Last updated: July 17, 2026

Application No. 18/614,247

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETERMINING AND CONTROLLING AN AGRICULTURAL MACHINE OPERATIONAL MODE

Non-Final OA

Filed

Mar 22, 2024

Examiner

VON VOLKENBURG, KEITH ALLEN

Art Unit

3665

Tech Center

3600 — Transportation & Electronic Commerce

Assignee

Deere & Company

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +29.6% interview lift. Examiner has a relatively high allowance rate (75%); +29.6% interview lift. A written response may suffice.

Based on 73 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

VON VOLKENBURG, KEITH ALLEN View full profile →

Grants 75% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

55 granted / 73 resolved

+23.3% vs TC avg

Strong +30% interview lift

Without

With

+29.6%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

2y 7m

Avg Prosecution

19 currently pending

Career history

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

1.5%

-38.5% vs TC avg

§103

85.8%

+45.8% vs TC avg

§102

11.2%

-28.8% vs TC avg

§112

1.0%

-39.0% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 73 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Mar 22, 2024

Application Filed

Mar 30, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

18/169,776

Patent 12681153

SENSOR PERFORMANCE MONITORING FOR AUTONOMOUS SYSTEMS AND APPLICATIONS

3y 5m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

18/047,442

Patent 12668242

ENERGY RELEASE BASED SPACING FOR VEHICLES

3y 8m to grant Granted Jun 30, 2026

18/127,046

Patent 12655740

SENSOR EMPLACEMENT USING UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS

3y 2m to grant Granted Jun 16, 2026

18/459,709

Patent 12653175

Selective Agricultural Spray System and Method with One Image Per Nozzle

2y 9m to grant Granted Jun 16, 2026

18/339,286

Patent 12644409

METHOD FOR MAPPING CONTRAIL FORMATION TO ENGINE PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS

2y 11m to grant Granted Jun 02, 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

1-2

Expected OA Rounds

75%

Grant Probability

99%

With Interview (+29.6%)

2y 7m (~3m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 73 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.