Prosecution Insights
Last updated: July 17, 2026
Application No. 19/061,830

LIGHT ARRAY CONTROL

Non-Final OA §102
Filed
Feb 24, 2025
Priority
Mar 25, 2024 — provisional 63/569,657
Examiner
SATHIRAJU, SRINIVAS
Art Unit
Tech Center
Assignee
Analog Devices Inc.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
89%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
7m
Est. Remaining
95%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 89% — above average
89%
Career Allowance Rate
728 granted / 820 resolved
+28.8% vs TC avg
Moderate +6% lift
Without
With
+6.1%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Fast prosecutor
2y 0m
Avg Prosecution
35 currently pending
Career history
848
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
1.3%
-38.7% vs TC avg
§103
62.6%
+22.6% vs TC avg
§102
9.9%
-30.1% vs TC avg
§112
10.0%
-30.0% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 820 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 . 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 1-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102 (a)(1) as being anticipated by US20230096367 A1 by Mano et al (Mano). Referring to claim 1, Mano Fig 1 -13 C teaches: A remote node (Fig 3 item 300 light distribution controller regarded as remote node controller) for controlling a vehicle headlamp light array (Fig 2, paragraphs [0056] –[0059] and Fig 3 paragraph [0063]) teaches , the remote node comprising: a memory (Fig 3 item 320) configured to store a plurality of mathematical functions for generating a corresponding plurality of predetermined image types, wherein the plurality of image types comprises at least a low beam image and a high beam image (See paragraph [0030] [0058]. Mano teaches non-volatile memory 320 stores a software program to generate a light distribution image a light distribution image IMG_LD according to a high beam and/or a low beam using variations according to equations (1)-(3); it is evident and considered at least implicitly disclosed that the mathematical functions used in combination must be stored in some form, either separately or as a module of the software program]); PNG media_image1.png 338 728 media_image1.png Greyscale a receive interface (Fig 2 item 220 receiving interface) configured to receive frame data, wherein the frame data comprises selection data indicative of a selected one of the plurality of image types (see paragraphs [0061]- [0064] where Mano teaches light distribution controller 300 receives lighting command CMD for instructing on/off of a low beam or a high beam together with information INFO) ; a rendering engine configured to generate, using a mathematical function of the plurality of mathematical functions corresponding to the selected one of the plurality of image types, a signal usable by the vehicle headlamp light array to generate an output image (See Fig 3 signal processor 310 including a processor 312 and a hardware logic circuit 314 executes a program for generating the image data IMG_LD according to a high beam, low beam, or combinations thereof etc paragraphs [0067]-[0071])]; and PNG media_image2.png 448 656 media_image2.png Greyscale an output interface configured to output the signal to the vehicle headlamp light array. (See Fig. 3, paragraph [0066] output interface 306). Referring to claim 2 Mono teaches the remote node of claim 1, wherein the frame data comprises overlay information for generating an overlay to be applied to the selected one of the plurality of image types, wherein the rendering engine is configured to generate the signal further using the overlay information. (See Fig 4 and paragraph [0071]-[0076] where Mano’s mask region discloses the transmission of overlay information). Referring to claim 3 Mono teaches the remote node of claim 2, wherein the overlay information comprises mask information for generating at least one mask region for inclusion in the overlay. (See Fig 4-7 and paragraph [0071] [0075] [0076] ] and [0081] where Mano’s mask region discloses the transmission of overlay information) Referring to claim 4 Mono teaches the remote node of claim 3, wherein each at least one mask region has a defined light intensity. (See Fig 4-7 and paragraph [0071] [0075] [0076] ] and [0081] where Mano’s mask region discloses the transmission of overlay information). Referring to claim 5 Mono teaches the remote node of claim 3, wherein the mask information is indicative of at least one mask coordinate and an intensity value for each at least one mask region. (See Fig 4-7 and paragraph [0071] [0075] [0076] ] and [0081] where Mano’s mask region discloses the transmission of overlay information). Referring to claim 6 Mono teaches the remote node of claim 2, wherein the overlay information comprises supplementary information for inclusion of a supplementary image in the overlay. (See Fig 4-7 and paragraph [0071] [0075] [0076] ] and [0081] where Mano’s mask region discloses the transmission of overlay information). Referring to claim 7 Mono teaches the remote node of claim 6, wherein the supplementary information comprises a compressed version of the supplementary image and the rendering engine is configured to generate the supplementary image using the supplementary information. (See Fig 4-7 and paragraph [0098] where Mano’s mask region discloses the compressing pattern). Referring to claim 8 Mono teaches the remote node of claim 1, wherein the plurality of mathematical functions are received from a processing unit. (See paragraphs [0075] –[0081]). Referring to claim 9 Mono teaches the remote node of claim 1, wherein the frame data further comprises parameter changes to the mathematical function. t. (See paragraphs [0075] –[0081]). Referring to claim 10 Mono Fig 3 teaches: A processing unit (Fig 3 item 312 [0068]) for controlling a vehicle headlamp light array (See abstract), comprising: a processing unit (item 312 paragraph [0068]) configured to generate frame data comprising selection data indicative of a selected one of a plurality of image types, wherein the plurality of image types comprises at least a low beam image and a high beam image (See paragraph [0030] [0058]. Mano teaches non-volatile memory 320 stores a software program to generate a light distribution image a light distribution image IMG_LD according to a high beam and/or