`
`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`Address: COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria1 Virginia 22313- 1450
`wwwnsptogov
`
`APPLICATION NO.
`
`
`
`
` F ING DATE
`
`FIRST NAMED INVENTOR
`
`ATTORNEY DOCKET NO.
`
`
`
`
`CONF {MATION NO.
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`12/262,244
`
`10/31/2008
`
`Junichi MARUYAMA
`
`1497.49364X00
`
`5858
`
`20457
`
`7590
`
`12/16/2013
`
`ANTONELLLTERRY,STOUT&KRAUS,LLP
`1300 NORTH SEVENTEENTH STREET
`SUITE 1800
`ARLINGTON, VA 22209-3873
`
`
`
`
`HERMANN, K {KW
`
`2622
`
`MAIL DATE
`
`12/16/2013
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`PAPER
`
`Please find below and/or attached an Office communication concerning this application or proceeding.
`
`The time period for reply, if any, is set in the attached communication.
`
`PTOL—90A (Rev. 04/07)
`
`

`

`
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Application No.
`
`Applicant(s)
`
`
` 12/262,244 MARUYAMA ET AL.
`Examiner
`Art Unit
`KIRK HERMANN
`2622
`
`-- The MAILING DA TE of this communication appears on the cover sheet with the correspondence address --
`Period for Reply
`
`A SHORTENED STATUTORY PERIOD FOR REPLY IS SET TO EXPIRE 3 MONTH(S) OR THIRTY (30) DAYS,
`WHICHEVER IS LONGER, FROM THE MAILING DATE OF THIS COMMUNICATION.
`Extensions of time may be available under the provisions of 37 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)IZI Responsive to communication(s) filed on 03 Sthember 2013.
`
`2a)|:l This action is FINAL.
`
`2b)IXI This action is non-final.
`
`3)I:I An election was made by the applicant in response to a restriction requirement set forth during the interview on
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`; the restriction requirement and election have been incorporated into this action.
`
`4)|:l Since this application is in condition for allowance except for formal matters, prosecution as to the merits is
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`closed in accordance with the practice under Exparte Quay/e, 1935 CD. 11, 453 O.G. 213.
`
`Disposition of Claims
`
`5)|Zl Claim(s) 3-79 11 and 16-20is/are pending in the application.
`
`5a) Of the above claim(s) _ is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`6 I:I Claim s) _ is/are allowed.
`
`3- 79 11 and 16-20 is/are rejected.
`
`is/are objected to.
`
`are subject to restriction and/or election requirement.
`
`Application Papers
`
`10)I:I The specification is objected to by the Examiner.
`
`11)I:l The drawing(s) filed on _ is/are: a)|:| accepted or b)|:| objected to by the Examiner.
`Applicant may not request that any objection to the drawing(s) be held in abeyance. See 37 CFR 1.85(a).
`
`Replacement drawing sheet(s) including the correction is required if the drawing(s) is objected to. See 37 CFR 1.121 (d).
`
`12)I:I The oath or declaration is objected to by the Examiner. Note the attached Office Action or form PTO-152.
`
`Priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119
`
`13)I:| Acknowledgment is made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d) or (f).
`
`a)|:| AII
`
`b)|:l Some * c)I:I None of:
`
`1.I:I Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`
`2.|:l Certified copies of the priority documents have been received in Application No. _
`
`3.I: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) IZI Notice of References Cited (PTO-892)
`2) I] Notice of Draftsperson‘s Patent Drawing Review (PTO-948)
`3) IZI Information Disclosure Statement(s) (PTO/SB/08)
`Paper No(s)/Mai| Datew.
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`
`4) I] Interview Summary (PTO-413)
`Paper N0(S )/Mai| Date. _
`5)I:I Notice 0f Informal Patent Application
`6)I:I Other:—
`
`PTOL-326 (Rev. 03-11)
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Part of Paper No./Mai| Date 20131206
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 12/262,244
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`Page 2
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`Art Unit: 2622
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`DETAILED ACTION
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`Pre-AIA Status of Application
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`1.
`
`The present application is being examined under the pre-AlA first to invent
`
`provisions.
`
`Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
`
`2.
`
`On September 3, 2013, a request for continued examination under 37 CFR
`
`1.114, including the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after
`
`final rejection. Since this application is eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR
`
`1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the
`
`previous office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's
`
`submission filed on August 2, 2013 (hereinafter referred to as the “08/02/13 Response”)
`
`has been entered.
