Prosecution Insights
Last updated: August 17, 2026
Application No. 18/944,383

MOTION MIMICKING GAMEPLAY

Non-Final OA §102
Filed
Nov 12, 2024
Examiner
ROWLAND, STEVE
Art Unit
3715
Tech Center
3700 — Mechanical Engineering & Manufacturing
Assignee
Sony Group Corporation
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
78%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
10m
Est. Remaining
95%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 78% — above average
78%
Career Allowance Rate
837 granted / 1077 resolved
+7.7% vs TC avg
Strong +18% interview lift
Without
With
+17.7%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 7m
Avg Prosecution
33 currently pending
Career history
1098
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
14.6%
-25.4% vs TC avg
§103
33.7%
-6.3% vs TC avg
§102
29.0%
-11.0% vs TC avg
§112
14.7%
-25.3% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1077 resolved cases

Office Action

§102
Detailed Action 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) A person shall be entitled to a patent unless— (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 1-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Challinor et al (US 9,358,456 B1). Regarding claim 1, Challinor discloses an apparatus comprising at least one processor system (Fig. 1A) configured to receive images of a player of a computer game making motions (Abstract: first player performs a dance move), convert the images to text description of the motions (Fig. 6 and 1110) and send the text description to a device of a companion (1115), image the companion attempt to mimic the motion described by the text description (1125), and output an indication of success of the companion mimicking the motion (Fig. 5: score). Regarding claims 2, 12 and 19, Challinor discloses determining the success of the companion mimicking the motion at least in part using cosine similarity (col. 11 line 46). Regarding claim 3, Challinor discloses mapping the motions of the player to at least one player character (PC) of a computer game controlled by the player (Fig. 5). Regarding claims 4, 8 and 15, Challinor discloses mapping the motions of the player to the PC at least in part using keyframes from the images (col. 10 line 16). Regarding claims 5, 9 and 16, Challinor discloses map the motions of the player to the PC responsive to a determination that game context is appropriate for mapping (Fig. 5). Regarding claims 6, 10 and 17, Challinor discloses not mapping the motions of the player to the PC responsive to a determination that game context is inappropriate for mapping (Abstract: system maps player motions responsive only to specific prompts). Regarding claim 7, Challinor discloses an apparatus comprising at least one processor system (Fig. 1A) configured to receive images of a player of a computer game making motions (Abstract: first player performs a dance move), and map the motions of the player to at least one player character (PC) of a computer game controlled by the player (Fig. 5). Regarding claim 11, Challinor discloses convert the images to text description of the motions (Fig. 6 and 1110), send the text description to a device of a companion (1115), image the companion attempt to mimic the motion described by the text description (1125) and output an indication of success of the companion mimicking the motion (Fig. 5: score). Regarding claims 13, 14, 18 and 20, Challinor discloses method comprising receiving images of a player of a computer game making motions (Abstract) and executing at least one of “A”, “B”, wherein “A” comprises mapping the motions of the player to at least one player character (PC) of a computer game controlled by the player (Fig. 5), and “B” comprises converting the images to text description of the motions (Fig. 6 and 1110), sending the text description to a device of a companion (1115), imaging the companion attempt to mimic the motion described by the text description (1125) and outputting an indication of success of the companion mimicking the motion (Fig. 5: score). Conclusion The prior art considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure and not relied upon is made of record on the attached PTO-892 form. Bansal (US 20240274033 A1) discloses sign language capture and machine interpretation. Kook (US 20240233378 A1) discloses a dance motion matching system. Hall et al (US 20230356085 A1) discloses a user motion analysis system with feedback. Rahmani et al (US 20230085161 A1) discloses automatic sign language translation. Thompson et al (US 20140206428 A1) discloses a gaming system with gesture inputs. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to STEVE ROWLAND whose telephone number is (469) 295-9129. The examiner can normally be reached on M-Th 10-8. If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor Dmitry Suhol can be reached at (571) 272-4430. The fax number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is (571) 273-8300. 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. Applicant may choose, at his or her discretion, to correspond with Examiner via Internet e-mail. A paper copy of any and all email correspondence will be placed in the appropriate patent application file. Email communication must be authorized in advance. Without a written authorization by applicant in place, the USPTO will not respond via e-mail to any correspondence which contains information subject to the confidentiality requirement as set forth in 35 U.S.C. 122. Authorization may be perfected by submitting, on a separate paper, the following (or similar) disclaimer: PNG media_image1.png 18 19 media_image1.png Greyscale Recognizing that Internet communications are not secure, I hereby authorize the USPTO to communicate with me concerning any subject matter of this application by electronic mail. I understand that a copy of these communications will be made of record in the application file. PNG media_image1.png 18 19 media_image1.png Greyscale See MPEP 502.03 for more information. 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. /STEVE ROWLAND/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3715
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Nov 12, 2024
Application Filed
Jun 26, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §102 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12706000
BI-DIRECTIONAL COMMUNICATIONS FOR VEHICLE AND VIRTUAL GAME SITUATIONS
3y 1m to grant Granted Aug 11, 2026
Patent 12706001
BI-DIRECTIONAL COMMUNICATIONS FOR VEHICLE AND VIRTUAL GAME SITUATIONS
3y 1m to grant Granted Aug 11, 2026
Patent 12697548
STORAGE MEDIUM, GAME SYSTEM AND GAME CONTROL METHOD
3y 0m to grant Granted Aug 04, 2026
Patent 12685937
CONTROLLING A USER INTERFACE OF A COMPUTER DEVICE
2y 10m to grant Granted Jul 21, 2026
Patent 12685938
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IN-GAME INFORMATION INTERACTION, AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE
2y 10m to grant Granted Jul 21, 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
78%
Grant Probability
95%
With Interview (+17.7%)
2y 7m (~10m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 1077 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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