Prosecution Insights
Last updated: September 17, 2026
Application No. 19/077,953

Systems and Methods for Camera Protection in Hazardous Environments

Non-Final OA §103
Filed
Mar 12, 2025
Priority
Dec 09, 2022 — provisional 63/386,780 +1 more
Examiner
OWENS, TSION B
Art Unit
2487
Tech Center
2400 — Computer Networks
Assignee
Veolia Nuclear Solutions Inc.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
88%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
7m
Est. Remaining
96%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 88% — above average
88%
Career Allowance Rate
605 granted / 686 resolved
+30.2% vs TC avg
Moderate +8% lift
Without
With
+8.2%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Fast prosecutor
2y 1m
Avg Prosecution
15 currently pending
Career history
698
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
11.6%
-28.4% vs TC avg
§103
51.3%
+11.3% vs TC avg
§102
23.0%
-17.0% vs TC avg
§112
2.9%
-37.1% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 686 resolved cases

Office Action

§103
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 . Restriction Applicants’ election without traverse of claims 7-14 of group II in the reply filed on 07/06/2026 is acknowledged. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103 The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action: A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability should not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made. Claims 7, 9-11 and 13-14 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Barringe et al. (US 2015/0195437) (Niklas Barringe) in view of Yuta et al. (JP 2018/128401) (Arai Yuta). Regarding Claim 7, Barringer discloses a camera protection system comprising: a container having an interior space [See abstract and Figs. 1-2], a camera positioned outside the container [See Paragraphs 24-32and Fig. 4], and a shielding structure positioned around the camera, wherein the shielding structure comprises a radiation-absorbing material structured to reduce gamma radiation exposure to the camera [See abstract and Paragraphs 6-11]and 28-36. Barringer doesn’t explicitly disclose a mirror positioned adjacent to a viewport of the container, the mirror having a reflective layer configured to reflect infrared signals from the interior space of the container toward the camera while allowing gamma radiation to pass through the mirror without substantial reflection However, Yuta discloses a mirror positioned adjacent to a viewport of the container, the mirror having a reflective layer configured to reflect infrared signals from the interior space of the container toward the camera while allowing gamma radiation to pass through the mirror without substantial reflection [See Paragraphs 15-36], It would have been obvious to the person of ordinary skill in the art at time of invention to modify the system disclosed by Gweon to add the teachings in Yuta as above, to provide a method that enables easy acquisition of external appearance of test subject and correspondence of internal structure. Offers small X-ray fluoroscope inspection apparatus [See Paragraph 9]. Regarding Claim 9, Barringer doesn’t explicitly disclose wherein the reflective layer comprises at least one of aluminum or silver. However, Yuta discloses wherein the reflective layer comprises at least one of aluminum or silver [See Paragraph 15]. It would have been obvious to the person of ordinary skill in the art at time of invention to modify the system disclosed by Gweon to add the teachings in Yuta as above, to provide a method that enables easy acquisition of external appearance of test subject and correspondence of internal structure. Offers small X-ray fluoroscope inspection apparatus [See Paragraph 9]. Regarding Claim 10, Barringer doesn’t explicitly disclose wherein the mirror is positioned at an angle of approximately 45 degrees relative to an optical axis extending from the interior space through the viewport. However, Yuta discloses wherein the mirror is positioned at an angle of approximately 45 degrees relative to an optical axis extending from the interior space through the viewport [See Paragraph 15]. It would have been obvious to the person of ordinary skill in the art at time of invention to modify the system disclosed by Gweon to add the teachings in Yuta as above, to provide a method that enables easy acquisition of external appearance of test subject and correspondence of internal structure. Offers small X-ray fluoroscope inspection apparatus [See Paragraph 9]. Regarding Claim 11, Barringer discloses wherein the radiation-absorbing material comprises lead [See Paragraph 11]. Regarding Claim13, Barringer doesn’t explicitly disclose wherein the camera is an infrared camera. However, Yuta discloses wherein the camera is an infrared camera [See Paragraph 11]. It would have been obvious to the person of ordinary skill in the art at time of invention to modify the system disclosed by Gweon to add the teachings in Yuta as above, to provide a method that enables easy acquisition of external appearance of test subject and correspondence of internal structure. Offers small X-ray fluoroscope inspection apparatus [See Paragraph 9]. Regarding Claim 14, Barringer doesn’t explicitly disclose wherein the mirror is a first surface mirror However, Yuta discloses wherein the mirror is a first surface mirror [See Paragraphs 15-16]. It would have been obvious to the person of ordinary skill in the art at time of invention to modify the system disclosed by Gweon to add the teachings in Yuta as above, to provide a method that enables easy acquisition of external appearance of test subject and correspondence of internal structure. Offers small X-ray fluoroscope inspection apparatus [See Paragraph 9]. Claims 8 and 12 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Barringe et al. (US 2015/0195437) (Niklas Barringe) in view of Yuta et al. (JP 2018/128401) (Arai Yuta), and further in view of Frangioni et al. (US 2006/0108509) (John Frangioni) Regarding Claim 8, Barringer and Yuta don’t explicitly wherein the reflective layer comprises gold However. Frangiomi discloses wherein the reflective layer comprises gold [See Paragraph 71]. It would have been obvious to the person of ordinary skill in the art at time of invention to modify the system disclosed by Gweon and Yuta to add the teachings in Frangiom as above, to provide a method that he system provides multi-image data indicative of spatial relationship in dimension(s) between distribution of radionuclide within portion and its optical image [See Frangiom abstract]. Regarding Claim 12, Barringer and Yuta don’t explicitly wherein the lead has a thickness of at least 60 mm. However. Frangiomi discloses wherein the lead has a thickness of at least 60 mm [See Paragraphs 71, 99, 134 60mm examiner take is a design choice]. It would have been obvious to the person of ordinary skill in the art at time of invention to modify the system disclosed by Gweon and Yuta to add the teachings in Frangiom as above, to provide a method that he system provides multi-image data indicative of spatial relationship in dimension(s) between distribution of radionuclide within portion and its optical image [See Frangiom abstract]. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to TSION B OWENS whose telephone number is (571)272-3934. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday 8:00-4:00. 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, David Czekaj can be reached at 571-272-7327. 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. /TSION B OWENS/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2487
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Mar 12, 2025
Application Filed
Jul 06, 2026
Response after Non-Final Action
Sep 02, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103 (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
88%
Grant Probability
96%
With Interview (+8.2%)
2y 1m (~7m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 686 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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