Last updated: July 17, 2026

Application No. 18/993,895

Method and Apparatus for Monitoring an Environment of a Vehicle

Non-Final OA

Filed

Jan 13, 2025

Priority

Jul 27, 2022 — EU 22187247.6 +1 more

Examiner

HEFLIN, HARRISON JAMES RIEL

Art Unit

3665

Tech Center

3600 — Transportation & Electronic Commerce

Assignee

Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +12.3% interview lift. Interview lift (+12.3%) is below the 15.0% threshold. A written response is recommended.

Based on 149 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

HEFLIN, HARRISON JAMES RIEL View full profile →

Grants 72% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

107 granted / 149 resolved

+19.8% vs TC avg

Moderate +12% lift

Without

With

+12.3%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

2y 7m

Avg Prosecution

16 currently pending

Career history

170

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

4.8%

-35.2% vs TC avg

§103

82.7%

+42.7% vs TC avg

§102

5.8%

-34.2% vs TC avg

§112

3.8%

-36.2% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 149 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Jan 13, 2025

Application Filed

May 26, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

18/279,922

Patent 12681489

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR LOCALIZING A MOBILE ROBOT

2y 10m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

18/743,040

Patent 12669335

PASSAGE PLANNING AND NAVIGATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS

2y 0m to grant Granted Jun 30, 2026

18/435,532

Patent 12660747

CONTROL INTERFACE FOR AUTONOMY

2y 4m to grant Granted Jun 23, 2026

18/733,066

Patent 12648514

NAVIGATION FOR A ROBOTIC LAWNMOWER SYSTEM

2y 0m to grant Granted Jun 09, 2026

18/589,369

Patent 12638862

MOWER FLEET MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD

2y 2m to grant Granted May 26, 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

72%

Grant Probability

84%

With Interview (+12.3%)

2y 7m (~1y 1m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 149 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.