USPTO Examiner CHEN BRET P - Art Unit 1718

Recent Applications

Detailed information about the 100 most recent patent applications.

Application NumberTitleFiling DateDisposal DateDispositionTime (months)Office ActionsRestrictionsInterviewAppeal
18949661METHOD FOR PRODUCING A CUTTING TOOLNovember 2024November 2025Allow1210YesNo
18916383DROP CASTING METHOD TO FORM CORROSION PROTECTIVE COMPOSITE LAYEROctober 2024January 2026Allow1500YesNo
18822710DEPOSITION METHODSeptember 2024March 2026Allow1810NoNo
18843207METHODS FOR COATING TECHNOLOGY FOR PLASTIC CONTAINERSAugust 2024December 2025Allow1521YesNo
18794977METHOD FOR AREA-SELECTIVE GROWTH OF NOBLE METAL THIN FILMS USING ATOMIC LAYER DEPOSITIONAugust 2024December 2025Allow1710YesNo
18729093UNDERCOATING COVERAGE AND RESISTANCE CONTROL FOR ESCS OF SUBSTRATE PROCESSING SYSTEMSJuly 2024November 2025Allow1601YesNo
18747908LIGHT PATTERNABLE SURFACE MODIFICATIONJune 2024February 2026Allow2001YesNo
18701169METHOD OF USING DIOL ANALOGS OF ALKOXYDIMETHYLSILANES TO FORM A DENSE LOW-K FILMApril 2024March 2026Allow2311YesNo
18434982CYCLICAL DEPOSITION METHODSFebruary 2024December 2025Allow2231YesNo
18431228ABRASION-RESISTANT COATINGS FOR HIGH-TEMPERATURE SUBSTRATESFebruary 2024November 2025Allow2211YesNo
18403628MULTIPLE-METAL-CONTAINING METAL-OXO PHOTORESIST FILMS BY CVD AND ALD METHODSJanuary 2024January 2026Allow2411YesNo
18402243LAYER DEPOSITION WITH POST-DEPOSITION AGGLOMERATION MITIGATIONJanuary 2024January 2026Allow2510NoNo
18575915SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE MANUFACTURING METHODJanuary 2024September 2025Allow2111YesNo
18396504VARIABLE-TEMPERATURE VAPOR DEPOSITION PROCESSDecember 2023March 2026Allow2610NoNo
18541166TRANSITION METAL DEPOSITION METHODDecember 2023May 2025Allow1720YesNo
18534817METHOD FOR DEPOSITING BORON NITRIDEDecember 2023December 2025Allow2420YesNo
18533537SELECTIVE NON-PLASMA DEPOSITION OF MASK PROTECTION MATERIALDecember 2023January 2026Allow2500NoNo
18522778METHOD OF DEPOSITING VANADIUM METALNovember 2023October 2025Allow2340NoNo
18564641FILM FORMING METHODNovember 2023September 2025Allow2211YesNo
18462938METHODS FOR PROVIDING A PRECURSOR MIXTURE TO A REACTION CHAMBERSeptember 2023January 2026Allow2831YesNo
18280539SELECTIVE FILM FORMATION USING SELF-ASSEMBLED MONOLAYERSeptember 2023September 2025Allow2511YesNo
18238020SUBSTRATE PROCESSING METHODAugust 2023December 2025Allow2710NoNo
18304449Atomic Layer Deposition MethodApril 2023November 2025Allow3121NoNo
18190542VAPOR DEPOSITION PROCESSESMarch 2023March 2026Allow3511NoNo
18170286SIMULTANEOUS SELECTIVE DEPOSITION OF TWO DIFFERENT MATERIALS ON TWO DIFFERENT SURFACESFebruary 2023July 2025Allow2920YesNo
18154485METHOD OF FORMING A COATING SYSTEMJanuary 2023November 2025Allow3411NoNo
18077225ELECTROCHEMICAL REDUCTION OF SURFACE METAL OXIDESDecember 2022November 2025Allow3510NoNo
18074335Method to Deposit Metal Cap for InterconnectDecember 2022November 2025Allow3510YesNo
17938335PARTICLE SUPPRESSION METHODOctober 2022October 2025Allow3610NoNo
17912201SUBSTRATE PROCESSING METHODSeptember 2022December 2025Allow3911YesNo
17904925HIGH MODULUS BORON-BASED CERAMICS FOR SEMICONDUCTOR APPLICATIONSAugust 2022March 2026Abandon4211NoNo
17756094ATOMIC LAYER DEPOSITION OF SILICON NITRIDE FILM USING HELIUM GAS PLASMAMay 2022January 2026Allow4421YesNo
16564676POST-PRODUCTION SUBSTRATE MODIFICATION WITH FIB DEPOSITIONSeptember 2019August 2021Allow2310NoNo
16214779INITIATED CHEMICAL VAPOR DEPOSITION METHOD FOR FORMING NANOVOIDED POLYMERSDecember 2018May 2021Allow2900YesNo
16197466APPARATUS AND METHOD TO COAT GLASS SUBSTRATES WITH ELECTROSTATIC CHUCK AND VAN DER WAALS FORCESNovember 2018June 2019Allow700YesNo
