www.uspto.gov
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`Address: COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`PO. Box 1450
`Alexandria, Virginia 2231371450
`
`15/473,057
`
`03/29/2017
`
`NaOki SATO
`
`20326.0099U301
`
`6180
`
`53148
`
`759°
`
`12/11/20”
`
`HAMRE, SCHUMANN, MUELLER & LARSON RC.
`45 South Seventh Street
`Suite 2700
`
`MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55402-1683
`
`CATTANACH‘ COLIN J
`
`ART UNIT
`2875
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`NOTIFICATION DATE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`12/1 1/2019
`
`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):
`PTOMai1@hsml.eom
`
`PTOL-90A (Rev. 04/07)
`
`

`

`017/09 A0170” Summary
`
`Application No.
`15/473,057
`Examiner
`Colin J Cattanach
`
`Applicant(s)
`SATO et al.
`Art Unit
`2875
`
`AIA (FITF) Status
`Yes
`
`- The MAILING DA TE of this communication appears on the cover sheet wit/7 the correspondence address -
`Period for Reply
`
`A SHORTENED STATUTORY PERIOD FOR REPLY IS SET TO EXPIRE g MONTHS 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.
`|f 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). Responsive to communication(s) filed on 03 September 2019.
`El A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/were filed on
`
`2a). This action is FINAL.
`
`2b) D This action is non-final.
`
`3)[:] 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):] 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 Expade Quay/e, 1935 CD. 11, 453 O.G. 213.
`
`Disposition of Claims*
`
`5)
`
`Claim(s)
`
`1—9 and 12—14 is/are pending in the application.
`
`5a) Of the above claim(s)
`
`is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`
`
`
`[:1 Claim(ss)
`
`is/are allowed.
`
`Claim(ss) 1 —9 and 12— 14 is/are rejected.
`
`D Claim(ss_) is/are objected to.
`
`) ) ) )
`
`S)
`are subject to restriction and/or election requirement
`[:1 Claim(s
`* If any claims have been determined aflowable. 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
`
`http://www.uspto.gov/patents/init events/pph/index.jsp or send an inquiry to PPeredback@uspto.gov.
`
`Application Papers
`
`10). The specification is objected to by the Examiner.
`
`11). The drawing(s) filed on 29 March 2017 is/are: a). accepted or b)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).
`
`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). All
`
`b)C] Some**
`
`c)C] None of the:
`
`1.. Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`
`2C] Certified copies of the priority documents have been received in Application No.
`
`3D 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)
`
`Notice of References Cited (PTO-892)
`
`2) C] Information Disclosure Statement(s) (PTO/SB/08a and/or PTO/SB/08b)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date_
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`
`3) E] Interview Summary (PTO-413)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date
`4) CI Other-
`
`PTOL-326 (Rev. 11-13)
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Part of Paper No./Mai| Date 20191202
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/473,057
`Art Unit: 2875
`
`Page 2
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`DETAILED ACTION
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`Notice ofPre-AIA 0r AIA Status
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`1.
`
`The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the
`
`first inventor to file provisions of the AIA.
`
`Response to Amendment
`
`2.
`
`Applicant's amendment filed on 03 September 2019 has been entered. Claims 1, 9, and 13
`
`have been amended. Claims 10 and 11 have been cancelled. Claim 14 has been added. Claims 1—
`
`9 and 12—14 are still pending in this application, with claims 1, 9, and 13 being independent. The
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`objections to the specification as set forth in the previous office action mailed 31 May 2019 are
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`overcome by Applicant’s amendment.
`
`Specification
`
`3.
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`The specification is objected to as failing to provide proper antecedent basis for the
`
`claimed subject matter. See 37 CFR 1.75(d)(1) and MPEP § 608.01(o). Correction of the
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`following is required:
`
`a.
