Prosecution Insights
Last updated: August 15, 2026
Application No. 19/233,481

METHOD FOR GENERATING AN OPTIMIZED ON-SCREEN KEYBOARD FOR A DEVICE, COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM AND DEVICE FOR A SUPPORTED COMMUNICATION

Final Rejection §103
Filed
Jun 10, 2025
Priority
Jun 12, 2024 — DE 102024116477.8
Examiner
NADKARNI, SARVESH J
Art Unit
2629
Tech Center
2600 — Communications
Assignee
Curly Cube GmbH
OA Round
2 (Final)
72%
Grant Probability
Favorable
3-4
OA Rounds
1y 8m
Est. Remaining
86%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 72% — above average
72%
Career Allowance Rate
372 granted / 514 resolved
+10.4% vs TC avg
Moderate +14% lift
Without
With
+14.0%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 11m
Avg Prosecution
23 currently pending
Career history
538
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
1.4%
-38.6% vs TC avg
§103
74.3%
+34.3% vs TC avg
§102
10.2%
-29.8% vs TC avg
§112
11.4%
-28.6% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 514 resolved cases

Office Action

§103
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 . Response to Arguments Applicant’s arguments with respect to the claims have been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection does not rely on any reference applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument. That is, the newly cited reference Griffin clearly discloses the limitations in question and is properly combined with previously cited references. Specifically, Griffin clearly discloses assigning the at least one word proposal to a letter button of the on-screen keyboard (Griffin at FIG. 7 [0063]-[0064] with target area 112 of the virtual key 132 having word proposals and suggestions within the letter button A), wherein the letter button displays a following letter with regard to the input prefix and the word proposal (Griffin at FIG. 7 [0063]-[0064] with target area 112 of the virtual key 132 having word proposals and suggestions within the letter button A, the entire word being displayed includes words that after “W” has been entered what may be selected for the letter A),wherein in step d), the at least one word proposal is displayed within the assigned letter button (Griffin at FIG. 7 [0063]-[0064] with target area 112 of the virtual key 132 having word proposals and suggestions within the letter button A). Therefore, Examiner respectfully submits the claims stand rejected as properly addressed below. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103 In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status. 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 shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made. Claims 1, 7-8, 11-13 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Rudchenko et al., US 2019/0034057 A1 (hereinafter “Rudchenko”) in view of Griffin, US 2018/0329625 A1 (hereinafter “Griffin”). Regarding claim 1, Rudchenko discloses a method (FIG. 2, method 200 at [0033]) for generating an optimized on-screen keyboard (FIGS. 4A-4C and virtual keyboard 404A, 404B at [0056]-[0060]) for a device (FIGS. 4A-4C, 5, 6, and 8; device 400, device 500, device 600, tablet device 800at [0056]-[0060], [0067]-[0072], [0074] and [0084]), wherein the device is formed to display an on-screen keyboard (FIGS. 4A-4C and virtual keyboard 404A, 404B at [0056]-[0060] displayed on the display within a user interface 414A at [0056])), which can be operated by a user by means of eye control (FIG. 2 at [0036] describing eye gaze input by a user therein), wherein the method has the following steps: a) displaying the on-screen keyboard (FIGS. 4A-4C and virtual keyboard 404A, 404B at [0056]-[0060] illustrating QUERTY keyboard in area 408A), which has a plurality of buttons (FIGS. 4A-4B with QUERTY keyboard provided has multiple keys at [0056]-[0060]), on the device (FIGS. 4A-4C, 5, 6, and 8; device 400, device 500, device 600, tablet device 800at [0056]-[0060], [0067]-[0072], [0074] and [0084]); b) receiving at least one user input with regard to the on-screen keyboard (FIG. 2 and [0036]-[0038] receiving gaze input at steps 206-208), by focusing on a button by means of eye control ([0007] generally and FIGS. 2 and 4A-4B describing [0034]-[0038] and [0056]-[0060]); c) determining context information, at least based on the user input ([0007] generally and FIGS. 2 and 4A-4B describing [0034]-[0038] and [0056]-[0060], given an input is a Q the display dwell times for specific keys are adjusted, the contextual data being considered based on the input and the running program); d) generating a modified on-screen keyboard based on the context information (FIGS. 4A-4B and [0007] describing various modifications to the keys, and [0056]-[0060] describing modified screen for input after Q has been input), wherein the modified on-screen keyboard includes at least one modified information and/or action element, which is arranged in a focus area of the user (FIGS. 4A-4B and [0007] describing various