Prosecution Insights
Last updated: May 29, 2026
Application No. 18/451,662

Generating Floorplans via Machine Learning in Network Devices

Non-Final OA §112
Filed
Aug 17, 2023
Priority
May 11, 2023 — provisional 63/501,447
Examiner
BARRY, LANCE LEONARD
Art Unit
2457
Tech Center
2400 — Computer Networks
Assignee
Cisco Technology Inc.
OA Round
5 (Non-Final)
84%
Grant Probability
Favorable
5-6
OA Rounds
1m
Est. Remaining
90%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 84% — above average
84%
Career Allowance Rate
336 granted / 398 resolved
+26.4% vs TC avg
Moderate +5% lift
Without
With
+5.1%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 10m
Avg Prosecution
21 currently pending
Career history
424
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
7.6%
-32.4% vs TC avg
§103
67.0%
+27.0% vs TC avg
§102
1.7%
-38.3% vs TC avg
§112
17.4%
-22.6% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 398 resolved cases

Office Action

§112
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 . Authorization for Internet Communication In the interest of compact prosecution, the Examiner recommends filing a written authorization for Internet communication. Doing so would permit the USPTO to communicate using Internet e-mail to schedule interviews or discuss other aspects of the application. Without a written authorization in place, the USPTO cannot respond to Internet e-mail correspondence. The preferred method of providing authorization is by filing form PTO/SB/439, available at: https://www.uspto.gov/patent/forms/forms. See MPEP § 502.03. Authorizations in an Internet e-mail do not have the same effect as filing the form in the record. Specification The lengthy specification has not been checked to the extent necessary to determine the presence of all possible minor errors. Cooperation is requested in correcting any errors of which the applicant(s) may become aware. Election/Restriction Claims 12-16 remain withdrawn from further consideration pursuant to 37 CFR 1.142(b) as being drawn to a nonelected invention, there being no allowable generic or linking claim. The requirement was still deemed proper and was, therefore, made FINAL. Upon the cancellation of claims to a non-elected invention, the inventorship must be amended in compliance with 37 CFR 1.48(b) if one or more of the currently named inventors is no longer an inventor of at least one claim remaining in the application. Any amendment of inventorship must be accompanied by a request under 37 CFR 1.48(b) and by the fee required under 37 CFR 1.17(i). Claim Objections Claims 1, 3-11, and 17-20 are objected to because of the following informalities: “transmit the generated plurality of test frames at a plurality of unique power levels” would be more clearly recited as “transmit the generated plurality of test frames at a respective plurality of unique power levels” Appropriate correction is required. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112 and Specification Objection The following is a quotation 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 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), first paragraph: 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. Claims 1, 3-11, and 17-20 are 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) contain(s) subject matter that was not described in the original specification in such a way as to reasonably convey to one of ordinary skill in the relevant art that the inventor or a joint inventor, or for pre-AIA the inventor(s), at the time the application was filed, had possession of the claimed invention. More specifically, claims 1 and 17 recite a frame index. After reading the specification, however, a person of skill in the art would not understand the applicant to have invented a frame index except for the frame index included in the initial frame (Spec. ¶ 48). There is no evidence that the specification contemplates more generic placement of the frame index. This could be overcome by amending the language to recite the placement of the frame index. Similarly, the specification is objected to as failing to provide proper antecedent basis for the aforementioned subject matter of claims 1, 3-11, and 17-20. See 37 CFR 1.75(d)(1) and MPEP § 608.01(o). Other Art The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to the instant disclosure. For example, US 10235823 teaches a predetermined number of signals are transmitted via the at least one antenna with each signal having a different power strength (abs.). Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Lance Leonard Barry whose telephone number is (571)272-5856. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 700-430 ET 730-1630. 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 email the Examiner. If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Ario Etienne can be reached on 571-272-4001. 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. /LANCE LEONARD BARRY/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2457
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Show 20 earlier events
Aug 28, 2025
Examiner Interview Summary
Aug 28, 2025
Examiner Interview (Telephonic)
Sep 11, 2025
Final Rejection mailed — §112
Dec 11, 2025
Request for Continued Examination
Dec 19, 2025
Response after Non-Final Action
Mar 03, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §112
May 07, 2026
Examiner Interview Summary
May 07, 2026
Applicant Interview (Telephonic)

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

5-6
Expected OA Rounds
84%
Grant Probability
90%
With Interview (+5.1%)
2y 10m (~1m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
High
PTA Risk
Based on 398 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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