`
`Claim 9 has been amended to recite: “. . .the light source, the wavelength
`
`converter, and the substrate are stacked in this order...” While figures 12 and 13 would
`
`appear to show such a configuration of the claimed elements, the specification lacks any
`
`such description of the claimed arrangement. In fact, in the description provided for
`
`figures 12 and 13, the specification states that: “. . .wavelength converter 37 is disposed
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`on the light source 32 side with respect to band—pass filter 34. For example, wavelength
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 15/473,057
`Art Unit: 2875
`
`Page 3
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`converter 37 is disposed in the surface of substrate 31 and around light source 32...,”
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`bottom of page 17 of the instant specification. There is no other description provided for
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`the configuration shown in figures 12 and 13 that would imply that the wavelength
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`conversion layer is between the light source and substrate. Therefore, while the
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`specification provides antecedent basis for an embodiment in which the wavelength
`
`converter is disposed in the surface of substrate and around light source, the
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`specification fails to provide antecedent basis for the configuration as presently claimed.
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`Clarification from the Applicant is requested and appropriate correction is required.
`
`4.
`
`In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C.
`
`102 and 103 (or as subject to pre—AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the
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`statutory basis for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art
`
`relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
`
`5.
`
`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 person shall be entitled to a patent unless ,
`
`(a)(l) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale or
`otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
`
`6.
`
`Claims 1—2, and 12 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by
`
`Hatanaka et al. (US 7,344,291 B2, herein referred to as: Hatanaka).
`
`7.
`
`Regarding claim 1, Hatanaka discloses (Figs. 1—6) a light source (21B11, 21B12, Fig. 1)
`
`that emits light having a predetermined color; a lens (23) that concentrates the light emitted from
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 15/473,057
`Art Unit: 2875
`
`Page 4
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`the light source and causes the light to exit (i.e. the light passing through 23 exits towards 24—26,
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`and each of 2lB11, 2lB12 have a corresponding lens of lens 23); a band—pass filter (26) that
`
`transmits specific—band light haVing a specific—band wavelength in the light exiting from the lens
`
`(col. 4, lines 37—56); and a light guide plate (10) disposed on a rear surface side of a display
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`panel (an LCD, col. 12., lines 1—4), wherein the light source (2lB11, 2lB12) includes a first light
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`source (a light source of 2lB11) and a second light source (a light source of 2lB12), the first light
`
`source being adjacent to the second light source (as shown in Fig. l), the lens (23) includes a first
`
`lens (a first lens corresponding to 2lB11, Fig. l) and a second lens (a second lens corresponding
`
`to 2lB12, Fig. l), the first lens concentrating the light emitted from the first light source (as
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`suggested by the arrangement in Figs. 1 and 4), and the second lens concentrating the light
`
`emitted from the second light source (as suggested by the arrangement in Figs. 1 and 4), the
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`band—pass filter is disposed in a position facing the first lens and the second lens (as shown in
`
`Figs. 1 and 4, the band—pass filter 26 of each respective group for light source 2lB11 and 2lB12
`
`faces each of the first and second lens), and the band—pass filter includes a first band—pass filter
`
`and a second band—pass filter (i.e. a first band—pass filter 26 corresponding to 2lB11, and a second
`
`band—pass filter 26 corresponding to 2lB12, Fig. l), the first band—pass filter being adjacent to the
`
`second band—pass filter (as shown in Fig. 1, each of the first and second band—pass filters are near
`
`to one another), the first band—pass filter being spaced from the second band—pass filter (as shown
`
`in Fig. l), the first band—pass filter faces the first lens (as shown in Figs. 1 and 4), the second
`
`band—pass filter faces the second lens (as shown in Figs. 1 and 4), no lens is disposed between the
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`first band—pass filter and the second band—pass filter (as shown in Fig. 1, while prims are
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`disposed between said first band—pass filter and said second band—pass filter, no lenses are
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`disposed between the first band—pass filter and the second band—pass filter. In other words, the
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 15/473,057
`Art Unit: 2875
`
`Page 5
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`lenses are offset or disposed below the band—pass filters, not between them, as shown in Figs. 1
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`and 3), and the specific—band light transmitted through the band—pass filter is incident on a lateral
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`surface of the light guide plate (as shown in Figs. 1 and 6).
