Prosecution Insights
Last updated: May 29, 2026
Application No. 18/751,842

IN-VEHICLE CHARGING DEVICE

Non-Final OA §102
Filed
Jun 24, 2024
Priority
Aug 01, 2023 — JP 2023-125373
Examiner
YESHAW, ESAYAS G
Art Unit
2849
Tech Center
2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems
Assignee
Aisin Corporation
OA Round
2 (Non-Final)
87%
Grant Probability
Favorable
2-3
OA Rounds
5m
Est. Remaining
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 87% — above average
87%
Career Allowance Rate
573 granted / 659 resolved
+18.9% vs TC avg
Moderate +13% lift
Without
With
+12.6%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 4m
Avg Prosecution
21 currently pending
Career history
700
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.2%
-39.8% vs TC avg
§103
73.3%
+33.3% vs TC avg
§102
23.0%
-17.0% vs TC avg
§112
0.3%
-39.7% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 659 resolved cases

Office Action

§102
DETAILED ACTION The office action is in response to application filed on 9-5-25. Claims 1-6 are pending in the application and have been examined. 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 Double Patenting The Double patenting is withdrawn. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102 The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action: A person shall be entitled to a patent unless – (a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention. Claims 1-6 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102 (a) (1) as being anticipated by US 2012/0299535 to JANUSCHEVSKI et al. (“JANUSCHEVSKI”). Regarding claim 1, JANUSCHEVSKI discloses an in-vehicle charging device that is mounted on a vehicle including a rotating electrical machine (figs. 1-2 electrical charging system (1) for a motor vehicle) that includes coils of multiple phases (U, V and W) connected to each other at a neutral point (7N) (center 4) and serves as a driving power source of a wheel (vehicle), an inverter (inverter 3) that converts power between a direct current (DC) and an alternating current (AC) of multiple phases, and a DC power supply connected to the rotating electrical machine via the inverter, and charges the DC power supply with power supplied from an external AC power supply, the in-vehicle charging device comprising: an AC-DC converter (para; 0017, first current path section through phase windings of the rotating field machine to the rectifier) that converts power between AC power on the external AC power supply side and first DC power; and a DC-DC converter that converts power between the first DC power and second DC power on the DC power supply side (para; 0022, step-up converter), wherein the AC-DC converter includes a current source active rectifier having a power factor correct function, the DC-DC converter includes a chopper circuit including a reactor disposed on the AC-DC converter side and a half-bridge circuit disposed on the DC power supply side, the reactor is configured using a plurality of the coils (figs. 1-2), the half-bridge circuit is configured using the inverter (para; 0010, inverter preferably comprises a B6 bridge circuit in each of whose half-bridges are arranged two power switches together with associated freewheel diodes), and the current source active rectifier includes a bidirectional switching device (fig. 2, S1 and S2). Regarding claim 2, JANUSCHEVSKI discloses the reactor includes a series circuit of a plurality of the coils connected in parallel (4) and an inductor (Le) connected to the neutral point (7N) of the plurality of the coils (fig. 1, center of U, V, W). Regarding claim 3, JANUSCHEVSKI discloses the reactor is disposed between the AC-DC converter and the inverter via a contactor that disconnects electrical connection (U, V and W). Regarding claim 4, JANUSCHEVSKI discloses the external AC power supply that supplies a single-phase AC and the external AC power supply that supplies an AC of multiple phases are selectively connectable (paras; 0008-0010). Regarding claim 5, JANUSCHEVSKI discloses the external AC power supply that supplies a single-phase AC and the external AC power supply that supplies an AC of multiple phases are selectively connectable (paras; 0008-0010). Regarding claim 6, JANUSCHEVSKI discloses the external AC power supply that supplies a single-phase AC and the external AC power supply that supplies an AC of multiple phases are selectively connectable (paras; 0008-0010). Response to argument Applicant’s argument filed on 9-5-25 with respect to claims 1-6 has been fully considered but are moot in view of the new grounds of rejection. Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Iwahori US 2013/0002186 A1- A power converter that is capable of ensuring a conduction current without expanding the configuration of a DC voltage conversion circuit such as a DC chopper. Power can be supplied from both a DC chopper and a voltage source rectifier converting AC power into DC power, to a voltage source inverter. The voltage source rectifier has an upper arm part and a lower arm part having switching elements. The voltage source rectifier converts AC power obtained from an alternator into DC power, performs a DC chopper operation using the upper and lower arms thereof and a winding wire of the alternator, and supplies power of a DC power source to the voltage source inverter. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ESAYAS G YESHAW whose telephone number is (571)270-1959. The examiner can normally be reached Mon-Sat 9AM-7PM. 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, RExford Barine can be reached at 5712722391. 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. /ESAYAS G YESHAW/Examiner, Art Unit 2836 /REXFORD N BARNIE/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2836
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Jun 24, 2024
Application Filed
Jun 09, 2025
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §102
Sep 05, 2025
Response Filed
Dec 03, 2025
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §102
Feb 12, 2026
Examiner Interview Summary
Feb 12, 2026
Applicant Interview (Telephonic)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12640457
Controllable Electrical Outlet Having a Resonant Loop Antenna
2y 3m to grant Granted May 26, 2026
Patent 12640568
POWER SUPPLY AND DEMAND SYNCHRONIZATION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MODULAR MULTI-PORT SYSTEM
9m to grant Granted May 26, 2026
Patent 12609537
POWER CONVERSION SYSTEM AND AUXILIARY POWER SUPPLYING METHOD THEREOF
2y 5m to grant Granted Apr 21, 2026
Patent 12603457
PLUG-IN CONTACT DEVICE FOR PREVENTING AN ARC WHEN SEPARATING A DIRECT CURRENT CONNECTION
3y 1m to grant Granted Apr 14, 2026
Patent 12603565
Integrated Multi-Port Generator-Rectifier Device and Method
3y 1m to grant Granted Apr 14, 2026
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
87%
Grant Probability
99%
With Interview (+12.6%)
2y 4m (~5m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Moderate
PTA Risk
Based on 659 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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