filed 11/30/2021. Information Disclosure Statement The IDSs submitted on 2/17/2022 and 11/22/2023 were previously considered. Status of Claims Applicant’s response filed 6/4/2026 which refer to the previously submitted amended claims filed 5/4/2026, have been entered. Claim 1 has been amended. Claims 11-20 have been canceled. Claims 6-8 were previously canceled. Claims 1-5, 9, and 10 are currently pending in this application and have been examined. Indication of Potential Allowable Subject Matter Claims 1-5, 9, and 10 would be allowable if rewritten to overcome the claim objections and claim rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 101 for the reasons set forth in the Office Action mailed 6/18/2025. Interview Examiner invites the representative of this application to contact the Examiner to schedule an interview to expedite prosecution of this application. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 101 35 U.S.C. 101 reads as follows: Whoever invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof, may obtain a patent therefor, subject to the conditions and requirements of this title. Claims 1-5, 9, and 10 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 because the claimed invention is directed to a judicial exception without significantly more. The claims recite an abstract idea. This judicial exception is not integrated into a practical application. The claim(s) does/do not include additional elements that are sufficient to amount to significantly more than the judicial exception. Under Step 1 of the Alice/Mayo test the claims are directed to statutory categories. Specifically, the system, as claimed in claims 1-5, 9, and 10 are directed to a machine (see MPEP 2106.03). Under Step 2A (prong 1), claim 1, taken as representative, recites at least the following limitations (emphasis added) that recite an abstract idea: receive a current input vector including one or more current input attributes representing a context feature of a current order status; generate a weight vector, each component of which corresponding to a respective current input attribute; compute a similarity vector by reading past input attributes stored at a plurality of locations; multiply, for each current input attribute, a similarity score between the current input attribute and each past input attribute by a corresponding component of the weight vector and accumulate the multiplied results into components of the similarity vector; compute a pre-read vector by component-wise multiplying the similarity vector with column vectors read from the plurality of locations; compute a read vector including an orderer's past ordered product by summing columns of the pre-read vector to obtain the read vector; display a product based on the past ordered product included in the read vector, store a pair of the current input vector and the product displayed, wherein store the pair of the current input vector and the product displayed at a first location at which the matching vector is stored, when the current input vector matches any one of the one or more vectors, wherein store the current input vector and the product displayed at a second location, when none of the one or more vectors match the current input vector, the second location being a location other than the first location, wherein maintains a recently used vector having components respectively corresponding to the plurality of locations, the recently used vector representing a number of accesses for each location, the second location corresponding to an index of a minimum component in the recently used vector stored, wherein the recently used vector is updated according to u(t+1) = T*u(t) with 0≤T< 1 and a component corresponding to the stored location is set to a maximum value, where u(t) denotes a recently used vector used at the time of the current order (t), u(t+1) denotes a recently used vector updated after the current order, t, T denotes a time decay parameter, and update the recently used vector and store the updated recently used vector. These limitations recite certain methods of organizing human activity, such as performing commercial interactions (see MPEP 2106.04(a)(2)(II)). Certain methods of organizing human activity are defined by MPEP 2106.04 as including “fundamental economic principles or practices (including hedging, insurance, mitigating risk); commercial or legal interactions (including agreements in the form of contracts; legal obligations; advertising, marketing or sales activities or behaviors; business relations); managing personal behavior or relationships or interactions between people (including social activities, teaching, and following rules or instructions).” In this case, the abstract ideas recited in representative claim 1 are certain methods of organizing human activity because displaying a product based on the past ordered product (i.e., a recommendation) is considered a commercial interaction is a commercial or legal interaction because it is a advertising, marketing or sales activity, or business relations. Thus, claim 1 recites an abstract idea. Under Step 2A (prong 2), if it is determined that the claims recite a judicial exception, it is then necessary to evaluate whether the claims recite additional elements that integrate the judicial exception into a practical application of that exception (see MPEP 2106.04). As stated in the MPEP, when “an additional element merely recites the words ‘apply it (or an equivalent) with the judicial