Prosecution Insights
Last updated: May 04, 2026
Application No. 18/502,934

FORWARD RAMAN PUMPING WITH RESPECT TO DISPERSION SHIFTED FIBERS

Non-Final OA §102§103
Filed
Nov 06, 2023
Examiner
JOSEPH, DENNIS P
Art Unit
2621
Tech Center
2600 — Communications
Assignee
1Finity Inc.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
48%
Grant Probability
Moderate
1-2
OA Rounds
1y 0m
Est. Remaining
66%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 48% of resolved cases
48%
Career Allowance Rate
316 granted / 655 resolved
-13.8% vs TC avg
Strong +18% interview lift
Without
With
+18.3%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 6m
Avg Prosecution
55 currently pending
Career history
710
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
1.0%
-39.0% vs TC avg
§103
60.3%
+20.3% vs TC avg
§102
27.9%
-12.1% vs TC avg
§112
7.9%
-32.1% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 655 resolved cases

Office Action

§102 §103
DETAILED ACTION 1. This Office Action is responsive to claims filed for No. 18/ 502,934 on November 6 , 202 3 . Please note Claims 1-20 are pending. Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status 2. The present application is being examined under the pre-AIA first to invent provisions. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102 3. 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)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention. 4. Claim s 1 , 2 , 4, 7, 10-12, 14, 17 and 20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Kawakami et al. ( US 2024/0258760 A1 ). Kawakami teaches in Claim 1: A method ( [ 0001] discloses an optical amplifier system and associated method ) comprising: identifying a first range of signal wavelengths that correspond to a first optical signal configured to propagate via an optical fiber ( Figure s 1 and 3 , [0045] disclose optical transmitters which output a signa l light (s) with a wavelength . Figure 11, etc , show a range of values for the wavelengths ) ; generating a pumping signal having a range of pumping wavelengths ( Figure s 1 and 3 , [0046]-[0047] disclose a pump light source 21 having a wide spectrum width ) , the range of pumping wavelengths being based on a range of dispersion wavelengths that correspond to the range of pumping wavelengths ( Figure 11, [0009 disclose a pump light wavelength(s) being based on, or related to, the zero dispersion wavelength. Figures 2 and 4, [0016] disclose the pump light wavelengths being suppressed at certain cut-offs and these relate to the zero-dispersion wavelengths . [0038] disclose the range of the wavelengths that need to be cut off ) , the dispersion wavelengths not overlapping with the first range of signal wavelengths ( Figures 2 and 11 show the non-overlapping of these two aspects. As noted above, [0038] disclose the range of wavelengths that need to be cut-off to suppress the signal quality degradation due to the noise transfer and this is why the non-overlapping aspect is important ) ; and providing the pumping signal to the optical fiber having the first optical signal propagating thereon. ( Figur e s 1 and 3 , [0046] disclose a multiplexer for combining the pump light and the signal light and outputting to optical transmission line 50 ) Kawakami teaches in Claim 2: The method of claim 1, wherein the range of pumping wavelengths is further based on the range of dispersion wavelengths not overlapping a second range of signal wavelengths that correspond to a second optical signal configured to propagate via the optical fiber. ( Figures 3 and 4, [0057] disclose a second optical transmitter 40-2 in addition to first optical transmitter 40-1. Figure 4 shows the second cut-off values for this transmitter such that the pump wavelengths also do not overlap ) Kawakami teaches in Claim 4: The method of claim 1, wherein the range of dispersion wavelengths corresponds to a relationship between the range of pumping wavelengths and a zero-dispersion wavelength that corresponds to the optical fiber. ( Figure 4, [0057] disclose aspects of the range of pumping wavelengths and how they relate to the dispersion wavelengths. Furthermore, Figure 11, [0009] disclose details on the zero-dispersion wavelength as well ) Kawakami teaches in Claim 7: The method of claim 1, wherein: the range of pumping wavelengths is on a first side of a zero-dispersion wavelength that corresponds to the optical fiber; and the first range of signal wavelengths is on a second side of the zero-dispersion wavelength. ( Figures 11 and 12 show the pump light wavelengths on one side and the signal light wavelengths on the other side. However, this is not meant to be limiting and can be designed in various ways, while maintaining the distance between the pump light wavelengths and the signal light wavelengths ) Kawakami teaches in Claim 10: The method of claim 1, wherein the range of dispersion wavelengths corresponds to a group velocity dispersion of the range of pumping wavelengths. ( Figure 11, [0008], [0036], [0038] disclose the group velocity of the pump light corresponds to the zero dispersion