Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 02, 2026

Examiner: HEFLIN, BRIAN ADAMS

Tech Center 3600 • Art Units: 3628

This examiner grants 40% of resolved cases

Analysis

Brian Adams Heflin is a patent examiner in Tech Center 3600, specifically within Art Unit 3628. He has managed 215 resolved cases. His overall allowance rate stands at 39.5 percent. This rate provides a baseline for evaluating the probability of success for applications under his review. Practitioners should note that this 39.5 percent figure is the starting point for prosecution strategy. The 215 resolved cases establish a track record that practitioners can analyze to understand his specific examination tendencies in Art Unit 3628.

The data shows an interview lift of 32.4 percent. This lift indicates that applications involving an interview have a higher probability of allowance than the 39.5 percent baseline. Direct communication with the examiner appears to be an effective strategy for resolving rejections. The 32.4 percent lift suggests that verbal advocacy is a productive tool for applicants. Engaging in a dialogue can help clarify technical nuances that are difficult to convey in written responses alone.

The median days to allowance for applications assigned to this examiner is 1098. This duration reflects the typical period from filing to the grant of a patent. When planning their strategy, applicants should account for this 1098-day timeline. The combination of a 39.5 percent allowance rate and a 1098-day median pendency provides a clear picture of the prosecution cycle. Practitioners can use these metrics to set expectations for their clients and manage the resources required for a successful outcome in Tech Center 3600.

Written from this page's own data; every figure is computed from USPTO records and verified before publication.

Performance Statistics

39.5%
Allow Rate
-12.5% vs TC avg
237
Total Applications
+32.4%
Interview Lift
1098
Avg Prosecution Days
Based on 215 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Rejection Statute Breakdown

39.4%
§101 Eligibility
5.6%
§102 Novelty
35.7%
§103 Obviousness
14.8%
§112 Clarity

Currently Pending Office Actions

App #TitleStatusAssignee
18115961 METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SELECTION OF A PATH FOR DELIVERIES Non-Final OA KPN INNOVATIONS, LLC.
18765994 SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SMART HOME MAINTENANCE Final Rejection State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company
18398447 GRAPH NODE RELATIONSHIP REPRESENTATION GENERATION AND GRAPH NODE SERVICE RELATIONSHIP PREDICTION Non-Final OA Alipay (Hangzhou) Information Technology Co., Ltd.
19225520 Systems and Methods of Reverse Logistics Without Packaging and Labelling Final Rejection Blue Yonder Group, Inc.
18605646 OPTIMIZED LAYOUT GENERATOR USING CLIENT VIRTUALIZATION AND OPTIMIZATION TECHNIQUES Final Rejection Dell Products L.P.
18203578 ESTIMATED TIME OF ARRIVAL DETERMINATIONS IN AN ONLINE CONCIERGE SYSTEM Non-Final OA Maplebear Inc. (dba Instacart)

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