Prosecution Insights
Last updated: July 17, 2026
Application No. 18/285,844

HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE AND OPERATING METHOD THEREOF

Non-Final OA §112
Filed
Oct 05, 2023
Priority
Apr 08, 2021 — nonprovisional of PCTEP2021059222
Examiner
SANGHERA, JAS A
Art Unit
Tech Center
Assignee
Electrolux Appliances AB
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
95%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
0m
Est. Remaining
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 95% — above average
95%
Career Allowance Rate
1094 granted / 1157 resolved
+34.6% vs TC avg
Minimal +5% lift
Without
With
+5.0%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Fast prosecutor
1y 8m
Avg Prosecution
26 currently pending
Career history
1170
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
1.0%
-39.0% vs TC avg
§103
54.3%
+14.3% vs TC avg
§102
11.5%
-28.5% vs TC avg
§112
25.1%
-14.9% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1157 resolved cases

Office Action

§112
DETAILED ACTION Notice to Applicant 1. The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . 2. Claims 1-15 are pending. Specification 3. The specification is objected to due to the following informalities. On page 7, it appears that the reference numeral following the element “power supply lines” in line 26 should be revised from 3 to 4. On page 7, it appears that the phrase “may oscillates” in line 31 should be revised to “may oscillate.” On page 10, it appears that the phrase “a opto-isolator module” in line 27 should be revised to “an opto-isolator module.” On page 12, reference is made to a measurement circuit “13a” in lines 5 and 16. However, reference numeral 13a was previously used to designate the processing circuit of the inverter device 13 whereas reference numeral 13b was previously used to designate the voltage measurement circuit. Appropriate correction is required. On page 12, it appears that the word “guarantying” in line 9 should be revised to “guaranteeing.” On page 12, it appears that the phrase “voltage measure circuit” in line 13 should be revised to “voltage measurement circuit 13b.” On page 12, it appears that the phrase “first AC tension V1” in line 32 should be revised to “first AC voltage V1.” On page 13, it appears that the phrase “voltage measuring circuit 13b” in line 13 should be revised to “voltage measurement circuit 13b.” Drawings 4. The drawings are objected to as failing to comply with 37 CFR 1.84(p)(5) because they do not include the following reference sign(s) mentioned in the description: electronic control system 19 (see line 7 of page 12). Corrected drawing sheets in compliance with 37 CFR 1.121(d) are required in reply to the Office action to avoid abandonment of the application. Any amended replacement drawing sheet should include all of the figures appearing on the immediate prior version of the sheet, even if only one figure is being amended. Each drawing sheet submitted after the filing date of an application must be labeled in the top margin as either “Replacement Sheet” or “New Sheet” pursuant to 37 CFR 1.121(d). If the changes are not accepted by the examiner, the applicant will be notified and informed of any required corrective action in the next Office action. The objection to the drawings will not be held in abeyance. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112 5. The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b): (b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention. 6. Claims 6 and 15 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention. Per claim 6, it is unclear if the limitations “voltage transformer module (12b)” recited in lines 2 and 4 are related to the “current measuring sensor (12b)” recited in claim 1 because they share the same reference numeral. Appropriate correction is required. For the purpose of examination, the limitations “voltage transformer module (12b)” in claim 6 are interpreted as not being related to the current measuring sensor (12b). Per claim 6, the phrase “said voltage transformer module (12b) being configured to transform said first AC voltage (V1) in said second voltage (Vcc) to be supplied to said master control circuit (12) and or to said second loads (7)” in lines 3-6 lacks clarity. Appropriate correction is required. For the purpose of examination, said phrase is interpreted as implying “said voltage transformer module (12b) being configured to transform said first AC voltage (V1) to said second voltage (Vcc) to be supplied to said master control circuit (12) and/or to said second loads (7).” Per claim 15, the limitation “said first (K1(I1))” in the last two lines of this claim lacks sufficient antecedent basis. Appropriate correction is required. For the purpose of examination, said limitation is interpreted as implying “said first value (K1(I1)).” Claim Objections 7. Claims 11-15 are objected to due to the following informalities. Per claim 11, it appears that the comma after “unit” in line 2 should be removed. Per claim 11, it appears that the phrase “a illuminating circuit” should be revised to “an illuminating circuit.” Per claim 12, it appears that a comma should be inserted between “pump” and “a drum” in line 3. Per claim 12, it appears that the phrase “a illuminating circuit” should be revised to “an illuminating circuit.” Per claim 13, it appears that a comma should be inserted between “motor” and “a microwave” in line 3. Per claim 13, it appears that the phrase “a illuminating circuit” should be revised to “an illuminating circuit.” Per claim 14, it appears that the word “and” should be inserted between “unit” and “a motor” in line 4. Per claim 14, it appears that the phrase “a illuminating circuit” should be revised to “an illuminating circuit.” Per claim 15, it appears that the reference character associated with the limitation “said main electric power” should be revised from “1” to “P1.” Allowable Subject Matter 8. Claims 1-5 and 7-10 are deemed allowable. In particular, the following feature disclosed in independent claim 1 and inherited by dependent claims 2-14 is not believed to be taught or suggested by the prior art of record: “said inverter device (13) is configured to provide said second value (K2(V1) to said master control circuit (12) by opto-isolator electronic means (15), said master control circuit (12) is configured to determine a third value (K3(P1)) indicative of said main electric power (P1) based on said first value (K1(I1)) and second value (K2(V1)).” To note, said feature is also substantially recited in independent claim 15, which is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b). Pertinent Prior Art 9. Choi et al. - US 2015/0192337 This document discloses a home appliance comprising a circuit 600 including a rectifier 411 configured to receive and rectify AC power from a commercial AC power source 405, an inverter 420 connected to the rectifier 411 and configured to drive a compressor 112, and a voltage dropper 610 configured to supply operational power to a fan 620, a DC heater 625, and a main microcomputer 310. A power consumed by the home appliance is calculated based on an input current detected by an input current detector A connected to the commercial AC power source 405 and a DC terminal voltage Vdc detected by a DC terminal voltage detector B connected to an input of the inverter 420 (Fig. 6; ¶83-101). However, this document is silent on, in particular, the inverter device 420 providing a second value indicative of an AC voltage to a master control circuit by an opto-isolator electronic means, as specified by independent claims 1 and 15 of the present application. Conclusion 10. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to JAS A. SANGHERA whose telephone number is (571)272-4787. The examiner can normally be reached M-Th, alt. Fri, 8-5 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, WALTER LINDSAY can be reached at (571) 272-1674. 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. /JAS A SANGHERA/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2852
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Oct 05, 2023
Application Filed
Jun 04, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §112 (current)

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

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Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
95%
Grant Probability
99%
With Interview (+5.0%)
1y 8m (~0m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 1157 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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