16144242MODIFICATION OF RADIATOR PIGMENTS USING ATOMIC LAYER DEPOSITION (ALD) OF THERMAL PROTECTIVE FILM MATERIALSeptember 2018July 2020Allow2220YesNo
16063603PROCESS FOR THE GENERATION OF THIN INORGANIC FILMSJune 2018June 2020Allow2420YesNo
15971571METHODS FOR CHEMICAL VAPOR DEPOSITION (CVD) IN A MOVABLE LINER ASSEMBLYMay 2018March 2020Allow2210YesNo
15924821METHODS FOR ASYMMETRIC DEPOSITION OF METAL ON HIGH ASPECT RATIO NANOSTRUCTURESMarch 2018December 2019Allow2111NoNo
15893034METHOD FOR HYDROPHOBICIZING A COPPER-TIN ALLOYFebruary 2018August 2018Allow700NoNo
15875092MODIFICATION OF PIGMENTS USING ATOMIC LAYER DEPOSITION (ALD) IN VARYING ELECTRICAL RESISTIVITYJanuary 2018April 2019Allow1510NoNo
15746191FLOW PASSAGE STRUCTURE AND PROCESSING APPARATUSJanuary 2018August 2020Allow3110NoNo
15806600HYDROGEN PARTIAL PRESSURE CONTROL IN A VACUUM PROCESS CHAMBERNovember 2017May 2019Allow1911YesNo
15705414MULTILAYER ELECTROCHEMICAL DEVICESeptember 2017March 2020Allow3020NoNo
15705194Methods for Evaporating and Depositing High Vapor Pressure MaterialsSeptember 2017June 2020Allow3321YesNo
15615790Methods for Depositing Tungsten on Halosilane Based Metal Silicide Nucleation LayersJune 2017July 2021Allow4940YesYes
15587129PARTICLE GENERATION SUPPRESOR BY DC BIAS MODULATIONMay 2017December 2017Allow710NoNo
15077283PROCESSING METHODS AND APPARATUS WITH TEMPERATURE DISTRIBUTION CONTROLMarch 2016February 2018Allow2300NoNo
14827705METHOD FOR MAKING A PERPENDICULAR MAGNETIC RECORDING WRITE HEAD WITH WRITE POLE HAVING THIN SIDE GAPS AND THICKER LEADING GAPAugust 2015September 2017Allow2510NoNo
14820028METHODS FOR FORMING A CARBON NANOTUBE-GRAPHENE HYBRID FILM ON A SUBSTRATEAugust 2015September 2017Allow2610YesNo
14793872Self-Aligned Barrier and Capping Layers For InterconnectsJuly 2015March 2016Allow800NoNo
14689389VACUUM VAPOR DEPOSITION METHODApril 2015March 2017Abandon2310NoNo
14420194METHOD FOR THE PLASMA COATING OF A SUBSTRATE, IN PARTICULAR A PRESS PLATENFebruary 2015August 2016Allow1921YesNo
14601944OXYGEN RADICAL ENHANCED ATOMIC-LAYER DEPOSITION USING OZONE PLASMAJanuary 2015January 2017Allow2420NoNo
14537708METHOD FOR FORMING COBALT CONTAINING FILMSNovember 2014July 2016Allow2010NoNo
14335072GRAPHENE-LIKE NANOSHEET STRUCTURE NETWORK ON A SUBSTRATE AND THE METHOD FOR FORMING THE SAMEJuly 2014December 2015Allow1701NoNo
14260227METHOD OF FABRICATING SURFACE BODY HAVING SUPERHYDROPHOBICITY AND HYDROPHILICITYApril 2014October 2015Allow1820NoNo
14142121Combinatorial Methods for Developing Electrochromic Materials and DevicesDecember 2013August 2016Allow3212YesNo
14140687A METHOD OF MEASURING VAPOR FLUX DENSITYDecember 2013March 2016Allow2611YesNo
14087882Method For Manufacturing A Transparent Gas Barrier FilmNovember 2013October 2015Allow2331NoNo
14069731METHOD OF PRODUCING GRAPHENE FROM LIQUID METALNovember 2013November 2015Allow2410NoNo
13970856METHOD FOR APPLYING MATERIAL TO A SURFACEAugust 2013May 2014Allow810NoNo
13713231METHOD OF MAKING HEAT TREATED COATED ARTICLE USING DIAMOND-LIKE CARBON (DLC) COATING AND PROTECTIVE FILMDecember 2012June 2013Allow610NoNo
13684686METHOD FOR DIFFUSING METAL PARTICLES WITHIN A COMPOSITE LAYERNovember 2012October 2013Allow1010NoNo
13675136METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING OF COBALT BORIDE COATING LAYER ON SURFACE OF STEELS BY USING A PACK CEMENTATION PROCESSNovember 2012November 2014Allow2401NoNo
13675971Yttrium and Titanium High-K Dielectric FilmsNovember 2012September 2014Allow2220YesNo
13639841METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A POROUS SYNTHETIC DIAMOND MATERIALNovember 2012October 2013Allow1210NoNo
