Prosecution Insights
Last updated: July 17, 2026
Application No. 18/508,158

Phosphor-Converted Red LEDs and Color-Tunable Multi-LED Lighting Devices

Final Rejection §103
Filed
Nov 13, 2023
Priority
Jan 13, 2022 — provisional 63/299,408 +5 more
Examiner
MEHTA, RATISHA
Art Unit
2817
Tech Center
2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems
Assignee
Bridgelux Inc.
OA Round
2 (Final)
90%
Grant Probability
Favorable
3-4
OA Rounds
0m
Est. Remaining
95%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 90% — above average
90%
Career Allowance Rate
569 granted / 636 resolved
+21.5% vs TC avg
Moderate +6% lift
Without
With
+5.7%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Fast prosecutor
1y 12m
Avg Prosecution
26 currently pending
Career history
658
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.5%
-39.5% vs TC avg
§103
68.4%
+28.4% vs TC avg
§102
11.1%
-28.9% vs TC avg
§112
4.5%
-35.5% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 636 resolved cases

Office Action

§103
DETAILED ACTION Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . Information Disclosure Statement The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 4/3/2024, 5/9/2024, 1/29/2025, 6/30/2025 is in compliance /with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement is being considered by the examiner. Response to Arguments Applicant argued that the prior art does not teach the amended limitations. However as shown in the rejection below, Chou in view of Yang discloses the entire claimed limitations. Therefore for afore mentioned reasons, the rejection is deemed proper and considered final. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103 The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action: A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made. Claim(s) 1-5, 7-9, 18, 20-21 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Chou et al (US 2009/0294780; hereinafter Chou) in view of Yang et al (US 2017/0077360; hereinafter Yang). Regarding claim 1, Figs 2 and 9 of Chou discloses an LED package comprising: a housing (30; Fig 9; ¶ [0037]) comprising a first cavity (32; Fig 9; ¶ [0037]) for a first LED (24; Fig 9; ¶ [0036]), a second cavity (32; Fig 9; ¶ [0037]) for a second LED (24; Fig 9; ¶ [0036]), a third cavity (32; Fig 9; ¶ [0037]) for a third LED (24; Fig 9; ¶ [0036]) and a fourth cavity (32; Fig 9; ¶ [0037]) for a fourth LED (24; Fig 9; ¶ [0036]); and a lead frame comprising respective anode (34 (on corners); Figs 3/9; ¶ [0038]) and cathode regions (36; Figs 3/9; ¶ [0038]) for each cavity, wherein each anode region comprises an anode electrode portion on a floor (Fig 3) of the cavity and each cathode region comprises a cathode electrode portion (36; Fig 3; ¶ [0039]) on a floor of the cavity and wherein the anode and cathode terminals are disposed along opposing sides of the housing and are aligned with each other. (Figs 3 and 9) However Chou did not expressly disclose an anode terminal portion extending beyond an outer surface of the housing and a cathode terminal portion extending beyond an outer surface of the housing. In the same field of endeavor, Fig 1 of Yang discloses an anode terminal portion (26/22; Fig 1; ¶ [0052]) extending beyond an outer surface of a housing (16; Fig 1; ¶ [0052]) and a cathode terminal portion (28/24; Fig 1; ¶ [0052]) extending beyond an outer surface of the housing (16; Fig 1; ¶ [0052]). Accordingly it would have been obvious to the person in the ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention such that an anode terminal portion extending beyond an outer surface of the housing and a cathode terminal portion extending beyond an outer surface of the housing in order to form the electrical connectors on the base that are electrically connected to corresponding electrode contact pads (¶ [0052]). Regarding claim 2, Figs 2 and 9 of Chou discloses the first cavity (32; Fig 9; ¶ [0037]), the second cavity (32; Fig 9; ¶ [0037]), the third cavity (32; Fig 9; ¶ [0037]) and the fourth cavity (32; Fig 9; ¶ [0037]) comprise a two by two array. (Fig 2) Regarding claim 3, Figs 2 and 9 of Chou discloses cavities are in rows (Fig 2) and the anode or the cathode region (36; Figs 3/9; ¶ [0038]) for cavities in a row pass (Figs 2 and 9) through the adjacent cavity of said row (Fig 2). Regarding claim 4, Figs 2 and 9 of Chou in view of Yang as