`
`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
`
`ATTORNEY DOCKET NO.
`
`
`
`
`CONFIRMATIONNO.
`
`
`12/139,577
`
`06/16/2008
`
`Naruhiko KASAI
`
`1497.48860X00
`
`1794
`
`20457
`
`7590
`
`12/13/2013
`
`ANTONELLI, TERRY, STOUT & KRAUS, LLP
`1300 NORTH SEVENTEENTH STREET
`SUITE 1800
`ARLINGTON,VA 22209-3873
`
`NGUYEN,JIMMYH
`
`2696
`
`MAIL DATE
`
`12/13/2013
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`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)
`12/139,577
`KASAI ET AL.
`
`Examiner
`Art Unit
`AIA (First Inventor to File)
`JIMMY H. NGUYEN
`2696
`No
`
`-- The MAILING DATEof this communication appears on the cover sheet with the correspondence address--
`Period for Reply
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`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).
`Any reply 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).
`
`-
`-
`
`Status
`1) Responsive to communication(s)filed on 9/28/2012.
`L] A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/were filedon___
`2a)L] This action is FINAL.
`2b)X] This action is non-final.
`3)L] An election was made bythe applicant in responseto a restriction requirementset forth during the interview on
`
`; the restriction requirement and election have been incorporated into this action.
`4)L] Sincethis application is in condition for allowance except for formal matters, prosecution as to the merits is
`closed in accordancewith the practice under Ex parte Quayle, 1935 C.D. 11, 453 O.G. 213.
`
`Disposition of Claims
`5)K] Claim(s) 1-14 is/are pending in the application.
`5a) Of the above claim(s) 6-70 is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`
`6)L] Claim(s)
`is/are allowed.
`7)K] Claim(s) 1-5 and 11-14 is/are rejected.
`8)L] Claim(s)___ is/are objectedto.
`
`9)L] Claim(s)
`are subjectto restriction and/or election requirement.
`* If any claims have been determined allowable, you may be eligible to benefit from the Patent Prosecution Highway program at a
`participating intellectual property office for the corresponding application. For more information, please see
` /index.|
`nite://www.usoto.dov/patenis/init events/pp
`
`
`
`sp or send an inquiry to PPHfeecback@uspte.dov.
`
`
`
`
`
`Application Papers
`10) The specification is objected to by the Examiner.
`
`11) The drawing(s) filed on
`is/are: a)[_] 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).
`
`Priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119
`12) Acknowledgment is made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d) or (f).
`Certified copies:
`a)X] All
`b)L] Some* c)L] None ofthe:
`1.X] 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] Copies of 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) C Notice of References Cited (PTO-892)
`.
`.
`2) CJ Information Disclosure Statement(s) (PTO/SB/08)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date
`.
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`PTOL-326 (Rev. 08-13)
`
`3) TC Interview Summary (PTO-413)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date.
`4 oO Other:
`—
`ther:
`)
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Part of Paper No./Mail Date 20131211
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 12/139,577
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`Art Unit: 2696
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`Page 2
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`DETAILED ACTION
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`1.
`
`A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in
`
`37 CFR 1.17(e), wasfiled in this application after final rejection. Since this application is
`
`eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e)
`
`has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to
`
`37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on 09/28/2013 has been entered. Claims 1-14 are
`
`pending in the instant application. Claims 6-10 are withdrawn from further consideration
`
`pursuant to 37 CFR 1.142(b) as being drawn to a nonelected species II, there being no allowable
`
`generic or linking claim. Claims 1-5 and 11-14 are considered as follows:
`
`Response to Arguments
`
`2.
`
`Applicant's arguments filed 09/28/2012 with respect to the previous Office action dated
`
`06/28/2012 have been fully considered but they are not fully persuasive as follows:
`
`With respect to the claim objections to claims 1, 11 and 14 in, these objections are hereby
`
`withdrawnin light of the amendments to claims.
`
`With respect to the rejections under 35 USC 112, second paragraph,to claims 11-13,
`
`these rejections are hereby withdrawnin light of the amendments to claims 11 and 13. However,
`
`the rejection to claim 14 is maintained becausethere is no change to this claim or no argument
`
`with the rejection.
