Last updated: July 17, 2026

Application No. 18/350,944

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR OPTIMIZING LAYOUTS OF INTEGRATED CIRCUITS

Non-Final OA

Filed

Jul 12, 2023

Examiner

AISAKA, BRYCE M

Art Unit

Tech Center

Assignee

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +10.5% interview lift. Interview lift (+10.5%) is below the 15.0% threshold. A written response is recommended.

Based on 743 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

AISAKA, BRYCE M View full profile →

Grants 87% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

649 granted / 743 resolved

+27.3% vs TC avg

Moderate +10% lift

Without

With

+10.5%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

2y 4m

Avg Prosecution

21 currently pending

Career history

751

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

18.7%

-21.3% vs TC avg

§103

37.5%

-2.5% vs TC avg

§102

14.9%

-25.1% vs TC avg

§112

25.2%

-14.8% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 743 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Jul 12, 2023

Application Filed

Sep 26, 2023

Response after Non-Final Action

May 04, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

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18/119,844

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3y 3m to grant Granted Jun 30, 2026

18/073,482

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3y 6m to grant Granted Jun 23, 2026

17/741,677

Patent 12658561

SYMMETRIC MULTI-IC MODULES USING HIERARCHICAL DIGITAL RECONFIGURATION OF INTEGRATED CIRCUIT CHIPS

4y 1m to grant Granted Jun 16, 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

1-2

Expected OA Rounds

87%

Grant Probability

98%

With Interview (+10.5%)

2y 4m (~0m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 743 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.