Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 02, 2026
Application No. 18/731,197

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COOLING OPERATING PLATFORMS OF AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES

Non-Final OA §103
Filed
May 31, 2024
Examiner
EL SAYAH, MOHAMAD O
Art Unit
3658
Tech Center
3600 — Transportation & Electronic Commerce
Assignee
TORC Robotics Inc.
OA Round
3 (Non-Final)
75%
Grant Probability
Favorable
3-4
OA Rounds
3m
Est. Remaining
79%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 75% — above average
75%
Career Allowance Rate
180 granted / 239 resolved
+23.3% vs TC avg
Minimal +4% lift
Without
With
+3.6%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 7m
Avg Prosecution
27 currently pending
Career history
273
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
14.9%
-25.1% vs TC avg
§103
53.8%
+13.8% vs TC avg
§102
17.6%
-22.4% vs TC avg
§112
11.6%
-28.4% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 239 resolved cases

Office Action

§103
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 . Response to Amendment The amendment filed on 01/23/2026 has been entered. Claims 1-4, 7-12, 14-18, 20 remain pending in the application. Information Disclosure Statement The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 06/23/2026.The submission is in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement is being considered by the examiner. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103 The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action: A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made. Claims 1-3, 7, 8, 9-11, 14, 15-18, 20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable by Son (WO2024075749) in view of Kimura (US20190351780) and Giraldo (US20230090996) and Hayashi (US20250178617) and Lei (US20190143915). Regarding claim 1, Son teaches a method for cooling an autonomy computing system of an autonomous vehicle, the method comprising ([89]-[133] disclosing a method to cool an autonomy computing system): receiving, at a controller, information relating to at least one of an environmental condition or an operating state of the autonomous vehicle ([87]-[91] disclosing receiving sensor values of external conditions such as traffic condition in the environment of the autonomous vehicle). determining a predicted computing load of the autonomy computing system of the vehicle based on the received information, the autonomy computing system including at least one set of electronic control units (ECUs) that are configured to operate the autonomous vehicle under autonomous driving control, wherein the at least one set of ECUs includes a first set of ECUs and a second set of ECUs ([14] disclosing the SOCBOX uses the chips for autonomous driving control. [87]-[91] disclosing predicting an increased computing load of the computing system that autonomously controls the vehicle including at least one based on the traffic jam detected. At least [132]-[133] disclosing multiple chips included in the system on chip, i.e., set of control units. See [0135] disclosing a plurality of chip parts cooled separately interpreted as the first set and second set of Chips). determining a predicted heat load generated by the autonomy computing system based on the predicted computing load of the autonomy computing system ([89]-[91] disclosing the processing load increase will make the chips very hot. [91] disclosing the increase of the heat based on the processing increasing); determining an operating parameter of a cooling system based on the predicted heat load ([91] disclosing a cooling parameter being a start time for the cooling based on the predicted heat generation load), the cooling system including at least one fluid line defining a fluid passageway in thermal communication with the autonomy computing system of the autonomous vehicle ([127]-[133] disclosing the cooling is performed by water cooling or liquid nitrogen cooling to provide cooling to the chip box including multiple chips to operate the vehicle autonomously, i.e., there is thermal communication to allow the cooling liquid to lower the Chip temperature); wherein the at least one fluid line includes a first fluid line defining a first fluid passageway in thermal communication with the first set of ECUs and a second fluid line defining a second fluid passageway in thermal communication with the second set of ECUs, the first fluid line configured to remove heat generated by the first set of Ecus, the second fluid line configured to remove heat generated by the second set of ECUs and wherein the cooling system is operated to provide independent cooling to the first set of ECUs and the second set of ECUs (Son [127]-[137] disclosing selectively cooling the chip that is predicted to overheat only, wherein there are multiple chips “ECUs” and passing the liquid coolant to only the selected ECU, thus it is interpreted that there is at least a first and a second fluid passages that cool each ECU separately, a set can include one ECU). operating the cooling system based on the determined operating parameter to direct additional cooling through the second fluid passageway and remove increased heat generated by the second ECU in performing the function (the combination of [0089]-[133] disclose the cooling system operates based on the parameter to remove heat from an ECU via fluid passageway, [0127]-[0137] disclosing the increasing of the cooling and cooling means based on the predicted increase of temperature of any part, thus when a part is predicted to work more, the cooling is increased). While Son does not explicitly disclose an ECU. Kimura teaches a cooling of an ECU based on predicted loading and predicted heat ([0025]-[0039] disclosing cooling a set of ECUs based on predicted heat and load). