www.uspto.gov
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and TrademarkOffice
`Address; COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450
`
`16/212,241
`
`12/06/2018
`
`Takenobu NISHIGUCHI
`
`20295 .0033US01
`
`3798
`
`HAY
`
`M
`
`TLER!
`
`HAMRE, SCHUMANN, MUELLER & LARSON P.C.
`45 South Seventh Street
`Suite 2700
`MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55402-1683
`
`FRANK,EMILYJ
`
`2693
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`NOTIFICATION DATE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`04/29/2021
`
`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):
`PTOMail @hsml.com
`
`PTOL-90A (Rev. 04/07)
`
`

`

`
`
`Disposition of Claims*
`1,3-5,10,12-14,16 and 18-20 is/are pending in the application.
`)
`Claim(s)
`5a) Of the above claim(s) ___ is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`C] Claim(s)__ is/are allowed.
`Claim(s) 1,3-5,10,12-14,16 and 18-20 is/are rejected.
`(1 Claim(s)__is/are objectedto.
`C} Claim(s)
`are subjectto restriction and/or election requirement
`* If any claims have been determined allowable, you maybeeligible 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 PPHfeedback@uspto.gov.
`
`) ) ) )
`
`Application Papers
`10) The specification is objected to by the Examiner.
`11)0) The drawing(s) filedon__ is/are: a)(J accepted or b)() objected to by the Examiner.
`Applicant may not request that any objection to the drawing(s) be held in abeyance. See 37 CFR 1.85(a).
`Replacement drawing sheet(s) including the correction is required if the drawing(s) is objected to. See 37 CFR 1.121 (d).
`
`Priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119
`12)1) Acknowledgment is made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d)or (f).
`Certified copies:
`c)Z None ofthe:
`b)() Some**
`a)C All
`1.2 Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`2.1.) Certified copies of the priority documents have been received in Application No.
`3.1.) Copies of the certified copies of the priority documents have been receivedin 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) (J Information Disclosure Statement(s) (PTO/SB/08a and/or PTO/SB/08b)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`
`3) (J Interview Summary (PTO-413)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date
`(Qj Other:
`
`4)
`
`PTOL-326 (Rev. 11-13)
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Part of Paper No./Mail Date 20210424
`
`Application No.
`Applicant(s)
`16/212,241
`NISHIGUCHI, Takenobu
`
`Office Action Summary Art Unit|AIA (FITF) StatusExaminer
`EMILY J FRANK
`2693
`Yes
`
`
`
`-- The MAILING DATEofthis communication appears on the cover sheet with the correspondence address --
`Period for Reply
`
`A SHORTENED STATUTORY PERIOD FOR REPLYIS SET TO EXPIRE 3 MONTHS FROM THE MAILING
`DATE OF THIS COMMUNICATION.
`Extensions of time may be available underthe provisions of 37 CFR 1.136(a). In no event, however, may a reply betimely filed after SIX (6) MONTHSfrom 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) MONTHSfrom the mailing date of this communication.
`-
`- Failure to reply within the set or extended period for reply will, by statute, cause the application to become ABANDONED (35 U.S.C. § 133}.
`Any reply received by the Office later than three months after the mailing date of this communication, evenif timely filed, may reduce any earned patent term
`adjustment. See 37 CFR 1.704(b).
`
`Status
`
`1) Responsive to communication(s)filed on 06 January 2021.
`C} A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/werefiled on
`2a)¥) This action is FINAL.
`2b) (J This action is non-final.
`3)02 An election was madeby the applicant in responseto a restriction requirement set forth during the interview
`on
`; the restriction requirement and election have been incorporated into this action.
`4\0) 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 Quayle, 1935 C.D. 11, 453 O.G. 213.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/212,241
`Art Unit: 2693
`
`Page 2
`
`DETAILED ACTION
`
`Notice of Pre-AlA or AIA Status
`
`1.
`
`The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined
`
`under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
`
`2.
`
`The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all
`
`obviousnessrejections setforth 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.
`
`3.
`
`Claims 1, 10 and 16 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable
`
`over Tanaka (United States Patent Application Publication 2008/0007514) in view of Shi
`
`et al. (United States Patent Application Publication 2020/00351 70 hereinafter referred to
`
`as Shi).