exception, or merely uses a computer as a tool to perform an abstract idea,” the judicial exception has not been integrated into a practical application. In this case, representative claim 1 includes additional elements such as (additional elements are bolded): A kiosk comprising: at least one processor; a display for displaying at least one screen; and at least one memory storing instructions executable by the at least one processor; wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the kiosk to: receive a current input vector including one or more current input attributes representing a context feature of a current order status; generate a weight vector, each component of which corresponding to a respective current input attribute; compute a similarity vector by reading, from the memory, past input attributes stored at a plurality of memory locations; multiply, for each current input attribute, a similarity score between the current input attribute and each past input attribute by a corresponding component of the weight vector and accumulate the multiplied results into components of the similarity vector; compute a pre-read vector by component-wise multiplying the similarity vector with column vectors read from the plurality of memory locations; compute a read vector including an orderer's past ordered product by summing columns of the pre-read vector to obtain the read vector; display, on the screen of the kiosk, a product based on the past ordered product included in the read vector, wherein the kiosk further comprises a storage configured to store a pair of the current input vector and the product displayed on the screen into the memory, wherein the storage is configured to store the pair of the current input vector and the product displayed on the screen at a first location at which the matching vector is stored in the memory, when the current input vector matches any one of the one or more vectors in the memory, wherein the storage is further configured to store the current input vector and the product displayed on the screen at a second location, when none of the one or more vectors in the memory match the current input vector, the second location being a location in the memory other than the first location, wherein the kiosk maintains in the memory a recently used vector having components respectively corresponding to the plurality of memory locations, the recently used vector representing a number of accesses for each memory location, the second location corresponding to an index of a minimum component in the recently used vector stored in the memory, wherein the recently used vector is updated according to u(t+1) = T*u(t) with 0≤T< 1 and a component corresponding to the stored location is set to a maximum value, where u(t) denotes a recently used vector used at the time of the current order (t), u(t+1) denotes a recently used vector updated after the current order, t, T denotes a time decay parameter, and wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the kiosk to update the recently used vector and store the updated recently used vector back into the memory. Although reciting these additional elements, taken alone or in combination these elements are not sufficient to integrate the abstract idea into a practical application. These additional elements merely amount to the general application of the abstract idea to a technical environment (“a kiosk comprising at least one processor; at least one memory storing instructions executable by the at least one processor; wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor”, “a screen of the kiosk”, and “storage”) and insignificant pre-and-post solution activity (receiving information, displaying information, storing information, update information). The specification makes clear the general-purpose nature of the technological environment. This is because the additional elements of claim 1 are recited at a high level of generality (i.e., as generic computing hardware) such that they amount to nothing more than the mere instructions to implement or apply the abstract idea on generic computing hardware (or, merely uses a computer as a tool to perform the abstract idea) (Figs. 1-3; pages 9-11, 15-16, and 19-20 of the Specification which describe the additional elements as generic devices such as hardware or software operating on a generic computer such as a computer). The specification indicates that while exemplary general-purpose systems may be specific for descriptive purposes, any elements capable of implementing the claimed invention are acceptable. That is, the technology used to implement the invention is not specific or integral to the claim. The description demonstrates that these additional elements are merely generic devices such as a generic computer. Further, the additional elements do no more than generally link the use of a judicial exception to a particular environment or field of use (such as the Internet or computing networks). Therefore, considered both individually and as an ordered pair, the additional elements do no more than generally link the use of the abstract idea to a particular technological environment or field of use. That is, given the generality with which the additional elements are recited, the limitations do not implement the abstract idea with, or use the abstract idea in conjunction with, a particular machine or manufacture that is integral to the claim. Additionally, the claims do not reflect an improvement in