modifications to the keys including flashing, change colors, and animations/visual cues, in addition to change in the underlying dwell time, and [0056]-[0060] describing modified screen for input after Q has been input, further illustrating suggested word area 406A and 406B); and e) displaying the modified on-screen keyboard on the device(FIGS. 4A-B illustrating change in display based on original input of Q at [0056]-[0060], with modifications as described therein and at [0007]) characterized in that step c) comprises an evaluation of an input prefix, which is specified by a sequence of previous user inputs and the user input (FIGS. 4A-4B illustrating sequence of letters “He” at 402A , which is evaluated to produce suggested words 406A as disclosed at [0056]-[0062]), and step d) comprises the following steps: generating at least one word proposal based on the input prefix (FIGS. 4A-4B suggested words 406A as disclosed at [0056]-[0062]); the method further comprises the following steps: detecting that, by means of eye control, the user focusses on a button, in which a word proposal is displayed (Rudchenko at FIGS. 4A-4B at [0056]-[0062]) providing a completion button in the modified on-screen keyboard (FIGS. 4A-4B suggested words 406A are buttons produced and showing the words as disclosed at [0056]-[0062], these buttons serve as selection/completion buttons), wherein the completion button displays the word proposal and is formed to accept the word proposal upon selection (FIGS. 4A-4B suggested words 406A are buttons produced and showing the words as disclosed at [0056]-[0062], these buttons serve as selection/completion buttons). However, Rudchenko does not explicitly disclose assigning the at least one word proposal to a letter button of the on-screen keyboard, wherein the letter button displays a following letter with regard to the input prefix and the word proposal, wherein in step d), the at least one word proposal is displayed within the assigned letter button. In the same field of endeavor, Griffin discloses assigning the at least one word proposal to a letter button of the on-screen keyboard (Griffin at FIG. 7 [0063]-[0064] with target area 112 of the virtual key 132 having word proposals and suggestions within the letter button A), wherein the letter button displays a following letter with regard to the input prefix and the word proposal (Griffin at FIG. 7 [0063]-[0064] with target area 112 of the virtual key 132 having word proposals and suggestions within the letter button A, the entire word being displayed includes words that after “W” has been entered what may be selected for the letter A), wherein in step d), the at least one word proposal is displayed within the assigned letter button (Griffin at FIG. 7 [0063]-[0064] with target area 112 of the virtual key 132 having word proposals and suggestions within the letter button A). Before the effective filing date, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to modify the display input device and method of Rudchenko to incorporate the suggested text placement as disclosed by Griffin because the references are within the same field of endeavor, namely, display input methods and word suggestions using a virtual keyboard. The motivation to combine these references would have been to improve efficiency of typing by word suggestions proximately placed near alphanumeric character (see Griffin at Abstract and [0046]). Therefore, a person of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to combine the prior art to achieve the claimed invention and there would have been a reasonable expectation of success. Regarding claim 7, Rudchenko in view of Griffin discloses the method according to claim 1 (see above), characterized in that step c) further comprises the following steps: detecting voice (see below, condition satisfied, but also audio sensor capable of detecting voice at [0078]), image (see below, condition satisfied) and/or position data as environment data (Rudchenko at [0052] GPS data), from at least one sensor (Rudchenko at FIG. 1 and input devices 512 at [0028]); assigning the environmental data (Rudchenko at [0052] GPS data), to at least one in discussion context (Rudchenko at [0052]-[0054]), discussion partner (Rudchenko at [0052] and intended recipient) and/or location (Rudchenko location at [0052]) as at least one environment, and step d) comprises the modification of at least one button based on the environmental data (Rudchenko at [0052]-[0054], dwell times for selection button modified accordingly and dynamic suggestions accordingly at FIGS. 4A-4B and [0056]-[0062]). Regarding claim 8, Rudchenko in view of Griffin discloses the method according to claim 7 (see above), characterized in that at least one language model (Rudchenko at FIG. 5 and [0067] language processor NLP 513, machine learning language models at [0006] and [0043] with regarding to FIG. 2), is used for assigning the environmental data to at least one environment (Rudchenko at in combination