Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 01, 2026
Application No. 18/936,860

THERMAL ARCHITECTURE DESIGNS FOR A HEAD-WORN DEVICE, AND SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF

Non-Final OA §102§103
Filed
Nov 04, 2024
Priority
Nov 14, 2023 — provisional 63/598,641
Examiner
CHAI, RAYMOND REI-YANG
Art Unit
Tech Center
Assignee
Meta Platforms Technologies LLC
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
75%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
0m
Est. Remaining
91%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 75% — above average
75%
Career Allowance Rate
426 granted / 570 resolved
+14.7% vs TC avg
Strong +16% interview lift
Without
With
+16.2%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Fast prosecutor
1y 10m
Avg Prosecution
40 currently pending
Career history
602
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
3.9%
-36.1% vs TC avg
§103
49.1%
+9.1% vs TC avg
§102
17.3%
-22.7% vs TC avg
§112
22.3%
-17.7% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 570 resolved cases

Office Action

§102 §103
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 . Priority Acknowledgment is made of this Patent Application claims priority under 35 U.S.C § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. 63/598,641 filed on 11/14/2023. Information Disclosure Statement The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 11/10/2025 has been considered by the examiner. 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)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention. Claims 1-5, 10-15 and 17-19 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by EP4372450A1 which the examiner is using as an official translation PCT/KR2023/014996 hereinafter “Jung” Regarding claim 1, Jung discloses a head worn device (¶37L1-3: a wearable electronic device; ¶4L3: smart glasses), comprising: a lens frame (¶41L3: a frame [202]) configured to receive at least two lenses (¶42L3: a lens; as shown in Fig.3); a first temple arm (¶54L2-3: a pair of wearing members [203]) coupled via a hinge (¶48L2-3: a hinge structure [260]) to the lens frame (¶54L29-32: a part of the hinge structure [260] may be mounted on the frame and another part may be mounted into the wearing member); one or more electrical components located within the first temple arm (¶47L5-10: a flexible printed circuit board is accommodated in the wearing member), wherein the one or more electrical components emit heat when operating (¶58L13-14: heat is generated from the circuit board); a heat-transfer component (¶66L1-13: a first heat transfer member) configured to transfer the heat from the one or more electrical components via the hinge to a first lens (¶74L1-10: a path through which heat is transferred and moved between a second heat transfer member and a display member) of the lens frame (¶67L7-10: heat transferred from the electronic component may rapidly diffuse toward the frame), wherein transferring the heat from the one or more electrical components to the first lens of the lens frame is configured to maintain the one or more electrical components operating within their respective thermal design power (TDP). (¶66L4-6: heat generated from the electronic component may be effectively dissipated by using the first heat transfer member) Regarding claim 2, Jung discloses the head worn device of claim 1, wherein the heat-transfer component includes one or more of: (i) an overmolded carbon tape that is affixed to the first temple arm and is further configured to bend with the hinge (¶68L1-19: the heat transfer member may correspond to at least a carbon fiber thermal interface material), (ii) a flexible heat pipe that is configured to bend with the hinge, and/or carbon tape that is configured to bend with the hinge. (¶71L1-25: heat transfer member may be a thin rods and a flexible material) Regarding claim 3, Jung discloses the head worn device of claim 1, comprising: a second temple arm (¶54L2-3: a pair of wearing members [203]) coupled via another hinge (¶48L2-3: a hinge structure [260]) to the lens frame opposite to where the first temple arm is connected to the lens frame (as shown in Fig.3 for example); one or more additional electrical components located within the second temple arm (¶56L1-4: a second circuit board), wherein the one or more additional electrical components emit additional heat when operating (¶58L13-14: heat is generated from the circuit board); another heat transfer component configured to transfer the additional heat from the one or more additional electrical components to a second lens of the lens frame (¶74L1-10: a path through which heat is transferred and moved between a second heat transfer member and a display member), wherein transferring the additional heat from the one or more additional electrical components to the second lens of the lens frame is configured to cause lengthening of a time during which the one or more additional electrical components can operate at their respective TDP. (¶66L4-6: heat generated from the electronic component may be effectively dissipated by using the first heat transfer member) Regarding claim 4, Jung discloses the head worn device of claim 1, wherein one or both of the lens frame or first temple arm are constructed of one or more of: magnesium, polycarbonate, or a metal matrix composite. (¶45L33-39: the frame may be molded by polycarbonate) Regarding claim 5 Jung discloses the head worn device of claim 1, wherein one of the electrical components is one of: a camera, a processor, a display projector component, a graphics processor, or a sensor. (¶47L1-23: a camera; a sensor module, a flexible printed circuit board, a processor) Regarding claim 9, Jung discloses the head worn device of claim 1, the one or more electrical components actively adjust their respective TDP in accordance with a determination that the head worn device is either located indoors or outdoors. (¶99L1-51: device may detect location sensor current location; based on an assumption of indoor environment, active heat control