the functioning of a computer, or an improvement to other technology or technical field, do not transform or reduction of a particular article to a different state or thing; and do not apply or use the abstract idea in some other meaningful way beyond generally linking the use of the abstract idea to a particular technology environment, such that the claim as a whole is more than a drafting effort designed to monopolize the abstract idea into a practical application, and is therefore “directed to” the abstract idea. In addition to the above, the recited receiving/transmitting, storing, and displaying steps (even assuming arguendo they do not form part of the abstract idea, which the Examiner does not acquiesce), are at best little more than extra-solution activity (e.g., data gathering, presentation of data) that contributes nominally or insignificantly to the execution of the claimed system (see MPEP 2106.05(g)). In view of the above, under Step 2A (prong 2), claim 1 does not integrate the recited exception into a practical application. Under Step 2B, examiners should evaluate additional elements individually and in combination to determine whether they provide an inventive concept (i.e., whether the additional elements amount to significantly more than the exception itself). In this case, the claims do not include additional elements that are sufficient to amount to significantly more than the judicial exception. Returning to representative claim 1, taken individually or as a whole the additional elements of claim 1 do not provide an inventive concept (i.e. they do not amount to “significantly more” than the exception itself). As discussed above with respect to the integration of the abstract idea into a practical application, the additional elements used to perform the claimed process amount to no more than the mere instructions to apply the exception using a generic computer and/or no more than a general link to a technological environment. Furthermore, the additional elements fail to provide significantly more also because the claim simply appends well-understood, routine, conventional activities previously known to the industry, specified at a high level of generality, to the judicial exception. For example, the additional elements of claim 1 utilize operations the courts have held to be well-understood, routine, and conventional (see: MPEP 2106.05(d)(II)), including at least: receiving or transmitting data over a network, storing or retrieving information from memory, presenting offers Even considered as an ordered combination (as a whole), the additional elements of claim 1 does not add anything further than when they are considered individually. In view of the above, representative claim 1 does not provide an inventive concept (“significantly more”) under Step 2B, and is therefore ineligible for patenting. Regarding claims 2, 9, and 10 Dependent claim(s) 2, 9, and 10, when analyzed as a whole, are held to be patent ineligible under 35 U.S.C. 101 because they do not add “significantly more” to the abstract idea. More specifically, dependent claim(s) 2, 9, and 10 merely further define the abstract limitations of claim(s) 1 or provide further embellishments of the limitations recited in independent claim claim(s) 1. Claims 2, 9, and 10 set forth: wherein the one or more current input attributes include at least some of the orderer's facial identity, look, emotion, age, gender, time when the orderer is detected and weather at the time of current order, and wherein the each past input attribute includes at least some of the orderer's facial identity, look, emotion, age, gender, time when the orderer is detected and weather at the time of past order. wherein the recently used vector is updated by multiplying the recently used vector by a parameter having a value of 0 or greater and less than 1 to reduce a component included in the recently used vector over time, when the current input vector is stored in the memory, and wherein the component of the recently used vector corresponding to the location of the memory at which the current input vector is stored is updated to a maximum value. wherein the storage is configured to store the current input vector and the orderer's actually selected product into the memory, when the orderer's actually selected product is different from the product displayed on the screen. Such recitations merely embellish the abstract idea of displaying a product based on the past ordered product (i.e., a recommendation). The claims do not set forth any further additional limitations, and therefore such abstract embellishments are applied to the additional limitations recited in claim(s) 1, which do no more than generally link the use of the abstract idea to a particular technological environment, do not integrate the abstract idea into a practical application, and do not provide an inventive concept. Accordingly, the claims do not confer eligibility on the claimed invention and is ineligible for similar reasons to claim(s) 1. Thus, dependent claims 2, 9, and 10 are ineligible. Regarding claim 3-5 Dependent claim(s) 3-5 sets forth: wherein the memory stores a pre-trained model to calculate the weight vector, wherein the weight vector is configured to represent the weight for each current input attribute as each component, and wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the kiosk to: calculate a the similarity vector by applying the weight vector to each similarity calculation result