Prosecution Insights
Last updated: May 29, 2026
Application No. 18/027,216

OLED DISPLAY MODULE AND DISPLAY DEVICE

Non-Final OA §103
Filed
Mar 20, 2023
Priority
Jun 14, 2022 — nonprovisional of PCTCN2022098635
Examiner
NGUYEN, SOPHIA T
Art Unit
2893
Tech Center
2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems
Assignee
BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
OA Round
2 (Non-Final)
45%
Grant Probability
Moderate
2-3
OA Rounds
0m
Est. Remaining
58%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 45% of resolved cases
45%
Career Allowance Rate
232 granted / 512 resolved
-22.7% vs TC avg
Moderate +13% lift
Without
With
+13.0%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 9m
Avg Prosecution
61 currently pending
Career history
597
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.1%
-39.9% vs TC avg
§103
89.5%
+49.5% vs TC avg
§102
3.3%
-36.7% vs TC avg
§112
6.4%
-33.6% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 512 resolved cases

Office Action

§103
DETAILED ACTION 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 . Response to Amendment Applicant’s amendment dated 12/11/2025, in which claims 1, 10-11, 15, 19-22 were amended, claims 9, 13-14 were cancelled, has been entered. Specification The amendment to the specification received on 12/11/2025 has been entered. Drawings The drawings were received on 12/11/2025. These drawings are acceptable. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103 The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action: A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made. Claims 1-8, 10, 15-22 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Zhang et al. (US Pub. 20240267450) in view of Kim et al. (US Pub. 20160227653). Regarding claims 1, 15 and 17, Zhang et al. discloses in Fig.1-Fig. 4, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display module, comprising a middle bezel [200], a display panel [2], and a cover plate [1], wherein the cover plate [1] is located at a light-emitting side of the display panel [2], and the middle bezel [200] comprises a side plate surrounding the display panel [2] and the cover plate [1]; a side surface of the cover glass, and the side plate comprises a second surface being attached to the side surface; wherein the display panel comprises a display region and a non-display region, and the non-display region comprises a bonding area [Fig. 3] located at a side of the display region and a non-bonding area [Fig. 4] located differently from the bonding area [Fig. 3]; the cover plate [1] comprises a first region corresponding to the bonding area [Fig. 3], the side plate [200] comprises a first sub-side plate corresponding to the bonding area [Fig. 3], and the side plate [200] comprises a second sub-side plate corresponding to the non-bonding area [Fig. 4], and in a direction perpendicular to the display panel [2], the second sub-side plate comprises a first portion attached to the cover plate [1] and a second portion adjacent to the first portion. PNG media_image1.png 311 424 media_image1.png Greyscale PNG media_image2.png 312 505 media_image2.png Greyscale Zhang et al. fails to disclose in Fig. 3, Fig. 4 a filling structure is filled between the second portion, the cover plate, and the display panel; wherein in the direction parallel to the display panel, a part of the filling structure extends in a direction toward the display panel, to form a support portion supporting the display panel on a backlight side of the display panel; wherein in the direction parallel to the display panel, a part of the filling structure extends in the direction toward the display panel, to form a filling portion filled between the cover plate and the display panel. Zhang et al. discloses in Fig. 5, Fig. 7, Fig. 9a, paragraph [0017] a filling structure [3] is filled between the second portion, the cover plate [1], and the display panel [2]; wherein in the direction parallel to the display panel [2], a part of the filling structure [3] extends in a direction toward the display panel [2], to form a support portion supporting the display panel [2] on a backlight side of the display panel [2]; wherein in the direction parallel to the display panel [2], a part of the filling structure [3] extends in the direction toward the display panel [2], to form a filling portion filled between the cover plate [1] and the display panel [2]. PNG media_image3.png 273 345 media_image3.png Greyscale PNG media_image4.png 397 532 media_image4.png Greyscale It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the invention to incorporate the teachings of Fig. 7, Fig. 9a of Zhang et al. into the method of Fig. 3 and 4 of Zhang et al. to include “a filling structure is filled between the second portion, the cover plate, and the display panel; wherein in the direction parallel to the display panel, a part of the filling structure extends in a direction toward the display panel, to form a support portion supporting the display panel on a backlight side of the display panel; wherein in the direction parallel to the display panel, a part of the filling structure extends in the direction toward the display panel, to form a filling portion filled between the cover plate and the display panel” for the purpose of reducing the avoidance distance, reducing the distance between the edge of the display panel layer and the edge of the cover plate, and further improving the reliability of protecting the display panel layer [paragraph [0008] of Zhang et al.]