`
`8.
`
`Regarding claim 2, Hatanaka discloses (Figs. 1—6) the light source (2lB11 and 2lB12), the
`
`lens (23), and the band—pass filter (26) are disposed on a lateral surface side of the light guide
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`plate (as shown in Figs. 1—6), the liquid crystal display deVice further comprises a sub—light guide
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`plate (3 l) disposed between the band—pass filter (26) and the light guide plate (10; as shown in
`
`Figs. 5A—6), and in the sub—light guide plate (3 l), a height in a first direction, which is a
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`thickness direction of the light guide plate (i.e. a direction from top to bottom, with respect to
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`Figs. 5B and 6), at a light exiting port through which the light exits to the light guide plate (i.e.
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`3 lb) is smaller than a height in the first direction at a light incident port (3 la) through which the
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`light is incident from the band—pass filter (as show in Figs. 5B and 6).
`
`9.
`
`Regarding claim 12, Hatanaka discloses (Figs. 1—6) wherein a first light (a light from 22R
`
`of 2lB11) concentrated in the first lens (23R of 2lB11) is incident on a first surface of the band—
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`pass filter (i.e. a first surface of 26 of 2lB11, Via 24), the first surface faces the first lens (as
`
`shown in Fig. 4, a line can be drawn between each of said first face of 26 and the lens 23R, and
`
`thus the first surface faces said lens), a second light (a light from 22B of 2lB11) concentrated in
`
`the second lens (23B of 2lB11) is incident on a second surface of the band—pass filter (i.e. a
`
`second surface of 26, Via 25), the second surface faces the second lens (as shown in Fig. 4, a line
`
`can be drawn between each of said second face of 26 and the lens 23B, and thus the second
`
`surface faces said lens).
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 15/473,057
`Art Unit: 2875
`
`Page 6
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`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
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`10.
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`The following is a quotation of 35 USC. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness
`
`rejections set forth in this Office action:
`
`A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not
`identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the
`prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective
`filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed
`invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
`
`11.
`
`Claims 3 and 13 are rejected under 35 USC. 103 as being unpatentable over Hatanaka.
`
`12.
`
`Regarding claim 3, Hatanaka does not explicitly teach or suggest that the light source, the
`
`lens, and the band—pass filter are disposed on a rear surface side of the light guide plate, the
`
`liquid crystal display device further comprises a sub—light guide plate that guides the specific—
`
`band light transmitted through the band—pass filter to the light guide plate, and the sub—light guide
`
`plate includes a first portion located on a lateral surface side of the light guide plate and a second
`
`portion that is connected to the first portion and located on the rear surface side of the light guide
`
`plate.
`
`13.
`
`Hatanaka teaches or suggests (Figs. 19—20) a lighting device (i.e. 111) disposed on a rear
`
`surface side of the light guide plate (as shown in Figs. 19—20), the liquid crystal display device
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`further comprises a sub—light guide plate (116, 117) that guides the light transmitted by the
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`lighting device (111) to the light guide plate (as shown in Fig. 20), and the sub—light guide plate
`
`includes a first portion (117) located on a lateral surface side of the light guide plate (as shown in
`
`Figs. 19—20) and a second portion (116) that is connected to the first portion and located on the
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`rear surface side of the light guide plate (as shown in Figs. 19—20).
`
`14.