`
`With respect to the rejections under 35 USC 102(b) and 103(a), Applicant has argued that
`
`noneofthe cited references teach or suggest the amended claimed features regarding these two
`
`separate powersources. See pages 8-10 of the amendment. Examinerdisagrees and directs the
`
`applicant to the below detailed rejections regarding to the newly addedfeatures.
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 12/139,577
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`Art Unit: 2696
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`Page 3
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`Drawings
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`3.
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`The drawings are objected to under 37 CFR 1.83(a). The drawings must show every
`
`feature of the invention specified in the claims. Therefore, the features, “a first power source"
`
`and "a second power source” of claims 1, 11 and 14, must be shownorthe feature(s) canceled
`
`from the claim(s). No new matter should be entered.
`
`Corrected drawing sheets in compliance with 37 CFR 1.121(d) are required in reply to
`
`the Office action to avoid abandonmentof the application. Any amended replacement drawing
`
`sheet should includeall of the figures appearing on the immediate prior version of the sheet,
`
`even if only one figure is being amended. Thefigure or figure number of an amended drawing
`
`should not be labeled as “amended.” If a drawing figure is to be canceled, the appropriate figure
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`must be removed from the replacement sheet, and where necessary, the remaining figures must
`
`be renumbered and appropriate changes madeto the brief description of the several viewsof the
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`drawings for consistency. Additional replacement sheets may be necessary to show the
`
`renumbering of the remaining figures. Each drawing sheet submitted after the filing date of an
`
`application must be labeled in the top margin as either “Replacement Sheet” or “New Sheet”
`
`pursuant to 37 CFR 1.121(d). If the changes are not accepted by the examiner, the applicant will
`
`be notified and informed of any required corrective action in the next Office action. The
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`objection to the drawings will not be held in abeyance.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
`
`4,
`
`The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 12/139,577
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`Art Unit: 2696
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`Page 4
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`(B) CONCLUSION.—Thespecification shall conclude with one or more claimsparticularly
`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 claimsparticularly pointing out and distinctly
`claiming the subject matter which the applicant regardsas his invention.
`
`5.
`
`Claims 1-5 and 11-14 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-ATA),
`
`second paragraph,as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the
`
`subject matter which the inventoror a joint inventor, or for pre-AIA the applicant regards as the
`
`invention.
`
`Asto claim 1, this claim recites a limitation,“a light-emitting-use voltage generation
`
`circuit which comprises a first power source and which generates a power source voltage for
`
`supplying electric current which enables the self-light-emitting elements in the pixels to emit
`
`light” in lines 9-11. Since it is unclear whether the bolded "which"in the above underlined
`
`limitation is referred to a light-emitting-use voltage generation circuit or a first power source,it
`
`is considered that the invention is not clearly defined. Further, note that Applicant’s argument,
`
`“_.. the light-emitting use voltage generation circuit 13 includes a power source for
`
`supplyingelectric current to enable to self-light-emitting elements to emit light ...”
`
`on lines
`
`39
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`4-5 of page 9 of the amendment, seems to meana first power source generating a power
`
`source voltage for supplying electric current which enablesthe self-light-emitting elements in
`
`the pixels to emit light.
`
`Asto claims 2-5, since these claims depend on claim 1, these claims are therefore
`
`rejected for the same reasonset forth in claim | above.
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 12/139,577
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`Art Unit: 2696
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`Page 5
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`Asto claim 11, this claim recites a limitation “a changeover circuit which changes over
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`the connection of the pixels with the data line drive circuit or the connection of the pixels with a
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`detection-use power source comprising a second power source, provided separately fromafirst
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`powersource of a light emitting power source which comprises the first power source, and
`
`which generates an electric current which enables to pixel to emit light” in lines 5-9. Since it is
`
`unclear whether the bolded "which" in the above underlined limitation is referred to a
`
`changeovercircuit, a first power source, a light emitting power source, or other, it is considered
`
`that the invention is not clearly defined.
`
`Asto claims 12 and 13, since these claims depend upon claim 11, these claims are
`
`therefore rejected for the same reasonset forth in claim 11 above.
