Prosecution Insights
Last updated: July 17, 2026
Application No. 18/456,076

VOLUME CONTROL DEVICE, ELECTRONIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT, VOLUME CONTROL METHOD, AND NON-TRANSITORY RECORDING MEDIUM

Non-Final OA §112
Filed
Aug 25, 2023
Priority
Aug 26, 2022 — JP 2022-134864
Examiner
DONELS, JEFFREY
Art Unit
Tech Center
Assignee
Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
86%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
0m
Est. Remaining
97%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 86% — above average
86%
Career Allowance Rate
1120 granted / 1307 resolved
+25.7% vs TC avg
Moderate +11% lift
Without
With
+11.2%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 5m
Avg Prosecution
19 currently pending
Career history
1321
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
4.0%
-36.0% vs TC avg
§103
30.3%
-9.7% vs TC avg
§102
30.3%
-9.7% vs TC avg
§112
30.8%
-9.2% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1307 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 . Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112 Claims 1-16 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. Regarding Claims 1,11,14 the term “volume feeling” is subjective and as such is vague and indefinite. Correction is required. Regarding Claims 2,12,15 the term “small” is subjective or relative and as such is vague and indefinite. Correction is required. Regarding Claims 3,13,16 the term “smaller” is subjective or relative and as such is vague and indefinite. Correction is required. Allowable Subject Matter Claims 1-16 would be allowable if rewritten or amended to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action. Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. The references cited show related teachings in the art. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to JEFFREY DONELS whose telephone number is (571)272-2061. The examiner can normally be reached M-F. 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, Dedei Hammond can be reached at (571) 270-7938. 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. JEFFREY . DONELS Examiner Art Unit 2837 /JEFFREY DONELS/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2837
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Aug 25, 2023
Application Filed
Jun 17, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §112 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12654989
METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MONITORING PROPERTIES OF A SUPPORTING-MEANS ARRANGEMENT IN AN ELEVATOR SYSTEM
5y 10m to grant Granted Jun 16, 2026
Patent 12643766
ELEVATOR SYSTEM OPERATION ADJUSTMENT BASED ON COMPONENT MONITORING
3y 2m to grant Granted Jun 02, 2026
Patent 12640130
METHOD, DEVICE AND SOFTWARE FOR APPLYING AN AUDIO EFFECT
4y 0m to grant Granted May 26, 2026
Patent 12640128
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1y 6m to grant Granted May 26, 2026
Patent 12630390
AN ELEVATOR CAR ROOF SYSTEM AND A CONTROL SYSTEM FOR MONITORING AN OPENING STATE OF AN ELEVATOR CAR ROOF
5y 3m to grant Granted May 19, 2026
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
97%
With Interview (+11.2%)
2y 5m (~0m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 1307 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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