Last updated: July 17, 2026

Application No. 18/398,925

SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE AND METHODS OF FORMATION

Non-Final OA

Filed

Dec 28, 2023

Examiner

CHOU, SHIH TSUN A

Art Unit

2811

Tech Center

2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems

Assignee

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +17.5% interview lift. Examiner has a relatively high allowance rate (77%); +17.5% interview lift. A written response may suffice.

Based on 466 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

CHOU, SHIH TSUN A View full profile →

Grants 77% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

357 granted / 466 resolved

+8.6% vs TC avg

Strong +18% interview lift

Without

With

+17.5%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

2y 5m

Avg Prosecution

37 currently pending

Career history

500

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§103

81.9%

+41.9% vs TC avg

§102

7.3%

-32.7% vs TC avg

§112

10.6%

-29.4% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 466 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Dec 28, 2023

Application Filed

Apr 16, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

18/096,433

Patent 12666615

SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE

3y 5m to grant Granted Jun 23, 2026

17/716,771

Patent 12653024

SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE AND METHOD FORMING THE SAME

4y 2m to grant Granted Jun 09, 2026

17/992,782

Patent 12652968

SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE

3y 6m to grant Granted Jun 09, 2026

18/152,171

Patent 12652809

SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE AND METHOD OF FABRICATING THE SAME

3y 5m to grant Granted Jun 09, 2026

18/186,230

Patent 12648364

ENCASPULATED MRAM DEVICE WITH WRAP-AROUND TOP ELECTRODE

3y 2m to grant Granted Jun 02, 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.

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Prosecution Projections

1-2

Expected OA Rounds

77%

Grant Probability

94%

With Interview (+17.5%)

2y 5m (~0m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 466 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.