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to substitute the ECU of Kimura with the chip of Son yielding predictable results to allow cooling of ECUs in the vehicle thus providing an efficient vehicle control. Son as modified by Kimura does not teach each of the first set of ECUs and the second set of ECUs including a plurality of ECUs. Giraldo teaches each of the first set and the second set includes a plurality of components ([0007]-[0021] disclosing cooling a first set and a second set separately wherein each set includes a plurality of components). Son as modified by Kimura teaches the cooling of different sets of ECUs, thus the combination of Giraldo’s teaching of cooling sets of components is obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art in order to provide a more efficient cooling by cooling parts that can be cooled together improving efficiency. This provides the benefit of cooling multiple parts efficiently without contaminating parts that are not supposed to work together and that need the same kind of cooling type, see Giraldo [0007]-[0021], [0040]-[0045]. Son as modified by Kimura and Giraldo does not teach facilitating continued operation of the autonomous vehicle under the autonomous driving by: determining a first ECU in the first set of ECUs is in a failure state or at risk of failure by comparing a temperature associated with the first ECU to a first threshold temperature; and in response to determining the first ECU is in the failure state or at risk of failure, identifying a second ECU in the second set of ECUs that performs functions of the first ECU; deactivating the first ECU when the temperature with the first ECU reaches a second threshold temperature or the first ECU reaches an inoperable state; relying on the second ECU to perform the functions corresponding to the functions of the first ECU; Hayashi teaches and facilitating continued operation of the autonomous vehicle under the autonomous driving by: in response to determining the first ECU is in the failure state or at risk of failure, identifying a second ECU in the second set of ECUs that performs functions of the first ECU ([0110]-[0126] disclosing determining that a first ECU has failed and selecting another ECU that has the capability to run the program that is executed on the first ECU wherein when there is a surplus in capability on the second ECU, there is no limitations on the functionality to be performed by the second ECU and to continue facilitating the autonomous driving capability of the vehicle, thus it is interpreted from the citation that the functionality of the failed computer “inoperable” is deactivated when it is substituted by the second ECU wherein the functionality is shifted to another ECU); deactivating the first ECU when the temperature with the first ECU reaches a second threshold temperature or the first ECU reaches an inoperable state([0110]-[0126] disclosing determining that a first ECU has failed and selecting another ECU that has the capability to run the program that is executed on the first ECU wherein when there is a surplus in capability on the second ECU, there is no limitations on the functionality to be performed by the second ECU and to continue facilitating the autonomous driving capability of the vehicle, thus it is interpreted from the citation that the functionality of the failed computer “inoperable” is deactivated when it is substituted by the second ECU wherein the functionality is shifted to another ECU); relying on the second ECU to perform the functions corresponding to the functions of the first ECU ([0110]-[0126] disclosing determining that a first ECU has failed and selecting another ECU that has the capability to run the program that is executed on the first ECU wherein when there is a surplus in capability on the second ECU, there is no limitations on the functionality to be performed by the second ECU and to continue facilitating the autonomous driving capability of the vehicle, thus it is interpreted from the citation that the functionality of the failed computer “inoperable” is deactivated when it is substituted by the second ECU wherein the functionality is shifted to another ECU). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to have modified the teaching of Son as modified by Kimura to incorporate the teaching of Hayashi of determining a failure state of a first ECU of the first set of ECUs; and identifying a second ECU of the second set of ECUs that performs a function that corresponds to a function of the first ECU, wherein the autonomy computing system is operated to accommodate the failure state of the first ECU by relying on the functions of the second ECU in order to prevent comfort of the vehicle from being lowered more than necessary by shifting to another ECU by ensuring the ECU has sufficient capability to run the program and functionality of the other ECU [0088] and for redundancy and improved safety of vehicle operation. Since Son as modified by Kimura and Giraldo already teaches predicting increased operation of parts will increase the heat generation and cooling only parts that are functioning, thus the combination of the teaching of Hayashi is obvious yielding predictable results in order to only cool the ECU