with a semantic determination engine using the environment data at [0052]); and/or generating word proposals based on the environment (Rudchenko [0052] describing contextual proposals based on environment). Regarding claim 11, Rudchenko in view of Griffin discloses the method according to claim 1 (see above), further comprising the following steps: detecting a speed, with which a gaze position of the user moves over the on-screen keyboard (Rudchenko at [0024] describing read speed and eye movement over the keyboard); modifying a trigger threshold of at least one button of the modified on-screen keyboard based on the speed (Rudchenko at [0024] adjusting dwell time accordingly), wherein the trigger threshold specifies a time, during which the button has to at least be focused on in order to be triggered (Rudchenko at [0024] adjusting dwell time dynamically changes accordingly). Regarding claim 12, Rudchenko in view of Griffin discloses the method according to claim 1 (see above), wherein the detection of the at least one user input comprises a detection of a movement path over the on-screen keyboard (Rudchenko at FIGS. 2-3 and [0038] and [0046]-[0050] path determination), and the determination of context information comprises a continuous determination of a current input prefix and corresponding word proposals during the input of the movement path (Rudchenko at FIGS. 2-3 and 4A-4B with [0038]-[0040] and [0046]-[0048 describing proposal based on context and the eye movement and proposed words at FIGS. 4A-4B and [0056]-[0062]) and wherein the word proposals are provided via the modified on-screen keyboard during the input of the movement path (Rudchenko at FIGS. 4A-4B and [0056]-[0062]). Regarding claim 13, Rudchenko in view of Griffin discloses a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium (Rudchenko at [0010]), which includes instructions, which prompt at least one processor (Rudchenko at FIG. 3, processor 300 at [0034], and FIG. 5 processing unit 502 at [0067]-[0069]), to implement the method according to claim 1 (see above) when the instructions are executed by means of the at least one processor (Rudchenko FIG. 5 and [0067]-[0069] describing execution of programs by the processor 502). Claims 3, 5-6 and 14-15 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Rudchenko in view of Griffin further in view of Zhou et al., US 2024/0134505 A1 (hereinafter “Zhou”). Regarding claim 3, Rudchenko in view of Griffin discloses the method according to claim 1 (see above). However, Rudchenko in view of Griffin does not explicitly disclose the method is characterized in that step c) comprises the following steps: c1) evaluating a root word based on a sequence of previous user inputs; c2) generating at least one word proposal, which specifies an inflection of the root word; c3) assigning the at least one word proposal to a button of the on-screen keyboard, wherein the button displays a last or penultimate letter of the word proposal, wherein in step d), the at least one word proposal is thereby illustrated within the assigned button. In the same field of endeavor, Zhou discloses the method is characterized in that step c) comprises the following steps: c1) evaluating a root word based on a sequence of previous user inputs (FIGS. 2-3B and 6 at [0032]-[0039] and [0045]-[0046] determining the root/start of a word and prediction presented accordingly); c2) generating at least one word proposal (FIGS. 3A-3B, 4 and 6 with 303, 405 and 603 at [0035]-[0039] and [0041]-[0047] with proposed words therein), which specifies an inflection of the root word (FIG. 6 at [0045]-[0047 and [0055] describing name/person recognition to determine context), mode (see above, condition satisfied) and/or gender (see above, condition satisfied); c3) assigning the at least one word proposal to a button of the on-screen keyboard, wherein the button displays a last or penultimate letter of the word proposal (FIGS. 3A-6 illustrating buttons at 303, 405 and 603 and as disclosed at [0039]-[0039] and [0041]-[0047]), wherein in step d), the at least one word proposal is thereby illustrated within the assigned button (FIGS. 3A-6 illustrating buttons at 303, 405 and 603 and as disclosed at [0039]-[0039] and [0041]-[0047]). Before the effective filing date, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to modify the gaze input display tablet of Rudchenko in view of Griffin to incorporate the root determination and word suggestion as disclosed by Zhou because the references are within the same field of endeavor, namely, eye gaze input determination for typing on a virtual keyboard on a display device. The motivation to combine these references would have been to reduce the need to type out words (see Zhou at [0047]). Therefore, a person of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to combine the prior art to achieve the claimed invention and there would have been a reasonable expectation of success. Regarding claim 5, Rudchenko in view of