Last updated: July 17, 2026

Application No. 18/194,922

End Effectors for Robotic Units Used to Open and Close Vehicle Doors

Non-Final OA

Filed

Apr 03, 2023

Examiner

VU, STEPHEN A

Art Unit

3654

Tech Center

3600 — Transportation & Electronic Commerce

Assignee

Nissan North America Inc.

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +14.9% interview lift. Interview already conducted in this application's prosecution history. This examiner has a 82% grant rate with +14.9% interview lift. Since an interview has already been tried, recommend written response with narrowed claims based on precedent claim evolution patterns.

Based on 1132 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

VU, STEPHEN A View full profile →

Grants 82% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

929 granted / 1132 resolved

+30.1% vs TC avg

Moderate +15% lift

Without

With

+14.9%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Fast prosecutor

2y 0m

Avg Prosecution

17 currently pending

Career history

1144

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

0.5%

-39.5% vs TC avg

§103

43.3%

+3.3% vs TC avg

§102

22.6%

-17.4% vs TC avg

§112

22.8%

-17.2% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1132 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Apr 03, 2023

Application Filed

May 13, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed

Jun 01, 2026

Interview Requested

Jun 09, 2026

Applicant Interview (Telephonic)

Jun 09, 2026

Examiner Interview Summary

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

17/981,072

Patent 12680294

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LIFTING PREJOINED DECK COMPONENTS

3y 8m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

17/784,323

Patent 12673435

A Gripping Tool Which Can Be Used By A Manipulator Device For Picking Up And Handling Pieces

4y 0m to grant Granted Jul 07, 2026

17/791,055

Patent 12667982

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR LIFTING DEFORMABLE OBJECTS

3y 12m to grant Granted Jun 30, 2026

17/846,091

Patent 12667978

APPARATUS FOR HOLIDNG AND DISCHARGING DRUMS

4y 0m to grant Granted Jun 30, 2026

17/731,638

Patent 12662334

MAGNETIC LIQUID METAL PROCESSING METHOD, LIQUID GRIPPER AND MANIPULATION METHOD

4y 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.

Typically takes 5-10 seconds — AI-generated, attorney review required before filing

Prosecution Projections

1-2

Expected OA Rounds

82%

Grant Probability

97%

With Interview (+14.9%)

2y 0m (~0m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 1132 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.