Examiner: TZENG, FRED

Analysis

Fred Tzeng is an examiner within Tech Center 2600 and Art Unit 2421, where he has reached resolutions in 780 cases. His allowance rate of 86.8% is notably high, indicating that a vast majority of applications under his review eventually result in a grant. This figure provides a strong baseline for applicants to expect a favorable outcome, provided the technical merits are sound. The 780 resolved cases offer a robust sample size for these performance metrics.

The median days to allowance for this examiner is 923, which serves as a realistic timeline for the prosecution process from filing to grant. Additionally, the data shows an interview lift of 4.0%, suggesting a slight increase in the probability of allowance following a formal interview. While this lift is positive, the high 86.8% base allowance rate suggests that many cases reach allowance through written advocacy alone. The 923-day median pendency is a key factor for practitioners to communicate to their clients.

Strategically, the data from Art Unit 2421 suggests that while interviews are not strictly necessary for success, they do provide a marginal benefit. The 4.0% interview lift can be a decisive factor in more complex cases where written communication may be insufficient. With 780 cases resolved, the examiner's tendencies are well-established, allowing for predictable planning. Applicants should prepare for a 923-day journey while maintaining confidence in the high likelihood of an eventual allowance.