`
`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
`www.uspto.gov
`
`APPLICATION NO.
`
`
`
`
`
` F ING DATE
`
`FIRST NAMED INVENTOR
`
`ATTORNEY DOCKET NO.
`
`
`
`
`
`CONF {MATION NO.
`
`13/255,112
`
`09/07/2011
`
`Yutaka Yoshihama
`
`MAT—10477US
`
`3864
`
`EXAMINER
`RATNERPRESTIA —
`10’0”“ —
`7590
`52473
`PO. BOX 980
`LAU, JOHNY
`VALLEY FORGE, PA 19482-0980
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`ART UNIT
`
`2692
`
`
`
`
`NOT *ICATION DATE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`10/03/2013
`
`ELECTRONIC
`
`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.
`
`Notice of the Office communication was sent electronically on above—indicated "Notification Date" to the
`following e—mail address(es):
`
`ptocorrespondence @ratnerprestia.c0m
`
`PTOL—90A (Rev. 04/07)
`
`

`

`
`
`Applicant(s)
`Application No.
` 13/255,112 YOSHIHAMA ET AL.
`
`
`AIA (First Inventorto File)
`Art Unit
`Examiner
`Office Action Summary
`
`
`JOHNY LAU first“ 2692
`-- 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 CFR 1.136(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)IXI Responsive to communication(s) filed on 9/7/2011.
`[I A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/were filed on
`
`2b)lX| This action is non-final.
`a)I:| This action is 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)|:I 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 EX parte Quay/e, 1935 CD. 11, 453 O.G. 213.
`
`Disposition of Claims
`5)|XI Claim(s) 1-10is/are pending in the application.
`5a) Of the above claim(s)
`is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`6)|:l Claim(s) _ is/are allowed.
`7)IZ| Claim(s)_1-10 is/are rejected.
`8)I:I Claim(s) _ is/are objected to.
`
`9)|:l Claim((s)
`are subject to 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
`htt
`://www.usoto. ov/ atentS/init events"
`
`
`
`h/index.‘s or send an inquiry to PF"I-Ifeedback{<‘buspto.qov.
`
`Application Papers
`
`10)I:I The specification is objected to by the Examiner.
`11)|:I The drawing(s) filed on _ is/are: a)I:I accepted or b)I:I 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)IZI Acknowledgment is made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d) or (f).
`Certified copies:
`
`b)I:I Some * c)I:I None of the:
`a)le All
`1.IZI 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) E Notice of References Cited (PTO-892)
`
`3) I] Interview Summary (PTO-413)
`
`Paper NOISIIMa” Date —
`PTO/SB/08
`t
`St t
`I
`D'
`t'
`f
`2 IXI I
`
`4) I:I Other:
`a emen (s)(
`Isc osure
`n orma Ion
`)
`)
`Paper No(s)/Mai| Date 9/7/2011 2/2/2012 8/22/2013 .
`
`US. Patent and Trademark Office
`PTOL-326 (Rev. 08-13)
`
`Part of Paper No./Mai| Date 05151961
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 13/255,112
`
`Page 2
`
`Art Unit: 2692
`
`DETAILED ACTION
`
`1.
`
`The present application is being examined under the pre-AIA first to invent
`
`provisions.
`
`2.
`
`Claims 1-10 are pending in the present application
`
`Priority
`
`3.
`
`Receipt is acknowledged of papers submitted under 35 U.S.C. 119(a)-(d), which
`
`papers have been placed of record in the file 9/7/2011.
`
`Information Disclosure Statement
`
`4.
`
`The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 9/7/2011 is in
`
`compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure
`
`statement is being considered by the examiner.
`
`Double Patenting
`
`5.
`
`The nonstatutory double patenting rejection is based on a judicially created
`
`doctrine grounded in public policy (a policy reflected in the statute) so as to prevent the
`
`unjustified or improper timewise extension of the “right to exclude” granted by a patent
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 13/255,112
`
`Page 3
`
`Art Unit: 2692
`
`and to prevent possible harassment by multiple assignees. A nonstatutory double
`
`patenting rejection is appropriate where the claims at issue are not identical, but at least
`
`one examined application claim is not patentably distinct from the reference claim(s)
`
`because the examined application claim is either anticipated by, or would have been
`
`obvious over, the reference claim(s). See, e.g., In re Berg, 140 F.3d 1428, 46 USPQ2d
`
`1226 (Fed. Cir. 1998); In re Goodman, 11 F.3d 1046, 29 USPQ2d 2010 (Fed. Cir.
