Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 27, 2026
Application No. 18/932,730

MULTILAYER CERAMIC ELECTRONIC COMPONENT AND MOUNTING STRUCTURE OF MULTILAYER CERAMIC ELECTRONIC COMPONENT

Final Rejection §103§112
Filed
Oct 31, 2024
Priority
Jul 22, 2022 — JP 2022-117485 +1 more
Examiner
THOMAS, ERIC W
Art Unit
2847
Tech Center
2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems
Assignee
Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
OA Round
2 (Final)
83%
Grant Probability
Favorable
3-4
OA Rounds
3m
Est. Remaining
81%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 83% — above average
83%
Career Allowance Rate
1065 granted / 1288 resolved
+14.7% vs TC avg
Minimal -2% lift
Without
With
+-1.9%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 3m
Avg Prosecution
31 currently pending
Career history
1328
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
1.3%
-38.7% vs TC avg
§103
51.0%
+11.0% vs TC avg
§102
30.9%
-9.1% vs TC avg
§112
8.9%
-31.1% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1288 resolved cases

Office Action

§103 §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 . Response to Arguments Applicant’s arguments with respect to claim(s) 1-19 have been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection does not rely on any reference applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument. 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 2-3, 8-15, and 17-18 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. Claim 2, line 2, the limitation, “a fired layer” is confusing. Is this in addition to the fired layer already claimed? Claim 8, line 2, the limitation, “a conductive resin layer” is confusing. Is this in addition to the conductive resin layer already claimed? Claim 10, line 2, the limitation, “a fired layer” is confusing. Is this in addition to the fired layer already claimed? Claim 12, line 2, the limitation, “a conductive resin layer” is confusing. Is this in addition to the conductive resin layer already claimed? Claim 14, line 2, the limitation, “a conductive resin layer” is confusing. Is this in addition to the conductive resin layer already claimed? Claim 17, line 2, the limitation, “a conductive resin layer” is confusing. Is this in addition to the conductive resin layer already claimed? Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103 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 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action: A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made. The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows: 1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art. 2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue. 3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art. 4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness. This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any evidence to the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the later invention in order for the examiner to consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) prior art against the later invention. Claim(s) 1-4, 6 and 16 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Hoshi et al. (JP H11-251178A) in view of Iguchi et al. (US 2021/0366654 A1). PNG media_image1.png 250 554 media_image1.png Greyscale Regarding claim 1, Hoshi et al. disclose in fig. 3-4, a multilayer ceramic electronic component comprising: a multilayer body including a plurality of laminated ceramic layers (20), a plurality of laminated internal electrode layers (21, 22), a first main surface (27) and a second main surface (28) opposing each other in a lamination direction (top-bottom), a first side surface (29) and a second side surface (30) opposing each other in a width direction (front – back) orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the lamination direction, and a first end surface (31) and a second end surface (32) opposing each other in a length direction (left-right) orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the lamination direction and the width direction; and a plurality of external electrodes (23-26); wherein the plurality of internal electrode layers (21, 22) include: first internal electrode layers (22) alternately laminated with the plurality of ceramic layers (20) and exposed to the first end surface (31) and the second end surface (32); and second internal electrode layers (21) alternately laminated with the plurality of ceramic layers (20) and exposed to the first side surface (29) and the second side surface (30); the plurality of external electrodes (23-26) include: a first external electrode (25) and a second external electrode (26) connected to the first internal electrode layers (22); and a third external electrode (23) and a fourth external electrode (24) connected to the second internal electrode layers (21). Hoshi et al. disclose the claimed invention except for each of the first external electrode and the second external electrode includes a base electrode layer that is a fired layer or a conductive resin layer, and the base electrode layer includes a dense region where an area ratio of a conductive component is high and a sparse region where an area ratio of the conductive component is lower than the area ratio of the conductive component of the dense region; an area ratio of the conductive component in the dense region is about 80 % to about 85 % with respect to an area of the dense region; a thickness of the dense region in the length direction of the multilayer body is about 30 % to about 50% of the thickness of the corresponding base electrode layer in the length direction of the multilayer body; and the dense region is located closer to a multilayer body side than the sparse region. PNG media_image2.png 448 622 media_image2.png Greyscale PNG media_image3.png 470 