`
`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`Address: COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450
`www.uspto.gov
`
`APPLICATION NO.
`
`
`
`
` FILING DATE
`
`
`FIRST NAMED INVENTOR
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`ATTORNEY DOCKET NO.
`
`
`
`
`CONFIRMATIONNO.
`
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`11/677,651
`
`02/22/2007
`
`Seiichi NISHIYAMA
`
`520.47163X00
`
`1310
`
`20457
`
`7590
`
`10/31/2012
`
`ANTONELLI, TERRY, STOUT & KRAUS, LLP
`1300 NORTH SEVENTEENTH STREET
`SUITE 1800
`ARLINGTON,VA 22209-3873
`
`NGUYEN, HOAN C
`
`2871
`
`MAIL DATE
`
`10/31/2012
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`DELIVERY MODE
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`PAPER
`
`Please find below and/or attached an Office communication concerning this application or proceeding.
`
`The time period for reply, if any, is set in the attached communication.
`
`PTOL-90A (Rev. 04/07)
`
`

`

`
`Application No.
`Applicant(s)
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`
` 11/677,651 NISHIYAMA ETAL.
`Examiner
`Art Unit
`HOAN C. NGUYEN
`2871
`
`-- The MAILING DATEof this communication appears on the cover sheet with the correspondence address --
`Period for Reply
`
`A SHORTENED STATUTORY PERIOD FOR REPLYIS SET TO EXPIRE 3 MONTH(S) OR THIRTY(30) DAYS,
`WHICHEVER IS LONGER, FROM THE MAILING DATE OF THIS COMMUNICATION.
`Extensions of time may be available under the provisions of 37 CFR 1.136(a).
`In no event, however, may a reply be timely filed
`after SIX (6) MONTHS from the mailing date of this communication.
`If NO period for reply is specified above, the maximum statutory period will apply and will expire SIX (6) MONTHS from the mailing date of this communication.
`-
`- Failure to reply within the set or extended period for reply will, by statute, cause the application to become ABANDONED (35 U.S.C. § 133).
`Anyreply received by the Office later than three months after the mailing date of this communication, evenif timely filed, may reduce any
`earned patent term adjustment. See 37 CFR 1.704(b).
`
`1)X] Responsive to communication(s)filed on 04 October 2012.
`2a)X] This action is FINAL.
`2b) This action is non-final.
`3)L]
`Anelection was made bythe applicant in responseto a restriction requirementset forth during the interview on
`___; the restriction requirement and election have beenincorporated into this action.
`4)L] Sincethis application is in condition for allowance except for formal matters, prosecution as to the merits is
`closed in accordance with the practice under Ex parte Quayle, 1935 C.D. 11, 453 O.G. 213.
`
`Disposition of Claims
`
`5) Claim(s) 1-6 and 14-19 is/are pending in the application.
`
`5a) Of the above claim(s)
`is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`
`6)L] Claims)
`is/are allowed.
`7)X] Claim(s) 1-6 and 14-19 is/are rejected.
`8)L] Claim(s) ____ is/are objected to.
`9)L] Claim(s)___ are subject to restriction and/or election requirement.
`
`Application Papers
`
`Status
`
` U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`
`10)L] The specification is objected to by the Examiner.
`
`11) The drawing(s)filed on
`is/are: a)L_] accepted or b)_] objected to by the Examiner.
`Applicant may not request that any objection to the drawing(s) be held in abeyance. See 37 CFR 1.85(a).
`
`Replacement drawing sheet(s) including the correction is required if the drawing(s) is objected to. See 37 CFR 1.121(d).
`12) The oath or declaration is objected to by the Examiner. Note the attached Office Action or form PTO-152.
`
`Priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119
`
`13)[.] Acknowledgmentis made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d) or (f).
`a)LJ All b)L] Some*c)L] None of:
`
`1.] Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`2.L] Certified copies of the priority documents have been received in Application No.
`3.L] Copiesof the certified copies of the priority documents have been received in this National Stage
`application from the International Bureau (PCT Rule 17.2(a)).
`* See the attached detailed Office action for a list of the certified copies not received.
`
`Attachment(s)
`1) x Notice of References Cited (PTO-892)
`2) [J Notice of Draftsperson’s Patent Drawing Review (PTO-948)
`3) [J] Information Disclosure Statement(s) (PTO/SB/08)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date.