`
`Regarding claim 1, Tanaka discloses a liquid crystal display device (figure 2;
`
`liquid crystal display device 10), comprising:
`
`a first liquid crystal display panel ([0045], lines 3-7; first liquid crystal panel 11)
`
`including a plurality of first gate lines ([0046], the first and second liquid crystal panels
`
`11 and 12 each have a panel structure in which a substrate on which unit pixels 5 of a
`
`pixel array unit 2 are arrangedin the form of a matrix, scanning lines 6-1 to 6-m are
`
`arranged for each row);
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/212,241
`Art Unit: 2693
`
`Page 3
`
`a second liquid crystal display panel ([0045], lines 3-7; first liquid crystal panel
`
`12) including a plurality of second gate lines ([0046], the first and second liquid crystal
`
`panels 11 and 12 each have a panel structure in which a substrate on which unit pixels
`
`5 of a pixel array unit 2 are arrangedin the form of a matrix, scanning lines 6-1 to 6-m
`
`are arranged for each row);
`
`a first gate line driving circuit electrically connectedto the first gate lines ([0047],
`
`aroundthe first and second liquid crystal panels 11 and 12, gate driver substrates 14
`
`and 15 and data driver substrates 16 and 17 are arranged so asto correspond to the
`
`respective panels);
`
`a second gateline driving circuit electrically connected to the second gatelines
`
`([0047], around the first and second liquid crystal panels 11 and 12, gate driver
`
`substrates 14 and 15 and data driver substrates 16 and 17 are arranged so as to
`
`correspond to the respective panels);
`
`a backlight (Fig. 3; backlight unit 13) arranged on a side ofthe first liquid crystal
`
`display panel such thatthe first liquid crystal display panel is adjacent the backlight and
`
`between the second liquid crystal display panel and the backlight ([0045], lines 3-10 and
`
`Fig. 3), the backlight including a plurality of rows of light sources ([0045], line 10);
`
`a light source driving circuit ([0045], a backlight unit 13 is disposed on the side of
`
`the first liquid crystal panel 11 on the lower side, and light emitted from the backlight unit
`
`13 is transmitted in order by the pixels of the first and secondliquid crystal panels 11
`
`and 12 according to transmittance of the pixels) configured to supply a drive signal to
`
`the plurality of rows of light sources ([0042]); and
`
`a controller (Fig. 4; driving circuit 8) configured to:
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/212,241
`Art Unit: 2693
`
`Page 4
`
`scan the plurality of first gate lines ([0052]);
`
`scan the plurality of second gate lines ([0052]);
`
`control the light source driving circuit to illuminate a first row of the plurality of
`
`rowsoflight sources after the scanof a first set of the plurality of first gate lines or after
`
`the scan ofa first set of the plurality of second gatelines,
`
`wherein the scanofthe first set of the plurality of first gate lines is
`
`executed prior to the scan ofthe first set of the plurality of second gate lines ([0056],
`
`wherebyinterpretation given to Tanakais that the “first gate lines” come prior to the
`
`“second gate lines” as a given definition in the current rejection); and
`
`control the light source driving circuit to notilluminate the first row of the plurality
`
`of rowsoflight sources until the scan of a second setof the plurality of first gate lines is
`
`completed or the scan of a second setof the plurality of second gate lines is completed
`
`([0056], whereby “A liquid crystal display device ...performs normaldriving of a
`
`secondliquid crystal panel 12 and performs double-speeddriving ofa first liquid
`
`crystal panel 11 under driving by a driving circuit 8. In this case, normal driving
`
`refers to driving at a frequency (driving frequency) of an input signal (video
`
`signal), that is driving in which one frame period is not divided. Hence, double-
`
`speed driving refers to driving at a frequency twice the frequencyof the input
`
`video signal.” Since driving for the LCD panel 12 (claimed second panel) is at
`
`normal driving in which one frame period is not divided, it would have been
`
`obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the first filing of the claimed invention
`
`that the backlight including the first row of the light sources wouldn’t be
`
`illuminated until the scan of gate lines of the 2"? LCD panel 12 including both the
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/212,241
`Art Unit: 2693
`
`Page 5
`
`first and second sets of second gate lines are completed; likewise, the backlight
`
`including the first row of the light sources wouldn’t be illuminated until the scan
`
`of gate lines of the 1st LCD panel 11 including both thefirst and second sets of
`
`first gate lines are completed. This interpretation of Tanaka meets interpretation
`
`of this claimed limitation, i.e. this claimed limitation has been interpreted as
`
`such.).
