`
`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
`Alexandria1 Virginia 22313- 1450
`wwwnsptogov
`
`APPLICATION NO.
`
`
`
`
` F ING DATE
`
`FIRST NAMED INVENTOR
`
`ATTORNEY DOCKET NO.
`
`
`
`
`CONF {MATION NO.
`
`12/262,244
`
`10/31/2008
`
`Junichi MARUYAMA
`
`1497.49364X00
`
`5858
`
`20457
`
`7590
`
`07/14/2014
`
`ANTONELLLTERRY,STOUT&KRAUS,LLP
`1300 NORTH SEVENTEENTH STREET
`SUITE 1800
`ARLINGTON, VA 22209-3873
`
`
`
`
`HERMANN, K {KW
`
`2622
`
`MAIL DATE
`
`07/ 14/2014
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`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)
`
`

`

`
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Application No.
`
`Applicant(s)
`
`12/262,244
`
`Examiner
`KIRK HERMANN
`
`MARUYAMA ET AL.
`
`Art Unit
`2622
`
`-- The MAILING DA TE of this communication appears on the cover sheet with the correspondence address --
`Period for Reply
`
`A SHORTENED STATUTORY PERIOD FOR REPLY IS 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 CFR1. 136( a).
`In no event however may a reply be timely filed
`after SIX () 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, even if timely filed, may reduce any
`earned patent term adjustment. See 37 CFR 1.704(b).
`
`Status
`
`1)IZI Responsive to communication(s) filed on 18 March 2014.
`
`2a)IZ| This action is FINAL.
`
`2b)I:l This action is non-final.
`
`3)I:I An election was made by the applicant in response to a restriction requirement set forth during the interview on
`
`
`; the restriction requirement and election have been incorporated into this action.
`
`4)|:l Since this application is in condition for allowance except for formal matters, prosecution as to the merits is
`
`closed in accordance with the practice under Exparte Quay/e, 1935 CD. 11, 453 O.G. 213.
`
`Disposition of Claims
`
`5)IZI Claim(s) 3-79 11 and 16-22 is/are pending in the application.
`
`5a) Of the above claim(s) _ is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`
`6 I:I Claim s) _ is/are allowed.
`
`3- 79 11 and 16-22 is/are rejected.
`
`is/are objected to.
`
`are subject to restriction and/or election requirement.
`
`Application Papers
`
`10)I:I The specification is objected to by the Examiner.
`
`11)|:| The drawing(s) filed on _ is/are: a)|:l accepted or b)I:l 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)I:I 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)I:I Acknowledgment is made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d) or (f).
`
`a)|:l All
`
`b)I:I Some * c)|:l None of:
`
`1.I:I Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`
`2.I:I Certified copies of the priority documents have been received in Application No. _
`
`3.|:I 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) X Notice of References Cited (PTO-892)
`2) D Notice of Draftsperson‘s Patent Drawing Review (PTO-948)
`3) El Information Disclosure Statement(s) (PTO/SB/OS)
`Paper No(s)/Mai| Date _.
`US. Patent and Trademark Office
`
`4) D Interview Summary (PTO-413)
`Paper N°(5 )/Mai| Date. _
`5)I:I Notice of Informal Patent Application
`)6|:| Other:
`
`PTOL-326 (Rev. 03-11)
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Part of Paper No./Mai| Date 20140701
`
`
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 12/262,244
`
`Page 2
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`Art Unit: 2622
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`DETAILED ACTION
`
`Pre-AIA Status of Application
`
`1.
`
`The present application is being examined under the pre-AIA first to invent
`
`provisions.
`
`Summary of Applicant’s Response
`
`2.
`
`Applicant's submission filed on March 18, 2014 (hereinafter referred to as the
`
`“03/18/14 Response”) includes: (a) claims 21-22 are new; (b) claim 11 is currently
`
`amended; (c) claims 3-4, 6-7, 9 and 16-20 are previously presented; (d) claims 5 is
`
`original; (e) claims 1-2, 8, 10 and 12-15 are canceled; and (f) the grounds for rejection
`
`set forth in the December 16, 2013 office action are traversed. Claims 3-7, 9, 11 and
`
`16-22 are currently pending and an office action on the merits follows.