. Zhang et al. fails to disclose the cover plate comprises the cover glass; the side surface of the cover glass is a first inclined surface inclined at an angle to a light incident surface of the cover glass, and the second surface comprises a second inclined surface inclined correspondingly and being attached to the first inclined surface. Kim et al. discloses in Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7 or Fig. 8, paragraph [0047]-[0051], [0056]-[0057], [0082], [0084] the cover plate comprises the cover glass [100]; the side surface of the cover glass [100] is a first inclined surface [110] inclined at an angle to a light incident surface [130] of the cover glass [100], and the second surface comprises a second inclined surface [210] inclined correspondingly and being attached to the first inclined surface [110]. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the invention to incorporate the teachings of Kim et al. into the method of Zhang et al. to include the cover plate comprises the cover glass; the side surface of the cover glass is a first inclined surface inclined at an angle to a light incident surface of the cover glass, and the second surface comprises a second inclined surface inclined correspondingly and being attached to the first inclined surface. The ordinary artisan would have been motivated to modify Zhang et al. in the above manner for the purpose of providing securing a larger display area by reducing dead space [paragraph [0086], [0110], [0119]-[0122] of Kim et al.] Incorporating the cover glass and the inclined surfaces taught by Kim et al. and the filling structure taught in Fig. 7 and Fig. 9a into the device of Fig. 3, Fig. 4 of Zhang would result to “the cover glass comprises a first region corresponding to the bonding area, a side surface of the first region is the first inclined surface, the side plate comprises a first sub-side plate corresponding to the bonding area, and the first sub-side plate comprises the second inclined surface inclined correspondingly and being attached to the first inclined surface; and the side plate comprises a second sub-side plate corresponding to the non-bonding area, and in a direction perpendicular to the display panel, the second sub-side plate comprises a first portion attached to the cover glass and a second portion adjacent to the first portion; and a filling structure is filled between the second portion, the cover glass, and the display panel.” Regarding claims 2-8, Kim et al. discloses in Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 8 wherein the angle between the first inclined surface [110] and the light incident surface [130] of the cover glass [100] is 30 degrees to 60 degrees [Fig. 2, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 8]; wherein the first inclined surface [110] and the second inclined surface [210] are both planar structures [Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7]; wherein the first inclined surface [110] is provided with a concave-convex structure, and the second inclined surface [210] is provided with a concave-convex structure fitting the concave-convex structure of the first inclined surface [110][Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 8]; wherein the concave-convex structures are stripe structures extending in a first direction, and the first direction is parallel to an extension direction of the first inclined surface [110][Fig. 1]; wherein a cross-sectional shape of the concave-convex structures in a direction perpendicular to the first inclined surface [110] is at least one of arc, rectangle, trapezoid, or triangle [arc][Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 7], or [triangle]Fig. 8]. wherein the side plate further comprises a support surface connected to the second inclined surface [210], the support surface supports the cover glass [100] on a side of the cover glass [100] close to the display panel [500], and the support surface is disposed parallel to the light incident surface [130] of the cover glass [100][Fig. 3][See annotated drawing]; wherein the side plate further