442 media_image3.png Greyscale Iguchi et al. disclose in fig. 1-2, a multilayer ceramic component comprising an external electrode wherein the external electrode comprises a base electrode layer (41, 42) that is a fired layer, and the base electrode layer (41, 42) includes a dense region (41) where an area ratio of a conductive component is high ([0048], table 3) and a sparse region (42) where an area ratio of the conductive component is lower than the area ratio of the conductive component of the dense region ([0048], table 3); an area ratio of the conductive component in the dense region is about 80 % to about 85 % with respect to an area of the dense region [0048]; a thickness of the dense region (41) in the length direction of the multilayer body is about 30 % to about 50% of the thickness of the corresponding base electrode layer (41, 42 – Fig. 2 – [0043]) in the length direction of the multilayer body; and the dense region (41) is located closer to a multilayer body side than the sparse region. It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in external electrode art before the effective filing date of the invention to modify the multilayer ceramic component of Hoshi et al. so that each of the first external electrode and the second external electrode includes a base electrode layer that is a fired layer or a conductive resin layer, and the base electrode layer includes a dense region where an area ratio of a conductive component is high and a sparse region where an area ratio of the conductive component is lower than the area ratio of the conductive component of the dense region; an area ratio of the conductive component in the dense region is about 80 % to about 85 % with respect to an area of the dense region; a thickness of the dense region in the length direction of the multilayer body is about 30 % to about 50% of the thickness of the corresponding base electrode layer in the length direction of the multilayer body; and the dense region is located closer to a multilayer body side than the sparse region as taught by Iguchi et al., since such a modification would form a multilayer ceramic component having improved reliability and moisture resistance. Regarding claim 2, the modified Hoshi et al. disclose the base electrode layer is the fired layer [0076] including a metal component [0045], [0052] and a glass component [0046], [0062]. Regarding claim 3, the modified Hoshi et al. disclose the glass component includes at least one of B, Si, Ba, Mg, Al, and Li [0046], [0052]. Regarding claim 4, the modified Hoshi et al. disclose an area ratio of the conductive component in the sparse region is between 60 to 90 % (table 3). In the case where the claimed ranges “overlap or lie inside ranges disclosed by the prior art” a prima facie case of obviousness exists. In re Wertheim, 541 F.2d 257, 191 USPQ 90 (CCPA 1976); In re Woodruff, 919 F.2d 1575, 16 USPQ2d 1934 (Fed. Cir. 1990) Regarding claim 6, Hoshi et al. disclose a multilayer ceramic electronic component comprising: a multilayer body including a plurality of laminated ceramic layers (20), a plurality of laminated internal electrode layers (21, 22), a first main surface (27) and a second main surface (28) opposing each other in a lamination direction, a first side surface (31) and a second side surface (32) opposing each other in a width direction orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the lamination direction, and a first end surface (29) and a second end surface (30) opposing each other in a length direction orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the lamination direction and the width direction; and a plurality of external electrodes (23-26); wherein the plurality of internal electrode layers (21, 22) include: first internal electrode layers (21) alternately laminated with the plurality of ceramic layers (20) and exposed to the first end surface (29) and the second end surface (30); and a plurality second internal electrode layers (22) alternately laminated with the plurality of ceramic layers (20) and exposed to the first side surface (31) and the second side surface (32); the plurality of external electrodes (23-26) include: a first external electrode (23) and a second external electrode (24) connected to the first internal electrode layers (21); and a third external electrode (25) and a fourth external electrode (26) connected to the second internal electrode layers (22). Hoshi et al. disclose the claimed invention except for each of the third external electrode and the fourth external electrode includes a base electrode layer that is a fired or a conductive resin layer, and the base electrode layer includes a dense region where an area ratio of a conductive component is high and a sparse region where an area ratio of the conductive component is lower than the area ratio of the conductive component of the dense region; and an area ratio of the conductive component in the dense region is about 80% to about 85% with respect to an area of the dense region; and the dense region is located closer to a multilayer body side than the sparse region. Iguchi et al. disclose in fig. 1-2, a multilayer ceramic component comprising an external electrode wherein the external electrode comprises a base electrode layer (41, 42) that is a fired layer, and the base electrode layer (41, 42) includes a dense region (41) where an area ratio of a conductive component is high ([0048], table 3) and a sparse region (42) where an area ratio of the conductive component is lower than the area ratio of the conductive component of the dense region ([0048], table 3); an area ratio of the conductive component in the dense region is about 80 % to about 85 % with respect to an area of the dense region [0048]; and the dense region (41) is located closer to a multilayer body side than the sparse