`
`1993); In re Longi, 759 F.2d 887, 225 USPQ 645 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re Van Ornum,
`
`686 F.2d 937, 214 USPQ 761 (CCPA 1982); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619
`
`(CCPA 1970); and In re Thorington, 418 F.2d 528, 163 USPQ 644 (CCPA 1969).
`
`A timely filed terminal disclaimer in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321 (c) or 1.321(d)
`
`may be used to overcome an actual or provisional rejection based on a nonstatutory
`
`double patenting ground provided the reference application or patent either is shown to
`
`be commonly owned with this application, or claims an invention made as a result of
`
`activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement. A terminal
`
`disclaimer must be signed in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321 (b).
`
`The USPTO internet Web site contains terminal disclaimer forms which may be
`
`used. Please visit http://www.uspto.gov/forms/. The filing date of the application will
`
`determine what form should be used. A web-based eTerminal Disclaimer may be filled
`
`out completely online using web-screens. An eTerminal Disclaimer that meets all
`
`requirements is auto-processed and approved immediately upon submission. For more
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 13/255,112
`
`Page 4
`
`Art Unit: 2692
`
`information about eTerminal Disclaimers, refer to
`
`http://www.uspto.gov/patents/process/file/efs/guidance/eTD-info-l.jsp.
`
`6.
`
`Claims 1-10 are provisionally rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double
`
`patenting as being unpatentable over claim 1-11 of copending Application No.
`
`13/256,804.
`
`This is a provisional nonstatutory double patenting rejection since the claims
`
`directed to the same invention have not in fact been patented.
`
`Although the conflicting claims are not identical, they are not patentably distinct
`
`from each other because of the correspondence shown in the following table in view of
`
`the discussion of Yoshihama (Application 13/256, 804) immediately thereafter.
`
`Aoolication NO. 13/255,112
`Claim 1 & A driving method for a plasma
`Claim 6
`display panel (Claim 1) and a
`device Claim 6
`
`A00|ication NO. 13/256,804
`Claim 1 &
`A driving method for a plasma
`Claim 7
`display panel (Claim 1) and a
`device Claim 7
`
`
`
`the plasma display panel having a
`plurality of discharge cells, the
`discharge cells having display
`electrode pairs, each of the display
`electrode pairs being formed of a
`scan electrode and a sustain
`
`electrode,
`the plasma display panel displaying
`gradations such that a plurality of
`subfields is set in one field and
`each of the subfields has an
`
`initializing period, an address
`oeriod, and a sustain oeriod,
`applying any one of a forced
`initializing waveform, a selective
`initializing waveform and a non-
`initializing waveform to the scan
`electrodes, the forced initializino
`
`the plasma display panel having a
`plurality of discharge cells, the
`discharge cells having display
`electrode pairs, each of the
`display electrode pairs being
`formed of a scan electrode and a
`
`sustain electrode,
`the plasma display panel
`displaying gradations such that a
`plurality of subfields is set in one
`field and each of the subfields has
`
`an initializing period, an address
`oeriod, and a sustain oeriod,
`applying one of a forced
`initializing waveform, a selective
`initializing waveform, and a non-
`initializing waveform to the scan
`electrodes in the initializin.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 13/255,112
`
`Page 5
`
`AnlJnH:2692
`
`waveform causing an initializing
`discharge in the discharge cells
`irrespective of an operation in the
`immediately preceding subfield, the
`selective initializing waveform
`causing an initializing discharge
`only in the discharge cells having
`undergone a sustain discharge in
`the sustain period of the
`immediately preceding subfield, the
`non-initializing waveform causing
`no initializing discharge in the
`discharge cells;
`
`forming one field from a special
`initializing subfield and a plurality of
`selective initializing subfields, the
`special initializing subfield being
`where the forced initializing
