Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 02, 2026
Application No. 18/342,564

METHODS AND APPARATUS TO IMPROVE AUDIO QUALITY BASED ON LOAD IMPEDANCE SENSING

Non-Final OA §102
Filed
Jun 27, 2023
Examiner
ADDY, THJUAN KNOWLIN
Art Unit
Tech Center
Assignee
Intel Corporation
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
89%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
0m
Est. Remaining
96%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 89% — above average
89%
Career Allowance Rate
990 granted / 1108 resolved
+29.4% vs TC avg
Moderate +6% lift
Without
With
+6.3%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 5m
Avg Prosecution
22 currently pending
Career history
1120
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
10.7%
-29.3% vs TC avg
§103
19.7%
-20.3% vs TC avg
§102
44.0%
+4.0% vs TC avg
§112
3.9%
-36.1% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1108 resolved cases

Office Action

§102
DETAILED ACTION 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 . Specification Applicant is reminded of the proper language and format for an abstract of the disclosure. The abstract should be in narrative form and generally limited to a single paragraph on a separate sheet within the range of 50 to 150 words in length. The abstract should describe the disclosure sufficiently to assist readers in deciding whether there is a need for consulting the full patent text for details. The language should be clear and concise and should not repeat information given in the title. It should avoid using phrases which can be implied, such as, “The disclosure concerns,” “The disclosure defined by this invention,” “The disclosure describes,” etc. In addition, the form and legal phraseology often used in patent claims, such as “means” and “said,” should be avoided. The abstract of the disclosure is objected to because it uses a phrase which can be implied. For instance, lines 1-2 recite “Example systems, apparatus, articles of manufacture, and methods … are disclosed”. A corrected abstract of the disclosure is required and must be presented on a separate sheet, apart from any other text. See MPEP § 608.01(b). Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102 In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status. The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action: A person shall be entitled to a patent unless – (a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention. Claim(s) 1-20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being unpatentable by Lesso et al. (US Patent Application, Pub. No.: US 2016/0329867). In regards to claims 1, 9, and 17, Lesso discloses an apparatus, a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, and a method comprising: at least one memory; instructions; and programmable circuitry (See [0113])to execute the instructions to: cause at least one test signal to be output to an audio device, a voltage of the at least one test signal based on a default load impedance (See [0075] – [0076] and [0106]); measure a current drawn by the audio device based on the at least one test signal; and change the voltage based on an impedance profile, the impedance profile based on the measured current (See [0097]). In regards to claims 2, 10, and 18, Lesso discloses the apparatus, non-transitory computer readable storage medium, and method, wherein the at least one test signal includes a first test signal and a second test signal, the first test signal associated with a first frequency, and the second test signal associated with a second frequency different from the first frequency (See [0075]). In regards to claims 3, 11, and 19, Lesso discloses the apparatus, non-transitory computer readable storage medium, and method, wherein the at least one test signal includes a third test signal associated with a third frequency that is different from the first frequency and the second frequency (See [0075]). In regards to claims 4, 12, and 20, Lesso discloses the apparatus, non-transitory computer readable storage medium, and method, wherein the first test signal, the second test signal, and the third test signal form a melody (See [0106]). In regards to claims 5 and 13, Lesso discloses the apparatus and non-transitory computer readable storage medium, wherein the audio device is an audio peripheral device coupled to a universal serial bus (USB) connector of a host device (See [0065] and [0069]). In regards to claims 6 and 14, Lesso discloses the apparatus and non-transitory computer readable storage medium, wherein the audio peripheral device is a pair of headphones (See [0051]). In regards to claims 7 and 15, Lesso discloses the apparatus and non-transitory computer readable storage medium, wherein the programmable circuitry is to cause a digital to analog converter (DAC) to transmit a measurement of the current drawn by the audio device to an audio codec, the audio codec to change a frequency of an audio signal transmitted to the audio device based on the measurement (See [0051]). In regards to claims 8 and 16, Lesso discloses the apparatus and non-transitory computer readable storage medium, wherein the DAC is included in a power delivery controller, the power delivery controller coupled to the audio codec by an inter-integrated circuit communication bus, and the programmable circuitry is to cause the audio codec to determine an impedance associated with the measured current based on a current to impedance mapping stored in a lookup table (See [0066] – [0067]). Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Allen et al. (US Patent Application, Pub. No.: US 2013/0094680 A1) teach a portable electronic device with magnetic audio interface and audio reproduction accessory therefor. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to THJUAN KNOWLIN ADDY whose telephone number is (571)272-7486. The examiner can normally be reached 8:30AM - 5:00PM Mon-Fri. 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, Ahmad Matar can be reached at (571) 272-7488. 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. /THJUAN K ADDY/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2693
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Jun 27, 2023
Application Filed
Aug 23, 2023
Response after Non-Final Action
Aug 17, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §102 (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
89%
Grant Probability
96%
With Interview (+6.3%)
2y 5m (~0m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 1108 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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