Last updated: July 17, 2026

Application No. 18/783,713

PHYSICAL VAPOR DEPOSITION (PVD) SYSTEM AND METHOD OF PROCESSING TARGET

Non-Final OA

Filed

Jul 25, 2024

Priority

May 07, 2021 — divisional of 12/252,777

Examiner

MURATA, AUSTIN

Art Unit

1718

Tech Center

1700 — Chemical & Materials Engineering

Assignee

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

This examiner grants 60% of cases after interview

— +20.6% interview lift. A telephonic interview to clarify the technical implementation could significantly improve the outcome.

Based on 735 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

MURATA, AUSTIN View full profile →

Grants 60% of resolved cases

Career Allowance Rate

444 granted / 735 resolved

-4.6% vs TC avg

Strong +21% interview lift

Without

With

+20.6%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

3y 3m

Avg Prosecution

39 currently pending

Career history

778

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

0.4%

-39.6% vs TC avg

§103

88.3%

+48.3% vs TC avg

§102

2.8%

-37.2% vs TC avg

§112

5.5%

-34.5% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 735 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Jul 25, 2024

Application Filed

May 14, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

18/726,210

Patent 12683051

Magnetism Alignment Apparatus for Negative Electrodes and Method for Manufacturing Negative Electrodes Using Same

2y 0m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

18/728,556

Patent 12668713

PRINTING PRIMER COMPOSITION FOR ADJUSTING A SUBSTRATE

1y 11m to grant Granted Jun 30, 2026

18/768,229

Patent 12662417

GLASS METALLIZATION PROCESS FOR THROUGH GLASS VIAS WITH HIGH ASPECT RATIO

1y 11m to grant Granted Jun 23, 2026

18/731,466

Patent 12658421

METHOD FOR PRODUCING ELECTRODE

2y 0m to grant Granted Jun 16, 2026

18/042,833

Patent 12624444

FILM FORMING METHOD AND FILM FORMING APPARATUS

3y 2m to grant Granted May 12, 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

60%

Grant Probability

81%

With Interview (+20.6%)

3y 3m (~1y 3m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 735 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.