that is working since the other ECU has failed and does not function in the system and does not need cooling. Thus for efficiency as taught by Son, the parts that are necessary to cool are only cooled based on prediction of their functionality. Son as modified by Kimura and Giraldo and Hayashi does not teach determining a first ECU in the first set of ECUs is in a failure state or at risk of failure by comparing a temperature associated with the first ECU to a first threshold temperature Lei teaches determining a first ECU in the first set of ECUs is in a failure state or at risk of failure by comparing a temperature associated with the first ECU to a first threshold temperature ([0005] disclosing determining a failure in a TCU based on temperature over a threshold); It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to combine/substitute the failure determination method based on temperature with the teaching of Son as modified by Kirma and GIraldo and Hayashi yielding predictable results in order to solve the problem of losing autonomous driving due to a failure of the computer thus enabling continued safe driving. Regarding claim 2, Son as modified by Kimura and Giraldo and Hayashi teaches the method of claim 1, wherein the information relating to at least one of the environmental condition or the operating state of the vehicle includes a temperature of an ambient environment around the vehicle or a temperature associated with the at least one set of ECUs (Son [88]-[91] disclosing the ambient temperature in the environment around the vehicle included in the information relating to the environment). Regarding claim 3, Son as modified by Kimura and Giraldo and Hayashi and Lei teaches the method of claim 1, wherein the information relating to at least one of the environmental condition or the operating state of the vehicle includes a traffic pattern associated with a location and predicted path of the vehicle (Son [0089]-[0091] disclosing the information including the traffic patterns, [0104]-[0106], [0117] disclosing a driving route and destination of the vehicle and a traffic pattern). Regarding claim 7, Son as modified by Kimura and Giraldo and Hayashi and Lei teaches the method of claim 1, wherein operating the cooling system based on the determined operating parameter to direct the fluid through the fluid passageway comprises operating the cooling system based on the determined operating parameter to selectively direct the fluid through the first fluid passageway and toward each ECU of the first set of ECUs (Son [127]-[137] disclosing selectively cooling the chip that is predicted to overheat only, wherein there are multiple chips “ECUs” and passing the liquid coolant to only the selected ECU, thus it is interpreted that there is at least a first and a second fluid passages that cool each ECU separately, a set can include one ECU). Regarding claim 8, Son as modified by Kimura and Giraldo and Hayashi and Lei teaches method of claim 1, further comprising: determining an amount of the predicted heat load that is associated with an ECU of the at least one set of ECUs (Son [127]-[137] disclosing predicting the heating of the part “chip” that will reach a temperature over a threshold and will cool that specific chip); and operating the cooling system to direct fluid to the ECU and provide cooling for the predicted heat load that is associated with the ECU (Son [127]-[137] disclosing predicting the heating of the part “chip” that will reach a temperature over a threshold and will cool that specific chip by using a fluid cooling). Regarding claim 14, Son as modified by Kimura and Giraldo and Hayashi and Lei teaches the method of claim 13, further comprising: wherein the autonomy computing system is operated to accommodate the failure state of the first ECU by relying on the functions of the second ECU when the vehicle performs an emergency maneuver or continues operation. Hayashi teaches wherein the autonomy computing system is operated to accommodate the failure state of the first ECU by relying on the functions of the second ECU when the vehicle performs an emergency maneuver or continues operation. ([0088]-[0094] disclosing determining that a first ECU has failed and selecting another ECU that has the capability to run the program that is executed on the first ECU wherein when there is a surplus in capability on the second ECU, there is no limitations on the functionality to be performed by the second ECU). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to have modified the teaching of Son as modified by Kimura to incorporate the teaching of Hayashi of determining a failure state of a first ECU of the first set of ECUs; and identifying a second ECU of the second set of ECUs that performs a function that corresponds to a function of the first ECU, wherein the autonomy computing system is operated to accommodate the failure state of the first ECU by relying on the functions of the second ECU in order to prevent comfort of the vehicle from being lowered more than necessary by shifting to another ECU by ensuring the ECU has sufficient capability to run the program and functionality of the other ECU [0088] and for redundancy and improved safety of vehicle operation. Since Son as modified by Kimura and Giraldo already teaches predicting increased operation of parts will increase the heat generation and cooling only parts that are functioning, thus the combination of the teaching of Hayashi is obvious yielding predictable results in order to only cool the ECU