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`Summary of Applicant’s Response
`
`3.
`
`The 08/02/13 Response includes: (a) claim 11 is currently amended; (b) claims
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`3-4, 6-7, 9 and 16-20 are previously presented; (c) claims 5 is original; (d) claims 1-2,
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`8, 10 and 12-15 are canceled; and (e) the grounds for rejection set forth in the April 2,
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`2013 office action are traversed. Claims 3-7, 9, 11 and 16-20 are currently pending
`
`and an office action on the merits follows.
`
`Claim Rejections — 35 USC § 103
`
`4.
`
`The following is a quotation of 35 USC. 103(a) which forms the basis for all
`
`obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
`
`(a) A patent may not be obtained though the invention is not identically disclosed or described as
`set forth in section 102 of this title, if the differences between the subject matter sought to be
`patented and the prior art are such that the subject matter as a whole would have been obvious
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 12/262,244
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`Page 3
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`Art Unit: 2622
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`at the time the invention was made to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which said
`subject matter pertains. Patentability shall not be negatived by the manner in which the invention
`was made.
`
`5.
`
`The factual inquiries set forth in Graham v. John Deere Co., 383 U.S. 1, 148
`
`USPQ 459 (1966), which are applied for establishing a background for determining
`
`obviousness under 3.5. U.S.C. 103(a), are summarized as follows:
`
`Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
`1.
`Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
`2.
`Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
`3.
`Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or
`4.
`nonobviousness.
`
`6.
`
`This application currently names joint inventors.
`
`In considering patentability of
`
`the claims under 35 U.S.C. 103(a), the examiner presumes that the subject matter of
`
`the various claims was commonly owned at the time any inventions covered therein
`
`were made absent any evidence to the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation
`
`under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and invention dates of each claim that was
`
`not commonly owned at the time a later invention was made in order for the examiner to
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`consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 103(0) and potential 35 U.S.C. 102(e), (f) or (g)
`
`prior art under 35 U.S.C. 103(a).
`
`7.
`
`Independent claim 11 and claims 3-7 that depend on it are rejected under 35
`
`U.S.C. 103(a) as being unpatentable over the third embodiment of BABA ET AL. (U.S.
`
`Patent Publication No. 2002/0003522 A1) in view of the eighth embodiment of BABA ET
`
`AL. in further view of the fourth embodiment of BABA ET AL. in still further view of the
`
`first embodiment of BABA ET AL.
`
`in yet further view of the sixth embodiment of BABA
`
`ET AL. (U.S. Patent Publication No. 2002/0122019 A1) (hereinafter referred to as
`
`“BABA III”).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 12/262,244
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`Page 4
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`Art Unit: 2622
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`
`s 3
`L‘mit‘ maid Md ,4Will/1111111111111
`
`
`
`
`(4,5"1
`
`Regarding independent claim 11, a third embodiment of BABA ET AL. discloses
`
`[a] display device (See e.g., Figs. 11-12; para [0054] — [0055]; and [0127]) having a
`
`display panel arrayed with a plurality of pixels (See e.g., Fig. 12; para [0129]), and a
`
`backlight for illuminating the display panel (See e.g., Fig. 11, reference number 21;
`
`para [0116] — [0117]; and [0127]), wherein image data is received as input and
`
`displayed on the display panel (See e.g., para [0128]-[0129]) comprising: a plurality
`
`of backlight areas that constitute the backlight (See e.g., FIG. 2, reference numbers
`
`12-13; para [0095]; [0117]; and [0127]); and a lighting drive circuit in which the
`
`backlight areas are associated so as to illuminate the plurality of pixels of the
`
`display panel (See e.g., FIG. 2 reference labels “Light source lightening control circuit”
`
`and “Light source control signal”; para [0095]; [0117]; and [0127]), the backlight areas
`
`within a single frame time of the image data can be switched on and off at least
`
`one time or more (See e.g., para [0130]; and [0145]).