between each current input attribute and each past input attribute, and read the read vector based on a calculation result between the similarity vector and the one or more vectors stored in the memory. wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the kiosk to: calculate the similarity vector based on the calculation result of multiplying each similarity calculation result between each current input attribute and each past input attribute by each element of the weight vector, and read the read vector based on the calculation result of multiplying the similarity vector by each component of the one or more vectors stored in the memory. wherein the pre-trained model is trained to minimize a difference between the product displayed on the screen and the orderer's actually selected product based on a preset loss function. Such recitations merely embellish the abstract idea of displaying a product based on the past ordered product (i.e., a recommendation). While the claim(s) do set forth the additional elements of “pre-trained model”, these recitations are similar to the additional limitations in claim(s) 1, as they do no more than generally link the use of the abstract idea to a particular technological environment. That is these additional elements merely amount to the general application of the abstract idea to a technical environment. The specification makes clear the general-purpose nature of the technological environment and indicates that while exemplary general-purpose systems may be specific for descriptive purposes, any elements capable of implementing the claimed invention are acceptable. That is, the technology used to implement the invention is not specific or integral to the claim. Therefore, these additional elements do not integrate the abstract idea into a practical application because they merely amount to using a computer to apply the abstract idea and no more than a general link of the use of the abstract idea to a particular technological environment or field of use and thus do not act to integrate the abstract idea into a practical application of the abstract idea. Further, the “pre-trained model” is recited at a high level and amounts to merely applying the abstract idea. Additionally, the additional elements do not amount to significantly more because they merely amount to using a computer to apply the abstract idea and amount to no more than a general link of the use of the abstract idea to a particular technological environment. Thus, dependent claims 3-5 are also ineligible. Response to Arguments Applicant’s response filed 6/4/2026, which refer to the previously submitted arguments filed 5/4/2026, on page 7 with respect to the previous claim objections have been fully considered and are persuasive in view of the currently amended claims. Accordingly, the previous claim objections of the claims are withdrawn. Applicant’s arguments, on pages 7-11 of the Remarks filed 5/4/2026, with respect to the previous 35 USC §101 rejections have been fully considered but they are not persuasive. Applicant argues the amended claims are not directed to judicial Exception. Examiner respectfully disagrees. Applicant is reminded that in Prong One examiner evaluate whether the claim recites a judicial exception, i.e., whether a law of nature, natural phenomenon, or abstract idea is set forth or described in the claim. Despite Applicant’s assertion to the contrary, the Examiner maintains that the claims clearly set forth or describe abstract idea(s) for those reasons set forth previously. Further, displaying a product based on the past ordered product (i.e., a recommendation) is an abstract idea known from the pre-Internet world and the claimed solution is not necessarily rooted in computer technology in order to overcome a problem specifically arising in the realm of computer networks. Examiner notes performing all of the limitations “mentally” is not the test for claims that recite certain methods of organizing human activity. MPEP 2106.04(a)(2)(II) notes that certain methods of organizing human activity encompass both activity of a single person (for example, a person following a set of instructions or a person signing a contract online) and activity that involves multiple people (such as a commercial interaction), and thus, certain activity between a person and a computer (for example a method of anonymous loan shopping that a person conducts using a mobile phone) may fall within the "certain methods of organizing human activity" grouping. It is noted that the number of people involved in the activity is not dispositive as to whether a claim limitation falls within this grouping. Instead, the determination should be based on whether the activity itself falls within one of the sub-groupings. Accordingly, Examiner maintains the claims recite an abstract idea. As to the arguments directed to Step 2A, Prong Two on pages 9-10 of the Remarks, the Examiner again disagrees with the Applicant. Specifically, Applicant argues on pages 9-10 the claim as a whole is directed to a specific improvement in computer/memory architecture to implement a precise, non-generic memory-read algorithm. Examiner respectfully disagrees. Examiner respectfully disagrees. While the claims recite limitations that can be read as a set of instructions or rules designed to perform a specific task (i.e., an algorithm), these limitations are directed to the abstract idea. MPEP 2106.04(d) uses the term additional elements to refer to claim