`waveform or the non-initializing
`waveform is selectively applied to
`the scan electrodes in the
`
`initializing period, and the plurality
`of selective initializing subfields
`being where the selective
`initializing waveform is applied to all
`the scan electrodes in the
`
`period, the forced initializing
`waveform causing an initializing
`discharge in the discharge cells
`irrespective of an operation in an
`immediately preceding subfield,
`the selective initializing waveform
`causing an initializing discharge
`only in the discharge cells having
`undergone a sustain discharge in
`the sustain period of the
`immediately preceding subfield,
`the non-initializing waveform
`causing no initializing discharge in
`the discharoe cells;
`setting a specified-cell initializing
`subfield and a selective initializing
`subfield, the specified-cell
`initializing subfield being where
`the forced initializing waveform is
`applied to predetermined scan
`electrodes and the non-initializing
`waveform is applied to other scan
`electrodes in the initializing
`period, and a selective initializing
`subfield being where the selective
`initializing waveform is applied to
`all the scan electrodes in the
`
`initializing period;
`
`initializing period;
`
`
`
`Claim 2
`& Claim 7
`
`forming one field group from the
`plurality of temporally consecutive
`fields, and setting the number of
`forced initializing waveforms to be
`applied to each of the scan
`electrodes to one in the one field
`OOI’OU'
`
`And applying the non-initializing
`waveform to the scan electrodes on
`both sides of the scan electrode
`
`applied with the forced initializing
`waveform in the special initializing
`subfield, in at least two special
`initializing subfields including the
`special initializing subfield and a
`special initializing subfield
`immediately succeeding the special
`initializino subfield.
`
`a scan electrode group is formed of
`the plurality of scan electrodes that
`are consecutively positioned, and
`the number of scan electrodes
`
`setting a specified-cell initializing
`field having the specified-cell
`initializing subfield and the
`plurality of selective initializing
`subfields;
`
`setting a non-initializing subfield
`where the non-initializing
`waveform is applied to all the
`scan electrodes in the initializing
`period, and an all-cell initializing
`subfield where the forced
`
`initializing waveform is applied to
`all the scan electrodes in the
`
`initializing period;
`
`wherein the forced initializing
`waveforms are generated such
`that the number of scan
`electrodes to be aoolied with the
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 13/255,112
`
`Page 6
`
`Art Unit: 2692
`
`specified-cell initializing fields.
`
`applied with the forced initializing
`waveform in one of the special
`initializing subfields is one or zero,
`in each of the scan electrode
`groups.
`
`forced initializing waveforms is
`equal in the respective specified-
`cell initializing subfields in the field
`group formed of the plurality of
`
`The primary difference between the claims of Application No. 13/255,112 and
`
`Application No. 13/2546,804 is in the dependent claims. Application 13/256,804 cites
`
`"black area or rate of regions gradation values below a certain threshold” while
`
`Application No. 13/255112 cites “wherein the field group is formed such that the
`
`initializing field is disposed alternately with the non-initializing field”. The independent
`
`Claims of both applications cite the same initialization and non-initialization waveforms.
`
`One of ordinary skill in the art would therefore have found it obvious to employ
`
`implementations of the known variants of applying the initialization reset pulse either on
`
`a subfield level or a scan line basis.
`
`This is a provisional obviousness-type double patenting rejection.
`
`Claims 1-10 are provisionally rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting
`
`as being unpatentable over claim 1-11 of copending Application No. 13/255,114.
`
`Although the conflicting claims are not identical, they are not patentably distinct
`
`from each other because of the correspondence shown in the following table in view of
`
`the discussion of Yoshihama (Application 13/255,114) immediately thereafter.
