Last updated: July 17, 2026

Application No. 18/849,515

SOUND REPRODUCTION DEVICE

Non-Final OA

Filed

Sep 22, 2024

Priority

Mar 31, 2022 — JP 2022-060601 +1 more

Examiner

ZHU, QIN

Art Unit

2691

Tech Center

2600 — Communications

Assignee

Sony Group Corporation

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +2.9% interview lift. Interview lift (+2.9%) is below the 15.0% threshold. A written response is recommended.

Based on 625 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

ZHU, QIN View full profile →

Grants 88% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

547 granted / 625 resolved

+25.5% vs TC avg

Minimal +3% lift

Without

With

+2.9%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Fast prosecutor

1y 11m

Avg Prosecution

13 currently pending

Career history

649

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

1.3%

-38.7% vs TC avg

§103

80.7%

+40.7% vs TC avg

§102

7.3%

-32.7% vs TC avg

§112

5.1%

-34.9% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 625 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Sep 22, 2024

Application Filed

Jun 01, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

18/447,201

Patent 12684308

CROSSTALK CANCELLATION FOR REVERBERANT ACOUSTIC FIELDS

2y 11m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

18/762,225

Patent 12684283

MICRO SPEAKER STRUCTURE WITH ACOUSTIC MESH

2y 0m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

18/374,221

Patent 12677108

ACOUSTIC REPRODUCTION METHOD, RECORDING MEDIUM, AND ACOUSTIC REPRODUCTION DEVICE

2y 9m to grant Granted Jul 07, 2026

18/288,107

Patent 12666216

INFORMATION PROCESSING DEVICE, INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD, AND PROGRAM

2y 8m to grant Granted Jun 23, 2026

18/652,834

Patent 12664996

Short-cycle frequency detector

2y 1m to grant Granted Jun 23, 2026

Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

Strategy Recommendation AI-generated — please review before filing

Get a prosecution strategy drawn from examiner precedents, rejection analysis, and claim mapping.

Typically takes 5-10 seconds — AI-generated, attorney review required before filing

Prosecution Projections

1-2

Expected OA Rounds

88%

Grant Probability

90%

With Interview (+2.9%)

1y 11m (~1m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 625 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.