region. It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in external electrode art before the effective filing date of the invention to modify the multilayer ceramic component of Hoshi et al. so that each of the third external electrode and the fourth external electrode includes a base electrode layer that is a fired or a conductive resin layer, and the base electrode layer includes a dense region where an area ratio of a conductive component is high and a sparse region where an area ratio of the conductive component is lower than the area ratio of the conductive component of the dense region; and an area ratio of the conductive component in the dense region is about 80% to about 85% with respect to an area of the dense region; and the dense region is located closer to a multilayer body side than the sparse region as taught by Iguchi et al., since such a modification would form a multilayer ceramic component having improved reliability and moisture resistance. Regarding claim 16, the modified Hoshi et al. (Iguchi et al.) disclose a thickness of the dense region (41) in the length direction of the multilayer body is about 30 % to about 50% of the thickness of the corresponding base electrode layer (41, 42 – Fig. 2 – [0043]) in the length direction of the multilayer body. Claim(s) 5, 7, 10-11, and 19 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Hoshi et al. (JP H11251178A) in view of Iguchi et al. (US 2021/0366654 A1) and Oh et al (US 2018/0350521). PNG media_image1.png 250 554 media_image1.png Greyscale Regarding claim 5, Hoshi et al. disclose in fig. 3-4, a multilayer ceramic electronic component comprising: a multilayer body including a plurality of laminated ceramic layers (20), a plurality of laminated internal electrode layers (21, 22), a first main surface (27) and a second main surface (28) opposing each other in a lamination direction (top-bottom), a first side surface (29) and a second side surface (30) opposing each other in a width direction (front – back) orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the lamination direction, and a first end surface (31) and a second end surface (32) opposing each other in a length direction (left-right) orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the lamination direction and the width direction; and a plurality of external electrodes (23-26); wherein the plurality of internal electrode layers (21, 22) include: first internal electrode layers (22) alternately laminated with the plurality of ceramic layers (20) and exposed to the first end surface (31) and the second end surface (32); and second internal electrode layers (21) alternately laminated with the plurality of ceramic layers (20) and exposed to the first side surface (29) and the second side surface (30); the plurality of external electrodes (23-26) include: a first external electrode (25) and a second external electrode (26) connected to the first internal electrode layers (22); and a third external electrode (23) and a fourth external electrode (24) connected to the second internal electrode layers (21). Hoshi et al. disclose the claimed invention except for each of the first external electrode and the second external electrode includes a base electrode layer that is a fired layer or a conductive resin layer, and the base electrode layer includes a dense region where an area ratio of a conductive component is high and a sparse region where an area ratio of the conductive component is lower than the area ratio of the conductive component of the dense region; an area ratio of the conductive component in the dense region is about 80 % to about 85 % with respect to an area of the dense region; a thickness of the dense region in the length direction of the multilayer body is about 30 % to about 50% of the thickness of the corresponding base electrode layer in the length direction of the multilayer body; and the dense region is located closer to a multilayer body side than the sparse region. PNG media_image2.png 448 622 media_image2.png Greyscale PNG media_image3.png 470 442 media_image3.png Greyscale Iguchi et al. disclose in fig. 1-2, a multilayer ceramic component comprising an external electrode wherein the external electrode comprises a base electrode layer (41, 42) that is a fired layer, and the base electrode layer (41, 42) includes a dense region (41) where an area ratio of a conductive component is high ([0048], table 3) and a sparse region (42) where an area ratio of the conductive component is lower than the area ratio of the conductive component of the dense region ([0048], table 3); an area ratio of the conductive component in the dense region is about 80 % to about 85 % with respect to an area of the dense region [0048]; a thickness of the dense region (41) in the length direction of the multilayer body is about 30 % to about 50% of the thickness of the corresponding base electrode layer (41, 42 – Fig. 2 – [0043]) in the length direction of the multilayer body; and the dense region (41) is located closer to a multilayer body side than the sparse region. It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in external electrode art before the effective filing date of the invention to modify the multilayer ceramic component of Hoshi et al. so that each of the first external electrode and the second external electrode includes a base electrode layer that is a fired layer or a conductive resin layer, and the base electrode layer includes a dense region where an area ratio of a conductive component is high and a sparse region where an area ratio of the conductive component is lower than the area ratio of the conductive component of the dense region; an area ratio of the conductive component in the dense region is about 80 % to about 85 % with respect to an area of the dense region; a thickness of the dense