Last updated: July 05, 2026

Application No. 18/596,871

RAIL VEHICLE

Non-Final OA

Filed

Mar 06, 2024

Priority

Mar 08, 2023 — JP 2023-035353

Examiner

SMITH, JASON CHRISTOPHER

Art Unit

Tech Center

Assignee

Hitachi Ltd.

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +12.8% interview lift. Interview lift (+12.8%) is below the 15.0% threshold. A written response is recommended.

Based on 1541 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

SMITH, JASON CHRISTOPHER View full profile →

Grants 84% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

1290 granted / 1541 resolved

+23.7% vs TC avg

Moderate +13% lift

Without

With

+12.8%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

2y 3m

Avg Prosecution

55 currently pending

Career history

1577

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

0.2%

-39.8% vs TC avg

§103

73.5%

+33.5% vs TC avg

§102

6.4%

-33.6% vs TC avg

§112

8.1%

-31.9% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1541 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Mar 06, 2024

Application Filed

May 20, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

17/785,485

Patent 12668132

Rocker for a Current Collector of a Vehicle

4y 0m to grant Granted Jun 30, 2026

18/365,417

Patent 12654753

RAILROAD VIRTUAL TRACK BLOCK SYSTEM

2y 10m to grant Granted Jun 16, 2026

18/105,904

Patent 12630197

OVERHEAD TRANSPORT VEHICLE SYSTEM

3y 3m to grant Granted May 19, 2026

17/745,973

Patent 12623701

AUTOMATIC ARMING OF A HEAD-OF-TRAIN DEVICE TO AN END-OF-TRAIN DEVICE

3y 12m to grant Granted May 12, 2026

18/094,827

Patent 12623695

RAIL INSPECTION DEVICE

3y 4m to grant Granted May 12, 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

84%

Grant Probability

96%

With Interview (+12.8%)

2y 3m (~0m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 1541 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.