Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 01, 2026
Application No. 18/424,176

Adaptive directional springs (ADS) and self-learning mechanical circuits

Non-Final OA §112
Filed
Jan 26, 2024
Priority
Jan 27, 2023 — provisional 63/441,729 +1 more
Examiner
RASHID, MAHBUBUR
Art Unit
3616
Tech Center
3600 — Transportation & Electronic Commerce
Assignee
The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
68%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
7m
Est. Remaining
88%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 68% — above average
68%
Career Allowance Rate
595 granted / 878 resolved
+15.8% vs TC avg
Strong +20% interview lift
Without
With
+20.4%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 3m
Avg Prosecution
35 currently pending
Career history
906
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.1%
-39.9% vs TC avg
§103
46.0%
+6.0% vs TC avg
§102
27.2%
-12.8% vs TC avg
§112
22.1%
-17.9% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 878 resolved cases

Office Action

§112
CTNF 18/424,176 CTNF 83163 DETAILED ACTION Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status 07-03-aia AIA 15-10-aia 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 07-30-01 AIA The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of 35 U.S.C. 112(a): (a) IN GENERAL.—The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor or joint inventor of carrying out the invention. The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112: The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention. Claim 1 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA), first paragraph, as failing to comply with the written description requirement. The claim(s) contains subject matter which was not described in the specification in such a way as to reasonably convey to one skilled in the relevant art that the inventor or a joint inventor, or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the inventor(s), at the time the application was filed, had possession of the claimed invention. The claim is not supported by the specification to provide a better understanding of the invention, since it is not clear exactly what is required by the claim and/or what the applicant is referring to be the invention. 07-30-02 AIA 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. 07-34-01 Claim 1 is 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. Regarding claim 1, it is not clear what the applicant is considering as the mechanical circuit as recited in the claim. The examiner notes that the claim further recites the mechanical circuit is made up of a network of adaptive directed springs with an internal spring stiffness pattern. However, it is not clear if the applicant is considering the springs to be mechanical circuit or something else. Also, what the applicant is considering as the mechanical inputs and how the mechanical inputs are taken from the environment as recited in the claim. There is no drawing or any support in the specification to define the mechanical circuit and the mechanical inputs. It is not clear what the applicant is considering as the device as recited in the claim. The examiner notes that there is no drawing or any support in the specification to define the device. It is not clear how the internal spring stiffness pattern is updating in response the mechanical inputs as recited in the claim. The examiner notes that there is no drawing or any support in the specification to define the updating of the internal spring stiffness pattern. Appropriate correction is required. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to MAHBUBUR RASHID whose telephone number is (571)272-7218. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday 9am to 10pm EST. 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, ROBERT SICONOLFI can be reached at 5712727124. 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. /MAHBUBUR RASHID/Examiner, Art Unit 3616 /Robert A. Siconolfi/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 3616 Application/Control Number: 18/424,176 Page 2 Art Unit: 3616 Application/Control Number: 18/424,176 Page 3 Art Unit: 3616 Application/Control Number: 18/424,176 Page 4 Art Unit: 3616
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Prosecution Timeline

Jan 26, 2024
Application Filed
Apr 03, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §112 (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
68%
Grant Probability
88%
With Interview (+20.4%)
3y 3m (~7m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 878 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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