Prosecution Insights
Last updated: July 17, 2026
Application No. 18/962,056

MULTILAYER ELECTRONIC COMPONENT

Non-Final OA §112
Filed
Nov 27, 2024
Priority
Dec 29, 2023 — RE 10-2023-0196566
Examiner
THOMAS, ERIC W
Art Unit
Tech Center
Assignee
Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
82%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
7m
Est. Remaining
80%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 82% — above average
82%
Career Allowance Rate
1042 granted / 1264 resolved
+22.4% vs TC avg
Minimal -2% lift
Without
With
+-2.1%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 3m
Avg Prosecution
38 currently pending
Career history
1293
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.3%
-39.7% vs TC avg
§103
76.7%
+36.7% vs TC avg
§102
9.4%
-30.6% vs TC avg
§112
4.8%
-35.2% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1264 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 . Specification The title of the invention is not descriptive. A new title is required that is clearly indicative of the invention to which the claims are directed. The lengthy specification has not been checked to the extent necessary to determine the presence of all possible minor errors. Applicant’s cooperation is requested in correcting any errors of which applicant may become aware in the specification. 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 6-8, and 16-18 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. Claim 6 recites the limitation "the internal electrode" in line 2. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. Claim 16, line 9, the limitation, “contacting internal electrodes” is confusing. Are these in addition to the ones already claimed? Claim 17 recites the limitation "the extension portion" in line 2. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. Claim 18 recites the limitation "the extension portion" in line 2. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. Allowable Subject Matter Claims 1-5, and 9-15, are allowed. Claim 16 would be allowable if rewritten or amended to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action. Claims 6-8, and 17-18 would be allowable if rewritten to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action and to include all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims. The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter: In combination with the other claim limitations, the prior art does not teach or suggest a multilayer electronic component: wherein the extension portion includes a plurality of lead electrodes spaced apart in the second direction, a plurality of via electrodes connecting the plurality of lead electrodes, and an insulating portion covering the plurality of lead electrodes, and wherein one of the plurality of the lead electrodes contacts the internal electrodes in the second direction (claim 1); and lead electrodes disposed parallel to corresponding end surface of the body, one of the lead electrodes contacting the internal electrodes at the corresponding end surface of the body, the lead electrodes contacting the external electrode at the bottom surface and being spaced apart from the top surface, and via electrodes disposed between adjacent lead electrodes, forming an electric contact between the lead electrodes (claim 16). Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. US 4,864,465 JP 59-130414 JP 08-055758 US 2023/0260706 A1 US 2021/0193384 A1 US 2020/0205291 A1 US 2015/0060121 A1 US 2006/0152886 A1 KR 10-2016-0071610 Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ERIC THOMAS whose telephone number is (571)272-1985. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday, 6:00 AM-2:30 PM. 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, Timothy Dole can be reached at (571)272-2229. 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. /ERIC W THOMAS/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2847 ERIC THOMAS Primary Examiner Art Unit 2847
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Prosecution Timeline

Nov 27, 2024
Application Filed
Jun 09, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §112 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

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2y 6m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026
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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
82%
Grant Probability
80%
With Interview (-2.1%)
2y 3m (~7m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 1264 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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