Prosecution Insights
Last updated: July 17, 2026
Application No. 18/385,161

OPTICAL SYSTEMS HAVING A WAVELENGTH CONVERSION MATERIAL FOR OPTICAL SIGNAL DETECTION

Non-Final OA §102
Filed
Oct 30, 2023
Examiner
WOLDEKIDAN, HIBRET ASNAKE
Art Unit
2635
Tech Center
2600 — Communications
Assignee
Corning Incorporated
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
86%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
0m
Est. Remaining
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 86% — above average
86%
Career Allowance Rate
733 granted / 852 resolved
+24.0% vs TC avg
Moderate +13% lift
Without
With
+13.3%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 4m
Avg Prosecution
12 currently pending
Career history
868
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
1.8%
-38.2% vs TC avg
§103
82.8%
+42.8% vs TC avg
§102
4.8%
-35.2% vs TC avg
§112
8.0%
-32.0% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 852 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 . Election/Restrictions Applicant's election with traverse of Group II(claims 14-18), drawn to illumination specifically adopted for pattern recognition, in the reply filed on 03/26/2026 is acknowledged. The traversal is on the ground(s) that the unelected claims directed to Group III (claims 19-26), drawn to mounting of the opto-electronics element, classified in G02B6/4245. This is not found persuasive because claim14 does not teach …placing a substrate comprising a wavelength conversion material over a camera of an electronic device; positioning a light shield over an optical connector of an optical cable assembly, wherein the light shield comprises a first opening, second opening, and a passage between the first opening and the second opening; and placing the second opening of the light shield over the wavelength conversion material and the camera of the electronic device... As stated in claim 19 of invention III. Further, Claim 19 does not teach… receiving image data of a wavelength conversion material positioned to receive an optical signal having a communication wavelength, wherein the wavelength conversion material is operable to convert the communication wavelength of the optical signal to a detection wavelength; and processing the image data to determine a presence or lack of presence of an illumination region that is illuminated by the optical signal; and providing a success indication when the processing of the image data is indicative of a presence of an illumination region. As stated in claim 14 of invention II. The requirement is still deemed proper and is therefore made FINAL. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102 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. Claims 14,16-18 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102 (a)(1) as being anticipated by Zozgornik(US 2019/0137064). Considering Claim 14 Zozgornik discloses a method of determining a status of an optical communication link, the method comprising: receiving image data of a wavelength conversion material positioned to receive an optical signal having a communication wavelength(See Paragraph 56,59,61 fig. 2 i.e. a detector(140) for receiving image data of a wavelength conversion material(130) positioned to receive an optical signal(10) having a communication wavelength), wherein the wavelength conversion material is operable to convert the communication wavelength of the optical signal to a detection wavelength(See Paragraph 55,56, fig. 2 i.e. wherein the wavelength conversion material(130) is operable to convert the communication wavelength of the optical signal(10) to a detection wavelength(20)); and processing the image data to determine a presence or lack of presence of an illumination region that is illuminated by the optical signal(See Paragraph 7,55,62, fig. 2 i.e. processing the image data(20) detected by detector(140) to determine a presence or lack of presence of an illumination region(determining the level of intensity of the detected light is whether or not below a threshold level. low intensity indicates a breakage of the optical fiber(120)) that is illuminated by the optical signal(10)); and providing a success indication when the processing of the image data is indicative of a presence of an illumination region(See Paragraph 7,35, 62,fig. 2 i.e. the detector(140) providing a success indication (which is detected signal intensity meets a threshold level) when the processing of the image data is indicative of a presence of an illumination region(intensity of detected signal)). Considering Claim 16 Zozgornik discloses the optical system of claim 14, wherein the detection wavelength is within a visible spectrum or a near-infrared spectrum(See Paragraph 55,fig. 2 i.e. the detection wavelength(20) is within a visible spectrum or a near-infrared spectrum). Considering Claim 17 Zozgornik discloses the optical system of claim 14, wherein the wavelength conversion material is a phosphorescence material(See Paragraph 14,55,fig. 2 i.e. the wavelength conversion material(130) is a phosphorescence material). Considering Claim 18 Zozgornik discloses the optical system of claim 14, further comprising: transmitting the success indication when the processing of the image data is indicative of the presence of the illumination region(See Paragraph 7,35, 62,fig. 2 i.e. transmitting the success indication(when the detected light intensity meets threshold level) when the processing of the image data is indicative of the presence of the illumination region(detected intensity level)); and transmitting a failure indication when the processing of the image data is not indicative of an illumination region(See Paragraph 7,35, 62,fig. 2 i.e. transmitting a failure indication(intensity of the detected signal is below a threshold) to the controller(150) when the processing of the image data is not indicative of an illumination region (below threshold level))). Allowable Subject Matter Claim 15 is objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to HIBRET A WOLDEKIDAN whose telephone number is (571)270-5145. The examiner can normally be reached 9-5:30. 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, DAVID C PAYNE can be reached at (571)272-3024. 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. /HIBRET A WOLDEKIDAN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2635
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Oct 30, 2023
Application Filed
Jun 03, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §102 (current)

Precedent Cases

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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
86%
Grant Probability
99%
With Interview (+13.3%)
2y 4m (~0m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 852 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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