Prosecution Insights
Last updated: July 17, 2026
Application No. 18/604,787

POWER SEMICONDUCTOR PACKAGE INCLUDING A PASSIVE ELECTRONIC COMPONENT AND METHOD FOR FABRICATING THE SAME

Non-Final OA §102
Filed
Mar 14, 2024
Priority
Mar 14, 2023 — EU 23161841.4
Examiner
ULLAH, ELIAS
Art Unit
2893
Tech Center
2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems
Assignee
Infineon Technologies AG
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
85%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
0m
Est. Remaining
93%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 85% — above average
85%
Career Allowance Rate
721 granted / 850 resolved
+16.8% vs TC avg
Moderate +8% lift
Without
With
+7.8%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 4m
Avg Prosecution
21 currently pending
Career history
859
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.1%
-39.9% vs TC avg
§103
48.0%
+8.0% vs TC avg
§102
48.2%
+8.2% vs TC avg
§112
1.3%
-38.7% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 850 resolved cases

Office Action

§102
DETAILED ACTION Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102 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. Claims 1-15 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Owyang et al.( Owyang, US 2007/0063341 A1). Regarding claim 1, Owyang shows a power semiconductor package (Package 100 in FIG. 3B and [0049]), comprising: a first power semiconductor die (IC 101 in FIG. 3B and [049]) arranged on and electrically coupled to a first side of a first die pad ( pad on element 102 in FIG. 3B); a first passive electronic component (L1 in FIG. 3B) comprising a first end (interface between element 101 and L1) and an opposite second end (opposite of interface between element 101 and L1), wherein the first end is arranged on and coupled to the first side of the first die pad and the second end is coupled to an internal ledge of a first external contact (Gnd/ Sw in FIG. 3B); a second passive electronic component ( element C4/C2 in FIG 3B) connected in series with the first passive electronic component (see FIG. 3B); and an encapsulation encapsulating the first power semiconductor die, the first passive electronic component, and the second passive electronic component ( see FIG. 3B with respect to FIG. 9A-9B and [0063-0064], wherein the first external contact is exposed from a first lateral side of the encapsulation ( see FIG. 3B with respect to FIG. 9A-9B and [0063-0064]. Regarding claim 2, Owyang shows a power semiconductor package (Package 100 in FIG. 3B and [0049]), further comprising: a second power semiconductor die (see FIG. 6 with respect to FIG. 3B i.e. bottom and top dies in FIG. 6) arranged on and electrically coupled to a second die pad, wherein the first power semiconductor die and the second power semiconductor die are electrically connected to form a half-bridge circuit (see FIG. 6 with respect to FIG. 3B i.e. bottom and top dies in FIG. 6). Regarding claim 3, Owyang shows a power semiconductor package (Package 100 in FIG. 3B and [0049]), further comprising, wherein the second power semiconductor die is electrically connected to the first passive electronic component and the second passive electronic component (see FIG. 6 with respect to FIG. 3B i.e. bottom and top dies in FIG. 6). Regarding claim 4, Owyang shows a power semiconductor package (Package 100 in FIG. 3B and [0049]), wherein the internal ledge of the first external contact (external contacts as shown in FIG. 3B and 6) is separated from the first die pad by a first trench (space between external contacts as shown in FIG. 6), and wherein the first passive electronic component ( C/C4 and L1) spans the first trench. Regarding claim 5, Owyang shows a power semiconductor package (Package 100 in FIG. 3B and [0049]), wherein the first external contact is a power contact (see FIG. 6 i.e. VIN). Regarding claim 6, Owyang shows a power semiconductor package (Package 100 in FIG. 3B and [0049]), further comprising: a second external contact ( see FIG. 3B with respect to FIG. 6 i.e. comprises plurality of contacts), wherein an internal ledge of the second external contact is separated from the internal ledge of the first external contact by a second trench, and wherein the second passive electronic component spans the second trench (see FIG. 3B with respect to FIG. 6). Regarding claim 7, Owyang shows a power semiconductor package (Package 100 in FIG. 3B and [0049]), wherein the internal ledge of the second external contact has an L-shape ( lay out of element 110 in FIG. 3B) arranged along at least part of two lateral sides of the internal ledge of the first external contact ( external contacts as shown in FIG. 3B and 6). Regarding claim 8, Owyang shows a power semiconductor package (Package 