Prosecution Insights
Last updated: July 17, 2026
Application No. 18/814,298

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REAL-TIME VISUALIZATION OF DEFECTS IN A MATERIAL

Non-Final OA §101
Filed
Aug 23, 2024
Priority
Mar 30, 2020 — provisional 63/001,608 +8 more
Examiner
ZHONG, XIN Y
Art Unit
Tech Center
Assignee
Verifi Technologies LLC
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
76%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
10m
Est. Remaining
92%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 76% — above average
76%
Career Allowance Rate
480 granted / 629 resolved
+16.3% vs TC avg
Strong +15% interview lift
Without
With
+15.3%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 9m
Avg Prosecution
18 currently pending
Career history
647
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.7%
-39.3% vs TC avg
§103
86.0%
+46.0% vs TC avg
§102
2.9%
-37.1% vs TC avg
§112
9.1%
-30.9% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 629 resolved cases

Office Action

§101
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 A rejection based on double patenting of the “same invention” type finds its support in the language of 35 U.S.C. 101 which states that “whoever invents or discovers any new and useful process... may obtain a patent therefor...” (Emphasis added). Thus, the term “same invention,” in this context, means an invention drawn to identical subject matter. See Miller v. Eagle Mfg. Co., 151 U.S. 186 (1894); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); In re Ockert, 245 F.2d 467, 114 USPQ 330 (CCPA 1957). A statutory type (35 U.S.C. 101) double patenting rejection can be overcome by canceling or amending the claims that are directed to the same invention so they are no longer coextensive in scope. The filing of a terminal disclaimer cannot overcome a double patenting rejection based upon 35 U.S.C. 101. Claims 1-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 as claiming the same invention as that of claims 1-20 of prior U.S. Patent No. 12072315. This is a statutory double patenting rejection. Claims 1-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 as claiming the same invention as that of claims 1-19 of prior U.S. Patent No. 11619611. This is a statutory double patenting rejection. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to XIN Y ZHONG whose telephone number is (571)272-3798. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 9 a.m. - 6 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, Kristina Deherrera can be reached at 303-297-4237. 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. /XIN Y ZHONG/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2855
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Aug 23, 2024
Application Filed
Jun 24, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §101 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12680928
THIN FILM SPECIMEN FOR TENSILE TEST AND PHYSICAL PROPERTY EVALUATION METHOD FOR THIN FILM SPECIMEN
4y 2m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026
Patent 12680982
ELASTIC WAVE RADAR DETECTION DEVICE AND METHOD
2y 10m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026
Patent 12674693
Method for operating a magnetic-inductive flowmeter and a corresponding magnetic-inductive flowmeter
2y 5m to grant Granted Jul 07, 2026
Patent 12669479
ULTRASONIC SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING AND CHARACTERIZING CONTACT DELAMINATIONS
2y 8m to grant Granted Jun 30, 2026
Patent 12656158
VIBRONIC MEASURING SYSTEM
3y 6m to grant Granted Jun 16, 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
76%
Grant Probability
92%
With Interview (+15.3%)
2y 9m (~10m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 629 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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