Last updated: April 19, 2026

Application No. 18/237,086

STORAGE BILLING SYSTEM AND STORAGE BILLING METHOD

Final Rejection

Filed

Aug 23, 2023

Examiner

HAYLES, ASHFORD S

Art Unit

3627

Tech Center

3600 — Transportation & Electronic Commerce

Assignee

Hitachi, Ltd.

OA Round

2 (Final)

Interview Optional

— +37.7% interview lift. This examiner has a relatively high allow rate; a written response may suffice.

Based on 538 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

HAYLES, ASHFORD S View full profile →

Grants 66% — above average

Career Allow Rate

353 granted / 538 resolved

+13.6% vs TC avg

Strong +38% interview lift

Without

With

+37.7%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

3y 4m

Avg Prosecution

30 currently pending

Career history

568

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

23.0%

-17.0% vs TC avg

§103

53.0%

+13.0% vs TC avg

§102

5.4%

-34.6% vs TC avg

§112

12.5%

-27.5% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 538 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Aug 23, 2023

Application Filed

Aug 08, 2025

Non-Final Rejection

Sep 29, 2025

Response Filed

Oct 13, 2025

Final Rejection (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

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ARTICLE REGISTRATION DEVICE, CART POS SYSTEM EQUIPPED WITH ARTICLE REGISTRATION DEVICE, AND ARTICLE REGISTRATION METHOD

2y 5m to grant Granted Apr 07, 2026

19/027,408

Patent 12579528

DRIVE THROUGH SYSTEM WITH TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT

2y 5m to grant Granted Mar 17, 2026

18/333,540

Patent 12572917

PROGRAM FUNCTION TRIGGERING METHOD AND APPARATUS, DEVICE, SYSTEM, MEDIUM, AND PROGRAM PRODUCT

2y 5m to grant Granted Mar 10, 2026

18/278,353

Patent 12555146

COST CALCULATION AND PAYMENT DEVICE, COST CALCULATION AND PAYMENT SYSTEM, AND COST CALCULATION AND PAYMENT METHOD

2y 5m to grant Granted Feb 17, 2026

17/910,016

Patent 12527421

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PREPARING FOOD AUTONOMOUSLY

2y 5m to grant Granted Jan 20, 2026

Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

AI Strategy Recommendation

Get an AI-powered prosecution strategy using examiner precedents, rejection analysis, and claim mapping.

Prosecution Projections

3-4

Expected OA Rounds

66%

Grant Probability

99%

With Interview (+37.7%)

3y 4m

Median Time to Grant

Moderate

PTA Risk

Based on 538 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allow rate.