13605926METHODS FOR ATOMIC LAYER DEPOSITIONSeptember 2012September 2013Allow1210NoNo
13596236METHOD OF MANUFACTURING A DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM USING GAS CLUSTER ION BEAM IRRADIATIONAugust 2012August 2015Allow3610NoNo
13595574METHOD OF FORMING HARDMASK LAYER WITH ALTERNATING NANOLAYERSAugust 2012August 2014Allow2411NoNo
13564656METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING TITANIUM ALUMINIDE COMPONENTS FROM ARTICLES FORMED BY CONSOLIDATION PROCESSESAugust 2012January 2015Allow3011NoNo
13503806METHOD OF MANUFACTURE OF MULTILAYER FILMJuly 2012October 2014Allow2930YesNo
13474796METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PRODUCING CARBON PAPERMay 2012October 2013Allow1711NoNo
13475167METHOD FOR SYNTHESIZING A THIN FILMMay 2012February 2014Allow2111NoNo
13457580METHOD OF MANUFACTURING A GAS BARRIER PLASTIC CONTAINERApril 2012April 2014Allow2321NoNo
13405478METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A DEVICEFebruary 2012April 2013Allow1420NoNo
13404547METHOD OF FORMING TITANIUM NITRIDE FILMFebruary 2012October 2013Allow2011NoNo
13331021THIN FILM DEPOSITION USING MICROWAVE PLASMADecember 2011September 2014Allow3320NoNo
13314507METHOD OF MAKING POLYCRYSTALLINE MONOLITHIC MAGNESIUM ALUMINATE SPINELSDecember 2011October 2015Allow4640NoYes
13297040METHODS OF FORMING HARDFACING MATERIALS INCLUDING PCD PARTICLES, AND WELDING RODS INCLUDING SUCH PCD PARTICLESNovember 2011October 2012Allow1111NoNo
13287447METHOD OF PREPARATION OF MULTIFUNCTIONAL TECHNICAL TEXTILE BY PLASMA-TREATMENTNovember 2011September 2013Allow2210NoNo
13273076DEPOSITION OF LAYER USING DEPOSITING APPARATUS WITH RECIPROCATING SUSCEPTOROctober 2011March 2014Allow2911NoNo
13083727METHOD OF GUIDED NON-LINE OF SIGHT COATINGApril 2011June 2013Allow2611NoNo
13122057METHOD FOR FORMING CARBON NANOTUBEMarch 2011January 2013Allow2110NoNo
12977076COATING METHOD FOR FORMING PATTERN ON WORKPIECEDecember 2010August 2012Allow2020NoNo
12964266METHODS FOR DEPOSITING SILICON DIOXIDE OR SILICON OXIDE FILMS USING AMINOVINYLSILANESDecember 2010September 2012Allow2211NoNo
12907006FLUORINATION PRE-TREATMENT OF HEAT SPREADER ATTACHMENT INDIUM THERMAL INTERFACE MATERIALOctober 2010February 2012Allow1610NoNo
12923778METHOD OF MAKING HEAT TREATED COATED ARTICLE HAVING CARBON LAYER AND UTILIZING REMOVABLE ZINC OXIDE INCLUSIVE PROTECTIVE FILMOctober 2010March 2012Allow1710NoNo
12874886DIELECTRIC FILM FORMATION USING INERT GAS EXCITATIONSeptember 2010October 2012Allow2510NoNo
12872806Additives to Silane for Thin Film Silicon Photovoltaic DevicesAugust 2010May 2013Allow3311YesNo
12822406PLASMA DEPOSITION OF A THIN FILMJune 2010November 2012Allow2911NoNo
12794047SURFACE PRE-TREATMENT FOR ENHANCEMENT OF NUCLEATION OF HIGH DIELECTRIC CONSTANT MATERIALSJune 2010September 2011Allow1630NoNo
12725577METHOD OF PRODUCING GAS BARRIER LAYER, GAS BARRIER FILM FOR SOLAR BATTERIES AND GAS BARRIER FILM FOR DISPLAYSMarch 2010January 2013Allow3411NoNo
12673726COMPOSITION OF ELECTRODE MATERIAL IN THE FORM OF A COATING AND A PROCESS THEREOFFebruary 2010August 2012Allow3001NoNo
12697581METHOD FOR FABRICATING MATERIALFebruary 2010May 2012Allow2820NoNo
12643047METHOD OF CONTROLLING A DRUG RELEASE RATEDecember 2009January 2012Allow2510NoNo
12588869METHOD OF MAKING HEAT TREATABLE COATED ARTICLE WITH PROTECTIVE LAYEROctober 2009September 2010Allow1010NoNo
12374555PROCESS FOR DEPOSITION OF NON-OXIDE CERAMIC COATINGSSeptember 2009October 2012Allow4410NoNo
12553917METHODS OF PROVIDING UNIFORM GAS DELIVERY TO A REACTORSeptember 2009March 2011Allow1920NoNo
12529356METHOD FOR FORMING SRTIO3 FILM AND STORAGE MEDIUMSeptember 2009October 2012Allow3711NoNo