`
`Asto claim 14, this claim recites a limitation ‘“‘a changeover circuit which changes over
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`the supply of a data signal to the pixels or the supply of electricity from a detection-use power
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`source comprising a second power source, provided separately from a first power source of a
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`light emitting power source comprising the first power source to the pixels, which generates an
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`electric current which enables the pixels to emit light” in lines 5-9. Since it is unclear whether the
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`bolded "which" in the above underlined limitation is referred to a changeovercircuit, a second
`
`powersource, the pixels, or other, it is considered that the invention is not clearly defined. In
`
`addition, this claim recites a limitation, “at least one of the pixels whose voltage is equal to or
`
`less than a threshold value” in last 2 lines. Since what it is meant by “‘at least one of pixels whose
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`voltage” (1.¢e., a voltage at an anode of an OLEDofa pixel, a voltage at the drain or source of a
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 12/139,577
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`Art Unit: 2696
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`Page 6
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`drive TFT of a pixel, a voltage at an input terminal of the data writing switch, and etc.) is
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`unclear, it is considered that the invention is not clearly defined.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
`
`The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(a):
`6.
`(a) INGENERAL.—Thespecification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of
`the manner and process of making and usingit, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to
`enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with whichit is most nearly
`connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the
`inventor or joint inventor of carrying out the invention.
`
`The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AJA), first paragraph:
`The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and
`process of making and usingit, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any
`person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make
`and use the same andshall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor of carrying out
`his invention.
`
`7.
`
`Claims 1-5 and 11-14 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA),
`
`first paragraph,as failing to comply with the written description requirement. The claim(s)
`
`contains subject matter which wasnotdescribed in the specification in such a wayas to
`
`reasonably convey to one skilled in the relevant art that the inventoror a joint inventor, or for
`
`pre-AIAthe inventor(s), at the time the application wasfiled, had possession of the claimed
`
`invention.
`
`Asto claim 1 this claim recites limitations, “a light-emitting-use voltage generation
`
`circuit which comprisesa first power source and which generates a power source voltage for
`
`supplying electric current which enables the self-light-emitting elements in the pixels to emit
`
`light” in lines 9-11 and “the defect position determination circuit includes a detection-use current
`
`source comprising a second powersource, separate from the first power source of the light-
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 12/139,577
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`Art Unit: 2696
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`Page 7
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`emitting-use voltage generation circuit, a detection output line, a detection line switch and a
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`defect position information generation circuit” in lines 17-20, which were not described in the
`
`specification in such a wayas to reasonably conveyto one skilled in the relevantart that the
`
`inventor(s), at the time the application wasfiled, had possession of the claimed invention. Note
`
`that “‘a first power source” and “a second powersource” recited in the above underlined
`
`limitations are not even foundin the original disclosure. Also, see the above drawing objection.
`
`Furthermore,the original disclosure, specifically Fig. | and the specification at page 7 lines 19-
`
`23, discloses “[T]he light-emitting-use voltage generation circuit 13 generates a power
`
`source voltage for supplying electric current which enable theself-light-emitting element to
`
`emit light and output the power sourcevoltage as the light-emitting-use voltage 14”.
`
`However, the aforementioned disclosure does not explicitly disclose the light-emitting-use
`
`voltage generation circuit 13 comprising a first power source, as defined in the above
`
`underlined limitation. Furthermore, the original disclosure, specifically Fig. 4 and the
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`specification at page 16, line 17 to page 17, line 8, merely discloses “... the characteristic of
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`the organic EL element whenthe detection-use current source 72 is sequentially connected
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`to the first detection line 68, the second detection line 69, the third detection line 70, the
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`fourth detection line 71, ..., a 720th detection line is outputted to the detection outputline
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`77. However, the aforementioned disclosure does not explicitly disclose a detection-use
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`current source 72 comprising a second powersource, as defined in the above underlined
`
`limitation. Accordingly, the original disclosure does not contain such description and details
`
`regarding to the above underlined limitations of this claim, so as to reasonably convey to one
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 12/139,577
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`Art Unit: 2696
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`Page 8
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`skilled in the relevant art that the inventor(s), at the time the application wasfiled, had
`
`possession of the claimed invention.
`
`Asto claims 2-5, since these claims depend on claim 1, these claims are therefore
`
`rejected for the same reasonset forth in claim | above.
