USPTO Examiner REFAI SAM M - Art Unit 3681

Recent Applications

Detailed information about the 100 most recent patent applications.

Application NumberTitleFiling DateDisposal DateDispositionTime (months)Office ActionsRestrictionsInterviewAppeal
17134041DATA PROCESSING METHOD, DEVICE AND STORAGE MEDIUMDecember 2020June 2023Abandon2901NoNo
17115363Advertising Campaign to Viewing Device Suitability MatchingDecember 2020October 2021Allow1010YesNo
16950648SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING EXTERNAL NOTIFICATIONS OF EVENTS IN A VIRTUAL SPACE TO USERSNovember 2020December 2021Allow1310NoNo
17086796METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND MEDIA FOR IDENTIFYING AUTOMATICALLY REFRESHED ADVERTISEMENTSNovember 2020December 2021Allow1310NoNo
17085858HEURISTIC CLUSTERINGOctober 2020November 2021Allow1310NoNo
17062450SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AN INTERACTIVE BIDDING PLATFORM FOR OPPORTUNITIES BASED ON LOCATIONOctober 2020April 2024Abandon4241YesNo
17012422AUTOMATED GENERATION OF CREATIVE PARAMETERS BASED ON APPROVAL FEEDBACKSeptember 2020July 2023Allow3430NoNo
17011101MAINTAINING A PRODUCT GRAPH NETWORK BASED ON CUSTOMER PURCHASE HISTORYSeptember 2020June 2023Allow3431YesNo
17005403SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MOTION ONSET CONSUMER FOCUS SUGGESTIONAugust 2020October 2021Allow1400NoNo
16995169Control System Based on Viewable AttentionAugust 2020December 2021Allow1610NoNo
16963388REDEMPTION CODE DISTRIBUTIONJuly 2020September 2022Abandon2620NoNo
16914023AD BANNER OVERLAYJune 2020March 2022Allow2010NoNo
16905771AREA TRANSITION PREDICTION DEVICE AND AREA TRANSITION PREDICTION METHODJune 2020January 2023Abandon3110NoNo
16897645Server-Based Product Substantiation with Local Filtering System and MethodJune 2020January 2022Abandon2010NoNo
16882493Server-Based Product Substantiation with Local Filtering System and MethodMay 2020February 2022Abandon2110NoNo
16877426SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MANAGING MERCHANDISING CARD REMINDERSMay 2020March 2022Allow2210YesNo
16868327System and Method for Authentication and Registration of Products and Dynamically Rendering ContentMay 2020October 2022Abandon2930NoNo
16849784SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DISCOVERY AND TRACKING OF WEB-BASED ADVERTISEMENTSApril 2020November 2020Allow710NoNo
16829485Automated Corporate Perception ManagementMarch 2020June 2022Allow2640YesNo
16806435SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GENERATING PERSONALIZED ADVERTISEMENTSMarch 2020June 2021Allow1520YesNo
16801653System, Method, and Computer Program Product for Generating a Synthetic Control GroupFebruary 2020December 2021Allow2210YesNo
16800303System and Method for Registration of Products and Dynamically Rendering ContentFebruary 2020September 2022Abandon3030YesNo
16784529USER PROPAGATED LOCAL MESSAGING SYSTEMFebruary 2020July 2022Allow2921NoNo
16630859System and Method for Enhancing Communication among Road UsersJanuary 2020February 2022Abandon2511NoNo
16735403SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING EXTERNAL NOTIFICATIONS OF EVENTS IN A VIRTUAL SPACE TO USERSJanuary 2020September 2020Allow900NoNo
16698546MOBILE DEVICE SIGHTING LOCATION ANALYTICS AND PROFILING SYSTEMNovember 2019October 2021Allow2320YesNo
16674382INTRA-TRANSACTION ACCOUNT GENERATIONNovember 2019May 2021Allow1800NoNo
16670144SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETECTING A PEAK IN WEB TRAFFIC ON AN ELECTRONIC NETWORKOctober 2019August 2022Allow3450YesNo
16668556METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PROACTIVE MARKETING PLATFORM IN DATA MANAGEMENT PLATFORM FOR CONTACT CENTEROctober 2019October 2021Abandon2410NoNo
16594494STRUCTURED INFORMATIONAL LINK ANNOTATIONSOctober 2019July 2021Allow2120NoNo
16581836FORECASTING VALUES UTILIZING TIME SERIES MODELSSeptember 2019March 2024Abandon5340YesNo
16572305METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND MEDIA FOR MANAGING ONLINE ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS BASED ON CAUSAL CONVERSION METRICSSeptember 2019September 2020Allow1200NoNo
16555409Systems and Methods of Using a Communication Network to Coordinate Processing Among a Plurality of Separate Computing SystemsAugust 2019March 2021Allow1800NoNo
