Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 25, 2026
Application No. 18/969,031

SENSING DEVICE

Non-Final OA §112
Filed
Dec 04, 2024
Examiner
AURORA, REENA
Art Unit
2858
Tech Center
2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems
Assignee
Life Safety Distribution GmbH
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
87%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
7m
Est. Remaining
74%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 87% — above average
87%
Career Allowance Rate
1043 granted / 1197 resolved
+19.1% vs TC avg
Minimal -13% lift
Without
With
+-13.3%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 5m
Avg Prosecution
30 currently pending
Career history
1237
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
2.4%
-37.6% vs TC avg
§103
26.1%
-13.9% vs TC avg
§102
32.5%
-7.5% vs TC avg
§112
25.9%
-14.1% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1197 resolved cases

Office Action

§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 . 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 1 and 11 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. As to claim 1, at line 14, it is unclear what is meant by the phrase “a predetermined frequency”. How is a predetermined frequency being defined? At line 17, it is unclear what is meant by the phrase “constant frequency of power”. How is the constant frequency of power being defined? As to claim 11 at line 4, it is unclear what is meant by the phrase “a predetermined frequency”. How is a predetermined frequency being defined? At line 7, it is unclear what is meant by the phrase “constant frequency of power”. How is the constant frequency of power being defined? At lines 2 – 3, it is unclear what is meant by the phrase “sensor retainer communicatively coupled to a sensor cartridge”? Claims 2 - 10 are rejected by virtue of their dependency on claim 1. Claims 12 - 20 are rejected by virtue of their dependency on claim 11. Allowable Subject Matter Claims 1 - 20 would be allowable if rewritten or amended 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. The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter: As to claims 1 – 20, the closest prior art Shelton, IV et al. (2022/0273291) discloses in Fig. 6 and 34, a sensor retainer comprising: a first coil; a first sensor; a sensor cartridge detachably coupled to the sensor retainer and comprising: a second coil; a second sensor; and at least one controller electrically coupled to the sensor retainer and communicatively coupled to the sensor cartridge. Shelton, IV et al. fails to explicitly disclose light communication tube in the sensor retainer and sensor cartridge nor does it disclose any optical means for wireless communication. COLVIN, JR. et al. (2010/0073669) discloses an optical sensor assembly with inductive power reception and optical elements for analyte detection. COLVIN, JR. et al. fails to disclose detachably couple sensor retainer and sensor cartridge and first and second light communication tubes. As to claims 1 – 10, the closest prior art of record fails to disclose detachably coupling a sensor cartridge to a sensor retainer and the first and second light communication tubes; the first and second sensor and performing a wireless communication between the at least one controller and the sensor cartridge. These features taken together with the other limitations of the claim renders the claims allowable over prior art. As to claims 11 – 20, the closest prior art of record fails to disclose communicatively coupling a sensor cartridge to a sensor retainer and the first and second light communication tubes; the first and second sensor and performing a wireless communication between the at least one controller and the sensor cartridge. These features taken together with the other limitations of the claim renders the claims allowable over prior art. Prior Art of Record The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant s disclosure. Shelton, IV et al. (2022/0273291) is cited for its disclosure of monitoring of multiple sensors over time to detect moving characteristics of tissue wherein a shaft; an end effector, comprising: a first jaw; a second jaw movable relative to the first jaw and a control circuit configured to: cause a sub-therapeutic signal to be provided to the end effector; detect an impedance between the first electrode assembly and the second electrode assembly in response to the sub-therapeutic signal; and selecting a parameter of the rotation of the end effector based on the impedance. COLVIN, JR. et al. (2010/0073669) is cited for its disclosure a sensing apparatus comprising a housing having an external sleeve and a mating member housed within said external sleeve; an optical-based sensor capable of measuring the presence of an analyte in an analyte containing medium, said sensor disposed within said mating member, wherein said sensor includes a body, internal circuitry, and an internal coil housed within its body, said internal coil being configured to wirelessly receive electrical power from an external power supply; and drive circuitry configured to communicate power to and data from said sensor. West (7,986,112) is cited for its disclosure of thermally self-stabilizing LED module comprising a conductive housing including a first end, a second end, and a cavity; a light emitting diode disposed on the first end of said conductive housing; and a circuit board including a module circuit electrically coupled to said light emitting diode, said circuit board at least partially contained within the cavity of said housing. Rosenthal (4,801,804) is cited for its disclosure of method and apparatus for near infrared reflectance measurement of non-homogeneous materials including the near infrared radiation source spaced a predetermined distance away from the planar surface of the sample material so as to irradiate a predetermined surface area of the planar surface with substantially uniform, highly diffuse, near infrared radiation. A near infrared radiation detector is spaced a predetermined distance away from the planar surface of the sample material in position to detect near infrared radiation reflected by substantially all of the predetermined surface area. The predetermined surface area is sized to reflect near infrared radiation from the source to the detector which is indicative of an average content of the constituent of the sample material being measured. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to REENA AURORA whose telephone number is (571)272-2263. The examiner can normally be reached M-F: 8:00AM-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, Lee Rodak can be reached at 5712705628. 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. /REENA AURORA/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2858
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Dec 04, 2024
Application Filed
Jul 27, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §112 (current)

Precedent Cases

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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
87%
Grant Probability
74%
With Interview (-13.3%)
2y 5m (~7m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 1197 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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