Last updated: July 17, 2026

Application No. 18/441,476

SUBSTRATE TEST METHOD

Non-Final OA

Filed

Feb 14, 2024

Priority

Jul 24, 2023 — RE 10-2023-0096329

Examiner

PHILLIPS, RUFUS L

Art Unit

2877

Tech Center

2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems

Assignee

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +32.8% interview lift. Interview already conducted in this application's prosecution history. This examiner has a 62% grant rate with +32.8% interview lift. Since an interview has already been tried, recommend written response with narrowed claims based on precedent claim evolution patterns.

Based on 351 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

PHILLIPS, RUFUS L View full profile →

Grants 62% of resolved cases

Career Allowance Rate

218 granted / 351 resolved

-5.9% vs TC avg

Strong +33% interview lift

Without

With

+32.8%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

3y 1m

Avg Prosecution

23 currently pending

Career history

378

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

0.1%

-39.9% vs TC avg

§103

94.0%

+54.0% vs TC avg

§102

1.0%

-39.0% vs TC avg

§112

4.3%

-35.7% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 351 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Feb 14, 2024

Application Filed

May 01, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed

May 26, 2026

Applicant Interview (Telephonic)

May 26, 2026

Examiner Interview Summary

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

17/912,453

Patent 12644820

FLOW CELL ASSEMBLY AND SPECTROSCOPY DEVICE ASSEMBLY FOR USE IN A BIOPROCESS

3y 8m to grant Granted Jun 02, 2026

17/545,646

Patent 12631545

METHOD AND SYSTEMS FOR DETERMINING DROP DELAY USING SCATTER SIGNALS ACROSS SPATIALLY SEPARATED LASERS

4y 5m to grant Granted May 19, 2026

17/487,453

Patent 12625072

METHOD FOR INSPECTING SHAPED PRODUCT, AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING SHAPED PRODUCT

4y 7m to grant Granted May 12, 2026

18/198,175

Patent 12581754

METHOD AND APPARATUS TO ENHANCE SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE MANUFACTURING

2y 10m to grant Granted Mar 17, 2026

17/512,105

Patent 12566123

METHOD AND SYSTEMS FOR CHARACTERIZING AND ENCODING A LIGHT DETECTION SYSTEM

4y 4m to grant Granted Mar 03, 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

62%

Grant Probability

95%

With Interview (+32.8%)

3y 1m (~8m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 351 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.