Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 21, 2026
Application No. 18/506,617

ELECTRICAL ASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTION INFORMATION FOR THE ELECTRICAL ASSEMBLY

Final Rejection §102§103
Filed
Nov 10, 2023
Examiner
LO, KENNETH M
Art Unit
2116
Tech Center
2100 — Computer Architecture & Software
Assignee
G & W Electric Company
OA Round
2 (Final)
43%
Grant Probability
Moderate
3-4
OA Rounds
1y 0m
Est. Remaining
79%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 43% of resolved cases
43%
Career Allowance Rate
106 granted / 246 resolved
-11.9% vs TC avg
Strong +36% interview lift
Without
With
+35.5%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
4y 0m
Avg Prosecution
6 currently pending
Career history
256
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
6.4%
-33.6% vs TC avg
§103
41.7%
+1.7% vs TC avg
§102
22.6%
-17.4% vs TC avg
§112
25.5%
-14.5% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 246 resolved cases

Office Action

§102 §103
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 § 102 In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status. 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. Claim(s) 1-5, 7, 9, 11-20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Tai et al (US20100162597). Claim 1 recites “An electrical assembly comprising: a housing including a panel defining a mounting surface, the housing configured to receive electrical wiring from an external source; a component mounted to the mounting surface at a desired location thereon, the component selected from a group consisting of: a mounting rail, a wire duct, a terminal block, a circuit interrupter, a switch, an adapter,” (The identification module for facilitating installation of a functional component comprises a circuit board having a first connecting portion, a first functional component, a first primary label disposed on a surface of the first connecting portion and a first subsidiary label disposed on a surface of the first functional component 0007) “and a circuit board; and assembly instruction information displayed on the mounting surface, wherein the assembly instruction information includes indicia that visually locate the desired location for the component.” (wherein the first subsidiary label and the first primary label respectively have two first identifying symbols corresponding to each other. With notified by the first identifying symbols, intuitional correlation may be obtained and correct installation between the first functional component and the first connecting portion is therefore guaranteed. 0007) Claim 2 recites “wherein the assembly instruction information includes text” (Notely, the first identifying symbol may be an arabic numeral, a letter, a character, a color block, a mark or a pattern. The first identifying symbol on the first subsidiary label and the first primary label is corresponding to each other. 0008) Claim 3 recites “wherein the assembly instruction information is displayed on a label positioned between the component and the mounting surface such that the component secures at least part of the label in place over the mounting surface” (The first identifying symbol 31 may also be of letter, character, color block, mark or pattern, thereby the first primary label 11 and the first subsidiary label 41 generate a correlation. With such, when installing the functional components to the circuit board 100, users can intuitively and efficiently identify the indication of the first identifying symbols 31 to complete an installation of the first functional component 10 to the first connecting portion 21 of the circuit board 100. Thus, the identification module in accordance with present invention facilitates installation of functional components and increases efficiency and yield thereof. 0018) Claim 4, recites “wherein the label is clamped between the component and the mounting surface” (disposing a primary label on a connecting portion of a circuit board; providing a functional component; disposing a subsidiary label on the functional component, wherein the primary label and the subsidiary label respectively have two identifying symbols that corresponding to each other; installing the functional component to the connecting portion of the circuit board according to the identifying symbols of the subsidiary label and the primary label. 0011) Claim 5 recites “wherein the indicia show a shape of the component” (The first identifying symbol 31 may also be of letter, character, color block, mark or pattern, thereby the first primary label 11 and the first subsidiary label 41 generate a correlation. With such, when installing the functional components to the circuit board 100, users can intuitively and efficiently identify the indication of the first identifying symbols 31 to complete an installation of the first functional component 10 to the first connecting portion 21 of the circuit board 100. 0018) Claim 7 recites “wherein the indicia include a name of the component written inside or adjacent the shape” (The first identifying symbol 31 may also be of letter, character, color block, mark or pattern, thereby the first primary label 11 and the first subsidiary label 41 generate a correlation. With such, when installing the functional components to the circuit board 100, users can intuitively and efficiently identify the indication of the first identifying symbols 31 to complete an installation of the first functional component 10 to the first connecting portion 21 of the circuit board 100. 