`
`Therefore, it would have been obvious for a person of ordinary skill in the art, as of the
`
`effective filing date of the claimed invention, to have modified the device of Hatanaka and
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 15/473,057
`Art Unit: 2875
`
`Page 7
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`incorporated the teachings of the light source, the lens, and the band—pass filter (i.e. collectively
`
`the lighting device) are disposed on a rear surface side of the light guide plate, the liquid crystal
`
`display device further comprises a sub—light guide plate that guides the specific—band light
`
`transmitted through the band—pass filter to the light guide plate, and the sub—light guide plate
`
`includes a first portion located on a lateral surface side of the light guide plate and a second
`
`portion that is connected to the first portion and located on the rear surface side of the light guide
`
`plate, such as alternatively taught or suggested by Hatanaka, since it has been held by the courts
`
`that combining prior art elements according to known methods to yield predictable results,
`
`simple substitution of one known element for another to obtain predictable results, or choosing
`
`from a finite number of identified, predictable solutions, with a reasonable expectation of
`
`success, is not sufficient to distinguish over the prior art, as it requires only ordinary skill in the
`
`art. KSR International Co. v. Teleflex Inc., 82 USPQ2d 1385, 1397 (2007). In this case, one of
`
`ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to yield the predictable result of reducing the
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`width of the display device (i.e. in a direction parallel to the emitting plane of 120, by
`
`configuring the optical elements behind the light guide plate, as desired for the suited
`
`application).
`
`15.
`
`Regarding claim 13, Hatanaka teaches or suggests (Figs. 1—6) a liquid crystal display
`
`device comprising: a light source (21A1, 21A2, Fig. 1) that emits light having a predetermined
`
`color; a lens (23) that concentrates the light emitted from the light source and causes the light to
`
`exit (i.e. the light passing through 23 exits towards 24—26, and each of 21A1 and 21A2 have a
`
`corresponding lens of lens 23); a band—pass filter (26) that transmits specific—band light having a
`
`specific—band wavelength in the light exiting from the lens (col. 4, lines 37—56); and a light guide
`
`plate (10) disposed on a rear surface side of a display panel (an LCD, col. 12., lines 1—4), wherein
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/473,057
`Art Unit: 2875
`
`Page 8
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`the light source (2lA1 and 2lA2) includes a first light source (a light source of 2lA1), a second
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`light source (another light source of 2lA1), and a third light source (a light source of 2lA2), the
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`lens (23) includes a first lens (a first lens corresponding to 2lA1, Fig. l), a second lens (a second
`
`lens corresponding to 2lA1, Fig. l), and a third lens (a third lens corresponding to 2lA2, Fig. l),
`
`the first lens concentrating the light emitted from the first light source (as suggested by the
`
`arrangement in Figs. 1 and 4), the second lens concentrating the light emitted from the second
`
`light source (as suggested by the arrangement in Figs. 1 and 4), and the third lens concentrating
`
`the light emitted from the third light source (as suggested by the arrangement in Figs. 1 and 4),
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`the band—pass filter (26) includes a first band—pass filter (i.e. a first band—pass filter 26
`
`corresponding to 2lA1) and a second band—pass filter (i.e. a second band—pass filter 26
`
`corresponding to 2lA2), said first and second band pass filters facing the first lens, the second
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`lens, and the third lens (i.e. each of said first and second band—pass filters face, i.e. look toward
`
`or in the direction of [Dictionary.com], each of the respective lenses), and the specific—band light
`
`transmitted through the band—pass filter is incident on a lateral surface of the light guide plate (as
`
`shown in Figs. 1 and 4).
`
`l6.
`
`Hatanaka does not explicitly teach or suggest, in the embodiment of Figs. 1—6, the first
`
`band—pass filter is overlapped with both of the first lens and the second lens in a thickness
`
`direction of the band—pass filter, the second band—pass filter is overlapped with the third lens in
`
`the thickness direction of the band—pass filter.
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`17.
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`Hatanaka alternatively teaches or suggests, in the embodiment of Fig. 16, the first band—
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`pass filter is overlapped with both of the first lens and the second lens in a thickness direction of
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`the band—pass filter (i.e. a band pass filter formed collectively by 21, or at least the wavelength
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`selective elements 75, 76 overlap two light sources, i.e. a first and second light source, for a
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 15/473,057
`Art Unit: 2875
`
`Page 9
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`given group 21A1, and thus result in the first band—pass filter is overlapped with both of the first
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`lens and the second lens in a thickness direction of the band—pass filter), the second band—pass
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`filter is overlapped with the third lens in the thickness direction of the band—pass filter (i.e.