modified above in claim 1 (Fig 1 of Yang in particular) discloses each of the anode terminal portions (26/22; Fig 1; ¶ [0052] of Yang) is disposed on a first side of the housing (16; Fig 1; ¶ [0052]) and each of the cathode terminal portions (28/24; Fig 1; ¶ [0052]) is disposed on a second opposing side of the housing (16; Fig 1; ¶ [0052]). Regarding claim 5, Figs 2 and 9 of Chou in view of Yang as modified above in claim 1 (Fig 1 of Yang in particular) discloses each of the anode (26/22; Fig 1; ¶ [0052] of Yang) and cathode terminal portions (28/24; Fig 1; ¶ [0052]) are located along a line across from one another (Figs 3 and 9). Regarding claim 7, Figs 2 and 9 of Chou discloses a light emitting device comprising: a first LED (24; Fig 9; ¶ [0036]); a second LED (24; Fig 9; ¶ [0036]); a third LED (24; Fig 9; ¶ [0036]); a fourth LED (24; Fig 9; ¶ [0036]); and an LED package (Figs 2 and 9)’ wherein the LED package comprises a housing (30; Fig 9; ¶ [0037]) comprising a first cavity (32; Fig 9; ¶ [0037]) for a first LED (24; Fig 9; ¶ [0036]), a second cavity (32; Fig 9; ¶ [0037]) for a second LED (24; Fig 9; ¶ [0036]), a third cavity (32; Fig 9; ¶ [0037]) for a third LED (24; Fig 9; ¶ [0036]) and a fourth cavity (32; Fig 9; ¶ [0037]) for a fourth LED (24; Fig 9; ¶ [0036]); and a lead frame comprising respective anode (34 (on corners); Figs 3/9; ¶ [0038]) and cathode regions (36; Figs 3/9; ¶ [0038]) for each cavity, wherein each anode region comprises an anode electrode portion on a floor (Fig 3) of the cavity and each cathode region comprises a cathode electrode portion (36; Fig 3; ¶ [0039]) on a floor of the cavity and wherein the anode and cathode terminals are disposed along opposing sides of the housing and are aligned with each other. (Figs 3 and 9) However Chou did not expressly disclose an anode terminal portion extending beyond an outer surface of the housing and a cathode terminal portion extending beyond an outer surface of the housing. In the same field of endeavor, Fig 1 of Yang discloses an anode terminal portion (26/22; Fig 1; ¶ [0052]) extending beyond an outer surface of a housing (16; Fig 1; ¶ [0052]) and a cathode terminal portion (28/24; Fig 1; ¶ [0052]) extending beyond an outer surface of the housing (16; Fig 1; ¶ [0052]). Accordingly it would have been obvious to the person in the ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention such that an anode terminal portion extending beyond an outer surface of the housing and a cathode terminal portion extending beyond an outer surface of the housing in order to form the electrical connectors on the base that are electrically connected to corresponding electrode contact pads (¶ [0052]). Regarding claim 8, Figs 2 and 9 of Chou discloses the first cavity (32; Fig 9; ¶ [0037]), the second cavity (32; Fig 9; ¶ [0037]), the third cavity (32; Fig 9; ¶ [0037]) and the fourth cavity (32; Fig 9; ¶ [0037]) comprise a two by two array. (Fig 2) Regarding claim 9, Figs 2 and 9 of Chou discloses cavities are in rows (Fig 2) and the anode or the cathode region (36; Figs 3/9; ¶ [0038]) for cavities in a row pass (Figs 2 and 9) through the adjacent cavity of said row (Fig 2). Regarding claim 18, Figs 2 and 9 of Chou discloses a multi-cavity lead frame package comprising: a housing (30; Fig 9; ¶ [0037]) comprising four independent cavities (32; Fig 9; ¶ [0037]); four cathode terminals (36; Figs 3/9; ¶ [0038]) disposed along a first side of the housing; and four anode terminals (36; Figs 3/9; ¶ [0038]) disposed along a second opposite side of the housing. Regarding claim 20, Figs 2 and 9 of Chou discloses the four independent cavities comprise a two by two array (Fig 2). Regarding claim 21, Figs 2 and 9 of Chou discloses each cavity has one cathode (36; Figs 3/9; ¶ [0038]) which is part of the cavity and one anode (36; Figs 3/9; ¶ [0038]) that is part of an adjacent cavity (Figs 2 and 9). However Chou did not expressly disclose an anode terminal portion extending beyond an outer surface of the housing and a cathode terminal portion extending beyond an outer surface of the housing. In the same field of endeavor, Fig 1 of Yang discloses an anode terminal portion (26/22; Fig 1; ¶ [0052]) extending beyond an outer surface of a housing (16; Fig 1; ¶ [0052]) and a cathode terminal portion (28/24; Fig 1; ¶ [0052]) extending beyond an outer surface of the housing (16; Fig 1; ¶ [0052]). Accordingly it would have been obvious to the person in the ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention such that an anode terminal portion extending beyond an outer surface of the housing and a cathode terminal portion extending beyond an outer surface of the housing in order to form the electrical connectors on the base that are electrically connected to corresponding electrode contact pads (¶ [0052]). Claim(s) 6, 19 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Chou et al (US 2009/0294780; hereinafter Chou) in view of Yang et al (US 2017/0077360; hereinafter Yang) and further in view of Huang (US 2020/0068103; hereinafter Huang). Regarding claim 6, Chou does not expressly disclose the package is a 3838 package. In the same field of endeavor, Huang discloses the LED packages is 3838 package. (¶ [0096]) Accordingly it would have been obvious to the person in the ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention such that the LED package is 3838 package for the purpose of using well known and suitable LED package with dimensions that are known in the art (¶ [0096]). Regarding claim 19, Chou does not expressly disclose the package is a 3838 package. In the same field of endeavor, Huang discloses the LED packages is 3838 package. (¶ [0096]) Accordingly it would have been obvious to the person in the ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention such that the LED package is 3838 package for the purpose of using well known and suitable LED package with dimensions that are known in the art (¶ [0096]). Claim(s) 10-17 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Chou et al (US 2009/0294780; hereinafter Chou) in view of Yang et al (US 2017/0077360; hereinafter Yang) and further in view of Todorov et al (US 2016/0372638; hereinafter Todov). Regarding claim 10, Chou discloses the first LED is Phosphor-converted RED-LED (¶ [0039]). However Chou does not expressly disclose a narrowband red phosphor. In the same field of endeavor, Todov discloses a photoluminescence material can comprise narrowband red phosphor (124; Fig 4; ¶ [0085]) which comprises K2SiF6:Mn4+ (¶ [0085]). Accordingly it would have been obvious to the person in the ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention such that a phosphor comprises narrowband red phosphor that comprises K2SiF6:Mn4+ in order to achieve the light of desired wavelength and also LED may exhibit very high luminous flux levels while providing excellent color rendering performance (¶ [0049]). Regarding claim 11, Chou in view of Todov as modified above in claim 10 discloses the narrowband red phosphor is K2SiF6:Mn4+ (¶ [0085] of Todov). Regarding claim 12, Figs 2 and 9 of Chou discloses the Phosphor-converted RED-LED comprises a broadband red phosphor (¶ [0047]). Regarding claim 13, Figs 2 and 9 of Chou discloses the broadband red phosphor is : (Sr,Ca)AlSiN3:Eu2+ (¶ [0047]). Regarding claim 14, Figs 2 and 9 of Chou discloses the second LED (24; Fig 9; ¶ [0036]) is a Phosphor-Converted Green LED comprising green phosphor (Figs 2 and 9). Regarding claim 15, Chou does not expressly disclose the device is for generating light of a chromaticity lying on, or near, the black body curve with a CCT that is tunable by controlling the ratio of intensities of at least two different color LEDs independently. In the same field of endeavor, Todov discloses the device is for generating light of a chromaticity lying on, or near, the black body curve with a CCT that is tunable by controlling the ratio of intensities of at least two different color LEDs independently. (Fig 1) Accordingly it would have been obvious to the person in the ordinary skill in the art such that the device is for generating light of a chromaticity as claimed for the purpose of obtaining the light of desired wavelengths such that desired color can be obtained. (¶ [0053]) Regarding claim 16, Chou in view of Todov as modified above in claim 15 discloses the device is for generating light of a chromaticity that is within 0.006Δuv of the black body curve (Fig 1). Regarding claim 17, Figs 2 and 9 of Chou discloses the first LED comprises a Phosphor-converted RED-LED, the second LED comprises Phosphor-Converted Green-LED, the third LED comprises a Direct emitting blue-LED and the fourth LED comprises a White-LED for generating light (¶ [0039]). However