Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 18/937,227

GROUP-PERFORMANCE CONTROL METHOD USING LIGHT-EMITTING DEVICES

Non-Final OA §102
Filed
Nov 05, 2024
Examiner
KING, MONICA C
Art Unit
2844
Tech Center
2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems
Assignee
Fanlight Co. Ltd.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
84%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
2y 0m
To Grant
91%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 84% — above average
84%
Career Allow Rate
407 granted / 482 resolved
+16.4% vs TC avg
Moderate +7% lift
Without
With
+6.7%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Fast prosecutor
2y 0m
Avg Prosecution
12 currently pending
Career history
494
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
3.3%
-36.7% vs TC avg
§103
34.8%
-5.2% vs TC avg
§102
42.5%
+2.5% vs TC avg
§112
12.7%
-27.3% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 482 resolved cases

Office Action

§102
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 . Information Disclosure Statement The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted is being 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)(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 1-9 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipate by Lee et al. (US 2017/0249489). Regarding claim 1, Lee discloses a light emitting device for cheering, comprising: a light emitting unit ([0007); and a control unit configured to control the light emitting unit ([0033], [0075]) with a color for identifying that information ([0086], [0087], [0112]) for a performance production scene in an audience seat of a performance hall is provided to the light emitting device ([0100], [0161]). Regarding claim 2, Lee discloses the device of claim 1, wherein the information includes performance production scene information of a corresponding performance episode mapped in advance to position information of the audience seat ([0110]). Regarding claim 3, Lee discloses the device of claim 1, further comprising a communication module configured to receive light emitting position information for each scene ([0033]), wherein the control unit is configured to control ([0060]) the light emitting unit so that a color for identifying that the received information is recorded in the light emitting device is emitted ([0023]). Regarding claim 4, Lee discloses the device of claim 2, wherein the information includes information on which group the light emitting device belongs to for each performance production scene ([0066]). Regarding claim 5, Lee discloses the device of wherein the information is stored in advance before the performance production, and wherein the color information for each group includes information that the group to which the light emitting device belongs emits a specific color ([0023]), and is provided to the light emitting device in real time during the performance production ([0033]). Regarding claim 6, Lee discloses the device of claim 4, wherein the light emitting unit emits light corresponding to the performance production scene mapped to the position information of the audience seat of the light emitting device ([0073], [0074], [0086]-[[0087]). Regarding claim 7, Lee discloses the device of claim 1, further comprising a communication module configured to receive the information from an information processing device including a kiosk ([0106]). Regarding claim 8, Lee discloses a method for controlling light emission performed by a light emitting device for cheering, the method comprising: providing information for a performance production scene in an audience seat of a performance hall ([0100], [0161]); and controlling the light emitting device with a color identifying that the information ([0033], [0075]) is provided to the light emitting device ([0086], [0087], [0112]). Regarding claim 9, Lee discloses a system for controlling light emission comprising: a control device configured to generate and provide information for a performance production scene in an audience seat of a performance hall ([0100], [0161]); and a light emitting device configured to be controlled with a color identifying that the information is provided ([0033], [0075], [0086], [0087], [0112]). Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to MONICA C KING whose telephone number is (571)270-3429. The examiner can normally be reached on Mon-Fri. 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, Regis Betsch can be reached on (571) 270-7101. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. Information regarding the status of an application may be obtained from the Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system. Status information for published applications may be obtained from either Private PAIR or Public PAIR. Status information for unpublished applications is available through Private PAIR only. For more information about the PAIR system, see https://ppair-my.uspto.gov/pair/PrivatePair. Should you have questions on access to the Private PAIR system, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative or access to the automated information system, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. /MONICA C KING/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2844 3/7/2026
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Nov 05, 2024
Application Filed
Mar 07, 2026
Non-Final Rejection — §102 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

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2y 5m to grant Granted Apr 14, 2026
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Patent 12604384
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Patent 12598679
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Patent 12598684
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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
84%
Grant Probability
91%
With Interview (+6.7%)
2y 0m
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 482 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allow rate.

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