comprises a first end surface connected to the second inclined surface [210], the first end surface is located on a side of the second inclined surface [210] away from the display panel [500], and the first end surface is flush with a light-emitting surface [120] of the cover glass [100] Fig. 2, Fig. 5, Fig. 7, Fig. 8][See annotated drawing]. PNG media_image5.png 415 698 media_image5.png Greyscale PNG media_image6.png 408 720 media_image6.png Greyscale Regarding claim 10, Zhang et al. discloses in Fig. 1, Fig. 3 wherein a length of the bonding area in an extension direction of the bonding area is less than a length of the first sub-side plate in an extension direction of the first sub-side plate. PNG media_image7.png 295 409 media_image7.png Greyscale Regarding claim 16, Zhang et al. fails to disclose wherein a width of the support portion is 1 mm to 1.8 mm in the direction from the middle bezel to the display panel. However, Applicant has not provided any criticality of the claimed range. It would have been obvious to modify Zhang et al. to provide a width of the support portion is 1 mm to 1.8 mm in the direction from the middle bezel to the display panel for at least the purpose of optimization and routine experimentation to provide sufficient width for the support portion to perform its intended function. The claimed ranges are merely optimizations, and as such are not patentable over the prior art. "[W]here the general conditions of a claim are disclosed in the prior art, it is not inventive to discover the optimum or workable ranges by routine experimentation." In re Aller, 220 F.2d 454, 456, 105 USPQ 233, 235 (CCPA 1955). "The normal desire of scientists or artisans to improve upon what is already generally known provides the motivation to determine where in a disclosed set of percentage ranges is the optimum combination of percentages." Peterson, 315 F.3d at 1330, 65 USPQ2d at 1382. Regarding claim 18, Zhang et al. discloses in Fig. 2, Fig. 7 wherein an adhesive glue layer [101 and 102] is disposed between the display panel [2] and the cover glass [1], and a thickness of the adhesive glue layer [101 and 102] is the same as a thickness of the filling portion in the direction perpendicular to the display panel [2]. PNG media_image8.png 273 345 media_image8.png Greyscale Regarding claim 19, Zhang et al. fails to disclose wherein the filling structure has a thickness of 0.8 mm to 1.6 mm in the direction perpendicular to the display panel. However, Applicant has not provided any criticality of the claimed range. It would have been obvious to modify Zhang et al. to provide the filling structure has a thickness of 0.8 mm to 1.6 mm in the direction perpendicular to the display panel for at least the purpose of optimization and routine experimentation to provide sufficient thickness for the filling structure to perform its intended function. The claimed ranges are merely optimizations, and as such are not patentable over the prior art. "[W]here the general conditions of a claim are disclosed in the prior art, it is not inventive to discover the optimum or workable ranges by routine experimentation." In re Aller, 220 F.2d 454, 456, 105 USPQ 233, 235 (CCPA 1955). "The normal desire of scientists or artisans to improve upon what is already generally known provides the motivation to determine where in a disclosed set of percentage ranges is the optimum combination of percentages." Peterson, 315 F.3d at 1330, 65 USPQ2d at 1382. Regarding claim 20, Zhang et al. discloses in Fig. 3, Fig. 4 wherein the first sub-side plate further comprises a first end surface connected to the second surface, and the first end surface is located on a side of the second surface away from the display panel [Fig. 3]; a second end surface of the first portion is flush with a light-emitting surface of the cover plate [1], and a width of the first end surface is the same as a width of the second end surface in a direction parallel to the cover plate [1]. PNG media_image9.png 311 535 media_image9.png Greyscale PNG media_image10.png 286 463 media_image10.png Greyscale Kim et al. discloses in Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 8 the cover plate comprises the cover glass [100]; the second surface comprises the second inclined surface [210]. Thus, the combination of Zhang et al. and Kim et al. result to the limitation “wherein the first sub-side plate further comprises a first end surface connected to the second inclined surface, and the first end surface is located on a side of the second inclined surface away from the display panel; a second end surface of the first portion is flush with a light-emitting surface of the cover glass, and a width of the first end surface is the same as a width of the second end surface in a direction parallel to the cover glass” of