`
`Claim Rejections — 35 USC § 103
`
`3.
`
`The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103(a) which forms the basis for all
`
`obviousness rejections set forth 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 of this 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.
`
`4.
`
`The factual inquiries set forth in Graham v. John Deere Co., 383 U.S. 1, 148
`
`USPQ 459 (1966), which are applied for establishing a background for determining
`
`obviousness under 3.5. U.S.C. 103(a), are summarized as follows:
`
`Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
`1.
`Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
`2.
`Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
`3.
`Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or
`4.
`nonobviousness.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 12/262,244
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`Page 3
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`Art Unit: 2622
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`5.
`
`This application currently names joint inventors.
`
`In considering patentability of
`
`the claims under 35 U.S.C. 103(a), the examiner presumes that the subject matter of
`
`the various claims was commonly owned at the time any inventions covered therein
`
`were made absent any evidence to the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation
`
`under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and invention dates of each claim that was
`
`not commonly owned at the time a later invention was made in order for the examiner to
`
`consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 103(c) and potential 35 U.S.C. 102(e), (f) or (g)
`
`prior art under 35 U.S.C. 103(a).
`
`6.
`
`Independent claim 11 and claims 3-5, 7, 9 and 19 that depend on it are rejected
`
`under 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as being unpatentable over embodiment 2 of KONNO ET AL.
`
`(U.S. Patent Publication No. 2005/0184952 A1) in view of the fourth embodiment of
`
`BABA ET AL. (U.S. Patent Publication No. 2002/0003522 A1) in further view of the first
`
`embodiment of BABA ET AL.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 12/262,244
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`Page 4
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`Art Unit: 2622
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`FIG.12
`
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`
`Regarding independent claim 11, embodiment 2 of KONNO ET AL. discloses a
`
`display device having a display panel arrayed with a plurality of pixels (See e.g.,
`
`FIG. 12; para [0037] — “FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a detailed construction of
`
`the whole of a video display apparatus": [01 12] — “In. FIG. 12, an LCD panel"; and
`
`[0114] — “the pixel signal 310 to calculate backlight luminance distributions of individual
`
`areas”), and a backlight for illuminating the display panel (See e.g., FIG. 3; FIG.
`
`12, reference number 20; para [0111] — “the overall schematic construction shown in
`
`FIG. 3 according to the invention will be detailed and like parts will be designated by like
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 12/262,244
`
`Page 5
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`Art Unit: 2622
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`reference numerals”; and [0113] — “An LED panel 20 functioning as a backlight”),
`
`wherein image data is received as input and displayed on the display panel (See
`
`e.g., para [0112]) comprising: a plurality of backlight areas that constitute the
`
`backlight (See e.g., Fle. 3 and 12, reference number 20; para [0111]; and [0113]);
`
`and a lighting drive circuit in which the backlight areas are associated so as to
`
`illuminate the plurality of pixels of the display panel (See e.g., para [0113]-[0114];
`
`[0119]-[0120]; and [0122]), the backlight areas within a single frame time of the
`
`image data can be switched on and off at least one time or more (See e.g., para
`
`[0114]-[0115]; and [0122]), the lighting periods of each of the backlight areas can
`
`be varied (See e.g., para [0114]-[0115]; and [0122] — this teaches the lighting in each
`
`backlight area, which is turned on by pulse width modulation, can be adjusted based on
`
`the image to be displayed in the particular area as well as based on the brightness of
`
`the area that is determined by a sensor), the backlight areas are switched off after
`
