Last updated: August 30, 2026

Application No. 18/677,006

TECHNOLOGY FOR CONTROLLING SHAPE OF IMAGE FORMED BY IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

Final Rejection

Filed

May 29, 2024

Priority

Jun 06, 2023 — JP 2023-093309

Examiner

VALENCIA, ALEJANDRO

Art Unit

2853

Tech Center

2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems

Assignee

Canon Inc.

OA Round

2 (Final)

Interview Optional

— +5.9% interview lift. Interview lift (+5.9%) is below the 15.0% threshold. A written response is recommended.

Based on 1361 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

VALENCIA, ALEJANDRO View full profile →

Grants 43% of resolved cases

Career Allowance Rate

586 granted / 1361 resolved

-24.9% vs TC avg

Moderate +6% lift

Without

With

+5.9%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

3y 0m

Avg Prosecution

109 currently pending

Career history

1502

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

0.1%

-39.9% vs TC avg

§103

54.9%

+14.9% vs TC avg

§102

24.7%

-15.3% vs TC avg

§112

19.1%

-20.9% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1361 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

May 29, 2024

Application Filed

Apr 28, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed

Jul 13, 2026

Response Filed

Aug 21, 2026

Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

17/518,020

Patent 12715232

Pressure Mechanism for Holding a Position of a Printhead

4y 9m to grant Granted Aug 25, 2026

18/700,791

Patent 12703191

INKJET PRINTING EQUIPMENT

2y 4m to grant Granted Aug 11, 2026

17/481,722

Patent 12661894

LIQUID DISCHARGING APPARATUS

4y 9m to grant Granted Jun 23, 2026

17/482,913

Patent 12661914

HEAD LIFTING LOWERING DEVICE, CONTROL METHOD OF HEAD LIFTING LOWERING DEVICE, NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM STORING PROGRAM, MANUFACTURING METHOD OF HEAD LIFTING LOWERING DEVICE

4y 9m to grant Granted Jun 23, 2026

18/192,337

Patent 12661890

DROPLET EJECTION HEAD AND PRINTER

3y 2m to grant Granted Jun 23, 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

3-4

Expected OA Rounds

43%

Grant Probability

49%

With Interview (+5.9%)

3y 0m (~9m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Moderate

PTA Risk

Based on 1361 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.