region in the length direction of the multilayer body is about 30 % to about 50% of the thickness of the corresponding base electrode layer in the length direction of the multilayer body; and the dense region is located closer to a multilayer body side than the sparse region as taught by Iguchi et al., since such a modification would form a multilayer ceramic component having improved reliability and moisture resistance. The modified Hoshi et al. disclose the claimed invention except for the multilayer ceramic capacitor is mounted on a mounting substrate, wherein the mounting substrate includes: a core material of a substrate; a first connection conductor connected to the first external electrode located on the core material; a second connection conductor connected to the second external electrode located on the core material; a third connection conductor connected to the third external electrode located on the core material; and a fourth connection conductor connected to the fourth external electrode located on the core material; and in the multilayer ceramic electronic component, the first external electrode and the second external electrode which include the dense region and the sparse region are connected to an anode. PNG media_image4.png 358 584 media_image4.png Greyscale Oh et al. disclose a mounting substrate for a multilayer ceramic capacitor (110), wherein the mounting substrate includes: a core material (210) of a substrate; a first connection conductor (221) connected to a first external electrode (131) located on the core material (221); a second connection conductor (222) connected to a second external electrode (132) located on the core material (221); a third connection conductor (223) connected to a third external electrode (133) located on the core material (221); and a fourth connection conductor (224) connected to a fourth external electrode located on the core material (221); and wherein the first external electrode (131) and the second external electrode (132) are connected to an anode (inherent). It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to form the multilayer ceramic capacitor of the modified Hoshi et al. on the mounting substrate of Oh et al. wherein the mounting substrate includes: a core material of a substrate; a first connection conductor connected to the first external electrode located on the core material; a second connection conductor connected to the second external electrode located on the core material; a third connection conductor connected to the third external electrode located on the core material; and a fourth connection conductor connected to the fourth external electrode located on the core material; and in the multilayer ceramic electronic component, the first external electrode and the second external electrode which include the dense region and the sparse region are connected to an anode since such a modification would form a mounting structure with a low impedance capacitor having high reliability and moisture resistance. Regarding claim 7, Hoshi et al. disclose in fig. 3-4, a multilayer ceramic electronic component comprising: a multilayer body including a plurality of laminated ceramic layers (20), a plurality of laminated internal electrode layers (21, 22), a first main surface (27) and a second main surface (28) opposing each other in a lamination direction (top-bottom), a first side surface (29) and a second side surface (30) opposing each other in a width direction (front – back) orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the lamination direction, and a first end surface (31) and a second end surface (32) opposing each other in a length direction (left-right) orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the lamination direction and the width direction; and a plurality of external electrodes (23-26); wherein the plurality of internal electrode layers (21, 22) include: first internal electrode layers (22) alternately laminated with the plurality of ceramic layers (20) and exposed to the first end surface (31) and the second end surface (32); and second internal electrode layers (21) alternately laminated with the plurality of ceramic layers (20) and exposed to the first side surface (29) and the second side surface (30); the plurality of external electrodes (23-26) include: a first external electrode (25) and a second external electrode (26) connected to the first internal electrode layers (22); and a third external electrode (23) and a fourth external electrode (24) connected to the second internal electrode layers (21). Hoshi et al. disclose the claimed invention except for each of the third external electrode and the fourth external electrode includes a base electrode layer that is a fired or a conductive resin layer, and the base electrode layer includes a dense region where an area ratio of a conductive component is high and a sparse region where an area ratio of the conductive component is lower than the area ratio of the conductive component of the dense region; and an area ratio of the conductive component in the dense region is about 80% to about 85% with respect to an area of the dense region; and the dense region is located closer to a multilayer body side than the sparse region. Iguchi et al. disclose in fig. 1-2, a multilayer ceramic component comprising an external electrode wherein the external electrode comprises a base electrode layer (41, 42) that is a fired layer, and the base electrode layer (41, 42) includes a dense region (41) where an area ratio of a conductive component is high ([0048], table 3) and a sparse region (42) where an area ratio of the conductive component is lower than the area ratio of the conductive component of the dense region ([0048], table 3); an area ratio of the conductive component in the dense region is about 80 % to about 85 % with respect to an area of the dense region [0048]; and the dense region (41) is located closer to a multilayer body side than the sparse region. It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in external electrode art before the effective filing date of the invention to modify the multilayer ceramic component of Hoshi et al. so that each of the third external electrode and the fourth external electrode includes a base electrode layer that is a fired or a conductive resin layer, and the base electrode layer includes a dense region where an area ratio of a conductive component is high and a sparse region where an area ratio of the conductive component is lower than the area ratio of the conductive component of the dense region; and an area ratio of the conductive component in the dense region is about 80% to about 85% with respect to an area of the dense region; and the dense region is located closer to a multilayer body side than the sparse region as taught by Iguchi et al., since such a modification would form a multilayer ceramic component having improved reliability and moisture resistance. The modified Hoshi et al. disclose the claimed invention except for the multilayer ceramic capacitor is mounted on a mounting substrate, wherein the mounting substrate includes: a core material of a substrate; a first connection conductor connected to the first external electrode located on the core material; a second connection conductor connected to the second external electrode located on the core material; a third connection conductor connected to the third external electrode located on the core material; and a fourth connection conductor connected to the fourth external electrode located on the core material; and in the multilayer ceramic electronic component, the first external electrode and the second external electrode which include the dense region and the sparse region are connected to an anode. Oh et al. disclose a mounting substrate for a multilayer ceramic capacitor (110), wherein the mounting substrate includes: a core material (210) of a substrate; a first connection conductor (221) connected to a first external electrode (131) located on the core material (221); a second connection conductor (222) connected to a second external electrode (132) located on the core material (221); a third connection conductor (223) connected to a third external electrode (133) located on the core material (221); and a fourth connection conductor (224) connected to a fourth external electrode located on the core material (221); and wherein the first external electrode (131) and the second external electrode (132) are connected to an anode (inherent). It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to form the multilayer ceramic capacitor of the modified Hoshi et al. on the mounting substrate of Oh et al. wherein the mounting substrate includes: a core material of a substrate; a first connection conductor connected to the first external electrode located on the core material; a second connection conductor connected to the second external electrode located on the core material; a third connection conductor connected to the third external electrode located on the core material; and a fourth connection conductor connected to the fourth external electrode located on the core material; and in the multilayer ceramic electronic component, the first external electrode and the second external electrode which include the dense region and the sparse region are connected to an anode since such a modification would form a mounting structure with a low impedance capacitor having high reliability and moisture resistance. Regarding claim 10, the modified Hoshi et al. disclose the base electrode layer is the fired layer [0076] including a metal component [0045], [0052] and a glass component [0046], [0062]. Regarding claim 11, the modified Hoshi et al. disclose the glass component includes at least one of B, Si, Ba, Mg, Al, and Li [0046], [0052]. Regarding claim 19, the modified Hoshi et al. (Iguchi et al.) disclose a thickness of the dense region (41) in the length direction of the multilayer body is about 30 % to about 50% of the thickness of the corresponding base electrode layer (41, 42 – Fig. 2 – [0043]) in the length direction of the multilayer body. Allowable Subject Matter Claims 8-9, 12-15, and 17-18 would be allowable if rewritten to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action and to include 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: In combination with the other claim limitations, the prior art does not teach or suggest: a multilayer ceramic electronic component wherein the base electrode layer is the conductive resin layer including a thermosetting resin and a metal component (claims 8, 12, 14, and 17). Conclusion 11. Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a). A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action. 12. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ERIC THOMAS whose telephone number is (571)272-1985. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday, 6:00 AM-2:30 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, Timothy Dole can be reached at (571)272-2229. 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. /ERIC W THOMAS/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2847 ERIC THOMAS Primary Examiner Art Unit 2847
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Prosecution Timeline

Oct 31, 2024
Application Filed
May 18, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103, §112
Aug 14, 2026
Response Filed
Oct 15, 2026
Final Rejection mailed — §103, §112 (current)

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3-4
Expected OA Rounds
83%
Grant Probability
81%
With Interview (-1.9%)
2y 3m (~3m remaining)
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