`
` Aoolication No.13/255,112
`Aoolication N0. 13/255,‘| 14
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 13/255,112
`
`Page 7
`
`Art Unit: 2692
`
`Claim 1 &
`Claim 6
`
`A driving method for a plasma
`display panel (Claim 1) and a
`device Claim 6
`
`Claim 1 &
`Claim 7
`
`A driving method for a plasma
`display panel (Claim 1) and a
`device Claim 7
`
`the plasma display panel having a
`plurality of discharge cells, the
`discharge cells having display
`electrode pairs, each of the display
`electrode pairs being formed of a
`scan electrode and a sustain
`
`electrode,
`the plasma display panel displaying
`gradations such that a plurality of
`subfields is set in one field and
`each of the subfields has an
`
`initializing period, an address
`oeriod, and a sustain oeriod,
`applying any one of a forced
`initializing waveform, a selective
`initializing waveform and a non-
`initializing waveform to the scan
`electrodes, the forced initializing
`waveform causing an initializing
`discharge in the discharge cells
`irrespective of an operation in the
`immediately preceding subfield, the
`selective initializing waveform
`causing an initializing discharge
`only in the discharge cells having
`undergone a sustain discharge in
`the sustain period of the
`immediately preceding subfield, the
`non-initializing waveform causing
`no initializing discharge in the
`discharge cells;
`
`the plasma display panel having a
`plurality of discharge cells, the
`discharge cells having display
`electrode pairs, each of the
`display electrode pairs being
`formed of a scan electrode and a
`
`sustain electrode,
`the plasma display panel
`displaying gradations such that a
`plurality of subfields is set in one
`field and each of the subfields has
`
`an initializing period, an address
`oeriod, and a sustain oeriod,
`applying one of a forced
`initializing waveform, a selective
`initializing waveform, and a non-
`initializing waveform to the scan
`electrodes in the initializing
`period, the forced initializing
`waveform causing an initializing
`discharge in the discharge cells
`irrespective of an operation in an
`immediately preceding subfield,
`the selective initializing waveform
`causing an initializing discharge
`only in the discharge cells having
`undergone a sustain discharge in
`the sustain period of the
`immediately preceding subfield,
`the non-initializing waveform
`causing no initializing discharge in
`the discharoe cells;
`setting a specified-cell initializing
`subfield and a selective initializing
`subfield, the specified-cell
`initializing subfield being where
`the forced initializing waveform is
`applied to predetermined scan
`electrodes and the non-initializing
`waveform is applied to other scan
`electrodes in the initializing
`period, and the selective
`initializing subfield being where
`the selective initializing waveform
`is applied to all the scan
`
`electrodes in the initializino oeriod
`
`forming one field from a special
`initializing subfield and a plurality of
`selective initializing subfields, the
`special initializing subfield being
`where the forced initializing
`waveform or the non-initializing
`waveform is selectively applied to
`the scan electrodes in the
`
`initializing period, and the plurality
`of selective initializing subfields
`being where the selective
`initializing waveform is applied to all
`the scan electrodes in the
`
`initializino oeriod;
`forming one field group from the
`plurality of temporally consecutive
`fields, and setting the number of
`forced initializino waveforms to be
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 13/255,112
`
`Page 8
`
`Art Unit: 2692
`
`applied to each of the scan
`electrodes to one in the one field
`
`ro—O;U
`
`Anda—pplyingthe non-initializing
`
`waveform to the scan electrodes on
`both sides of the scan electrode
`
`Claim 2
`& Claim 7
`
`applied with the forced initializing
`waveform in the special initializing
`subfield, in at least two special
`initializing subfields including the
`special initializing subfield and a
`special initializing subfield
`immediately succeeding the special
`initializing subfield.
`
`setting a non-initializing subfield
`where the non-initializing
`waveform is applied to all the
`scan electrodes in the initializing
`period, and an all-cell initializing
`subfield where the forced
`
`initializing waveform is applied to
`all the scan electrodes in the
`
`initializing period;
`setting at least three types of
`fields, the three types of fields
`including:
`the specified-cell initializing field;
`a non-initializing field having the
`non-initializing subfield and the
`plurality of
`selective initializino subfields;
`And an all-cell initializing field
`having the all-cell initializing
`subfield and the plurality of
`selective initializing subfields;
`forming one field group of the
`plurality of temporally consecutive
`fields by using any
`one or two of the three types of
`
`fields;
`
`Claim 2
`& Claim 7
`
`a scan electrode group is formed of
`the plurality of scan electrodes that
`are consecutively positioned, and
`the number of scan electrodes
`
`applied with the forced initializing
`waveform in one of the special
`initializing subfields is one or zero,
`in each of the scan electrode
`
`groups.