a low beam using variations according to equations (1)-(3); it is evident and considered at least implicitly disclosed that the mathematical functions used in combination must be stored in some form, either separately or as a module of the software program]); PNG media_image2.png 448 656 media_image2.png Greyscale and a transmit interface configured to send the frame data to a remote node for generating a signal at the remote node usable by the vehicle headlamp light array to generate an output image. (See Fig 3 and paragraphs [0061] –[0068] where Mano teaches the data is transmitted through interfaces 302 and 304) Referring to claim 11 Mono teaches the processing unit of claim 10, wherein the frame data comprises overlay information for generating an overlay to be applied to the selected one of the plurality of image types. . (See Fig 4 and paragraph [0071]-[0076] where Mano’s mask region discloses the transmission of overlay information). Referring to claim 12 Mono teaches the processing unit of claim 11, wherein the overlay information comprises mask information for generating at least one mask region for inclusion in the overlay. . (See Fig 4 and paragraph [0071]-[0076] where Mano’s mask region discloses the transmission of overlay information). Referring to claim 13 Mono teaches the processing unit of claim 12, wherein each at least one mask region has a defined light intensity. . (See Fig 4 and paragraph [0071]-[0076] where Mano’s mask region discloses the transmission of overlay information). Referring to claim 14 Mono teaches the processing unit of claim 12, wherein the mask information is indicative of at least one mask coordinate and an intensity value for each at least one mask region. (See Fig 4 and paragraph [0094]-[0099] where Mano’s mask region discloses the transmission of overlay information). Referring to claim 15 Mono teaches the processing unit of claim 11 wherein the overlay information comprises supplementary information for inclusion in the overlay. . (See Fig 4 and paragraph [0071]-[0076] where Mano’s mask region discloses the transmission of overlay information). Referring to claim 16 Mono teaches the processing unit of claim 15, wherein the supplementary information is compressed. (See paragraph [0098] where Mano teaches compressing the lighting pattern). Referring to claim 17 Mono Fig 2,3, 9-13C teaches a method for controlling a vehicle headlamp light array using a remote node, comprising: receiving frame data, wherein the frame data comprises selection data indicative of a selected one of a plurality of image types, wherein the plurality of image types comprises at least a low beam image and a high beam image; generating, using a mathematical function corresponding to the selected one of the plurality of image types, a signal usable by the vehicle headlamp light array to generate an output image; and outputting the signal to the vehicle headlamp light array. (See paragraph [0030] [0058] [0061]-[0068], [0104] –[0114] Mano teaches non-volatile memory 320 stores a software program to generate a light distribution image a light distribution image IMG_LD according to a high beam and/or a low beam using variations according to equations (1)-(3); it is evident and considered at least implicitly disclosed that the mathematical functions used in combination must be stored in some form, either separately or as a module of the software program]); Referring to claim 18 Mono teaches the method of claim 17, wherein the frame data comprises overlay information for generating an overlay to be applied to the selected one of the plurality of image types, wherein a remote note is configured to generate the signal further using the overlay information. (See Fig 4-7 and paragraph [0071] [0075] [0076] ] and [0081] where Mano’s mask region discloses the transmission of overlay information). Referring to claim 19 Mono teaches the method of claim 18, wherein the overlay information comprises mask information for generating at least one mask region for inclusion in the overlay. (See Fig 4-7 and paragraph [0071] [0075] [0076] ] and [0081] where Mano’s mask region discloses the transmission of overlay information). Referring to claim 20 Mono teaches the method of claim 17, wherein the frame data comprises overlay information that comprises supplementary information for inclusion in the overlay. (See Fig 4-7 and paragraph [0071] [0075] [0076] ] and [0081] where Mano’s mask region discloses the transmission of overlay information). Conclusion Claims 1-20 are rejected over prior art. The prior of art made of record and not relied upon is considered to pertinent to applicant’s disclosure. Applicants are directed to consider additional pertinent prior art included on the notice of references cited PTOL 892 attached here with. The examiner has pointed out particular references contained in the prior art of record within the body of this action for the convenience of the Applicants. Although the specified citations are representative of the teachings in the art and are applied to the specific limitations within the individual claim other passages and figures may apply. Applicant, in preparing the response should consider fully the entire reference as potentially teaching all or part of the claimed invention as well as the context of the passage as taught by the prior art or disclosed by the examiner. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to SRINIVAS SATHIRAJU whose telephone number is (571)272-4250. The examiner can normally be reached 8:30AM-3:30PM, 5PM -8:30PM. 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, ALEXANDER H TANINGCO can be reached at 5712728048. 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. /SRINIVAS SATHIRAJU/ 06/16/2026 SRINIVAS . SATHIRAJU Primary Examiner Art Unit 2845
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Prosecution Timeline

Feb 24, 2025
Application Filed
Jun 22, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §102 (current)

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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
89%
Grant Probability
95%
With Interview (+6.1%)
2y 0m (~7m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 820 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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