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`substituting said illumination sources results in another 75 and 76 for the second identified group
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`21B1, thus resulting in the second band—pass filter is overlapped with the third lens in the
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`thickness direction of the band—pass filter).
`
`18.
`
`Therefore, it would have been obvious for a person of ordinary skill in the art, as of the
`
`effective filing date of the claimed invention, to have modified the device of Hatanaka and
`
`incorporated the teachings of the first band—pass filter is overlapped with both of the first lens
`
`and the second lens in a thickness direction of the band—pass filter, the second band—pass filter is
`
`overlapped with the third lens in the thickness direction of the band—pass filter, such as
`
`alternatively taught or suggested by Hatanaka, since it has been held by the courts that
`
`combining prior art elements according to known methods to yield predictable results, simple
`
`substitution of one known element for another to obtain predictable results, or choosing from a
`
`finite number of identified, predictable solutions, with a reasonable expectation of success, is not
`
`sufficient to distinguish over the prior art, as it requires only ordinary skill in the art. KSR
`
`International Co. v. Teleflex Inc., 82 USPQ2d 1385, 1397 (2007). In this case, one of ordinary
`
`skill in the art would have been motivated to yield the predictable result of providing an efficient
`
`mixed—light input for the display.
`
`19.
`
`Claims 4—5 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Hatanaka, in
`
`view of Nishitani et al. (US 2014/0340931 A1, herein referred to as: Nishitani).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/473,057
`Art Unit: 2875
`
`Page 10
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`20.
`
`Regarding claim 4, Hatanaka does not teach or suggest in the sub—light guide plate, a
`
`height in a first direction, which is a thickness direction of the light guide plate, at a light exiting
`
`port through which the light exits to the light guide plate is smaller than a height in the first
`
`direction at a light incident port through which the light is incident from the band—pass filter.
`
`21.
`
`Nishitani teaches or suggests (Fig. 12) in the sub—light guide plate (9), a height in a first
`
`direction, which is a thickness direction of the light guide plate (4, i.e. in a thickness direction
`
`extending orthogonal to the emission surface of 4 in Fig. 12), at a light exiting port (70) through
`
`which the light exits to the light guide plate (as shown in Fig. 12) is smaller than a height in the
`
`first direction at a light incident port (9a) through which the light is incident (as shown in Fig.
`
`12).
`
`22.
`
`Therefore, it would have been obvious for a person of ordinary skill in the art, as of the
`
`effective filing date of the claimed invention, to have modified the device of Hatanaka and
`
`incorporated the teachings of in the sub—light guide plate, a height in a first direction, which is a
`
`thickness direction of the light guide plate, at a light exiting port through which the light exits to
`
`the light guide plate is smaller than a height in the first direction at a light incident port through
`
`which the light is incident from the band—pass filter, such as taught or suggested by Nishitani,
`
`since it has been held by the courts that combining prior art elements according to known
`
`methods to yield predictable results, simple substitution of one known element for another to
`
`obtain predictable results, or choosing from a finite number of identified, predictable solutions,
`
`with a reasonable expectation of success, is not sufficient to distinguish over the prior art, as it
`
`requires only ordinary skill in the art. KSR International Co. v. Teleflex Inc., 82 USPQ2d 1385,
`
`1397 (2007). In this case, one of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to further
`
`homogenize the light entering the light guide plate.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/473,057
`Art Unit: 2875
`
`Page ll
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`23.
