Examiner: YAO, LEI

Analysis

Lei Yao is an examiner in Art Unit 1642 within Tech Center 1600, where he has handled 854 resolved cases. The data shows an allowance rate of 59.7%, indicating a moderate level of difficulty for applicants. A standout metric is the interview lift of 65.3%, which demonstrates that the likelihood of allowance increases dramatically when an interview is held. This 65.3% lift suggests that practitioners should prioritize oral interviews to advance prosecution effectively in this unit.

The median days to allowance for this examiner is 1243. This figure provides a clear expectation for the duration of the patent application process for successful cases. With 854 resolved cases, the 59.7% allowance rate is a well-established trend in Art Unit 1642. Applicants should consider the 1243-day median pendency alongside the high interview lift when planning their strategy. The data indicates that while the baseline allowance rate is 59.7%, the use of interviews can significantly improve the chances of a positive outcome based on the 65.3% lift.