Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 18/308,096

ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND METHOD FOR OPERATING IN FLEX MODE

Non-Final OA §112
Filed
Apr 27, 2023
Examiner
BODDIE, WILLIAM
Art Unit
2625
Tech Center
2600 — Communications
Assignee
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
OA Round
3 (Non-Final)
26%
Grant Probability
At Risk
3-4
OA Rounds
4y 11m
To Grant
47%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants only 26% of cases
26%
Career Allow Rate
50 granted / 193 resolved
-36.1% vs TC avg
Strong +21% interview lift
Without
With
+21.0%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
4y 11m
Avg Prosecution
28 currently pending
Career history
221
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
1.8%
-38.2% vs TC avg
§103
62.9%
+22.9% vs TC avg
§102
18.2%
-21.8% vs TC avg
§112
12.1%
-27.9% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 193 resolved cases

Office Action

§112
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 . Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112 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. The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph: The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention. Claims 1-2, 4-5, 7-10, 12, 14-17 and 19-20 rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention. The limitations of “a control element”, “the control element” and “control elements” cited in claims 1-2, 4-5, 7-10, 12, 14-17 and 19-20 are confusing since is unknown which control element has been referred to. The specification disclose a plurality of control elements(550a, 550b, 1650b, 1750b)(See Figs. 16-17; [0093, 0131, 0136] in PGB 20230262158). The limitation of “a second level” cited in claims 2, 7 is unknown whether it is the same “second level” cited in claim 1. The limitation of “a second level” cited in claim 14 and “a level” cited in claim 12 is unknow whether it is the same “second level” cited in claim 10. The limitation of “a second level” cited in claim 17 and “a level” cited in claims 19 and 20 is unknow whether it is the same “second level” cited in claim 16. Response to Arguments Applicant’s arguments with respect to claim(s) 1-2, 4-5, 7-10, 12, 14-17 and 19-20 have been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection does not rely on any reference applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument. Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Voisin et al(US 20160306508) teach first level menu(112) and the second-level menu(114) could be hidden(see Fig. 1 and [0084]). Wang(US 20150378521) teach a display device comprising a second level and a third level menu could be hidden(see Fig. 2A, [0024]). Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to LunYi Lao whose telephone number is (571)-272-7671. The examiner can normally be reached 9:00AM-6:00PM M-F. 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, LunYi Lao can be reached at (571) 272-7671. 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. /LUNYI LAO/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2621
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Prosecution Timeline

Apr 27, 2023
Application Filed
Jun 07, 2025
Non-Final Rejection — §112
Jul 24, 2025
Interview Requested
Jul 31, 2025
Examiner Interview Summary
Jul 31, 2025
Applicant Interview (Telephonic)
Sep 09, 2025
Response Filed
Oct 28, 2025
Final Rejection — §112
Dec 26, 2025
Response after Non-Final Action
Jan 28, 2026
Request for Continued Examination
Jan 31, 2026
Response after Non-Final Action
Feb 20, 2026
Non-Final Rejection — §112 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12589653
VEHICLE DISPLAY DEVICE
2y 5m to grant Granted Mar 31, 2026
Patent 12573336
ELECTRONIC DEVICE WITH BETTER RESOLUTION
2y 5m to grant Granted Mar 10, 2026
Patent 12567373
PIXEL CIRCUIT AND DISPLAY DEVICE INCLUDING THE SAME
2y 5m to grant Granted Mar 03, 2026
Patent 12557387
DISPLAY DEVICE
2y 5m to grant Granted Feb 17, 2026
Patent 12542116
INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD AND INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM
2y 5m to grant Granted Feb 03, 2026
Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

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Prosecution Projections

3-4
Expected OA Rounds
26%
Grant Probability
47%
With Interview (+21.0%)
4y 11m
Median Time to Grant
High
PTA Risk
Based on 193 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allow rate.

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