`
`The primary difference between the claims of Application No. 13/255,112 and
`
`Application No. 13/255,114 is in the dependent claims. Application 13/25,114 cites
`
`"frequency of forced initializing waveforms is reduced as average picture level
`
`decreases” while Application No. 13/255112 cites “wherein the field group is formed
`
`such that the initializing field is disposed alternately with the non-initializing field”. The
`
`independent Claims of both applications cite the same initialization and non-initialization
`
`waveforms. One of ordinary skill in the art would therefore have found it obvious to
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 13/255,112
`
`Page 9
`
`Art Unit: 2692
`
`employ implementations of the known variants of applying the initialization reset pulse
`
`either on a subfield level or a scan line basis.
`
`This is a provisional obviousness-type double patenting rejection.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
`
`7.
`
`The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of pre-AlA 35 U.S.C.
`
`102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
`
`A person shall 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 year prior to the date of application
`for patent in the United States.
`
`8.
`
`Claims 1-10 are rejected under pre-AlA 35 U.S.C. 102(b) as being unpatentable
`
`over US Patent Publication No. 2006/0164342 A1 to Cho et al. (“CHO”).
`
`Regarding Claim 1 — CHO teaches a driving method for a plasma display panel
`
`(Fig. 1, Plasma Display Panel [PDP] 1j0006),
`
`the plasma display panel having a plurality of discharge cells (Fig.1, Discharge
`
`Cell 30), the discharge cells having display electrode pairs, each of the display
`
`electrode pairs being formed of a scan electrode (Fig. 1, Scan Electrode 12A) and a
`
`sustain electrode (Fig 1, Sustain Electrode 12B),
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 13/255,112
`
`Page 10
`
`Art Unit: 2692
`
`the plasma display panel displaying gradations such that a plurality of subfields is
`
`set in one field and each of the subfields has an initializing period (Fig 9, “Initialization
`
`Period”), an address period (Fig 9, “Address”), and a sustain period (Fig 9, “Sustain”),
`
`the driving method comprising:
`
`applying any one of a forced initializing waveform (Fig 6, 110071 & 110080 Strong
`
`Reset),
`
`a selective initializing waveform (Fig 9, 110084 Selective Reset SR Pulse) ,
`
`and a non-initializing waveform (Fig 7, 110071 & 110081 Weak Discharge Pulse)
`
`to the scan electrodes (Fig 12, 110032),
`
`the forced initializing waveform causing an initializing discharge in the discharge
`
`cells irrespective of an operation in the immediately preceding subfield (Fig 2, 110013
`
`“As shown in FIG. 2, the PDP is driven in the manner of dividing one frame into an
`
`initialization period to initialize a full screen, an address period to select cells and a
`
`sustain period to sustain the discharge of the selected cells.”),
`
`the selective initializing waveform causing an initializing discharge only in the
`
`discharge cells having undergone a sustain discharge in the sustain period of the
`
`immediately preceding subfield (Fig 9, 110084 Selective Reset SR Pulse),
`
`the non-initializing waveform causing no initializing discharge in the discharge
`
`cells (Fig 7, 110071 & 110081 Weak Discharge Pulse);
`
`forming one field from a special initializing subfield and a plurality of selective
`
`initializing subfields, the special initializing subfield being where the forced initializing
`
`waveform or the non-initializing waveform is selectively applied to the scan electrodes in
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 13/255,112
`
`Page 11
`
`Art Unit: 2692
`
`the initializing period, and the plurality of selective initializing subfields being where the
`
`selective initializing waveform is applied to all the scan electrodes in the initializing
`
`period (Fig 12, 13, 14 110066 “In other words, a strong discharge reset pulse is applied
`
`to more than one group during a specific frame having 10 sub-fields or 12 sub-fields in a
`
`reset interval of each of p number of sub-fields. Further, if a strong discharge reset
`
`pulse is applied to more than one group during one frame, then a weak discharge reset
`
`pulse is simultaneously applied to the rest groups in a reset interval of each of q number
`
`of sub-fields.”),
`
`forming one field group from the plurality of temporally consecutive fields, and
`
`setting the number of forced initializing waveforms to be applied to each of the scan
`
`electrodes to one in the one field group (Fig 12, 13, 14 110068 “That is, a m
`
`discharge reset pulse is applied to the scan electrodes belong to more than one among
`
`m number of groups during a specific frame, a weak discharge reset pulse is applied to
`
`the scan electrodes belong to the rest groups....”);
`
`and applying the non-initializing waveform to the scan electrodes on both sides of
`
`the scan electrode applied with the forced initializing waveform in the special initializing
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`subfield, in at least two special initializing subfields including the special initializing
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`subfield and a special initializing subfield immediately succeeding the special initializing
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`subfield (Fig 12, 13, 14 110068 “That is, a strong discharge reset pulse is applied to the
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`scan electrodes belong to more than one among m number of groups during a specific
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`frame, a weak discharge reset pulse is applied to the scan electrodes belong to the rest
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`groups. .