`
`Asto claims 11 and 14, since these claimsalso recite ‘“‘a first power source” and “a
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`second power source”, these claims are therefore rejected for the same reason set forth in claim
`
`1 above.
`
`Asto claims 12-13, since these claims depend on claim 11, these claims are therefore
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`rejected for the same reasonset forth in claim 11 above.
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`Notice to Applicant(s)
`
`8.
`
`Due to the above rejections under 35 USC 112, second paragraph, and for purposes of
`
`further examination, the following art rejections are based as best understood by Examiner in
`
`view ofthe originally filed specification and drawings.
`
`9,
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`Further, note that in order to avoid confusion, the below citations in the below
`
`rejection(s) are mere one or moreplacesin the reference to disclose the "claimed" limitation(s)
`
`and/or are directed to one or more of embodiments disclosed by the cited reference(s). In other
`
`words,the “claimed” features/limitations may be read in other places in the reference or other
`
`embodiments of the reference. In order to better understand howthe claimed limitations are
`
`taught by the reference(s), a review of the entire reference(s) is suggested by the examiner.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 12/139,577
`
`Art Unit: 2696
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`Page 9
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`10.
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`The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the
`
`basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
`
`A personshall be entitled to a patent unless —
`
`(b) the invention was patented or described in a printed publication in this or a foreign country or in public use or
`on sale in this country, more than one yearprior to the date of application for patent in the United States.
`
`11.
`
`Claims 1-3, 11, 12 and 14 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(b) as being anticipated by
`
`Satoh et al. (US 2005/0110719 A1), hereinafter Satoh.
`
`Asto claim 1, Satoh discloses an image display device (see Fig. 1, 7), capable of
`
`detecting a defect of a pixel, comprising:
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`a display panel (1) comprising a plurality of pixels, each comprising a self-light emitting
`
`element (Fig. 1, 7);
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`a data line drive circuit (2) which drives the pixels based on a data signal (video signal;
`
`Fig. 1, 7);
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`a control circuit (11, 14; Fig. 1, 7) which controls the data signal (Fig. 1, 7);
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`a detection line for transmitting a characteristic of at least one pixels which indicates
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`presence of a defect in said at least one of said pixels (a line connected between the cathode line
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`K and the corresponding switch Sk or a left end portion of the cathode line K from thefirst left
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`E11/E12/E13 to a terminal of switch Sk, so as to allow the current passing through each EL
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`during a methodofverifying a defect state of a pixel; see Fig. 1; { [0032]-[0034]; also see Fig. 7,
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`detection line F1/F2/...);
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`a light-emitting-use voltage generation circuit (B1, 4 shown in Fig. 1; B3 shownin Fig.
`
`7) which comprises a first power source (B1, 4 shown in Fig. 1; B3 shownin Fig. 7) and
`
`generates a powersource voltage (VH shownin Fig. 1; B3 shownin Fig. 7) for supplying
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 12/139,577
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`Art Unit: 2696
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`Page 10
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`electric current which enablesthe self-light-emitting elements in the pixels to emit light (
`
`[0024]; { [0077]);
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`a defect position determination circuit (elements 5, lla, llc, 12, 13; see Fig. 1, 3;
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`[0032], lines 9-18; or elements 11-13, 21, 22; Fig. 7) which determinesa defect position of said
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`one of said pixels based on an output signal from the detection line ({[ [0032]; [0078]-[0080]);
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`and
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`a defect position storing circuit (11b; Fig. 3) which stores the defect position from the
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`defect position determination circuit and transmits the defect position to the control circuit (see
`