`
`However, the third embodiment of BABA ET AL. does not explicitly disclose the
`
`lighting periods of each of the backlight areas can be varied, the backlight areas
`
`are switched on after a predetermined standby time has elapsed after the display
`
`data of the plurality of pixels illuminated by the backlight areas has been updated,
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 12/262,244
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`Page 5
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`Art Unit: 2622
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`the backlight areas are switched off after the lighting periods has elapsed, the
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`predetermined standby time is adjusted in accordance with the length of the
`
`lighting periods of the backlight areas and the amount of light emitted per unit of
`
`time in a lighting period can be varied, wherein: the lighting drive circuit
`
`comprises a circuit for extracting characteristics of an entire single frame of the
`
`image data and a circuit for extracting for each backlight area the characteristics
`
`of a plurality of pixels for illuminating the backlight areas of image data; the
`
`length of the lighting period of the backlight is adjusted in accordance with the
`
`characteristics of the entire single frame of the image data; and the amount of
`
`light emitted per unit of time in the lighting period is adjusted in accordance with
`
`the characteristics of the plurality of pixels illuminated by the backlight and the
`
`characteristics of the entire single frame of the image data for each area of the
`
`backlight, wherein the characteristic of the entire single frame of the image data
`
`is the maximum value of the gray levels of the image data included in the single
`
`frame; and wherein the characteristic of the plurality of pixels illuminated by the
`
`backlight for each area of the backlight is the maximum value of the gray levels of
`
`the image data that corresponds to the plurality of pixels, whereby control of the
`
`amount of light emitted per unit of time in the lighting period is carried out for
`
`each area in accordance with the characteristics of the image data included in the
`
`corresponding area among the input image data in addition to the characteristics
`
`of the entire single screen, and so that the amount of light emitted per unit of time
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 12/262,244
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`Page 6
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`Art Unit: 2622
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`in the lighting period is reduced as the maximum value of the gray levels of the
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`image data that corresponds to the plurality of pixels for each area is reduced.
`
`However, the eighth embodiment of BABA ET AL. does disclose the lighting
`
`periods of each of the backlight areas can be varied (See e.g., Fig. 30; para [0169];
`
`[0171]; and [0174]; [0176]); and a circuit for extracting for each backlight area the
`
`characteristics of a plurality of pixels for illuminating the backlight areas of image
`
`data (See e.g., para [0169]; [0171]; [0172]; and [0173]); and the amount of light
`
`emitted per unit of time in the lighting period is adjusted in accordance with the
`
`characteristics of the plurality of pixels illuminated by the backlight (See e.g., Fig.
`
`32; para [O173]-[O176])
`
`However, the fourth embodiment of BABA ET AL. does disclose the backlight
`
`areas are switched on after a predetermined standby time has elapsed after the
`
`display data of the plurality of pixels illuminated by the backlight areas has been
`
`updated (See e.g., para [O142]-[O144]).
`
`However, the sixth embodiment of BABA I“ does disclose and wherein the
`
`characteristic of the plurality of pixels illuminated by the backlight for each area
`
`of the backlight is the maximum value of the gray levels of the image data that
`
`corresponds to the plurality of pixels (See e.g., FIG. 11 ; para [O138]-[O139]; [0142];
`
`[O160]-[O166]; and [O177]-[O179] — this disclosure teaches the maximum value of the
`
`gray levels of the image data that corresponds to the plurality of pixels for each area
`
`based on different colors with each pixel made up of different colored subpixels, so that
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 12/262,244
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`Page 7
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`Art Unit: 2622
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`different colored regions of an image are displayed by one or a combination of colors
`
`being displayed during a sub-field period).
`
`However, the first embodiment of BABA ET AL. does disclose the backlight
`
`areas are switched off after the lighting periods has elapsed (See e.g., para [0047]-
`
`[0048]; and [0100]), the predetermined standby time is adjusted in accordance with
`
`the length of the lighting periods of the backlight areas (See e.g., para [0100]-
`
`[0101]) and the amount of light emitted per unit of time in a lighting period can be
`
`varied (See e.g., para [0101]), wherein: the lighting drive circuit comprises a circuit
`
`for extracting characteristics of an entire single frame of the image data (See e.g.,
`
`para [0096]) the length of the lighting period of the backlight is adjusted in
`
`accordance with the characteristics of the entire single frame of the image data
`
`(See e.g., para [0096]) and the amount of light emitted per unit of time in the
`
`lighting period is adjusted in accordance with the characteristics of the entire
`
`single frame of the image data for each area of the backlight (See e.g., para
`
`[0096]): wherein the characteristic of the entire single frame of the image data is
`
`the maximum value of the gray levels of the image data included in the single
`
`
`frame (See e.g., Fle. 5-6; para [0049]; and [0102]—[0103] — this disclosure teaches that
`
`the ratio of the on time versus the off time of the backlight regions is based on the
`
`the maximum value of the gray levels of the image data included in the single frame)_l
`
`and so that the amount of light emitted per unit of time in the lighting period is
`
`reduced as the maximum value of the gray levels of the image data that
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 12/262,244
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`Page 8
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`Art Unit: 2622
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`corresponds to the plurality of pixels for each area is reduced (See e.g., para
`
`[0100]-[0102]).
