Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 25, 2026
Application No. 18/904,070

CONCEPT FOR A BUFFERED FLIPPED VOLTAGE FOLLOWER AND FOR A LOW DROPOUT VOLTAGE REGULATOR

Non-Final OA §112
Filed
Oct 01, 2024
Priority
Nov 27, 2018 — DE 102018129910.9 +2 more
Examiner
CHOE, HENRY
Art Unit
Tech Center
Assignee
Maxlinear Asia Singapore Private Limited
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
92%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
0m
Est. Remaining
91%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 92% — above average
92%
Career Allowance Rate
1271 granted / 1379 resolved
+32.2% vs TC avg
Minimal -2% lift
Without
With
+-1.6%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Fast prosecutor
1y 10m
Avg Prosecution
22 currently pending
Career history
1401
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
1.0%
-39.0% vs TC avg
§103
38.7%
-1.3% vs TC avg
§102
46.9%
+6.9% vs TC avg
§112
3.8%
-36.2% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1379 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 . Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112 The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of 35 U.S.C. 112(a): (a) IN GENERAL.—The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor or joint inventor of carrying out the invention. The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112: The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention. Claims 2-16 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), first paragraph, as failing to comply with the enablement requirement. The claim(s) contains subject matter which was not described in the specification in such a way as to enable one skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and/or use the invention. Claims 2, 11 and 14 recited that the first circuit element, second circuit element, and first element. However, the specification does not explain what circuits comprise the first circuit element, second circuit element, and first element. Without some disclosures as to what constitutes the first circuit element, second circuit element, and first element, one skilled in the art not be able to make and use the first circuit element, second circuit element, and first element. Reasons for Allowance Claims 17-21 are allowed. The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance: Regarding claims 17 and 21, the closest prior art of record, Jeon does not disclose the following limitation: an output of the feed-forward compensation circuit is coupled with the output voltage terminal of the buffered flipped voltage follower circuit arrangement. Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably accompany the issue fee. Such submissions should be clearly labeled “Comments on Statement of Reasons for Allowance.” Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. 2020/0,014,347 teaches a cascode amplifier circuit with the feedback circuit. 7,312,662 also teaches a cascode amplifier circuit with the feedback circuit. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Henry Choe whose telephone number is (571)272-1760. The examiner can normally be reached MONDAY-FRIDAY 5AM-11:00PM. 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, Jessica Han can be reached at 571-272-2078. 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. /HENRY CHOE/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2843 #2994
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Oct 01, 2024
Application Filed
Apr 01, 2025
Response after Non-Final Action
Oct 06, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §112 (current)

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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
91%
With Interview (-1.6%)
1y 10m (~0m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 1379 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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