Prosecution Insights
Last updated: August 17, 2026
Application No. 18/401,865

SEMICONDUCTOR PACKAGE IN A SOURCE-DOWN CONFIGURATION BY USE OF VERTICAL CONNECTORS

Final Rejection §102
Filed
Jan 02, 2024
Priority
Jan 12, 2023 — EU 23151391.2
Examiner
HO, TU TU V
Art Unit
2818
Tech Center
2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems
Assignee
Infineon Technologies AG
OA Round
2 (Final)
94%
Grant Probability
Favorable
3-4
OA Rounds
0m
Est. Remaining
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 94% — above average
94%
Career Allowance Rate
1273 granted / 1360 resolved
+25.6% vs TC avg
Moderate +5% lift
Without
With
+5.1%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Fast prosecutor
1y 8m
Avg Prosecution
30 currently pending
Career history
1370
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.7%
-39.3% vs TC avg
§103
39.8%
-0.2% vs TC avg
§102
47.9%
+7.9% vs TC avg
§112
3.6%
-36.4% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1360 resolved cases

Office Action

§102
DETAILED ACTION 1. Applicant’s Amendment filed 05/21/2026 has been reviewed and placed of record in the file. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102 The text of those sections of Title 35, U.S. Code not included in this action can be found in a prior Office action. 2. Claims 20-21 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Hata et al. U.S. Patent Application Publication 2005/0023670 A1 (the ‘670 reference). The reference discloses in Figs. 1-2, para [76] (paragraph(s) [0076]) and other text a semiconductor package as claimed. Referring to claim 20, the ‘670 reference discloses a semiconductor package, comprising: a leadframe comprising a die carrier (not labeled) and at least one first lead (13) connected with the die carrier; a semiconductor transistor die (16) connected with the die carrier and comprising a first surface (lower surface) and a second surface (upper surface) opposite to the first surface, a source pad (bump electrode 17 that is connected to source electrode plate 9) disposed on the first surface, and a drain pad (not depicted pad that is connected to drain electrode plate 13, para [74, 76]) disposed on the second surface, wherein the first surface (the lower surface) faces a bottom side of the semiconductor package and the second surface (the upper surface) faces a top side of the semiconductor package; and a clip (source electrode 9), wherein the clip (9) is substantially planar (as clearly depicted in Fig. 1), and wherein the source pad (the bump electrode 17 that is connected to source electrode plate 9) is connected with the clip (9) by at least one electrical connector (conductive adhesive 18). Referring to claim 21 and using the same reference characters, interpretations, and citations as detailed above for claim 20 where applicable, the reference discloses a semiconductor package, comprising: a leadframe comprising a die carrier and at least one first lead (13) connected with the die carrier; a semiconductor transistor die (16) connected with the die carrier and comprising a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, a source pad (17) disposed on the first surface, and a drain pad (not depicted) disposed on the second surface, wherein the first surface faces a bottom side of the semiconductor package and the second surface faces a top side of the semiconductor package; a clip (9); and an encapsulant (sealing member 2, para [73]) at least partially covering the die carrier, the semiconductor die, and the clip, wherein the source pad (17) is connected with the clip (9) by at least one electrical connector (18), and wherein a bottom surface of the clip (9) is exposed from a bottom surface (3, para [73]) of the encapsulant (2) at the bottom side of the semiconductor package. Conclusion 3. Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a). A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any extension fee pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the date of this final action. 4. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to TU TU V HO whose telephone number is (571)272-1778. The examiner can normally be reached on Monday to Thursday 6:30 - 15:00, Monday through Thursday. 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, Jeff W Natalini can be reached on 571-272-2266. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. Information regarding the status of an application may be obtained from the Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system. Status information for published applications may be obtained from either Private PAIR or Public PAIR. Status information for unpublished applications is available through Private PAIR only. For more information about the PAIR system, see http://pair-direct.uspto.gov. Should you have questions on access to the Private PAIR system, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative or access to the automated information system, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. 07-19-2026 /TU-TU V HO/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2818
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Jan 02, 2024
Application Filed
Mar 12, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §102
May 21, 2026
Response Filed
Jul 22, 2026
Final Rejection mailed — §102 (current)

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

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Prosecution Projections

3-4
Expected OA Rounds
94%
Grant Probability
99%
With Interview (+5.1%)
1y 8m (~0m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Moderate
PTA Risk
Based on 1360 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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