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the
`
`invention to modify the third embodiment of BABA ET AL.’s disclosure of [a] display
`
`device having a display panel arrayed with a plurality of pixels, and a backlight
`
`for illuminating the display panel, wherein image data is received as input and
`
`displayed on the display panel comprising: a plurality of backlight areas that
`
`constitute the backlight; and a lighting drive circuit in which the backlight areas
`
`are associated so as to illuminate the plurality of pixels of the display panel, the
`
`backlight areas within a single frame time of the image data can be switched on
`
`and off at least one time or more to include: (i) the eighth embodiment of BABA ET
`
`AL.’s teaching of the lighting periods of each of the backlight areas can be varied,
`
`for example, to improve the sharpness of the image quality as taught by the eight
`
`embodiment of BABA ET AL. (See e.g., para [0177]) and because BABA ET AL.
`
`explicitly states that the features of different embodiments can be combined (See e.g.,
`
`para [0022]); (ii) the fourth embodiment of BABA ET AL.’s teaching of the backlight
`
`areas are switched on after a predetermined standby time has elapsed after the
`
`display data of the plurality of pixels illuminated by the backlight areas has been
`
`updated, for example, “to display the image with high quality” as taught by the fourth
`
`embodiment of BABA ET AL. (See e.g., para [0144]) and because BABA ET AL.
`
`explicitly states that the features of different embodiments can be combined (See e.g.,
`
`para [0022]); (iii) the third embodiment of BABA ET AL.’s teaching of the backlight
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 12/262,244
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`Page 9
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`Art Unit: 2622
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`areas are switched off after the lighting periods has elapsed, for example, to
`
`enhance the maximum brightness level of the displayed image as taught by the first
`
`embodiment of BABA ET AL. (See e.g., para [0096]) and because BABA ET AL.
`
`explicitly states that the features of different embodiments can be combined (See e.g.,
`
`para [0022]); (iv) the first embodiment of BABA ET AL.’s teaching of the predetermined
`
`standby time is adjusted in accordance with the length of the lighting periods of
`
`the backlight areas, for example, to enhance the maximum brightness level of the
`
`displayed image as taught by the first embodiment of BABA ET AL. (See e.g., para
`
`[0096]) and because BABA ET AL. explicitly states that the features of different
`
`embodiments can be combined (See e.g., para [0022]); (v) the first embodiment of
`
`BABA ET AL.’s teaching of and the amount of light emitted per unit of time in a
`
`lighting period can be varied, for example, to enhance the maximum brightness level
`
`of the displayed image as taught by the first embodiment of BABA ET AL. (See e.g.,
`
`para [0096]) and because BABA ET AL. explicitly states that the features of different
`
`embodiments can be combined (See e.g., para [0022]); (vi) the first embodiment of
`
`BABA ET AL.’s teaching of wherein: the lighting drive circuit comprises a circuit for
`
`extracting characteristics of an entire single frame of the image data, for example,
`
`“to enhance the display brightness of the image” as taught by the first embodiment of
`
`BABA ET AL. (See e.g., para [0096]) and because BABA ET AL. explicitly states that
`
`the features of different embodiments can be combined (See e.g., para [0022]); (vii) the
`
`first embodiment of BABA’s teaching of wherein the characteristic of the entire
`
`single frame of the image data is the maximum value of the gray levels of the
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 12/262,244
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`Page 10
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`Art Unit: 2622
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`image data included in the single frame, for example, to display an image including
`
`motion sharply with little quality deterioration as taught by the first embodiment of BABA
`
`(See e.g., para [O111]-[O115]) and because BABA ET AL. explicitly states that the
`
`features of different embodiments can be combined (See e.g., para [0022]); (viii) the
`
`first embodiment of BABA’s teaching of and so that the amount of light emitted per
`
`unit of time in the lighting period is reduced as the maximum value of the gray
`
`levels of the image data that corresponds to the plurality of pixels for each area is
