Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 18/781,058

DEVICE AND METHOD FOR FAILURE DIAGNOSIS OF IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICES

Non-Final OA §112
Filed
Jul 23, 2024
Examiner
SANGHERA, JAS A
Art Unit
2852
Tech Center
2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems
Assignee
Synaptics Incorporated
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
95%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
1y 11m
To Grant
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 95% — above average
95%
Career Allow Rate
1073 granted / 1134 resolved
+26.6% vs TC avg
Minimal +5% lift
Without
With
+4.9%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Fast prosecutor
1y 11m
Avg Prosecution
29 currently pending
Career history
1163
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
2.6%
-37.4% vs TC avg
§103
37.9%
-2.1% vs TC avg
§102
25.3%
-14.7% vs TC avg
§112
27.5%
-12.5% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1134 resolved cases

Office Action

§112
DETAILED ACTION Notice to Applicant 1. The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . 2. Claims 1-20 are pending. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112 3. 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. 4. Claims 14-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention. Per claim 14, the limitation “the first image data path” in line 10 lacks sufficient antecedent basis. Appropriate correction is required. To note, it appears that the limitation “a first image processing circuit” in line 9 of claim 14 should be revised to “a first image data path.” Claims 15-20 are consequently rejected due to their dependence on claim 14. Allowable Subject Matter 5. Claims 1-13 are deemed allowable. The following subject matter substantially disclosed in independent claims 1 and 10 is not believed to be taught or suggested by the prior art of record: test the plurality of image data paths in a first state in which a first setting is set on each of the plurality of image data paths, wherein the testing of the plurality of image data paths in the first state is based on a comparison of respective outputs of the plurality of image data paths; and test the plurality of image data paths in a second state in which a second setting is set on each of the plurality of image data paths, wherein the testing of the plurality of image data paths in the second state is based on a comparison of respective outputs of the plurality of image data paths, wherein the first image data path is configured to process a first image data stream with the first setting to provide a first processed image data stream to a first display device during a display operation; and wherein the second image data path is configured to process a second image data stream with the second setting to provide a second processed image data stream to a second display device during the display operation. To note, independent claim 14 which is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b), substantially includes the allowable subject matter disclosed in independent claims 1 and 10. Pertinent Prior Art 6. Okubo et al. – US 2018/0074778 This document discloses an image display system comprising a multi-window processor 130 having a test pattern generator 135 configured to generate test patterns that are provided to a plurality of displays 111. Different displays 111 display different test pattern images (Figs. 1-2; ¶35, 62). However, this document is silent on, in particular, the following feature substantially disclosed in independent claims 1, 10, and 14 of the present application: testing the plurality of image data paths in a first state in which a first setting is set on each of the plurality of image data paths, wherein the testing of the plurality of image data paths in the first state is based on a comparison of respective outputs of the plurality of image data paths; and testing the plurality of image data paths in a second state in which a second setting is set on each of the plurality of image data paths, wherein the testing of the plurality of image data paths in the second state is based on a comparison of respective outputs of the plurality of image data paths. Conclusion 7. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to JAS A. SANGHERA whose telephone number is (571)272-4787. The examiner can normally be reached M-Th, alt. Fri, 8-5 EST. 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, WALTER LINDSAY can be reached at (571) 272-1674. 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. /WALTER L LINDSAY JR/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2852 /JAS A SANGHERA/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2852
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Prosecution Timeline

Jul 23, 2024
Application Filed
Mar 10, 2026
Non-Final Rejection — §112 (current)

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Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
95%
Grant Probability
99%
With Interview (+4.9%)
1y 11m
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 1134 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allow rate.

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