16524938HEURISTIC CUSTOMER CLUSTERINGJuly 2019August 2020Allow1200NoNo
16520302GEOGRAPHICAL MERCHANT CONSORTIUM COMMERCE SYSTEM FOR CONTEXTUAL COMMERCEJuly 2019June 2021Allow2301NoNo
16509003SUBSCRIPTION BASED GAS DISCOUNT SYSTEM FOR A FUEL DISPENSERJuly 2019September 2021Abandon2620NoNo
16442202ESTIMATING THE REACH PERFORMANCE OF AN ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNJune 2019April 2021Allow2310NoNo
16439073MOBILE VISUAL LOCATORJune 2019July 2021Allow2520YesNo
16429173OPTIMIZING REVENUE USING OPERATIONAL EXPENDITURE COSTSJune 2019June 2023Abandon4840NoNo
16424544METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND MEDIA FOR IDENTIFYING AUTOMATICALLY REFRESHED ADVERTISEMENTSMay 2019June 2020Allow1300YesNo
16423816SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR A PLATFORM TO MANAGE AND EXECUTE MARKETING CAMPAIGNSMay 2019January 2021Abandon2010NoNo
16373944ADVERTISING WITHIN SOCIAL NETWORKSApril 2019August 2021Allow2830NoYes
16357058EXPIRING VIRTUAL GIFT CARD STATEMENT CREDIT EXCHANGE FOR LOYALTY REWARDMarch 2019October 2020Abandon1920YesNo
16298011System and Method for Integrated, Automated Inventory Management and Advertisement DeliveryMarch 2019June 2020Allow1510NoNo
16327818CROWDFUNDING FOR INCENTIVIZING PROFESSIONAL ATHLETESFebruary 2019March 2024Abandon6070YesNo
16257727PERSONALIZATION OF MESSAGES BY ASSESSING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF MESSAGES BASED ON MESSAGE OUTCOMESJanuary 2019March 2022Abandon3720YesNo
16250944SYSTEMS TO ENCOURAGE USER PICK-UP OVER HOME DELIVERY OF AN ITEM MADE AVAILABLE AND RELATED METHODS THEREFORJanuary 2019April 2023Abandon5161YesNo
16248404SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR EVENT DETECTION USING WEB-BASED ADVERTISEMENT DATAJanuary 2019June 2021Allow2910NoNo
16247881System and Method for Registration of Products and Dynamically Rendering ContentJanuary 2019September 2022Abandon4431YesNo
16241971Bidding Agent Based on Opportunity Source Correlation to Viewership DataJanuary 2019December 2021Abandon3540YesNo
16173021SYSTEM FOR PROCESSING A DIGITAL PROMOTION BASED UPON GUEST CHECK IMAGE AND RELATED METHODSOctober 2018January 2021Allow2620YesNo
16143705SERVER AND GAME SERVERSeptember 2018March 2022Abandon4260NoNo
16136505CONSUMER WHOLESALE GAS DISCOUNT CARD SYSTEMSeptember 2018January 2020Abandon1640NoNo
16137243METHODS AND APPARATUS TO DETECT ADVERTISEMENTS EMBEDDED IN ONLINE MEDIASeptember 2018December 2020Allow2700NoNo
16120331INTERACTIVE PRODUCT DISPLAY SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING TARGETED ADVERTISEMENTSSeptember 2018January 2021Allow2910NoNo
16053465UNDERSTANDING SOCIAL MEDIA USER BEHAVIORAugust 2018July 2020Abandon2310NoNo
16053491UNDERSTANDING SOCIAL MEDIA USER BEHAVIORAugust 2018February 2020Abandon1820NoNo
16027147SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DISCOVERY AND TRACKING OF OBSCURED WEB-BASED ADVERTISEMENTSJuly 2018September 2019Allow1410NoNo
16027160SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DISCOVERY AND TRACKING OF WEB-BASED ADVERTISEMENTSJuly 2018January 2020Allow1810YesNo
16020342Computer-Implemented System and Method for Transforming a Direct Mail Interaction between an Individual and an AdvertiserJune 2018December 2022Abandon5351YesYes
16013367ADVERTISEMENT PUSH SYSTEM, SERVER AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE USING THE SAMEJune 2018November 2023Abandon6061YesNo
15959751Systems and Methods to Provide a User Interface for Redemption of Loyalty RewardsApril 2018March 2021Abandon3510NoNo
15925163METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DEPLOYING ARRANGEMENTS OF PAYLOADS BASED UPON ENGAGEMENT OF WEBSITE VISITORSMarch 2018May 2021Allow3811YesNo
15914044METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MAKING PAYMENTS AND RECEIVING REBATESMarch 2018February 2023Abandon5950NoNo
15880224INTRA-TRANSACTION ACCOUNT GENERATIONJanuary 2018September 2019Allow2011YesNo
15876692SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING EXTERNAL NOTIFICATIONS OF EVENTS IN A VIRTUAL SPACE TO USERSJanuary 2018October 2019Allow2010NoNo
15865891WHOLESALE FUEL DISCOUNT SYSTEMJanuary 2018November 2020Abandon3530NoYes