may be performed) Regarding claim 10 Jung discloses the head worn device of claim 1, including: one or more additional electrical components located within the lens frame at a first location (¶47L3-4: a sensor module; as shown in Fig.3, sensor [253] is located on the nose bridge of the eyewear), wherein the one or more additional electrical components emit heat when operating; and another heat-transfer component configured to transfer the heat from the one or more additional electrical components to a second location on the lens frame (¶61L1-10: a second heat transfer member), wherein: the second location on the lens frame is a location that is configured to be in minimal contact with skin of a user (as show in Fig.5, the second heat transfer member is location at the bottom ring of the lens frame), and transferring the additional heat from the one or more additional electrical components to the second location on the lens frame is configured to cause lengthening of a time duration during which the one or more additional electrical components can operate at their respective TDP. (¶71L1-5: the second heat transfer member transfer heat from first heat transfer member to the display member) Regarding claim 11, Jung discloses the head worn device of claim 10, wherein: the heat-transfer component is a heat pipe (¶71L1-35: the second heat transfer member is a thin rod), the first location is a location that corresponds with a nose bridge of a user (as shown in Fig.3), and the second location is a location that corresponds with outer edge of the lens frame that is configured to not be in contact with a face of the user (as shown in Fig.3). Regarding claim 12, Jung discloses the head worn device of claim 1, including: one or more additional electrical components located within the lens frame (¶47L3-4: a sensor module; as shown in Fig.3, sensor [253] is located on the nose bridge of the eyewear), wherein the one or more additional electrical components emit heat when operating; and another heat-transfer component configured to transfer the heat from the one or more additional electrical components to a location on the temple arm (¶61L1-10: a second heat transfer member), wherein: the location on the temple arm is a location that is configured to be in minimal contact with skin of a user (as shown in Fig.3), and transferring the additional heat from the one or more additional electrical components to the temple arm is configured to cause lengthening of a time duration during which the one or more additional electrical components can operate at their respective TDP. (¶71L1-5: the second heat transfer member transfer heat from first heat transfer member to the display member) Regarding claim 13, Jung discloses a lens, comprising: a feature for mounting the lens in a lens frame (¶41L3: a frame [202] of a head worn device (¶37L1-3: a wearable electronic device; ¶4L3: smart glasses); a heat-transfer component (¶66L1-13: a first heat transfer member) configured to transfer heat (¶74L1-10: a path through which heat is transferred and moved between a second heat transfer member and a display member) from one or more electrical components (¶47L5-10: a flexible printed circuit board is accommodated in the wearing member)located within a first temple arm that is hingeably (¶48L2-3: a hinge structure [260]) coupled to the lens frame, wherein: the one or more electrical components emit heat when operating (¶58L13-14: heat is generated from the circuit board); and transferring the heat from the one or more electrical components to the lens in the lens frame is configured to cause lengthening of a time duration during which the one or more electrical components can operate at their respective TDP. (¶66L4-6: heat generated from the electronic component may be effectively dissipated by using the first heat transfer member) Regarding claim 14, Jung discloses the lens of claim 13, wherein the heat-transfer component includes one or more of: (i) an overmolded carbon tape that is affixed to the first temple arm, and is further configured to bend with the hinge (¶68L1-19: the heat transfer member may correspond to at least a carbon fiber thermal interface material), (ii) a flexible heat pipe that is configured to bend with the hinge, and/or carbon tape that is configured to bend with the hinge. (¶71L1-25: heat transfer member may be a thin rods and a flexible material) Regarding claim 15, Jung discloses the lens of claim 13, wherein one of the electrical components is one of: a camera, a processor, a display projector component, a graphics processor, or a sensor. (¶47L1-23: a camera; a sensor module, a flexible printed circuit board, a processor) Regarding claim 17, Jung discloses a temple arm, comprising: a heat-transfer component (¶66L1-13: a first heat transfer member) configured to transfer the heat from one or more electrical components via a hinge (¶48L2-3: a hinge structure [260]) to a first lens (¶74L1-10: a path through which heat is transferred and moved between a second heat transfer member and a display member) of a lens frame (¶41L3: a frame [202]), wherein: the lens frame is configured to receive at least two lenses (¶42L3: a lens; as shown in Fig.3), the one or more electrical components emit heat when operating (¶58L13-14: heat is generated from the circuit board), and transferring the heat from the one or more electrical components to the first lens of the lens frame is configured to maintain the one or more electrical components operating within their respective thermal design power (TDP). (¶66L4-6: heat generated from the electronic component may be effectively dissipated by using the first heat transfer member) Regarding claim 18, Jung discloses the temple arm of claim 17, wherein the heat-transfer component includes one or more of: (i) an overmolded carbon tape that is affixed to the first temple arm, and is further configured to bend with the hinge (¶68L1-19: the heat transfer member may correspond to at least a carbon fiber thermal interface material), (ii) a flexible heat pipe that is