Prosecution Insights
Last updated: July 17, 2026
Application No. 17/851,967

INTEGRATED CIRCUIT STRUCTURES HAVING MEMORY WITH BACKSIDE DRAM AND POWER DELIVERY

Non-Final OA §103
Filed
Jun 28, 2022
Examiner
KNUDSON, BRAD ALLAN
Art Unit
2817
Tech Center
2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems
Assignee
Intel Corporation
OA Round
3 (Non-Final)
88%
Grant Probability
Favorable
3-4
OA Rounds
0m
Est. Remaining
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 88% — above average
88%
Career Allowance Rate
91 granted / 104 resolved
+19.5% vs TC avg
Moderate +15% lift
Without
With
+15.0%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 2m
Avg Prosecution
26 currently pending
Career history
130
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§103
92.9%
+52.9% vs TC avg
§102
2.6%
-37.4% vs TC avg
§112
3.0%
-37.0% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 104 resolved cases

Office Action

§103
CTNF 17/851,967 CTNF 98472 DETAILED ACTION Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status 07-03-aia AIA 15-10-aia The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA. Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114 07-42-04 AIA A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after final rejection. Since this application is eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on March 31, 2026 has been entered. Response to Amendment The Amendment filed March 31, 2026 has been entered. Applicant' s amendment to claim 16 has been considered, and the 35 U.S.C. 112(b) rejection is hereby withdrawn. Claims 1-20 remaining pending in the application. Response to Arguments Applicant’s arguments, see pages 7-11, filed March 31, 2026, with respect to the rejection(s) of claims 1-20 under 35 U.S.C 103 have been fully considered in view of the Amendment and are persuasive. Therefore, the rejections have been withdrawn. However, upon further consideration, a new ground(s) of rejection is made in view of newly identified additional prior art in combination with that previously cited. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103 07-20-aia AIA The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action: A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made. 07-21-aia AIA Claim s 1, 3, 5-6, 8, and 10 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Cheng; Chung-Liang (US 2023/0238324; hereinafter Cheng324) in view of Liu; Jun (US 2020/0350014; hereinafter Liu) . Regarding claim 1, Cheng324 discloses an integrated circuit structure (Fig 13B; ¶ [0012-71], entire document), comprising: a front-side structure (Frontside; Fig 13B) comprising: a device layer having a plurality of nanowire-based transistors (910,920,930; Figs 9-12,13B; ¶ [0052-57]); and a plurality of metallization layers (1002,1004,1006,1008,1010,1012; Figs 10,13b; ¶ [0015,0053-54]) above the nanowire-based transistors of the device layer; and a backside structure (Backside; Fig 13B) below the nanowire-based transistors of the device layer, the backside structure including a plurality of dynamic random access memory (DRAM) devices (1350, comprising an array of memory cells; Fig 13B; ¶ [0068-75]), the plurality of DRAM devices comprising a capacitor structure (1364; Fig 13B; ¶ [0074,0071]) overlapping with the plurality of nanowire-based transistors. Cheng324 does not disclose the plurality of DRAM device s comprise a capacitor structure vertically overlapping with and continuous between a stack of nanowires (204 {306}; Figs 2,{9-10},13B{unlabeled}; ¶ [0015,0052]) of a first one of the plurality of nano-wire based transistors (910; Fig 13B), a stack of nanowires of a second one of the plurality of nanowire- based transistors (920; Fig 13B), and a stack of nanowires of a third one of the plurality of nanowire-based transistors (930; Fig 13B). In the same field of endeavor Liu discloses an integrated circuit structure (400; Fig 4; 0059-62]) comprising a plurality DRAM devices (transistors 448 connected with capacitors 450 {six exemplary DRAM devices shown}; Fig 4; ¶ [0060]) comprising a capacitor structure (comprising a common plate {451; Fig 4; ¶ [0060]} connected with and extending under the plurality of DRAM devices, and a plurality of other electrodes each connected with a node of a respective DRAM device {¶ [0060]}). Accordingly, it would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art to combine the plurality of DRAM devices comprising the common plate capacitor structure of Liu with the integrated circuit structure of Cheng445 in order to form an integrated circuit structure comprising a plurality of DRAM devices comprising a capacitor structure vertically overlapping with and continuous between (via the common plate 451 of Liu) the stack