Chou does not expressly disclose white LED for generating light of a CCT in a range 1800K to 5000K. In the same field of endeavor, Figs 10 and 4 of Todorov discloses a white LED for generating light with a CCT of at least 1800 K (¶ [0056]). Accordingly it would have been obvious to the person in the ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention such that a white LED for generating light with a CCT of at least 1800 K as taught by Todorov for the purpose of using well known and suitable white LED for generating light with a claimed CCT. Claim(s) 22-26 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Chou et al (US 2009/0294780; hereinafter Chou) in view of Todorov et al (US 2016/0372638; hereinafter Todov). Regarding claim 22, Figs 2 and 9 of Chou discloses a light emitting device comprising: a multi-cavity (32; Fig 9; ¶ [0037]) lead frame (30; Fig 9; ¶ [0037]) package comprising four independent cavities (32; Fig 9; ¶ [0037]); and at least two different color LEDs (24; Fig 9; ¶ [0036]), wherein one of said at least two different color LEDs is a Phosphor-converted Red-LED (¶ [0039]). However Chou does not expressly disclose a narrowband red phosphor, and wherein the device is for generating light of a chromaticity lying on or near the black body curve with a CCT that is tunable by controlling the ratio of intensities of the at least two different color LEDs independently. In the same field of endeavor, Todov discloses a photoluminescence material can comprise narrowband red phosphor (124; Fig 4; ¶ [0085]) which comprises K2SiF6:Mn4+ (¶ [0085]) and a broadband red phosphor (Fig 4). Accordingly it would have been obvious to the person in the ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention such that a phosphor comprises narrowband red phosphor that comprises K2SiF6:Mn4+ and a broadband phosphor in order to achieve the light of desired wavelength and also LED may exhibit very high luminous flux levels while providing excellent color rendering performance (¶ [0049]). In the same field of endeavor, Todov discloses the device is for generating light of a chromaticity lying on, or near, the black body curve with a CCT that is tunable by controlling the ratio of intensities of at least two different color LEDs independently. (Fig 1) Accordingly it would have been obvious to the person in the ordinary skill in the art such that the device is for generating light of a chromaticity as claimed for the purpose of obtaining the light of desired wavelengths such that desired color can be obtained. (¶ [0053]) Regarding claim 23, Chou in view of Todov as modified above in claim 22 discloses the device is for generating light of a chromaticity that is within 0.006Δuv of the black body curve (Fig 1). Regarding claim 24, Chou in view of Todov as modified above in claim 22 discloses the narrowband red phosphor is K2SiF6:Mn4+ (¶ [0085] of Todov). Regarding claim 26, Figs 2 and 9 of Chou discloses the broadband red phosphor is : (Sr,Ca)AlSiN3:Eu2+ (¶ [0047]). Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure: Tudorica et al (US 9905735) Li et al (US 2012/0155076) 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 nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) 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 mailing date of this final action. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to RATISHA MEHTA whose telephone number is (571)270-7473. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday: 9:00am - 5:00 pm. 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, Eliseo Ramos Feliciano can be reached at 571-272-7925. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. /RATISHA MEHTA/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2817
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Nov 13, 2023
Application Filed
Jan 04, 2024
Response after Non-Final Action
Oct 01, 2025
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103
Apr 01, 2026
Response Filed
Jun 17, 2026
Final Rejection mailed — §103 (current)

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Prosecution Projections

3-4
Expected OA Rounds
90%
Grant Probability
95%
With Interview (+5.7%)
1y 12m (~0m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Moderate
PTA Risk
Based on 636 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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