configured to bend with the hinge, and/or carbon tape that is configured to bend with the hinge. (¶71L1-25: heat transfer member may be a thin rods and a flexible material) Regarding claim 19, Jung discloses the temple arm of claim 17, wherein one of the electrical components is one of: a camera, a processor, a display projector component, a graphics processor, or a sensor. (¶47L1-23: a camera; a sensor module, a flexible printed circuit board, a processor) Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103 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. Claims 6, 8, 16 and 20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Jung in view of US2022/0326759A1 hereinafter “Wang” Regarding claim 6, Jung discloses the head worn device of claim 1, Jung does not explicitly disclose: the one or more electrical components can actively adjust their respective TDP based on temperature measured at one or more locations on the first temple arm. Wang discloses a method for adjusting power of processor wherein the TDP of the processor is adjusted based on measured temperature. (¶132-134) It would have been obvious to one ordinarily skilled in the art prior to the effective filing date of the application modify the processor disclosed by Jung to incorporate the TDP adjustment and monitoring system/method disclosed by Wang. One of ordinary skill in the art would’ve been motivated because this would prevent the processor from overheating, and thus damaging it (¶3), furthermore, this feature is common in processor as “throttling”. Regarding claim 8, Jung discloses the head worn device of claim 1, Jung does not explicitly disclose: the one or more electrical components can actively adjust their feature set in stages based on temperature measured at one or more locations on the first temple arm. Wang discloses a method for adjusting power of processor wherein the TDP of the processor is adjusted based on measured temperature. (¶132-134) It would have been obvious to one ordinarily skilled in the art prior to the effective filing date of the application modify the processor disclosed by Jung to incorporate the TDP adjustment and monitoring system/method disclosed by Wang. One of ordinary skill in the art would’ve been motivated because this would prevent the processor from overheating, and thus damaging it (¶3), furthermore, this feature is common in processor as “throttling”. Regarding claim 16, Jung discloses the lens of claim 13, Jung does not explicitly disclose: the one or more electrical components can actively adjust their respective TDP based on temperature measured at one or more locations on the first temple arm. Wang discloses a method for adjusting power of processor wherein the TDP of the processor is adjusted based on measured temperature. (¶132-134) It would have been obvious to one ordinarily skilled in the art prior to the effective filing date of the application modify the processor disclosed by Jung to incorporate the TDP adjustment and monitoring system/method disclosed by Wang. One of ordinary skill in the art would’ve been motivated because this would prevent the processor from overheating, and thus damaging it (¶3), furthermore, this feature is common in processor as “throttling”. Regarding claim 20, Jung discloses the temple arm of claim 17, Jung does not explicitly disclose: the one or more electrical components can actively adjust their respective TDP based on temperature measured at one or more locations on the temple arm. Wang discloses a method for adjusting power of processor wherein the TDP of the processor is adjusted based on measured temperature. (¶132-134) It would have been obvious to one ordinarily skilled in the art prior to the effective filing date of the application modify the processor disclosed by Jung to incorporate the TDP adjustment and monitoring system/method disclosed by Wang. One of ordinary skill in the art would’ve been motivated because this would prevent the processor from overheating, and thus damaging it (¶3), furthermore, this feature is common in processor as “throttling”. Claim 7 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Jung in view of Wang hereinafter “Jung/Wang” in view of US2017/0212537A1 hereinafter “Delano” Regarding claim 7, Jung/Wang discloses the head worn device of claim 6, Jung/Wang does not explicitly disclose: the temperature measured at the one or more locations correspond to temperature hot spots on the first temple arm, wherein a temperature hot spot is a location where the maximum temperature limit is reached first. Delano discloses a monitoring device wherein the temperature sensor senses temperature hotspot and perfume throttling of processor to reduce heat. (¶69-73) It would have been obvious to one ordinarily skilled in the art prior to the effective filing date of the application modify the device disclosed by Jung/Wang to incorporate the temperature sensor for monitoring hotspots as disclosed by Delano. One of ordinary skill in the art would’ve been motivated because this would prevent the processor from overheating, and thus damaging it, furthermore, this feature is common in processor as “throttling”. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to RAYMOND R CHAI whose telephone number is (571)270-0576. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 9:30AM-5:00PM. 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, Alexander Taningco can be reached at 571-242-8048. 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. /Raymond R Chai/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2845
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Nov 04, 2024
Application Filed
Sep 01, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §102, §103 (current)

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Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
75%
Grant Probability
91%
With Interview (+16.2%)
1y 10m (~0m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 570 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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