15842169SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REGISTERING PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES (PEDs) WITH AN AIRCRAFT IN-FLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT (IFE) SYSTEMDecember 2017August 2020Allow3220NoNo
15823333INTEGRATED LOCATION-BASED MESSAGE PERSONALIZATIONNovember 2017April 2021Allow4130YesNo
15823089SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MANAGING MERCHANDISING CARD REMINDERSNovember 2017July 2020Abandon3260YesNo
15815694SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRACKING AND VALIDATING SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCENovember 2017August 2022Abandon5740YesNo
15789452SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATED BIDDING USING DEEP NEURAL LANGUAGE MODELSOctober 2017April 2022Allow5440YesNo
15783138CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A FUEL DISPENSEROctober 2017November 2020Abandon3830YesNo
15714590CREATIVE SUPPORT FOR AD COPY EDITORS USING LEXICAL AMBIGUITYSeptember 2017September 2020Allow3610YesNo
15714371COMPUTER IMPLEMENTED METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR COMPREHENSIVELY IDENTIFYING DECLINED SERVICES FROM SERVICE WRITE UP RECORDSSeptember 2017April 2023Abandon6021YesYes
15713703INTERNET OF ADVERTISEMENT METHOD AND SYSTEMSeptember 2017December 2020Abandon3901NoNo
15701346SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DISCOVERY AND TRACKING OF WEB-BASED ADVERTISEMENTSSeptember 2017March 2018Allow611YesNo
15699100SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COLLECTING, MANAGING AND USING SUBSCRIBER INFORMATIONSeptember 2017June 2021Abandon4520NoNo
15691050ADVERTISEMENT PROVIDING SYSTEM AND ADVERTISEMENT PROVIDING METHODAugust 2017September 2020Allow3740YesYes
15670670ENHANCING MARKETING EFFORTS BY ASSOCIATING LOCATIONS, MEDIA, OR OTHER INFORMATION WITH A CODED, GEOTAGGED ICONAugust 2017August 2020Allow3611NoNo
15670049SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MOTION ONSET CONSUMER FOCUS SUGGESTIONAugust 2017June 2020Allow3401YesNo
15670694VIRTUAL ONLINE TRADE SHOWAugust 2017October 2020Abandon3901NoNo
15669848LEVERAGING PERFORMANCE DATA TO AUTOMATICALLY SELECT CONTENT ITEMSAugust 2017January 2021Abandon4120YesNo
15654231INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS AND INFORMATION PROCESSING METHODJuly 2017March 2020Abandon3220YesNo
15654224INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS AND INFORMATION PROCESSING METHODJuly 2017August 2020Abandon3710NoNo
15654348INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS AND INFORMATION PROCESSING METHODJuly 2017August 2020Abandon3701NoNo
15636241CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A FUEL DISPENSERJune 2017December 2021Abandon5440NoYes
15606939SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR A PLATFORM TO MANAGE AND EXECUTE MARKETING CAMPAIGNSMay 2017June 2019Abandon2510NoNo
15606429WISH LIST SHARING AND PUSH SUBSCRIPTION SYSTEMMay 2017October 2018Abandon1720YesNo
15585157GENERATING CONTENT FOR A VIRTUAL REALITY SYSTEMMay 2017May 2021Allow4980YesNo
15429775SYSTEMS, DEVICES, AND METHODS OF PROVIDING TARGETED ADVERTISINGFebruary 2017October 2019Abandon3220YesNo
15421397USER-LEVEL BIDDING FOR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNSJanuary 2017September 2020Abandon4340YesNo
15351931AUTOMATED IMAGE ADSNovember 2016January 2022Allow6051YesNo
15351654METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MANAGING REFERRAL REWARDS OF DIGITAL WALLETSNovember 2016March 2021Abandon5240YesNo
15352084Systems and Methods for Use in Selecting Accounts Based on Incentives Associated With the AccountsNovember 2016May 2021Abandon5421NoNo
15332799Systems and Methods for Dynamic Creation of Customized ImageOctober 2016June 2019Abandon3130YesNo
15331692Online-Advertising Script Service with Dynamic and Static InsertionOctober 2016November 2021Abandon6040NoNo
15294555SYSTEM AND PROCESS FOR DISTRIBUTION OF INFORMATION ON A COMMUNICATION NETWORKOctober 2016March 2021Abandon5321NoNo
15243470HIERARCHICAL PACING CONTROL FOR ACHIEVING MULTIPLE OBJECTIVESAugust 2016December 2019Abandon4040YesNo
15206211CUSTOM FEATURES FOR THIRD PARTY SYSTEMSJuly 2016June 2020Abandon4730YesNo

