Last updated: July 17, 2026

Application No. 18/616,974

CONNECTOR

Non-Final OA

Filed

Mar 26, 2024

Priority

Mar 27, 2023 — JP 2023-049915

Examiner

PAUMEN, GARY F

Art Unit

Tech Center

Assignee

Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd.

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— -1.5% interview lift. Interview lift (-1.5%) is below the 15.0% threshold. A written response is recommended.

Based on 1974 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

PAUMEN, GARY F View full profile →

Grants 89% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

1749 granted / 1974 resolved

+28.6% vs TC avg

Minimal -2% lift

Without

With

+-1.5%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Fast prosecutor

1y 8m

Avg Prosecution

40 currently pending

Career history

1992

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

0.9%

-39.1% vs TC avg

§103

69.2%

+29.2% vs TC avg

§102

20.0%

-20.0% vs TC avg

§112

2.0%

-38.0% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1974 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Mar 26, 2024

Application Filed

May 14, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

17/756,504

Patent 12677879

ELECTRONIC AEROSOL PROVISION SYSTEM

4y 1m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

18/095,368

Patent 12683300

SINGLE PAIR ETHERNET CONNECTION SYSTEM

3y 6m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

18/291,758

Patent 12683310

CONNECTOR SYSTEM

2y 5m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

18/423,514

Patent 12683317

STRUCTURE

2y 5m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

18/555,350

Patent 12683320

Connection devices, cable plugs, and cable assemblies

2y 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

1-2

Expected OA Rounds

89%

Grant Probability

87%

With Interview (-1.5%)

1y 8m (~0m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 1974 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.