Griffin discloses the method according to claim 1 (see above), characterized in that a plurality of word proposals is generated (Rudchenko at FIGS. 4A-4B and [0056]-[0062]). However, Rudchenko in view of Griffin does not explicitly disclose the method the method further comprises a determination of a priority of the respective word proposal wherein the priority is determined as a function of a usage frequency in a language and/or discussion situation; and that word proposal, which has the highest priority among all word proposals, which are assigned to the button, is displayed in a respective button, in which a word proposal is displayed. In the same field of endeavor, Zhou discloses the method further comprises a determination of a priority of the respective word proposal (Zhou FIGS. 6-7D and [0046]-[0048] and [0052]-[0054] describing probability determination of a word), wherein the priority is determined in particular as a function of a usage frequency in a language (Zhou FIGS. 6-7D and [0046]-[0048] and [0052]-[0054] language model determination) and/or discussion situation (Zhou FIGS. 6-7D and [0046]-[0048] and [0052]-[0054] contextual determination therein); and that word proposal, which has the highest priority among all word proposals, which are assigned to the button (Zhou FIGS. 6-7D and [0046]-[0048] and [0052]-[0054]proposed words as displayed therein), is displayed in a respective button, in which a word proposal is displayed (Zhou FIGS. 6-7D and [0046]-[0048] and [0052]-[0054] selectable buttons for high probability words provided therein). Before the effective filing date, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to modify the gaze input display tablet of Rudchenko in view of Griffin to incorporate the prioritized and high probability suggested words as disclosed by Zhou because the references are within the same field of endeavor, namely, eye gaze input determination for typing on a virtual keyboard on a display device. The motivation to combine these references would have been to reduce the need to type out words and improve input efficiency (see Zhou at [0056]). Therefore, a person of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to combine the prior art to achieve the claimed invention and there would have been a reasonable expectation of success. Regarding claim 6, Rudchenko in view of Griffin discloses the method according to claim 1 (see above) characterized in that the user input comprises the focusing on a delete button (backspace button for deletion at [0007] and [0023] and [0033]). However, Rudchenko in view of Griffin does not explicitly disclose the method further comprises the following steps: determining a word, which will at least be partly deleted when continuing to focus on the delete button; and displaying the word within the delete button. In the same field of endeavor, Zhou discloses the method further comprises the following steps: determining a word, which will at least be partly deleted when continuing to focus on the delete button (see FIGS. 7A-7D and [0048]-[0056] with focus and selection of a word 705 for editing or deleting having a box surrounding it); and displaying the word within the delete button (see FIGS. 7A-7D and [0048]-[0056] with selection of a word 705 and will be highlighted accordingly for deletion and/or editing). Before the effective filing date, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to modify the gaze input display tablet of Rudchenko in view of Griffin to incorporate the prioritized and high probability suggested words as disclosed by Zhou because the references are within the same field of endeavor, namely, eye gaze input determination for typing on a virtual keyboard on a display device. The motivation to combine these references would have been to reduce the need to type out words and improve input efficiency (see Zhou at [0056]). Therefore, a person of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to combine the prior art to achieve the claimed invention and there would have been a reasonable expectation of success. Regarding claim 14, Rudchenko in view of Griffin discloses a device which has the following: a tablet computer (Rudchenko at FIG. 1, tablet 104 and [0028]-[0030] and [0074]; FIG. 7 tablet computing device 706 and [0082]; FIG. 8 tablet 800 at [0084]), which is formed to display an on-screen keyboard (Rudchenko at FIGS. 4A-4C and virtual keyboard 404A, 404B at [0056]-[0060]) to carry out the method according to claim 1 (see above). However, Although Rudchenko discloses various input devices for determination of device input (Rudchenko at [0084]) Rudchenko does not explicitly disclose an eye tracking camera, which is formed to detect a gaze position with respect to the on-screen keyboard; wherein the tablet computer is further formed to receive the gaze position from the eye tracking camera. In the same field of endeavor, Zhou discloses an eye tracking camera ([0004] describing eye-gaze sensor being a camera, FIG. 1 and