Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 17, 2026
Application No. 18/782,859

NECK MOUNTED COMPUTING DEVICE AND SYSTEM

Non-Final OA §102
Filed
Jul 24, 2024
Examiner
MILLISER, THERON S
Art Unit
2841
Tech Center
2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems
Assignee
unknown
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
51%
Grant Probability
Moderate
1-2
OA Rounds
2y 11m
To Grant
83%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 51% of resolved cases
51%
Career Allow Rate
239 granted / 466 resolved
-16.7% vs TC avg
Strong +32% interview lift
Without
With
+32.0%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 11m
Avg Prosecution
25 currently pending
Career history
491
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.1%
-39.9% vs TC avg
§103
43.4%
+3.4% vs TC avg
§102
44.1%
+4.1% vs TC avg
§112
10.9%
-29.1% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 466 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 Objections Claims 6-28 are objected to under 37 CFR 1.75(c) as being in improper form because a multiple dependent claim should refer to other claims in the alternative only, and cannot depend from any other multiple dependent claim. See MPEP § 608.01(n). Accordingly, the claims 6-28 not been further treated on the merits. 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) 1-5 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Abreu (US 2007/0248238). Regarding claim 1 Abreu discloses: A computing device for mounting on a neck of a user, comprising: a housing (e.g. 20 FIG.1C); one or more processors mounted within the housing (e.g. described paragraph 0117]), the one or more processors configured for electrical connection with a head mounted device and configured to process data received from the head mounted device (e.g. described paragraph 0117]); one or more memories, mounted within the housing and coupled to the one or more processors (e.g. described paragraph [0120]); wherein the housing is configured to mount to the back of the user's neck (e.g. shown FIG.1B) and is shaped to occupy a volume that extends from the back of the user's neck away from the user's neck but that does not extend around the sides of the user's neck (e.g. shown FIG.1B). Regarding claim 2 Abreu discloses: a connector (e.g. 28, 32 FIG.1C) attached to the housing, wherein the connector is configured to connect the housing to a mounting element (e.g. 35 FIG.1C) and wherein the mounting element is configured to releasably mount the device on a wearable unit (e.g. indicated FIG.1C). Regarding claim 3 Abreu discloses: the mounting element, the computing device further comprising a guide mechanism (e.g. pins for 28, 32 FIG.1C) for guiding the connector into a corresponding portion of the mounting element which is shaped to receive the connector (e.g. indicated via arrow FIG.1C), such that the user can mount the computing device to the mounting element in use. Regarding claim 4 Abreu discloses: the guide mechanism comprises one or more channels configured to receive corresponding rail portions (e.g. at least four shown FIG.1C), wherein the connector is connected to the mounting element by a sliding motion (e.g. indicated via arrows FIG.1C). Regarding claim 5 Abreu discloses: the one or more channels are provided on the mounting element and the rail portions are provided on the connector (e.g. shown FIG.1C) or vice versa. Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. The additional references cited on the PTO-892 disclose similar wearable computer housings as those disclosed in the present application. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to THERON S MILLISER whose telephone number is (571)270-1800. The examiner can normally be reached 9-6. Limited examiner interviews are available. If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Imani N. Hayman can be reached at (571) 270-5528. 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. /THERON S MILLISER/Examiner, Art Unit 2841 /ANTHONY M HAUGHTON/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2841
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Jul 24, 2024
Application Filed
Jan 08, 2026
Non-Final Rejection — §102 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12575048
ELECTRONIC ASSEMBLY, CASING ASSEMBLY AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS
2y 5m to grant Granted Mar 10, 2026
Patent 12560978
Low Profile Device Hinge Assembly
2y 5m to grant Granted Feb 24, 2026
Patent 12560981
AUXILIARY DISPLAY SYSTEM
2y 5m to grant Granted Feb 24, 2026
Patent 12557227
FOLDABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICES
2y 5m to grant Granted Feb 17, 2026
Patent 12547221
HINGE ASSEMBLY AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE
2y 5m to grant Granted Feb 10, 2026
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
51%
Grant Probability
83%
With Interview (+32.0%)
2y 11m
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 466 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allow rate.

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