Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 17, 2026
Application No. 17/805,842

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DESIGN AND FABRICATION OF CUSTOMIZED EYEWEAR

Final Rejection §101
Filed
Jun 07, 2022
Examiner
SUMLAR, JOURNEY F
Art Unit
2872
Tech Center
2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems
Assignee
unknown
OA Round
6 (Final)
68%
Grant Probability
Favorable
7-8
OA Rounds
3y 0m
To Grant
78%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 68% — above average
68%
Career Allow Rate
401 granted / 585 resolved
+0.5% vs TC avg
Moderate +10% lift
Without
With
+9.7%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 0m
Avg Prosecution
43 currently pending
Career history
628
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.7%
-39.3% vs TC avg
§103
54.1%
+14.1% vs TC avg
§102
28.3%
-11.7% vs TC avg
§112
13.9%
-26.1% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 585 resolved cases

Office Action

§101
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 . Response to Arguments Applicant's arguments filed 10/14/2025 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive. Applicant argues that the current claim set overcomes the 101 rejection and gives a detailed analysis of the claims. The examiner respectfully disagrees sand provides a detailed analysis of the claims. Step 1 Statutory Category? Yes. The claims recite a step and, therefore, is a system/method. Step 2A - Prong 1: Judicial Exception Recited Yes. The claims recite the limitations of a system for generating a plurality of on 3D points of based on a wearers face. There is nothing in the claim precludes the points from practically being performed in the human mind or with the aid of pen and paper. Thus, this limitation is a mental process. Step 2A - Prong 2: Integrated into a Practical Application? No, the claims are drawn to a system that designs spectacle lens based on 3D points of a wearers face. However, the lenses aren’t actually being fabricated, but instead the information is being transmitted for fabrication. Step 2B: Claim provides an Inventive Concept? No. The claims as a whole merely require the abstract mental design step. Thus, even when viewed as a whole, nothing in the claim adds significantly more (i.e., an inventive concept) to the abstract idea. The claims are ineligible. 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 42-45,47-51 and 55-66 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 because the claimed invention is directed to abstract idea without significantly more. The claims recites the limitations of computing a plurality of points and modifying a plurality of points are directed to the judicial exception of an abstract idea (mathematical calculation). This judicial exception is not integrated into a practical application because the imaging device configured to generate a plurality of points in a three dimensional space representing a wearer's face” and “transmit the data, to one or more laboratory systems, to facilitate, at least in based on the transmitted dimensions, fabrication of a customized eyewear to be worn by the wearer, the customized eyewear at least comprising the first lens and the second lens” are just insignificant extra solution activity to the judicial exception. The claims do not include additional elements that are sufficient to amount to significantly more than the judicial exception because the lenses aren’t actually being fabricated, but instead the information is being transmitted for fabrication. Conclusion THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. 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 JOURNEY F SUMLAR whose telephone number is (571)270-0656. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 8-4pm. 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, Ricky Mack can be reached at 571-272-2333. 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. JOURNEY F. SUMLAR Examiner Art Unit 2872 27 January 2026 /SHARRIEF I BROOME/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2872
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Jun 07, 2022
Application Filed
May 20, 2023
Non-Final Rejection — §101
Nov 22, 2023
Response Filed
Dec 16, 2023
Final Rejection — §101
Jun 24, 2024
Request for Continued Examination
Aug 21, 2024
Response after Non-Final Action
Aug 22, 2024
Non-Final Rejection — §101
Nov 04, 2024
Examiner Interview Summary
Nov 22, 2024
Response Filed
Apr 24, 2025
Final Rejection — §101
Jul 12, 2025
Examiner Interview Summary
Jul 28, 2025
Request for Continued Examination
Aug 14, 2025
Response after Non-Final Action
Aug 23, 2025
Non-Final Rejection — §101
Oct 14, 2025
Response Filed
Jan 27, 2026
Final Rejection — §101 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

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OPTICAL SYSTEM AND OPTICAL APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME
2y 5m to grant Granted Apr 14, 2026
Patent 12591165
CAMERA MODULE AND MOBILE TERMINAL
2y 5m to grant Granted Mar 31, 2026
Patent 12578616
METAOPTICS AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUSES INCLUDING THE SAME
2y 5m to grant Granted Mar 17, 2026
Patent 12578614
SEMICONDUCTOR OPTICAL PHASE MODULATOR AND METHOD OF TESTING THE SAME
2y 5m to grant Granted Mar 17, 2026
Patent 12571944
LIGHT-ABSORBING HEAT-SHIELDING FILM, LIGHT-ABSORBING HEAT-SHIELDING MEMBER, ARTICLE, AND METHOD OF PRODUCING THE SAME
2y 5m to grant Granted Mar 10, 2026
Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

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Prosecution Projections

7-8
Expected OA Rounds
68%
Grant Probability
78%
With Interview (+9.7%)
3y 0m
Median Time to Grant
High
PTA Risk
Based on 585 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allow rate.

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