`
`However Tanaka does not disclose control the driving circuits to illuminateafirst
`
`row ofthe plurality of rows of light sources while a remainder of the plurality of rows of
`
`light sources are disabled.
`
`In a similar field of endeavor of display devices, Shi discloses control the driving
`
`circuits to illuminate a first row of the plurality of rows of light sources while a remainder
`
`of the plurality of rows of light sources are disabled ([0048] and Figs. 1-4, Step S10,
`
`after a preset time has elapsed from receipt of a synchronous display signalfor
`
`displaying one frame of image byaliquid crystal display assembly, during the period for
`
`displaying one frame of image, lighting the light sources row by row; and [0052], the
`
`light sources are turned on row by row during the period for displaying one frame of
`
`image after the liquid crystal response is completed), for the purpose of reducing
`
`residual image and lessening deterioration of the display (Shi, [0005)).
`
`In view of the teachings by Tanaka and Shi, it would have been obvious to one of
`
`ordinary skill in the art to modify the multi-panel display of Tanaka by specifically
`
`providing illuminating a first row of the plurality of rows while the remainder of the
`
`plurality of rows of light sources are disabled, as taught by Shi, for the purpose of
`
`reducing residual image and lessening deterioration of the display (Shi, [0005)).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/212,241
`Art Unit: 2693
`
`Page 6
`
`Regarding claim 10, Tanaka discloses a method ofilluminating a liquid crystal
`
`display device includingafirst liquid crystal display panel, a secondliquid crystal display
`
`panel, and a backlight, the method comprising:
`
`scanning, with a controller, a plurality of first gate lines, the plurality of first gate
`
`lines corresponding to the first liquid crystal display panel ([0046]);
`
`scanning, with the controller, a plurality of second gatelines, the plurality of
`
`second gate lines corresponding to the second liquid crystal display panel ([0046});
`
`enabling a drive signalto a first row of a plurality of rowsof light sources of the
`
`backlight before completing scanning of a first set of the plurality offirst gate lines or in
`
`response to completing scanning of a first set of the plurality of second gate lines,
`
`wherein the scanning ofthe first set of the plurality offirst gate lines is
`
`executed prior to the scanning ofthe first set of the plurality of second gate lines
`
`([0056], whereby interpretation given to Tanakais that the “first gate lines” come
`
`prior to the “second gate lines” as a given definition in the current rejection); and
`
`disabling the drive signalto the first row of the plurality of rows of light sources of
`
`the backlight before completing scanning of a secondsetof the plurality of first gate
`
`lines or completing scanning of a second setof the plurality of second gate lines
`
`([0056], whereby “A liquid crystal display device ...performs normaldriving of a
`
`secondliquid crystal panel 12 and performs double-speeddriving ofa first liquid
`
`crystal panel 11 under driving by a driving circuit 8. In this case, normal driving
`
`refers to driving at a frequency (driving frequency) of an input signal (video
`
`signal), that is driving in which one frame period is not divided. Hence, double-
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/212,241
`Art Unit: 2693
`
`Page 7
`
`speed driving refers to driving at a frequency twice the frequencyof the input
`
`video signal.” Since driving for the LCD panel 12 (claimed second panel) is at
`
`normal driving in which one frame period is not divided, it would have been
`
`obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the first filing of the claimed invention
`
`that the backlight including the first row of the light sources wouldn’t be
`
`illuminated until the scan of gate lines of the 2"? LCD panel 12 including both the
`
`first and second sets of second gate lines are completed; likewise, the backlight
`
`including the first row of the light sources wouldn’t be illuminated until the scan
`
`of gate lines of the 1st LCD panel 11 including both thefirst and second sets of
`
`first gate lines are completed. This interpretation of Tanaka meets interpretation
`
`of this claimed limitation, i.e. this claimed limitation has been interpreted as
`
`such.).
`
`However Tanaka does not disclose enabling a drive signal to only a first row of a
`
`plurality of rows of light sources of the backlight.
