Prosecution Insights
Last updated: August 07, 2026
Application No. 18/981,807

VIBRATION MOTOR WITH VIBRATION IN THE DIRECTION OF Z-AXIS

Non-Final OA §112
Filed
Dec 16, 2024
Priority
Nov 04, 2024 — TW 113142201
Examiner
ELNAKIB, AHMED
Art Unit
2834
Tech Center
2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems
Assignee
Topray Mems Inc.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
79%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
10m
Est. Remaining
87%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 79% — above average
79%
Career Allowance Rate
465 granted / 590 resolved
+10.8% vs TC avg
Moderate +9% lift
Without
With
+8.6%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 6m
Avg Prosecution
23 currently pending
Career history
610
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.6%
-39.4% vs TC avg
§103
53.4%
+13.4% vs TC avg
§102
21.5%
-18.5% vs TC avg
§112
23.0%
-17.0% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 590 resolved cases

Office Action

§112
DETAILED ACTION Claims 1-5 of U.S. Application No. 18981807 filed on 12/16/2024 are presented for examination. 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 Receipt is acknowledged of certified copies of papers submitted under 35 U.S.C. 119(a)-(d), which papers have been placed of record in the file. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112 The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of 35 U.S.C. 112(a): (a) IN GENERAL.—The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor or joint inventor of carrying out the invention. The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112: The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention. Claims 1-5 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), first paragraph, as failing to comply with the enablement requirement. The claim(s) contains subject matter which was not described in the specification in such a way as to enable one skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and/or use the invention. Claim 1 recites, “…the driving voltage has a driving frequency, causing the coil set to form an oscillating magnetic field in the vibration axis direction, the driving frequency changes the driving voltage to change the intensity of the oscillating magnetic field, thereby controlling and changing the attraction between the coil and the stator part to cause vibration.” Here, a change in frequency does not automatically change the fundamental peak or RMS voltage of a power source. How the frequence changes, and how the voltage is changed in response is not mentioned in the specifications so as to enable one skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and/or use the invention. 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 1-5 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. Claims 1-5 recites, “…in the direction of Z-axis…” it is not clear which direction is the Z-axis, such axis is not shown in the drawings, and not described in the specifications. In line 4 of claim 1, “…a long piece…” is a relative term. The term “long” in claim 1 is a relative term which renders the claim indefinite. The term “long” is not defined by the claim, the specification does not provide a standard for ascertaining the requisite degree, and one of ordinary skill in the art would not be reasonably apprised of the scope of the invention. The limitation in question is interpreted as “an elongated piece”. In lines 8-9, the recitation, “…the vibration axis of the coil being wound around a central axis…” it is not clear how an axis is wound around another axis? Axis is normally a straight line/direction and does not turn another axis… Also, in line 10 of claim 1, the recitation “…magnetic conductive member being located at the center of a range around which the coil being wound…” coils being wound around an axis, not a range! What does “range” mean in the limitation? In lines 17-18, the recitation “…a flexible circuit board, provided on the stator body to electrically connect the coil set to supply a driving voltage;…” is not clear as written since it is known that motor coils do not supply a driving voltage. Coils of a motor being supplied by voltage. The limitation in question is interpreted as “…a flexible circuit board, provided on the stator body to electrically connect the coil set to be supplied with a driving voltage;…” Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to AHMED ELNAKIB whose telephone number is (571)270-0638. The examiner can normally be reached 8:00AM-4:00PM. 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, Tulsidas Patel can be reached at 571-272-2098. 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. /AHMED ELNAKIB/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2834
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Dec 16, 2024
Application Filed
Jul 01, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §112 (current)

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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
79%
Grant Probability
87%
With Interview (+8.6%)
2y 6m (~10m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 590 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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