Prosecution Insights
Last updated: August 18, 2026
Application No. 18/900,359

CONTROL SYSTEM FOR HVAC BLOWER

Non-Final OA §112
Filed
Sep 27, 2024
Priority
Sep 29, 2023 — provisional 63/541,734
Examiner
BRADFORD, JONATHAN
Art Unit
3763
Tech Center
3700 — Mechanical Engineering & Manufacturing
Assignee
Tyco Fire & Security GmbH
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
76%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
10m
Est. Remaining
97%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 76% — above average
76%
Career Allowance Rate
898 granted / 1183 resolved
+5.9% vs TC avg
Strong +22% interview lift
Without
With
+21.5%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 8m
Avg Prosecution
37 currently pending
Career history
1201
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
1.7%
-38.3% vs TC avg
§103
49.0%
+9.0% vs TC avg
§102
19.2%
-20.8% vs TC avg
§112
26.1%
-13.9% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1183 resolved cases

Office Action

§112
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 § 112 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. The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph: The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention. Claims 4-6 and 19 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention. As to claim 4, as worded the claim is indefinite as the wording is convoluted and unclear. For examination purposes the claim is presumed to be written as follows: “The control system of claim 3, wherein the relay is a normally-closed switchthat blocks transmission of the fan input signal in response to receipt of the first stage cooling input signal As to claims 5-6, the claims are rejected due to dependence from claim 4. As to claim 19, as worded the claim is indefinite as the wording is convoluted and unclear. For examination purposes the claim is presumed to be written as follows: “The HVAC system of claim 18, comprising a normally-closed switch configured to concurrently receive the fan input signal and first stage cooling input signal transmitted via the thermostat, wherein the normally-closed switch is configured to transition that blocks transmission of the fan input signal in response to receipt of the first stage cooling input signal, Allowable Subject Matter Claims 1-3, 7-18, and 20 are allowed. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to JONATHAN BRADFORD whose telephone number is (571)270-5199. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday 8:00 - 4:00 ET. 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, Jerry-Daryl Fletcher can be reached at (571)270-5054. 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. /JONATHAN BRADFORD/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3763
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Sep 27, 2024
Application Filed
Jul 07, 2026
Request for Continued Examination
Jul 16, 2026
Response after Non-Final Action
Jul 21, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §112 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

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SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REFRIGERANT LEAKAGE DIAGNOSIS
2y 11m to grant Granted Aug 11, 2026
Patent 12698838
ELECTRO-MAGNETIC THERMAL CONTROL VALVE
3y 4m to grant Granted Aug 04, 2026
Patent 12698914
REFRIGERATION CYCLE DEVICE AND REFRIGERANT LEAKAGE DETERMINATION SYSTEM
2y 8m to grant Granted Aug 04, 2026
Patent 12698930
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2y 4m to grant Granted Aug 04, 2026
Patent 12697856
Thermal Management System for a Motor Vehicle
2y 5m to grant Granted Aug 04, 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
97%
With Interview (+21.5%)
2y 8m (~10m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 1183 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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