Prosecution Insights
Last updated: August 17, 2026
Application No. 18/103,282

INFORMATION HANDLING SYSTEM MICRO MANUFACTURING CENTER FOR REUSE AND RECYCLING FACTORING REPAIR ASSETS

Final Rejection §101§103§112
Filed
Jan 30, 2023
Examiner
MONTALVO, CARLOS FERNANDO
Art Unit
3629
Tech Center
3600 — Transportation & Electronic Commerce
Assignee
Dell Products L.P.
OA Round
4 (Final)
16%
Grant Probability
At Risk
5-6
OA Rounds
0m
Est. Remaining
13%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants only 16% of cases
16%
Career Allowance Rate
3 granted / 19 resolved
-36.2% vs TC avg
Minimal -2% lift
Without
With
+-2.4%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 7m
Avg Prosecution
26 currently pending
Career history
50
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
38.8%
-1.2% vs TC avg
§103
39.9%
-0.1% vs TC avg
§102
8.1%
-31.9% vs TC avg
§112
11.2%
-28.8% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 19 resolved cases

Office Action

§101 §103 §112
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 . Claims 1-20 are pending. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112(a) The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of 35 U.S.C. 112(a): (a) IN GENERAL.—The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor or joint inventor of carrying out the invention. The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112: The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention. Claims 1-10 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), first paragraph, as failing to comply with the written description requirement. The claims contain subject matter which was not described in the specification in such a way as to reasonably convey to one skilled in the relevant art that the inventor or a joint inventor, or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the inventor(s), at the time the application was filed, had possession of the claimed invention. Claim 1 recites “wherein the first robotic tool, second robotic tool, first manual labor resource and second manual labor resource each remanufacture an information handling system according to the remanufacture server information handling system automated commands generated in response to a comparison of the lifecycle information against predetermined lifecycle constraints”. The specification does not disclose any predetermined lifecycle constraints, any comparison of lifecycle information to such constraints, or any automated command generation that occurs because of such a comparison. Although the disclosure describes collecting lifecycle information and using it for scheduling and optimization, it provides no description of evaluation based on constraints or command generation logic. Claims 2-10 are rejected by virtue of their dependency. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 101 35 U.S.C. 101 reads as follows: Whoever invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof, may obtain a patent therefor, subject to the conditions and requirements of this title. Claims 1-20 are rejected under 35 USC § 101 because the claimed invention is directed to an abstract idea without significantly more. Step 1 (The Statutory Categories): Is the claim to a process, machine, manufacture or composition of matter? MPEP 2106.03. Per Step 1, claim 1 is directed to a system (i.e., a machine) and claim 11 to a method (i.e., a process). Thus, the claims are directed to statutory categories of invention. However, the claims are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 because they are directed to an abstract idea, a judicial exception, without reciting additional elements that integrate the judicial exception into a practical application. The analysis proceeds to Step 2A Prong One. Step 2A Prong One: Does the claim recite an abstract idea, law of nature, or natural phenomenon? MPEP 2106.04. The abstract idea of claim 1 is: a first manual labor resource; a second manual labor resource; capture of lifecycle information for one or more components during operational use of each of the geographically distributed information handling systems; track a lifecycle of the plural components included in each of the plural distributed information handling systems based upon communications of the lifecycle information; automatically commanding micro manufacturing center resources to repair the plural distributed information handling systems and to harvest the components from the plural distributed information handling systems to reuse at a selected of the plural geographically distributed micro manufacturing centers in remanufactured information handling systems, the resources including the robotic tools and the manual labor resources, scheduling repairs and harvesting to maintain a predetermined allocation between the robotic tools and manual labor resources to perform the repairs and harvesting; remanufacture an information handling system according to the remanufacture server information handling system automated commands generated in response to a comparison of the lifecycle information against predetermined lifecycle constraints. The abstract idea of claim 11 is: distributing plural micro manufacturing centers geographically, each having robotic tools and manual labor resources; tracking lifecycle information of the components when the components are used in the information handling systems at each of plural distributed locations; automatically commanding repairs for plural of the distributed information handling systems when component lifecycle information is within a predetermined threshold of