`
`4) | Interview Summary (PTO-413)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date. __
`5) L] Noticeof Informal Patent Application
`6) C Other:
`
`PTOL-326 (Rev. 03-11)
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Part of Paper No./Mail Date 20121018
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 11/677,651
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 2
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`DETAILED ACTION
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`Response to Amendment
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`Applicant's arguments with respect to the amended claims 1, 14, and 15 based
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`on the Responsefiled on 10/04/2012 have been considered but are mootin view of the
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`new ground(s) of rejection. Therefore, this is Final action.
`
`Claims 7-13 are cancelled. Claims 1-6 and 14-19 are pending.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
`
`The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form
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`the basis for the rejections under this section madein this Office action:
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`A personshall be entitled to a patent unless —
`
`(e) the invention was described in (1) an application for patent, published under section 122(b), by
`another filed in the United States before the invention by the applicant for patent or (2) a patent
`granted on an application for patent by another filed in the United States before the invention by the
`applicant for patent, except that an international applicationfiled under the treaty defined in section
`351 (a) shall have the effects for purposesof this subsection of an application filed in the United States
`onlyif the international application designated the United States and was published under Article 21(2)
`of suchtreaty in the English language.
`
`1.
`
`Claim 1 and 5-6 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(e) as being anticipated by Kim
`
`et al. (US20060104080).
`
`;
`
`+
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 11/677,651
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 3
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`Kim et al. (US20060104080) disclose a liquid crystal display device comprising:
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`
`
`e aliquid crystal display panel 80 inherently configured to havealiquid crystal
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`layer sandwiched betweena pair of transparent substrates having a pair of pixel-
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`forming electrodes on an inner surface thereof;
`
`e
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`adirect backlight (the LED modules 20) having a light source (LED 21) disposed
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`below and facing a rear face of the liquid crystal panel so as to at least emit
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`illumination light toward the rear face of the liquid crystal display panel;
`
`e
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`an optical compensation sheet(the optical sheet 50) interoosed between the
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`liquid crystal display panel 80 and the light source without an optical plate being
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`interposed between the liquid crystal panel and the light source; and
`
`e
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`aframe housing 10 the liquid crystal display panel and the at least one light
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`source therein;
`
`EEEASE,
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`7
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`45 |
`Ra is
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`FIG. 4%
`
`
`
`
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`a’ deeaof
`Sy SosWer
`
` AELIELOTSATattta
`PSsSsSseS
`
`
`eh=
` AILLAARLASSE
`RFeeuy
`OLLI
`
`
`reine”AteaaaMs
`msa
`
` Sees
`
`EeLe
`
`
`
`
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`

`

`Application/Control Number: 11/677,651
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`wherein
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`Page 4
`
`e
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`alight diffusion film (the diffusion sheet 40) is interposed betweenthe optical
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`compensation sheet(the optical sheet 50 comprises a prism sheetor the like to
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`align an optical path of the light passing through the diffusion sheet 40
`
`[paragraph 33]) and the light source (LED 21) without an optical plate being
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`interposed between the optical compensation sheet and the light source
`
`e
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`only the light diffusion film 40 is fixedly retained on an upperside of a casing
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`region 12 of the frame 10 by a retaining member[with protrusion holders 13a and
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`13b to hold the protrusions 56 and 57];
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`e
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`the optical compensation sheet(the optical sheet 50) is not fixedly retained on
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`the upperside of the casing region 12 of the frame 10 by the retaining member.
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`Claim 5:
`
`e
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`the retaining member 55 being a screw 18 as shownin Fig. 5.
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`Claim 6:
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`e
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`the retaining member 55is a projection portion (protrusions 56 and 57) of the
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`frame or a packing.
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`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
`
`The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103(a) which forms the basis for all
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`obviousnessrejections setforth in this Office action:
`
`(a) A patent may not be obtained though the invention is not identically disclosed or described as set
`forth in section 102 ofthis title, if the differences between the subject matter sought to be patented and
`the prior art are such that the subject matter as a whole would have been obvious at the time the
`invention was made to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which said subject matter pertains.
`Patentability shall not be negatived by the manner in which the invention was made.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 11/677,651
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 5
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`1.
`
`Claims 2-4 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as being unpatentable over Kim
`
`et al. (US20060104080) as applied to claim 1
`
`in view of Funamoto et al. (US 5949505).
`
`Kim et al. (US20060104080)fail to disclose the light diffusion film made of a PET
`
`resin material as a major ingredient (claim 2) or madeof a polycarbonate resin material
`
`as a main ingredient (claim 3), wherein the light diffusion film has a thickness ranging
`
`from 0.1 to 0.2 mm (claim 4).
