Last updated: July 17, 2026

Application No. 18/557,670

PHOTODETECTOR AND PHOTODETECTION SYSTEM

Non-Final OA

Filed

Oct 27, 2023

Priority

May 17, 2021 — JP 2021-083437 +1 more

Examiner

HUTCHENS, CHRISTOPHER D.

Art Unit

3647

Tech Center

3600 — Transportation & Electronic Commerce

Assignee

Sony Group Corporation

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +11.5% interview lift. Interview lift (+11.5%) is below the 15.0% threshold. A written response is recommended.

Based on 579 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

HUTCHENS, CHRISTOPHER D. View full profile →

Grants 65% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

378 granted / 579 resolved

+13.3% vs TC avg

Moderate +12% lift

Without

With

+11.5%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

2y 10m

Avg Prosecution

26 currently pending

Career history

612

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§103

82.0%

+42.0% vs TC avg

§102

9.9%

-30.1% vs TC avg

§112

7.2%

-32.8% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 579 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Oct 27, 2023

Application Filed

May 19, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

18/430,112

Patent 12679532

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle and Method of Operation

2y 5m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

17/951,507

Patent 12656500

DETECTING ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS AT A LiDAR SENSOR LEVEL

3y 8m to grant Granted Jun 16, 2026

19/072,564

Patent 12653116

MANAGING STAGES OF GROWTH OF A CROP WITH MICRO-PRECISION VIA AN AGRICULTURAL TREATMENT DELIVERY SYSTEM

1y 3m to grant Granted Jun 16, 2026

18/686,825

Patent 12636388

Flexible Diffuse-Reflective Smart Chamber for Effective Target Dosing of Complex Plant Surfaces and Methods of Use Thereof

2y 3m to grant Granted May 26, 2026

18/607,216

Patent 12628797

CONVERTIBLE CAT TRACK TOY

2y 2m to grant Granted May 19, 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.

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Prosecution Projections

1-2

Expected OA Rounds

65%

Grant Probability

77%

With Interview (+11.5%)

2y 10m (~1m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 579 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.