Last updated: August 17, 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

— +18.8% interview lift. Examiner has a relatively high allowance rate (74%); +18.8% interview lift. A written response may suffice.

Based on 487 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

ZHAI, KYLE View full profile →

Grants 74% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

363 granted / 487 resolved

+12.5% vs TC avg

Strong +19% interview lift

Without

With

+18.8%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

2y 10m

Avg Prosecution

27 currently pending

Career history

514

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

12.3%

-27.7% vs TC avg

§103

62.4%

+22.4% vs TC avg

§102

7.2%

-32.8% vs TC avg

§112

13.7%

-26.3% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 487 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

18/034,966

Patent 12682585

DATA PROCESSING DEVICE AND DATA PROCESSING METHOD

3y 2m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

18/124,320

Patent 12651405

GAZE-AWARE TONE MAPPING WITH ADAPTIVE SPARKLES

3y 2m to grant Granted Jun 09, 2026

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

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 (+18.8%)

2y 10m (~0m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Moderate

PTA Risk

Based on 487 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.