`
`Funamotoet al. teach the light diffusion film made of a PET resin material as a
`
`major ingredient (claim 2) or made of a polycarbonate resin material as a main
`
`ingredient (claim 3), wherein the light diffusion film has a thickness ranging from 0.1 to
`
`0.2 mm (claim 4) for diffusing the light that is reflected and radiated from light source
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`(col. 7 lines 13-16), thus keeping within a fixed range for high incident efficiency or
`
`realizing a highly efficient illumination device in small size (col. 2 lines 60-61).
`
`Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at
`
`the time the invention was madeto further modify a liquid crystal display device as Kim
`
`et al. disclosed with the light diffusion film made of a PET resin material as a major
`
`ingredient (claim 2) or made of a polycarbonate resin material as a main ingredient
`
`(claim 3), wherein the light diffusion film has a thickness ranging from 0.1 to 0.2 mm
`
`(claim 4) for diffusing the light that is reflected and radiated from light source (col. 7 lines
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`13-16), thus keeping within a fixed range for high incidentefficiency or realizing a highly
`
`efficientillumination device in small size (col. 2 lines 60-61) as Funamotoetal. taught.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 11/677,651
`Art Unit: 2871
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`Page 6
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`3.
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`Claims 14-15 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as being unpatentable over
`
`Kim et al. (US20060104080) as applied to claim 1
`
`in view of Inoue etal.
`
`(US20060139952).
`
`Kim et al. also disclose the light source (LED 21) arranged below and facing the
`
`rear face of the liquid crystal panel 80 so asto at least emitlight directly to the rear face
`
`of the liquid crystal panelvia the light diffusion film 49 and the optical compensation
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`sheet 50 (claim 14) OR arranged immediately under the rear face of the liquid crystal
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`panel 80 with only the light diffusion film 40 and only the optical compensation sheet 50
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`interposed therebetween, the light diffusion film being arranged on a rear surface of the
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`optical compensation sheet
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`Kim etal. fail to disclose the light source including at least one fluorescent lamp.
`
`Inoue et al. teach the light source including at least one fluorescent lamp for
`
`providing brightness gradient formed in the horizontal and vertical directions so that the
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`brightnessin the central portion of the liquid crystal panelis relatively higher than the
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`brightness of the peripheral portion thereof.
`
`Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinaryskill in the art at
`
`the time the invention was madeto further modify a liquid crystal display device as Kim
`
`et al. disclosed with the light source including at least one fluorescent lamp for providing
`
`brightness gradient formed in the horizontal and vertical directions so that the
`
`brightnessin the central portion of the liquid crystal panelis relatively higher than the
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`brightness of the peripheral portion thereof (abstract) as Inoue et al. taught.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 11/677,651
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 7
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`4.
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`Claims 16-17 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as being unpatentable over
`
`Kim et al. (US20060104080) as applied to claim 1
`
`in view of Schultheis et al. (US
`
`20040115352).
`
`Kim et al. (US20060104080)fail to disclose the light diffusion film is a flexible film
`
`whichis bendable, wherein the light diffusion film has a thickness no greater than
`
`0.2mm sothat the light diffusion film is flexible.
`
`Schultheis et al. the light diffusion film is a flexible film [paragraph 11] whichis
`
`bendable, wherein thelight diffusion film has a thickness no greater than 0.2mm
`
`[paragraphs 21 and 44] so thatthe light diffusion film is flexible for providing an
`
`adjustmentof optical characteristics with respect to various requirements.
`
`Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at
`
`the time the invention was madeto further modify a liquid crystal display device as Kim
`
`et al. disclosed with the light diffusion film is a flexible film which is bendable, wherein
`
`the light diffusion film 45 has a thickness no greater than 0.2mm so thatthe light
`
`diffusionfilm is flexible for providing an adjustmentof optical characteristics with respect
`
`to various requirements [paragraph 11].
`
`5.
`
`Claims 16-17 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as being unpatentable over
`
`Kim et al. (US20060104080) as applied to claim 1
`
`in view of TAKAGISHI TOSHIYA (JP
`
`2006-286533).
`
`TAKAGISHI TOSHIYA may be overcome bythe English translation of the application’s Foreign Priority.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 11/677,651
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 8
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`Kim et al. (US20060104080)fail to disclose the light diffusion film is a flexible film
`
`whichis bendable, wherein the light diffusion film has a thickness no greater than
`
`0.2mm sothat the light diffusion film is flexible.