`the lighting periods has elapsed (See e.g., para [0122]; and [0132] — this teaches
`
`pulse width modulation, which outputs an on and an off signal during a portion of its
`
`cycle. For example, for a 10% duty cycle it would be on 10 percent of the time and off
`
`90 percent of the time), and the amount of light emitted per unit of time in a lighting
`
`period can be varied (See e.g., para [0114]-[0115]; and [0122] — this teaches the
`
`lighting in each backlight area, which is turned on by pulse width modulation, can be
`
`adjusted based on the image to be displayed in the particular area as well as based on
`
`the brightness of the area that is determined by a sensor) wherein: the lighting drive
`
`circuit comprises a circuit for extracting characteristics of an entire single frame
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 12/262,244
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`Page 6
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`Art Unit: 2622
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`of the image data and a circuit for extracting for each backlight area the
`
`characteristics of a plurality of pixels for illuminating the backlight areas of image
`
`data (See e.g., para [O114]-[O116]; and [0118]); the length of the lighting period of
`
`the backlight is adjusted in accordance with the characteristics of the entire
`
`single frame of the image data (See e.g., para [0122] — each LED, which is current
`
`driven device, is supplied with a PWM signal); the amount of light emitted per unit of
`
`time in the lighting period is adjusted in accordance with the characteristics of
`
`the plurality of pixels illuminated by the backlight and the characteristics of the
`
`entire single frame of the image data for each area of the backlight by adiusting
`
`the length of time that current is allowed to flow through the backlight during the
`
`lighting period (See e.g., para [O113]-[O114]; and [0122] — each LED, which is current
`
`driven device, is supplied with a PWM signal),_wherein the characteristic of the entire
`
`single frame of the image data is the maximum value of the gray levels of the
`
`image data included in the single frame (See e.g., para [O114]-[0114]; and [0118]);
`
`and wherein the characteristic of the plurality of pixels illuminated by the
`
`backlight for each area of the backlight is the maximum value of the gray levels of
`
`the image data that corresponds to the plurality of pixels (See e.g., para [0114]-
`
`[0114]; and [0118]), whereby control of the amount of light emitted per unit of time
`
`in the lighting period is carried out for each area in accordance with the
`
`characteristics of the image data included in the corresponding area among the
`
`input image data (See e.g., para [O114]-[O114]; and [0118]) in addition to the
`
`characteristics of the entire single screen (See e.g., FIG. 13, reference labels 90p1,
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 12/262,244
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`Page 7
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`Art Unit: 2622
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`90p2 and 90p3; para [0118]; and [0120]), and so that the amount of light emitted per
`
`unit of time in the lighting period is reduced as the maximum value of the gray
`
`levels of the image data that corresponds to the plurality of pixels for each area is
`
`reduced (See e.g., para [0114]-[0114]; [0118]; [0120]; and [0122] — each LED, which is
`
`current driven device, is supplied with a PWM signal according to the individually
`
`determined brightness level for that LED for a particular frame of video data).
`
`However, embodiment 2 of KONNO ET AL. does not explicitly disclose the
`
`backlight areas are switched on after a predetermined standby time has elapsed
`
`after the display data of the plurality of pixels illuminated by the backlight areas
`
`has been updated, the predetermined standby time is adjusted in accordance
`
`with the length of the lighting periods of the backlight areas.
`
`However, the fourth embodiment of BABA ET AL. does disclose the backlight
`
`areas are switched on after a predetermined standby time has elapsed after the
`
`display data of the plurality of pixels illuminated by the backlight areas has been
`
`updated (See e.g., para [0142]-[0144]).
`
`However, the first embodiment of BABA ET AL. does disclose the
`
`predetermined standby time is adjusted in accordance with the length of the
`
`lighting periods of the backlight areas (See e.g., para [0100]-[0101]).