component lifecycle; commanding one or more of the plural micro manufacturing centers to repair the plural of the plural distributed information handling systems and to harvest the components from the plural distributed information handling systems to reuse at a selected of the plural distributed micro manufacturing centers in remanufactured information handling systems, the commanding allocating work to be performed by robotic tools and manual labor resources based upon the lifecycle information; harvesting the plural components to remanufacture a first information handling system with a first robotic tool of a first micro manufacturing center according to the commanding; harvesting the plural components to remanufacture a second information handling system with a first manual labor resource of the first micro manufacturing center according to the commanding; harvesting the plural components to remanufacture a third information handling system with a second robotic tool of a second micro manufacturing center according to the commanding; and harvesting the plural components to remanufacture a first information handling system with a second manual resource of a second micro manufacturing center according to the commanding. The abstract idea steps italicized above are directed to coordinating labor and resource allocation in decentralized repair facilities, which constitutes a process that, under its broadest reasonable interpretation, covers managing personal behavior relationships, interactions between people. This is further supported by paragraph 0004 of applicant’s specification as filed. If a claim limitation, under its broadest reasonable interpretation (BRI), covers managing personal behavior relationships, interactions between people, including social activities, teaching, and/or following rules or instructions, following rules or instructions, then it falls within the Certain Methods of Organizing Human Activity – Managing Personal Behavior Relationships, Interactions Between People grouping of abstract ideas. Accordingly, the claim recites an abstract idea. Additionally and alternatively, the claim is directed to coordinating operational management of manufacturing activities and transportation logistics, which constitutes a process that, under its broadest reasonable interpretation, covers business relations. This is further supported by 0005 of applicant’s specification as filed. If a claim limitation, under its broadest reasonable interpretation, covers commercial interactions, including contracts, legal obligations, advertising, marketing, sales activities or behaviors, and/or business relations, then it falls within the Certain Methods of Organizing Human Activity – Commercial or Legal Interactions grouping of abstract ideas. Accordingly, the claim recites an abstract idea. Step 2A, Prong Two: Does the claim recite additional elements that integrate the judicial exception into a practical application? MPEP §2106.04. This judicial exception is not integrated into a practical application because the additional elements are merely instructions to apply the abstract idea to a computer, as described in MPEP §2106.05(f). Claim 1 recites the following additional elements: plural [first of the, second of the] geographically distributed micro manufacturing centers; a first robotic tool; a second robotic tool; plural geographically distributed information handling systems, each having one or more processing resources and one or more non-transient memories, the one or more non-transient memories storing a lifecycle agent that when executed on the processing resources; a lifecycle server information handling system interfaced through a network with the plural distributed information handling systems; plural distributed information handling systems through the network to the lifecycle server information handling system; a remanufacture server information handling system interfaced with the lifecycle server information handling system; first robotic tool, second robotic tool, first manual labor resource. Claim 11 recites the following additional elements: an agent stored in non-transitory memory and executing on a processing resource during normal operational use of each distributed information handling system. With respect to: plural [first of the, second of the] geographically distributed micro manufacturing centers, examiner notes that applicant has merely linked the use of a judicial exception to a particular technological environment or field of use. Per MPEP 2106.05(h), however, “limitations that amount to merely indicating a field of use or technological environment in which to apply a judicial exception do not amount to significantly more than the exception itself, and cannot integrate a judicial exception into a practical application.” With respect to the rest of the additional elements identified, Examiner notes that these elements are merely instructions to apply the abstract idea to a computer, per MPEP §2106.05(f). Applicant has only described generic computing elements in their specification, as seen in paragraph [0104] of applicant’s specification as filed, for example. Further, the combination of these elements is nothing more than a generic computing system, described in the context of a particular field of use or technological environment. Accordingly, these additional elements, alone and in combination, do not integrate the judicial exception into a practical application. The claim is directed to an abstract idea. Step 2B (The Inventive Concept): Does the claim recite additional elements that