Prosecution Insights
Last updated: May 29, 2026
Application No. 19/358,884

Method and Apparatus for Actively Managing Electric Power Supply for an Electric Power Grid

Non-Final OA §112
Filed
Oct 15, 2025
Priority
Jul 14, 2012 — continuation of 9563215 +5 more
Examiner
EVERETT, CHRISTOPHER E
Art Unit
2117
Tech Center
2100 — Computer Architecture & Software
Assignee
Causam Enterprises Inc.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
84%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
1y 11m
Est. Remaining
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 84% — above average
84%
Career Allowance Rate
710 granted / 849 resolved
+28.6% vs TC avg
Strong +23% interview lift
Without
With
+23.1%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 7m
Avg Prosecution
17 currently pending
Career history
870
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
2.0%
-38.0% vs TC avg
§103
83.4%
+43.4% vs TC avg
§102
8.3%
-31.7% vs TC avg
§112
3.0%
-37.0% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 849 resolved cases

Office Action

§112
DETAILED ACTION 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 (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) 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. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112 The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b): (b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention. The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph: The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention. Claims 1-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention. Regarding claim 1, the term “the power control commands” lacks antecedent basis. The term “the IP-based power control commands” is utilized throughout the claim. For examination purposes, Examiner assumes that “the power control commands” is “the IP-based power control commands”. Appropriate correction is required. Regarding claim 9, the term “the power control commands” lacks antecedent basis. The term “the IP-based power control commands” is utilized throughout the claim. For examination purposes, Examiner assumes that “the power control commands” is “the IP-based power control commands”. Appropriate correction is required. Regarding claim 17, the term “the power control commands” lacks antecedent basis. The term “the IP-based power control commands” is utilized throughout the claim. For examination purposes, Examiner assumes that “the power control commands” is “the IP-based power control commands”. Appropriate correction is required. Claims 2-8, 10-16, and 18-20 depend, directly or indirectly, from independent claims 1, 9, and 17 and are rejected based on their dependency thereto. Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0271470 describes maintaining stable conditions within a power grid. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0040479 (cited by Applicant) describes a power aggregation system for distributed electric resources. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0216994 (cited by Applicant) describes resolving energy imbalance requirements in real-time. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to CHRISTOPHER E EVERETT whose telephone number is (571)272-2851. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (Pacific). 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, Robert Fennema can be reached at 571-272-2748. 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. /Christopher E. Everett/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2117
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Prosecution Timeline

Oct 15, 2025
Application Filed
Feb 11, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §112
Apr 13, 2026
Examiner Interview Summary
Apr 13, 2026
Applicant Interview (Telephonic)
Apr 21, 2026
Response Filed

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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
84%
Grant Probability
99%
With Interview (+23.1%)
2y 7m (~1y 11m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 849 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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