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the
`
`invention to modify the third embodiment of embodiment 2 of KONNO ET AL.’s
`
`disclosure of a display device having a display panel arrayed with a plurality of
`
`pixels, and a backlight for illuminating the display panel, wherein image data is
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 12/262,244
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`Page 8
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`Art Unit: 2622
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`received as input and displayed on the display panel comprising: a plurality of
`
`backlight areas that constitute the backlight; and a lighting drive circuit in which
`
`the backlight areas are associated so as to illuminate the plurality of pixels of the
`
`display panel, the backlight areas within a single frame time of the image data can
`
`be switched on and off at least one time or more, the lighting periods of each of
`
`the backlight areas can be varied, the backlight areas are switched off after the
`
`lighting periods has elapsed, and the amount of light emitted per unit of time in a
`
`lighting period can be varied wherein: the lighting drive circuit comprises a
`
`circuit for extracting characteristics of an entire single frame of the image data
`
`and a circuit for extracting for each backlight area the characteristics of a
`
`plurality of pixels for illuminating the backlight areas of image data; the length of
`
`the lighting period of the backlight is adjusted in accordance with the
`
`characteristics of the entire single frame of the image data; the amount of light
`
`emitted per unit of time in the lighting period is adjusted in accordance with the
`
`characteristics of the plurality of pixels illuminated by the backlight and the
`
`characteristics of the entire single frame of the image data for each area of the
`
`backlight by adjusting the length of time that current is allowed to flow through
`
`the backlight during the lighting period, wherein the characteristic of the entire
`
`single frame of the image data is the maximum value of the gray levels of the
`
`image data included in the single frame; and wherein the characteristic of the
`
`plurality of pixels illuminated by the backlight for each area of the backlight is the
`
`maximum value of the gray levels of the image data that corresponds to the
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 12/262,244
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`Page 9
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`Art Unit: 2622
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`plurality of pixels, whereby control of the amount of light emitted per unit of time
`
`in the lighting period is carried out for each area in accordance with the
`
`characteristics of the image data included in the corresponding area among the
`
`input image data in addition to the characteristics of the entire single screen, and
`
`so that the amount of light emitted per unit of time in the lighting period is
`
`reduced as the maximum value of the gray levels of the image data that
`
`corresponds to the plurality of pixels for each area is reduced to include: (i) the
`
`fourth embodiment of BABA ET AL.’s teaching of the backlight areas are switched on
`
`after a predetermined standby time has elapsed after the display data of the
`
`plurality of pixels illuminated by the backlight areas has been updated, for
`
`example, “to display the image with high quality” as taught by the fourth embodiment of
`
`BABA ET AL. (See e.g., para [0144]) and because BABA ET AL. explicitly states that
`
`the features of different embodiments can be combined (See e.g., para [0022]); and (ii)
`
`the first embodiment of BABA ET AL.’s teaching of the predetermined standby time is
`
`adjusted in accordance with the length of the lighting periods of the backlight
`
`areas, for example, to enhance the maximum brightness level of the displayed image
`
`as taught by the first embodiment of BABA ET AL. (See e.g., para [0096]) and because
`
`BABA ET AL. explicitly states that the features of different embodiments can be
`
`combined (See e.g., para [0022]).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 12/262,244
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`Page 10
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`Art Unit: 2622
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`Regarding dependent claim 3, embodiment 2 of KONNO ET AL. as modified by
`
`the first embodiment of BABA ET AL. as further modified by the first embodiment of
`
`BABA ET AL. teaches [a] display device according to claim 11 as applied above.
`
`Embodiment 2 of KONNO ET AL. further discloses comprising: a data
`
`converting circuit for converting the image data in accordance with the
`
`characteristics of the image data extracted in the circuit for extracting the
`
`characteristics of the image data (See e.g., para [0114]); and a circuit for
`
`displaying the converted image data on the display panel (See e.g., FIG. 3,
`
`reference number 80; FIG. 12, reference numbers 10 and 25; para [0122]).
`
`Regarding dependent claim 4, embodiment 2 of KONNO ET AL. as modified by
`
`the first embodiment of BABA ET AL. as further modified by the first embodiment of
`
`BABA ET AL. teaches [a] display device according to claim 11 as applied above.
`
`Embodiment 2 of KONNO ET AL. further discloses comprising: a circuit for
`
`receiving as input an externally set brightness signal for adjusting the brightness
`
`of the backlight (See e.g. FIGs. 17A-17D; para [0113]; see also embodiment 5’s
`
`teaching of the backlight controlled by an ambient sensor and/or a remote controller)
`
`and a circuit for adjusting the length of the lighting period of the backlight in
`
`accordance with the externally set brightness signal (See e.g., para [0113]; [0116];
`
`and [0122]).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 12/262,244
`
`Page 11
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`Art Unit: 2622
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`Regarding dependent claim 5, embodiment 2 of KONNO ET AL. as modified by
`
`the first embodiment of BABA ET AL. as further modified by the first embodiment of
`
`BABA ET AL. teaches [a] display device according to claim 4 as applied above.
