Prosecution Insights
Last updated: May 29, 2026
Application No. 18/716,551

QUANTUM CRYPTOGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, COMMUNICATION DEVICE, AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF

Non-Final OA §112
Filed
Jun 05, 2024
Priority
Dec 16, 2021 — nonprovisional of PCTJP2021046596
Examiner
SONG, HOSUK
Art Unit
2435
Tech Center
2400 — Computer Networks
Assignee
NEC Corporation
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
95%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
2m
Est. Remaining
98%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 95% — above average
95%
Career Allowance Rate
1449 granted / 1529 resolved
+36.8% vs TC avg
Minimal +3% lift
Without
With
+2.7%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 2m
Avg Prosecution
24 currently pending
Career history
1550
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
18.6%
-21.4% vs TC avg
§103
8.0%
-32.0% vs TC avg
§102
36.7%
-3.3% vs TC avg
§112
12.4%
-27.6% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1529 resolved cases

Office Action

§112
DETAILED ACTION 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 . Status of Claims Claims 1-14 are pending in this application. 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 1-14 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. Claims 1,4,8 recites the limitation “a signal output”. Claim is vague and lacks specificity. It is unclear what specific form of “signal output” homodyne detector generates. Without clarity it is unclear what the level detector is detecting. Applicant is advised to explicitly identify the type of “signal output” generated by the homodyne detector. Claims 1,4,8 recites the limitation “based on at least the signal output level”. Claim is vague and lacks specificity because “at least” makes it unclear what additional parameters are required, leaving the scope of the controller’s function unclear. Applicant is advised to remove the phrase “at least” and replace with specific parameters which the amplifier gain control is based. Claims 2-3,5-7,9-14 dependent on one of claims 1,4,8, follow therewith. USPTO Contact Information Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to HOSUK SONG whose telephone number is (571)272-3857. The examiner can normally be reached Mon-Fri: 7:30AM-5:00PM. 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, Joseph Hirl can be reached at 571-272-3685. 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. /HOSUK SONG/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2435
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Jun 05, 2024
Application Filed
Sep 17, 2025
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §112 (current)

Precedent Cases

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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
95%
Grant Probability
98%
With Interview (+2.7%)
2y 2m (~2m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 1529 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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