`
`reduced, for example, to display an image including motion sharply with little quality
`
`deterioration as taught by the first embodiment of BABA (See e.g., para [0111]-[O115])
`
`and because BABA ET AL. explicitly states that the features of different embodiments
`
`can be combined (See e.g., para [0022]); (ix) the eighth embodiment of BABA ET AL.’s
`
`teaching of and a circuit for extracting for each backlight area the characteristics
`
`of a plurality of pixels for illuminating the backlight areas of image data, for
`
`example, to provide detailed control of the image displayed as well as improved picture
`
`quality as taught by the eighth embodiment of BABA ET AL. (See e.g., para [0174] —
`
`[0177]) and because BABA ET AL. explicitly states that the features of different
`
`embodiments can be combined (See e.g., para [0022]); (xi) the first embodiment of
`
`BABA ET AL.’s teaching of the length of the lighting period of the backlight is
`
`adjusted in accordance with the characteristics of the entire single frame of the
`
`image data, for example, “[t]o enhance the display brightness of the image as taught by
`
`the first embodiment of BABA ET AL. (See e.g., para [0096]) and because BABA ET
`
`AL. explicitly states that the features of different embodiments can be combined (See
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 12/262,244
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`Page 11
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`Art Unit: 2622
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`e.g., para [0022]); (xii) the eighth embodiment of BABA ET AL.’s teaching of and the
`
`amount of light emitted per unit of time in the lighting period is adjusted in
`
`accordance with the characteristics of the plurality of pixels illuminated by the
`
`backlight, for example, to provide detailed control of the image displayed as well as
`
`improved picture quality as taught by the eighth embodiment of BABA ET AL. (See e.g.,
`
`para [0174] — [0177]) and because BABA ET AL. explicitly states that the features of
`
`different embodiments can be combined (See e.g., para [0022]); and (xiv) and the
`
`amount of light emitted per unit of time in the lighting period is adjusted in
`
`accordance with the characteristics of the entire single frame of the image data
`
`for each area of the backlight, for example, “[t]o enhance the display brightness of the
`
`image as taught by the first embodiment of BABA ET AL. (See e.g., para [0096]) and
`
`because BABA ET AL. explicitly states that the features of different embodiments can
`
`be combined (See e.g., para [0022]); and (xiii) the sixth embodiment of BABA Ill’s
`
`teaching of and wherein the characteristic of the plurality of pixels illuminated by
`
`the backlight for each area of the backlight is the maximum value of the gray
`
`levels of the image data that corresponds to the plurality of pixels, for example, to
`
`reduce color breakup for a field sequentially displayed image as taught by the sixth
`
`embodiment of BABA I” (See e.g., para [0009]-[OO11]; and [OO14]-[OO16]).
`
`This display device taught by the third embodiment of BABA ET AL. as modified
`
`by the eighth embodiment of BABA ET AL. as further modified by the fourth
`
`embodiment of BABA ET AL. as still further modified by the first embodiment of BABA
`
`ET AL. as yet further modified by the sixth embodiment of BABA includes whereby
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 12/262,244
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`Page 12
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`Art Unit: 2622
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`control of the amount of light emitted per unit of time in the lighting period is
`
`carried out for each area in accordance with the characteristics of the image data
`
`included in the corresponding area among the input image data given that the on
`
`versus off periods of the backlight are controlled based on the maximum brightness of
`
`each color to be displayed in each area in addition to the characteristics of the
`
`entire single screen given that the ratio of the on versus off periods of the backlight is
`
`controlled based on the maximum brightness level detected in a frame for the display.
`
`Regarding dependent claim 3, the third embodiment of BABA ET AL. as
`
`modified by the eighth embodiment of BABA ET AL. as further modified by the fourth
`
`embodiment of BABA ET AL. as still further modified by the first embodiment of BABA
`
`ET AL. as yet further modified by BABA ||| teaches [a] display device according to
`
`claim 11 as applied above.
