Last updated: July 10, 2026

Application No. 18/990,795

Untitled Application

Unknown

Filed

Examiner

KO, TONY

Art Unit

Tech Center

Onto Innovation Inc.

Assignee

Onto Innovation Inc.

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +2.4% interview lift. Interview lift (+2.4%) is below the 15.0% threshold. A written response is recommended.

Based on 887 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

KO, TONY View full profile →

Grants 88% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

779 granted / 887 resolved

+27.8% vs TC avg

Minimal +2% lift

Without

With

+2.4%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

2y 5m

Avg Prosecution

20 currently pending

Career history

902

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

1.1%

-38.9% vs TC avg

§103

43.3%

+3.3% vs TC avg

§102

43.5%

+3.5% vs TC avg

§112

9.5%

-30.5% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 887 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

May 20, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

18/635,309

Patent 12677487

IMAGING ELEMENT AND SEMICONDUCTOR ELEMENT

2y 2m to grant Granted Jul 07, 2026

18/836,991

Patent 12674704

SIGNAL GENERATION CIRCUIT AND LIGHT DETECTING UNIT

1y 11m to grant Granted Jul 07, 2026

18/644,569

Patent 12663297

OPTICAL SENSING ASSEMBLY AND ENCODER

2y 2m to grant Granted Jun 23, 2026

18/700,730

Patent 12659438

OPTICAL LOCALIZATION SYSTEM

2y 2m to grant Granted Jun 16, 2026

18/734,717

Patent 12660348

IMAGE SENSOR

2y 0m to grant Granted Jun 16, 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

88%

Grant Probability

90%

With Interview (+2.4%)

2y 5m

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 887 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.