USPTO Examiner BOULGHASSOUL YOUNES - Art Unit 2814

Recent Applications

Detailed information about the 100 most recent patent applications.

Application NumberTitleFiling DateDisposal DateDispositionTime (months)Office ActionsRestrictionsInterviewAppeal
18934307Integrated Structure having a P-type Semiconductor Diffusion Barrier Layer Forming a Van Der Waals Junction with a P-type Substrate and Electronic Device Including the SameNovember 2024February 2025Allow400NoNo
18402173Device having an Air Gap Adjacent to a Contact Plug and Covered by a Doped Dielectric LayerJanuary 2024May 2025Allow1711NoNo
18519872Semiconductor Memory Device having a Circuit Chip Bonded to a Memory Array Chip and including a Solid-State Drive Controller and a Control CircuitNovember 2023May 2025Allow1800NoNo
18232191Method for Manufacturing Semiconductor Devices having Gate Spacers with Bottom Portions Recessed in a FinAugust 2023September 2024Allow1310YesNo
18360080Semiconductor Gate-All-Around Structure having Carbon-Doped Anti-Punch-Through (APT) Layers over WellsJuly 2023January 2025Allow1710NoNo
18206618Semiconductor Device with a Single Diffusion Break Structure and a Gate Structure having Aligned SidewallsJune 2023May 2025Allow2321NoNo
18206617Method for Fabricating a Fin with Minimal Length between Two Single-Diffusion Break (SDB) TrenchesJune 2023December 2024Allow1801NoNo
18207065Planar Buried Channel Structure Integrated with Non-Planar StructuresJune 2023September 2024Allow1610NoNo
18301757Semiconductor Structure having an Anchor-Shaped Backside ViaApril 2023December 2024Allow2020NoNo
18100613Semiconductor Memory Device having a Contact Plug Electrically Connected to an Interconnection through a Narrower ViaJanuary 2023January 2025Allow2411NoNo
18154540Semiconductor Device Structure with a Protection Cap at an End Portion of a Conductive LineJanuary 2023February 2025Allow2511NoNo
18095720CMOS FINFET DEVICE HAVING STRAINED SIGE FINS AND A STRAINED SI CLADDING LAYER ON THE NMOS CHANNELJanuary 2023March 2025Abandon2611NoNo
18066373Method of Manufacturing a Multi-Gate Device having a Semiconductor Seed Layer Embedded in an Isolation LayerDecember 2022August 2024Allow2001NoNo
18064785FinFET Device with Source/Drain Contact Extending over Dielectric GateDecember 2022June 2025Allow3031NoNo
17993438Method of Fabricating Integrated Circuits with Fin Trim Plug Structures having an Oxidation Catalyst Layer Surrounded by a Recessed Dielectric MaterialNovember 2022June 2025Allow3110NoNo
17885154Inter-Layer Dielectrics and Etch Stop Layers for Transistor Source/Drain RegionsAugust 2022June 2025Allow3400NoNo
17818647Method of Manufacturing a Semiconductor Device having Corner Spacers Adjacent a Fin SidewallAugust 2022November 2024Allow2810YesNo
17817007THREE-DIMENSIONAL (3D) MAGNETIC MEMORY DEVICES COMPRISING A MAGNETIC TUNNEL JUNCTION (MTJ) HAVING A METALLIC BUFFER LAYERAugust 2022February 2025Abandon3011NoNo
17876638Semiconductor Structure having a Source/Drain Epitaxial Stack with a Non-Crystalline Layer thereinJuly 2022January 2025Allow2911NoNo
17876158Semiconductor Device Having a Gate Structure with Different Lengths between Laterally Etched SpacersJuly 2022July 2024Allow2311YesNo
17815758Method for Forming Recesses in a Substrate by Etching Dummy FinsJuly 2022May 2025Allow3410NoNo
17874486Method of Forming a Transistor Device with a Gate Structure having a Pair of Recess Regions and a Resistive Protection Layer WithinJuly 2022August 2024Allow2510YesNo
17815388Semiconductor Devices with Tunable Low-k Inner Air SpacersJuly 2022March 2025Allow3230YesNo
