Last updated: May 29, 2026

Application No. 17/925,571

IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD

Final Rejection

Filed

Nov 15, 2022

Priority

May 26, 2020 — JP 2020-091282 +1 more

Examiner

ZHAI, KYLE

Art Unit

2611

Tech Center

2600 — Communications

Assignee

Sony Group Corporation

OA Round

2 (Final)

Interview Optional

— +18.4% interview lift. Examiner has a relatively high allowance rate (74%); +18.4% interview lift. A written response may suffice.

Based on 479 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

ZHAI, KYLE View full profile →

Grants 74% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

357 granted / 479 resolved

+12.5% vs TC avg

Strong +18% interview lift

Without

With

+18.4%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

2y 10m

Avg Prosecution

18 currently pending

Career history

506

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

3.6%

-36.4% vs TC avg

§103

86.0%

+46.0% vs TC avg

§102

1.3%

-38.7% vs TC avg

§112

6.6%

-33.4% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 479 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Nov 15, 2022

Application Filed

May 20, 2025

Non-Final Rejection mailed

Aug 20, 2025

Response Filed

Oct 02, 2025

Final Rejection mailed

Apr 24, 2026

Response after Non-Final Action

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

18/656,371

Patent 12633046

OPTIMIZED OVER-RENDERING AND EDGE-AWARE SMOOTH SPATIAL GAIN MAP TO SUPPRESS FRAME BOUNDARY ARTIFACTS

2y 0m to grant Granted May 19, 2026

18/266,696

Patent 12616522

METHOD FOR DETERMINING THE SCREW TRAJECTORY OF A PEDICLE BONE SCREW

2y 10m to grant Granted May 05, 2026

18/347,373

Patent 12620188

AVATAR GENERATION FROM DIGITAL MEDIA CONTENT ITEMS

2y 10m to grant Granted May 05, 2026

17/969,580

Patent 12614344

CHECKING OVERLAPPING-FREE PROPERTY FOR PATCHES IN MESH COMPRESSION

3y 6m to grant Granted Apr 28, 2026

18/352,035

Patent 12614348

INCREMENTAL SCANNING FOR CUSTOM LANDMARKERS

2y 9m to grant Granted Apr 28, 2026

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

Strategy Recommendation AI-generated — please review before filing

Get a prosecution strategy drawn from examiner precedents, rejection analysis, and claim mapping.

Typically takes 5-10 seconds — AI-generated, attorney review required before filing

Prosecution Projections

3-4

Expected OA Rounds

74%

Grant Probability

93%

With Interview (+18.4%)

2y 10m (~0m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Moderate

PTA Risk

Based on 479 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.