Prosecution Insights
Last updated: May 29, 2026
Application No. 18/985,465

ELECTRONIC DEVICE SECUREMENT BAND

Final Rejection §102§103
Filed
Dec 18, 2024
Priority
Jun 11, 2024 — provisional 63/658,439
Examiner
GYAWALI, BIPIN
Art Unit
2625
Tech Center
2600 — Communications
Assignee
Apple Inc.
OA Round
2 (Final)
58%
Grant Probability
Moderate
3-4
OA Rounds
1y 5m
Est. Remaining
58%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 58% of resolved cases
58%
Career Allowance Rate
219 granted / 376 resolved
-3.8% vs TC avg
Minimal -1% lift
Without
With
+-0.6%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 11m
Avg Prosecution
23 currently pending
Career history
402
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.3%
-39.7% vs TC avg
§103
95.4%
+55.4% vs TC avg
§102
3.6%
-36.4% vs TC avg
§112
0.6%
-39.4% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 376 resolved cases

Office Action

§102 §103
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 . Response to Amendment The applicant has amended their application as follows: Amended: 1, 9 and 16 Cancelled: None Added: None Therefore, claims 1-20 are currently pending in the instant application. Response to Arguments Applicant’s arguments with respect to claim(s) 1, 9 and 16 have been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection does not rely on any reference applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument. 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. Claim(s) 1-10 and 12-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a(1) as being anticipated by Watson et al. (US 2017/0322410 A1, hereinafter “Watson”). As to claim 1, Watson (Fig. 14A) discloses t head-mounted display device, comprising: a display assembly (142) including: a window (Para. 0079); and a light source configured to produce content displayed at the window (Para. 0033, light source of LCD display); a securement band (112) defining a closed loop (Para. 0081), the closed loop including: a first connection point (Fig. 10 element B; left); a second connection point (right B) opposite the first connection point (Para. 0087); and a third connection point (Fig. 14A element 208) disposed between the first connection point and the second connection point (Para. 0091); a first connection arm (left 146) coupling the display assembly to the first connection point (Para. 0087); a second connection arm (right 146) coupling the display assembly to the second connection point (Para. 0087); and a third connection arm (204) coupling the display assembly to the third connection point (208), wherein the third connection arm: is positioned between the securement band (112) and the display assembly (142); and extends perpendicularly away from the securement band (112) and a wearer (Fig. 9; Para. 0086, there is a clear gap between the display screen and the user head). As to claim 2, Watson (Fig. 14A) discloses the head-mounted display device of claim 1, wherein a first portion (108d) of the securement band including the third connection point (204) is more rigid than a second portion (112) of the securement band adjacent the first portion (Para. 0091, it appears that 108d is thicker than 112. Furthermore, 108d is necessarily thicker to adjust the motor 206 on the band). As to claim 3, Watson (Fig. 14A) discloses the head-mounted display device of claim 1, wherein a position of the window is adjustable relative to the securement band via at least one of the first connection arm, the second connection arm, or the third connection arm (Para. 0091). As to claim 4, Watson (Fig. 14A) discloses the head-mounted display device of claim 1, wherein the display (142) is cantilevered from the securement band (112) via the first connection arm (146). As to claim 5, Watson (Fig. 14A) discloses the head-mounted display device of claim 4, wherein the display (142) is cantilevered from the securement band (112) via the second connection arm (right 146). As to claim 6, Watson (Fig. 4) discloses the head-mounted display device of claim 1, wherein a tension of the securement band is adjustable (Para. 0081). As to claim 7, Watson (Fig. 14A) The head-mounted display device of claim 1, wherein: the closed loop includes a first material (112); and at least one of the first connection point, the second connection point, or the third connection point includes a second material (108d) more rigid than the first material (Para. 0091, it appears that 108d is thicker than 112. Furthermore, 108d is necessarily thicker to adjust the motor 206 on the band). As to claim 8, Watson (Fig. 14A) discloses the head-mounted display device of claim 1, further including a light seal (274) extending from the securement band (Para. 0096). As to claim 9, Watson (Fig. 14A) discloses a securement band for a head-mounted display device (100), comprising: a loop (112); a first side connector (right 146) adjustably coupled to the loop (112) and extending to a display (142); a second side connector (left 146) adjustably coupled to the loop and extending to the display (142); and a front connector (204) adjustably coupled to the loop (112, 108d) and extending to the display (142); wherein: the second side connector (left 146) is disposed opposite the first side connector (right 146); and the front connector (204) is disposed between the first side connector (right 146) and the second side connector (left 146); and the front connector (204) is configured to extend perpendicularly away from the loop toward the display (Fig. 9; Para. 0086, there is a clear gap between the display screen and the user head). As to claim 10, Watson (Fig. 4) discloses the securement band of claim 9, wherein the loop comprises a continuous loop (112, 108; Para. 0081). As to claim 12, Watson (Fig. 14A) discloses the securement band of claim 9, wherein the loop comprises an electronic component (206; para. 0080, 0091). As to claim 13, Watson (Fig. 14A) discloses the securement band