`Fig. 4; steps $14, S15, S20, S21; { [0055]; {| [0080]), wherein
`
`the defect position determination circuit (5, lla, llc, 12, 13; Figs. 1, 3; 11-13, 21, 22;
`
`Fig. 7) includes a detection-use current source (5; Fig. 1 and {[ [0029] disclosing the circuit 5
`
`generating a reverse bias voltage VM; andlines 10-11 of Abstract disclosing the circuit for
`
`generating the reverse bias voltage is used as a current source; [0079]) comprising a second
`
`powersource (5 of Fig. 1; B2 of Fig. 7), separate from the first power source (B1, 4 shown in
`
`Fig. 1; B3 shownin Fig. 7) of the light-emitting-use voltage generation circuit (B1, 4 shown in
`
`Fig. 1; B3 shownin Fig. 7), a detection output line (a line connecting the output of the transistor
`
`Q2 to a terminal (+) of the amplifier 12a; see Figs. 1-2), a detection line switch (Sk1/Sk2/...;
`
`Fig. 1) and a defect position information generation circuit (lla, llc, 12, 13; Figs. 2-3),
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`the detection-use current source (5) is connected to the detection line via the detection
`
`output line and the detection line switch (see the above discussion; Figs. 1-2; also see Fig. 7;
`
`[0079]), and is configured to supply electric current which enables the defect position
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 12/139,577
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`Art Unit: 2696
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`Page 11
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`determination circuit to provide an output signal indicating the defect position on said detection
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`outputline (¥ [0033], [0034], [0079], [0080]),
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`the detection output line is connected to an input terminal of the defect position
`
`information generation circuit (see the above discussion; Figs. 1-3; Fig. 7), and
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`an output terminal of the defect position information generation circuit (1la, llc, 12, 13),
`
`is connected to the defect position storing circuit (11b) (Fig. 3 disclosing an output terminal, of
`
`element 11a of the defect position information generation circuit, connected to the defect
`
`position storing circuit 11b; also see Fig. 7.)
`
`Accordingly, all limitations of this claim are read in the Satoh reference.
`
`Asto claim 2, Satoh discloses the detection-use current source (5) and the detection line
`
`being connected with each other during a period different from a display period within which the
`
`detection line switch outputs the data signal, wherein the output signal indicating the defect
`
`position is providedto said detection output line during said period ({[ [0032]-[0034] disclosing
`
`the detection-use current source (5) and the detection line being connected with each other
`
`during a defect pixel detection period, which is different from a display period within which the
`
`detection line switch outputs the data signal; also see Fig. 7.)
`
`Asto claim 3, Satoh discloses the defect position determination circuit (4, 5, lla, 11c,
`
`12, 13) determining the presence or the non-presenceof the defects (Fig. 3; { [0044] and the
`
`defect position storing circuit (11b) storing the presence or the non-presenceof the defects for
`
`one screen (see steps $14, S15, S20, S21; { [0055]; also see Fig. 7).
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 12/139,577
`
`Art Unit: 2696
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`Page 12
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`Asto claim 11, Satoh discloses an image display device (see Fig. 1, 7), capable of
`
`detecting a defect of a pixel, comprising:
`
`a display panel (1) comprising a plurality of pixels, each comprising a self-light emitting
`
`element (Fig. 1, 7);
`
`a data line drive circuit (2) which drives the pixels based on a data signal (video signal;
`
`Fig. 1, 7);
`
`a scanning line drive circuit (3; Fig. 1, 7) which scansthe pixels ({| [0030], {| [0070));
`
`a changeovercircuit (Sal-San and sk1-skm shownin Fig. 1; Syl-Syn and Sx1-Sxm
`
`shownin Fig. 7) which changes over the connection of the pixels with the data line drive circuit
`
`(2) or the connection of the pixels with a detection-use power source (5, 12 of Fig. 1 or B2, 12 of
`
`Fig. 7) comprising a second powersource (5, 12 of Fig. 1 or B2, 12 of Fig. 7), provided
`
`separately fromafirst power source (B1, 4 of Fig. 1; or B3 of Fig. 7) of a light emitting power
`
`source (B1, 4 of Fig. 1; or B3 of Fig. 7) which comprises the first power source (B1, 4 of Fig. 1;
`
`or B3 of Fig. 7), and generates an electric current which enablesto pixel to emit light ({ [0024];
`
`q [0077]), and
`
`a detection circuit (elements 5, lla, llc, 12, 13; see Fig. 1, 3; { [0032], lines 9-18; or
`
`elements 11-13, 21, 22; Fig. 7) which, when the pixels are connected with the second power
`
`source (5, 12 of Fig. 1 or B2, 12 of Fig. 7), of the detection-use powersource (5, 12 of Fig. 1 or
`
`B2, 12 of Fig. 7) provided separately from the first power source (B1, 4 of Fig. 1; or B3 of Fig.