100 in FIG. 3B and [0049]), further comprising: a third external contact ( see FIG. 3B and 6 i.e. comprises plurality contacts); and a third passive electronic component ( C2/C4/L1), wherein an internal ledge of the third external contact is separated from the internal ledge of the second external contact by a third trench, and wherein the third passive electronic component spans the third trench (see FIG. 3B with respect to FIG. 6). Regarding claim 9, Owyang shows a power semiconductor package (Package 100 in FIG. 3B and [0049]), wherein the internal ledge of the third external contact has an L-shape arranged along at least part of two lateral sides of the internal ledge of the second external contact (see FIG. 3B with respect to FIG. 6). Regarding claim 10, Owyang shows a power semiconductor package (Package 100 in FIG. 3B and [0049]), wherein the first passive electronic component and the second passive electronic component are capacitors (C2/C4 in FIG. 3B), and wherein the third passive electronic component is a resistor ([0049]). Regarding claim 11, Owyang shows a power semiconductor package (Package 100 in FIG. 3B and [0049]), wherein the first passive electronic component and the second passive electronic component are capacitors (C2/C4 in FIG. 3B). Regarding claim 12, Owyang shows a power semiconductor package (Package 100 in FIG. 3B and [0049]), wherein the encapsulation comprises a molded body ( see FIG. 3B with respect to FIG. 9A-9B and [0063-0064]). Regarding claim 13, Owyang shows a power semiconductor package (Package 100 in FIG. 3B and [0049]), wherein the internal ledge of the first external contact has an essentially rectangular shape, and wherein a longer side of the internal ledge of the first external contact is arranged perpendicular to the first lateral side of the encapsulation (see FIG. 3B with respect to FIG. 9A-9B and [0063-0064]). Regarding claim 14, Owyang shows a method for fabricating a power semiconductor package ( package 100 in FIG. 3B and 6), the method comprising: arranging a first power semiconductor die ( die 101 in FIG. 3B) on a first side of a first die pad and electrically coupling the first semiconductor die to the first side of the first die pad (see FIG. 3B with respect to FIG. 6); providing a first passive electronic component (C2/C4) comprising a first end and an opposite second end such that the first end is arranged on and coupled to the first side of the first die pad and the second end is coupled to an internal ledge of a first external contact (contacts in FIG. 3B and 6); connecting a second passive electronic component in series with the first passive electronic component; and encapsulating the first power semiconductor die, the first passive electronic component, and the second passive electronic component with an encapsulation such that the first external contact is exposed from a first lateral side of the encapsulation (see FIG. 3B with respect to FIG. 9A-9B and [0063-0064]). Regarding claim 15, Owyang shows a method for fabricating a power semiconductor package ( package 100 in FIG. 3B and 6), wherein the internal ledge of the first external contact (internal contact in FIG. 3B and 6) is separated from the first die pad by a first trench, and wherein the first passive electronic component spans the first trench (see FIG. 3B with respect to FIG. 6). Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ELIAS M ULLAH whose telephone number is (571)272-1415. The examiner can normally be reached M-F at 8AM-5PM EST. 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, Yara Green can be reached at 571-270-3035. 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. /ELIAS ULLAH/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2893
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Mar 14, 2024
Application Filed
Jul 01, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §102 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12667017
LIGHT EMITTING DEVICE MODULE AND DISPLAY APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME
2y 11m to grant Granted Jun 23, 2026
Patent 12666630
SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE
2y 10m to grant Granted Jun 23, 2026
Patent 12667025
SEMICONDUCTOR MEMORY DEVICE
2y 1m to grant Granted Jun 23, 2026
Patent 12660722
POWER MODULE PACKAGE WITH MOLDED VIA AND DUAL SIDE PRESS-FIT PIN
3y 7m to grant Granted Jun 16, 2026
Patent 12660208
STORAGE WAFER AND MANUFACTURING METHOD OF STORAGE WAFER
3y 3m to grant Granted Jun 16, 2026
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
85%
Grant Probability
93%
With Interview (+7.8%)
2y 4m (~0m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 850 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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