Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 18/468,101

Authentication Method and Apparatus, and Storage Medium

Non-Final OA §101
Filed
Sep 15, 2023
Examiner
BROWN, VERNAL U
Art Unit
2686
Tech Center
2600 — Communications
Assignee
Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
OA Round
3 (Non-Final)
70%
Grant Probability
Favorable
3-4
OA Rounds
3y 2m
To Grant
80%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 70% — above average
70%
Career Allow Rate
817 granted / 1173 resolved
+7.7% vs TC avg
Moderate +10% lift
Without
With
+10.4%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 2m
Avg Prosecution
49 currently pending
Career history
1222
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
3.4%
-36.6% vs TC avg
§103
52.7%
+12.7% vs TC avg
§102
27.5%
-12.5% vs TC avg
§112
8.0%
-32.0% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1173 resolved cases

Office Action

§101
18668Notice 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 . DETAILED ACTION This office action is in response to communication filed 1/22/26. Response to Amendment The examiner acknowledges the amendment of claims 1,17, cancellation of claims 13-14, and the addition of claims 21-22. Response to Arguments Regarding applicant’s argument regarding the 35 USC § 101, The claim(s) does/do not include additional elements that are sufficient to amount to significantly more than the judicial exception because the claimed limitation represent a mental process that can be performed in the mind. Although the claimed limitation relies on a processor for performing the claimed functions. The functional limitation claimed represents an abstract idea. The courts does not distinguish between claims that recites mental processes performed by humans and mental processes that is performed on a computer (see MPEP 2106.04(a)(2), III) Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 101 35 U.S.C. 101 reads as follows: Whoever invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof, may obtain a patent therefor, subject to the conditions and requirements of this title. Regarding claims 1-12 and 15-22, the claimed invention is directed to an abstract idea without significantly more. The claims recites the mathematical concept of determining a probability based on the collected data of authentication environment information. The claim(s) recite(s) the limitation of obtain first authentication environment information, determine, based on the first authentication environment information and historical authentication data, estimated information of a first authentication operation of an intelligent device based on the authentication environment information and historical authentication data, wherein the estimated information comprises a first time, an occurrence probability, and a first authentication manner used to for performing the first authentication. The claim(s) does/do not include additional elements that are sufficient to amount to significantly more than the judicial exception because the claimed limitation represent a mental process that can be performed in the mind. Although the claimed limitation relies on a processor for performing the claimed functions. The functional limitation claimed represents an abstract idea. The apparatus as claimed, represents a general purpose computer for carrying out the abstract idea as claimed. The use of biometric such as voice and face recognition for triggering an authentication process as recited in claims 21 and 22 represents a generic function. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to VERNAL U BROWN whose telephone number is (571)272-3060. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday, 8AM-5PM, 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, Steven Lim can be reached on 571 270 1210. 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. /VERNAL U BROWN/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2686
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Sep 15, 2023
Application Filed
Oct 09, 2023
Response after Non-Final Action
Apr 19, 2025
Non-Final Rejection — §101
Jul 21, 2025
Response Filed
Oct 07, 2025
Final Rejection — §101
Jan 08, 2026
Response after Non-Final Action
Jan 22, 2026
Request for Continued Examination
Jan 29, 2026
Response after Non-Final Action
Mar 07, 2026
Non-Final Rejection — §101 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12604195
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DUAL LAYER AUDIO DEVICE PAIRING AUTHENTICATION WITH VOICE PATTERN RECOGNITION
2y 5m to grant Granted Apr 14, 2026
Patent 12585899
AUTOMATED SECURE ALLOCATION OF SCANNING DEVICES
2y 5m to grant Granted Mar 24, 2026
Patent 12566833
CRITICAL AREA SAFETY DEVICE AND METHODS OF USE
2y 5m to grant Granted Mar 03, 2026
Patent 12555424
DATACENTER DETECTION AND AUTHENTICATION TECHNIQUES
2y 5m to grant Granted Feb 17, 2026
Patent 12540491
ELECTRONIC LOCK SYSTEM
2y 5m to grant Granted Feb 03, 2026
Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

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Prosecution Projections

3-4
Expected OA Rounds
70%
Grant Probability
80%
With Interview (+10.4%)
3y 2m
Median Time to Grant
High
PTA Risk
Based on 1173 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allow rate.

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