Last updated: July 12, 2026

Application No. 18/961,878

Untitled Application

Unknown

Filed

Examiner

STAUBACH, CARL C

Art Unit

Tech Center

Caterpillar Inc.

Assignee

Caterpillar Inc.

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +20.9% interview lift. Examiner has a relatively high allowance rate (73%); +20.9% interview lift. A written response may suffice.

Based on 581 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

STAUBACH, CARL C View full profile →

Grants 73% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

425 granted / 581 resolved

+13.1% vs TC avg

Strong +21% interview lift

Without

With

+20.9%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

2y 7m

Avg Prosecution

14 currently pending

Career history

598

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

0.3%

-39.7% vs TC avg

§103

78.9%

+38.9% vs TC avg

§102

15.4%

-24.6% vs TC avg

§112

3.3%

-36.7% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 581 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Apr 28, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

18/724,247

Patent 12673645

ROAD SURFACE TYPE DETECTION DEVICE

2y 0m to grant Granted Jul 07, 2026

18/471,582

Patent 12661996

METHOD FOR CONTROLLING BRAKING OF VEHICLE

2y 9m to grant Granted Jun 23, 2026

18/989,219

Patent 12662096

WIRED BRAKING MODULE, WIRED BRAKING SYSTEM, AND CONTROL METHOD FOR THE SAME

1y 6m to grant Granted Jun 23, 2026

18/798,578

Patent 12654666

BRAKE SYSTEM, METHOD FOR OPERATING THE BRAKE SYSTEM, AND VEHICLE

1y 10m to grant Granted Jun 16, 2026

18/692,003

Patent 12649345

VEHICLE CONTROL DEVICE AND VEHICLE CONTROL SYSTEM

2y 2m to grant Granted Jun 09, 2026

Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

Strategy Recommendation AI-generated — please review before filing

Get a prosecution strategy drawn from examiner precedents, rejection analysis, and claim mapping.

Typically takes 5-10 seconds — AI-generated, attorney review required before filing

Prosecution Projections

1-2

Expected OA Rounds

73%

Grant Probability

94%

With Interview (+20.9%)

2y 7m

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 581 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.