`
`The first embodiment of BABA ET AL. further discloses comprising: a data
`
`converting circuit for converting the image data in accordance with the
`
`characteristics of the image data extracted in the circuit for extracting the
`
`characteristics of the image data (See e.g., para [0096] — [0097]); and a circuit for
`
`displaying the converted image data on the display panel (See e.g., para [0096]).
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the
`
`invention to modify the third embodiment of BABA ET AL.’s disclosure of the third
`
`embodiment of BABA ET AL. as modified by the eighth embodiment of BABA ET AL. as
`
`further modified by the fourth embodiment of BABA ET AL. as still further modified by
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 12/262,244
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`Page 13
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`Art Unit: 2622
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`the first embodiment of BABA ET AL. as yet further modified by BABA lll’s teaching of
`
`[a] display device according to claim 11 to include the first embodiment of BABA ET
`
`AL.’s teaching of comprising: a data converting circuit for converting the image
`
`data in accordance with the characteristics of the image data extracted in the
`
`circuit for extracting the characteristics of the image data and a circuit for
`
`displaying the converted image data on the display panel, for example, to display
`
`the image according to the desired frequency and grayscale as taught by the first
`
`embodiment of BABA ET AL. (See e.g., para [0096] — [0097]).
`
`Regarding dependent claim 4, the third embodiment of BABA ET AL. as
`
`modified by the eighth embodiment of BABA ET AL. as further modified by the fourth
`
`embodiment of BABA ET AL. as still further modified by the first embodiment of BABA
`
`ET AL. as yet further modified by BABA ||| teaches [a] display device according to
`
`claim 11 as applied above.
`
`The first embodiment of BABA ET AL. further discloses comprising: a circuit
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`for receiving as input an externally set brightness signal for adjusting the
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`brightness of the backlight (See e.g., Fig. 2 — “Light source lightening control circuit”;
`
`para [0096]) and a circuit for adjusting the length of the lighting period of the
`
`backlight in accordance with the externally set brightness signal (See e.g., para
`
`[0096]—[0097]).
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the
`
`invention to modify the third embodiment of BABA ET AL.’s disclosure of the third
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 12/262,244
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`Page 14
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`Art Unit: 2622
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`embodiment of BABA ET AL. as modified by the eighth embodiment of BABA ET AL. as
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`further modified by the fourth embodiment of BABA ET AL. as still further modified by
`
`the first embodiment of BABA ET AL. as yet further modified by BABA lll’s teaching of
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`[a] display device according to claim 11 to include: (i) the first embodiment of BABA
`
`ET AL.’s teaching of comprising: a circuit for receiving as input an externally set
`
`brightness signal for adjusting the brightness of the backlight, for example, to
`
`provide enhanced display brightness when a user or photodetector adjusts the
`
`brightness level of the backlight as taught by the first embodiment of BABA ET AL. (See
`
`e.g., para [0096]); and (ii) and a circuit for adjusting the length of the lighting
`
`period of the backlight in accordance with the externally set brightness signal, for
`
`example, to provide enhanced display brightness when a user or photodetector adjusts
`
`the brightness level of the backlight as taught by the first embodiment of BABA ET AL.
`
`(See e.g., para [0096]).
`
`Regarding dependent claim 5, the third embodiment of BABA ET AL. as
`
`modified by the eighth embodiment of BABA ET AL. as further modified by the fourth
`
`embodiment of BABA ET AL. as still further modified by the first embodiment of BABA
`
`ET AL. as yet further modified by BABA ||| teaches [a] display device according to
`
`claim 4 as applied above. The third embodiment of BABA ET AL. further discloses and
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`a circuit for displaying the image data on the display panel (See e.g., Fig. 12; para
`
`[0129]).
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 12/262,244
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`Page 15
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`Art Unit: 2622
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`The first embodiment of BABA ET AL. further discloses comprising: a data
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`converting circuit for converting the image data in accordance with the externally
`
`set brightness signal (See e.g., para [0096]).
