Office Action Predictor
Last updated: April 16, 2026
Application No. 18/779,491

LIGHT DETECTION DEVICE

Non-Final OA §102
Filed
Jul 22, 2024
Examiner
WILLIAMS, DON J
Art Unit
2878
Tech Center
2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems
Assignee
Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
84%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
2y 8m
To Grant
89%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 84% — above average
84%
Career Allow Rate
743 granted / 888 resolved
+15.7% vs TC avg
Moderate +5% lift
Without
With
+5.4%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 8m
Avg Prosecution
12 currently pending
Career history
900
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.7%
-39.3% vs TC avg
§103
52.5%
+12.5% vs TC avg
§102
37.4%
-2.6% vs TC avg
§112
4.2%
-35.8% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 888 resolved cases

Office Action

§102
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 . 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. Claim(s) 1-9 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Denson Corporation (JP4432947B). As to claim 1, Denso Corporation discloses (fig. 1) a light detection device (100) comprising: a Fabry-Perot interference filter (130) having (fig. 2) a first mirror (134) and a second mirror (136) with a variable distance therebetween and provided with a light transmitting region (137) transmitting light (infrared rays, wavelength 2) corresponding to the distance (distance, the gap G of the cavity portion 137) between the first mirror (134) and the second mirror (136) on a predetermined line, (paragraph [0032]), a light detector (120) disposed on one side with respect to the Fabry-Perot interference filter (130) on the line and configured to detect light (infrared rays, wavelength 2) transmitted through the light transmitting region (137); a package (140) having an opening (144) positioned on the other side with respect to the Fabry-Perot interference filter (130) on the line and configured to accommodate the Fabry-Perot interference filter (130) and the light detector (120); a light transmitting member (145) provided in the package (140) such that the opening (144) is blocked; and a first band-pass filter (138) being a dielectric multilayer film (131, 132, 133) provided on a light emitting surface (upper surface of 138) of the light transmitting member (131, 132, 133, 138), wherein the light transmitting member (131, 132, 133, 138) is fixed to the package (140) with the first band-pass filter (138) interposed therebetween, (paragraphs [0026]-[0029], [0031]-[0032], [0034], [0037]). As to claim 2, Denso Corporation discloses (fig. 3) the light detector device (100) wherein the Fabry-Perot interference filter (130) and the light detector (120) are electrically connected (electrically connected) to an electrode pad (143) via a wiring (wiring not shown) in the package (140), the electrode pad (143) provided on an outer surface of the package (140), (paragraph [0033]). As to claim 3, Denso Corporation discloses (fig. 1) the light detector device (100) wherein the package (140) has a first surface (package 140 upper surface) on which the Fabry-Perot interference filter (130) is disposed, and a second surface (package 140 lower surface) located on the light transmitting member side (145) relative to the first surface (package 140 upper surface), and a wire (143) between a terminal (electrode, bonding wire not shown) of the Fabry-Perot interference filter (130) and the second surface (package 140 lower surface), (paragraphs [0033]-[0034], [0037]). As to claim 4, Denso Corporation discloses (fig. 1) the light detection device (100) wherein the light transmitting member (145) is disposed on a bottom surface of a widened portion of the opening (144) with the first band-pass filter (138) interposed therebetween, (paragraphs [0033]-[0034]). As to claim 5, Denso Corporation discloses (fig. 1) the light detection device (100) wherein a side surface of the light transmitting member (145) and a side surface of the widened portion face to each other with a gap (distance, the gap G of the cavity portion 137 or 144) interposed therebetween, (paragraphs [0032], [0034]). As to claim 6, Denso Corporation discloses (fig. 1) the light detection device (100) further comprising, (fig. 2) a second band-pass filter (135) provided on a light receiving surface (window portion 145 upper surface) of the light transmitting member (145), (paragraphs [0031], [0034]). As to claim 7, Denso Corporation discloses (fig. 1) the light detection device (100) wherein the wire (143) is separated from the first band-pass filter (138) with a gap (the gap, G, of the cavity portion 137, 144) interposed therebetween, (paragraphs [0032]-[0033]). As to claim 8, Denso Corporation discloses (fig. 1) the light detection device (100) wherein a material of the package (140) is ceramic or resin (adhesive), (paragraph [0033]). As to claim 9, Denso Corporation discloses (fig. 1) the light detection device (100) wherein the Fabry-Perot interference filter (130) is fixed (welded or adhesively fixed) to the package (140) with bonding member (bonding member not shown) interposed therebetween, (paragraph [0033]). Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to DON J WILLIAMS whose telephone number is (571)272-8538. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 8 a.m.-5 p.m.. 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, Georgia Epps can be reached at 571-272-2328. 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. /DON J WILLIAMS/Examiner, Art Unit 2878 /KEVIN K PYO/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2878
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Prosecution Timeline

Jul 22, 2024
Application Filed
Dec 30, 2025
Non-Final Rejection — §102
Apr 03, 2026
Response Filed

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
84%
Grant Probability
89%
With Interview (+5.4%)
2y 8m
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 888 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allow rate.

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