Prosecution Insights
Last updated: May 29, 2026
Application No. 17/787,614

INDUCTOR DEVICE, FILTER DEVICE AND STEERING CONTROL DEVICE

Non-Final OA §103
Filed
Jun 21, 2022
Priority
Feb 25, 2020 — RE 10-2020-0022808 +1 more
Examiner
NGUYEN, TUYEN T
Art Unit
2837
Tech Center
2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems
Assignee
HL Mando Corporation
OA Round
2 (Non-Final)
82%
Grant Probability
Favorable
2-3
OA Rounds
0m
Est. Remaining
83%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 82% — above average
82%
Career Allowance Rate
1008 granted / 1234 resolved
+13.7% vs TC avg
Minimal +1% lift
Without
With
+0.9%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 6m
Avg Prosecution
52 currently pending
Career history
1294
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.5%
-39.5% vs TC avg
§103
82.5%
+42.5% vs TC avg
§102
5.8%
-34.2% vs TC avg
§112
5.5%
-34.5% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1234 resolved cases

Office Action

§103
DETAILED ACTION 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 . Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103 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, 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. Claim(s) 1 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Saito et al. [US 8,125,403 B2] in view of Jin et al. [KR 10-2006-0031734 A]. Regarding claim 1, Saito et al. discloses an inductance device [figure 6] comprising: - a ferrite core [2] having a through-hole; - a wire conductor [10] pass through the through-hole of the ferrite core; and - an adhesive material [4] configured to fix the ferrite core and the wire conductor and positioned between an upper surface of the ferrite core and the wire conductor [figure 6]. Saito et al. disclose the instant claimed invention except for the specific material for the wire. Jin et al. discloses a metal wire [10] for use in an inductor device having a core [11], wherein the wire formed of a low resistance material such as permalloy [Fe-Ni] material. It would have been an obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to use the permalloy [Fe-Ni] material for the conductor coil wire of RU126238U1, as suggested by Jin et al., for the purpose of minimizing eddy current, thermal and electrical loss [see abstract]. Claim(s) 1-2, 4-5, and 7 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over RU126238U1 in view of Jin et al. and Saito et al. Regarding claims 1-2 and 4-5, RU126238U1 discloses a filter [figures 1-2] including an inductor device/unit comprising: - ferrite core structure includes a first core [2] include a first hole and a second core [2] including a second hole; and - a wire/conductor [6] passes through the first hole and the second hole of the first and second cores. RU126238U1 discloses the first and second cores are ring cores [drum core with hole]. RU126238U1 further discloses an adhesive material [glue 5] for fixing the core and the wire. RU126238U1 disclose the instant claimed invention except for the specific material for the wire. Jin et al. discloses a metal wire [10] for use in an inductor device having a core [11], wherein the wire formed of a low resistance material such as permalloy [Fe-Ni] material. It would have been an obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to use the permalloy [Fe-Ni] material for the conductor coil wire of RU126238U1, as suggested by Jin et al., for the purpose of minimizing eddy current, thermal and electrical loss [see abstract]. The inductor device/unit configured to filter noise included in a current and sense the current. RU126238U1 in view of Jin et al. disclose the instant claimed invention except for the specific arrangement of the adhesive material. Saito et al. discloses an inductance device [figure 6] comprising: - a ferrite core [2] having a through-hole; - a wire conductor [10] pass through the through-hole of the ferrite core; and - an adhesive material [4] configured to fix the ferrite core and the wire conductor and positioned between an upper surface of the ferrite core and the wire conductor [figure 6]. It would have been an obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to arrange the adhesive material positioned between an upper surface of the ferrite core and the wire conductor of RU126238U1, as suggested by Saito et al., for the purpose providing adhesion and insulation between the ferrite core and the wire conductor. Regarding claim 7, RU126238U1 further discloses a capacitor unit [1] connected with the inductor device/unit, wherein the inductor device/unit and the capacitor unit are the II-shaped LC filter [see figure 1]. Claim(s) 8-11 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over RU126238U1 in view of Jin et al. and Saito et al. as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Sung [KR 2007-0986146 A]. Regarding claim 8, Sung discloses a power steering system comprising: - a filter unit including an inductor unit [230] configured to filter noise included in current and sense the current; and - a steering motor power source unit [170] configured to generate an assist current by converting the filtered current based on a steering motor control signal and to control a steering motor based on the assist current. Sung disclose the instant claimed invention except for the specific of the inductor unit. RU126238U1 in view of Jin et al. and Saito et al. disclose the inductor unit [see above]. It would have been an obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to use the inductor unit of RU126238U1, as modified, for the inductor of Sung for the purpose of improving filtering. Regarding claims 9-10, RU126238U1 in view of Jin et al. and Saito et al. discloses [see above] the inductor with cores and capacitor unit connected [see above]. Regarding claim 11, Sung further discloses a control unit [ECU 160] configured to controls the motor [170] to supply steering assist power in response to sensed torque [para 0016 0032-0042 and figures 1-3]. The structure of Sung in view of RU126238U1 and Jin et al. would result of determination, as claimed. Claim(s) 1-2 and 4-5 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Okubo et al. [US 4,797,647] in view of Jin et al. [KR 10-2006-0031734 A]. Regarding claims 1-2 and 4-5, Okubo et al. discloses a filter [figures 2, 3a-3b] including an inductor device/unit comprising: - ferrite core structure includes a first core [25] include a