Prosecution Insights
Last updated: May 29, 2026
Application No. 18/068,142

MOBILITY LEVEL USER INTERFACE INCLUDING SMART TURN REMINDERS BASED ON RISK OF PATIENT

Non-Final OA §102
Filed
Dec 19, 2022
Priority
Dec 21, 2021 — provisional 63/292,119
Examiner
HOEKSTRA, JEFFREY GERBEN
Art Unit
3791
Tech Center
3700 — Mechanical Engineering & Manufacturing
Assignee
Hill Rom Services Inc.
OA Round
2 (Non-Final)
56%
Grant Probability
Moderate
2-3
OA Rounds
7m
Est. Remaining
96%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 56% of resolved cases
56%
Career Allowance Rate
284 granted / 511 resolved
-14.4% vs TC avg
Strong +40% interview lift
Without
With
+40.1%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
4y 0m
Avg Prosecution
66 currently pending
Career history
592
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
2.3%
-37.7% vs TC avg
§103
46.7%
+6.7% vs TC avg
§102
46.4%
+6.4% vs TC avg
§112
3.2%
-36.8% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 511 resolved cases

Office Action

§102
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 This Office Action is responsive to the amendments and arguments filed 11/13/25. The previous ground(s) of rejection is/are withdrawn and the following is/are set forth hereinbelow. Response to Arguments Applicant’s arguments with respect to claim(s) 1-13 and 21-26 have been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection does not rely on any reference applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument. Claim Objections Claim 5 is objected to because of the following informalities: the positive recitation of “the trend line is displayed for a given timeline determined the selection of the timeline button” appears to contain grammatical error and/or be missing a “by”. Appropriate correction is required. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102 The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action: A person shall be entitled to a patent unless – (a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention. Claim(s) 1-13 and 21-26 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Al-Ali et al. (US 2020/0113488 A1, hereinafter Al-Ali). For claim 1, Al-Ali discloses a patient support apparatus (Figs 3, 5, 15-22) ([0048-0130, especially 0049-0050,0080-0127]), comprising inter alia: a control system (100) including a controller (105), the controller operable to detect and classify movement data (120), and a user interface (106) including a display (106), the display illustrating the patient movement data (Figs 3, 5, 15-22) ([0048-0130, especially 0049-0050,0080-0127]) including a trend line of a patient mobility score (centroid trend line) (Figs 3, 5, 15-22) ([0048-0130, especially 0049-0050,0080-0127]) on a first portion of the display when a trend line button (428) is selected (Figs 3, 5, 15-22) ([0048-0130, especially 0049-0050,0080-0127]), wherein movement data comprises patient movement data and non-patient motion artifacts ([0040-0046]). For claim 2, Al-Ali discloses the user interface of claim 2, wherein the display comprises a first portion and a second portion (Figs 15-22). For claim 3, Al-Ali discloses the patient support apparatus of claim 2, wherein the patient mobility score is based on patient movement amplitude and patient frequency (Figs 3, 5, 15-22) ([0048-0130, especially 0049-0050,0080-0127]). For claim 4, Al-Ali discloses the patient support apparatus of claim 2, wherein the patient movement data comprises slight movement or major movement (Figs 3, 5, 15-22) ([0048-0130, especially 0049-0050,0080-0127]). For claim 5, Al-Ali discloses the patient support apparatus of claim 3, wherein the patient the trend line is displayed for a given timeline determined by the selection of the timeline button (Figs 3, 5, 15-22) ([0048-0130, especially 0049-0050,0080-0127]). For claim 6, Al-Ali discloses the patient support apparatus of claim 4, wherein the patient movement data displayed on the user interface comprises identification of caregiver assisted motion on the second portion of the display (Figs 3, 5, 15-22) ([0048-0130, especially 0049-0050,0080-0127]). For claim 7, Al-Ali discloses the patient support apparatus of claim 6, wherein the caregiver assisted motion occurs when both non-patient motion artifact and patient movement occurs at the same time (Figs 3, 5, 15-22) ([0048-0130, especially 0049-0050,0080-0127]), and is inherently capable of occurring when the non-patient motion artifact comprises more than about 20% of the movement data at that time (Figs 3, 5, 15-22) ([0048-0130, especially 0049-0050,0080-0127]). For claim 8, Al-Ali discloses the patient support apparatus of claim 4, wherein the patient movement amplitude comprises slight movement that is inherently capable of occurring when the patient movement does not comprise a postural change for a period of about 30 seconds (Figs 3, 5, 15-22) ([0048-0130, especially 0049-0050,0080-0127]). For claim 9, Al-Ali discloses the patient support apparatus of claim 4, wherein the patient movement amplitude comprises major movement that is inherently capable of occurring when the patient movement comprises a postural change in a period of about 30 seconds (Figs 3, 5, 