Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 02, 2026
Application No. 18/745,770

Methods and Systems for Managing the Reconfiguration of Metal Detectors

Non-Final OA §DOUBLEPATENT
Filed
Jun 17, 2024
Examiner
RHODES-VIVOUR, TEMILADE S
Art Unit
2858
Tech Center
2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems
Assignee
Garrett Electronics Inc.
OA Round
2 (Non-Final)
89%
Grant Probability
Favorable
2-3
OA Rounds
2m
Est. Remaining
96%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 89% — above average
89%
Career Allowance Rate
730 granted / 823 resolved
+20.7% vs TC avg
Moderate +8% lift
Without
With
+7.6%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 6m
Avg Prosecution
19 currently pending
Career history
832
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.9%
-39.1% vs TC avg
§103
53.4%
+13.4% vs TC avg
§102
39.8%
-0.2% vs TC avg
§112
4.9%
-35.1% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 823 resolved cases

Office Action

§DOUBLEPATENT
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 . Double Patenting Claims 1, 8 and 15 is rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claim 1 of instant application 18/745,770 in view of claims 1, 10 and 19 of US PUB 2025/0383469 and further in view of Stamatescu et al. (US PUB 2005/0062476), hereinafter Stamatescu. Although the claims are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because they encompass substantially similar subject matter. App No. 18/745,770 US PUB 2025/0383469 Claim 1. A method of managing reconfiguration of user-reconfigurable metal detectors, comprising: generating a set of available features associated with a user-reconfigurable metal detector based on a set of capabilities associated with hardware components of the user-reconfigurable metal detector; selecting a first set of features from the set of available features associated with the user-reconfigurable metal detector to include in a first product profile configured to enable a first classification of metal detecting operations of the user-reconfigurable metal detector; selecting a second set of features from the set of available features associated with the user- reconfigurable metal detector to include in a second product profile configured to enable a second classification of metal detecting operations of the user-reconfigurable metal detector different from the first classification of metal detecting operations; configuring the user-reconfigurable metal detector with the first product profile; receiving a request to reconfigure the user-reconfigurable metal detector, wherein the request to reconfigure the user-reconfigurable metal detector includes a request to replace the first product profile with the second product profile, and reconfiguring the user-reconfigurable metal detector to replace the first product profile with the second product profile. Claim 1. A method of reconfiguring a metal detector, comprising: configuring a metal detector with a current product profile, wherein the current product profile includes a first set of features selected from a set of available features associated with the metal detector, the set of available features constructed from a set of capabilities associated with hardware components of the metal detector, wherein the current product profile facilitates a first classification of metal detecting operations of the metal detector; receiving a request, via an update system, to reconfigure the metal detector, wherein the request to reconfigure the metal detector includes a request to modify the current product profile; validating the request to reconfigure the metal detector via the update system; and reconfiguring, in response to a successful validation of the request to reconfigure the metal detector, the metal detector to modify the current product profile based on the validated request to reconfigure, wherein the modified current product profile facilitates a second classification of metal detecting operations of the metal detector. Claim 8. A system configured for managing reconfiguration of user-reconfigurable metal detectors, comprising: at least one processor; and a memory operably coupled to the at least one processor and storing processor-readable code that, when executed by the at least one processor, is configured to perform operations including: generating a set of available features associated with a user-reconfigurable metal detector based on a set of capabilities associated with hardware components of the user- reconfigurable metal detector; selecting a first set of features from the set of available features associated with the user-reconfigurable metal detector to include in a first product profile configured to enable a first classification of metal detecting operations of the user-reconfigurable metal detector; selecting a second set of features from the set of available features associated with the user-reconfigurable metal detector to include in a second product profile configured to enable a second classification of metal detecting operations of the user-reconfigurable metal detector different from the first classification of metal detecting operations; configuring the user-reconfigurable metal detector with the first product profile; receiving a request to reconfigure the user-reconfigurable metal detector, wherein the request to reconfigure the user-reconfigurable metal detector includes a request to replace the first product profile with the second product profile, and reconfiguring the user-reconfigurable metal detector to replace the first product profile with the second product profile. Claim 10. A system configured for reconfiguring a metal detector, comprising: at least one processor; and a memory operably coupled to the at least one processor and storing processor-readable code that, when executed by the at least one processor, is configured to perform operations including: configuring a metal detector