Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 27, 2026
Application No. 19/061,844

SLOT FILLING USING A ZERO SHOT MODEL FOR CONVERSATIONAL AI SYSTEMS AND APPLICATIONS

Non-Final OA §DP
Filed
Feb 24, 2025
Priority
Dec 02, 2022 — continuation of 12/236,204
Examiner
PATEL, YOGESHKUMAR G
Art Unit
2691
Tech Center
2600 — Communications
Assignee
NVIDIA Corporation
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
84%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
7m
Est. Remaining
87%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 84% — above average
84%
Career Allowance Rate
571 granted / 683 resolved
+21.6% vs TC avg
Minimal +3% lift
Without
With
+3.2%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 3m
Avg Prosecution
20 currently pending
Career history
701
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
5.1%
-34.9% vs TC avg
§103
68.4%
+28.4% vs TC avg
§102
12.5%
-27.5% vs TC avg
§112
11.5%
-28.5% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 683 resolved cases

Office Action

§DP
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 . Double Patenting A rejection based on double patenting of the “same invention” type finds its support in the language of 35 U.S.C. 101 which states that “whoever invents or discovers any new and useful process... may obtain a patent therefor...” (Emphasis added). Thus, the term “same invention,” in this context, means an invention drawn to identical subject matter. See Miller v. Eagle Mfg. Co., 151 U.S. 186 (1894); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); and In re Ockert, 245 F.2d 467, 114 USPQ 330 (CCPA 1957). A statutory type (35 U.S.C. 101) double patenting rejection can be overcome by canceling or amending the claims that are directed to the same invention so they are no longer coextensive in scope. The filing of a terminal disclaimer cannot overcome a double patenting rejection based upon 35 U.S.C. 101. Application #18/074,294 Claim 1: A method comprising: receiving a natural language input from a user, identifying a mention span included in the natural language input; and determining, using a machine learning model, that the mention span is associated with a slot class included in a set of slot classes based at least on a set of slot class descriptions corresponding to the set of slot classes. Patent #12,236,204 Claim 1: A method comprising: receiving a natural language input from a user, identifying a mention span included in the natural language input; and determining, using a machine learning model, that the mention span is associated with a slot class included in a set of slot classes based at least on a set of slot class descriptions corresponding to the set of slot classes. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to YOGESHKUMAR G PATEL whose telephone number is (571)272-3957. The examiner can normally be reached 7:30 AM-4 PM PST. 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, Duc Nguyen can be reached at (571) 272-7503. 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. /YOGESHKUMAR PATEL/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2691
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Feb 24, 2025
Application Filed
Sep 30, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §DP (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12771566
CONFERENCE CREATION METHOD, CONFERENCE CONTROL METHOD, AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE
2y 11m to grant Granted Oct 20, 2026
Patent 12769789
SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUS TO IMPROVE MEDIA IDENTIFICATION
2y 4m to grant Granted Oct 20, 2026
Patent 12763088
SPEECH ENHANCEMENT
2y 9m to grant Granted Oct 13, 2026
Patent 12741594
VEHICLE BODY PANELS FOR SPEAKERS, SPEAKER ASSEMBLIES WITH VEHICLE BODY PANELS, AND INSTALLATION METHODS THEREFORE
2y 6m to grant Granted Sep 22, 2026
Patent 12743247
ACOUSTIC DEVICE, PROGRAM, AND CONTROL METHOD
2y 4m to grant Granted Sep 22, 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
84%
Grant Probability
87%
With Interview (+3.2%)
2y 3m (~7m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 683 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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