Last updated: July 17, 2026

Application No. 18/647,021

FUSION SPLICING SYSTEM, FUSION SPLICING METHOD, OPTICAL FIBER IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM, OPTICAL FIBER IDENTIFICATION METHOD, AND RECORDING MEDIUM

Non-Final OA

Filed

Apr 26, 2024

Examiner

DOAN, JENNIFER

Art Unit

2874

Tech Center

2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems

Assignee

Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd.

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +6.1% interview lift. Interview lift (+6.1%) is below the 15.0% threshold. A written response is recommended.

Based on 861 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

DOAN, JENNIFER View full profile →

Grants 91% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

781 granted / 861 resolved

+22.7% vs TC avg

Moderate +6% lift

Without

With

+6.1%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Fast prosecutor

1y 11m

Avg Prosecution

18 currently pending

Career history

879

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

2.0%

-38.0% vs TC avg

§103

58.9%

+18.9% vs TC avg

§102

14.1%

-25.9% vs TC avg

§112

0.2%

-39.8% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 861 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Apr 26, 2024

Application Filed

May 06, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

18/289,743

Patent 12681240

AN ADAPTOR FOR AN OPTICAL CONNECTOR

2y 8m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

18/374,372

Patent 12669669

FIBER OPTIC CLOSURE ASSEMBLIES, FIBER DROP ACCESS POINTS, AND METHODS FOR INSTALLING FIBER DROP ACCESS POINTS

2y 9m to grant Granted Jun 30, 2026

18/375,938

Patent 12663600

SEAL ASSEMBLY FOR A PORT OF AN ENCLOSURE THAT PERMITS A CABLE TERMINATED WITH A CONNECTOR TO BE INSERTED INTO AND REMOVED FROM THE PORT WITH THE CONNECTOR ATTACHED TO THE CABLE

2y 8m to grant Granted Jun 23, 2026

17/634,403

Patent 12657450

OPTICAL COMPUTING DEVICE AND OPTICAL COMPUTING METHOD

4y 4m to grant Granted Jun 16, 2026

18/292,651

Patent 12658681

ELBOW CABLE CONNECTOR WITH STRAIN RELIEF ELEMENT

2y 4m to grant Granted Jun 16, 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

91%

Grant Probability

97%

With Interview (+6.1%)

1y 11m (~0m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 861 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.