`
`. .”),
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`Application/Control Number: 13/255,112
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`Page 12
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`Art Unit: 2692
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`Regarding Claim 2 — CHO teaches a driving method for the plasma display panel
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`of claim 1,
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`wherein a scan electrode group is formed of the plurality of scan electrodes that
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`are consecutively positioned, and the number of scan electrodes applied with the forced
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`initializing waveform in one of the special initializing subfields is one or zero, in each of
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`the scan electrode groups (Fig 12, 17, 18 110032 “A method of driving a plasma display
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`panel, initializing a discharge cell by using an initializing signal for causing a set-up
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`discharge, according to the present invention includes: applying the initializing signal of
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`a high voltage to at least one scan electrode during one frame period; and applying the
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`initializing signal of a low voltage to the rest scan electrodes except for the scan
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`electrodes to which the initializing signal of the high voltage is applied during the frame
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`period.”).
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`Regarding Claim 3 — CHO teaches a driving method for the plasma display panel
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`of claim 1,
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`wherein the special initializing subfield is set as either a specified-cell initializing
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`subfield or an all-cell non-initializing subfield (Fig 10, Y1 1st frame is a forced initializing
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`|Strong Reset| subfield and Y1 2nd is a non-initializing |Weak Reset| waveform)
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`the specified-cell initializing subfield being where the forced initializing waveform
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`is applied to predetermined scan electrodes and the non-initializing waveform is applied
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`Application/Control Number: 13/255,112
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`Page 13
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`Art Unit: 2692
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`to other scan electrodes in the initializing period, and the all-cell non-initializing subfield
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`being where the non- initializing waveform is applied to all the scan electrodes in the
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`initializing period (Fig 12, 13, 14 110068 “That is, a strong discharge reset pulse is
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`applied to the scan electrodes belong to more than one among m number of groups
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`during a specific frame, a weak discharge reset pulse is applied to the scan electrodes
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`belong to the rest groups....”),
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`and the field group is formed of an initializing field and a non-initializing field, the
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`initializing field having the specified-cell initializing subfield and the plurality of selective
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`initializing subfields, and the non-initializing field having the all-cell non- initializing
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`subfield and the plurality of selective initializing subfields (Fig 12, 13, 14 110066 “In other
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`words, a strong discharge reset pulse is applied to more than one group during a
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`specific frame having 10 sub-fields or 12 sub-fields in a reset interval of each of p
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`number of sub-fields. Further, if a strong discharge reset pulse is applied to more than
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`one group during one frame, then a weak discharge reset pulse is simultaneously
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`applied to the rest groups in a reset interval of each of q number of sub-fields.”),
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`Regarding Claim 4 — CHO teaches a driving method for the plasma display panel
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`of claim 3,
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`wherein the field group is formed such that the initializing field is disposed
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`alternately with the non-initializing field (Fig 12, Yn 1st TV-field is an initializing |Strong
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`Reset| field and Y1 2nd TV-field is a non-initializing |Weak Reset| waveform)
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 13/255,112
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`Page 14
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`Art Unit: 2692
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`Regarding Claim 5 — CHO teaches a driving method for the plasma display panel
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`of claim 1,
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`wherein the number of fields forming one field group is equal to or smaller than
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`20. (Fig 14, One field group for Yn has 8 TV-fields).