that is working since the other ECU has failed and does not function in the system and does not need cooling. Thus for efficiency as taught by Son, the parts that are necessary to cool are only cooled based on prediction of their functionality. Regarding claim 16, Son teaches an autonomous vehicle comprising: an autonomy computing system including at least one set of electronic control units (ECUs); at least one sensor communicatively coupled to the at least one set of ECUs ([89]-[133] disclosing processing information at least one sensor), wherein the at least one set of ECUs is configured to process information provided by the at least one sensor and operate the autonomous vehicle under autonomous driving ([14] disclosing autonomous driving chip. [89]-[133] disclosing processing information of at least one sensor to autonomously control the vehicle); a cooling system including at least one fluid line in thermal communication with the autonomy computing system and defining a fluid passageway for fluid to receive heat generated by the autonomy computing system ([127]-[133] disclosing the cooling is performed by water cooling or liquid nitrogen cooling to provide cooling to the chip box including multiple chips to operate the vehicle autonomously, i.e., there is thermal communication to allow the cooling liquid to lower the Chip temperature); and a controller configured to: receiving, information relating to at least one of an environmental condition or an operating state of the vehicle ([87]-[91] disclosing receiving sensor values of external conditions such as traffic condition in the environment of the autonomous vehicle). determining a predicted computing load of the autonomy computing system of the autonomous vehicle based on the received information, the autonomy computing system including at least one set of electronic control units (ECUs) that are configured to operate the autonomous vehicle, wherein the at least one set of ECUs includes a first set of ECUs and a second set of ECUs ([87]-[91] disclosing predicting an increased computing load of the computing system that autonomously controls the vehicle including at least one based on the traffic jam detected. At least [132]-[133] disclosing multiple chips included in the system on chip, i.e., set of control units). determining a predicted heat load generated by the autonomy computing system based on the predicted computing load of the autonomy computing system ([89]-[91] disclosing the processing load increase will make the chips very hot. [91] disclosing the increase of the heat based on the processing increasing); determining an operating parameter of a cooling system based on the predicted heat load ([91] disclosing a cooling parameter being a start time for the cooling based on the predicted heat generation load), operating the cooling system based on the determined operating parameter to direct additional cooling through the second ECu and remove increased heat generated by the second ECU in performing the function, thereby facilitating continued operation of the vehicle (the combination of [0089]-[133] disclose the cooling system operates based on the parameter to remove heat from an ECU via fluid passageway, [0127]-[0137] disclosing the increasing of the cooling and cooling means based on the predicted increase of temperature of any part, thus when a part is predicted to work more, the cooling is increased). While Son does not explicitly disclose an ECU. Kimura teaches a cooling of an ECU based on predicted loading and predicted heat ([0025]-[0039] disclosing cooling a set of ECUs based on predicted heat and load). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to substitute the ECU of Kimura with the chip of Son yielding predictable results to allow cooling of ECUs in the vehicle thus providing an efficient vehicle control. Son as modified by Kimura does not teach each of the first set of ECUs and the second set of ECUs including a plurality of ECUs. Giraldo teaches each of the first set and the second set includes a plurality of components ([0007]-[0021] disclosing cooling a first set and a second set separately wherein each set includes a plurality of components) . Son as modified by Kimura teaches the cooling of different sets of ECUs, thus the combination of Giraldo’s teaching of cooling sets of components is obvious in order to provide a more efficient cooling by cooling parts that can be cooled together improving efficiency. This provides the benefit of cooling multiple parts efficiently without contaminating parts that are not supposed to work together and that need the same kind of cooling type, see Giraldo [0007]-[0021], [0040]-[0045]. Son as modified by Kimura and Giraldo does not teach facilitating continued operation of the autonomous vehicle under the autonomous driving by: determining a first ECU in the first set of ECUs is in a failure state or at risk of failure by comparing a temperature associated with the first ECU to a first threshold temperature; and in response to determining the first ECU is in the failure state or at risk of failure, identifying a second ECU in the second set of ECUs that performs functions of the first ECU; deactivating the first ECU when the temperature with the first ECU reaches a second threshold temperature or the first ECU reaches an inoperable state; relying on the second ECU to perform the functions corresponding to the functions of the first ECU; Hayashi teaches and facilitating continued operation of the autonomous vehicle under the