`
`In a similar field of endeavor of display devices, Shi discloses enabling a drive
`
`signal to onlyafirst row of a plurality of rows of light sources of the backlight ([0048] and
`
`Figs. 1-4, Step S10, after a preset time has elapsed from receipt of a synchronous
`
`display signal for displaying one frame of image bya liquid crystal display assembly,
`
`during the period for displaying one frame of image, lighting the light sources row by
`
`row; and [0052], the light sources are turned on row by row during the period for
`
`displaying one frame of image after the liquid crystal response is completed).
`
`In view of the teachings by Tanaka and Shi, it would have been obvious to one of
`
`ordinaryskill in the art to modify the multi-panel display of Tanaka by specifically
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/212,241
`Art Unit: 2693
`
`Page 8
`
`providing illuminating only a first row of the plurality of rows of light sources, as taught
`
`by Shi, for the purpose of reducing residual image and lessening deterioration of the
`
`display (Shi, [0005]).
`
`Claim 16 is a system claim drawnto the device of claim 1 and is therefore
`
`interpreted and rejected based on similar reasoning.
`
`4.
`
`Claims 3-5, 12-14 and 18-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being
`
`unpatentable over Tanaka and Shi further in view of Lee et al. (United States Patent
`
`Application Publication 2018/0182304 hereinafter referred to as Lee).
`
`Regarding claim 3, Tanakafails to disclose wherein the controller is configured to
`
`scan the first set of the plurality of second gate lines in response to completing the scan
`
`of the first set of the plurality of first gate lines.
`
`Lee discloses wherein the controller is configured to scan the first set of the
`
`plurality of second gate lines in response to completing the scan ofthe first set of the
`
`plurality of first gate lines ([0064] and Fig. 6).
`
`Tanaka and Lee are in a similar field of endeavor of multi-layer display devices.
`
`Therefore it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time
`
`the invention wasfiled to modify Tanaka by specifically providing wherein the controller
`
`is configured to scan the first set of the plurality of second gate lines in responseto
`
`completing the scan ofthe first set of the plurality of first gate lines, as taught by Lee, as
`
`a known alternative, analogous method of display driving.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/212,241
`Art Unit: 2693
`
`Page 9
`
`Regarding claim 4, Tanakafails to disclose wherein the controller is configured to
`
`notilluminate the first row of the plurality of rows of light sources prior to at least one of
`
`the scan of the secondset of the plurality of first gate lines and the scan of the second
`
`set of the plurality of second gatelines.
`
`Lee discloses wherein the controller is configured to notilluminate the first row of
`
`the plurality of rows of light sources prior to at least one of the scan of the second setof
`
`the plurality of first gate lines and the scan of the secondsetof the plurality of second
`
`gate lines ([0064] and Fig. 6).
`
`Tanaka and Lee are in a similar field of endeavor of multi-layer display devices.
`
`Therefore it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time
`
`the invention wasfiled to modify Tanaka by specifically providing wherein the controller
`
`is configured to notilluminate the first row of the plurality of rows of light sourcesprior to
`
`at least one of the scan of the second setof the plurality of first gate lines and the scan
`
`of the second setof the plurality of second gate lines, as taught by Lee, as a known
`
`alternative, analogous method of display driving.
`
`Regarding claim 5, Tanakafails to disclose wherein the controller is configured to
`
`illuminate the first row of the plurality of rows of light sources until the scan of the
`
`second setof the plurality of first gate lines and the scan of the second setof the
`
`plurality of second gate lines is complete.
`
`Lee discloses wherein the controller is configured to illuminate the first row of the
`
`plurality of rows of light sources until the scan of the secondsetof the plurality offirst
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/212,241
`Art Unit: 2693
`
`Page 10
`
`gate lines and the scan of the second setof the plurality of second gatelines is
`
`complete ([0064] and Fig. 6).
`
`Tanaka and Lee are in a similar field of endeavor of multi-layer display devices.
`
`Therefore it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time
`
`the invention wasfiled to modify Tanaka by specifically providing wherein the controller
`
`is configuredto illuminate the first row of the plurality of rows of light sources until the
`
`scan of the second setof the plurality of first gate lines and the scan of the second set
`
`of the plurality of second gate lines is complete, as taught by Lee, as a known
`
`alternative, analogous method of display driving.
