Last updated: July 17, 2026

Application No. 18/404,530

IMAGE SENSORS WITH A TUNABLE FLOATING DIFFUSION STRUCTURE

Non-Final OA

Filed

Jan 04, 2024

Priority

Jan 23, 2023 — provisional 63/440,674

Examiner

TRICE III, WILLIAM CLARENCE

Art Unit

2893

Tech Center

2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems

Assignee

KLA Corporation

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +33.2% interview lift. Examiner has a relatively high allowance rate (79%); +33.2% interview lift. A written response may suffice.

Based on 47 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

TRICE III, WILLIAM CLARENCE View full profile →

Grants 79% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

37 granted / 47 resolved

+10.7% vs TC avg

Strong +33% interview lift

Without

With

+33.2%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

3y 4m

Avg Prosecution

21 currently pending

Career history

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§103

89.0%

+49.0% vs TC avg

§102

5.9%

-34.1% vs TC avg

§112

4.7%

-35.3% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 47 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Jan 04, 2024

Application Filed

Mar 25, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

17/664,887

Patent 12685136

INTERCONNECT THROUGH GATE CUT FOR STACKED FET DEVICE

4y 1m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

18/527,783

Patent 12677529

ORGANIC LIGHT EMITTING DEVICE

2y 7m to grant Granted Jul 07, 2026

17/843,004

Patent 12652815

METHOD FOR FORMING SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE STRUCTURE WITH OXIDE STRUCTURE

3y 11m to grant Granted Jun 09, 2026

18/321,838

Patent 12652855

HYBRID ORIENTATION CHANNELS AND MIXED ORIENTATION BOTTOM EPITAXY

3y 0m to grant Granted Jun 09, 2026

17/692,920

Patent 12610542

SEMICONDUCTOR MEMORY DEVICE

4y 1m to grant Granted Apr 21, 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

79%

Grant Probability

99%

With Interview (+33.2%)

3y 4m (~10m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 47 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.