Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 04, 2026
Application No. 18/692,472

SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE, MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREFOR, AND ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT

Non-Final OA §112
Filed
Mar 15, 2024
Priority
Nov 23, 2022 — CN 202211476393.4 +1 more
Examiner
PHAM, LONG
Art Unit
2897
Tech Center
2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems
Assignee
Beijing Superstring Academy of Memory Technology
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
92%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
0m
Est. Remaining
97%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 92% — above average
92%
Career Allowance Rate
1530 granted / 1671 resolved
+23.6% vs TC avg
Moderate +6% lift
Without
With
+5.5%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 4m
Avg Prosecution
40 currently pending
Career history
1697
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.1%
-39.9% vs TC avg
§103
42.7%
+2.7% vs TC avg
§102
39.7%
-0.3% vs TC avg
§112
10.3%
-29.7% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1671 resolved cases

Office Action

§112
DETAILED ACTION 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 . Election/Restrictions Applicant's election with traverse of claims 1-4 and 12-13 in the reply filed on 6/3/26 is acknowledged. The traversal is on the ground(s) that see the election dated 6/3/26. This is not found persuasive because the consideration (interpretations and weight assignments) and searches are not co-extensive. The requirement is still deemed proper and is therefore made FINAL. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112 The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b): (b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention. The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph: The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention. Claims 1-4 and 12-13 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention. In claim 1, lines 11-13, it is unclear how the bit line is filled in the bit line slot that is located between the bottom of the second region of the pillar and the base substrate, thus claim is indefinite. In claim 1, line 16, it is unclear what “1e14 atoms/square centimeter” represents or stands for, thus claim is indefinite. Examiner’s Cited References The cited references generally show the similar or related structure having a bit line between a pillar source or drain and a substrate and having a region between the bit line and the pillar source or drain having a specific plasma dopant concentration as presently claimed by applicant. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to LONG PHAM whose telephone number is (571)272-1714. The examiner can normally be reached Mon-Friday. 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, Jacob Choi can be reached at 469-295-9060. 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. LONG . PHAM Examiner Art Unit 2823 /LONG PHAM/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2897
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Mar 15, 2024
Application Filed
Aug 24, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §112 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12751320
CHIP-ON-WAFER-ON-BOARD STRUCTURE USING SPACER DIE AND METHODS OF FORMING THE SAME
4y 3m to grant Granted Sep 29, 2026
Patent 12745645
Integrated Circuit Packages and Methods of Forming the Same
3y 8m to grant Granted Sep 22, 2026
Patent 12745684
SEMICONDUCTOR PACKAGE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME
3y 6m to grant Granted Sep 22, 2026
Patent 12740475
SILICON NITRIDE LINER FOR PROMOTION OF MOLD ADHESION IN INTEGRATED CIRCUITS
5y 0m to grant Granted Sep 15, 2026
Patent 12738918
DIE PACKAGE WITH SEALED DIE ENCLOSURES
4y 0m to grant Granted Sep 15, 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
92%
Grant Probability
97%
With Interview (+5.5%)
2y 4m (~0m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 1671 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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