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the
`
`invention to modify the third embodiment of BABA ET AL.’s disclosure of the third
`
`embodiment of BABA ET AL. as modified by the eighth embodiment of BABA ET AL. as
`
`further modified by the fourth embodiment of BABA ET AL. as still further modified by
`
`the first embodiment of BABA ET AL. as yet further modified by BABA lll’s teaching of
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`[a] display device according to claim 4 with the third embodiment of BABA ET AL.’s
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`teaching of and a circuit for displaying the image data on the display panel to
`
`include the first embodiment of BABA ET AL.’s teaching of comprising: a data
`
`converting circuit for converting the image data in accordance with the externally
`
`set brightness signal, for example, to provide enhanced display brightness when a
`
`user or photodetector adjusts the brightness level of the backlight as taught by the first
`
`embodiment of B ABA ET AL. (See e.g., para [0096]).
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 12/262,244
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`Page 16
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`Art Unit: 2622
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`
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`Regarding dependent claim 6, the third embodiment of BABA ET AL. as
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`modified by the eighth embodiment of BABA ET AL. as further modified by the fourth
`
`embodiment of BABA ET AL. as still further modified by the first embodiment of BABA
`
`ET AL. as yet further modified by BABA ||| teaches [a] display device according to
`
`claim 11 as applied above.
`
`The first embodiment of BABA ET AL. further discloses and a circuit for
`
`adjusting the brightness of the backlight by the switching on and off the backlight
`
`(See e.g., para [0096]).
`
`However, the third embodiment of BABA ET AL. as modified by the eighth
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`embodiment of BABA ET AL. as further modified by the fourth embodiment of BABA ET
`
`AL. as still further modified by the first embodiment of BABA ET AL. as yet further
`
`modified by BABA I“ does not explicitly disclose comprising: a circuit for switching
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`on and off the backlight over a further plurality of cycles within the lighting period
`
`of the backlight.
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 12/262,244
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`Page 17
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`Art Unit: 2622
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`However, the fifth embodiment of BABA ET AL. discloses comprising: a circuit
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`for switching on and off the backlight over a further plurality of cycles within the
`
`lighting period of the backlight (See e.g., FIG. 24A-24l; para [0145]; [0147] — [0152]).
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the
`
`invention to modify the third embodiment of BABA ET AL. as modified by the eighth
`
`embodiment of BABA ET AL. as further modified by the fourth embodiment of BABA ET
`
`AL. as still further modified by the first embodiment of BABA ET AL. as yet further
`
`modified by BABA lll’s teaching of [a] display device according to claim 11 to include
`
`the first embodiment of BABA ET AL.’s teaching of and a circuit for adjusting the
`
`brightness of the backlight by the switching on and off the backlight, for example,
`
`to enhance the maximum brightness level of the displayed image as taught by the first
`
`embodiment of BABA ET AL. (See e.g., para [0096]); and to include the fifth
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`embodiment of BABA ET AL.’s teaching of comprising: a circuit for switching on and
`
`off the backlight over a further plurality of cycles within the lighting period of the
`
`backlight, for example, to facilitate the displaying of fast moving objects on the display
`
`(See e.g., para [0146]).
`
`Regarding dependent claim 7, the third embodiment of BABA ET AL. as
`
`modified by the eighth embodiment of BABA ET AL. as further modified by the fourth
`
`embodiment of BABA ET AL. as still further modified by the first embodiment of BABA
`
`ET AL. as yet further modified by BABA ||| teaches [a] display device according to
`
`claim 11 as applied above.
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 12/262,244
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`Page 18
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`Art Unit: 2622
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`The first embodiment of BABA ET AL. further discloses comprising: a circuit
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`for adjusting the brightness of the backlight in accordance with brightness
`
`information of the image data (See e.g., para [0096]); and a circuit for controlling
`
`so that the lighting period of the backlight in the lighting drive circuit is shortened
`
`as the brightness of the backlight is reduced (See e.g., para [O100]-[O102]).
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the
`
`invention to modify the third embodiment of BABA ET AL.’s disclosure of the third
`
`embodiment of BABA ET AL. as modified by the eighth embodiment of BABA ET AL. as
`
`further modified by the fourth embodiment of BABA ET AL. as still further modified by
`
`the first embodiment of BABA ET AL. as yet further modified by BABA lll’s teaching of
`
`[a] display device according to claim 11 to include the first embodiment of BABA ET
`
`AL.’s teaching of comprising: a circuit for adjusting the brightness of the backlight
`
`in accordance with brightness information of the image data, for example, “to
`
`enhance the display brightness of the image” as taught by the first embodiment of
`
`BABA ET AL. (See e.g., para [0096]); and a circuit for controlling so that the
`
`lighting period of t