claim 20. Regarding claim 21, Zhang et al. discloses in paragraph [0053], [0067]-[0068] wherein the filling structure [3] is made of a curable polymer material. Regarding claim 22, Zhang et al. discloses in Fig.1-Fig. 4, a display device, comprising an OLED display module, wherein the OLED display module comprises a middle bezel [200], a display panel [2], and a cover plate [1], wherein the cover plate [1] is located at a light-emitting side of the display panel [2], and the middle bezel [200] comprises a side plate surrounding the display panel [2] and the cover plate [1]. wherein the display panel comprises a display region and a non-display region, and the non-display region comprises a bonding area [Fig. 3] located at a side of the display region and a non-bonding area [Fig. 4] located differently from the bonding area [Fig. 3]; the cover plate [1] comprises a first region corresponding to the bonding area [Fig. 3], the side plate [200] comprises a first sub-side plate corresponding to the bonding area [Fig. 3], and the side plate [200] comprises a second sub-side plate corresponding to the non-bonding area [Fig. 4], and in a direction perpendicular to the display panel [2], the second sub-side plate comprises a first portion attached to the cover plate [1] and a second portion adjacent to the first portion. PNG media_image1.png 311 424 media_image1.png Greyscale PNG media_image2.png 312 505 media_image2.png Greyscale Zhang et al. fails to disclose in Fig. 3, Fig. 4 a filling structure is filled between the second portion, the cover plate, and the display panel; wherein in the direction parallel to the display panel, a part of the filling structure extends in a direction toward the display panel, to form a support portion supporting the display panel on a backlight side of the display panel; wherein in the direction parallel to the display panel, a part of the filling structure extends in the direction toward the display panel, to form a filling portion filled between the cover plate and the display panel. Zhang et al. discloses in Fig. 5, Fig. 7, Fig. 9a, paragraph [0017] a filling structure [3] is filled between the second portion, the cover plate [1], and the display panel [2]; wherein in the direction parallel to the display panel [2], a part of the filling structure [3] extends in a direction toward the display panel [2], to form a support portion supporting the display panel [2] on a backlight side of the display panel [2]; wherein in the direction parallel to the display panel [2], a part of the filling structure [3] extends in the direction toward the display panel [2], to form a filling portion filled between the cover plate [1] and the display panel [2]. PNG media_image3.png 273 345 media_image3.png Greyscale PNG media_image4.png 397 532 media_image4.png Greyscale It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the invention to incorporate the teachings of Fig. 7, Fig. 9a of Zhang et al. into the method of Fig. 3 and 4 of Zhang et al. to include “a filling structure is filled between the second portion, the cover plate, and the display panel; wherein in the direction parallel to the display panel, a part of the filling structure extends in a direction toward the display panel, to form a support portion supporting the display panel on a backlight side of the display panel; wherein in the direction parallel to the display panel, a part of the filling structure extends in the direction toward the display panel, to form a filling portion filled between the cover plate and the display panel” for the purpose of reducing the avoidance distance, reducing the distance between the edge of the display panel layer and the edge of the cover plate, and further improving the reliability of protecting the display panel layer [paragraph [0008] of Zhang et al.]. Zhang et al. fails to disclose the cover plate comprises the cover glass; the side surface of the cover glass is a first inclined surface inclined at an angle to a light incident surface of the cover glass, and the second surface comprises a second inclined surface inclined correspondingly and being attached to the first inclined surface. Kim et al. discloses in Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7 or Fig. 8, paragraph [0047]-[0051], [0056]-[0057], [0082], [0084] the cover plate comprises the cover glass [100]; the side surface of the cover glass [100] is a first inclined surface [110] inclined at an angle to a light incident surface [130] of the cover glass [100], and the second surface comprises a second inclined surface [210] inclined correspondingly and being attached to the first inclined surface [110]. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the invention to incorporate the teachings of Kim et al. into the method of Zhang et al. to include the cover plate comprises the cover glass; the side surface of the cover glass is a first inclined surface inclined at an angle to a light incident surface of the cover glass, and the second surface comprises a second inclined surface inclined correspondingly and being attached to the first inclined surface. The ordinary artisan would have been motivated to modify Zhang et al. in the above manner for the purpose of providing securing a larger display area by reducing dead space [paragraph [0086], [0110], [0119]-[0122] of Kim et al.]. The combination of Kim et al. and Zhang et al. result to “the cover glass comprises a first region corresponding to the bonding area, a side surface of the first region is the first inclined surface, the side plate comprises a first sub-side plate corresponding to the bonding area, and the first sub-side plate comprises the second inclined surface inclined correspondingly and being attached to the first inclined surface; and the side plate comprises a second sub-side plate corresponding to the non-bonding area, and in a direction perpendicular to the display panel, the second sub-side plate comprises a first portion attached to the cover glass and a second portion adjacent to the first portion, and a filling structure is filled between the second portion, the cover glass, and the display panel.” Claims 11-12 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Zhang et al. (US Pub. 20240267450) in view of Kim et al. (US Pub. 20160227653) as applied to claim 9 above and further in view of Wang et al. (CN 108227269). Regarding claim 11, Zhang et al. and Kim et al. fails to disclose wherein the second sub-side plate further comprises a third portion located on a side of the second portion away from the first portion, and in a direction parallel to the display panel, the third portion is disposed protruding in a direction toward the display panel, and a side of the filling structure away from the cover glass is attached to the third portion; wherein in the direction perpendicular to the display panel, the third portion is located on a backlight side of the display panel; and/or, wherein an orthographic projection of the third portion onto the cover glass adjoins an orthographic projection of the display panel onto the cover glass, or the orthographic projection of the third portion onto the cover glass partially overlaps with the orthographic projection of the display panel onto the cover glass; and/or, wherein in a direction from the middle bezel to the display panel, a width of a first attaching surface of the filling structure that is attached to the third portion is 0.8 mm to 1 mm. Wang et al. discloses in Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 10a, paragraph [0041]-[0046] wherein the second sub-side plate [30] further comprises a third portion [400] located on a side of the second portion [300] away from the first portion [33], and in a direction parallel to the display panel [21], the third portion [400] is disposed protruding in a direction toward the display panel [21], and a side of the filling structure [40] away from the cover glass [20] is attached to the third portion [400]; wherein in the direction perpendicular to the display panel [21], the third portion [400] is located on a backlight side of the display panel [21]. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the invention to incorporate the teachings of Wang et al. into the method of Zhang et al. to include wherein the second sub-side plate further comprises a third portion located on a side of the second portion away from the first portion, and in a direction parallel to the display panel, the third portion is disposed protruding in a direction toward the display panel, and a side of the filling structure away from the cover glass is attached to the third portion; wherein in the direction perpendicular to the display panel, the third portion is located on a backlight side of the display panel. The ordinary artisan would have been motivated to modify Zhang et al. in the above manner for the purpose of reducing the frame width of the entire electronic device, further improving the sealing of the electronic device and reducing the risk of light leakage [paragraph [0046] of Wang et al.]