`
`Embodiment 2 of KONNO ET AL. further discloses comprising: a data
`
`converting circuit for converting the image data in accordance with the externally
`
`set brightness signal (See e.g., para [0113]; [0116]; and [0122]); and a circuit for
`
`displaying the image data on the display panel (See e.g., para [0112]; and [0122]).
`
`Regarding dependent claim 7, embodiment 2 of KONNO ET AL. as modified by
`
`the first embodiment of BABA ET AL. as further modified by the first embodiment of
`
`BABA ET AL. teaches [a] display device according to claim 11 as applied above.
`
`Embodiment 2 of KONNO ET AL. further discloses comprising: a circuit for
`
`adjusting the brightness of the backlight in accordance with brightness
`
`information of the image data (See e.g., para [0118]; and [0122]); and a circuit for
`
`controlling so that the lighting period of the backlight in the lighting drive circuit
`
`is shortened as the brightness of the backlight is reduced (See e.g., para [0118];
`
`[0122]; and [0132]).
`
`Regarding dependent claim 9, embodiment 2 of KONNO ET AL. as modified by
`
`the first embodiment of BABA ET AL. as further modified by the first embodiment of
`
`BABA ET AL. teaches [a] display device according to claim 19 as applied below.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 12/262,244
`
`Page 12
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`Art Unit: 2622
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`Embodiment 2 of KONNO ET AL. further discloses comprising a circuit for
`
`controlling so that the lighting period of the backlight is shortened in the lighting
`
`drive circuit as the brightness of the backlight is reduced according to the
`
`brightness information (See e.g., para [0118]; [0122]; and [0132]).
`
`Regarding dependent claim 19, embodiment 2 of KONNO ET AL. as modified by
`
`the first embodiment of BABA ET AL. as further modified by the first embodiment of
`
`BABA ET AL. teaches [a] display device according to claim 11 as applied above.
`
`Embodiment mode 2 KONNO ET AL. further discloses comprising: a circuit for
`
`determining a target brightness value in accordance with a combination of the
`
`characteristics of the entire single frame of the image data and an externally set
`
`brightness signal by an external device (See e.g., para [0113]; [0116]; and [0122].
`
`See also, Embodiment 5’s para [0147]), for adjusting the length of the lighting
`
`period of the backlight in accordance with the target brightness information, and
`
`for adjusting the amount of light emitted per unit of time in the lighting period in
`
`accordance with the target brightness information and the characteristics of the
`
`plurality of pixels illuminated by the backlight for each area of the backlight (See
`
`e.g., para [0113]; [0116]; and [0122]. See also, Embodiment 5’s para [0147]).
`
`7.
`
`Independent claim 11 and claims 6 that depends on it are rejected under 35
`
`U.S.C. 103(a) as being unpatentable over embodiment 3 of KONNO ET AL. in view of
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 12/262,244
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`Page 13
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`Art Unit: 2622
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`the fourth embodiment of BABA ET AL. in further view of the first embodiment of BABA
`
`ET AL. in yet further view of embodiment 6 of KONNO ET AL..