0018) Claim 9 recites “wherein the component at least partially divides the mounting surface into a plurality of sections, and wherein the assembly instruction information extends across the plurality of sections.” (Fig 1 The identification module comprises: a circuit board 100 having a first connecting portion 21; a first primary label 11 disposed on a surface of the first connecting portion 21; a first functional component 10 (for example, a Central Processing Unit (CPU)); a first subsidiary label 41 disposed on the first functional component 10. The first primary label 11 and the first subsidiary label 41 respectively have two first identifying symbols 31 corresponding to each other. 0017) Claim 11, recites “ wherein the mounting surface is an interior surface of the housing” ((The identification module for facilitating installation of a functional component comprises a circuit board having a first connecting portion, a first functional component, a first primary label disposed on a surface of the first connecting portion and a first subsidiary label disposed on a surface of the first functional component 0007) Claim 12 recites “wherein the assembly instruction information is displayed on a label positioned on the mounting surface” ((The identification module for facilitating installation of a functional component comprises a circuit board having a first connecting portion, a first functional component, a first primary label disposed on a surface of the first connecting portion and a first subsidiary label disposed on a surface of the first functional component 0007 wherein the first subsidiary label and the first primary label respectively have two first identifying symbols corresponding to each other. With notified by the first identifying symbols, intuitional correlation may be obtained and correct installation between the first functional component and the first connecting portion is therefore guaranteed. 0007) Claim 13 recites wherein the indicia include location markers corresponding to each respective component selected to be mounted to the mounting surface, wherein the location markers indicate the desired location for mounting each selected component, and wherein each selected component is mountable to the mounting surface over the assembly instruction information. (The identification module for facilitating installation of a functional component comprises a circuit board having a first connecting portion, a first functional component, a first primary label disposed on a surface of the first connecting portion and a first subsidiary label disposed on a surface of the first functional component 0007 wherein the first subsidiary label and the first primary label respectively have two first identifying symbols corresponding to each other. With notified by the first identifying symbols, intuitional correlation may be obtained and correct installation between the first functional component and the first connecting portion is therefore guaranteed. 0007) Claim 14 recites wherein the location markers include shapes of each respective component selected to be mounted to the mounting surface. (The first identifying symbol 31 may also be of letter, character, color block, mark or pattern, thereby the first primary label 11 and the first subsidiary label 41 generate a correlation. With such, when installing the functional components to the circuit board 100, users can intuitively and efficiently identify the indication of the first identifying symbols 31 to complete an installation of the first functional component 10 to the first connecting portion 21 of the circuit board 100. 0018) Claim 15 recites wherein after installation of at least one of the components within the electrical housing, the at least one component at least partially covers the assembly instruction information or the location markers. (The first identifying symbol 31 may also be of letter, character, color block, mark or pattern, thereby the first primary label 11 and the first subsidiary label 41 generate a correlation. With such, when installing the functional components to the circuit board 100, users can intuitively and efficiently identify the indication of the first identifying symbols 31 to complete an installation of the first functional component 10 to the first connecting portion 21 of the circuit board 100. Thus, the identification module in accordance with present invention facilitates installation of functional components and increases efficiency and yield thereof. 0018) Claim 16 recites A housing for electrical components comprising: a plurality of surfaces, the plurality of surfaces including a mounting surface on which a plurality of components is mountable; and assembly instruction information displayed on at least a portion of the mounting surface, the assembly instruction information including designated sections that are visually identifiable, each designated section visually indicating one or more of the plurality of components to be mounted to the mounting surface, (The identification module for facilitating installation of a functional component comprises a circuit board having a first connecting portion, a first functional component, a first primary label disposed on a surface of the first connecting portion and a first subsidiary label disposed on a surface of the first functional component 0007) the one or more of the plurality of components configured to be mounted over the assembly instruction information and within at least one of the designated sections. (The first identifying symbol 31 may also be of letter, character, color block, mark or pattern, thereby the first primary label 11 and the first subsidiary label 41 generate a correlation. With such, when installing the functional components to the circuit board 100, users can intuitively and efficiently identify the indication of the first identifying symbols 31 to complete an installation of the first functional component 10 to the first connecting portion 21 of the circuit board 100. Thus, the identification module in accordance with present invention facilitates installation of functional components and increases efficiency and yield thereof. 