. Response to Arguments Applicant's arguments filed 12/11/2025 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive. Regarding Applicant’s arguments on page 10 that “Fig. 4 does not show a “first portion attached to the cover glass”. In Zhang's Fig. 4, the part labeled by the Examiner as the "first portion of second sub-side plate" is not directly attached to the cover plate (1). There is a clear physical gap or separation between this portion and the cover plate. This is fundamentally different from claim 9, which requires the first portion to be "attached to the cover glass." Zhang's structure in the non-bonding area does not have this attachment feature”, Examiner respectfully disagrees because of the following reasons: First, “directly attached” is not required by the claim. Second, as shown in annotated Fig. 4 the first portion is attached to the cover glass through adhesive material 300. Paragraph [0040] of Zhang clearly states “a coating adhesive 300 is arranged at the gap, and the cover plate 1 is connected to the step groove 206 by the coating adhesive 300”. Consequent, Applicant’s argument is not persuasive. Regarding Applicant’s arguments on page 10 that “Zhang's Fig. 7 cannot be combined with Fig. 4 to supply the "filling structure" in the non- bonding area. Fig. 7 in Zhang corresponds to a bonding area cross-section (consistent with the presence of a flexible printed circuit bending space). The Examiner incorrectly assumes that the filling structure (3) from the bonding area in Fig. 7 can be simply transplanted to the non-bonding area structure of Fig. 4,” Examiner respectfully disagrees because the rejection does not combine Fig. 7 with Fig. 4. The test for obviousness is not whether the features of a secondary reference may be bodily incorporated into the structure of the primary reference; nor is it that the claimed invention must be expressly suggested in any one or all of the references. Rather, the test is what the combined teachings of the references would have suggested to those of ordinary skill in the art. See In re Keller, 642 F.2d 413, 208 USPQ 871 (CCPA 1981). In addition, the examiner recognizes that obviousness may be established by combining or modifying the teachings of the prior art to produce the claimed invention where there is some teaching, suggestion, or motivation to do so found either in the references themselves or in the knowledge generally available to one of ordinary skill in the art. See In re Fine, 837 F.2d 1071, 5 USPQ2d 1596 (Fed. Cir. 1988), In re Jones, 958 F.2d 347, 21 USPQ2d 1941 (Fed. Cir. 1992), and KSR International Co. v. Teleflex, Inc., 550 U.S. 398, 82 USPQ2d 1385 (2007). In this case, Fig. 3 and Fig. 7 show cross-section of bonding area while Fig. 4 and Fig. 9a show cross section of non-bonding area. The rejection not only recited Fig. 7, but also recited Fig. 9a. Fig. 7 and Fig. 9a show the filling structure 3 is provided in both bonding area and nonbonding area to reduce the avoidance distance, reduce the distance between the edge of the display panel layer and the edge of the cover plate, and further improve the reliability of protecting the display panel layer [paragraph [0008] of Zhang et al.]. Further, even if Zhang silent about forming filling structure in non-bonding area, it it would have been recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art that applying the filling structure in the bonding area to the non-bonding area would have yielded predicable results and resulted to a non-bonding area having reduced the avoidance distance, reduced the distance between the edge of the display panel layer and the edge of the cover plate, and improved reliability of protecting the display panel layer as in bonding area. Finally, Fig. 4 shows the adhesive having a smaller length than the display panel. Thus, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that incorporating the filling structure suggested in Fig. 9a into Fig. 4 would result the filling structure being filled between the second portion, the cover glass, and the display panel. PNG media_image11.png 333 469 media_image11.png Greyscale Overall, Applicant’s arguments are not persuasive. The claims stand rejected and the Action is made FINAL. Conclusion Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a). A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to SOPHIA T NGUYEN whose telephone number is (571)272-1686. The examiner can normally be reached 9:00am -5:00 pm, Monday-Friday. 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, BRITT D HANLEY can be reached at (571)270-3042. 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. /SOPHIA T NGUYEN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2893
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Mar 20, 2023
Application Filed
Sep 11, 2025
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103
Dec 11, 2025
Response Filed
Jan 09, 2026
Final Rejection mailed — §103
Mar 09, 2026
Response after Non-Final Action
Apr 09, 2026
Request for Continued Examination
Apr 15, 2026
Response after Non-Final Action

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Prosecution Projections

2-3
Expected OA Rounds
45%
Grant Probability
58%
With Interview (+13.0%)
2y 9m (~0m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Moderate
PTA Risk
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