USPTO Examiner SWARTZ STEPHEN S - Art Unit 3625

Recent Applications

Detailed information about the 100 most recent patent applications.

Application NumberTitleFiling DateDisposal DateDispositionTime (months)Office ActionsRestrictionsInterviewAppeal
19257191SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING REQUIREMENTS IN ERP AND HRISJuly 2025January 2026Allow610NoNo
18813078METHOD AND DEVICE FOR OPTIMIZING PRODUCTION SCHEDULING BASED ON CAPACITY OF BOTTLENECK APPARATUS, AND MEDIUMAugust 2024January 2026Allow1730YesNo
18316020COMPUTER-IMPLEMENTED METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ASSESSING COMPATIBILITY OF HUMAN RESOURCES WITHIN AN ORGANIZATIONMay 2023March 2026Abandon3410NoNo
18048467ANALYSIS OF POTENTIAL FOR REDUCTION OF ENTERPRISE CARBON FOOTPRINT PROFILEOctober 2022January 2026Allow3920YesNo
17947981METHODS, SYSTEMS, APPARATUS AND ARTICLES OF MANUFACTURE TO MODEL eCOMMERCE SALESSeptember 2022March 2026Abandon4220NoNo
17643488SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CLOUD-FIRST STREAMING AND MARKET DATA UTILITYDecember 2021October 2025Allow4660NoNo
17121528APPARATUSES, COMPUTER-IMPLEMENTED METHODS, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR IMPROVED MONITORED BUILDING ENVIRONMENT MONITORING AND SCORINGDecember 2020January 2026Abandon60100YesNo
16753823DYNAMIC BALANCING OF WELL CONSTRUCTION AND WELL OPERATIONS PLANNING AND RIG EQUIPMENT TOTAL COST OF OWNERSHIPApril 2020December 2025Allow6060YesYes
16418671SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ITEM TRACKING AND DELIVERYMay 2019September 2025Allow6080NoNo
15949234SEATING SPACE OPTIMIZATION IN A GROUPED SEATING ENVIRONMENTApril 2018March 2021Allow3530NoNo
15899306SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRANSACTING LEAD AND SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT RECORDSFebruary 2018January 2020Allow2310NoNo
15730601SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTSOctober 2017August 2021Allow4631NoNo
15496118WORK INSTRUCTION SYSTEMApril 2017May 2021Allow4950YesNo
14609457EXTRACTION OF SYSTEM ADMINISTRATOR ACTIONS TO A WORKFLOW PROVIDING A RESOLUTION TO A SYSTEM ISSUEJanuary 2015February 2019Allow4940YesNo
14035615PROVIDING RECOMMENDED MEETING PARAMETERS BASED ON RELIGIOUS OR CULTURAL ATTRIBUTES OF MEETING INVITEES OBTAINED FROM SOCIAL MEDIA DATASeptember 2013April 2017Allow4351YesYes
13956029REAL-TIME PREDICTION AND CORRECTION OF SCHEDULED SERVICE BUNCHINGJuly 2013May 2017Allow4640NoNo
13683231METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR FACILITY LOCATION OPTIMIZATIONNovember 2012March 2014Allow1610NoNo
13189633METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR OPTIMIZING CONTACT CENTER PERFORMANCEJuly 2011September 2016Allow6070NoYes
12937490ASSISTING FAILURE DIAGNOSIS IN A SYSTEMDecember 2010November 2017Allow6040YesYes
12630866DETECTING ANOMALIES IN FIELD FAILURE DATADecember 2009May 2017Allow6040YesYes
12058051Apparatus and Methods for Decomposing Service Processes and for Identifying Alternate Service Elements in Service Provider EnvironmentsMarch 2008November 2016Allow60100YesNo
11196692MILESTONE INITIAL SCHEDULINGAugust 2005May 2012Allow6040YesNo
11195964Spreading algorithm for work and time forecastingAugust 2005July 2013Allow6030YesYes

Appeals Overview

This analysis examines appeal outcomes and the strategic value of filing appeals for examiner SWARTZ, STEPHEN S.

Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) Decisions

Total PTAB Decisions
3
Examiner Affirmed
0
(0.0%)
Examiner Reversed
3
(100.0%)
Reversal Percentile
97.3%
Higher than average

What This Means

With a 100.0% reversal rate, the PTAB has reversed the examiner's rejections more often than affirming them. This reversal rate is in the top 25% across the USPTO, indicating that appeals are more successful here than in most other areas.

Strategic Value of Filing an Appeal

Total Appeal Filings
9
Allowed After Appeal Filing
6
(66.7%)
Not Allowed After Appeal Filing
3
(33.3%)
Filing Benefit Percentile
92.6%
Higher than average

Understanding Appeal Filing Strategy

Filing a Notice of Appeal can sometimes lead to allowance even before the appeal is fully briefed or decided by the PTAB. This occurs when the examiner or their supervisor reconsiders the rejection during the mandatory appeal conference (MPEP § 1207.01) after the appeal is filed.

In this dataset, 66.7% of applications that filed an appeal were subsequently allowed. This appeal filing benefit rate is in the top 25% across the USPTO, indicating that filing appeals is particularly effective here. The act of filing often prompts favorable reconsideration during the mandatory appeal conference.

Strategic Recommendations

Appeals to PTAB show good success rates. If you have a strong case on the merits, consider fully prosecuting the appeal to a Board decision.

Filing a Notice of Appeal is strategically valuable. The act of filing often prompts favorable reconsideration during the mandatory appeal conference.

