Last updated: July 05, 2026

Application No. 18/637,410

OPTO-ELECTRONIC MODULE AND METHOD OF FABRICATING AN OPTO-ELECTRONIC APPARATUS

Non-Final OA

Filed

Apr 16, 2024

Examiner

SMITH, CHAD

Art Unit

2874

Tech Center

2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems

Assignee

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +20.3% interview lift. Examiner has a relatively high allowance rate (79%); +20.3% interview lift. A written response may suffice.

Based on 920 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

SMITH, CHAD View full profile →

Grants 79% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

726 granted / 920 resolved

+10.9% vs TC avg

Strong +20% interview lift

Without

With

+20.3%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

2y 4m

Avg Prosecution

31 currently pending

Career history

944

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

0.2%

-39.8% vs TC avg

§103

76.1%

+36.1% vs TC avg

§102

20.3%

-19.7% vs TC avg

§112

1.6%

-38.4% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 920 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Apr 16, 2024

Application Filed

Apr 02, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

18/291,628

Patent 12669657

OPTICAL CONNECTOR FERRULE, OPTICAL CONNECTOR, AND PRODUCTION METHOD FOR OPTICAL CONNECTOR

2y 5m to grant Granted Jun 30, 2026

18/544,138

Patent 12669661

HYBRID OPTICAL-ELECTRICAL INTERCONNECTION DEVICE

2y 6m to grant Granted Jun 30, 2026

19/266,589

Patent 12669647

PHOTONIC COMMUNICATION PLATFORM

11m to grant Granted Jun 30, 2026

18/024,877

Patent 12666180

COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, TRANSMITTER, RECEIVER AND COMMUNICATION METHOD

3y 3m to grant Granted Jun 23, 2026

18/353,733

Patent 12663488

Rotor Cap Removing Tools, Microwave Guides, and Methods

2y 11m to grant Granted Jun 23, 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

79%

Grant Probability

99%

With Interview (+20.3%)

2y 4m (~1m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 920 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.