of claim 9, wherein at least one of the first side connector or the second side connector (146) cantilevers the display from the loop (112; Fig. 9). As to claim 14, Watson (Fig. 9, 14A) discloses the securement band of claim 9, wherein an adjustment of the front connector (204) changes an angle of the display relative to the loop (C; para. 0086, 0092). As to claim 15, Watson (Fig. 14A) discloses the securement band of claim 9, wherein at least one of the first side connector, the second side connector, or the front connector (204) comprises an electronic component (206; Para. 0080, 0091). As to claim 16, Watson (Fig. 14A) discloses the electronic display device, comprising: a display assembly (142) including a frame (frame of display 142) and a display coupled to the frame (Para. 0084); a securement band (112) configured secure the display assembly to a head (user head); a first side connector (left 146) adjustably coupling the display assembly (142) to the securement band (112); a second side connector (right 146) opposite the first side connector (left 146), the second side connector adjustably coupling the display assembly to the securement band (112); and a front connector (204) adjustably coupling the display assembly (142) to the securement band (112, 108d) wherein the front connector: is positioned between the frame (142) and the securement band (112); and extends perpendicularly from the securement band (112) and the head (Fig. 9; Para. 0086, there is a clear gap between the display screen and the user head). As to claim 17, Watson (Fig. 14A) discloses the electronic display device of claim 16, wherein the first side connector (left 146) and the second side connector (right 146) are each translatable in a first direction (Fig. 15 element B) relative to the securement band (Para. 0094). As to claim 18, Watson (Fig. 14A) discloses the electronic display device of claim 17, wherein the front connector (204) is translatable in a second direction (C) substantially perpendicular to the first direction relative (Fig. 15 element B) to the securement band (112, B and C appear to be substantially perpendicular to each other). As to claim 19, Watson (Fig. 14A) discloses the electronic display device of claim 16, wherein the first side connector (146) and the second side connector are each configured to support a greater portion of a weight of the display assembly than the front connector (204; Para. 0101, furthermore the left and right 146 would inherently support greater weight than 204). As to claim 20, Watson (Fig. 15) discloses the electronic display device of claim 16, wherein the first side connector (left 146) and the second side connector (right 146) are rotatable (B) and translatable (Fig. 23A-23C) relative to the securement band (Para. 0102). Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103 The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action: A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made. Claim(s) 11 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Watson as applied to claim 9 above, and further in view of Han et al. (US 2019/0227329 A1, hereinafter “Han”). As to claim 11, Watson does not disclose the securement band of claim 9, wherein the loop comprises: a first portion; and a second portion more elastic than the first portion. However, Han (Fig. 7) teaches wherein the loop comprises: a first portion (170); and a second portion (190) more elastic than the first portion (Fig. 8; Para. 0107-0110). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to combine the teaching of Chi to use elastic member in the device disclosed by Watson. The motivation would have been to allow movement of the connection points (Chi; Para. 0105). Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant‘s disclosure. Hu et al. (US 2019/0369659 A1) discloses three support arms (Fig. 1). Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a). A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to BIPIN GYAWALI whose telephone number is (571)272-1597. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 9:00-5:30 PM. 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, Will Boddie can be reached at 571-272-0666. 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. BIPIN GYAWALI Examiner Art Unit 2625 /BIPIN GYAWALI/ Examiner, Art Unit 2625
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Show 1 earlier event
Dec 11, 2025
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §102, §103
Feb 12, 2026
Applicant Interview (Telephonic)
Feb 13, 2026
Examiner Interview Summary
Feb 24, 2026
Response Filed
Apr 02, 2026
Final Rejection mailed — §102, §103
May 18, 2026
Applicant Interview (Telephonic)
May 19, 2026
Examiner Interview Summary
May 27, 2026
Response after Non-Final Action

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12640082
DISPLAY DEVICE
2y 9m to grant Granted May 26, 2026
Patent 12640093
DISPLAY PANEL AND DISPLAY DEVICE
2y 1m to grant Granted May 26, 2026
Patent 12626640
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONFIGURING A DISPLAY DEVICE AND DISPLAY SYSTEM
2y 1m to grant Granted May 12, 2026
Patent 12625582
INFORMATION PROCESSING DEVICE, INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM, INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD, AND COMPUTER-READABLE MEDIUM
1y 6m to grant Granted May 12, 2026
Patent 12620347
DISPLAY APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME
1y 6m to grant Granted May 05, 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

3-4
Expected OA Rounds
58%
Grant Probability
58%
With Interview (-0.6%)
2y 11m (~1y 5m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Moderate
PTA Risk
Based on 376 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

Sign in with your work email

Enter your email to receive a magic link. No password needed.

Personal email addresses (Gmail, Yahoo, etc.) are not accepted.

Free tier: 3 strategy analyses per month