features, limitations, and/or steps that are recited in the claim beyond the identified judicial exception. The above argued limitation is part of the abstract idea, and does not contain any additional elements, such as hardware, beyond the abstract idea itself. Abstract ideas are not patent eligible, therefore this limitation cannot provide integration. Further, while the invention may improve the performance of the content selected (i.e., an abstract idea), unlike the claims in Desjardins, the claims and specification do not recite improving the performance of a machine learning model. Examiner notes that the claims in Desjardins delineated steps thorough which the machine learning technology achieves an improvement to machine learning technology itself and the Specification of Desjardins identified improvements as to how the machine learning model itself operates to overcome the problem of "catastrophic forgetting" encountered in continual learning systems (i.e., a technological problem). Unlike Desjardins, neither the amendments to the claims nor the specification describe a technical improvement and how such an improvement was accomplished. The amendments to the claims do not delineate steps thorough which machine learning technology and/or the steps in which a memory-read algorithm achieves an improvement in the functioning of a computer, or an improvement to other technology or a technical field. The only thing the amended claims disclose about the use of memory-read algorithm and/or machine learning is that the memory-read algorithm and/or machine learning is used in and/or applied to a (potentially) new environment. If it is asserted that the invention improves upon conventional function of a computer, or upon conventional technology or technological processes, a technical explanation as to how to implement the invention should be present in the specification. That is, the disclosure must provide sufficient details such that one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize the claimed invention as providing an improvement. Although the specification need not explicitly set forth the improvement, it must describe the invention such that the improvement would be apparent to one of ordinary sill in the art. Conversely, if the specification explicitly sets forth an improvement but in a conclusory manner (i.e., a bare assertion of an improvement without the detail necessary to be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art), the examiner should not determine the claim improves technology (see MPEP 2106.05(a); MPEP 2106.04(d)(1)). Applicant’s specification does not provide the requisite detail necessary such that one of ordinary skill in the art could recognize the claimed invention as providing an improvement. Applicant’s specification does not provide sufficient detail with respect to an unconventional memory architecture that improves how the kiosk’s processor and memory actually function in real-time, context-aware retrieval without external databases or logins. Further, Applicant's specification does not provide sufficient detail with respect to a kiosk, memory, and a display, or technical improvements to the argued data retrieval, associative memory, caching/replacement polices, etc., and is specific only in their use in facilitating the abstract idea of displaying a product based on the past ordered product (i.e., a recommendation). Additionally, the specification does not provide technical detail of how a kiosk, memory, and a display provides technical improvements to the argued data retrieval, associative memory, caching/replacement polices differently than from generic devices executing software. The alleged improvement by Applicant is at best a bare assertion of an improvement sans sufficient detail to demonstrate that Applicant has provided the alleged improvement to the technical field. The claims of the instant application, however, merely represent the use of generic computing technology used as a tool to perform the abstract idea in an online environment (see Figs. 1-3; pages 9-11, 15-16, and 19-20). While Applicant argues the instant claims are similar to the eligible claims in Enfish and Visual Memory, Examiner respectfully disagrees. In Enfish, the specification provided teaching that the claimed invention achieves benefits over conventional databases, such as increased flexibility, faster search times, and smaller memory requirements. Enfish, LLC v. Microsoft Corp., 822 F.3d 1327, 1335-36 (Fed. Cir. 2016). In Visual Memory, the Federal Circuit looked to the specification to find particular technological improvements offered by the ‘740 patent. For example, the “specification explains that multiple benefits flow from the ‘740 patent’s improved memory system,” such as selective definitions for the functions of cache memory based on processor type that result in a memory system that can outperform a prior art memory system that is armed with “a cache many times larger than the cumulative size of the subject caches.” There is no indication from either the claims or the specification that the invention seeks to modify conventional operation of any such technology as that in Enfish and/or Visual Memory. Here again, the Examiner emphasizes the failure of the disclosure to set forth or describe the amended features, or any improvements that are achieved from or made relative to another technology or technical field. Contrary to Applicant’s assertion, the improvements manifested by the claimed