Prosecution Insights
Last updated: July 17, 2026
Application No. 19/003,412

PROBE ADAPTER AND MEASUREMENT SYSTEM

Non-Final OA §101
Filed
Dec 27, 2024
Priority
Feb 01, 2024 — CN CN202410146765X
Examiner
SHAH, NEEL D
Art Unit
2858
Tech Center
2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems
Assignee
Rigol Technologies Co. Ltd.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
87%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
9m
Est. Remaining
94%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 87% — above average
87%
Career Allowance Rate
541 granted / 622 resolved
+19.0% vs TC avg
Moderate +7% lift
Without
With
+7.3%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 3m
Avg Prosecution
19 currently pending
Career history
642
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
7.4%
-32.6% vs TC avg
§103
71.7%
+31.7% vs TC avg
§102
17.7%
-22.3% vs TC avg
§112
2.3%
-37.7% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 622 resolved cases

Office Action

§101
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status 1. The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . Priority 2. Acknowledgment is made of applicant's claim for foreign priority based on an application filed in CN202410146765X on 2/1/24. It is noted, however, that applicant has not filed a certified copy of the 19/003,412 application as required by 37 CFR 1.55. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 101 3. 35 U.S.C. 101 reads as follows: Whoever invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof, may obtain a patent therefor, subject to the conditions and requirements of this title. The text of those sections of Title 35, U.S. Code not included in this action can be found in a prior Office action. 4. Claims 1-18 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 because the claimed invention is directed to an Abstract idea without significantly more. 5. Regarding claim 1, the limitations of “configured to adjust an impedance of the measured signal to match an input impedance of the measuring instrument, and/or adjust an amplitude of the measured signal to match a measurement range of the measuring instrument” is directed to an abstract idea of using a mathematical/algorithmic function for measuring and adjusting impedance of the measured signal. The step(s) listed above merely teaches a mathematical step which is a part of the software instructions to be implemented. This idea is similar to a basic concept of collecting data and manipulating/processing data which is found to be an abstract idea by the courts. This judicial exception is not integrated into a practical application because the abstract idea itself is monopolized here rather than being a particular narrow application of the abstract idea. Generic computer functions are described here, generally linking the judicial exception to a particular technology (probe adapter). The claim(s) does/do not include additional elements that are sufficient to amount to significantly more than the judicial exception because elements like a first interface, a second interface, transmission lines, a conditioning circuit are all part of a generic processor/oscilloscope and the setup is considered well-understood, routine and conventional in the field of art (see prior arts of record: Wei, Jian-ming CN 210465520, Figures 1-3; Ju, Bing-feng CN 203815495, Figures 1-2; McTigue (US 2007/0057682), Figures 1-3; Logsdon Brian (WO 2006059259), Figures 1-3; McTigue (US 2004/0085057), Figures 1-5). 6. Claims 2-18 are also rejected as they further limit claim 1. Note: no prior art rejection is made at the moment. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to NEEL D SHAH whose telephone number is (571)270-3766. The examiner can normally be reached M-F: 9AM-5:30PM. 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, Judy Nguyen can be reached at 571-272-2258. 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. /NEEL D SHAH/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2858
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Dec 27, 2024
Application Filed
Jun 26, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §101 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12681045
PROBE CARD, AND SUPPORTING STRUCTURE AND PROBE STRUCTURE THEREOF
3y 1m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026
Patent 12681078
PROCEDURE FOR MAKING ON-DIE-PARAMETRIC MEASUREMENTS OF CIRCUIT DEVICES
2y 6m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026
Patent 12681077
MASS-INTERCONNECT ENGAGING DEVICE
2y 3m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026
Patent 12681069
SENSING SYMMETRICAL AND ASYMMETRICAL INSULATION FAULTS BY THE ASYMMETRICALLY SWITCHABLE SENSING OF FAULT CURRENT
1y 11m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026
Patent 12681095
BATTERY SYSTEM MONITORING DEVICE
1y 11m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026
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
94%
With Interview (+7.3%)
2y 3m (~9m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 622 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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