Last updated: July 17, 2026

Application No. 18/635,183

DRILL

Non-Final OA

Filed

Apr 15, 2024

Priority

May 15, 2023 — JP 2023-080106

Examiner

HOTCHKISS, MICHAEL WAYNE

Art Unit

3726

Tech Center

3700 — Mechanical Engineering & Manufacturing

Assignee

Toyota Motor Corporation

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +51.0% interview lift. Examiner has a relatively high allowance rate (69%); +51.0% interview lift. A written response may suffice.

Based on 373 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

HOTCHKISS, MICHAEL WAYNE View full profile →

Grants 69% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

258 granted / 373 resolved

-0.8% vs TC avg

Strong +51% interview lift

Without

With

+51.0%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

2y 6m

Avg Prosecution

44 currently pending

Career history

419

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§103

74.5%

+34.5% vs TC avg

§102

16.7%

-23.3% vs TC avg

§112

8.7%

-31.3% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 373 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Apr 15, 2024

Application Filed

Apr 23, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

18/495,075

Patent 12679487

METHOD OF ASSEMBLING A VEHICLE

2y 8m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

19/000,365

Patent 12669409

DEVICE FOR MONITORING TIRES OF MORE THAN 30 INCHES VIA VIDEO MEANS

1y 6m to grant Granted Jun 30, 2026

18/496,545

Patent 12661720

SPINDLE AUTOMATIC FEED MECHANISM OF DRILLING MACHINE WITH SELF-ADAPTIVE ELECTROMENCHANICAL TRANSMISSION

2y 8m to grant Granted Jun 23, 2026

18/713,156

Patent 12654406

SYSTEM FOR ASSEMBLING A WIND TURBINE BLADE SHELL

2y 0m to grant Granted Jun 16, 2026

19/240,928

Patent 12649179

METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A BUNK FOR A VEHICLE

11m to grant Granted Jun 09, 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

69%

Grant Probability

99%

With Interview (+51.0%)

2y 6m (~3m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 373 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.