of nanowires of the a first one of the plurality of nanowire-based transistors, a stack of a second one of a plurality of nanowire-based transistors, and a stack of nanowires of a third one of a plurality of nanowire-based transistors. One would have been motivated to do this as a substitution of one capacitor structure for another, since each of Liu (¶ [0060]) and Cheng324 (¶ [0071]) discloses a variety of capacitor structures may be used. One would have had a reasonable expectation of success because of Liu and Cheng324’s explicit disclosure of a variety of suitable capacitor structures, and because the common plate structure is well-known in the art. Regarding claim 3, Cheng324 in view of Liu discloses the integrated circuit structure of claim 1, wherein the device layer of the front-side structure further includes a trench contact, a gate contact (902/1002; Figs 9-11,13B; ¶ [0047,0057]) or a contact via. Regarding claim 5, Cheng324 in view of Liu discloses the integrated circuit structure of claim 1, wherein the nanowire-based transistors device layer are logic nanowire-based transistors (Cheng324; transistors of the logic portion; ¶ [0057]). Regarding claim 6, Cheng324 discloses an integrated circuit structure (Fig 13B; ¶ [0012-71], entire document), comprising: a front-side structure (Frontside; Fig 13B) comprising: a device layer having a plurality of fin-based transistors (910,920,930, comprising fin structures 400 {Figs 4-8; ¶ [0025]}; Figs 9-12,13B; ¶ [0052-57]); and a plurality of metallization layers (1002,1004,1006,1008,1010,1012; Figs 10,13b; ¶ [0015,0053-54]) above the fin-based transistors of the device layer; and a backside structure (Backside; Fig 13B) below the fin-based transistors of the device layer, the backside structure including a plurality of dynamic random access memory (DRAM) devices (1350, comprising an array of memory cells; Fig 13B; ¶ [0068-75]), the plurality of DRAM devices comprising a capacitor structure (1364; Fig 13B; ¶ [0074,0071]) overlapping with the plurality of fin-based transistors. Cheng324 does not disclose the plurality of DRAM device s comprise a capacitor structure vertically overlapping with and continuous between a fin of (204 {306}; Figs 2,{9-10},13B{unlabeled}; ¶ [0015,0052]) of a first one of the plurality of fin-based transistors (910; Fig 13B), a fin of a second one of the plurality of fin-based transistors (920; Fig 13B), and a fin of a third one of the plurality of fin-based transistors (930; Fig 13B). In the same field of endeavor Liu discloses an integrated circuit structure (400; Fig 4; 0059-62]) comprising a plurality DRAM devices (transistors 448 connected with capacitors 450 {six exemplary DRAM devices shown}; Fig 4; ¶ [0060]) comprising a capacitor structure (comprising a common plate {451; Fig 4; ¶ [0060]} connected with and extending under the plurality of DRAM devices, and a plurality of other electrodes each connected with a node of a respective DRAM device {¶ [0060]}). Accordingly, it would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art to combine the plurality of DRAM devices comprising the common plate capacitor structure of Liu with the integrated circuit structure of Cheng445 in order to form an integrated circuit structure comprising a plurality of DRAM devices comprising a capacitor structure vertically overlapping with and continuous between (via the common plate 451 of Liu) the fin of the a first one of the plurality of fin-based transistors, a fin of a plurality of fin-based transistors, and a fin of a third one of a plurality of fin-based transistors. One would have been motivated to do this as a substitution of one capacitor structure for another, since each of Liu (¶ [0060]) and Cheng324 (¶ [0071]) discloses a variety of capacitor structures may be used. One would have had a reasonable expectation of success because of Liu and Cheng324’s explicit disclosure of a variety of suitable capacitor structures, and because the common plate structure is well-known in the art. Regarding claim 8, Cheng324 in view of Liu discloses the integrated circuit structure of claim 6, wherein the device layer of the front-side structure further includes a trench contact, a gate contact (902/1002; Figs 9-11,13B; ¶ [0047,0057]) or a contact via. Regarding claim 10, Cheng324 in view of Liu discloses the integrated circuit structure of claim 6, wherein the fin-based transistors device layer are logic fin-based transistors (Cheng324; transistors of the logic portion; ¶ [0057]) . 