17875194Device having a Gate Electrode Wrapping around Semiconductor Layers and Proximate to a Dielectric FinJuly 2022May 2025Allow3410NoNo
17873782Methods of Manufacturing Via Structures on Source/Drain ContactsJuly 2022July 2024Allow2400YesNo
17814952Nano-Sheet-Based Devices having Inner Spacer Structures or Gate Portions with Variable DimensionsJuly 2022July 2024Allow2420YesNo
17873771Methods for Forming Air Spacers in Semiconductor DevicesJuly 2022December 2023Allow1600NoNo
17815020Method of Manufacturing a FinFET with Merged Epitaxial Source/Drain RegionsJuly 2022November 2024Allow2710NoNo
17814756Device with a Dummy Fin Contacting a Gate Isolation RegionJuly 2022July 2024Allow2311YesNo
17870292Multi-Gate Devices having a Semiconductor Layer between an Inner Spacer and an Epitaxial FeatureJuly 2022February 2024Allow1900NoNo
17869321Semiconductor Device having a Doped Fin WellJuly 2022September 2024Allow2610NoNo
17813888Method of Manufacturing a FinFET by Implanting a Dielectric with a DopantJuly 2022September 2023Allow1400NoNo
17813814Gate Electrode having a Work-Function Layer Including Materials with Different Average Grain SizesJuly 2022June 2024Allow2210NoNo
17868999Fin Field-Effect Transistor with a Gate Structure having a Dielectric Protection LayerJuly 2022August 2024Allow2520NoNo
17869057FinFET Device having a Gate with a Tapering Bottom Portion and a Gate Fill Material with a Widening Bottom PortionJuly 2022October 2024Allow2711NoNo
17869704Semiconductor Device with Phosphorus-Doped Epitaxial FeaturesJuly 2022April 2025Allow3320NoNo
17863006Structure having Gate Spacers with Projecting Portions Extending into a Gate DielectricJuly 2022June 2025Allow3530NoNo
17861565Semiconductor Device having a Fin at a S/D Region and a Semiconductor Contact or Silicide Interfacing therewithJuly 2022September 2024Allow2710NoNo
17859472Semiconductor Device having Conductive Portions in a Groove and Contacting a Gate Insulating LayerJuly 2022June 2025Allow3520YesNo
17854749Semiconductor Device with a Work Function Layer having an Oxygen-Blocking Dopant LayerJune 2022January 2025Allow3020NoNo
17855060Integrated Chip with an Etch-Stop Layer Forming a CavityJune 2022November 2024Allow2921NoNo
17852960Method of Manufacturing a Semiconductor Device with a Work-Function Layer having a Concentration of FluorineJune 2022December 2024Allow2920YesNo
17850850Method of Manufacturing Gate Spacers with Stepped Sidewalls by Removing Vertical Portions of a Helmet LayerJune 2022May 2024Allow2210NoNo
17849836Method of Forming an Integrated Circuit Device having an Etch-Stop Layer Between Metal WiresJune 2022November 2024Allow2950YesNo
17838941FinFET Devices with a Backside Power Rail and a Backside Self-Aligned Via Disposed between Dielectric FinsJune 2022September 2023Allow1610NoNo
17837158Semiconductor Device having a Ring-Shaped Protection Spacer above a Contact Pad and Enclosing a Source/Drain Contact PlugJune 2022April 2024Allow2210YesNo
17835991Semiconductor Package having a Semiconductor Device Bonded to a Circuit Substrate through a Floated or Grounded Dummy Conductor and Method of Manufacturing the SameJune 2022March 2025Allow3321NoNo
17829950Method for Manufacturing an Interconnection Structure having a Bottom Via SpacerJune 2022January 2024Allow1911YesNo
17748426Semiconductor Chip Package having Underfill Material Surrounding a Fan-Out Package and Contacting a Stress Buffer Structure SidewallMay 2022April 2025Allow3511YesNo
17747464Image Sensor having a Color Pixel Group Configured to Sense a Color Different from RGB ColorsMay 2022April 2025Allow3501NoNo
