Last updated: July 05, 2026

Application No. 18/440,435

DIE SHAPE CONTROL FOR DIE TO WAFER BOND ENHANCEMENT

Non-Final OA

Filed

Feb 13, 2024

Examiner

BLACKWELL, ASHLEY NICOLE

Art Unit

2897

Tech Center

2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems

Assignee

Tokyo Electron Limited

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +2.9% interview lift. Interview lift (+2.9%) is below the 15.0% threshold. A written response is recommended.

Based on 60 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

BLACKWELL, ASHLEY NICOLE View full profile →

Grants 98% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

59 granted / 60 resolved

+30.3% vs TC avg

Minimal +3% lift

Without

With

+2.9%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

3y 5m

Avg Prosecution

34 currently pending

Career history

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§103

92.4%

+52.4% vs TC avg

§102

4.3%

-35.7% vs TC avg

§112

3.3%

-36.7% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 60 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Feb 13, 2024

Application Filed

Apr 17, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

17/347,034

Patent 12672334

CONDUCTIVE VIA BAR SELF-ALIGNED TO GATE END

5y 0m to grant Granted Jun 30, 2026

17/828,298

Patent 12666593

SEMICONDUCTOR MEMORY DEVICE AND METHOD OF FABRICATING THE SAME

4y 0m to grant Granted Jun 23, 2026

18/251,136

Patent 12666834

SEGMENTED OLED

3y 1m to grant Granted Jun 23, 2026

17/728,116

Patent 12660261

CROSS-COUPLING CONNECTIONS FOR STACKED FIELD EFFECT TRANSISTORS

4y 1m to grant Granted Jun 16, 2026

17/712,649

Patent 12653026

POWER SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES INCLUDING MULTIPLE GATE BOND PADS

4y 2m to grant Granted Jun 09, 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

98%

Grant Probability

99%

With Interview (+2.9%)

3y 5m (~1y 0m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 60 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.