Prosecution Insights
Last updated: May 29, 2026
Application No. 18/350,796

MAPPING METHOD AND APPARATUS

Non-Final OA §112
Filed
Jul 12, 2023
Examiner
MOORTHY, ARAVIND K
Art Unit
2407
Tech Center
2400 — Computer Networks
Assignee
Canon Medical Systems Corporation
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
84%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
1m
Est. Remaining
97%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 84% — above average
84%
Career Allowance Rate
968 granted / 1148 resolved
+26.3% vs TC avg
Moderate +12% lift
Without
With
+12.3%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 0m
Avg Prosecution
11 currently pending
Career history
1159
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
4.3%
-35.7% vs TC avg
§103
65.1%
+25.1% vs TC avg
§102
16.8%
-23.2% vs TC avg
§112
5.1%
-34.9% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1148 resolved cases

Office Action

§112
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 . 1. This is in response to the communications filed on 15 August 2023. 2. Claims 1-20 are pending in the application. 3. Claims 18 and 19 have been rejected. 4. Claims 1-17 and 20 have been allowed. Information Disclosure Statement 5. The examiner has considered the information disclosure statement (IDS) filed on 15 August 2023. 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. 6. Claims 18 and 19 are 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. Dependent claim 18 depends upon independent claim 17. Independent claim 17 is a method claim, however dependent claim 18 is an apparatus claim. It is unclear to the examiner whether the applicant is trying to claim a system or method in dependent claim 18. The primary purpose of this requirement of definiteness of claim language is to ensure that the scope of the claim are clear so the public is informed of the boundaries of what constitutes infringement of the patent. Dependent claim 19 is rejected on its virtue of dependency. Allowable Subject Matter 7. Claims 1-20 are allowed over the prior art. The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance: The closest prior art to the instant application is Lin et al U.S. Patent No. 9,830,526 B1 (hereinafter Lin). Lin is directed towards techniques for increasing robustness of a convolutional neural network based on training that uses multiple datasets and multiple tasks [abstract]. Lin teaches different layers of a convolutional neural network (CNN) such as an input layer and output layer [column 4 line 62 to column 5 line 15]. Lin teaches that the input layer maps input data of images to input neurons of the CNN [column 8, lines 55-63]. Lin teaches that the output layer maps tasks to output neurons of the CNN [column 8 line 64 to column 9 line 19]. Lin teaches that each layer uses a set of parameters, such as weights and biases [column 9, lines 20-30]. However, the prior art does not disclose, teach or fairly suggest the limitations of “training a first mapping layer which connects to an input layer of the CNN layers, and a second mapping layer which connects to an output layer of the CNN layers, wherein the first mapping layer maps omics input data to N-dimensional data, and wherein the second mapping layer receives further N-dimensional data that is output by the CNN layers and maps the further N-dimensional data to omics output data” and “wherein the training of the first mapping layer and the second mapping layer comprises fixing parameters of the CNN layers and minimizing a loss function, wherein the loss function is dependent on the input omics data and the output omics data”, as recited by independent claims 1 and 17. Any claims not directly addressed are allowed on the virtue of their dependency. Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably accompany the issue fee. Such submissions should be clearly labeled “Comments on Statement of Reasons for Allowance.” Relevant Prior Art 8. The following references have been considered relevant by the examiner: A. Morard et al US 2025/0022124 A1 directed to medical imaging, and more particularly, to systems and methods for increasing a resolution of medical images [0001]. B. Hamp et al US 2022/0336057 A1 directed to efficiently determining which atoms in a protein are nearest to voxels in a grid [abstract]. C. Chen et al US 2022/0004849 A1 directed to processing images using neural networks [abstract]. D. Tsai et al US 2021/0374546 A1 directed to mapping a convolutional neural network (CNN) to crosspoint devices in crosspoint arrays, such as in analog-memory-based hardware for training the CNN [0001]. E. Shen et al US 2021/0334663 A1 directed to training a pruned neural network [abstract]. F. Song et al US 2019/0066268 A1 directed to a method for generating a trained neural network model for scanning correction corresponding to one or more imaging parameters [abstract]. Conclusion 9. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ARAVIND K MOORTHY whose telephone number is (571)272-3793. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 4:30-3:00. 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, Catherine Thiaw can be reached at 571-270-1138. 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. /ARAVIND K MOORTHY/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2407
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Prosecution Timeline

Jul 12, 2023
Application Filed
Feb 12, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §112
May 11, 2026
Response Filed

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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
84%
Grant Probability
97%
With Interview (+12.3%)
3y 0m (~1m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 1148 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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