Prosecution Insights
Last updated: July 17, 2026
Application No. 18/386,026

ELECTRONIC COMPONENT

Non-Final OA §102§103
Filed
Nov 01, 2023
Priority
Nov 29, 2022 — JP 2022-189803
Examiner
HINSON, RONALD
Art Unit
Tech Center
Assignee
Diamond&Zebra Electric Mfg Co. Ltd.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
74%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
3m
Est. Remaining
88%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 74% — above average
74%
Career Allowance Rate
581 granted / 786 resolved
+13.9% vs TC avg
Moderate +14% lift
Without
With
+14.3%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 0m
Avg Prosecution
51 currently pending
Career history
817
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.1%
-39.9% vs TC avg
§103
90.0%
+50.0% vs TC avg
§102
1.5%
-38.5% vs TC avg
§112
3.8%
-36.2% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 786 resolved cases

Office Action

§102 §103
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 . Drawings The drawings are objected to under 37 CFR 1.83(a). The drawings must show every feature of the invention specified in the claims. Therefore, wherein the bottom includes a heat dissipation sheet must be shown or the feature(s) canceled from the claim(s). No new matter should be entered. 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. The figure or figure number of an amended drawing should not be labeled as “amended.” If a drawing figure is to be canceled, the appropriate figure must be removed from the replacement sheet, and where necessary, the remaining figures must be renumbered and appropriate changes made to the brief description of the several views of the drawings for consistency. Additional replacement sheets may be necessary to show the renumbering of the remaining figures. 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 § 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. 1 Claims 1-2, 4 and 6 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102a1 as being anticipated by Washimi et al. (JP 2007234752)(English translation). Regarding claim 1, Washimi et al. (figures 1-11 and pages 1-8) discloses a heat generator (1/2)(see page 4); a case containing therein a part or whole of the heat generator (see figure 2), the case including a body (4) and a bottom (3/5); and a filler (7) filling a gap between the heat generator and the case (see page 4), wherein the body is electrically insulating (see page 4), and the bottom is electrically insulating and thermally conductive(see page 4). Regarding claim 2, Washimi et al. (figure 2 and page 4) discloses wherein the bottom includes a heat dissipation sheet (5). Regarding claim 4, Washimi et al. (figure 2 and page 4) discloses wherein the body (4) includes a main portion and a flange portion (42) located at an end of the main portion that faces the bottom (see figures 1-2), the flange portion projecting outward or inward from the main portion (see figures 1-2). Regarding claim 6, Washimi et al. (figures 1-2) discloses wherein the heat generator includes a coil. 2 Claims 1 and 6 rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102a1 as being anticipated by Sundstromi et al. (US 20110215891) Regarding claim 1, Sundstromi et al. (figures 1-5 and para 0015-0089) discloses a heat generator (12)(see para 0019); a case (14) containing therein a part or whole of the heat generator (see figure 1), the case including a body (30) and a bottom (32); and a filler (16) filling a gap between the heat generator and the case (see para 0023), wherein the body is electrically insulating (see page 0035), and the bottom is electrically insulating and thermally conductive(see page 0018/0022). Regarding claim 6, Sundstromi et al. (figures 1-2) discloses wherein the heat generator includes a coil. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103 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 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action: A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made. 3 Claim 3 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Sundstromi et al. (US 20110215891) in view of Sugiyama et al. (US 20210287838). Regarding claim 3, Sundstromi et al. (figures 1-5 and para 0015-0089) discloses all the limitations as noted above but does not expressly disclose wherein the bottom is made of a ceramic. Sugiyama et al. discloses (figures 1-4 and para 0047) discloses wherein the bottom (21) is made of a ceramic. Accordingly, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the applicant claimed invention to design wherein the bottom is made of a ceramic as taught by Sugiyama et al to the inductive device of Sundstromi et al. so as to allow the inductive device to have good electrical insulation, superior heat resistance, and corrosion prevention, which also ensures the enclosure is protected sensitive components from high temperatures and harsh environments. 4 Claim 5 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Washimi et al. (JP 2007234752) in view of Kiesel et al. (US 4623865). Regarding claim 5, Washimi et al. (figures 1-11 and pages 1-8) discloses discloses all the limitations as noted above but does not expressly disclose wherein the flange portion projects inward from the main portion, and within the case, a corner between the main portion and the flange portion is shaped to have a rounded contour. Kiesel et al. discloses (figures 1-3 and Col 2, lines 20-55) discloses wherein the flange portion (12) projects inward from the main portion (11/13) (see figures 2-3), and within the case, a corner between the main portion and the flange portion is shaped to have a rounded contour (see figure 2). Accordingly, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the applicant claimed invention to design wherein the flange portion projects inward from the main portion, and within the case, a corner between the main portion and the flange portion is shaped to have a rounded contour as taught by Kiesel et al. to the inductive device of Washimi et al. so as to improved structural reinforcement while also improving fluid or material flow; thereby eliminating sharp edges which can reduce stress concentrations and prevent cracking which can optimize the flow of the filler material. 5 Claim 5 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Washimi et al. (JP 2007234752) in view of Iwakura et al. (JP 2019016739)(English translation). Regarding claim 5, Washimi et al. (figures 1-11 and pages 1-8) discloses discloses all the limitations as noted above but does not expressly disclose wherein the flange portion projects inward from the main portion, and within the case, a corner between the main portion and the flange portion is shaped to have a rounded contour. Iwakura et al. discloses (page 4 and figure 3b) discloses wherein the flange portion projects inward from the main portion (see figure 3b), and within the case, a corner between the main portion and the flange portion is shaped to have a rounded contour (see figure 3b). Accordingly, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the applicant claimed invention to design wherein the flange portion projects inward from the main portion, and within the case, a corner between the main portion and the flange portion is shaped to have a rounded contour as taught by Iwakura et al. to the inductive device of Washimi et al. so as to improved structural reinforcement while also improving fluid or material flow; thereby eliminating sharp edges which can reduce stress concentrations and prevent cracking which can optimize the flow of the filler material. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to RONALD HINSON whose telephone number is (571)270-7915. The examiner can normally be reached M to F; 8 -5. 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, Shawki Ismail can be reached at 571-272-3985. 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. /RONALD HINSON/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2837
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Nov 01, 2023
Application Filed
Jul 01, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §102, §103 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12683069
COIL DEVICE
4y 3m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026
Patent 12683066
COIL COMPONENT
3y 7m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026
Patent 12676261
COIL COMPONENT
3y 10m to grant Granted Jul 07, 2026
Patent 12665125
COIL, PLANAR COIL AND METHOD FOR MAKING COIL
3y 11m to grant Granted Jun 23, 2026
Patent 12658356
COIL DEVICE
3y 7m to grant Granted Jun 16, 2026
Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

Strategy Recommendation AI-generated — please review before filing

Get a prosecution strategy drawn from examiner precedents, rejection analysis, and claim mapping.
Typically takes 5-10 seconds — AI-generated, attorney review required before filing

Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
74%
Grant Probability
88%
With Interview (+14.3%)
3y 0m (~3m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 786 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

Sign in with your work email

Enter your email to receive a magic link. No password needed.

Personal email addresses (Gmail, Yahoo, etc.) are not accepted.

Free tier: 3 strategy analyses per month