Appeals Overview

This analysis examines appeal outcomes and the strategic value of filing appeals for examiner CHEN, BRET P.

Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) Decisions

Total PTAB Decisions
3
Examiner Affirmed
1
(33.3%)
Examiner Reversed
2
(66.7%)
Reversal Percentile
85.7%
Higher than average

What This Means

With a 66.7% reversal rate, the PTAB has reversed the examiner's rejections more often than affirming them. This reversal rate is in the top 25% across the USPTO, indicating that appeals are more successful here than in most other areas.

Strategic Value of Filing an Appeal

Total Appeal Filings
5
Allowed After Appeal Filing
3
(60.0%)
Not Allowed After Appeal Filing
2
(40.0%)
Filing Benefit Percentile
88.5%
Higher than average

Understanding Appeal Filing Strategy

Filing a Notice of Appeal can sometimes lead to allowance even before the appeal is fully briefed or decided by the PTAB. This occurs when the examiner or their supervisor reconsiders the rejection during the mandatory appeal conference (MPEP § 1207.01) after the appeal is filed.

In this dataset, 60.0% of applications that filed an appeal were subsequently allowed. This appeal filing benefit rate is in the top 25% across the USPTO, indicating that filing appeals is particularly effective here. The act of filing often prompts favorable reconsideration during the mandatory appeal conference.

Strategic Recommendations

Appeals to PTAB show good success rates. If you have a strong case on the merits, consider fully prosecuting the appeal to a Board decision.

Filing a Notice of Appeal is strategically valuable. The act of filing often prompts favorable reconsideration during the mandatory appeal conference.

Examiner CHEN, BRET P - Prosecution Strategy Guide

Executive Summary

Examiner CHEN, BRET P works in Art Unit 1718 and has examined 105 patent applications in our dataset. With an allowance rate of 99.0%, this examiner allows applications at a higher rate than most examiners at the USPTO. Applications typically reach final disposition in approximately 26 months.

Allowance Patterns

Examiner CHEN, BRET P's allowance rate of 99.0% places them in the 93% percentile among all USPTO examiners. This examiner is more likely to allow applications than most examiners at the USPTO.

Office Action Patterns

On average, applications examined by CHEN, BRET P receive 1.50 office actions before reaching final disposition. This places the examiner in the 25% percentile for office actions issued. This examiner issues fewer office actions than average, which may indicate efficient prosecution or a more lenient examination style.

Prosecution Timeline

The median time to disposition (half-life) for applications examined by CHEN, BRET P is 26 months. This places the examiner in the 75% percentile for prosecution speed. Prosecution timelines are slightly faster than average with this examiner.

Interview Effectiveness

Conducting an examiner interview provides a +1.1% benefit to allowance rate for applications examined by CHEN, BRET P. This interview benefit is in the 19% percentile among all examiners. Note: Interviews show limited statistical benefit with this examiner compared to others, though they may still be valuable for clarifying issues.