0018) Claim 17 recites wherein the assembly instruction information is displayed on a label positioned on the mounting surface. (The first identifying symbol 31 may also be of letter, character, color block, mark or pattern, thereby the first primary label 11 and the first subsidiary label 41 generate a correlation. With such, when installing the functional components to the circuit board 100, users can intuitively and efficiently identify the indication of the first identifying symbols 31 to complete an installation of the first functional component 10 to the first connecting portion 21 of the circuit board 100. Thus, the identification module in accordance with present invention facilitates installation of functional components and increases efficiency and yield thereof. 0018) Claim 18 recites A method of assembling an electrical housing assembly, the method comprising:displaying assembly instruction information on a mounting surface of the electrical housing to define a desired component layout of the mounting surface, wherein the assembly instruction information designates a type of component to be mounted to the mounting surface at a desired location on the mounting surface; (The identification module for facilitating installation of a functional component comprises a circuit board having a first connecting portion, a first functional component, a first primary label disposed on a surface of the first connecting portion and a first subsidiary label disposed on a surface of the first functional component 0007) positioning the designated type of component over the assembly instruction information in accordance with the desired component layout; and affixing the designated type of component to the mounting surface over the assembly instruction information in accordance with the desired component layout. (The first identifying symbol 31 may also be of letter, character, color block, mark or pattern, thereby the first primary label 11 and the first subsidiary label 41 generate a correlation. With such, when installing the functional components to the circuit board 100, users can intuitively and efficiently identify the indication of the first identifying symbols 31 to complete an installation of the first functional component 10 to the first connecting portion 21 of the circuit board 100. Thus, the identification module in accordance with present invention facilitates installation of functional components and increases efficiency and yield thereof. 0018) Claim 19 recites wherein displaying the assembly instruction information on the mounting surface further comprises displaying the assembly instruction information on a label and positioning the label on the mounting surface. (The first identifying symbol 31 may also be of letter, character, color block, mark or pattern, thereby the first primary label 11 and the first subsidiary label 41 generate a correlation. With such, when installing the functional components to the circuit board 100, users can intuitively and efficiently identify the indication of the first identifying symbols 31 to complete an installation of the first functional component 10 to the first connecting portion 21 of the circuit board 100. Thus, the identification module in accordance with present invention facilitates installation of functional components and increases efficiency and yield thereof. 0018) Claim 20 recites wherein displaying the assembly instruction information on the mounting surface further comprises incorporating the assembly instruction information as an integral part of the mounting surface. (The first identifying symbol 31 may also be of letter, character, color block, mark or pattern, thereby the first primary label 11 and the first subsidiary label 41 generate a correlation. With such, when installing the functional components to the circuit board 100, users can intuitively and efficiently identify the indication of the first identifying symbols 31 to complete an installation of the first functional component 10 to the first connecting portion 21 of the circuit board 100. Thus, the identification module in accordance with present invention facilitates installation of functional components and increases efficiency and yield thereof. 0018) Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103 In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status. 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. Claim(s) 6, 8, 10 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Tai et al (US20100162597) in view of Mits (WO2013168263A1) Claim 6 recites “wherein the shape is a rectangle having a length and a width corresponding to an overall length and width of the component” (Tai clearly shows in Fig 1 the shape of components on the main circuit board is labels and correspond to the shape of the components to assemble. 