amount to significantly more than the judicial exception? MPEP §2106.05. Step 2B involves evaluating the additional elements to determine whether they amount to significantly more than the judicial exception itself. The examination process involves carrying over identification of the additional element(s) in the claim from Step 2A Prong Two and carrying over conclusions from Step 2A Prong Two on the considerations discussed in MPEP §2106.05(f), (h). The additional elements and their analysis are therefore carried over: applicant has merely recited elements that facilitates the tasks of the abstract idea, as described in MPEP §2106.05(f), and/or generally link to a particular technological environment or field of use, as described in MPEP 2106.05(h). Further, the combination of these elements is nothing more than a generic computing system, described in the context of a particular field of use or technological environment. When the claim elements above are considered, alone and in combination, they do not amount to significantly more. Therefore, per Step 2B, the additional elements, alone and in combination, are not significantly more. The claims are not patent eligible. Further, the analysis takes into consideration all dependent claims as well: Regarding claims 2-5, 7-8, 12-15, and 17, applicant further narrows the abstract idea with additional step(s). There are no further additional elements to consider, beyond those highlighted above. This further narrowing of the abstract idea, similar to above, is also not patent eligible. See MPEP §2106.05(f). Claim 6 further narrows the abstract idea with additional steps and/or description, in addition to including additional elements: a power source server information handling system interfaced through the network and operable to communicate types of energy associated with the plural geographically distributed micro manufacturing centers; remanufacture server information handling system (highlighted above). With respect to the former, examiner notes that applicant has merely linked the use of a judicial exception to a particular technological environment or field of use. Per MPEP 2106.05(h), however, “limitations that amount to merely indicating a field of use or technological environment in which to apply a judicial exception do not amount to significantly more than the exception itself, and cannot integrate a judicial exception into a practical application.” With respect to the latter, examiner notes that this is an example of “apply it” and simply being used to facilitate the tasks of the abstract idea (see MPEP 2106.05(f)). This further narrowing of the abstract idea, along with the elements alone and in combination, is not enough to demonstrate integration into practical and is not significantly more. See MPEP §2106.05(f), (h). Claims 9 and 16 further narrow the abstract idea with additional steps and/or description, in addition to including additional elements: keyboard having plural keys and a liquid detection sensor. Examiner notes that these are examples of “apply it” and are simply being used to facilitate the tasks of the abstract idea. This further narrowing of the abstract idea, along with the elements alone and in combination, is not enough to demonstrate integration into practical and is not significantly more. See MPEP §2106.05(f). Claim 10 further narrows the abstract idea with additional steps and/or description, in addition to including additional elements: a motherboard having a CPU. Examiner notes that these are examples of “apply it” and are simply being used to facilitate the tasks of the abstract idea. This further narrowing of the abstract idea, along with the elements alone and in combination, is not enough to demonstrate integration into practical and is not significantly more. See MPEP §2106.05(f). Claim 18 further narrows the abstract idea with additional steps and/or description, in addition to including additional elements: non-transient memory of the motherboard. Examiner notes that these are examples of “apply it” and are simply being used to facilitate the tasks of the abstract idea. This further narrowing of the abstract idea, along with the elements alone and in combination, is not enough to demonstrate integration into practical and is not significantly more. See MPEP §2106.05(f). Claim 19 further narrows the abstract idea with additional steps and/or description, in addition to including additional elements: solid state drive. Examiner notes that these are examples of “apply it” and are simply being used to facilitate the tasks of the abstract idea. This further narrowing of the abstract idea, along with the elements alone and in combination, is not enough to demonstrate integration into practical and is not significantly more. See MPEP §2106.05(f). Claim 20 further narrows the abstract idea with additional steps and/or description, in addition to including additional elements: speaker. Examiner notes that these are examples of “apply it” and are simply being used to facilitate the tasks of the abstract idea. This further narrowing of the abstract idea, along with the elements alone and in combination, is not enough to demonstrate integration into practical and is not significantly more. See MPEP §2106.05(f). Accordingly, claims 1-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 101 as being directed to non-statutory subject matter. No Prior Art Applied to Claims 1-20 There is no prior art applied to claims 1 and 11 because the cited prior art fails to disclose or suggest the complete feature set recited in the