Last updated: July 10, 2026

Application No. 18/954,038

Untitled Application

Unknown

Filed

Examiner

GEISEL, KARA E

Art Unit

Tech Center

Onto Innovation Inc.

Assignee

Onto Innovation Inc.

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +19.1% interview lift. Examiner has a relatively high allowance rate (75%); +19.1% interview lift. A written response may suffice.

Based on 458 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

GEISEL, KARA E View full profile →

Grants 75% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

345 granted / 458 resolved

+15.3% vs TC avg

Strong +19% interview lift

Without

With

+19.1%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

2y 9m

Avg Prosecution

8 currently pending

Career history

485

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

1.7%

-38.3% vs TC avg

§103

70.2%

+30.2% vs TC avg

§102

13.3%

-26.7% vs TC avg

§112

8.7%

-31.3% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 458 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Mar 30, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed

Jun 30, 2026

Response Filed

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

18/038,590

Patent 12663370

METROLOGY APPARATUS AND METROLOGY METHODS BASED ON HIGH HARMONIC GENERATION FROM A DIFFRACTIVE STRUCTURE

3y 1m to grant Granted Jun 23, 2026

18/201,248

Patent 12650375

SPECTROSCOPIC ELLIPSOMETRY SYSTEM FOR THIN FILM IMAGING

3y 0m to grant Granted Jun 09, 2026

18/571,634

Patent 12625084

A PACKAGE QUALITY INSPECTION STATION AND A METHOD FOR INSPECTING QUALITY OF A PACKAGE

2y 4m to grant Granted May 12, 2026

18/449,249

Patent 12596071

FCS METHOD

2y 7m to grant Granted Apr 07, 2026

18/275,234

Patent 12590886

OPTICAL MICROSCOPE AND IMAGING METHOD

2y 8m to grant Granted Mar 31, 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

75%

Grant Probability

94%

With Interview (+19.1%)

2y 9m

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 458 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.