Last updated: July 17, 2026

Application No. 18/655,569

THROUGH-SILICON-VIA ANNULAR GUARD RING

Non-Final OA

Filed

May 06, 2024

Examiner

AHMAD, KHAJA

Art Unit

Tech Center

Assignee

International Business Machines Corporation

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +26.0% interview lift. Examiner has a relatively high allowance rate (81%); +26.0% interview lift. A written response may suffice.

Based on 944 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

AHMAD, KHAJA View full profile →

Grants 81% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

764 granted / 944 resolved

+20.9% vs TC avg

Strong +26% interview lift

Without

With

+26.0%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

2y 4m

Avg Prosecution

36 currently pending

Career history

986

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

0.5%

-39.5% vs TC avg

§103

86.1%

+46.1% vs TC avg

§102

10.8%

-29.2% vs TC avg

§112

0.9%

-39.1% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 944 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

May 06, 2024

Application Filed

May 29, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

17/800,940

Patent 12684913

LIGHT-EMITTING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING SAME

3y 11m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

17/961,728

Patent 12684993

DISPLAY DEVICE

3y 9m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

18/243,646

Patent 12684860

SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE

2y 10m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

18/401,848

Patent 12683128

PLASMA CHEMICAL VAPOR DEPOSITION (CVD) APPARATUS AND FILM FORMING METHOD

2y 6m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

18/607,602

Patent 12683812

PHYSICALLY UNCLONABLE FUNCTION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR FABRICATING THE SAME

2y 3m to grant Granted Jul 14, 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.

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Prosecution Projections

1-2

Expected OA Rounds

81%

Grant Probability

99%

With Interview (+26.0%)

2y 4m (~1m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 944 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.