`
`FIG. ‘18
`
`
`
`Regarding independent claim 11, embodiment 3 of KONNO ET AL. discloses a
`
`display device having a display panel (See e.g., FIG. 18, reference number 10; para
`
`[0124]) arrayed with a plurality of pixels (See e.g., FIG. 18, reference number 25;
`
`para [0124] — “A partitive area type backlight using light emitting diodes LED's is
`
`constructed as shown in FIG. 18...The LED panel 20 is divided into predetermined
`
`areas 25 and a plurality of (here, four) LED’s are arranged in each area 25.”; and [0134]
`
`— “pixels contained in the backlight area”), and a backlight (See e.g., FIG. 18,
`
`reference number 25; para [0124] — “A partitive area type backlight using light emitting
`
`diodes LED's is constructed as shown in FIG. 18...The LED panel 20 is divided into
`
`predetermined areas 25 and a plurality of (here, four) LED’s are arranged in each area
`
`25. The LED panel 20 is disposed immediately beneath the LCD panel 10”) for
`
`illuminating the display panel (See e.g., para [0124] — “A partitive area type backlight
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 12/262,244
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`Page 14
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`Art Unit: 2622
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`using light emitting diodes LED's is constructed as shown in FIG. 18...The LED panel
`
`20 is divided into predetermined areas 25 and a plurality of (here, four) LED’s are
`
`arranged in each area 25. The LED panel 20 is disposed immediately beneath the LCD
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`panel 10”), wherein image data is received as input and displayed on the display
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`panel (See e.g., para [0127]) comprising: a plurality of backlight areas that
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`constitute the backlight (See e.g., FIG. 18, reference numbers 25; para [0124]); and a
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`lighting drive circuit in which the backlight areas are associated so as to
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`illuminate the plurality of pixels of the display panel (See e.g., FIG. 3, reference
`
`number 80; FIG. 18, reference numbers 10 and 25; para [0122]; and [0127]), the
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`backlight areas within a single frame time of the image data can be switched on
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`and off at least one time or more (See e.g., para [0127]), the lighting periods of
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`each of the backlight areas can be varied (See e.g., para [0127]), the backlight
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`areas are switched off after the lighting periods has elapsed (See e.g., para [0122]
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`and [0127]), and the amount of light emitted per unit of time in a lighting period
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`can be varied (See e.g., para [0122] and [0127]).
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`However, embodiment 3 of KONNO ET AL. does not explicitly disclose the
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`backlight areas are switched on after a predetermined standby time has elapsed
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`after the display data of the plurality of pixels illuminated by the backlight areas
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`has been updated; the predetermined standby time is adjusted in accordance
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`with the length of the lighting periods of the backlight areas; wherein: the lighting
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`drive circuit comprises a circuit for extracting characteristics of an entire single
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`frame of the image data and a circuit for extracting for each backlight area the
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`Application/Control Number: 12/262,244
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`Page 15
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`Art Unit: 2622
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`characteristics of a plurality of pixels for illuminating the backlight areas of image
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`data; the length of the lighting period of the backlight is adjusted in accordance
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`with the characteristics of the entire single frame of the image data; the amount
`
`of light emitted per unit of time in the lighting period is adjusted in accordance
`
`with the characteristics of the plurality of pixels illuminated by the backlight and
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`the characteristics of the entire single frame of the image data for each area of
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`the backlight by adiusting the length of time that current is allowed to flow
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`through the backlight during the lighting period, wherein the characteristic of the
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`entire single frame of the image data is the maximum value of the gray levels of
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`the image data included in the single frame; and wherein the characteristic of the
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`plurality of pixels illuminated by the backlight for each area of the backlight is the
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`maximum value of the gray levels of the image data that corresponds to the
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`plurality of pixels, whereby control of the amount of light emitted per unit of time
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`in the lighting period is carried out for each area in accordance with the
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`characteristics of the image data included in the corresponding area among the
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`input image data in addition to the characteristics of the entire single screen, and
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`so that the amount of light emitted per unit of time in the lighting period is
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`reduced as the maximum value of the gray levels of the image data that
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`corresponds to the plurality of pixels for each area is reduced.
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`However, the fourth embodiment of BABA ET AL. does disclose the backlight
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`areas are switched on after a predetermined standby time has elapsed after the
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`Application/Control Number: 12/262,244
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`Page 16
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`Art Unit: 2622
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`display data of the plurality of pixels illuminated by the backlight areas has been
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`updated (See e.g., para [O142]—[O144]).
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`However, the first embodiment of BABA ET AL. does disclose the
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`predetermined standby time is adjusted in accordance with the length of the
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`lighting periods of the backlight areas (See e.g., para [O100]-[O101]).