07-21-aia AIA Claim s 2 and 7 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Cheng; Chung-Liang (US 2023/0238324; hereinafter Cheng324) in view of Liu; Jun (US 2020/0350014; hereinafter Liu), and further in view of Yu; Li-Zhen et al. (US 2022/0037192; hereinafter Yu) . Regarding claim 2, Cheng in view of Liu discloses the integrated circuit structure of claim 1, wherein the backside structure includes a stack of backside conductive structures (Cheng324; 1362; Fig 13B; ¶ [0073 {0053-56}]). Cheng324 in view of Liu does not disclose the stack of backside conductive structures terminate at a conductive bump. In the same field of endeavor, Yu discloses an integrated circuit structure (Figs. 40A-40C) comprising: a front-side structure comprising: a device layer (109; Figs 40A-40C; ¶ [0065]) having a plurality of nanowire-based transistors (109, comprising nanowire-based FETs; Figs 40A-40C; ¶ [0011, 0065]); and a plurality of metallization layers (122; Fig 40A-40C; ¶ [0066]) above the nanowire-based transistors of the device layer; and a backside structure (164; Figs 40A-40C; ¶ [0065]) below the nanowire-based transistors of the device layer, wherein the backside structure includes a stack of backside conductive structures (162, 168; Figs 40A-40C; ¶ [0104-106]) that terminate at a conductive bump (170; Figs 40A-40C; ¶ [0106]). Accordingly, it would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art to have combined the conductive bump of Yu with the integrated circuit structure of Cheng324 as applied to claim 1. One would have been motivated to do this in order to provide input/output connections to other electrical components (Yu; ¶ [0106]), as is well known and common in the art, because Cheng324 silent in regards to how the device may be connected for use. One would have had a reasonable expectation of success because of the similarity in the structures and endeavors of Cheng324 and Yu. Regarding claim 7, Cheng in view of Liu discloses the integrated circuit structure of claim 6, wherein the backside structure includes a stack of backside conductive structures (Cheng324; 1362; Fig 13B; ¶ [0073 {0053-56}]). Cheng324 in view of Liu does not disclose the stack of backside conductive structures terminate at a conductive bump. In the same field of endeavor, Yu discloses an integrated circuit structure (Figs. 40A-40C) comprising: a front-side structure comprising: a device layer (109; Figs 40A-40C; ¶ [0065]) having a plurality of nanowire-based transistors (109, comprising nanowire-based FETs; Figs 40A-40C; ¶ [0011, 0065]); and a plurality of metallization layers (122; Fig 40A-40C; ¶ [0066]) above the nanowire-based transistors of the device layer; and a backside structure (164; Figs 40A-40C; ¶ [0065]) below the nanowire-based transistors of the device layer, wherein the backside structure includes a stack of backside conductive structures (162, 168; Figs 40A-40C; ¶ [0104-106]) that terminate at a conductive bump (170; Figs 40A-40C; ¶ [0106]). Accordingly, it would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art to have combined the conductive bump of Yu with the integrated circuit structure of Cheng324 as applied to claim 1. One would have been motivated to do this in order to provide input/output connections to other electrical components (Yu; ¶ [0106]), as is well known and common in the art, because Cheng324 silent in regards to how the device may be connected for use. One would have had a reasonable expectation of success because of the similarity in the structures and endeavors of Cheng324 and Yu . 07-21-aia AIA Claim s 4 and 9 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Cheng; Chung-Liang (US 2023/0238324; hereinafter Cheng324) in view of Liu; Jun (US 2020/0350014; hereinafter Liu), and further in view of Cheng; Chung-Liang (US 2023/0065446; hereinafter Cheng446) . Regarding claim 4, Cheng324 in view of Liu discloses the integrated circuit structure of claim 1, but does not disclose wherein the front-side structure comprises a deep via layer between the nanowire-based transistors of the device layer and the DRAM devices of the backside structure. In the same field of endeavor, Cheng446 discloses a similar integrated circuit structure (2; Fig 30; ¶ [100-107], entire document) wherein a front-side structure (GAAP, SP; Fig 30; ¶ [0025,0101]) comprises a deep via layer (EVP; Fig 30; ¶ [0106]) between nanowire-based transistors (10; Fig 30; ¶ [0101, {0043-76]) of a device layer and DRAM devices (TMF connected with MIMP, forming a 1T1C DRAM; Fig 30; ¶ [0025,0118]) of a backside structure (TP,MIMP; Fig 30; ¶ [0025,0101-115]). Accordingly, it would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art to have configured the device of claim 1 with a similar deep via structure. One may have been motivated to do this, as an alternate or simpler connection method (versus Cheng324, making the connection through a via {1372; Fig 13B} and additional conductive structure), or