`
`Regarding claim 5, Hatanaka teaches or suggests (Figs. 1—6 and 19—20, as modified in
`
`claim 3 above) a bent portion (i.e. the bent outer wall of 117) is formed in the first portion (1 17)
`
`of the sub—light guide plate to guide the specific—band light transmitted through the band—pass
`
`filter from the second portion to the lateral surface of the light guide plate (i.e. incorporating the
`
`sub—light guide plate 116, 117, in lieu of, or in addition to, the sub—light guide plate of Figs. 1—6
`
`results in the light the sub—light guide plate guiding the specific—band light transmitted through
`
`the band—pass filter from the second portion to the lateral surface of the light guide plate).
`
`24.
`
`Hatanaka does not explicitly teach or suggest that a reflecting tape is provided in the bent
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`portion, the reflecting tape configured to reflect the light radiated to an outside of the sub—light
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`guide plate in the bent portion so as to guide the light to the lateral surface of the light guide
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`plate.
`
`25.
`
`Nishitani teaches or suggests (Fig. 12, paragraph [0117]) a reflecting member (i.e. a
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`mirror formed by deposited metal, as recited in paragraph [0117]) is provided in the bent portion
`
`(9e), the reflecting member configured to reflect the light radiated to an outside of the sub—light
`
`guide plate in the bent portion so as to guide the light to the lateral surface of the light guide plate
`
`(i.e. the mirror will increase light reflection out of the sub—light guide plate 9 at surface 9b and
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`elements 70 so as to guide the light to the lateral surface 4a of the light guide plate 4).
`
`26.
`
`Therefore, it would have been obvious for a person of ordinary skill in the art, as of the
`
`effective filing date of the claimed invention, to have modified the device of Hatanaka and
`
`incorporated the teachings of a reflecting member is provided in the bent portion, the reflecting
`
`member configured to reflect the light radiated to an outside of the sub—light guide plate in the
`
`bent portion so as to guide the light to the lateral surface of the light guide plate, such as taught
`
`or suggested by Nishitani, in order to increase the efficiency of the device.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/473,057
`Art Unit: 2875
`
`Page 12
`
`27.
`
`The combined teachings of Hatanaka and Nishitani teach or suggest all of the elements of
`
`the claimed invention, except for said reflecting member is a reflecting tape.
`
`28.
`
`However, it would have been obvious for a person of ordinary skill in the art, as of the
`
`effective filing date of the claimed invention, to have modified the device of Hatanaka and
`
`incorporated the teachings of a reflective tape for the bent portion, since it has been held by the
`
`courts that combining prior art elements according to known methods to yield predictable results,
`
`simple substitution of one known element for another to obtain predictable results, or choosing
`
`from a finite number of identified, predictable solutions, with a reasonable expectation of
`
`success, is not sufficient to distinguish over the prior art, as it requires only ordinary skill in the
`
`art. KSR International Co. v. Teleflex Inc., 82 USPQ2d 1385, 1397 (2007). In this case, one of
`
`ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to yield the predictable result of increasing
`
`the light reflection at the bent portion of the sub—light guide plate, and/or reduce the complexity
`
`and time of manufacturing the device.
`
`29.
`
`Claims 6—7 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Hatanaka, in
`
`view of Kawata (US 2016/0209582 A1).
`
`30.
`
`Regarding claims 6—7, Hatanaka does not teach or suggest in the second portion, the
`
`height in a first direction, which is a thickness direction of the light guide plate, of a connection
`
`portion between the second portion and the first portion is smaller than the height in the first
`
`direction at the light incident port through which the light is incident from the band—pass filter (as
`
`recited in claim 6), and a circuit board on which a driving circuit that drives the display panel is
`
`mounted, wherein the second portion of the sub—light guide plate includes a higher portion
`
`which is high in the first direction and a lower portion in which a height in the first direction is
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/473,057
`Art Unit: 2875
`
`Page 13
`
`smaller than that of the higher portion, and the circuit board is disposed on a rear surface side of
`
`the lower portion of the sub—light guide plate (as recited in claim 7).
`
`3l.