invention are improvements to the abstract idea itself, not the computer or another technology or technical field. In review of the claimed invention, and in consideration of the specification as originally filed, the Examiner asserts that: (i) the claimed invention does not reflect an improvement in the functioning of a computer, or an improvement to other technology or technical field, but instead improves an abstract, commercial process, and, (ii) the specification, as originally filed, does not provide sufficient discloser or technical explanation such that one of ordinary skill in the art would have determined that the disclosed invention provided an improvement to the functioning of a computer or another technology or technical field. Even assuming a relationship of the claimed invention to another technology or technical field, if it is asserted that the invention improves upon conventional functioning of a computer, or upon conventional technology or technological process, a technical explanation as to how to implement the invention should be present in the specification. That is, the disclosure most provide sufficient details such that one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize the claimed invention as providing an improvement (see MPEP 2106.05(a)). Even when a specification explicitly asserts an improvement, examiner should not determine a claim improves technology when only a bare assertion of an improvement is present without the detail necessary to be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art (see MPEP 2106.04(d)(1)). Further, the instant claims are not directed to improving "the existing technological process" requiring the generic components to operate in an unconventional manner to achieve an improvement in computer functionality or requiring the non-conventional and non-generic arrangement of known, conventional pieces to improve a technical process. Therefore, Examiner maintains the claims do not recite additional elements that integrate the judicial exception into a practical application of that exception and maintains the rejection Step 2A, Prong Two. Applicant argues on pages 10-11 of the Remarks that the amended claims provides an inventive concept under Step 2B. Examiner respectfully disagrees. As noted above in the full rejection of the claims, the claimed additional elements were evaluated individually and in combination to determine whether they provide an inventive concept (i.e., whether the additional elements amount to significantly more than the exception itself). In this case, the claims do not include additional elements that are sufficient to amount to significantly more than the judicial exception. Taken individually or as a whole the additional elements of the claims do not provide an inventive concept (i.e. they do not amount to “significantly more” than the exception itself). As discussed above with respect to the integration of the abstract idea into a practical application, the additional elements used to perform the claimed process amount to no more than the mere instructions to apply the exception using a generic computer and/or no more than a general link to a technological environment. Even considered as an ordered combination (as a whole), the additional elements of the claims do not add anything further than when they are considered individually and do not provide an inventive concept (“significantly more”) under Step 2B, and is therefore ineligible for patenting. While Applicant argues the claims recite a particular technical solution to the problem of efficient, context-aware memory management in an unmanned kiosk and non-conventional, non-generic computer functionality, Examiner again emphasizes the failure of the disclosure to set forth or describe the amended features, or any improvements that are achieved from or made relative to another technology or technical field. Contrary to Applicant’s assertion, the improvements manifested by the claimed invention, which include the dependent claims, are improvements to the abstract idea itself, not the computer or another technology or technical field. Accordingly, the rejection under 35 USC 101 is hereby maintained. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to LINDSEY B SMITH whose telephone number is (571)272-0519. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday 9-6 EST. 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, Jeff Smith can be reached at 571-272-6763. 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. LINDSEY B. SMITH Examiner Art Unit 3688 /LINDSEY B SMITH/ Examiner, Art Unit 3688 /Jeffrey A. Smith/ Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 3688
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Prosecution Timeline

Show 7 earlier events
Jan 02, 2026
Response Filed
Feb 11, 2026
Final Rejection mailed — §101
Apr 01, 2026
Examiner Interview Summary
Apr 01, 2026
Applicant Interview (Telephonic)
May 04, 2026
Response after Non-Final Action
Jun 04, 2026
Request for Continued Examination
Jun 11, 2026
Response after Non-Final Action
Jun 17, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §101 (current)

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Prosecution Projections

5-6
Expected OA Rounds
52%
Grant Probability
99%
With Interview (+54.5%)
3y 1m (~0m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
High
PTA Risk
Based on 260 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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