Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 04, 2026
Application No. 18/671,687

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REDUCTION OF MOISTURE IN POROUS MATERIALS

Non-Final OA §112
Filed
May 22, 2024
Priority
Jan 18, 2022 — IN PCT/IB2022/000020 +3 more
Examiner
WAN, DEMING
Art Unit
Tech Center
Assignee
Eambient Inc.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
76%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
1m
Est. Remaining
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 76% — above average
76%
Career Allowance Rate
720 granted / 942 resolved
+16.4% vs TC avg
Strong +42% interview lift
Without
With
+42.4%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 6m
Avg Prosecution
35 currently pending
Career history
961
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.5%
-39.5% vs TC avg
§103
51.3%
+11.3% vs TC avg
§102
19.4%
-20.6% vs TC avg
§112
25.1%
-14.9% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 942 resolved cases

Office Action

§112
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112 The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b): (b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention. The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph: The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention. Claims 1-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention. Claim 1 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being incomplete for omitting essential structural cooperative relationships of elements, such omission amounting to a gap between the necessary structural connections. See MPEP § 2172.01. The omitted structural cooperative relationships are: Regarding Claim 1 Claim 1 recites a device for reducing moisture and at least one sensor near the device. But there is no disclosure of the relationship between the sensor and the device. Later in dependent claims 4 and 5 further recites sensor is wireless sensor and a wireless gateway. But there is no disclosure on the relationship between the sensor and the device. The Office takes an assumption that the sensors are used to send measurement to control the operation of the device. A receiver or a controller is required to perform such performance. However, there is no disclosure. Instead, Applicant merely discloses sensors attached to a porous material. In Reference to Claims 2-20 Claims 2-10 are rejected due to the virtue dependency to Claim 1. Claim 11 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being incomplete for omitting essential steps, such omission amounting to a gap between the steps. See MPEP § 2172.01. The omitted steps are: Regarding Claim 11 Claim 11 recites a method for reduction of moisture in porous material, the method providing a device and providing at least one sensor. The Applicant does not teach the step of transferring the measurement to the device and controlling the operation of the device. The Applicant recites two steps, the relationship between two steps has not been disclosed. The Office considers that the step of communication between the sensor or the device is critical and cannot be omitted. Regarding Claim 12-20 Claims 12-20 are rejected due to their virtue dependency to Claim 11. Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. US Patent Publication 2024/0415180, US Patent Publication 2024/0261828 and US Patent Publication 2015/0052774 . Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to DEMING WAN whose telephone number is (571)272-1410. The examiner can normally be reached Mon-Thur: 8 am to 6 PM. 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, Michael Hoang can be reached at 57122726460. 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. DEMING . WAN Examiner Art Unit 3762 /DEMING WAN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3762 9/22/26
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Prosecution Timeline

May 22, 2024
Application Filed
Sep 24, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §112 (current)

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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
76%
Grant Probability
99%
With Interview (+42.4%)
2y 6m (~1m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 942 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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