Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 18/624,361

Cosmetic Application Assistance System Using Heads-Up Display (CAAS-HUD)

Non-Final OA §102§103
Filed
Apr 02, 2024
Examiner
MUSSELMAN, TIMOTHY A
Art Unit
3715
Tech Center
3700 — Mechanical Engineering & Manufacturing
Assignee
Elc Management LLC
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
58%
Grant Probability
Moderate
1-2
OA Rounds
3y 2m
To Grant
84%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 58% of resolved cases
58%
Career Allow Rate
542 granted / 936 resolved
-12.1% vs TC avg
Strong +26% interview lift
Without
With
+26.3%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 2m
Avg Prosecution
29 currently pending
Career history
965
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
10.1%
-29.9% vs TC avg
§103
55.3%
+15.3% vs TC avg
§102
20.2%
-19.8% vs TC avg
§112
11.5%
-28.5% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 936 resolved cases

Office Action

§102 §103
DETAILED ACTION Status of Claims In response to applicant’s preliminary amendment, claims 1-18 and 42-43 are pending in this application. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102 The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action: A person shall be entitled to a patent unless – (a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention. Claims 1-3, 6, 11-16, and 42-43, are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Troutman et al. (US 2022/0207802). Regarding claims 1-2, and 42-43, Troutman discloses a system for assistance with makeup application, comprising sensors to capture real-time data of a face of a user. See paragraph 0060 (note the camera as per claim 2). Troutman discloses wherein the system creates a 3D map of the user’s face based upon the data. See paragraph 0061 and 0065. Troutman discloses wherein one or more facial features of the user is identified on the map. See paragraphs 0069 and 0075. Troutman discloses wherein guidance is provided to apply a cosmetic product so as to achieve a makeup look selected by the user, and wherein the guidance is superimposed on the user’s image. See paragraphs 0078-0079, 0083, and 0088-0089 – the instructional display on the video of the user’s face is reasonably considered as a HUD. Regarding claim 3, Troutman discloses step by step guidance in paragraph 0048. The updating of the image with the steps is described in paragraphs 0091 and 0099. Regarding claim 6, Troutman discloses an audio aspect for the training in paragraph 0100. Regarding claims 11-13, Troutman discloses wherein information can be sent to a mobile device wired or wirelessly. See paragraphs 0037. Regarding claim 14, Troutman discloses an AR component in paragraph 0095. Regarding claim 15-16, Troutman discloses a 3D preview of the selected makeup look and application in paragraphs 0088-0089. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103 The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action: A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made. Claims 4-5 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Troutman et al. (US 2022/0207802) in view of Kosecoff (US 2023/0101374). Regarding claim 4, Troutman does not disclose explicitly lines and arrows in the instructions. However, such instructional aids are common, as is disclosed by the training system of Kosecoff in paragraph 0082. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of applicant’s filing, to consider this with the Troutman system, so as to provide useful instructions. Regarding claim 5, Troutman does not disclose wherein the makeup stays with the user even with movement. However, this is an established feature with regard to training systems, and is disclosed by Kosecoff in paragraph 0083. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of applicant’s filing, to consider this with the Troutman system, in order to provide a realistic simulation. Claims 7-10 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Troutman et al. (US 2022/0207802) in view of Karunamuni (US 12,265,687). Regarding claims 7-10, Troutman does not disclose haptic feedback of various patterns, which can be applied to an external device, such as a bracelet. However, these manners of feedback are established with regard to training systems, as is disclosed by Kurunamuni in col. 10: 49-53 (haptic patterns) and col. 91: 26-41 (feedback to external devices). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of applicant’s filing, to consider such concepts with regard to the Troutman system, so as to provide various versatile feedback scenarios. Claims 17-18 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Troutman et al. (US 2022/0207802) in view of Besen et al. (US 10,810,902). Regarding claims 17-18, Troutman does not disclose wherein the system comprises a light for the face of the user. However, this is established with regard to similar systems, as is disclosed by the makeup application system of Besen in col. 5: 45-55. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of applicant’s filing, to consider such with the Troutman system, so as to acquire detailed images for analysis. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to TIMOTHY A MUSSELMAN whose telephone number is (571)272-1814. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Thursday, 8:00AM - 4:00PM. Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice. If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, PETER S VASAT can be reached at 571-570-7625. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. TIMOTHY A. MUSSELMAN Primary Examiner Art Unit 3715 /TIMOTHY A MUSSELMAN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3715
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Apr 02, 2024
Application Filed
Jan 10, 2026
Non-Final Rejection — §102, §103 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12599535
EXTERNAL COUNTERPULSATION SYSTEM
2y 5m to grant Granted Apr 14, 2026
Patent 12576005
Cameras for Emergency Rescue
2y 5m to grant Granted Mar 17, 2026
Patent 12573315
TRAINING LESSON AUTHORING AND EXECUTION
2y 5m to grant Granted Mar 10, 2026
Patent 12548463
ELECTRONIC COUPLING OF CONTROLS
2y 5m to grant Granted Feb 10, 2026
Patent 12530981
MONITORING COMMUNICATIONS IN AN OBSERVATION PLATFORM
2y 5m to grant Granted Jan 20, 2026
Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

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Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
58%
Grant Probability
84%
With Interview (+26.3%)
3y 2m
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 936 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allow rate.

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