Last updated: July 17, 2026

Application No. 18/014,420

FINE-PARTICLE SORTING APPARATUS, FINE-PARTICLE SORTING METHOD, PROGRAM, AND FINE PARTICLE-SORTING SYSTEM

Non-Final OA

Filed

Jan 04, 2023

Priority

Jul 14, 2020 — JP 2020-120407 +1 more

Examiner

FONSECA LOPEZ, FRANCINI ALVARENGA

Art Unit

1685

Tech Center

1600 — Biotechnology & Organic Chemistry

Assignee

Sony Group Corporation

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

This examiner grants 24% of cases after interview

— +47.5% interview lift. A telephonic interview to clarify the technical implementation could significantly improve the outcome.

Based on 21 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

FONSECA LOPEZ, FRANCINI ALVARENGA View full profile →

Grants only 24% of cases

Career Allowance Rate

5 granted / 21 resolved

-36.2% vs TC avg

Strong +48% interview lift

Without

With

+47.5%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

3y 9m

Avg Prosecution

47 currently pending

Career history

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

12.7%

-27.3% vs TC avg

§103

68.8%

+28.8% vs TC avg

§102

5.9%

-34.1% vs TC avg

§112

1.5%

-38.5% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 21 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Jan 04, 2023

Application Filed

May 14, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

17/522,498

Patent 12626785

Methods And Systems For Quantum Computing Enabled Molecular AB Initio Simulations

4y 6m to grant Granted May 12, 2026

17/324,793

Patent 12562237

METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DETECTION AND PHASING OF COMPLEX GENETIC VARIANTS

4y 9m to grant Granted Feb 24, 2026

16/107,526

Patent null

SMART TOILET

Granted

Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 3 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

1-2

Expected OA Rounds

24%

Grant Probability

71%

With Interview (+47.5%)

3y 9m (~3m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 21 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.