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`However, embodiment 6 of KONNO ET AL. does disclose wherein: the lighting
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`drive circuit comprises a circuit for extracting characteristics of an entire single
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`frame of the image data and a circuit for extracting for each backlight area the
`
`characteristics of a plurality of pixels for illuminating the backlight areas of image
`
`data (See e.g., para [O150]—[O157]; and [0159]); the length of the lighting period of
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`the backlight is adjusted in accordance with the characteristics of the entire
`
`single frame of the image data (See e.g., para [O150]—[O157]; and [0159]); the
`
`amount of light emitted per unit of time in the lighting period is adjusted in
`
`accordance with the characteristics of the plurality of pixels illuminated by the
`
`backlight and the characteristics of the entire single frame of the image data for
`
`each area of the backlight by adjusting the length of time that current is allowed
`
`to flow through the backlight during the lighting period (See e.g., para [0150]-
`
`[0157]; and [0159]), wherein the characteristic of the entire single frame of the
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`image data is the maximum value of the gray levels of the image data included in
`
`the single frame (See e.g., para [O150]—[O157]; and [0159]); and wherein the
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`characteristic of the plurality of pixels illuminated by the backlight for each area
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`of the backlight is the maximum value of the gray levels of the image data that
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`Application/Control Number: 12/262,244
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`Page 17
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`Art Unit: 2622
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`corresponds to the plurality of pixels (See e.g., para [0150]-[0157]; and [0159]),
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`whereby control of the amount of light emitted per unit of time in the lighting
`
`period is carried out for each area in accordance with the characteristics of the
`
`image data included in the corresponding area among the input image data in
`
`addition to the characteristics of the entire single screen (See e.g., para [0150]-
`
`[0157]; and [0159]), and so that the amount of light emitted per unit of time in the
`
`lighting period is reduced as the maximum value of the gray levels of the image
`
`data that corresponds to the plurality of pixels for each area is reduced (See e.g.,
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`para [0150]-[0157]; and [0159]).
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`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the
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`invention to modify embodiment 3 of KONNO ET AL.’s disclosure of a display device
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`having a display panel arrayed with a plurality of pixels, and a backlight for
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`illuminating the display panel, wherein image data is received as input and
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`displayed on the display panel comprising: a plurality of backlight areas that
`
`constitute the backlight; and a lighting drive circuit in which the backlight areas
`
`are associated so as to illuminate the plurality of pixels of the display panel, the
`
`backlight areas within a single frame time of the image data can be switched on
`
`and off at least one time or more, the lighting periods of each of the backlight
`
`areas can be varied, the backlight areas are switched off after the lighting periods
`
`has elapsed, and the amount of light emitted per unit of time in a lighting period
`
`can be varied to include: (i) the fourth embodiment of BABA ET AL.’s teaching of the
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`backlight areas are switched on after a predetermined standby time has elapsed
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 12/262,244
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`Page 18
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`Art Unit: 2622
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`after the display data of the plurality of pixels illuminated by the backlight areas
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`has been updated, for example, “to display the image with high quality” as taught by
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`the fourth embodiment of BABA ET AL. (See e.g., para [0144]) and because BABA ET
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`AL. explicitly states that the features of different embodiments can be combined (See
`
`e.g., para [0022]); (ii) the first embodiment of BABA ET AL.’s teaching of the
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`predetermined standby time is adjusted in accordance with the length of the
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`lighting periods of the backlight areas, for example, to enhance the maximum
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`brightness level of the displayed image as taught by the first embodiment of BABA ET
`
`AL. (See e.g., para [0096]) and because BABA ET AL. explicitly states that the features
`
`of different embodiments can be combined (See e.g., para [0022]); (iii) embodiment 6 of
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`KONNO ET AL.’s teaching of wherein: the lighting drive circuit comprises a circuit
`
`for extracting characteristics of an entire single frame of the image data and a
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`circuit for extracting for each backlight area the characteristics of a plurality of
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`pixels for illuminating the backlight areas of image data, for example, to display an
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`image that respects the interactive effect of the individual display areas as taught by
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`KONNO ET AL. (See e.g., para [0159]); (iv) embodiment 6 of KONNO ET AL.’s
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`teaching of the length of the lighting period of the backlight is adjusted in
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`accordance with the characteristics of the entire single frame of the image data,
`
`for example, to display an image that respects the interactive effect of the individual
`
`display areas as taught by KONNO ET AL. (See e.g., para [0159]);
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`(v) embodiment 6 of
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`KONNO ET AL.’s teaching of the amount of light emitted per unit of time in the
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`lighting period is adjusted in accordance with the characteristics of the plurality
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`Application/Control Number: 12/262,244
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`Page 19
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`Art Unit: 2622
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`of pixels illuminated by the backlight and