camera 18 at [0021]-[0025 and [0028]), which is formed to detect a gaze position with respect to the on-screen keyboard ([0004] describing eye-gaze sensor being a camera, FIG. 1 and camera 18 at [0021]-[0025 and [0028]); wherein the tablet computer (Zhou at [0021]) is further formed to receive the gaze position from the eye tracking camera (FIG. 1 and camera 18 at [0021]-[0025 and [0028] including depth camera 21). Before the effective filing date, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to modify the eye gaze input display device of Rudchenko in view of Griffin to incorporate the eye-gaze cameras incorporated into a tablet as disclosed by Zhou because the references are within the same field of endeavor, namely, eye-gaze input methods and systems for input via a virtual keyboard. The motivation to combine these references would have been to improve the visible field of the user’s environment for improved input via the cameras (see Zhou at least at [0023]-[0026] and [0056]). Therefore, a person of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to combine the prior art to achieve the claimed invention and there would have been a reasonable expectation of success. Regarding claim 15, Rudchenko in view of Griffin further in view of Zhou discloses the device according to claim 14 (see above), characterized in that the device further has at least one of the following sensors: sound sensor (see below, condition satisfied, also Rudchenko at [0074]), image sensor (see below, condition satisfied, also Rudchenko at [0078]), GPS position sensor (Rudchenko at [0052]). Claims 4 and 9 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Rudchenko in view of Griffin further in view of Griffin et al., US 2013/0187868 A1 (hereinafter “Griffin ‘868”) . Regarding claim 4, Rudchenko in view of Griffin discloses the method according to claim 1 (see above) However, Rudchenko in view of Griffin not explicitly disclose the completion button in the modified on-screen keyboard is provided in a lower area thereof. In the same field of endeavor, Griffin ‘868 discloses suggested words that the completion button in the modified on-screen keyboard is provided in a lower area thereof. (see Griffin at FIG. 3 and [0029]-[0031] and describing selectable predictive text bar 350 being placed below the keyboard therein; being a selectable button at [0042] and [0044]). Before the effective filing date, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to modify the display input device and method of Rudchenko in view of Griffin to incorporate the suggested text placement as disclosed by Griffin ‘868 because the references are within the same field of endeavor, namely, display input methods using a virtual keyboard. The motivation to combine these references would have been to improve to improve efficiency of typing and input on a display device (see Griffin ‘868 at least at [0009]-[0011]). Therefore, a person of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to combine the prior art to achieve the claimed invention and there would have been a reasonable expectation of success. Regarding claim 9, Rudchenko in view of Griffin discloses the method according to claim 1 (see above). wherein step c) comprises a detection of a dwell time on a first button (Rudchenko and FIG. 2 at 204-208 and [0034]-[0038]), and the method further comprises the following steps: determining whether the dwell time exceeds a preselection threshold value (Rudchenko and FIG. 2 at 204-208 and [0034]-[0038] gaze determination based on initial gaze time); if the dwell time exceeds the preselection threshold value, generating the modified on-screen keyboard in such a way that the latter includes a second button (Rudchenko at FIGS. 4A-4B illustrating 406A at [0056]-[0060] suggested words section with separate buttons), wherein the second button is configured to trigger an action, which is associated with the first button (Rudchenko at FIGS. 4A-4B illustrating 406A at [0056]-[0062] suggested words section with separate buttons are triggered based on the first button, for example first button Q selected provides suggested words associated with the first button Q), which is displayed on the first button (Rudchenko at FIGS. 4A-4B illustrating 406A at [0056]-[0062] suggested words section with separate buttons are triggered based on the first button, for example first button Q selected provides suggested words associated with the first button Q), wherein the second button is larger as the first button (Rudchenko at FIGS. 4A-4B and 406A and 406B, for example the button for “herein” is at least double the length and size of the letters P, and generally the entire area for suggested words exceeds any one button at [0056]-[0062]), However, Rudchenko in view of Griffin does not explicitly disclose wherein the second button is preferably arranged in a lower area of the modified on-screen keyboard. In the same field of endeavor, Griffin ‘868 discloses wherein the second button (13) is