`
`Kawata teaches or suggests (Figs. 1—9, and annotated Fig. 9 provided below for clarity) in
`
`the second portion (A), the height in the first direction, which is the thickness direction of the
`
`light guide plate (i.e. a direction normal to the light emission surface of BL), of a connection
`
`portion (C) between the second portion (A) and the first portion (B) is smaller than the height in
`
`the first direction at the light incident port through which the light is incident (as shown in Fig. 9,
`
`and in annotated Fig. 9 provided below), and a circuit board (30, L, 3 l, 32) on which a driving
`
`circuit (3 l)that drives the display panel is mounted (as shown in Fig. 9, and in annotated Fig. 9
`
`provided below), wherein the second portion of the sub—light guide plate includes a higher
`
`portion (D) which is high in the first direction (as shown in Fig. 9, and in annotated Fig. 9
`
`provided below) and a lower portion (E) in which a height in the first direction is smaller than
`
`that of the higher portion (as shown in annotated Fig. 9), and the circuit board (30, L, 3 l, 32) is
`
`disposed on a rear surface side of the lower portion of the sub—light guide plate (as shown in Fig.
`
`9, and in annotated Fig. 9 provided below).
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`Application/Control Number: 15/473,057
`Art Unit: 2875
`
`Page 14
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`32.
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`Therefore, it would have been obvious for a person of ordinary skill in the art, as of the
`
`effective filing date of the claimed invention, to have modified the device of Hatanaka and
`
`incorporated the teachings of in the second portion, the height in the first direction, which is the
`
`thickness direction of the light guide plate, of a connection portion between the second portion
`
`and the first portion is smaller than the height in the first direction at the light incident port
`
`through which the light is incident from the band—pass filter (as recited in claim 6), and a circuit
`
`board on which a driving circuit that drives the display panel is mounted, wherein the second
`
`portion of the sub—light guide plate includes a higher portion which is high in the first direction
`
`and a lower portion in which a height in the first direction is smaller than that of the higher
`
`portion, and the circuit board is disposed on a rear surface side of the lower portion of the sub—
`
`light guide plate (as recited in claim 7), such as taught or suggested by Kawata, since it has been
`
`held by the courts that combining prior art elements according to known methods to yield
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/473,057
`Art Unit: 2875
`
`Page 15
`
`predictable results, simple substitution of one known element for another to obtain predictable
`
`results, or choosing from a finite number of identified, predictable solutions, with a reasonable
`
`expectation of success, is not sufficient to distinguish over the prior art, as it requires only
`
`ordinary skill in the art. KSR International Co. V. Teleflex Inc., 82 USPQ2d 1385, 1397 (2007).
`
`In this case, one of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to yield the predictable
`
`result of improving the optical coupling between the first and second portions of the sub—light
`
`guide plate (i.e. by shaping a portion thereof to direct, or otherwise reflect, light in the desired
`
`manner toward the light guide plate).
`
`33.
`
`Claims 6 and 8 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Hatanaka, in
`
`view of Kao et al. (US 2014/0126238 A1, herein referred to as: Kao) and Kawata.
`
`34.
`
`Regarding claims 6 and 8, Hatanaka teaches or suggests (Figs. 1—6, and 19—20, as
`
`modified in claim 3 above, and in reference to the annotated Fig. 20 provided below for clarity),
`
`in the second portion (C), a height in a first direction (i.e. as shown in annotated Fig. 20 provided
`
`below), which is the thickness direction of the light guide plate (as defined in annotated Fig. 20
`
`provided below), of a connection portion (B) between the second portion (C) and the first portion
`
`(A), wherein the height in the first direction at the light incident port (116) is a first height (said
`
`port has a first height), the second portion (B) of the sub—light guide plate includes a flat plate
`
`(the outer surface of B) having the constant second height (as shown in Figs. 19—20, and in
`
`annotated Fig. 20 provided below).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/473,057
`Art Unit: 2875
`
`Page 16
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`35.
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`Hatanaka does not teach or suggest that the height in the first direction said connection
`
`portion is smaller than the height in the first direction at the light incident port throug