Prosecution Insights
Last updated: July 17, 2026
Application No. 18/920,181

MAGNETIC INDEXING SYSTEM FOR A DISPLAY

Non-Final OA §102
Filed
Oct 18, 2024
Priority
Nov 30, 2023 — EU 23213435.3
Examiner
COLLINS, JASON M
Art Unit
Tech Center
Assignee
Montres Breguet S.A.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
75%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
1y 0m
Est. Remaining
88%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 75% — above average
75%
Career Allowance Rate
386 granted / 517 resolved
+14.7% vs TC avg
Moderate +13% lift
Without
With
+13.0%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 9m
Avg Prosecution
17 currently pending
Career history
527
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§103
73.1%
+33.1% vs TC avg
§102
12.1%
-27.9% vs TC avg
§112
10.7%
-29.3% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 517 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 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. Claims 1-5 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Katsuhiko, JP S4842190 B1. Regarding claim 1, Katsuhiko discloses a magnetic indexing system for a display comprising: a structural element (9); a display (7) movably arranged relative to the structural element; a pair of magnetic elements (8, 13) including an anchoring portion (12) by which a first magnetic element (13) is fastened to the structural element and a second magnetic element (8) is fastened to the display (7), the magnetic elements being configured to cooperate with each other so as to generate a positioning torque of the display adapted to maintain the display in a predetermined angular position with respect to the structural element (Fig 2), the magnetic elements comprising an interaction portion by which they are intended to face each other, the interaction portion of the first or second magnetic element having a cross-section reduced relative to that of its anchoring portion (Fig 3), the interaction portion of the first or second magnetic element having an annular shoulder so as to form a central projection or having a triangular-shaped cross-section (Fig 4). Regarding claim 2, the interaction portion of the first or second magnetic element has two opposing inclined faces connected to each other by a median portion (Fig 4). Regarding claim 3, the interaction portion of the first or second magnetic element has a conical shape (Fig 4). Regarding claim 4, the interaction portion of the first or second magnetic element has an axisymmetrically conical shape (Fig 4). Regarding claim 5, the interaction portion of the first or second magnetic element has a pyramidal shape (Fig 4). Allowable Subject Matter Claim 6 is objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims. The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter: The prior art fails to disclose or reasonably suggest the claimed horological movement comprising the indexing system according to claim 1 and a roller display device, the structural element being formed by a flange and the display being formed by a roller comprising a support structure to which flaps are fastened movable in rotation. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to JASON COLLINS whose telephone number is (571)270-3994. The examiner can normally be reached 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM. 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, Renee Luebke can be reached at 571-272-2009. 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. /JASON M COLLINS/ Examiner, Art Unit 2831 /EDWIN A. LEON/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2831
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Oct 18, 2024
Application Filed
Jun 24, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §102 (current)

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VISUAL TIMER
1y 8m to grant Granted May 19, 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
75%
Grant Probability
88%
With Interview (+13.0%)
2y 9m (~1y 0m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 517 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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