Last updated: April 19, 2026

Application No. 17/925,571

IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD

Final Rejection

Filed

Nov 15, 2022

Examiner

ZHAI, KYLE

Art Unit

2611

Tech Center

2600 — Communications

Assignee

Sony Group Corporation

OA Round

2 (Final)

Interview Optional

— +18.6% interview lift. This examiner has a relatively high allow rate; a written response may suffice.

Based on 473 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

ZHAI, KYLE View full profile →

Grants 75% — above average

Career Allow Rate

353 granted / 473 resolved

+12.6% vs TC avg

Strong +19% interview lift

Without

With

+18.6%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

3y 0m

Avg Prosecution

31 currently pending

Career history

504

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

10.6%

-29.4% vs TC avg

§103

61.2%

+21.2% vs TC avg

§102

7.9%

-32.1% vs TC avg

§112

15.1%

-24.9% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 473 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Nov 15, 2022

Application Filed

May 16, 2025

Non-Final Rejection

Aug 20, 2025

Response Filed

Sep 29, 2025

Final Rejection (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

17/916,043

Patent 12602879

METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PROVIDING SURGICAL GUIDE USING AUGMENTED REALITY

2y 5m to grant Granted Apr 14, 2026

18/412,804

Patent 12594123

VIRTUAL REALITY SYSTEM WITH CUSTOMIZABLE OPERATION ROOM

2y 5m to grant Granted Apr 07, 2026

18/229,234

Patent 12590811

METHOD, APPARATUS, AND PROGRAM FOR PROVIDING IMAGE-BASED DRIVING ASSISTANCE GUIDANCE IN WEARABLE HELMET

2y 5m to grant Granted Mar 31, 2026

18/356,303

Patent 12573162

MODELLING METHOD FOR MAKING A VIRTUAL MODEL OF A USER'S HEAD

2y 5m to grant Granted Mar 10, 2026

17/948,478

Patent 12566580

HOLOGRAPHIC PROJECTION SYSTEM, METHOD FOR PROCESSING HOLOGRAPHIC PROJECTION IMAGE, AND RELATED APPARATUS

2y 5m to grant Granted Mar 03, 2026

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

AI Strategy Recommendation

Get an AI-powered prosecution strategy using examiner precedents, rejection analysis, and claim mapping.

Prosecution Projections

3-4

Expected OA Rounds

75%

Grant Probability

93%

With Interview (+18.6%)

3y 0m

Median Time to Grant

Moderate

PTA Risk

Based on 473 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allow rate.