autonomous driving by: in response to determining the first ECU is in the failure state or at risk of failure, identifying a second ECU in the second set of ECUs that performs functions of the first ECU ([0110]-[0126] disclosing determining that a first ECU has failed and selecting another ECU that has the capability to run the program that is executed on the first ECU wherein when there is a surplus in capability on the second ECU, there is no limitations on the functionality to be performed by the second ECU and to continue facilitating the autonomous driving capability of the vehicle, thus it is interpreted from the citation that the functionality of the failed computer “inoperable” is deactivated when it is substituted by the second ECU wherein the functionality is shifted to another ECU); deactivating the first ECU when the temperature with the first ECU reaches a second threshold temperature or the first ECU reaches an inoperable state([0110]-[0126] disclosing determining that a first ECU has failed and selecting another ECU that has the capability to run the program that is executed on the first ECU wherein when there is a surplus in capability on the second ECU, there is no limitations on the functionality to be performed by the second ECU and to continue facilitating the autonomous driving capability of the vehicle, thus it is interpreted from the citation that the functionality of the failed computer “inoperable” is deactivated when it is substituted by the second ECU wherein the functionality is shifted to another ECU); relying on the second ECU to perform the functions corresponding to the functions of the first ECU ([0110]-[0126] disclosing determining that a first ECU has failed and selecting another ECU that has the capability to run the program that is executed on the first ECU wherein when there is a surplus in capability on the second ECU, there is no limitations on the functionality to be performed by the second ECU and to continue facilitating the autonomous driving capability of the vehicle, thus it is interpreted from the citation that the functionality of the failed computer “inoperable” is deactivated when it is substituted by the second ECU wherein the functionality is shifted to another ECU). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to have modified the teaching of Son as modified by Kimura to incorporate the teaching of Hayashi of determining a failure state of a first ECU of the first set of ECUs; and identifying a second ECU of the second set of ECUs that performs a function that corresponds to a function of the first ECU, wherein the autonomy computing system is operated to accommodate the failure state of the first ECU by relying on the functions of the second ECU in order to prevent comfort of the vehicle from being lowered more than necessary by shifting to another ECU by ensuring the ECU has sufficient capability to run the program and functionality of the other ECU [0088] and for redundancy and improved safety of vehicle operation. Since Son as modified by Kimura and Giraldo already teaches predicting increased operation of parts will increase the heat generation and cooling only parts that are functioning, thus the combination of the teaching of Hayashi is obvious yielding predictable results in order to only cool the ECU that is working since the other ECU has failed and does not function in the system and does not need cooling. Thus for efficiency as taught by Son, the parts that are necessary to cool are only cooled based on prediction of their functionality. Son as modified by Kimura and Giraldo and Hayashi does not teach determining a first ECU in the first set of ECUs is in a failure state or at risk of failure by comparing a temperature associated with the first ECU to a first threshold temperature Lei teaches determining a first ECU in the first set of ECUs is in a failure state or at risk of failure by comparing a temperature associated with the first ECU to a first threshold temperature ([0005] disclosing determining a failure in a TCU based on temperature over a threshold); It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to combine/substitute the failure determination method based on temperature with the teaching of Son as modified by Kirma and GIraldo and Hayashi yielding predictable results in order to solve the problem of losing autonomous driving due to a failure of the computer thus enabling continued safe driving. Regarding claim 17, Son as modified by Kimura and Giraldo and Hayashi and Lei teaches the method of claim 16, wherein the at least one sensor includes an environmental sensor, and the information relating to at least one of the environmental condition or the operating state of the vehicle includes a temperature of an ambient environment around the vehicle or a temperature associated with the at least one set of ECUs (Son [88]-[91] disclosing the ambient temperature in the environment around the vehicle included in the information relating to the environment, at least [119] disclosing the lidar, radar, camera as environmental sensors that collect the information). Regarding claim 18, Son as modified by Kimura and Giraldo and Hayashi and Lei teaches the method of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor includes an environmental sensor and wherein the information relating to at least one of the environmental condition or the operating state of the vehicle includes a traffic pattern associated with a location and predicted path of the vehicle ([0089]-[0091] disclosing the