`
`7) of the light emitting power source (B1, 4 of Fig. 1; or B3 of Fig. 7), detects at least one of the
`
`pixels whose voltage at an anode of an OLED ofthe pixel is equalto or less than a threshold
`
`value ({[ [0046], { [0080]).
`
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`Application/Control Number: 12/139,577
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`Art Unit: 2696
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`Page 13
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`Accordingly, all limitations of this claim are read in the Satoh reference.
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`Asto claim 12, Satoh discloses that the changeovercircuit, during a period other than
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`both of a period of supplying the data signal to the pixel and a light emission period of the pixel
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`within | frame period, connects the pixel to the detection-use power source provided separately
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`from the light emitting power source ({[ [0042]-[0044]; or {| [0078]-[0080)]).
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`Asto claim 14, Satoh discloses an image display device (see Fig. 1, 7), capable of
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`detecting a defect of a pixel, comprising:
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`a display panel (1) comprising a plurality of pixels, each comprising a self-light emitting
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`element (Fig. 1, 7);
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`a data line drive circuit (2) which drives the pixels based on a data signal (video signal;
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`Fig. 1, 7);
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`a scanning line drive circuit (3; Fig. 1, 7) which scansthe pixels ({| [0030], {| [0070));
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`a changeovercircuit (Sal-San and sk1-skm shownin Fig. 1; Syl-Syn and Sx1-Sxm
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`shownin Fig. 7) which changes over the supply of a data signal to the pixels or the supply from a
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`detection-use power source (5, 12 of Fig. 1 or B2, 12 of Fig. 7) comprising a second power
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`source (5, 12 of Fig. 1 or B2, 12 of Fig. 7), provided separately from a first power source (B1, 4
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`of Fig. 1; or B3 of Fig. 7) of a light emitting power source (B1, 4 of Fig. 1; or B3 of Fig. 7)
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`comprising the first power source (B1, 4 of Fig. 1; or B3 of Fig. 7) to the pixels, and generates an
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`electric current which enablesto pixel to emit light ({ [0024]; { [0077]), and
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`Application/Control Number: 12/139,577
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`Art Unit: 2696
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`Page 14
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`a detection circuit (elements 5, lla, llc, 12, 13; see Fig. 1, 3; { [0032], lines 9-18; or
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`elements 11-13, 21, 22; Fig. 7) which, when electricity is supplied to the pixels from said second
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`powersource (5, 12 of Fig. 1 or B2, 12 of Fig. 7) of the detection-use power source (5, 12 of Fig.
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`1 or B2, 12 of Fig. 7) provided separately from the first power source (B1, 4 of Fig. 1; or B3 of
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`Fig. 7) of the light emitting power source (B1, 4 of Fig. 1; or B3 of Fig. 7), detects at least one of
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`the pixels whose voltage is equal to or less than a threshold value ({| [0046], { [0080]).
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`Accordingly, all limitations of this claim are read in the Satoh reference.
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`12.
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`Claims 11, 12 and 14 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(b) as being anticipated by Sato et
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`al. (US 2005/0212730 A1), hereinafter Sato.
