Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 18/917,088

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MANAGING CONTENT DISTRIBUTION TO AN IN-TRANSIT MEDIA SYSTEM

Non-Final OA §112
Filed
Oct 16, 2024
Examiner
LE, RONG
Art Unit
2421
Tech Center
2400 — Computer Networks
Assignee
Viasat, Inc.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
68%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
3y 4m
To Grant
98%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 68% — above average
68%
Career Allow Rate
295 granted / 435 resolved
+9.8% vs TC avg
Strong +30% interview lift
Without
With
+29.7%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 4m
Avg Prosecution
34 currently pending
Career history
469
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
5.3%
-34.7% vs TC avg
§103
58.2%
+18.2% vs TC avg
§102
13.8%
-26.2% vs TC avg
§112
11.1%
-28.9% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 435 resolved cases

Office Action

§112
Mv,kl.vy,mlDETAILED 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 . Miscellaneous Claims pending: 1-15, 27-30, 32-42, Claims elected: 1-15, 27-30, Claims amended: 5, Claims cancelled: 16-26, 31, New claims: 32-42 Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112 The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of 35 U.S.C. 112: The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention. Claims 1-15, 27-30, 32-42, are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112, first paragraph, as failing to comply with the written description requirement. The claim(s) contains subject matter which was not described in the specification in such a way as to reasonably convey to one skilled in the relevant art that the inventor(s), at the time the application was filed, had possession of the claimed invention. Claims 1, 27, states that the “…in response to obtaining the indication that the media buffer does not satisfy the threshold: scheduling transmission of previously delayed linear media channel packets, the network traffic packets and the linear media channel packets to the media delivery system on the craft, the transmission of the linear media channel packets and the previously delayed linear media channel packets scheduled according to an information rate exceeding the determined available information rate.” However, fig 4, steps 416, 418, 420, 422, and P. 72-76, appears to support different steps after determine the buffer is not satisfying the threshold, and the claim language is not being supported within anywhere else within the figures and written disclosure. Further action is required. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to RONG LE whose telephone number is (571)270-7637. The examiner can normally be reached M-F (9 am - 6pm). 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, Nathan Flynn can be reached at 5712721915. 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. /RONG LE/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2421
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Oct 16, 2024
Application Filed
Feb 12, 2026
Non-Final Rejection — §112 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12598657
Projection Connection Control Method And Electronic Device
2y 5m to grant Granted Apr 07, 2026
Patent 12581141
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CUSTOMISATION OF MEDIA INFORMATION
2y 5m to grant Granted Mar 17, 2026
Patent 12574589
Signaling for Picture In Picture In Media Container File and In Streaming Manifest
2y 5m to grant Granted Mar 10, 2026
Patent 12574604
PROGRAM GUIDE WITH SPOILER PREVENTION
2y 5m to grant Granted Mar 10, 2026
Patent 12574583
DISPLAY APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PERSON RECOGNITION AND PRESENTATION
2y 5m to grant Granted Mar 10, 2026
Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

AI Strategy Recommendation

Get an AI-powered prosecution strategy using examiner precedents, rejection analysis, and claim mapping.
Powered by AI — typically takes 5-10 seconds

Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
68%
Grant Probability
98%
With Interview (+29.7%)
3y 4m
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 435 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allow rate.

Sign in with your work email

Enter your email to receive a magic link. No password needed.

Personal email addresses (Gmail, Yahoo, etc.) are not accepted.

Free tier: 3 strategy analyses per month