`
`Claims 12-14 are method claims drawnto the device of claims 3-5 respectively
`
`and are therefore interpreted and rejected based on similar reasoning.
`
`Claims 18-20 are system claims drawnto the device of claims 3-5 respectively
`
`and are therefore interpreted and rejected based on similar reasoning.
`
`Responseto Arguments
`
`1.
`
`Applicant's arguments filed 01/06/2021 have been fully considered but they are
`
`not persuasive. Regarding claims 1, 10 and 16, Applicants argue “Missing from Tanaka
`
`is any description of a device that controls the backlight itself in the manner presently
`
`claimed” (page 7, paragraph 2), however Examiner respectfully disagrees. In response
`
`to applicant's arguments against the references individually, one cannot show
`
`nonobviousnessby attacking references individually where the rejections are based on
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/212,241
`Art Unit: 2693
`
`Page 11
`
`combinations of references. See /n re Keller, 642 F.2d 413, 208 USPQ 871 (CCPA
`
`1981); In re Merck & Co., 800 F.2d 1091, 231 USPQ 375 (Fed. Cir. 1986).
`
`In this case,
`
`the argued claimed limitations missing from Tanaka are found in Shi of the combination
`
`of Tanakain view of Shi.
`
`Tanaka discloses at paragraph 0045thatlight is emitted from the backlight unit
`
`13 where it would be obvious that a circuit/means of some form controls the light
`
`emitted from the backlight unit 13 such as on aspects of when and how. Additionally,
`
`Shi discloses a specific method of driving a backlight. Shi discloses multiple types of
`
`backlights, including those that are direct type backlight which is disposed below a
`
`display panel ([0049]). The methodof driving the backlight that Shi teaches is a method
`
`wherelight sources are successivelylit row by row ([0048]), reading on the claimed
`
`limitations missing in Tanaka. Shi teaches a backlight driving method usedin a display
`
`assembly with one display panel 10, while Tanaka discloses a multi-panel display
`
`device including a backlight panel 13 andafirst and second liquid crystal panels 11 and
`
`12. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the backlight
`
`driving method of Shi in the multi-panel display device of Tanaka for the purpose of
`
`reducing residual image and lessening deterioration of the display (Shi, [0005]) by
`
`simply applying such feature of Shi to not one but multi-panels since display of Tanaka
`
`has multi-panels. As a result, the combination of Tanaka and Shi reads on the
`
`limitations of claims 1, 10 and 16.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/212,241
`Art Unit: 2693
`
`Page 12
`
`Conclusion
`
`5.
`
`The prior art made of record and notrelied upon is considered pertinent to
`
`applicant's disclosure.
`
`--Kimura (US PGPub 2010/0118006) discloses a liquid crystal display device(fig.
`
`32).
`
`6.
`
`THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. Applicant is reminded of the extension of time
`
`policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
`
`A shortenedstatutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE
`
`
`
`MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the eventafirst reply is filed within
`
`TWO MONTHS ofthe mailing date ofthis final action and the advisory action is not
`
`mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortenedstatutory period, then the
`
`shortenedstatutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any
`
`extension fee pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of
`
`the advisory action.
`
`In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later
`
`than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date ofthis final action.
`
`7.
`
`Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the
`
`examiner should be directed to EMILY J FRANK whosetelephone number is (571)270-
`
`7255. The examiner can normally be reached on Monday-Thursday 8AM-6PM.
`
`Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video
`
`conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an
`
`interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request
`
`(AIR) at http:/Awww.uspto.gov/interviewpractice.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/212,241
`Art Unit: 2693
`
`Page 13
`
`If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner's
`
`supervisor, Benjamin C. Lee can be reached on (571)272-2963. The fax phone number
`
`for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
`
`Information regarding the status of an application may be obtained from the
`
`Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system. Status information for
`
`published applications may be obtained from either Private PAIR or Public PAIR.
`
`Status information for unpublished applications is available through Private PAIR only.
`
`For more information about the PAIR system, see https://ppair-
`
`my.uspto.gov/pair/PrivatePair. Should you have questions on accessto the Private
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`PAIR system, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197(toll-free).
`
`If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative or access
`
`to the automated information system, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA)or 571-
`
`272-1000.
`
`/EJF/
`
`/BENJAMIN C LEE/
`Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2693
`
`