Last updated: July 17, 2026

Application No. 17/818,640

Semiconductor Structure with Pull-in Planarization Layer and Method Forming the Same

Non-Final OA

Filed

Aug 09, 2022

Priority

May 27, 2020 — provisional 63/030,629 +1 more

Examiner

WHALEN, DANIEL B

Art Unit

2893

Tech Center

2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems

Assignee

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.

OA Round

5 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +15.8% interview lift. Examiner has a relatively high allowance rate (80%); +15.8% interview lift. A written response may suffice.

Based on 1014 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

WHALEN, DANIEL B View full profile →

Grants 80% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

813 granted / 1014 resolved

+12.2% vs TC avg

Strong +16% interview lift

Without

With

+15.8%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

2y 4m

Avg Prosecution

43 currently pending

Career history

1060

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

0.4%

-39.6% vs TC avg

§103

73.4%

+33.4% vs TC avg

§102

15.9%

-24.1% vs TC avg

§112

7.8%

-32.2% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1014 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Show 6 earlier events

Jan 29, 2025

Response after Non-Final Action

Mar 12, 2025

Non-Final Rejection mailed

Jul 14, 2025

Response Filed

Sep 12, 2025

Final Rejection mailed

Nov 12, 2025

Response after Non-Final Action

Mar 12, 2026

Request for Continued Examination

Mar 19, 2026

Response after Non-Final Action

Apr 10, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

18/456,446

Patent 12685182

METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING PACKAGE STRUCTURE

2y 10m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

17/622,837

Patent 12677548

DISPLAY PANEL COMPRISING REPAIR TRANSISTOR AND REPAIR ELECTRODE AND DISPLAY DEVICE THEREOF

3y 1m to grant Granted Jul 07, 2026

17/973,231

Patent 12663671

DISPLAY DEVICE COMPRISING COVER WINDOW INCLUDING DENSITY CONTROL AREA

3y 8m to grant Granted Jun 23, 2026

18/189,959

Patent 12666852

DISPLAY DEVICE HAVING IMPROVED HEAT RADIATING PERFORMANCE

3y 3m to grant Granted Jun 23, 2026

17/758,074

Patent 12628513

FLEXIBLE DISPLAY PANEL INCLUDING ISLAND STRUCTURES CONNECTED AND STRETCHED THROUGH ELECTRICAL CONNECTING STRUCTURES, MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF, AND DISPLAY TERMINAL

3y 10m to grant Granted May 12, 2026

Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

Strategy Recommendation AI-generated — please review before filing

Get a prosecution strategy drawn from examiner precedents, rejection analysis, and claim mapping.

Typically takes 5-10 seconds — AI-generated, attorney review required before filing

Prosecution Projections

5-6

Expected OA Rounds

80%

Grant Probability

96%

With Interview (+15.8%)

2y 4m (~0m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

High

PTA Risk

Based on 1014 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

Semiconductor Structure with Pull-in Planarization Layer and Method Forming the Same

Interview Optional

Examiner Intelligence

Statute-Specific Performance

Prosecution Timeline

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Strategy Recommendation AI-generated — please review before filing

Prosecution Projections

Ready to respond to this office action?

Sign in with your work email