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`Asto claim 11, Sato discloses an image display device (Figs. 1-2) comprising:
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`a display panel (1; Fig. 1) comprising a plurality of pixels ({{ [0020], lines 1-2);
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`a data line drive circuit (2; Fig. 1) which drives the pixels based on a data signal (a video
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`signal; Fig. 1; {[ [0023], [0024]);
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`a scanning line drive circuit (3; Fig. 1) which scans the pixels ({ [0022]);
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`a changeovercircuit (Sal-San, Sk1-Skm; Fig. 1) which changes over the connection of
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`the pixels with the data line drive circuit (2) or the connection of the pixels with a detection-use
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`powersource (the “claimed” detection-use power source can be considerably correspond to an
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`operation power source VDD or a powersource comprising elements J1/J2/...; see Figs. 1-2 and
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`{ [0027]; or a reverse bias voltage VM; see Fig. 1; J 0035]) comprising a second power source
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`(VDD/J/VM), provided separately from a first power source (a voltage boost circuit for
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`generating a drive voltage VH; { [0021]) of a light emitting power source (a voltage boost circuit
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`Application/Control Number: 12/139,577
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`Art Unit: 2696
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`Page 15
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`for generating a drive voltage VH; {| [0021]) which generates an electric current which enables to
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`pixel to emit light ({ [0021]-[0022]), and
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`a detection circuit (J1-Jn, LC1-LCn, 11-13; Figs. 2-3) which, whenthe pixels are
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`connected with the second power source (VDD/J/VM; see the above discussion) of the detection-
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`use power source (VDD/J/VM)provided separately from the first power source (the voltage
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`boost circuit for generating a drive voltage VH; see the above discussion) of the light emitting
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`powersource (the voltage boost circuit for generating a drive voltage VH; see the above
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`discussion), detects at least one of the pixels whose voltage at an anode of an OLEDofthe pixel
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`is equal to or less than a threshold value (Fig. 2; {| [(0038]-[0039], disclosing if the electrical
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`potential at the anode supplied to the gate of the transistor is greater than the threshold voltage of
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`the transistor Q31, the pixel is defect, and if the electrical potential at the anode supplied to the
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`gate of the transistor is equal or less than the threshold voltage of the transistor Q31, the pixelis
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`normal).
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`Asto claim 12, Sato discloses that the changeovercircuit, during a period other than both
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`of a period of supplying the data signal to the pixel and a light emission period of the pixel
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`within | frame period, connects the pixel to the detection-use powersource provided separately
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`from the light emitting power source ({[ [0033]-[0034]).
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`Asto claim 14, Sato discloses an image display device (Figs. 1-2) comprising:
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`a display panel (1; Fig. 1) which is constituted of a plurality of pixels ({j [0020], lines 1-
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`2);
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`Application/Control Number: 12/139,577
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`Art Unit: 2696
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`Page 16
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`a data line drive circuit (2; Fig. 1) which drives the pixels based on a data signal (a video
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`signal; Fig. 1; {[ [0023], [0024]);
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`a scanning line drive circuit (3; Fig. 1) which scans the pixels ({{ [0022]);
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`a changeovercircuit (Sal-San, Sk1-Skm; Fig. 1) which changes over the supply of a data
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`signal to the pixels or the supply of electricity from a detection-use power source (the “claimed”
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`detection-use powersource can be considerably correspondto an operation power source VDD
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`or a power source comprising elements J1/J2/...; see Figs. 1-2 and { [0027]; or a reverse bias
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`voltage VM; see Fig. 1; J 0035]) comprising a second power source (VDD/J/VM), provided
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`separately from a first power source (a voltage boost circuit for generating a drive voltage VH; {
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`[0021]) of a light emitting power source (a voltage boost circuit for generating a drive voltage
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`VH; { [0021]) which generates an electric current which enables to pixel to emit light (4 [0021]-
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`[0022]), and
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`a detection circuit (J1-Jn, LC1-LCn, 11-13; Figs. 2-3) which, whenelectricity is supplied
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`to the pixels from said second power source (VDD/J/VM; see the above discussion) of the
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`detection-use power source (VDD/J/VM)provided separately from the first power source (the
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`voltage boost circuit for generating a drive voltage VH; see the above discussion) of the light
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`emitting power source (the voltage boost circuit for generating a drive voltage VH; see the above
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`discussion), detects at least one of the pixels whose voltage is equal to or less than a threshold
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`value (Fig. 2; { [0038]-[0039], disclosing if the electrical potential at the anode supplied to the
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`gate of the transistor is greater than the threshold voltage of the transistor Q31, the pixelis
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`defect, and if the electrical potential at the anode supplied to the gate of the transistor is equal or
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`less than the threshold voltage of the transistor Q31, the pixel is normal).
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`Application/Control Number: 12/139,577
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`Art Unit: 2696
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`Page 17
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`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
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`13.
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`The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103(a) which formsthe basisforall
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`obviousnessrejections set forth in this Office action:
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`(a) A patent may not be obtained though the inventionis not identically disclosed or described as set forth in
`section 102 ofthistitle, if the differences between the subject matter sought to be patented andthe priorartare
`such that the subject matter as a whole would have been obviousat the time the invention was madeto a person
`having ordinary skill in the art to which said subject matter pertains. Patentability shall not be negativ