Prosecution Insights
Last updated: July 17, 2026
Application No. 17/992,279

LIDAR MICRO-ADJUSTMENT SYSTEMS AND METHODS

Non-Final OA §112
Filed
Nov 22, 2022
Priority
Dec 10, 2021 — provisional 63/288,318
Examiner
MARSH, STEVEN M
Art Unit
3645
Tech Center
3600 — Transportation & Electronic Commerce
Assignee
Boston Dynamics Inc.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
79%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
0m
Est. Remaining
87%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 79% — above average
79%
Career Allowance Rate
1256 granted / 1582 resolved
+27.4% vs TC avg
Moderate +8% lift
Without
With
+7.9%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 2m
Avg Prosecution
32 currently pending
Career history
1602
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§103
49.5%
+9.5% vs TC avg
§102
22.2%
-17.8% vs TC avg
§112
27.4%
-12.6% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1582 resolved cases

Office Action

§112
DETAILED ACTION This is the first office action for US Application 17/992,279 for Lidar Micro-Adjustment Systems and Methods. 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 § 112 The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b): (b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention. The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph: The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention. Claims 8 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention. Claim 8 recites the limitation "the second axis" in line 3. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. Allowable Subject Matter Claims 1-7 and 9-19 are allowed. The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance: The prior art does not disclose a second plate offset from a first plate in a first direction, first, second, and third pivots disposed between the first and second plates, the second pivot offset from the first pivot in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the third pivot offset from the first pivot in a third direction perpendicular to both the first and second directions, and a first wedge at least partially disposed between the second pivot and the second plate, the first wedge configured to adjust a first angle between the first and second plates, the first angle being about a first axis extending along the third direction. Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably accompany the issue fee. Such submissions should be clearly labeled “Comments on Statement of Reasons for Allowance.” Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. US 2025/0327693 to Sharples US 2013/0320033 to Brug US 6717615 to Wulf US 2002/0145721 to Korenaga US 2005/0204883 to Wekluk The above prior art discloses various sensor mounts. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to STEVEN M MARSH whose telephone number is (571)272-6819. The examiner can normally be reached Mon-Thurs 9 am-7:30 pm. 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, Terrell McKinnon can be reached at 571-272-4797. 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. STEVEN M. MARSH Primary Examiner Art Unit 3632 /STEVEN M MARSH/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3632
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Nov 22, 2022
Application Filed
Jun 02, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §112 (current)

Precedent Cases

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Patent 12647064
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3y 6m to grant Granted May 26, 2026
Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

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Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
79%
Grant Probability
87%
With Interview (+7.9%)
2y 2m (~0m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 1582 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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