Last updated: July 17, 2026

Application No. 18/187,857

OPTICAL CABLE MISPLUG ERROR DETECTION/REMEDIATION

Non-Final OA

Filed

Mar 22, 2023

Examiner

STAHL, MICHAEL J

Art Unit

2874

Tech Center

2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems

Assignee

International Business Machines Corporation

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +7.5% interview lift. Interview lift (+7.5%) is below the 15.0% threshold. A written response is recommended.

Based on 1268 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

STAHL, MICHAEL J View full profile →

Grants 90% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

1141 granted / 1268 resolved

+22.0% vs TC avg

Moderate +8% lift

Without

With

+7.5%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Fast prosecutor

1y 11m

Avg Prosecution

27 currently pending

Career history

1289

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

0.5%

-39.5% vs TC avg

§103

38.5%

-1.5% vs TC avg

§102

41.6%

+1.6% vs TC avg

§112

17.4%

-22.6% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1268 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Mar 22, 2023

Application Filed

Jun 13, 2024

Response after Non-Final Action

Apr 27, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

18/389,592

Patent 12678831

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR OPTICAL FIBER CLEANING AND INTERFACE PARTICLE REDUCTION

2y 6m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

18/479,359

Patent 12681256

METHOD AND UNIVERSAL APPARATUS FOR OPTICAL FIBER INSTALLATION

2y 9m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

18/517,071

Patent 12671504

PHOTONIC PROGRAMMABLE INTERCONNECT CONFIGURATIONS

2y 7m to grant Granted Jun 30, 2026

18/643,258

Patent 12669650

OPTICAL WAVEGUIDE DEVICE AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME

2y 2m to grant Granted Jun 30, 2026

18/141,279

Patent 12663664

COMPACT PIEZOELECTRIC PHOTONIC CRYSTAL MODULATOR

3y 1m to grant Granted Jun 23, 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.

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Prosecution Projections

1-2

Expected OA Rounds

90%

Grant Probability

98%

With Interview (+7.5%)

1y 11m (~0m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 1268 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.