claims. Edmonds, considered the closest art, discloses: Claim 1 A system for information handling system manufacture {This invention generally relates to a product order, delivery, management (ODM) system and, more particularly, to a system and related methods for remotely monitoring a production line using the Web in such an ODM system. (paragraph 0001) In addition, such companies often contract with various partners to have products manufactured at OEM partner facilities. (paragraph 0002) For instance, FIG. 6 shows another example of an interactive Web page 600 with query output results 602 that are exemplary of a system 100 which is used to monitor production facilities processing notebook computers, i.e. an “information handling system.” (paragraph 0040)}, the system comprising: plural geographically distributed micro manufacturing centers {Returning now to FIG. 1, OEM production lines typically have associated product centers, such as refurbishment, service, and shipping or distribution centers. These product centers may be collocated within an OEM production facility 112, where 112(N) of FIG. demonstrates a “plurality of geographically distributed manufacturing centers.” (paragraph 0031) Examiner notes that “micro” is a labeling term that doesn’t functionally and/or structurally distinguish and given little patentable weight. See MPEP 2111.05 and discussions on nonfunctional descriptive material.} a first robotic tool at a first of the plural geographically distributed micro manufacturing centers; {The system includes multiple remotely operated OEM production facilities (paragraphs 0025, 0031). The OEM production line computer directs operations on the production line (i.e., a robotic or automated manufacturing tool under BRI) (paragraphs 0033-0034).} a second robotic tool at a second of the plural geographically distributed micro manufacturing centers; {The system includes multiple remotely operated OEM production facilities (paragraphs 0025, 0031) and includes individual production line computers at each facility, each configured to control and monitor production lines independently. The system describes a plurality of production line monitors and facility computers (e.g., 114(1), 114(N)) (i.e., a second production center) (paragraphs 0031-0034)}. a first manual labor resource at the first of the plural geographically distributed micro manufacturing centers; {The system includes multiple remotely operated OEM production facilities (paragraphs 0025, 0031). These facilities include associated product centers for refurbishment, service, and shipping (i.e., manual labor resource) (paragraphs 0031, 0035).} a second manual labor resource at the second of the plural geographically distributed manufacturing centers; {The system includes a second OEM production facility (112(2)) that includes remotely located service and refurbishment centers. These centers perform repair and upgrade functions (i.e., manual labor resource) (paragraphs 0031, 0035).} a lifecycle server information handling system interfaced through a network with the plural distributed information handling systems to track a lifecycle of the plural components included in each of the plural distributed information handling systems based upon communications of the lifecycle information from the plural distributed information handling systems through the network to the lifecycle server information handling system {In a more realistic example, the system 100 of FIG. 1 is likely to include a production database 116 containing data far more extensive than that indicated by the sample database table 400 of FIG. 4. For instance, FIG. 6 shows another example of an interactive Web page 600 with query output results 602 that are exemplary of a system 100 which is used to monitor production facilities processing notebook computers, i.e. “information handling systems.” In this production environment, the system 100 provides a user with access to up to date production information including hard disk drive (HDD) size, liquid crystal display (LCD) size, software identification (SWID), and CPU type, i.e. “plural components.” (paragraph 0040). Examiner notes that “lifecycle server information handling system interfaced through a network” demonstrated via OEM computer 300 storing product data into the production database 116 and responding to queries received from the host server 106. (paragraph 0034) Examiner further notes that “track a lifecycle” demonstrated via product identification and tracking data gathered from service databases 124 on failed products returned to service centers, which includes product serial numbers and "born-on" dates. (paragraph 0043)} a remanufacture server information handling system interfaced with the lifecycle server information handling system {Similarly, in the refurbishment computer 302, i.e. a “remanufacture server information handling system interfaced with the lifecycle server information handling system,” the monitor/collect module 326 executes on processor(s) 308, directing the refurbishment computer 302 to continually monitor and collect data on products that are returned to the refurbishment center and products that are upgraded at the center. (paragraph 0035).} wherein the first robotic tool, second robotic tool, first manual labor resource and second manual labor resource each remanufacture an information handling system according to the remanufacture server information handling system {Production and service centers at different locations repair and upgrade products based on instructions from a central host server (paragraphs 0032, 0035, 0050). These actions involve manual labor and automated tools. All actions follow commands issued (i.e., schedule) by the host server.