Examiner SWARTZ, STEPHEN S - Prosecution Strategy Guide

Executive Summary

Examiner SWARTZ, STEPHEN S works in Art Unit 3625 and has examined 18 patent applications in our dataset. With an allowance rate of 94.4%, this examiner allows applications at a higher rate than most examiners at the USPTO. Applications typically reach final disposition in approximately 10000 months.

Allowance Patterns

Examiner SWARTZ, STEPHEN S's allowance rate of 94.4% places them in the 83% percentile among all USPTO examiners. This examiner is more likely to allow applications than most examiners at the USPTO.

Office Action Patterns

On average, applications examined by SWARTZ, STEPHEN S receive 4.89 office actions before reaching final disposition. This places the examiner in the 99% percentile for office actions issued. This examiner issues more office actions than most examiners, which may indicate thorough examination or difficulty in reaching agreement with applicants.

Prosecution Timeline

The median time to disposition (half-life) for applications examined by SWARTZ, STEPHEN S is 10000 months. This places the examiner in the 1% percentile for prosecution speed. Applications take longer to reach final disposition with this examiner compared to most others.

Interview Effectiveness

Conducting an examiner interview provides a -10.0% benefit to allowance rate for applications examined by SWARTZ, STEPHEN S. This interview benefit is in the 3% percentile among all examiners. Note: Interviews show limited statistical benefit with this examiner compared to others, though they may still be valuable for clarifying issues.

Request for Continued Examination (RCE) Effectiveness

When applicants file an RCE with this examiner, 15.3% of applications are subsequently allowed. This success rate is in the 11% percentile among all examiners. Strategic Insight: RCEs show lower effectiveness with this examiner compared to others. Consider whether a continuation application might be more strategic, especially if you need to add new matter or significantly broaden claims.

After-Final Amendment Practice

This examiner enters after-final amendments leading to allowance in 18.2% of cases where such amendments are filed. This entry rate is in the 21% percentile among all examiners. Strategic Recommendation: This examiner rarely enters after-final amendments compared to other examiners. You should generally plan to file an RCE or appeal rather than relying on after-final amendment entry. Per MPEP § 714.12, primary examiners have discretion in entering after-final amendments, and this examiner exercises that discretion conservatively.

Pre-Appeal Conference Effectiveness

When applicants request a pre-appeal conference (PAC) with this examiner, 0.0% result in withdrawal of the rejection or reopening of prosecution. This success rate is in the 17% percentile among all examiners. Note: Pre-appeal conferences show limited success with this examiner compared to others. While still worth considering, be prepared to proceed with a full appeal brief if the PAC does not result in favorable action.

Appeal Withdrawal and Reconsideration

This examiner withdraws rejections or reopens prosecution in 66.7% of appeals filed. This is in the 51% percentile among all examiners. Of these withdrawals, 16.7% occur early in the appeal process (after Notice of Appeal but before Appeal Brief). Strategic Insight: This examiner shows above-average willingness to reconsider rejections during appeals. The mandatory appeal conference (MPEP § 1207.01) provides an opportunity for reconsideration.

Petition Practice

When applicants file petitions regarding this examiner's actions, 0.0% are granted (fully or in part). This grant rate is in the 5% percentile among all examiners. Strategic Note: Petitions are rarely granted regarding this examiner's actions compared to other examiners. Ensure you have a strong procedural basis before filing a petition, as the Technology Center Director typically upholds this examiner's decisions.

Examiner Cooperation and Flexibility

Examiner's Amendments: This examiner makes examiner's amendments in 0.0% of allowed cases (in the 34% percentile). This examiner makes examiner's amendments less often than average. You may need to make most claim amendments yourself.

Quayle Actions: This examiner issues Ex Parte Quayle actions in 0.0% of allowed cases (in the 37% percentile). This examiner issues Quayle actions less often than average. Allowances may come directly without a separate action for formal matters.

Prosecution Strategy Recommendations

Based on the statistical analysis of this examiner's prosecution patterns, here are tailored strategic recommendations:

  • Expect multiple rounds of prosecution: This examiner issues more office actions than average. Address potential issues proactively in your initial response and consider requesting an interview early in prosecution.
  • Plan for RCE after final rejection: This examiner rarely enters after-final amendments. Budget for an RCE in your prosecution strategy if you receive a final rejection.
  • Plan for extended prosecution: Applications take longer than average with this examiner. Factor this into your continuation strategy and client communications.

Relevant MPEP Sections for Prosecution Strategy

  • MPEP § 713.10: Examiner interviews - available before Notice of Allowance or transfer to PTAB
  • MPEP § 714.12: After-final amendments - may be entered "under justifiable circumstances"
  • MPEP § 1002.02(c): Petitionable matters to Technology Center Director
  • MPEP § 1004: Actions requiring primary examiner signature (allowances, final rejections, examiner's answers)
  • MPEP § 1207.01: Appeal conferences - mandatory for all appeals
  • MPEP § 1214.07: Reopening prosecution after appeal

Important Disclaimer

Not Legal Advice: The information provided in this report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. You should consult with a qualified patent attorney or agent for advice specific to your situation.

No Guarantees: We do not provide any guarantees as to the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the statistics presented above. Patent prosecution statistics are derived from publicly available USPTO data and are subject to data quality limitations, processing errors, and changes in USPTO practices over time.

Limitation of Liability: Under no circumstances will IronCrow AI be liable for any outcome, decision, or action resulting from your reliance on the statistics, analysis, or recommendations presented in this report. Past prosecution patterns do not guarantee future results.

Use at Your Own Risk: While we strive to provide accurate and useful prosecution statistics, you should independently verify any information that is material to your prosecution strategy and use your professional judgment in all patent prosecution matters.