in order to increase device density (Cheng446; ¶ [0030]) or to avoid problems such as “corner” stresses (Cheng446; ¶ [0099]). One would have had a reasonable expectation of success because of the similar structures of Cheng324 and Cheng446 in the similar endeavors. Regarding claim 9, Cheng324 in view of Liu discloses the integrated circuit structure of claim 6, but does not disclose wherein the front-side structure comprises a deep via layer between the fin-based transistors of the device layer and the DRAM devices of the backside structure. In the same field of endeavor, Cheng446 discloses a similar integrated circuit structure (2; Fig 30; ¶ [100-107], entire document) wherein a front-side structure (GAAP, SP; Fig 30; ¶ [0025,0101]) comprises a deep via layer (EVP; Fig 30; ¶ [0106]) between fin-based transistors (10; Fig 30; ¶ [0101, {0043-76]) of a device layer and DRAM devices (TMF connected with MIMP, forming a 1T1C DRAM; Fig 30; ¶ [0025,0118]) of a backside structure (TP,MIMP; Fig 30; ¶ [0025,0101-115]). Accordingly, it would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art to have configured the device of claim 6 with a similar deep via structure. One may have been motivated to do this, as an alternate or simpler connection method (versus Cheng324, making the connection through a via {1372; Fig 13B} and additional conductive structure), or in order to increase device density (Cheng446; ¶ [0030]) or to avoid problems such as “corner” stresses (Cheng446; ¶ [0099]). One would have had a reasonable expectation of success because of the similar structures of Cheng324 and Cheng446 in the similar endeavors . 07-21-aia AIA Claim s 11-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Cheng; Chung-Liang (US 2023/0238324; hereinafter Cheng324) in view of Liu; Jun (US 2020/0350014; hereinafter Liu), and further in view of Weber; Cory E. et al. (US 2021/0074703; hereinafter Weber) . Regarding claim 11, Cheng324 discloses an integrated circuit structure (Fig 13B; ¶ [0012-71], entire document), comprising: a front-side structure (Frontside; Fig 13B) comprising: a device layer having a plurality of nanowire-based transistors (910,920,930; Figs 9-12,13B; ¶ [0052-57]); and a plurality of metallization layers (1002,1004,1006,1008,1010,1012; Figs 10,13b; ¶ [0015,0053-54]) above the nanowire-based transistors of the device layer; and a backside structure (Backside; Fig 13B) below the nanowire-based transistors of the device layer, the backside structure including a plurality of dynamic random access memory (DRAM) devices (1350, comprising an array of memory cells; Fig 13B; ¶ [0068-75]), the plurality of DRAM devices comprising a capacitor structure (1364; Fig 13B; ¶ [0074,0071]) overlapping with the plurality of nanowire-based transistors. Cheng324 does not disclose the plurality of DRAM device s comprise a capacitor structure vertically overlapping with and continuous between a stack of nanowires (204 {306}; Figs 2,{9-10},13B{unlabeled}; ¶ [0015,0052]) of a first one of the plurality of nano-wire based transistors (910; Fig 13B), a stack of nanowires of a second one of the plurality of nanowire- based transistors (920; Fig 13B), and a stack of nanowires of a third one of the plurality of nanowire-based transistors (930; Fig 13B). In the same field of endeavor Liu discloses an integrated circuit structure (400; Fig 4; 0059-62]) comprising a plurality DRAM devices (transistors 448 connected with capacitors 450 {six exemplary DRAM devices shown}; Fig 4; ¶ [0060]) comprising a capacitor structure (comprising a common plate {451; Fig 4; ¶ [0060]} connected with and extending under the plurality of DRAM devices, and a plurality of other electrodes each connected with a node of a respective DRAM device {¶ [0060]}). Accordingly, it would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art to combine the plurality of DRAM devices comprising the common plate capacitor structure of Liu with the integrated circuit structure of Cheng445 in order to form an integrated circuit structure comprising a plurality of DRAM devices comprising a capacitor structure vertically overlapping with and continuous between (via the common plate 451 of Liu) the stack of nanowires of the a first one of the plurality of nanowire-based transistors, a stack of a second one of a plurality of nanowire-based transistors, and a stack of nanowires of a third one of a plurality of nanowire-based transistors. One would have been motivated to do this as a substitution of one capacitor structure for another, since each of Liu (¶ [0060]) and Cheng324 (¶ [0071]) discloses a variety of capacitor structures may be used. One would have had a reasonable expectation of success because of Liu and Cheng324’s explicit