Prosecution Insights
Last updated: August 14, 2026
Application No. 18/929,157

METHOD FOR OPERATING A NOISE REDUCTION UNIT

Non-Final OA §102
Filed
Oct 28, 2024
Priority
Apr 28, 2022 — DE 10 2022 204 180.1 +1 more
Examiner
KURR, JASON R
Art Unit
2695
Tech Center
2600 — Communications
Assignee
Brose Fahrzeugteile SE & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft Wuerzburg
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
75%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
8m
Est. Remaining
96%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 75% — above average
75%
Career Allowance Rate
540 granted / 716 resolved
+13.4% vs TC avg
Strong +20% interview lift
Without
With
+20.4%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 5m
Avg Prosecution
19 currently pending
Career history
733
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
5.2%
-34.8% vs TC avg
§103
44.9%
+4.9% vs TC avg
§102
28.4%
-11.6% vs TC avg
§112
15.7%
-24.3% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 716 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 In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status. 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. Claim(s) 1-9 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by True (US 20190088247 A1). With respect to claim 1, True discloses a method for operating a noise reduction unit (fig.1 #100) of a motor vehicle (fig.5 #500), which has a noise output device (fig.1 #141,142) and an active noise canceling unit (fig.1 #120)(Par.[0073-0074]), the method comprising: generating an active noise canceling signal (fig.1 #145; fig.4 #440; Par.[0123]) via the active noise canceling unit based on a received interference frequency of an actuator and other received operating data of the actuator (Par.[0119-0120] at step #410, inputs including acoustic data #325 from acoustic sensing devices #131,132, and operational data #335 indicative of operational characteristics of the vehicle are received for the generation of the noise cancellation signal #145; Par.[0101] a speed or interference frequency of an actuator such as an electric motor of the vehicle may be used in generating the noise cancellation signal; along with other operation data #335, see Par.[0086-0088]); and acting upon the noise output device (Par.[0077] noise cancellation signal #145 is provided to output means #141,142). With respect to claim 2, True discloses the method according to claim 1, wherein a sound signal is detected, on the basis of which, the active noise canceling signal is also generated (Par.[0074][0119] a sound signal is detected via noise signal input means #131,132). With respect to claim 3, True discloses the method according to claim 1, wherein a speed of the actuator is used as the interference frequency (Par.[0101]). With respect to claim 4, True discloses the method according to claim 1, wherein a position of the actuator is used as operating data (Par.[0026] a position of an aperture driven by actuator, such as an electric window, may be used as an operating condition for generating the noise cancellation signal). With respect to claim 5, True discloses the method according to claim 1, wherein a current or expected power parameter of the actuator is used as operating data (Par.[0086] “current engine speed or load” is a power parameter of the vehicle). With respect to claim 6, True discloses the method according to claim 1, wherein the operating data are the electrical operating data of the actuator (Par.[0101] “electric motor speed”). With respect to claim 7, True discloses the method according to claim 1, wherein a temperature of the actuator is used as operating data (Par.[0024-0025][0114]). With respect to claim 8, True discloses the method according to claim 1, wherein a time of determination of the interference frequency is used as operating data (Par.[0114] a time of flight of the noise is contemplated by active noise cancelling unit of True, therefore a reference time or “time of determination” of the noise/interference is must be considered to determine the time of flight). With respect to claim 9, True discloses a noise reduction unit of a motor vehicle comprising a noise output device and an active noise canceling unit, and which is operated according to the method according to claim 1 (See rejection of claim 1). Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Fischer et al (US 5748748) discloses a method for influencing oscillations in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle. Vaishya (US 20040086135 A1) discloses an active noise control system using pure feedforward method with order based offline calibration. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to JASON R KURR whose telephone number is (571)270-5981. The examiner can normally be reached M-F: 9-5. 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, Vivian Chin can be reached at (571-272-7848. 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 R. KURR Primary Examiner Art Unit 2695 /JASON R KURR/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2695
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Prosecution Timeline

Oct 28, 2024
Application Filed
Jul 22, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §102 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

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ACOUSTIC DEVICES AND METHODS FOR DETERMINING TRANSFER FUNCTIONS THEREOF
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Patent 12689855
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Patent 12684304
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Patent 12673594
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3y 0m to grant Granted Jul 07, 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
96%
With Interview (+20.4%)
2y 5m (~8m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 716 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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