17741845Method for Forming a Semiconductor Structure by Diffusing Manganese from a Seed Layer to a Barrier LayerMay 2022February 2025Allow3301NoNo
17740453Methods of Designing and Fabricating a Semiconductor Device based on Determining a Least Common Multiple between Select Layout PitchesMay 2022August 2023Allow1500NoNo
17739177Method of Manufacturing a Field Effect Transistor by Tilted Implantation of Dopants into Inner Sidewalls of Gate SpacersMay 2022April 2024Allow2310NoNo
17739454METHOD FOR FORMING VIA STRUCTURE HAVING LOW INTERFACE RESISTANCEMay 2022November 2023Allow1810NoNo
17755328Display Panel with a Through Hole and Display Regions having Different Distribution Densities of Spacers, and Display ApparatusApril 2022December 2024Allow3210YesNo
17717345Self-Aligned Source/Drain Metal ContactApril 2022March 2025Allow3530YesNo
17716124Method for Preparing Semiconductor Device Structure with Conductive Plugs of Different Aspect Ratios and Manganese-Containing Lining LayerApril 2022April 2024Allow2420NoNo
17715213Method for Manufacturing a MEMS Switch having an Embedded Metal ContactApril 2022October 2024Allow3031NoNo
17701275Semiconductor Device having a Source/Drain Contact Plug with an Upwardly Protruding PortionMarch 2022February 2024Allow2310NoNo
17689898Three-Dimensional Memory Devices having Backside Insulating Structures and Methods for Forming the SameMarch 2022August 2023Allow1711NoNo
17681236Fin-Based Device having an Isolation Gate Interfacing with a Source/DrainFebruary 2022March 2024Allow2420NoNo
17669317Strained Gate Semiconductor Device having an Interlayer Dielectric Doped with Large Species MaterialFebruary 2022May 2024Allow2710NoNo
17590238SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE HAVING INTERCONNECTION LINES WITH DIFFERENT LINEWIDTHS AND METAL PATTERNSFebruary 2022September 2024Allow3120YesNo
17584832Superjunction Semiconductor Device with Different Effective Epitaxial Layer ThicknessesJanuary 2022March 2025Allow3811NoNo
17582314Semiconductor Structure having an Anchor-Shaped Backside ViaJanuary 2022December 2022Allow1000NoNo
17582915Packaged Module with Ball Grid Array and Grounding Pins for Signal Isolation, Method of Manufacturing the same, and Wireless Device Comprising the sameJanuary 2022March 2024Allow2540NoNo
17580948METHOD FOR PREPARING SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE INCLUDING CONDUCTIVE CONTACT HAVING TAPERING PROFILEJanuary 2022August 2023Allow1930NoNo
17575444SELF-ALIGNED BARRIER FOR METAL VIASJanuary 2022December 2023Allow2310NoNo
17569774Wiring Structures having Intersecting Metal PatternsJanuary 2022February 2024Allow2611NoNo
17541509Solid-State Image Sensing Device with a Capacitance Switching Transistor Overlapping a Photodiode and Electronic Device having the sameDecember 2021April 2023Allow1601NoNo
17457100Integrated Circuit Direct Cooling Systems having Substrates in Contact with a Cooling MediumDecember 2021December 2023Allow2521YesNo
17528611Memory Cell having a Top Electrode Interconnect Arranged Laterally from a RecessNovember 2021June 2023Allow1911YesNo
17519408Fin-Based Antifuse Structure having Gate Stacks Biased at Different Gate Voltages and Method of Manufacturing the SameNovember 2021June 2024Allow3110NoNo
17453088Method of Fabricating CMOS FinFETs by Selectively Etching a Strained SiGe LayerNovember 2021October 2022Allow1110YesNo
17514379Semiconductor Device having Capping Layers with Different Germanium Concentrations over an Active PatternOctober 2021December 2024Allow3710YesNo