Request for Continued Examination (RCE) Effectiveness

When applicants file an RCE with this examiner, 43.3% of applications are subsequently allowed. This success rate is in the 94% percentile among all examiners. Strategic Insight: RCEs are highly effective with this examiner compared to others. If you receive a final rejection, filing an RCE with substantive amendments or arguments has a strong likelihood of success.

After-Final Amendment Practice

This examiner enters after-final amendments leading to allowance in 59.1% of cases where such amendments are filed. This entry rate is in the 84% percentile among all examiners. Strategic Recommendation: This examiner is highly receptive to after-final amendments compared to other examiners. Per MPEP § 714.12, after-final amendments may be entered "under justifiable circumstances." Consider filing after-final amendments with a clear showing of allowability rather than immediately filing an RCE, as this examiner frequently enters such amendments.

Pre-Appeal Conference Effectiveness

When applicants request a pre-appeal conference (PAC) with this examiner, 0.0% result in withdrawal of the rejection or reopening of prosecution. This success rate is in the 2% percentile among all examiners. Note: Pre-appeal conferences show limited success with this examiner compared to others. While still worth considering, be prepared to proceed with a full appeal brief if the PAC does not result in favorable action.

Appeal Withdrawal and Reconsideration

This examiner withdraws rejections or reopens prosecution in 62.5% of appeals filed. This is in the 40% percentile among all examiners. Of these withdrawals, 20.0% occur early in the appeal process (after Notice of Appeal but before Appeal Brief). Strategic Insight: This examiner shows below-average willingness to reconsider rejections during appeals. Be prepared to fully prosecute appeals if filed.

Petition Practice

When applicants file petitions regarding this examiner's actions, 53.3% are granted (fully or in part). This grant rate is in the 54% percentile among all examiners. Strategic Note: Petitions show above-average success regarding this examiner's actions. Petitionable matters include restriction requirements (MPEP § 1002.02(c)(2)) and various procedural issues.

Examiner Cooperation and Flexibility

Examiner's Amendments: This examiner makes examiner's amendments in 9.5% of allowed cases (in the 93% percentile). Per MPEP § 1302.04, examiner's amendments are used to place applications in condition for allowance when only minor changes are needed. This examiner frequently uses this tool compared to other examiners, indicating a cooperative approach to getting applications allowed. Strategic Insight: If you are close to allowance but minor claim amendments are needed, this examiner may be willing to make an examiner's amendment rather than requiring another round of prosecution.

Quayle Actions: This examiner issues Ex Parte Quayle actions in 3.8% of allowed cases (in the 77% percentile). Per MPEP § 714.14, a Quayle action indicates that all claims are allowable but formal matters remain. This examiner frequently uses Quayle actions compared to other examiners, which is a positive indicator that once substantive issues are resolved, allowance follows quickly.

Prosecution Strategy Recommendations

Based on the statistical analysis of this examiner's prosecution patterns, here are tailored strategic recommendations:

  • Consider after-final amendments: This examiner frequently enters after-final amendments. If you can clearly overcome rejections with claim amendments, file an after-final amendment before resorting to an RCE.
  • RCEs are effective: This examiner has a high allowance rate after RCE compared to others. If you receive a final rejection and have substantive amendments or arguments, an RCE is likely to be successful.
  • Examiner cooperation: This examiner frequently makes examiner's amendments to place applications in condition for allowance. If you are close to allowance, the examiner may help finalize the claims.

Relevant MPEP Sections for Prosecution Strategy

  • MPEP § 713.10: Examiner interviews - available before Notice of Allowance or transfer to PTAB
  • MPEP § 714.12: After-final amendments - may be entered "under justifiable circumstances"
  • MPEP § 1002.02(c): Petitionable matters to Technology Center Director
  • MPEP § 1004: Actions requiring primary examiner signature (allowances, final rejections, examiner's answers)
  • MPEP § 1207.01: Appeal conferences - mandatory for all appeals
  • MPEP § 1214.07: Reopening prosecution after appeal

Important Disclaimer

Not Legal Advice: The information provided in this report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. You should consult with a qualified patent attorney or agent for advice specific to your situation.

No Guarantees: We do not provide any guarantees as to the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the statistics presented above. Patent prosecution statistics are derived from publicly available USPTO data and are subject to data quality limitations, processing errors, and changes in USPTO practices over time.

Limitation of Liability: Under no circumstances will IronCrow AI be liable for any outcome, decision, or action resulting from your reliance on the statistics, analysis, or recommendations presented in this report. Past prosecution patterns do not guarantee future results.

Use at Your Own Risk: While we strive to provide accurate and useful prosecution statistics, you should independently verify any information that is material to your prosecution strategy and use your professional judgment in all patent prosecution matters.