disclosure of a variety of suitable capacitor structures, and because the common plate structure is well-known in the art. Neither Cheng nor Liu disclose a computing device, comprising: a board; and a component coupled to the board, the component including the integrated circuit structure. In the same field of endeavor, Weber discloses a computing device (900; Fig 9; ¶ [0107]), comprising: a board (902; Fig 9; ¶ [0107]); and a component (processor 904, communication chip 906, DRAM, for example; ¶ [0107-108]) coupled to the board, the component including an integrated circuit structure (integrated circuit die; ¶ [0110-111]). Accordingly, it would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art to have combined the integrated circuit structure of Cheng in view of Liu with the computing device of Weber. One would have been motivated to do this in order to take advantage of the higher density memory cells (Cheng; ¶ [0012]) and efficient operation (Cheng; ¶ [0066]) provided by the DRAM device of Cheng in view of Liu for the computing device of Weber. One would have had a reasonable expectation of success because Weber discloses that a DRAM component may be included the board 902 of the computing device 900. Regarding claim 12, Cheng324 in view of Liu and Weber discloses the computing device of claim 11, further comprising: a memory coupled to the board (Weber; DRAM; ¶ [0108]). Regarding claim 13, Cheng324 in view of Liu and Weber discloses the computing device of claim 11, further comprising: a communication chip coupled to the board (Weber; communication chip 906; ¶ [0107-108]). Regarding claim 14, Cheng324 in view of Liu discloses the computing device of claim 11, wherein the component is a packaged integrated circuit die (Weber, 904, 906; ¶ [0110-111]). Regarding claim 15, Cheng324 in view of Liu and Weber discloses the computing device of claim 11, wherein the component is selected from the group consisting of a processor (Weber; processor 904; ¶ [0107-108]), a communications chip (Weber; communication chip 906; ¶ [0107-108]), and a digital signal processor (Weber; ¶ [0108]). Regarding claim 16, Cheng324 discloses an integrated circuit structure (Fig 13B; ¶ [0012-71], entire document), comprising: a front-side structure (Frontside; Fig 13B) comprising: a device layer having a plurality of fin-based transistors (910,920,930, comprising fin structures 400 {Figs 4-8; ¶ [0025]}; Figs 9-12,13B; ¶ [0052-57]); and a plurality of metallization layers (1002,1004,1006,1008,1010,1012; Figs 10,13b; ¶ [0015,0053-54]) above the fin-based transistors of the device layer; and a backside structure (Backside; Fig 13B) below the fin-based transistors of the device layer, the backside structure including a plurality of dynamic random access memory (DRAM) devices (1350, comprising an array of memory cells; Fig 13B; ¶ [0068-75]), the plurality of DRAM devices comprising a capacitor structure (1364; Fig 13B; ¶ [0074,0071]) overlapping with the plurality of fin-based transistors. Cheng324 does not disclose the plurality of DRAM device s comprise a capacitor structure vertically overlapping with and continuous between a fin of (204 {306}; Figs 2,{9-10},13B{unlabeled}; ¶ [0015,0052]) of a first one of the plurality of fin-based transistors (910; Fig 13B), a fin of a second one of the plurality of fin-based transistors (920; Fig 13B), and a fin of a third one of the plurality of fin-based transistors (930; Fig 13B). In the same field of endeavor Liu discloses an integrated circuit structure (400; Fig 4; 0059-62]) comprising a plurality DRAM devices (transistors 448 connected with capacitors 450 {six exemplary DRAM devices shown}; Fig 4; ¶ [0060]) comprising a capacitor structure (comprising a common plate {451; Fig 4; ¶ [0060]} connected with and extending under the plurality of DRAM devices, and a plurality of other electrodes each connected with a node of a respective DRAM device {¶ [0060]}). Accordingly, it would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art to combine the plurality of DRAM devices comprising the common plate capacitor structure of Liu with the integrated circuit structure of Cheng445 in order to form an integrated circuit structure comprising a plurality of DRAM devices comprising a capacitor structure vertically overlapping with and continuous between (via the common plate 451 of Liu) the fin of the a first one of the plurality of fin-based transistors, a fin of a plurality of fin-based transistors, and a fin of a third one of a plurality of fin-based transistors. One would have been motivated to do this as a substitution of one capacitor structure for another, since each of Liu (¶ [0060]) and Cheng324 (¶ [0071]) discloses a variety of capacitor structures