Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 18/583,848

APPARATUSES INCORPORATING MICRO-LEDS AND METHODS FOR FABRICATING THE SAME

Non-Final OA §102§112
Filed
Feb 21, 2024
Examiner
HSIEH, HSIN YI
Art Unit
2899
Tech Center
2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems
Assignee
Saphlux Inc.
OA Round
3 (Non-Final)
51%
Grant Probability
Moderate
3-4
OA Rounds
3y 10m
To Grant
57%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 51% of resolved cases
51%
Career Allow Rate
321 granted / 631 resolved
-17.1% vs TC avg
Moderate +6% lift
Without
With
+6.2%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 10m
Avg Prosecution
57 currently pending
Career history
688
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§103
39.3%
-0.7% vs TC avg
§102
23.1%
-16.9% vs TC avg
§112
35.3%
-4.7% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 631 resolved cases

Office Action

§102 §112
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 . Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114 A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after final rejection. Since this application is eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on 02/02/2026 has been entered. Information Disclosure Statement The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 02/02/2026 is in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement is being considered by the examiner. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112 The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b): (b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention. The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph: The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention. Claims 6 and 9-10 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention. Claim 6 recites the limitation "the second light-emitting device" in the first line of the claim. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. Claim 9 recites the limitation "the second light-emitting device" in the second line of the claim. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. Claim 10 is rejected because it depends on the rejected claim 9. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102 In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status. The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action: A person shall be entitled to a patent unless – (a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention. (a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention. Claim(s) 1-11 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1)/(a)(2) as being anticipated by Yeon et al. (US 2022/0139999 A1). Regarding claim 1, Yeon et al. teach in Fig. 3, an apparatus (Fig. 3), comprising: a plurality of light-emitting devices (125/122 of SP1, SP2 and SP3; [0046]) for emitting light of a first color (blue; [0045]), wherein the plurality of light-emitting device (125/122 of SP1, SP2 and SP3) comprises a first light-emitting device (125/122 of SP2; [0046]) comprising a light-emitting structure (125; [0046]) for emitting light of the first color (blue; [0046]) and a semiconductor layer (122; [0046]) fabricated on the light-emitting structure (125), and wherein the first light-emitting device (125/122 of SP2) is bonded to a conductive pad (285P; [0064-0065]); and a light-emitting device (145/142; [0050]) for emitting light of a second color (green; [0050]), wherein the light-emitting device for emitting light of the second color (145/142) is fabricated on a semiconductor layer (122) of the first light-emitting device (125/122 of SP2). Regarding claim 2, Yeon et al. teach in Fig. 3, the apparatus of claim 1, wherein the light-emitting device for emitting light of the second color (145/142) is electrically connected to the conductive pad (285P; [0055, 0064-0065]). Regarding claim 3, Yeon et al. teach in Fig. 3, the apparatus of claim 2, wherein the light-emitting device for emitting light of the second color (145/142) is bonded to the semiconductor layer (122) of the first light-emitting device for emitting light of the first color (125/122 of SP2) through a bonding layer (136; [0053]) comprising a conductive material (Ag; [0053]). Regarding claim 4, Yeon et al. teach in Fig. 3, the apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a conductive via (165B; [0055]) fabricated in the first light-emitting device (125/122 of SP2) of the plurality of light-emitting devices (125/122 of SP1, SP2 and SP3) for emitting light of the first color (blue). Regarding claim 5, Yeon et al. teach in Fig. 3, the apparatus of claim 3, wherein sidewalls (the top horizontal sidewalls) of the light-emitting structure (125) and the semiconductor layer (122) of the