0018-0020), however Tai does not explicitly and expressly state these shapes. Mits discloses Therefore, in the present embodiment, the position of the first frame-shaped display 4a (that is, the mounting position of the component) and the position of the second frame-shaped display 5a (that is, the display position of the component information of the component) are distinguished from each other. As a possible recognition symbol, a pair of direction indication symbols 6a indicating the positions of the first frame-shaped display 4a and the second frame-shaped display 5a are displayed near the outside of the frame. Page 3) One of ordinary skill in the art would have recognized that applying the known technique of Tai with the known techniques of Mits namely, specifics of using the well known use of component shaped labels, would have yielded predictable results and resulted in an improved system. Accordingly, applying the teachings of Tai with the teachings of Mits to explicitly say the shapes are the shapes of components would have been recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art as resulting in an improved understanding of common electrical connected components using a known method "Therefore, in the present embodiment, the position of the first frame-shaped display 4a (that is, the mounting position of the component) and the position of the second frame-shaped display 5a (that is, the display position of the component information of the component) are distinguished from each other Page 3) Claim 8 recites “wherein the shape indicates the desired location” (Tai clearly shows in Fig 1 the shape of components on the main circuit board is labels and correspond to the shape of the components to assemble. 0018-0020), however Tai does not explicitly and expressly state these shapes. Mits discloses Therefore, in the present embodiment, the position of the first frame-shaped display 4a (that is, the mounting position of the component) and the position of the second frame-shaped display 5a (that is, the display position of the component information of the component) are distinguished from each other. As a possible recognition symbol, a pair of direction indication symbols 6a indicating the positions of the first frame-shaped display 4a and the second frame-shaped display 5a are displayed near the outside of the frame. Page 3) One of ordinary skill in the art would have recognized that applying the known technique of Tai with the known techniques of Mits namely, specifics of using the well known use of component shaped labels, would have yielded predictable results and resulted in an improved system. Accordingly, applying the teachings of Tai with the teachings of Mits to explicitly say the shapes are the shapes of components would have been recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art as resulting in an improved understanding of common electrical connected components using a known method "Therefore, in the present embodiment, the position of the first frame-shaped display 4a (that is, the mounting position of the component) and the position of the second frame-shaped display 5a (that is, the display position of the component information of the component) are distinguished from each other Page 3) Claim 10 recites “wherein the panel includes a first aperture pattern to receive fasteners, and wherein the indicia are displayed on a label that includes a second aperture pattern to receive the fasteners, the second aperture pattern configured to align with at least part of the first aperture pattern to define a position and orientation of the label relative to the panel and to locate the desired location” (Tai clearly shows in Fig 1 the shape of components on the main circuit board is labels and correspond to the shape of the components to assemble. 0018-0020), however Tai does not explicitly and expressly state these shapes. Mits discloses Therefore, in the present embodiment, the position of the first frame-shaped display 4a (that is, the mounting position of the component) and the position of the second frame-shaped display 5a (that is, the display position of the component information of the component) are distinguished from each other. As a possible recognition symbol, a pair of direction indication symbols 6a indicating the positions of the first frame-shaped display 4a and the second frame-shaped display 5a are displayed near the outside of the frame. Page 3 Component information 3, 3a, 3b including the character string symbol), and first frame-shaped displays 4a, 4b, first frame surrounding the mounting positions 2a, 2b of a plurality of components having a narrow interval between the components. Second frame displays 5a and 5b surrounding the component information 3a and 3b corresponding to the components in the frame displays 4a and 4b, and the first frame displays 4a and 4b and the second frame displays 5a and 5b, respectively. Point each other's position as a recognition symbol that can identify each other's position Each direction indicating symbol 6a pair, and a 6b are displayed is silk printed, respectively. In addition, the outline shape figure of each component is silk-printed and displayed at the mounting positions 2, 2a, 2b of each component Page 2) One of ordinary skill in the art would have recognized that applying the known technique of Tai with the known techniques of Mits namely, specifics of using the well known use of component shaped labels, would have yielded predictable results and resulted in an improved system. Accordingly, applying the teachings of Tai with the teachings of Mits to explicitly say the shapes are the shapes of components would have been recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art as resulting in an improved understanding of common electrical connected components using a known method "Therefore, in the present embodiment, the position of the first frame-shaped display 4a (that is, the mounting position of the component) and the position of the second frame-shaped display 5a (that is, the display position of the component information