Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 01, 2026
Application No. 18/584,080

INTEGRATED CIRCUIT PACKAGES AND METHODS OF FORMING THE SAME

Non-Final OA §103
Filed
Feb 22, 2024
Priority
Nov 29, 2023 — provisional 63/603,888
Examiner
JAHAN, BILKIS
Art Unit
2817
Tech Center
2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems
Assignee
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
89%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
0m
Est. Remaining
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 89% — above average
89%
Career Allowance Rate
821 granted / 926 resolved
+20.7% vs TC avg
Moderate +10% lift
Without
With
+10.2%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 4m
Avg Prosecution
28 currently pending
Career history
959
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.5%
-39.5% vs TC avg
§103
54.6%
+14.6% vs TC avg
§102
23.7%
-16.3% vs TC avg
§112
13.5%
-26.5% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 926 resolved cases

Office Action

§103
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 . Attorney Docket Number: TSMP20231261US02 Filling Date: 02/22/24 Priority Date: 11/29/2023 Inventor: Chou et al Examiner: Bilkis Jahan DETAILED ACTION 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. Election/Restrictions Applicant’s election of Group I, claims 1-15 and 21-25 in the reply filed on 08/03/26 is acknowledged. Because applicant did not distinctly and specifically point out the supposed errors in the restriction requirement, the election has been treated as an election without traverse (MPEP § 818.01(a)). 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, 3, 6 and 8 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Chen et al (US 2022/0246818 A1). Regarding claim 1, Chen discloses a device (Fig. 7) comprising: a semiconductor die 113 (Para. 69) bonded to an integrated circuit die 150, 121, 111, 112, 103 (Paras. 51, 52, 54, 86), wherein the integrated circuit die 150, 121, 111, 112, 103 comprises a first interconnect structure 121, 150, 103 a first redistribution structure 106 (Opara. 58), wherein the first interconnect structure 121, 150, 103 is bonded to the first redistribution structure 106; and a composite heat dissipation material 140 between a bottom surface of the first interconnect structure 121, 150, 103 and a top surface of the first redistribution structure 106. Chen does not explicitly disclose the first interconnect structure has a metal density of at least 50%; first redistribution structure having a metal density of at least 50%. However, Chen discloses the first interconnect structure 121, 150, 103 has a metal density (Paras. 52, 37) and first redistribution structure having a metal density 106 (Paras. 61-63). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skill of the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to obtain the first interconnect structure has a metal density of at least 50%; first redistribution structure having a metal density of at least 50% for improved connection (Fig. 7). Regarding claim 3, Chen further discloses the device of claim 1, wherein the semiconductor die 113 (Para. 78) is bonded to a second interconnect structure 115 of the integrated circuit die, wherein the second interconnect structure 115 has a metal density of less than 50% (consider the drawing is scaled, obvious). Regarding claim 6, Chen further discloses the device of claim 1, wherein the semiconductor die 113 is bonded to the integrated circuit die 111, 112 using dielectric-to-dielectric bonding 160, 120 (Paras. 78). Regarding claim 8, Chen further discloses the device of claim 1, wherein the integrated circuit die 112, 111 is closer to the first redistribution structure 106 than the semiconductor die 113. Claim(s) are 2, 4, 7-9, 12-14 and 15 rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Chen et al (US 2022/0246818 A1) in view of Fujimoto (US 2017/0237227 A1). Regarding claim 2, Chen does not explicitly disclose the device of claim 1, wherein the composite heat dissipation material has a thermal conductivity in the range of 30 W/m-K to 50 W/m-K. However, Fujimoto discloses same material as instant application heat dissipation material (Au nanoparticles, Para. 38). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skill of the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to obtain the composite heat dissipation material has a thermal conductivity in the range of 30 W/m-K to 50 W/m-K because of the same material as instant application. Regarding claim 4, Chen does not explicitly disclose the device of claim 1, wherein the composite heat dissipation material comprises gold nanoparticles. However, Fujimoto discloses the composite heat dissipation material comprises gold nanoparticles (Au nanoparticles, Para. 38). Fujimoto teaches the above modification is used to improve heat dissipation of the device (Fig. 7). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skill of the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to substitute Chen heat dissipation material with Fujimoto heat dissipation material to improve heat dissipation of the device (Fig. 7). Regarding claim 7, Chen does not explicitly disclose the device of claim 1, wherein the composite heat dissipation material covers sidewalls of the semiconductor die and the integrated circuit die. However, Fujimoto discloses the composite heat dissipation material (Au nanoparticles, Para. 38) covers sidewalls of the semiconductor die and the integrated circuit die (Chen discloses the heat dissipation material 140, 160 covers sidewalls of 112, 111 and 113, every material has heat dissipation capability). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skill of the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to substitute Chen heat dissipation material with Fujimoto heat dissipation material to improve heat dissipation of the device (Fig. 7). Regarding claim 9, Chen discloses a device (Fig. 7) package comprising: a package component comprising: a first semiconductor die 113 comprising: a front-side interconnect structure 115; and a back-side interconnect structure 121 (claim does not define back side), wherein the back-side interconnect structure has a metal density greater than that of the front side interconnect structure (Fig. 7); and a second semiconductor die 112 bonded to the front-side interconnect structure 115; a package substrate comprising: a first redistribution structure 106, wherein the first redistribution structure 106 has a metal density greater than that of the front side interconnect structure 115, wherein the package component 113 is attached to the first redistribution structure 106 (attached through other layers); and an underfill 140 between the package component 113 and the package substrate 106. Chen does not explicitly disclose the underfill has a thermal conductivity that is greater than 10 W/m-K. However, Fujimoto discloses the underfill has a thermal conductivity that is greater than 10 W/m-K (Au nanoparticles, Para. 38, same material as instant application). Fujimoto teaches the above modification is used to improve heat dissipation of the device (Fig. 7). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skill of the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to substitute Chen heat dissipation material with Fujimoto heat dissipation material to improve heat dissipation of the device (Fig. 7). Regarding claim 12, Chen discloses the package of claim 9, wherein the underfill comprises a filler material 140 in a base material 101 (Para. 26), wherein the filler material comprises at least one of metal nanoparticles or metal nanotubes (Fujimoto, Au nanoparticles, Para. 38), wherein the filler material is between 50% by weight and 90% by weight of the underfill (Fujimoto, same material as instant application). Regarding claim 13, Chen discloses the package of claim 9, wherein the package substrate further comprises a second redistribution structure 107, 108 that has a metal density greater than that of the front side interconnect structure 115. Regarding claim 14, Chen discloses the package of claim 9, wherein the back-side interconnect structure has a metal density in the range of 50% to 70% 121, 151 (obvious). Regarding claim 15, Chen discloses the package of claim 9 further comprising a lid 140 that is attached to a top surface of the first redistribution structure 106 and is attached to a top surface of the second semiconductor die 112. Claim(s) 10-11 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Chen et al (US 2022/0246818 A1) in view of Fujimoto (US 2017/0237227 A1) and further in view of Lee et al (US 2024/0136329 A1). Regarding claims 10 and 11, Chen in view of Fujimoto does not explicitly disclose the package of claim 9, wherein the back-side interconnect structure comprises a power supply line; the package of claim , wherein the back-side interconnect structure of the package component is bonded to the first redistribution structure. However, Lee discloses multiple RDL layers and power line is in the RDL layer (Claim 15). Lee teaches the above modification is used to supply power of the package (claim 15). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skill of the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to combine Chen in view of Fujimoto structure with Lee power supply line as suggested above to supply power of the package (claim 15). Claim 5 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Chen et al (US 2022/0246818 A1) in view of Stone et al (US 2015/0034144 A1). Regarding claim 5, Chen does not explicitly disclose the device of claim 1, wherein the composite heat dissipation material comprises silicon oxide particles. However, Stone discloses the composite heat dissipation material comprises silicon oxide particles (Para. 46). Stone teaches the above modification is used to improve heat sense of the device (Para. 46). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skill of the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to substitute Chen heat dissipation material with Stone heat dissipation material to improve heat sense of the device (Para. 46). Allowable Subject Matter Claims 21-25 are allowed. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to BILKIS JAHAN whose telephone number is (571)270-5022. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday, 8:00 am-5 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, Marlon T Fletcher can be reached at (571)272-2063. 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. BILKIS . JAHAN Primary Examiner Art Unit 2817 /BILKIS JAHAN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2817
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Prosecution Timeline

Feb 22, 2024
Application Filed
Sep 23, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103 (current)

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Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

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Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
89%
Grant Probability
99%
With Interview (+10.2%)
2y 4m (~0m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 926 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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