`
`rn
`
`mei
`heal
`
`BALERBSOBE
`
`TAKAGISHI TOSHIYAteachesthe light diffusion film is a flexible film which is
`
`bendable, wherein thelight diffusion film 45 has a thickness no greater than 0.2mm so
`
`that the light diffusion film is flexible [paragraph 25: dispersion sheet 45 is madeto
`
`constitute from a resin sheet of a 1 mm orless-thick thin film, which covers a thickness
`
`no greater than 0.2mm as claim cited] for preventing a display non-uniformity at the time
`
`of blinking [ADVANTAGE in the abstract].
`
`Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at
`
`the time the invention was madeto further modify a liquid crystal display device as Kim
`
`et al. disclosed with the light diffusion film is a flexible film which is bendable, wherein
`
`the light diffusion film 45 has a thickness no greater than 0.2mm so thatthe light
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 11/677,651
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 9
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`diffusion film is flexible for preventing a display non-uniformity at the time of blinking
`
`[ADVANTAGE in the abstract].
`
`6.
`
`Claims 18-19 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as being unpatentable over
`
`Kim et al. (US20060104080) as applied to claim 1
`
`in view of Kim etal.
`
`(US20030048629).
`
`Kim et al. Kim et al. (US20060104080) fail to disclose the light diffusion film
`
`laminated onto a rear surface of the optical compensation sheet, wherein the optical
`
`compensation sheetincludes a prism sheet and a diffusion sheet with the diffusion film
`
`being laminated onto a rear surface of the diffusion sheet.
`
`FIG, 9
`
`
`
`
`
` ZTITEL.
`
`\go0
`
`agg
`
`Kim et al. (US20030048629) teach the light diffusion film 510 laminated onto a
`
`rear surface of the optical compensation sheet (a series of diffusion sheets 500 consider
`
`as the optical compensation sheet), wherein the optical compensation sheetincludes a
`
`prism sheet (top film of 500 considers as prism sheet) and a diffusion sheet (bottom
`
`film) with the diffusion film being laminated onto a rear surface of the diffusion sheet (as
`
`shownin above Figures).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 11/677,651
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 10
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`Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinaryskill in the art at
`
`the time the invention was madeto further modify a liquid crystal display device as Kim
`
`et al. (US20030048629) disclosed with the light diffusion film 510 laminated onto a rear
`
`surface of the optical compensation sheet (a series of diffusion sheets 500 consider as
`
`the optical compensation sheet), wherein the optical compensation sheet includes a
`
`prism sheet and a diffusion sheet with the diffusion film being laminated onto a rear
`
`surface of the diffusion sheet for improving optical characteristics due to minimize an
`
`interval between the LCD panel assembly and the diffusion sheets [paragraph 50] as
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`Kim et al. (US20030048629) taught.
`
`Conclusion
`
`Applicant's amendmentnecessitated the new ground(s)of rejection presented in
`
`this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP
`
`§ 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37
`
`CFR 1.136(a).
`
`A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE
`
`MONTHS from the mailing date of this action.
`
`In the eventa first reply is filed within
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`TWO MONTHS ofthe mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not
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`mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTHshortenedstatutory period, then the
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`shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any
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`extension fee pursuantto 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 11/677,651
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 11
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`the advisory action.
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`In no event, however,will the statutory period for reply expire later
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`than SIX MONTHS from the dateofthis final action.
`
`Anyinquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the
`
`examiner should be directed to HOAN C. NGUYEN whosetelephone numberis
`
`(571)272-2296. The examiner can normally be reached on MONDAY-
`
`THURSDAY:8:00AM-4:30PM.
`
`If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s
`
`supervisor, Edward Glick can be reached on (571) 272-2490. The fax phone number
`
`for the organization wherethis application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
`
`Information regarding the status of an application may be obtained from the
`
`Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system. Status information for
`
`published applications may be obtained from either Private PAIR or Public PAIR.
`
`Status information for unpublished applications is available through Private PAIR only.
`
`For more information about the PAIR system, see http://pair-direct.uspto.gov. Should
`
`you have questions on accessto the Private PAIR system, contact the Electronic
`
`Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a
`
`USPTO Customer Service Representative or access to the automatedinformation
`
`system, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA)or 571-272-1000.
`
`/HOAN C NGUYEN/
`Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2871
`
`