17467635Method of Manufacturing a Semiconductor Structure by Forming a Node Contact between a Bit Line and an Isolation LineSeptember 2021March 2024Allow3001NoNo
17385299Memory Array having an Intervening Material Between Adjacent Memory Blocks with an Elongated Seam thereinJuly 2021June 2025Allow4640YesNo
17385634Method for Forming an Integrated Circuit having Transistor Gates over an Interconnection StructureJuly 2021March 2024Allow3211NoNo
17374634Memory Arrays Comprising Operative Channel-Material Strings And Dummy PillarsJuly 2021September 2024Abandon3830YesNo
17353213Method of Manufacturing Fin Spacers having Different Heights using a Polymer-Generating Etching ProcessJune 2021September 2024Allow3820NoNo
17351679Method for Forming an Undoped Region under a Source/DrainJune 2021April 2024Allow3420NoNo
17303600Semiconductor Structure with Stacked Vias having Dome-Shaped TipsJune 2021October 2023Allow2921YesNo
17326846Semiconductor Structure with a Contact to Source/Drain Layers and Fabrication Method ThereofMay 2021June 2024Allow3730YesNo
17317766FERROELECTRIC MEMORY AND MEMORY ARRAY DEVICE WITH MULTIPLE INDEPENDENTLY CONTROLLED GATESMay 2021July 2023Allow2601NoNo
17313575Methods of Forming a Semiconductor Device having an Air SpacerMay 2021May 2023Allow2511NoNo
17302549Semiconductor Structure having Alternating Selective Metal and Dielectric LayersMay 2021January 2024Allow3330YesNo
17244430Semiconductor Device having Gate Spacers Extending below a Fin Top SurfaceApril 2021June 2024Allow3731YesNo
17241221Display Device Having a Groove Penetrating Through an Organic Bi-Layer in a Blocking RegionApril 2021December 2023Allow3221YesNo
17238572DRAM Memory Device having Angled Structures with Sidewalls Extending over BitlinesApril 2021October 2022Allow1800NoNo
17235448Device having Increased Forward Biased Safe Operating Area using Source Segments with Different Threshold Voltages and Method of Operating thereofApril 2021October 2024Allow4221YesNo
17233676Integrated Circuit having a Resistor Layer Partially Overlapping End-capsApril 2021April 2023Allow2411NoNo
17226563FinFET Structure having a Gate Contact Above a Metal Gate and Straddling the Boundary of an Active RegionApril 2021September 2024Allow4131NoNo
17209113Methods of Manufacturing a Semiconductor Device including a Joint Adjacent to a PostMarch 2021September 2023Allow3021NoNo
17202347SILICON CARBIDE SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE HAVING A CONDUCTIVE LAYER FORMED ABOVE A BOTTOM SURFACE OF A WELL REGION SO AS NOT TO BE IN OHMIC CONNECTION WITH THE WELL REGION AND POWER CONVERTER INCLUDING THE SAMEMarch 2021February 2023Allow2310YesNo
17191712Semiconductor Memory Device having a Multilayer Dielectric Structure with a Retracted Sidewall below a Bit LineMarch 2021February 2023Allow2310NoNo
17191841Substrate Processing Liquid for Etching a Metal Layer, Substrate Processing Method and Substrate Processing ApparatusMarch 2021October 2023Allow3110NoNo
17174640Solid-State Imaging Device with a Pixel having a Partially Shielded Photoelectric Conversion Unit Region for Holding ChargeFebruary 2021June 2023Allow2821NoNo
17161978Method of Forming a Multi-Layer Epitaxial Source/Drain Region having Varying Concentrations of Boron and Germanium thereinJanuary 2021April 2024Allow3821NoNo
17160427Semiconductor Structure Comprising Regions having an Isolation Trench with a Stepped Bottom Surface Therebetween and Method of Forming the SameJanuary 2021October 2022Allow2010NoNo
17156639CMOS CAP FOR MEMS DEVICESJanuary 2021January 2024Allow3521NoNo