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`Regarding Claim 6 — CHO teaches a plasma display device comprising:
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`a plasma display panel driven by a subfield method for gradation display,
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`in the subfield method, a plurality of subfields being set in one field, each of the
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`subfields having an initializing period (Fig 9, “Initialization Period”), an address period
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`(Fig 9, “Address”), and a sustain period (Fig 9, “Sustain”);
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`the one field being formed of a special initializing subfield and a plurality of
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`selective initializing subfields; one field group being formed of the plurality of temporally
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`consecutive fields, the plasma display panel having a plurality of discharge cells (Fig.1,
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`Discharge Cell 30), the discharge cells having display electrode pairs, each of the
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`display electrode pairs being formed of a scan electrode (Fig. 1, Scan Electrode 12A)
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`and a sustain electrode (Fig 1, Sustain Electrode 12B);
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`and a scan electrode driving circuit for applying any one of a forced initializing
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`waveform (Fig 6, 110071 & 110080 Strong Reset),
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`a selective initializing waveform (Fig 9, 110084 Selective Reset SR Pulse),
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`and a non-initializing waveform (Fig 7, 110071 & 110081 Weak Discharge Pulse)
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`to the scan electrodes in the initializing period (Fig 12, 110032),
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`Page 15
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`Art Unit: 2692
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`the forced initializing waveform causing an initializing discharge in the discharge
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`cells irrespective of an operation in the immediately preceding subfield (Fig 2, 110013
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`“As shown in FIG. 2, the PDP is driven in the manner of dividing one frame into an
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`initialization period to initialize a full screen, an address period to select cells and a
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`sustain period to sustain the discharge of the selected cells.”),
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`the selective initializing waveform causing an initializing discharge only in the
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`discharge cells having undergone a sustain discharge in the sustain period of the
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`immediately preceding subfield (Fig 9, 110084 Selective Reset SR Pulse),
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`and the non-initializing waveform causing no initializing discharge in the
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`discharge cells (Fig 7, 110071 & 110081 Weak Discharge Pulse),
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`and applying the forced initializing waveform or the non-initializing waveform to
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`the scan electrodes in the initializing period of the special initializing subfield, selectively
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`(Fig 12, 13, 14 110066 “In other words, a strong discharge reset pulse is applied to more
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`than one group during a specific frame having 10 sub-fields or 12 sub-fields in a reset
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`interval of each of p number of sub-fields. Further, if a strong discharge reset pulse is
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`applied to more than one group during one frame, then a weak discharge reset pulse i_s
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`simultaneously applied to the rest groups in a reset interval of each of q number of sub-
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`fields.”);
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`applying the selective initializing waveform to all the scan electrodes and
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`applying the forced initializing waveform to one of the scan electrodes only once in the
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`one field group in the initializing period of the selective initializing subfield (Fig 12, 13,
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`14 110068 “That is, a strong discharge reset pulse is applied to the scan electrodes
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`Application/Control Number: 13/255,112
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`Page 16
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`Art Unit: 2692
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`belong to more than one among m number of groups during a specific frame, a weak
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`discharge reset pulse is applied to the scan electrodes belong to the rest groups....”),
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`wherein the scan electrode driving circuit generates driving waveforms including
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`at least one generation pattern of driving waveforms in the one field group, in a manner
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`such that, in the generation pattern of driving waveforms, the non- initializing waveform
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`is applied to the scan electrodes on both sides of the scan electrode applied with the
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`forced initializing waveform in the special initializing subfield, in at least two special
`
`initializing subfields including the special initializing subfield and a special initializing
`
`subfield immediately succeeding the special initializing subfield. (Fig 12, 13, 14 110066
`
`“In other words, a strong discharge reset pulse is applied to more than one group during
`
`a specific frame having 10 sub-fields or 12 sub-fields in a reset interval of each of p
`
`number of sub-fields. Further, if a strong discharge reset pulse is applied to more than
`
`one group during one frame, then a weak discharge reset pulse is simultaneously
`
`applied to the rest groups in a reset interval of each of q number of su