may be used. One would have had a reasonable expectation of success because of Liu and Cheng324’s explicit disclosure of a variety of suitable capacitor structures, and because the common plate structure is well-known in the art. Neither Cheng324 nor Liu disclose a computing device, comprising: a board; and a component coupled to the board, the component including the integrated circuit structure. In the same field of endeavor, Weber discloses a computing device (900; Fig 9; ¶ [0107]), comprising: a board (902; Fig 9; ¶ [0107]); and a component (processor 904, communication chip 906, DRAM, for example; ¶ [0107-108]) coupled to the board, the component including an integrated circuit structure (integrated circuit die; ¶ [0110-111]). Accordingly, it would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art to have combined the integrated circuit structure of Cheng in view of Liu with the computing device of Weber. One would have been motivated to do this in order to take advantage of the higher density memory cells (Cheng; ¶ [0012]) and efficient operation (Cheng; ¶ [0066]) provided by the DRAM device of Cheng in view of Liu for the computing device of Weber. One would have had a reasonable expectation of success because Weber discloses that a DRAM component may be included the board 902 of the computing device 900. Regarding claim 17, Cheng324 in view of Liu and Weber discloses the computing device of claim 16, further comprising: a memory coupled to the board (Weber; DRAM; ¶ [0108]). Regarding claim 18, Cheng324 in view of Liu and Weber discloses the computing device of claim 16, further comprising: a communication chip coupled to the board (Weber; communication chip 906; ¶ [0107-108]). Regarding claim 19, Cheng324 in view of Liu and Weber discloses the computing device of claim 16, wherein the component is a packaged integrated circuit die (Weber, 904, 906; ¶ [0110-111]). Regarding claim 20, Cheng324 in view of Liu and Weber discloses the computing device of claim 16, wherein the component is selected from the group consisting of a processor (Weber; processor 904; ¶ [0107-108]), a communications chip (communication chip 906; ¶ [0107-108]), and a digital signal processor (¶ [0108]) . Conclusion 07-96 AIA The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure : Mitra; Uday et al. (US 2020/0312953; the prior art discloses a DRAM capacitor structure comprising a plurality of first electrodes and a common second electrode). Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to BRAD KNUDSON whose telephone number is (703)756-4582. The examiner can normally be reached Telework 9:30 -18:30 ET; M-F. Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice. If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Eliseo Ramos Feliciano can be reached at 571-272-7925. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. /B.A.K./Examiner, Art Unit 2817 /ELISEO RAMOS FELICIANO/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2817 Application/Control Number: 17/851,967 Page 2 Art Unit: 2817 Application/Control Number: 17/851,967 Page 3 Art Unit: 2817 Application/Control Number: 17/851,967 Page 4 Art Unit: 2817 Application/Control Number: 17/851,967 Page 5 Art Unit: 2817 Application/Control Number: 17/851,967 Page 6 Art Unit: 2817 Application/Control Number: 17/851,967 Page 7 Art Unit: 2817 Application/Control Number: 17/851,967 Page 8 Art Unit: 2817 Application/Control Number: 17/851,967 Page 9 Art Unit: 2817 Application/Control Number: 17/851,967 Page 10 Art Unit: 2817 Application/Control Number: 17/851,967 Page 11 Art Unit: 2817 Application/Control Number: 17/851,967 Page 12 Art Unit: 2817 Application/Control Number: 17/851,967 Page 13 Art Unit: 2817 Application/Control Number: 17/851,967 Page 14 Art Unit: 2817 Application/Control Number: 17/851,967 Page 15 Art Unit: 2817 Application/Control Number: 17/851,967 Page 16 Art Unit: 2817
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Prosecution Timeline

Show 1 earlier event
Mar 29, 2023
Response after Non-Final Action
Aug 05, 2025
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103
Oct 31, 2025
Response Filed
Dec 31, 2025
Final Rejection mailed — §103
Feb 25, 2026
Response after Non-Final Action
Mar 31, 2026
Request for Continued Examination
Apr 07, 2026
Response after Non-Final Action
May 22, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103 (current)

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Prosecution Projections

3-4
Expected OA Rounds
88%
Grant Probability
99%
With Interview (+15.0%)
3y 2m (~0m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
High
PTA Risk
Based on 104 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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