wavelength ) Kawakami teaches in Claim 11: An optical pumping system ( [ 0001] discloses an optical amplifier system and associated method ) comprising: a pumping laser configured to generate a pumping signal having a range of pumping wavelengths ( Figure s 1 and 3 , [0046]-[0047] disclose a pump light source 21 having a wide spectrum width ) , the range of pumping wavelengths being based on a range of dispersion wavelengths that correspond to the range of pumping wavelengths ( Figure 11, [0009 disclose a pump light wavelength(s) being based on, or related to, the zero dispersion wavelength. Figures 2 and 4, [0016] disclose the pump light wavelengths being suppressed at certain cut-offs and these relate to the zero-dispersion wavelengths . [0038] disclose the range of the wavelengths that need to be cut off ) , the dispersion wavelengths not overlapping with a first range of signal wavelengths that correspond to a first optical signal configured to propagate via an optical fiber ( Figure s 1 and 3 , [0045] disclose optical transmitters which output a signal light (s) with a wavelength (read as a first range of signal wavelengths) . Figure 11, etc , show a range of values for the wavelengths . Figures 2 and 11 show the non-overlapping of these two aspects. As noted above, [0038] disclose the range of wavelengths that need to be cut-off to suppress the signal quality degradation due to the noise transfer and this is why the non-overlapping aspect is important ) ; and an optical coupler configured to cause the pumping signal to propagate through the optical fiber. ( Figur e s 1 and 3 , [0046] disclose a multiplexer for combining the pump light and the signal light and outputting to optical transmission line 50 ) Kawakami teaches in Claim 12: The optical pumping system of claim 11, wherein the range of pumping wavelengths is further based on the range of dispersion wavelengths not overlapping a second range of signal wavelengths that correspond to a second optical signal configured to propagate via the optical fiber. ( Figures 3 and 4, [0057] disclose a second optical transmitter 40-2 in addition to first optical transmitter 40-1. Figure 4 shows the second cut-off values for this transmitter such that the pump wavelengths also do not overlap ) Kawakami teaches in Claim 14: The optical pumping system of claim 11, wherein the range of dispersion wavelengths corresponds to a relationship between the range of pumping wavelengths and a zero-dispersion wavelength that corresponds to the optical fiber. ( Figure 4, [0057] disclose aspects of the range of pumping wavelengths and how they relate to the dispersion wavelengths. Furthermore, Figure 11, [0009] disclose details on the zero-dispersion wavelength as well ) Kawakami teaches in Claim 17: The optical pumping system of claim 11, wherein: the range of pumping wavelengths is on a first side of a zero-dispersion wavelength that corresponds to the optical fiber; and the first range of signal wavelengths is on a second side of the zero-dispersion wavelength. ( Figures 11 and 12 show the pump light wavelengths on one side and the signal light wavelengths on the other side. However, this is not meant to be limiting and can be designed in various ways, while maintaining the distance between the pump light wavelengths and the signal light wavelengths ) Kawakami teaches in Claim 20: The optical pumping system of claim 11, wherein the range of dispersion wavelengths is generated from a group velocity dispersion of the range of pumping wavelengths. ( Figure 11, [0008], [0036], [0038] disclose the group velocity of the pump light corresponds to the zero dispersion wavelength ) Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103 5. 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. 6. The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows: 1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art. 2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue. 3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art. 4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness . 7. Claim s 3 , 8, 9 , 13 , 18 and 19 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kawakami et al. ( US 2024/0258760 A1 ), as applied to Claim 2, further in view of Nakagawa et al. ( US 2023/0142798 A1 ). As per Claim 3: Kawakami does not explicitly teach wherein “ the first range of signal wavelengths corresponds to the L-band of optical transmission bands; and the second range of signal wavelengths corresponds to the C-band of optical transmission bands. ” However, such types of bands are well known in the art. To emphasize, in the same field of endeavor, pumping light wavelengths, Nakagawa teaches of an akin signal light, ( Nakagawa , Figure 6A, [0067] ). Notably, for the signal line, there are C and L bands of wavelengths. As combined with Kawakami, who teaches of two optical transmitters outputting two different bands already, the specific C and L bands are incorporated. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, at the effective filed date of the invention, to implement the two types of signal light bands, as taught by Nakagawa, with the motivation that by having the two bands, gain tilt variation can be reduced, resulting in a decrease in lump loss of the optical transmission line, ( Nakagawa , [0045]-[0046] ). Furthermore, C and L bands are well known in the art. As per Claim 8: Kawakami does not explicitly teach “ wherein the first range of signal wavelengths corresponds to the L-band of optical transmission bands. ” However, such types of bands are well known in the art. To emphasize, in the same field of endeavor, pumping light wavelengths, Nakagawa teaches of an akin signal light, ( Nakagawa , Figure 6A, [0067] ). Notably, for the signal line, there are C and L bands of wavelengths. As it is for the signal line, the signal light of Kawakami could be an L band. As combined with Kawakami, who teaches of two optical transmitters outputting two different bands already, the specific L band is incorporated. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, at the effective filed date of the invention, to implement the two types of signal light bands, as taught by Nakagawa, with the motivation that by having the two bands, gain tilt variation can be reduced, resulting in a decrease in lump loss of the optical transmission line, ( Nakagawa , [0045]-[0046] ). Furthermore, C and L bands are well known in the art. As per Claim 9: Kawakami does not explicitly teach “ wherein the first range of signal wavelengths corresponds to the C-band of optical transmission bands. ” However, such types of bands are well known in the art. To emphasize, in the same field of endeavor, pumping light wavelengths, Nakagawa teaches of an akin signal light, ( Nakagawa , Figure 6A, [0067] ). Notably, for the signal line, there are C and L bands of wavelengths. As it is for the signal line, the signal light of Kawakami could be a C band. As combined with Kawakami, who teaches of two optical transmitters outputting two different bands already, the specific C band is incorporated. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, at the effective filed date of the invention, to implement the two types of signal light bands, as taught by Nakagawa, with the motivation that by having the two bands, gain tilt variation can be reduced, resulting in a decrease in lump loss of the optical transmission line, ( Nakagawa , [0045]-[0046] ). Furthermore, C and L bands are well known in the art. As per Claim 13: Kawakami does not explicitly teach wherein “ the first range of signal wavelengths corresponds to the L-band of optical transmission bands; and the second range of signal wavelengths corresponds to the C-band of optical transmission bands. ” However, such types of bands are well known in the art. To emphasize, in the same field of endeavor, pumping light wavelengths, Nakagawa teaches of an akin signal light, ( Nakagawa , Figure 6A, [0067] ). Notably, for the signal line, there are C and L bands of wavelengths. As combined with Kawakami, who teaches of two optical transmitters outputting two different bands already, the specific C and L bands are incorporated. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, at the effective filed date of the invention, to implement the two types of signal light bands, as taught by Nakagawa, with the motivation that by having the two bands, gain tilt variation can be reduced, resulting in a decrease in lump loss of the optical transmission line, ( Nakagawa , [0045]-[0046] ). Furthermore, C and L bands are well known in the art. As per Claim 18: Kawakami does not explicitly teach “ wherein the first range of signal wavelengths corresponds to the L-band of optical transmission bands. ” However, such types of bands are well known in the art. To emphasize, in the same field of endeavor, pumping light wavelengths, Nakagawa teaches of an akin signal light, ( Nakagawa , Figure 6A, [0067] ). Notably, for the signal line, there are C and L bands of wavelengths. As it is for the signal line, the signal light of Kawakami could be an L band. As combined with Kawakami, who teaches of two optical transmitters outputting two different bands already, the specific L band is incorporated. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, at the effective filed date of the invention, to implement the two types of signal light bands, as taught by Nakagawa, with the motivation that by having the two bands, gain tilt variation can be reduced, resulting in a decrease in lump loss of the optical transmission line, ( Nakagawa , [0045]-[0046] ). Furthermore, C and L bands are well known in the art. As per Claim 19: Kawakami does not explicitly teach “ wherein the first range of signal wavelengths corresponds to the C-band of optical transmission bands. ” However, such types of bands are well known in the art. To emphasize, in the same field of endeavor, pumping light wavelengths, Nakagawa teaches of an akin signal light, ( Nakagawa , Figure 6A, [0067] ). Notably, for the signal line, there are C and L bands of wavelengths. As it is for the signal line, the signal light of Kawakami could be a C band. As combined with Kawakami, who teaches of two optical transmitters outputting two different bands already, the specific C band is incorporated. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, at the effective filed date of the invention, to implement the two types of signal light bands, as taught by Nakagawa, with the motivation that by having the two bands, gain tilt variation can be reduced, resulting in a decrease in lump loss of the optical transmission line, ( Nakagawa , [0045]-[0046] ). Furthermore, C and L bands are well known in the art. 8. Claim s 5, 6, 15 and 16 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kawakami et al. ( US 2024/0258760 A1 ), as applied to Claim 1, further in view of Sridhar et al. ( US 10,263,386 B1 ). As per Claim 5: Kawakami does not explicitly teach “ wherein a previous range of pumping wavelengths is modified to obtain the range of pumping wavelengths based on a previous range of dispersion wavelengths that correspond to the previous range of pumping wavelengths overlapping the first range of signal wavelengths. ” However, in the same field of endeavor, zero dispersion wavelengths, Sridhar teaches the fiber zero dispersion location 22 can be changed, ( Sridhar , Column 6, Lines 19-25 ). Notably, the location can be changed based on temperature changes, resulting in a previous range of wavelengths relative to the zero dispersion location being changed accordingly (from a previous to a new range). As combined with Kawakami, the zero dispersion wavelength (which can be modified in Kawakami and this then impacts the other pumping wavelengths) can be modified from a previous to a new value. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, at the effective filed date of the invention, to implement the zero dispersion location being changed, as taught by Sridhar, with the motivation that this can be compensate for temperature differences , resulting in a more stable amplification/sizing, ( Sridhar , Column 6, Lines 19-25 ). Sridhar teaches in Claim 6: The method of claim 5, wherein the previous range of pumping wavelengths is modified to obtain the range of pumping wavelengths by modifying a temperature of a laser used to generate the pumping signal. ( Column 6, Lines 19-25 disclose temperature differences which result in the location of the fiber zero dispersion being changed ) As per Claim 15: Kawakami does not explicitly teach “ wherein a previous range of pumping wavelengths is modified to obtain the range of pumping wavelengths based on a previous range of dispersion wavelengths that correspond to the previous range of pumping wavelengths overlapping the first range of signal wavelengths. ” However, in the same field of endeavor, zero dispersion wavelengths, Sridhar teaches the fiber zero dispersion location 22 can be changed, ( Sridhar , Column 6, Lines 19-25 ). Notably, the location can be changed based on temperature changes, resulting in a previous range of wavelengths relative to the zero dispersion location being changed accordingly (from a previous to a new range). As combined with Kawakami, the zero dispersion wavelength (which can be modified in Kawakami and this then impacts the other pumping wavelengths) can be modified from a previous to a new value. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, at the effective filed date of the invention, to implement the zero dispersion location being changed, as taught by Sridhar, with the motivation that this can be compensate for temperature differences, resulting in a more stable amplification/sizing, ( Sridhar , Column 6, Lines 19-25 ). Kawakami teaches in Claim 16: The optical pumping system of claim 15, wherein the previous range of pumping wavelengths is modified to obtain the range of pumping wavelengths by modifying a temperature of a laser used to generate the pumping signal. ( Column 6, Lines 19-25 disclose temperature differences which result in the location of the fiber zero dispersion being changed ) Conclusion 9 . Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to FILLIN "Examiner name" \* MERGEFORMAT DENNIS P JOSEPH whose telephone number is FILLIN "Phone number" \* MERGEFORMAT (571)270-1459 . The examiner can normally be reached FILLIN "Work Schedule?" \* MERGEFORMAT Monday - Friday 5:30 - 3:30 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, FILLIN "SPE Name?" \* MERGEFORMAT Amr Awad can be reached at FILLIN "SPE Phone?" \* MERGEFORMAT 571-272-7764 . 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. /DENNIS P JOSEPH/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2621
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Prosecution Timeline

Nov 06, 2023
Application Filed
Mar 27, 2026
Non-Final Rejection — §102, §103 (current)

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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
48%
Grant Probability
66%
With Interview (+18.3%)
3y 6m (~1y 0m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 655 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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