15-22) ([0048-0130, especially 0049-0050,0080-0127]). For claim 10, Al-Ali discloses a system, comprising inter alia: a patient support surface (118) supporting a patient (Figs 3, 5, 15-22) ([0048-0130, especially 0049-0050,0080-0127]), a controller (105) operable to detect and classify patient movement (Figs 3, 5, 15-22) ([0048-0130, especially 0049-0050,0080-0127]) and automatically reposition the patient after a time interval (Figs 3, 5, 15-22) ([0048-0130, especially 0049-0050,0080-0127]), and a user interface (106) including a display (106) and a smart turn indicator (448) (Figs 3, 5, 15-22) ([0048-0130, especially 0049-0050,0080-0127]), the display illustrating the patient movement data ((Figs 3, 5, 15-22) ([0048-0130, especially 0049-0050,0080-0127]), the movement data comprising patient movement data and non-patient motion artifacts (Figs 3, 5, 15-22) ([0048-0130, especially 0049-0050,0080-0127]), wherein the patient movement data can change the time interval (via time interval selection buttons 428) (Figs 3, 5, 15-22) ([0048-0130, especially 0049-0050,0080-0127]). For claim 11, Al-Ali discloses the system of claim 10, wherein the patient movement data displayed on the user interface comprises a color-coded display (410) of the current time in relationship to the turning protocol (Figs 3, 5, 15-22) ([0048-0130, especially 0049-0050,0080-0127]). For claim 12, Al-Ali discloses the system of claim 11, wherein the turning protocol is also affected by an amount of major movements or slight movements of the patient (Figs 3, 5, 15-22) ([0048-0130, especially 0049-0050,0080-0127]). For claim 13, Al-Ali discloses the system of claim 10, wherein the patient movement is monitored by one or more continuous sensors (102) ([0040-0046]). For claim 21, Al-Ali discloses the system of claim 10, wherein the patient movement data comprises patient mobility score (centroid) based on patient movement amplitude and patient frequency (Figs 3, 5, 15-22) ([0048-0130, especially 0049-0050,0080-0127]). For claim 22, Al-Ali discloses the system of claim 10, wherein the patient movement data comprises slight movement or major movement (Figs 3, 5, 15-22) ([0048-0130, especially 0049-0050,0080-0127]). For claim 23, Al-Ali discloses the system of claim 21, wherein the patient mobility score is displayed on the user interface as a mobility (centroid) and is displayed as a trend line (Figs 3, 5, 15-22) ([0048-0130, especially 0049-0050,0080-0127]). For claim 24, Al-Ali discloses the system of claim 22, wherein the patient movement data displayed on the user interface comprises identification of caregiver assisted motion (Figs 3, 5, 15-22) ([0048-0130, especially 0049-0050,0080-0127]). For claim 25, Al-Ali discloses the system of claim 24, wherein the caregiver assisted motion occurs when both non-patient motion artifact and patient movement occurs at the same time (Figs 3, 5, 15-22) ([0048-0130, especially 0049-0050,0080-0127]), and is inherently capable of occurring when the non-patient motion artifact comprises more than about 20% of the movement data at that time. For claim 26, Al-Ali discloses the system of claim 22, wherein the patient movement amplitude comprises major movement when the patient movement comprises a postural change in a period of about 30 seconds (Figs 3, 5, 15-22) ([0048-0130, especially 0049-0050,0080-0127]). 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 Jeffrey G. Hoekstra whose telephone number is (571)272-7232. The examiner can normally be reached Monday through Thursday from 5am-3pm EST. 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, Charles A. Marmor II can be reached at (571)272-4730. 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. Jeffrey G. Hoekstra Primary Examiner Art Unit 3791 /JEFFREY G. HOEKSTRA/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3791
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Dec 19, 2022
Application Filed
Aug 13, 2025
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §102
Nov 13, 2025
Response Filed
Jan 15, 2026
Final Rejection mailed — §102
Mar 16, 2026
Response after Non-Final Action

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12635994
SOFT TISSUE FINE NEEDLE CORE BIOPSY AND SPECIMEN FIXATION DEVICES AND METHODS
3y 2m to grant Granted May 26, 2026
Patent 12629070
Tube Support for Blood Draw Device
3y 6m to grant Granted May 19, 2026
Patent 12629026
DEVICE FOR THE DIRECT DETECTION OF PRESSURE VARIATIONS OF A FLUID IN A BODY CAVITY
3y 4m to grant Granted May 19, 2026
Patent 12616625
MUSCLE TONE ASSESMENT DEVICE AND ASSESMENT METHOD THEREOF
3y 11m to grant Granted May 05, 2026
Patent 12611204
BONE MARROW ASPIRATION AND TREPHINE BIOPSY SINGLE NEEDLE ASSEMBLY
3y 2m to grant Granted Apr 28, 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

2-3
Expected OA Rounds
56%
Grant Probability
96%
With Interview (+40.1%)
4y 0m (~7m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Moderate
PTA Risk
Based on 511 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

Sign in with your work email

Enter your email to receive a magic link. No password needed.

Personal email addresses (Gmail, Yahoo, etc.) are not accepted.

Free tier: 3 strategy analyses per month