} Claim 11 A method of automated reuse of components used in distributed information handling systems comprising {This invention generally relates to a product order, delivery, management (ODM) system and, more particularly, to a system and related methods for remotely monitoring a production line using the Web in such an ODM system. (paragraph 0001) In addition, such companies often contract with various partners to have products manufactured at OEM partner facilities. (paragraph 0002) For instance, FIG. 6 shows another example of an interactive Web page 600 with query output results 602 that are exemplary of a system 100 which is used to monitor production facilities processing notebook computers, i.e. “information handling systems.” (paragraph 0040) In this production environment, the system 100 provides a user with access to up to date production information including hard disk drive (HDD) size, liquid crystal display (LCD) size, software identification (SWID), and CPU type, i.e. “components.” (paragraph 0040).} distributing plural micro manufacturing centers geographically {Returning now to FIG. 1, OEM production lines typically have associated product centers, such as refurbishment, service, and shipping or distribution centers. These product centers may be collocated within an OEM production facility 112, where 112(N) of FIG. demonstrates a “distributing plural micro manufacturing centers geographically.” (paragraph 0031) Examiner notes that “micro” is a labeling term that doesn’t functionally and/or structurally distinguish and given little patentable weight. See MPEP 2111.05 and discussions on nonfunctional descriptive material.} tracking lifecycle information of the components when the components are used in the information handling systems at each of plural distributed locations with an agent stored in non-transitory memory and executing on a processing resource during normal operational use of each distributed information handling system {The system places OEM production, refurbishment, and service computers at multiple remote facilities (paragraphs 0031, 0033). Each machine runs monitor or collect modules from local memory to capture operational data as equipment is processed or services (paragraphs 0034-0036). These modules gather configuration, tracking, failure, service, and upgrade information during ordinary use at each site (paragraphs 0041, 0043). The master application later pulls and consolidates this information from all facilities to form a system wide record (paragraphs 0042-0043, 0047-0051).} harvesting the plural components to remanufacture a first information handling system with a first robotic tool of a first micro manufacturing center according to the commanding {The OEM production line computer collects product data and processes product orders received from the host server. The server sends instructions directing production activity, and the production line handles components to fulfill these orders (paragraphs 0032, 0034, 0036, 0050-0051).} harvesting the plural components to remanufacture a second information handling system with a first manual labor resource of the first micro manufacturing center according to the commanding {The system includes the refurbishment and service centers at the first OEM facility that handle returned products and perform upgrades and repairs. The activities are carried under the direction of the host server, which sends queries and order instructions (paragraphs 0032, 0035, 0050-0051).} harvesting the plural components to remanufacture a third information handling system with a second robotic tool of a second micro manufacturing center according to the commanding {The system includes a second OEM production facility with a production line computer configured to receive instructions from the host server and process product orders. The production line computer monitors and controls production activities, which includes handling components for product remanufacture (paragraphs 0031, 0033-0034, 0036, 0050).} harvesting the plural components to remanufacture a first information handling system with a second manual resource of a second micro manufacturing center according to the commanding {The system includes a second OEM facility with service and refurbishment centers that process returned products through repairs and upgrades. The activities are carried under the direction of the host server, which sends queries and order instructions (paragraphs 0031-0032, 0035, 0050-0051).} Examiner also considered the following additional references: Kayara (US 20200143334 A1) , which teaches a parent and child product recycling codes for finished products. Gettings (US 20150367513 A1) , which teaches the collection, processing, and utilization of robotic and/or human resources across the infrastructure of an organization. Johnson (US 20090222826 A1) , which teaches the automated deployment of a deployment container on an information handling system. El Haloui (US 20210309384 A1), which teaches the automated deployment of a deployment container on an information handling system. Filji (US 20230067222 A1), which teaches the automation of security requirements and software components supply chain during software development and the software development lifecycle. However, none of the references disclose or suggest (claim 1) “plural geographically distributed information handling systems, each having one or more processing