Last updated: July 17, 2026

Application No. 18/562,551

DISTANCE MEASURING APPARATUS AND DISTANCE MEASURING METHOD

Non-Final OA

Filed

Nov 20, 2023

Priority

Jun 10, 2021 — JP 2021-097441 +1 more

Examiner

NICKERSON, SAMANTHA K

Art Unit

Tech Center

Assignee

Sony Group Corporation

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +15.7% interview lift. Examiner has a relatively high allowance rate (86%); +15.7% interview lift. A written response may suffice.

Based on 600 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

NICKERSON, SAMANTHA K View full profile →

Grants 86% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

513 granted / 600 resolved

+25.5% vs TC avg

Strong +16% interview lift

Without

With

+15.7%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

2y 9m

Avg Prosecution

11 currently pending

Career history

610

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

0.9%

-39.1% vs TC avg

§103

87.9%

+47.9% vs TC avg

§102

2.3%

-37.7% vs TC avg

§112

6.2%

-33.8% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 600 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Nov 20, 2023

Application Filed

May 29, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

17/169,647

Patent 12656493

Power Modulation for a Rotary Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) Device

5y 4m to grant Granted Jun 16, 2026

19/032,920

Patent 12638562

SYSTEM AND TECHNIQUES FOR DISCOVERY AND TRACKING OF OBJECTS IN SPACE

1y 4m to grant Granted May 26, 2026

17/170,494

Patent 12631753

DETERMINING PHASE ORDERS IN ToF IMAGING

5y 3m to grant Granted May 19, 2026

17/538,455

Patent 12523770

COMPACT LIDAR SYSTEM

4y 1m to grant Granted Jan 13, 2026

17/264,223

Patent 12511874

SMART NAVIGATION METHOD AND SYSTEM BASED ON TOPOLOGICAL MAP

4y 11m to grant Granted Dec 30, 2025

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

86%

Grant Probability

99%

With Interview (+15.7%)

2y 9m (~1m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 600 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.