Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 19/012,767

Slatted Cathode for Frequency Agility of MILO HPM Source

Non-Final OA §102
Filed
Jan 07, 2025
Examiner
GANNON, LEVI
Art Unit
2849
Tech Center
2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems
Assignee
UNM RAINFOREST INNOVATIONS
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
82%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
2y 2m
To Grant
89%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 82% — above average
82%
Career Allow Rate
1225 granted / 1484 resolved
+14.5% vs TC avg
Moderate +7% lift
Without
With
+6.7%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Fast prosecutor
2y 2m
Avg Prosecution
29 currently pending
Career history
1513
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
1.7%
-38.3% vs TC avg
§103
40.4%
+0.4% vs TC avg
§102
36.7%
-3.3% vs TC avg
§112
14.0%
-26.0% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1484 resolved cases

Office Action

§102
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 . Specification The abstract of the disclosure is objected to because the abstract does not describe the invention to which the claims are directed. A corrected abstract of the disclosure is required and must be presented on a separate sheet, apart from any other text. See MPEP § 608.01(b). The title of the invention is not descriptive. A new title is required that is clearly indicative of the invention to which the claims are directed. The following title is suggested: Frequency-Adjustable Cross-Field Device. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102 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. Claims 9-13 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Lee (US 5,798,613). Regarding claim 9, Lee teaches a cross-field device (magnetron; figures 4 and 5) comprising: a cavity (The cavity/space within anode 42 can be seen in figures 4 and 5.) having an aperture (portion of cavity where vanes 41 are present) and changes to said aperture (changing number and size of vanes; abstract) of said cavity change the capacitance of the cavity (Similar to the instant application, the capacitance of a magnetron cavity is changed by changing a number/size of vanes within the magnetron cavity. Abstract of Lee.). As for claim 10, Lee teaches wherein changes to said aperture of said cavity change both the capacitance of said cavity and the fundamental or resonant frequency of said cavity (Similar to the instant application, the capacitance and frequency of a magnetron cavity is changed by changing a number/size of vanes within the magnetron cavity. Abstract of Lee.). As for claim 11, Lee teaches one or more spaced apart vanes (41) located in said cavity wherein changing the dimensions of said one or more of said vanes changes the aperture of said cross field device (Lee teaches adjusting the frequency of a magnetron by adjusting the number of vanes and dimensions of vanes in the magnetron. Abstract of Lee.). Regarding claim 12, Lee teaches one or more spaced apart vanes (41) located in said cavity wherein changing the width of said one or more of said vanes changes the aperture of said cross field device (Lee teaches adjusting the frequency of a magnetron by adjusting the number of vanes and dimensions of vanes in the magnetron. Abstract of Lee. The terms height and width are relative terms that are a matter of perspective.). Regarding claim 13, Lee teaches one or more spaced apart vanes (41) located in said cavity wherein changing the number of vanes in said cavity changes the aperture of said cross field device (Lee teaches adjusting the frequency of a magnetron by adjusting the number of vanes and dimensions of vanes in the magnetron. Abstract of Lee.). Claims 9, 10, and 13 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by La Rue et al. (US 2,983,843; “La Rue”). Regarding claim 9, La Rue teaches a cross-field device (magnetron; figures 3 and 4) comprising: a cavity (The cavity/space within anode 18 can be seen in figures 3 and 4.) having an aperture (portion of cavity where vanes 14 are present) and changes to said aperture (changing number of vanes; col. 3, lines 3-15, 46-49, 67-73) of said cavity change the capacitance of the cavity (La Rue teaches adjusting the frequency and capacitance of a magnetron by adjusting the number of vanes in the magnetron. Col. 3, lines 3-15, 46-49, 67-73). As for claim 10, La Rue teaches wherein changes to said aperture of said cavity change both the capacitance of said cavity and the fundamental or resonant frequency of said cavity (La Rue teaches adjusting the frequency and capacitance of a magnetron by adjusting the number of vanes in the magnetron. Col. 3, lines 3-15, 46-49, 67-73). As for claim 13, La Rue teaches one or more spaced apart vanes (41) located in said cavity wherein changing the number of vanes in said cavity changes the aperture of said cross field device (La Rue teaches adjusting the frequency and capacitance of a magnetron by adjusting the number of vanes in the magnetron. Col. 3, lines 3-15, 46-49, 67-73). Conclusion The prior art references made of record and not relied upon teach frequency-adjustable cross-field devices, comprising: adjusting sizes, positions, spacings, and shapes of vanes and cavities. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to LEVI GANNON whose telephone number is (571)272-7971. The examiner can normally be reached 7:00AM-4:30PM. 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, Menatoallah Youssef can be reached at 571-270-3684. 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. /LEVI GANNON/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2849 January 30, 2026
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Jan 07, 2025
Application Filed
Jan 30, 2026
Non-Final Rejection — §102 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

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NETWORK COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF OSCILLATORS
2y 5m to grant Granted Apr 14, 2026
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2y 5m to grant Granted Apr 14, 2026
Patent 12587135
OSCILLATION CIRCUIT AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE
2y 5m to grant Granted Mar 24, 2026
Patent 12573984
INTEGRATED OPTO-ELECTRONIC OSCILLATOR CHIP AS MICROWAVE AND MILLIMETER-WAVE FREQUENCY SYNTHESIZER
2y 5m to grant Granted Mar 10, 2026
Patent 12573933
ACTUATOR DEVICE FOR USE IN A POSITIONING SYSTEM AS WELL AS SUCH POSITIONING SYSTEM
2y 5m to grant Granted Mar 10, 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
82%
Grant Probability
89%
With Interview (+6.7%)
2y 2m
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 1484 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allow rate.

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