resources and one or more non-transient memories, the one or more non-transient memories storing a lifecycle agent that when executed on the processing resources causes capture of lifecycle information for one or more components during operational use of each of the geographically distributed information handling systems; automatically commanding micro manufacturing center resources to repair the plural distributed information handling systems and to harvest the components from the plural distributed information handling systems to reuse at a selected of the plural geographically distributed micro manufacturing centers in remanufactured information handling systems, the resources including the robotic tools and the manual labor resources, the remanufacture server information handling system scheduling repairs and harvesting to maintain a predetermined allocation between the robotic tools and manual labor resources to perform the repairs and harvesting; automated commands generated in response to a comparison of the lifecycle information against predetermined lifecycle constraints” or (claim 11) “each having robotic tools and manual labor resources; automatically commanding repairs for plural of the distributed information handling systems when component lifecycle information is within a predetermined threshold of component lifecycle; commanding one or more of the plural micro manufacturing centers to repair the plural of the plural distributed information handling systems and to harvest the components from the plural distributed information handling systems to reuse at a selected of the plural distributed micro manufacturing centers in remanufactured information handling systems, the commanding allocating work to be performed by robotic tools and manual labor resources based upon the lifecycle information”. Accordingly, there is no prior art applied to claims 1 and 11. In addition, there is no prior art applied to the rest of the claims by virtue of their dependency. Response to Arguments Applicant's arguments filed on 04/28/2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive. Claim Objections The objection is withdrawn in view of Applicant’s explanation and because the scope of the claim is reasonably ascertainable. Rejections under 35 U.S.C. §112(a) The issue is not whether the specification uses the term “lifecycle” extensively, but whether the originally filed disclosure reasonably conveys possession of the claimed comparison of lifecycle information as recited. Repeated references to lifecycle information, reuse, recycling, scheduling, or optimization do not, by themselves, provide written description support for the particular claimed evaluation, comparison or decision making relationship identified in the rejection. Applicant has not directed the Examiner to any specific disclosure demonstrating possession of the claimed comparison. Accordingly, the rejection is maintained. Rejections under 35 U.S.C. §101 A claim may recite subject matter that falls within more than one enumerated grouping of abstract ideas, and the identification of multiple applicable groupings does not render the rejection improper. The Examiner’s analysis is based on the claim language as a whole rather than a requirement that the claims mirror a specific example identified in the MPEP. The absence of insurance, real estate, hedging, sales, or other examples cited by Applicant does not preclude a finding that the claims recite methods of organizing human activity. The Examiner maintains that the claimed evaluation and coordination of resources, assets, and operational decisions constitute managing interactions and activities that fall within the enumerated grouping identified above. Therefore, the 35 USC §101 rejection is maintained. Rejections under 35 U.S.C. §103 Arguments are moot under 35 USC §103 because there is no prior art applied to claims 1-20. Accordingly, Examiner directs Applicant’s attention to the analysis above. Conclusion THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. 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 CARLOS F MONTALVO whose telephone number is (703)756-5863. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday 8:00AM - 5:30PM; First Fridays OOO. 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, Sarah Monfeldt can be reached at 571-270-1833. 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. /C.F.M./ Examiner, Art Unit 3629 /SARAH M MONFELDT/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 3629
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Prosecution Timeline

Show 6 earlier events
Sep 22, 2025
Response after Non-Final Action
Oct 21, 2025
Request for Continued Examination
Oct 29, 2025
Response after Non-Final Action
Dec 29, 2025
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §101, §103, §112
Apr 28, 2026
Applicant Interview (Telephonic)
Apr 28, 2026
Examiner Interview Summary
Apr 28, 2026
Response Filed
Jun 18, 2026
Final Rejection mailed — §101, §103, §112 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

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Patent 12450573
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Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 2 most recent grants.

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Prosecution Projections

5-6
Expected OA Rounds
16%
Grant Probability
13%
With Interview (-2.4%)
2y 7m (~0m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
High
PTA Risk
Based on 19 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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