Appeals Overview

This analysis examines appeal outcomes and the strategic value of filing appeals for examiner BOULGHASSOUL, YOUNES.

Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) Decisions

Total PTAB Decisions
3
Examiner Affirmed
3
(100.0%)
Examiner Reversed
0
(0.0%)
Reversal Percentile
9.9%
Lower than average

What This Means

With a 0.0% reversal rate, the PTAB affirms the examiner's rejections in the vast majority of cases. This reversal rate is in the bottom 25% across the USPTO, indicating that appeals face significant challenges here.

Strategic Value of Filing an Appeal

Total Appeal Filings
4
Allowed After Appeal Filing
0
(0.0%)
Not Allowed After Appeal Filing
4
(100.0%)
Filing Benefit Percentile
4.8%
Lower 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, 0.0% of applications that filed an appeal were subsequently allowed. This appeal filing benefit rate is in the bottom 25% across the USPTO, indicating that filing appeals is less effective here than in most other areas.

Strategic Recommendations

Appeals to PTAB face challenges. Ensure your case has strong merit before committing to full Board review.

Filing a Notice of Appeal shows limited benefit. Consider other strategies like interviews or amendments before appealing.

Examiner BOULGHASSOUL, YOUNES - Prosecution Strategy Guide

Executive Summary

Examiner BOULGHASSOUL, YOUNES works in Art Unit 2814 and has examined 550 patent applications in our dataset. With an allowance rate of 89.1%, this examiner has an above-average tendency to allow applications. Applications typically reach final disposition in approximately 22 months.

Allowance Patterns

Examiner BOULGHASSOUL, YOUNES's allowance rate of 89.1% places them in the 68% percentile among all USPTO examiners. This examiner has an above-average tendency to allow applications.

Office Action Patterns

On average, applications examined by BOULGHASSOUL, YOUNES receive 1.65 office actions before reaching final disposition. This places the examiner in the 45% 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 BOULGHASSOUL, YOUNES is 22 months. This places the examiner in the 81% percentile for prosecution speed. Applications move through prosecution relatively quickly with this examiner.

Interview Effectiveness

Conducting an examiner interview provides a +5.5% benefit to allowance rate for applications examined by BOULGHASSOUL, YOUNES. This interview benefit is in the 31% percentile among all examiners. Recommendation: Interviews provide a below-average benefit with this examiner.

Request for Continued Examination (RCE) Effectiveness

When applicants file an RCE with this examiner, 30.5% of applications are subsequently allowed. This success rate is in the 52% percentile among all examiners. Strategic Insight: RCEs show above-average effectiveness with this examiner. Consider whether your amendments or new arguments are strong enough to warrant an RCE versus filing a continuation.

After-Final Amendment Practice

This examiner enters after-final amendments leading to allowance in 41.0% of cases where such amendments are filed. This entry rate is in the 55% percentile among all examiners. Strategic Recommendation: This examiner shows above-average receptiveness to after-final amendments. If your amendments clearly overcome the rejections and do not raise new issues, consider filing after-final amendments before resorting to an RCE.

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 12% 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 25.0% of appeals filed. This is in the 1% percentile among all examiners. Strategic Insight: This examiner rarely withdraws rejections during the appeal process compared to other examiners. If you file an appeal, be prepared to fully prosecute it to a PTAB decision. Per MPEP § 1207, the examiner will prepare an Examiner's Answer maintaining the rejections.

Petition Practice

When applicants file petitions regarding this examiner's actions, 47.1% 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 0.0% of allowed cases (in the 22% percentile). This examiner rarely makes examiner's amendments compared to other examiners. You should expect to make all necessary claim amendments yourself through formal amendment practice.

Quayle Actions: This examiner issues Ex Parte Quayle actions in 1.2% of allowed cases (in the 59% percentile). This examiner issues Quayle actions more often than average when claims are allowable but formal matters remain (MPEP § 714.14).

Prosecution Strategy Recommendations

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

    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.