of the component) are distinguished from each other Page 3) Response to Arguments Applicant's arguments filed have been fully considered but they are not persuasive. Applicant argues, In the context of the present application, the mounting surface is part of an electrical housing or enclosure, such as an electrical panel or control cabinet, which is assembled by mounting multiple components to that panel. Tai does not disclose such a housing, enclosure, or housing panel. Rather, Tai's circuit board is an internal electrical substrate within a computer system. The Claim do not require such a housing, enclosure, or housing panel, which as expressed by the Applicant as part of an electrical housing or enclosure, such as an electrical panel or control cabinet, which is assembled by mounting multiple components to that panel. Tai does disclose a housing, which includes a panel defining a mounting surface as required by the claims and shown in the rejection above. Applicant argues, Claim 1 itself further clarifies this distinction through the manner in which components are defined. Claim 1 recites a component mounted to the mounting surface, where the component is selected from a group that may include, among other things, a circuit board. Thus, under the claim language, a circuit board is an example of a component that may be mounted to the housing panel. As is stated by the Applicant, the circuit board is just one of components that may be included. The claim lists extremely common and well known components, all of which are commonly used and further broadly claimed with generic non limiting language. For example, but clearly not limited to, “an adapter”, “a wire duct”, “a switch”. The circuit board of Tai is clearly disclosed to mount “plenty of various electronic components” (003) “an identification module for facilitating installation of a functional component” (0006) “The first functional component 10 and the second functional component 20 may be any sort of components which mounted on the circuit board such as mechanical components, protective components or decorative components . . . etc, for increasing the efficiency of installation, reducing the mis-installed rate, and thus to save the cost while manufacturing or repairing.” (0021) “n other words, the identifying symbols can be used to sort out varies components into different groups besides identification and assembling sequence indication.” (0026) The circuit board of Tai is disclosed to mount common functional, mechanical, decorative, protective component known and would inherently include the common generic non limitation bounded components of the claim. Further, the Markush grouping of the claim language requires just one of the grouping to be found in the prior art, which is clearly disclosed by Tai. Even further, Tai specifically discloses “Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM)” which are known in the art as memory modules mounted on circuit boards, further anticipating the claims. Even more further, the commonly simple knowledge of the art, would inherently recognize that the motherboard-type board of Tai, would include mounted components such as adapters (eg. Video card adapters, Memory adapters, network adapters, USB adapters etc), switches, wire ducts, other circuit boards with components mounted on them, and further. Conclusion THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a). A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to KENNETH M LO whose telephone number is (571)272-9774. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 830a - 6pm. 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, John Cottingham can be reached at 571-272-9877. 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. KENNETH M. LO Supervisory Patent Examiner Art Unit 2136 /KENNETH M LO/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2136
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Nov 10, 2023
Application Filed
Jan 06, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §102, §103
Apr 06, 2026
Response Filed
Oct 02, 2026
Final Rejection mailed — §102, §103 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12769265
Method for Controlling a Particle-Forming Fluidization Process Taking Place in a Fluidization Apparatus
2y 2m to grant Granted Oct 20, 2026
Patent 12748390
LINER HANGER OPERATIONS FRAMEWORK
2y 8m to grant Granted Sep 29, 2026
Patent 12722249
MONITORING SYSTEM FOR A MOVABLE COMPONENT CONNECTED TO A STATIONARY COMPONENT
3y 2m to grant Granted Sep 01, 2026
Patent 12718070
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONDITIONAL MARGINAL DISTRIBUTIONS AT FLEXIBLE EVALUATION HORIZONS
4y 3m to grant Granted Aug 25, 2026
Patent 12682255
LEARNING APPARATUS, TRAINED MODEL GENERATION METHOD, CLASSIFICATION APPARATUS, CLASSIFICATION METHOD, AND COMPUTER-READABLE RECORDING MEDIUM
3y 9m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026
Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

Strategy Recommendation AI-generated — please review before filing

Get a prosecution strategy drawn from examiner precedents, rejection analysis, and claim mapping.
Typically takes 5-10 seconds — AI-generated, attorney review required before filing

Prosecution Projections

3-4
Expected OA Rounds
43%
Grant Probability
79%
With Interview (+35.5%)
4y 0m (~1y 0m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Moderate
PTA Risk
Based on 246 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

Sign in with your work email

Enter your email to receive a magic link. No password needed.

Personal email addresses (Gmail, Yahoo, etc.) are not accepted.

Free tier: 3 strategy analyses per month