with a current product profile, wherein the current product profile includes a first set of features selected from a set of available features associated with the metal detector, the set of available features constructed from a set of capabilities associated with hardware components of the metal detector, wherein the current product profile facilitates a first classification of metal detecting operations of the metal detector; receiving a request, via an update system, to reconfigure the metal detector, wherein the request to reconfigure the metal detector includes a request to modify the current product profile; validating the request to reconfigure the metal detector via the update system; and reconfiguring, in response to a successful validation of the request to reconfigure the metal detector, the metal detector to modify the current product profile based on the validated request to reconfigure, wherein the modified current product profile facilitates a second classification of metal detecting operations of the metal detector. Claim 15. A computer-based tool for managing reconfiguration of user-reconfigurable metal detectors, the computer-based tool including non-transitory computer readable media having stored thereon computer code which, when executed by a processor, causes a computing device to perform operations comprising: generating a set of available features associated with a user-reconfigurable metal detector based on a set of capabilities associated with hardware components of the user-reconfigurable metal detector; selecting a first set of features from the set of available features associated with the user-reconfigurable metal detector to include in a first product profile configured to enable a first classification of metal detecting operations of the user-reconfigurable metal detector; selecting a second set of features from the set of available features associated with the user- reconfigurable metal detector to include in a second product profile configured to enable a second classification of metal detecting operations of the user-reconfigurable metal detector different from the first classification of metal detecting operations; configuring the user-reconfigurable metal detector with the first product profile; receiving a request to reconfigure the user-reconfigurable metal detector, wherein the request to reconfigure the user-reconfigurable metal detector includes a request to replace the first product profile with the second product profile, and reconfiguring the user-reconfigurable metal detector to replace the first product profile with the second product profile. Claim 19. A computer-based tool for reconfiguring a metal detector, the computer-based tool including non-transitory computer readable media having stored thereon computer code which, when executed by a processor, causes a computing device to perform operations comprising: configuring a metal detector with a current product profile, wherein the current product profile includes a first set of features selected from a set of available features associated with the metal detector, the set of available features constructed from a set of capabilities associated with hardware components of the metal detector, wherein the current product profile facilitates a first classification of metal detecting operations of the metal detector; receiving a request, via an update system, to reconfigure the metal detector, wherein the request to reconfigure the metal detector includes a request to modify the current product profile; validating the request to reconfigure the metal detector via the update system; and reconfiguring, in response to a successful validation of the request to reconfigure the metal detector, the metal detector to modify the current product profile based on the validated request to reconfigure, wherein the modified current product profile facilitates a second classification of metal detecting operations of the metal detector. But fails to disclose the user-reconfigurable metal detector. However, Stamatescu does disclose a user-reconfigurable metal detector (See paragraphs [0007] and [0013] of Stamatescu). Furthermore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to modify the device disclosed by US PUB 2025/0383469 to include the feature disclosed by Stamatescu because doing so enables adaptive sensing capabilities. Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. US PUB 2007/0030141 discloses a metal detector. US PUB 2005/0062476 discloses a metal detector for detecting metal targets, generates transmit search signal, allows selection of operating parameters based on data stored in memory, and allows modification of stored data based on data in external store. US PAT 9,582,781 discloses a real-time adaptive operations performance management system using event clusters and trained models. . Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to TEMILADE S RHODES-VIVOUR whose telephone number is (571)270-5814. The examiner can normally be reached M-F (flex schedule). 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, Huy Phan can be reached at 571-272-7924. 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. /TEMILADE S RHODES-VIVOUR/Examiner, Art Unit 2858 /GIOVANNI ASTACIO-OQUENDO/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2858 8/7/2026
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Prosecution Timeline

Jun 17, 2024
Application Filed
Jun 02, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §DOUBLEPATENT
Jun 29, 2026
Response Filed
Aug 11, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §DOUBLEPATENT (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

2-3
Expected OA Rounds
89%
Grant Probability
96%
With Interview (+7.6%)
2y 6m (~2m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Moderate
PTA Risk
Based on 823 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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