preferably arranged in a lower area of the modified on-screen keyboard (see Griffin ‘868 at FIG. 3 and [0029]-[0031] and describing selectable predictive text bar 350 being placed below the keyboard therein; being a selectable button at [0042] and [0044]). Before the effective filing date, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to modify the eye-gaze predictable input keyboard device and method of Rudchenko in view of Griffin to incorporate the selectable bar placement as disclosed by Griffin ‘868 because the references are within the same field of endeavor, namely, predictive text input devices and methods for displays. The motivation to combine these references would have been to improve efficiency of typing and input on a display device (see Griffin ‘868 at least at [0009]-[0011]). Therefore, a person of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to combine the prior art to achieve the claimed invention and there would have been a reasonable expectation of success. Claim 10 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Rudchenko in view of Griffin further in view of Lacey et al., US 2021/0056764 A1 (hereinafter “Lacey”). Regarding claim 10, Rudchenko discloses the method according to claim 1 (see above). However, Rudchenko does not explicitly disclose wherein one or several buttons of the on-screen keyboard and of the modified on-screen keyboard are triggered by focusing on a respective area, which is larger than a visible boundary of the button and surrounds the visible boundary. In the same field of endeavor, Lacey discloses wherein one or several buttons of the on-screen keyboard and of the modified on-screen keyboard are triggered by focusing on a respective area (FIG. 34 and gaze of 3420 at [0342]), which is larger than a visible boundary of the button and surrounds the visible boundary (FIG. 34 and gaze of 3420 at [0342], gaze area is larger than the key boundaries). Before the effective filing date, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to modify the eye gaze display input device of Rudchenko in view of Griffin to incorporate the virtual keyboard gaze location and area as disclosed by Lacey because the references are within the same field of endeavor, namely, virtual display input devices and methods particularly for a keyboard. The motivation to combine these references would have been to improve identification of the particular key intended by user based on the size of keys (see Lacey at least at [0342]). Therefore, a person of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to combine the prior art to achieve the claimed invention and there would have been a reasonable expectation of success. Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Badger et al., US 2011/0202876 A1: Abstract and FIGS. 7A-8F with predictive words as selectable input; Pasquero et al., US 2013/0120267 A1: Abstract and FIGS. 4-10 illustrating predictive word placed within or near a letter in completion of the word; Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a). A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to SARVESH J. NADKARNI whose telephone number is (571)270-7562. The examiner can normally be reached 8AM-5PM M-F. 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, Benjamin C. Lee can be reached at (571)272-2963. 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. /SARVESH J NADKARNI/Examiner, Art Unit 2629
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Jun 10, 2025
Application Filed
Mar 04, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103
Jun 03, 2026
Response Filed
Jul 27, 2026
Final Rejection mailed — §103 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12676094
ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DRIVING THE SAME
2y 2m to grant Granted Jul 07, 2026
Patent 12632137
TOUCH SUBSTRATE AND DISPLAY DEVICE
1y 5m to grant Granted May 19, 2026
Patent 12573325
SCAN SIGNAL DRIVER CIRCUIT, DISPLAY PANEL, DISPLAY DEVICE, AND DRIVING METHOD
2y 0m to grant Granted Mar 10, 2026
Patent 12560967
ANNULAR HOUSING FOR DETECTION DEVICE WITH FIRST AND SECOND FLEXIBLE SUBSTRATES
1y 4m to grant Granted Feb 24, 2026
Patent 12554334
PERSONALIZED CALIBRATION OF USER INTERFACES
2y 1m to grant Granted Feb 17, 2026
Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

Strategy Recommendation AI-generated — please review before filing

Get a prosecution strategy drawn from examiner precedents, rejection analysis, and claim mapping.
Typically takes 5-10 seconds — AI-generated, attorney review required before filing

Prosecution Projections

3-4
Expected OA Rounds
72%
Grant Probability
86%
With Interview (+14.0%)
2y 11m (~1y 8m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Moderate
PTA Risk
Based on 514 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

Sign in with your work email

Enter your email to receive a magic link. No password needed.

Personal email addresses (Gmail, Yahoo, etc.) are not accepted.

Free tier: 3 strategy analyses per month