Last updated: August 15, 2026

Application No. 18/431,583

SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES WITH BACKSIDE SOURCE/DRAIN CONTACTS AND METHODS OF FABRICATION THEREOF

Non-Final OA

Filed

Feb 02, 2024

Priority

Oct 02, 2023 — provisional 63/541,950

Examiner

SCHOENHOLTZ, JOSEPH

Art Unit

2893

Tech Center

2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems

Assignee

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— -4.9% interview lift. Interview lift (-4.9%) is below the 15.0% threshold. A written response is recommended.

Based on 1318 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

SCHOENHOLTZ, JOSEPH View full profile →

Grants 91% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

1203 granted / 1318 resolved

+23.3% vs TC avg

Minimal -5% lift

Without

With

+-4.9%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Fast prosecutor

1y 9m

Avg Prosecution

17 currently pending

Career history

1325

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

2.8%

-37.2% vs TC avg

§103

53.2%

+13.2% vs TC avg

§102

12.1%

-27.9% vs TC avg

§112

21.8%

-18.2% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1318 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Feb 02, 2024

Application Filed

Oct 10, 2024

Response after Non-Final Action

May 15, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

18/580,120

Patent 12707751

SOLID-STATE IMAGING ELEMENT, IMAGING APPARATUS, AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE

2y 6m to grant Granted Aug 11, 2026

18/740,726

Patent 12699911

QUANTUM DOT BASED QUBIT DEVICES WITH ON-CHIP MICROCOIL ARRANGEMENTS

2y 1m to grant Granted Aug 04, 2026

18/293,308

Patent 12696634

DISPLAY PANEL AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE

2y 6m to grant Granted Jul 28, 2026

18/542,977

Patent 12696643

DISPLAY PANEL AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME

2y 7m to grant Granted Jul 28, 2026

18/543,492

Patent 12696740

Apparatus and Methods for Bonding Materials

2y 7m to grant Granted Jul 28, 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

91%

Grant Probability

86%

With Interview (-4.9%)

1y 9m (~0m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 1318 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.