first light-emitting device for emitting light of the first color (125/122 of SP2) are coated with a conductive layer (131 of ITO; [0054]). Regarding claim 6, Yeon et al. teach in Fig. 3, the apparatus of claim 5, wherein the second light-emitting device for emitting light of the second color (145/142) is electrically connected to the conductive pad (285P) through the conductive layer (131) and the bonding layer (136; see Fig. 3). Regarding claim 7, Yeon et al. teach in Fig. 3, the apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a light-conversion structure (192; [0048]) that converts light emitted by third light-emitting device (125/122 of SP3) of the plurality of light-emitting devices (125/122 of SP1, SP2 and SP3) for emitting light of the first color (blue) into light of a third color (red; [0048]). Regarding claim 8, Yeon et al. teach in Fig. 3, the apparatus of claim 7, wherein the light-conversion structure (192) comprises a plurality of quantum dots ([0048]). Regarding claim 9, Yeon et al. teach in Fig. 3, the apparatus of claim 8, further comprising an electrode layer (180; [0057]), wherein the electrode layer (180) is fabricated on the second light-emitting device for emitting light of the second color (145/142), the third light-emitting device (125/122 of SP3) of the plurality of light-emitting devices (125/122 of SP1, SP2 and SP3) for emitting light of the first color (blue), and a fourth light-emitting device (125/122 of SP1) of the plurality of light-emitting devices (125/122 of SP1, SP2 and SP3) for emitting light of the first color (blue). Regarding claim 10, Yeon et al. teach in Fig. 3, the apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a plurality of metal sidewalls (155s; [0061]) fabricated on the electrode layer (180). Regarding claim 11, Yeon et al. teach in Fig. 3, the apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a substrate (250; [0063]), wherein the plurality of light-emitting devices (125/122 of SP1, SP2 and SP3) for emitting light of the first color (blue) is bonded to the substrate (250; bonded through 280). Response to Arguments Applicant’s amendments, filed 02/02/2026, overcome the rejections to claims 1-11 under 35 U.S.C. 112. The rejections to claims 1-11 under 35 U.S.C. 112 have been withdrawn. Applicant's arguments with respect to claim 1 have been considered but are moot in view of the new ground(s) of rejection. Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Xu et al. (US 20220068994 A1) teach a display panel including two light emitting diodes emitting lights with different colors in one pixel separated by reflective components. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to HSIN YI HSIEH whose telephone number is (571)270-3043. The examiner can normally be reached 8:30 - 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, Zandra V Smith can be reached on 571-272-2429. 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. /HSIN YI HSIEH/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2899 2/16/2026
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Feb 21, 2024
Application Filed
Mar 18, 2025
Examiner Interview (Telephonic)
Mar 20, 2025
Non-Final Rejection — §102, §112
Jun 25, 2025
Response Filed
Oct 01, 2025
Final Rejection — §102, §112
Jan 02, 2026
Response after Non-Final Action
Feb 02, 2026
Request for Continued Examination
Feb 09, 2026
Response after Non-Final Action
Feb 17, 2026
Non-Final Rejection — §102, §112 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12598786
FIELD EFFECT TRANSISTOR STRUCTURES
2y 5m to grant Granted Apr 07, 2026
Patent 12575243
DISPLAY DEVICE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME
2y 5m to grant Granted Mar 10, 2026
Patent 12550486
OPTOELECTRONIC DEVICE WITH AXIAL THREE-DIMENSIONAL LIGHT-EMITTING DIODES
2y 5m to grant Granted Feb 10, 2026
Patent 12538616
LIGHT EMITTING DIODE WITH OPTIMISED ELECTRIC INJECTION FROM A SIDE ELECTRODE
2y 5m to grant Granted Jan 27, 2026
Patent 12538617
3D LIGHT-EMITTING DIODE AND ASSOCIATED MANUFACTURING METHOD
2y 5m to grant Granted Jan 27, 2026
Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

AI Strategy Recommendation

Get an AI-powered prosecution strategy using examiner precedents, rejection analysis, and claim mapping.
Powered by AI — typically takes 5-10 seconds

Prosecution Projections

3-4
Expected OA Rounds
51%
Grant Probability
57%
With Interview (+6.2%)
3y 10m
Median Time to Grant
High
PTA Risk
Based on 631 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allow rate.

Sign in with your work email

Enter your email to receive a magic link. No password needed.

Personal email addresses (Gmail, Yahoo, etc.) are not accepted.

Free tier: 3 strategy analyses per month