Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 19/023,730

METHODS AND APPARATUS TO DETERMINE ENGAGEMENT LEVELS OF AUDIENCE MEMBERS

Non-Final OA §112
Filed
Jan 16, 2025
Examiner
LE, RONG
Art Unit
2421
Tech Center
2400 — Computer Networks
Assignee
The Nielsen Company (US), LLC
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
68%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
3y 4m
To Grant
98%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 68% — above average
68%
Career Allow Rate
295 granted / 435 resolved
+9.8% vs TC avg
Strong +30% interview lift
Without
With
+29.7%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 4m
Avg Prosecution
34 currently pending
Career history
469
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
5.3%
-34.7% vs TC avg
§103
58.2%
+18.2% vs TC avg
§102
13.8%
-26.2% vs TC avg
§112
11.1%
-28.9% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 435 resolved cases

Office Action

§112
DETAILED ACTION Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status The present application is being examined under the pre-AIA first to invent provisions. Miscellaneous Claims pending: 2-21, Claims amended: n/a Claims cancelled: 1 New claims: 2-21, Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112 The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of 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 2-21 (filed 08/19/2025) are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112, first paragraph, as failing to comply with the written description requirement. The claim(s) contains subject matter which was not described in the specification in such a way as to reasonably convey to one skilled in the relevant art that the inventor(s), at the time the application was filed, had possession of the claimed invention. Claim(s) 1, 8, states that the “…(iv) determining the engagement level based on the pose data, the eye data, and the determination that the audience member was sleeping. . .” Claim(s) 14, states that the “… (iii) determining the engagement level based on the pose data and the determination that the audience member was sleeping,..” However, the only write description are shown in Fig 1, 4, P. 49. (application 19023739), and Fig 1, P. 48 (application 13728515) “…For example, when the engagement level calculator 400 determines that the audience member 110 of FIG. 1 is sleeping, the engagement level for any media presentation device of the environment 100 is affected by the detection (e.g., is set to a level indicative of disengagement from the respective media presentation device).” only indicates using sleeping to determine disengagement, but nothing as claimed. Further action is required. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to RONG LE whose telephone number is (571)270-7637. The examiner can normally be reached M-F (9 am - 6pm). 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, Nathan Flynn can be reached at 5712721915. 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. /RONG LE/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2421
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Jan 16, 2025
Application Filed
Aug 19, 2025
Response after Non-Final Action
Mar 11, 2026
Non-Final Rejection — §112 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12598657
Projection Connection Control Method And Electronic Device
2y 5m to grant Granted Apr 07, 2026
Patent 12581141
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CUSTOMISATION OF MEDIA INFORMATION
2y 5m to grant Granted Mar 17, 2026
Patent 12574589
Signaling for Picture In Picture In Media Container File and In Streaming Manifest
2y 5m to grant Granted Mar 10, 2026
Patent 12574604
PROGRAM GUIDE WITH SPOILER PREVENTION
2y 5m to grant Granted Mar 10, 2026
Patent 12574583
DISPLAY APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PERSON RECOGNITION AND PRESENTATION
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
68%
Grant Probability
98%
With Interview (+29.7%)
3y 4m
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 435 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allow rate.

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