Appeals Overview

This analysis examines appeal outcomes and the strategic value of filing appeals for examiner REFAI, SAM M.

Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) Decisions

Total PTAB Decisions
37
Examiner Affirmed
33
(89.2%)
Examiner Reversed
4
(10.8%)
Reversal Percentile
23.5%
Lower than average

What This Means

With a 10.8% reversal rate, the PTAB affirms the examiner's rejections in the vast majority of cases. This reversal rate is in the bottom 25% across the USPTO, indicating that appeals face significant challenges here.

Strategic Value of Filing an Appeal

Total Appeal Filings
70
Allowed After Appeal Filing
12
(17.1%)
Not Allowed After Appeal Filing
58
(82.9%)
Filing Benefit Percentile
22.0%
Lower 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, 17.1% of applications that filed an appeal were subsequently allowed. This appeal filing benefit rate is in the bottom 25% across the USPTO, indicating that filing appeals is less effective here than in most other areas.

Strategic Recommendations

Appeals to PTAB face challenges. Ensure your case has strong merit before committing to full Board review.

Filing a Notice of Appeal shows limited benefit. Consider other strategies like interviews or amendments before appealing.

Examiner REFAI, SAM M - Prosecution Strategy Guide

Executive Summary

Examiner REFAI, SAM M works in Art Unit 3681 and has examined 321 patent applications in our dataset. With an allowance rate of 27.7%, this examiner allows applications at a lower rate than most examiners at the USPTO. Applications typically reach final disposition in approximately 43 months.

Allowance Patterns

Examiner REFAI, SAM M's allowance rate of 27.7% places them in the 4% percentile among all USPTO examiners. This examiner is less likely to allow applications than most examiners at the USPTO.

Office Action Patterns

On average, applications examined by REFAI, SAM M receive 3.21 office actions before reaching final disposition. This places the examiner in the 87% 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 REFAI, SAM M is 43 months. This places the examiner in the 18% 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 +6.1% benefit to allowance rate for applications examined by REFAI, SAM M. This interview benefit is in the 33% percentile among all examiners. Recommendation: Interviews provide a below-average benefit with this examiner.

Request for Continued Examination (RCE) Effectiveness

When applicants file an RCE with this examiner, 7.7% of applications are subsequently allowed. This success rate is in the 4% 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 8.4% of cases where such amendments are filed. This entry rate is in the 9% 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, 50.0% result in withdrawal of the rejection or reopening of prosecution. This success rate is in the 46% percentile among all examiners. Note: Pre-appeal conferences show below-average success with this examiner. Consider whether your arguments are strong enough to warrant a PAC request.

Appeal Withdrawal and Reconsideration

This examiner withdraws rejections or reopens prosecution in 36.2% of appeals filed. This is in the 6% percentile among all examiners. Of these withdrawals, 52.4% occur early in the appeal process (after Notice of Appeal but before Appeal Brief). Strategic Insight: This examiner rarely withdraws rejections during the appeal process compared to other examiners. If you file an appeal, be prepared to fully prosecute it to a PTAB decision. Per MPEP § 1207, the examiner will prepare an Examiner's Answer maintaining the rejections.

Petition Practice

When applicants file petitions regarding this examiner's actions, 57.1% are granted (fully or in part). This grant rate is in the 57% percentile among all examiners. Strategic Note: Petitions show above-average success regarding this examiner's actions. Petitionable matters include restriction requirements (MPEP § 1002.02(c)(2)) and various procedural issues.

Examiner Cooperation and Flexibility

Examiner's Amendments: This examiner makes examiner's amendments in 0.0% of allowed cases (in the 38% 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 44% 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:

  • Prepare for rigorous examination: With a below-average allowance rate, ensure your application has strong written description and enablement support. Consider filing a continuation if you need to add new matter.
  • 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.