first hole and a second core [26] including a second hole; and - a wire [21] passes through the first hole and the second hole of the first and second cores. Okubo et al. discloses the first and second cores are ring/cylindrical cores [drum core with hole]. Okubo et al. further discloses an adhesive material [adhesive resin 27] for fixing the core and the wire, wherein the adhesive positioned between an upper surface of the ferrite core structure and the wire [figure 2d]. Okubo et al. disclose the instant claimed invention except for the specific material for the wire. Jin et al. discloses a metal wire [10] for use in an inductor device having a core [11], wherein the wire formed of a low resistance material such as permalloy [Fe-Ni] material. It would have been an obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to use the permalloy [Fe-Ni] material for the wire of Okubo et al., as suggested by Jin et al., for the purpose of minimizing eddy current, thermal and electrical loss [see abstract]. The inductor device/unit configured to filter noise included in a current and sense the current. Claim(s) 7 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Okubo et al. in view of Jin et al. as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of RU126238U1. Okubo et al. in view of Jin et al. disclose the instant claimed invention except for a capacitor unit. RU126238U1 discloses a capacitor unit [1] connected with the inductor device/unit, wherein the inductor device/unit and the capacitor unit are the II-shaped LC filter [see figure 1]. It would have been an obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to use the filter/inductor unit of Okubo et al. connect with a capacitor unit for the purpose of completing an LC-circuit. Claim(s) 8-9 and 11 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Okubo et al. in view of Jin et al. as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Sung [KR 2007-0986146 A]. Regarding claim 8, Sung discloses a power steering system comprising: - a filter unit including an inductor unit [230] configured to filter noise included in current and sense the current; and - a steering motor power source unit [170] configured to generate an assist current by converting the filtered current based on a steering motor control signal and to control a steering motor based on the assist current. Sung disclose the instant claimed invention except for the specific of the inductor unit. Okubo et al. in view of Jin et al. disclose the inductor unit [see above]. It would have been an obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to use the inductor unit of Okubo et al., as modified, for the inductor of Sung for the purpose of improving filtering. Regarding claim 9, Okubo et al. in view of Jin et al. discloses [see above] the inductor with cores, as claimed [see above]. Regarding claim 11, Sung further discloses a control unit [ECU 160] configured to controls the motor [170] to supply steering assist power in response to sensed torque [para 0016 0032-0042 and figures 1-3]. The structure of Sung in view of RU126238U1 and Jin et al. would result of determination, as claimed. Claim(s) 10 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Okubo et al. in view of Jin et al. and Sung as applied to claims 1 and 11 above, and further in view of RU126238U1. Okubo et al. in view of Jin et al. and Sung disclose the instant claimed invention except for a capacitor unit. RU126238U1 discloses a capacitor unit [1] connected with the inductor device/unit, wherein the inductor device/unit and the capacitor unit are the II-shaped LC filter [see figure 1]. It would have been an obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to use the filter/inductor unit of Okubo et al. connect with a capacitor unit for the purpose of completing an LC-circuit. Claim(s) 12 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Okubo et al. [US 4,797,647] in view of Jin et al. [KR 10-2006-0031734 A] as applied to claims 1-2 above, and further in view of Ueno et al. [US 2014/0232505 A1] Regarding claim 12, Okubo et al. in view of Jin et al. disclose the instant claimed invention except for the specific arrangement of the wire. Ueno et al. discloses a coil structure comprising: - core structure including a first core [2] and a second core [2], wherein the first and second cores each having a through-hole; and - a wire [3] arranged around the core structure, wherein the wire passing through the hole of the first core with a first number of turns and passing through the second hole of the second core with a second number of turns equal to the first number of turns [figures 1 and 10]. It would have been an obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to use the wire arrangement of Ueno et al. in Okubo et al., as modified, for the purpose of facilitating and/or enhancing the inductance. Response to Arguments Applicant’s arguments with respect to claim(s) 1-2, 4-5 and 7-12 have been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection does not rely on any reference applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument. Conclusion Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a). A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to TUYEN T NGUYEN whose telephone number is (571)272-1996. The examiner can normally be reached Mon - Fri 8:30-5:30. 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, Shawki Ismail can be reached at 571-272-3985. 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. /TUYEN T NGUYEN/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2837
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Prosecution Timeline

Jun 21, 2022
Application Filed
Oct 16, 2025
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103
Dec 18, 2025
Response Filed
Jan 14, 2026
Final Rejection mailed — §103
Jan 21, 2026
Applicant Interview (Telephonic)
Apr 08, 2026
Response after Non-Final Action
May 13, 2026
Request for Continued Examination
May 19, 2026
Response after Non-Final Action

Precedent Cases

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

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Prosecution Projections

2-3
Expected OA Rounds
82%
Grant Probability
83%
With Interview (+0.9%)
2y 6m (~0m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Moderate
PTA Risk
Based on 1234 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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