information including the traffic patterns, [0104]-[0106], [0117] disclosing a driving route and destination of the vehicle and a traffic pattern. At least [0119] disclosing the radar, lidar, camera as environmental sensors). Claims 9-11,15 are rejected for similar reasons as claims 1-3, 8, respectively, see above rejection. Claim 20 is rejected for similar reasons as claim 14, see above rejection. Claims 4, 12 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable by Son (WO2024075749) in view of Kimura (US20190351780) and Giraldo (US20230090996) and Hayashi (US20250178617) and Lei (US20190143915) and Rice (US20190105968). Regarding claim 4, Son as modified by Kimura and Giraldo and Hayashi and Lei teaches the method of claim 1, further comprising to selectively direct the fluid in the fluid passageway toward at least one ECU of the at least one set of ECUs based on the determined operating parameter (Son [127]-[137] disclosing selectively directing fluid towards the determined Ecu based on the chip being used, the parameter is interpreted as being the selected ECU and thus the fluid passes to cool it, the parameter could also be the part that reaches the cooling threshold predicted [134]). While Son as modified by Kimura and Hayashi and Lei does not teach operating a valve coupled to the at least one fluid line. Rice teaches operating a valve coupled to the at least one fluid line ([0079]-[[0080] disclosing a valve to be opened to allow the fluid coolant to pass to the fluid line to cool the device). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to combine the teaching of the bypass valve yielding predictable results and allowing the fluid to be passed through the valve based on a determined amount to allow a maximum amount of fluid to pass to cool the ECUs of Son as modified by Rice. Son already teaches the selective cooling thus the combination with the valve to allow to pass to the selected ECU is obvious yielding predictable results and efficiently cooling only the heated or predicted to heat chip. Claim 12 is rejected for similar reasons as claim 4, see above rejection. Response to Arguments Applicant’s arguments filed on 06/01/2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive. In response to applicant’s arguments regarding the amended independent claims, the combination of references as cited in claim 1 teaches the amended subject matter, see full rejection above. Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. The prior art cited in PTO-892 and not mentioned above disclose related devices and methods. US20220089193 disclosing predicting the overheating based on complexity of scene ahead, and reducing the speed to reduce the heating. US20230219582 disclosing cooling a camera and Lidar based on predicted conditions on route. US20240314983 disclosing determining a temperature range for the ECU based on a task and operating the coolant based on temperature exceeding that range. US11875191 disclosing cooling a data center that is generating heat separately. US20200409361 disclosing cooling a computer to not overheat. US20200238787 disclosing cooling a vehicle computer. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to MOHAMAD O EL SAYAH whose telephone number is (571)270-7734. The examiner can normally be reached on M-Th 6:30-4:30. 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, Ramon Mercado can be reached on (571) 270-5744. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. Information regarding the status of an application may be obtained from the Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system. Status information for published applications may be obtained from either Private PAIR or Public PAIR. Status information for unpublished applications is available through Private PAIR only. For more information about the PAIR system, see https://ppair-my.uspto.gov/pair/PrivatePair. Should you have questions on access to the Private PAIR system, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative or access to the automated information system, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. /MOHAMAD O EL SAYAH/Examiner, Art Unit 3658B
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Show 4 earlier events
Jan 23, 2026
Response Filed
Mar 31, 2026
Final Rejection mailed — §103
May 27, 2026
Examiner Interview Summary
May 27, 2026
Applicant Interview (Telephonic)
Jun 01, 2026
Response after Non-Final Action
Jun 23, 2026
Request for Continued Examination
Jul 01, 2026
Response after Non-Final Action
Aug 11, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12746668
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING A ROBOT
2y 0m to grant Granted Sep 29, 2026
Patent 12728524
DYNAMICALLY CONTROLLING DAMPING IN AN INDUSTRIAL ENVIRONMENT
2y 9m to grant Granted Sep 08, 2026
Patent 12728863
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A VEHICLE
2y 4m to grant Granted Sep 08, 2026
Patent 12728529
Method and System for Controlling Multiple Robots
2y 1m to grant Granted Sep 08, 2026
Patent 12728864
VEHICLE CONTROL DEVICE AND METHOD
2y 0m to grant Granted Sep 08, 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
75%
Grant Probability
79%
With Interview (+3.6%)
2y 7m (~3m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
High
PTA Risk
Based on 239 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

Sign in with your work email

Enter your email to receive a magic link. No password needed.

Personal email addresses (Gmail, Yahoo, etc.) are not accepted.

Free tier: 3 strategy analyses per month