Prosecution Insights
Last updated: August 18, 2026
Application No. 18/683,335

ELECTRONIC ASSEMBLIES WITH INTERPOSER ASSEMBLY

Final Rejection §103
Filed
Feb 13, 2024
Priority
Aug 18, 2021 — provisional 63/260,388 +1 more
Examiner
ZHU, SHENG-BAI
Art Unit
2897
Tech Center
2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems
Assignee
Tesla Inc.
OA Round
2 (Final)
62%
Grant Probability
Moderate
3-4
OA Rounds
3m
Est. Remaining
68%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 62% of resolved cases
62%
Career Allowance Rate
446 granted / 716 resolved
-5.7% vs TC avg
Moderate +6% lift
Without
With
+6.1%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 9m
Avg Prosecution
61 currently pending
Career history
782
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.3%
-39.7% vs TC avg
§103
69.2%
+29.2% vs TC avg
§102
22.7%
-17.3% vs TC avg
§112
7.0%
-33.0% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 716 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 . Detailed Action Claim Rejections – 35 U.S.C. 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. This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any evidence to the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the later invention in order for the examiner to consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) prior art against the later invention. Claims 1, 4, 5, 7-9, 14-16 and 20 rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Chun (U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2020/0395257) of record, in view of Taguchi (U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2016/0286643) of record. Regarding Claim 1 FIG. 15 of Chun discloses a system on a wafer assembly comprising: a cooling component (200) [0051]; a frame structure (300) coupled to the cooling component by way of at least one fastener (202), the frame structure comprising an inner frame portion, an outer frame portion, and an opening between the inner frame portion and the outer frame portion (FIG. 14); an interposer assembly (100) disposed on a SoW, the interposer assembly comprising a carrier (108) and a connector (143) coupled to the carrier, at least a portion of the carrier of the interposer assembly disposed between the cooling component and the frame structure, and the connector configured to be connected to an external component through the opening [0046]. Chun is silent with respect to “a gasket disposed between the portion of the carrier of the interposer assembly and the frame structure”. FIG. 2 of Taguchi discloses a similar SoW assembly, comprising a frame structure (14) coupled to the cooling component (12) by way of at least one fastener; the interposer assembly comprising a carrier (22) and a connector (24) coupled to the carrier; the connector configured to be connected to an external component through the opening [0028]; and a gasket (18) disposed between the portion of the carrier of the interposer assembly and the frame structure [0028]. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing of the claimed invention to modify the device of Chun, as taught by Taguchi. The ordinary artisan would have been motivated to modify Chun in the above manner for purpose of transmitting signal and improving heat radiation ([0066] of Taguchi). Regarding Claim 4 FIG. 16 of Chun discloses voltage regulating modules (400) disposed in an inner opening defined by the inner frame portion. Regarding Claim 5 FIG. 2 of Taguchi discloses the gasket (18) comprises an elongate structure positioned between the inner frame portion and the portion of the interposer assembly. Regarding Claim 7 FIG. 16 of Chun discloses the SoW comprises an array of integrated circuit dies, and the interposer assembly provides an input/output connector for the SoW assembly [0001]. Regarding Claim 8 Chun discloses the array of integrated circuit dies are configured to perform neural network training [0022]. Regarding Claim 9 FIG. 16 of Chun discloses a plurality of additional interposer assemblies (50B) positioned around a periphery of the SoW, the interposer assembly and the plurality of additional interposer assemblies each comprising an input/output connector for the SoW assembly [0024]. Regarding Claim 14 FIG. 15 of Chun discloses a system on a wafer (SoW) assembly comprising: a frame structure (300) comprising an inner frame portion, an outer frame portion, and a first opening between the inner frame portion and the outer frame portion (FIG. 14); a cooling component (200) [0051] coupled to the frame structure by way of at least one fastener (202); an interposer assembly (100) on an SoW with an array of integrated circuit dies, the interposer assembly including a carrier (108) and a connector (143) coupled to the carrier, the connector configured to be connected to an external component through the first opening of the frame structure [0046], a portion of the carrier positioned between the frame structure and the cooling component. Chun is silent with respect to “a gasket disposed between the portion of the carrier and the frame structure”. FIG. 2 of Taguchi discloses a similar SoW assembly, comprising a frame structure (14) coupled to the cooling component (12) by way of at least one fastener; and a gasket disposed between the portion of the interposer assembly (22) and the frame structure [0028]. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing of the claimed invention to modify the device of Chun, as taught by Taguchi. The ordinary artisan would have been motivated to modify Chun in the above manner for purpose of transmitting signal and improving heat radiation ([0066] of Taguchi). Regarding Claim 15 FIG. 14 of Chun discloses the frame structure further has a second opening at a center region of the frame structure Regarding Claim 16 FIG. 16 of Chun discloses voltage regulating modules (400) disposed in the second opening of the frame structure. Regarding Claim 20 FIG. 16 of Chun discloses the interposer assembly provides an input/output connector for the SoW assembly [0024]. Claim 6, 10-13 and 17-19 rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Chun and Taguchi, in view of Kinnune (U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2016/0146425) of record. Regarding Claim 6 Chun as modified by Taguchi discloses Claim 5. Chun as modified by Taguchi is silent with respect to “a second gasket having a plurality of spaced islands, each island of the islands of the second gasket being shorter than the elongate structure of the gasket”. FIG. 1 of Kinnune discloses a similar assembly, comprising a second gasket (30) having a plurality of spaced islands, each island of the islands of the second gasket being shorter than the elongate structure of the gasket. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing of the claimed invention to modify the device of Chun to comprise a second gasket having a plurality of spaced islands, each island of the islands of the second gasket being shorter than the elongate structure of the gasket, as taught by Kinnune. The ordinary artisan would have been motivated to modify Chun in the above manner for purpose of improving sealing ([0006] of Kinnune). Regarding Claim 10 One of ordinary skill in the art would use a compressible material for gasket for purpose of improving sealing. In particular, Kinnune discloses the gasket comprises a compressible material. Regarding Claim 11 Taguchi discloses the gasket further comprises a conductive layer at least partially around the compressible material [0028]. Regarding Claim 12 One of ordinary skill in the art would use a pressure sensitive adhesive on the conductive layer for purpose of improving sealing. Regarding Claim 13 Taguchi discloses the gasket promotes the enforcement of the blocking against the leak signal by suppressing the electromagnetic wave leakage [0043]. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to provide a ground path for the gasket between the frame structure and the interposer assembly for purpose of EM shielding. Regarding Claim 17 One of ordinary skill in the art would use a compressible material for gasket for purpose of improving sealing. In particular, Kinnune discloses the gasket comprises a compressible material. Regarding Claim 18 Taguchi discloses the gasket further comprises a conductive layer at least partially around the compressible material [0028]. Regarding Claim 19 One of ordinary skill in the art would use a pressure sensitive adhesive on the conductive layer for purpose of improving sealing. Pertinent Art Pertinent art includes Oka (U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2010/0133667), Yu (U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2020/0365488), Ku (U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2019/0385929), Park (U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2020/0144165), Yu (CN 110323143), Casati (EP 0484297), and Yamada (WO 2011083737). Response to Arguments Applicant’s arguments with respect to Claims 1 and 14 have been considered but are moot because the arguments do not apply to any of the references being used in the current rejection. Conclusion Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a). Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to SHENG-BAI ZHU whose telephone number is (571)270-3904. The examiner can normally be reached on 11am – 7pm EST. If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Chad Dicke can be reached on (571)270-7996. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. Information regarding the status of an application may be obtained from the Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system. Status information for published applications may be obtained from either Private PAIR or Public PAIR. Status information for unpublished applications is available through Private PAIR only. For more information about the PAIR system, see http://pair-direct.uspto.gov. Should you have questions on access to the Private PAIR system, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative or access to the automated information system, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. /SHENG-BAI ZHU/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2897
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Feb 13, 2024
Application Filed
Feb 25, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103
Jun 24, 2026
Examiner Interview Summary
Jun 24, 2026
Applicant Interview (Telephonic)
Jun 25, 2026
Response Filed
Jul 14, 2026
Final Rejection mailed — §103 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12707807
DISPLAY DEVICE COMPRISING ENCAPSULATION STRUCTURE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME
6y 0m to grant Granted Aug 11, 2026
Patent 12681246
ELECTRONIC PACKAGE
4y 1m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026
Patent 12660444
DISPLAY APPARATUS
3y 3m to grant Granted Jun 16, 2026
Patent 12653034
INTEGRATED CIRCUIT DEVICES WITH CAPACITORS FOR TAMPER DETECTION
6y 9m to grant Granted Jun 09, 2026
Patent 12641941
MULTI-COLOR LED PIXEL UNIT AND MICRO-LED DISPLAY PANEL
3y 11m to grant Granted May 26, 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

3-4
Expected OA Rounds
62%
Grant Probability
68%
With Interview (+6.1%)
2y 9m (~3m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Moderate
PTA Risk
Based on 716 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance 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