`
`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`Address: COMIVHSSIONER FOR PATENTS
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria1 Virginia 22313-1450
`www.uspto.gov
`
`
`
`
`
`12/987,381
`
`01/10/2011
`
`Tsunenori Yamamoto
`
`1497.46293CX1
`
`8422
`
`127271
`
`7590
`
`03/30/2015
`
`Lowe Hauptman & Ham, LLP
`2318 Mill Road
`Suite 1400
`Alexandria, VA 22314
`
`YENKE’ BRIAN P
`
`2422
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`NOTIFICATION DATE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`03/30/2015
`
`ELECTRONIC
`
`Please find below and/0r 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):
`
`ayamada@ ipfirm.com
`docketing @ ipfirm.com
`pair_lhhb @ firsttofile.com
`
`PTOL—90A (Rev. 04/07)
`
`

`

`
`
`Applicant(s)
`Application No.
` 12/987,381 YAMAMOTO ET AL.
`
`
`AIA (First Inventor to File)
`Art Unit
`Examiner
`Office Action Summary
`
`
`BRIAN YENKE its“ 2422
`-- 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 g MONTHS FROM THE MAILING DATE OF
`THIS COMMUNICATION.
`Extensions of time may be available under the provisions of 37 CFR1. 136( a).
`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).
`
`In no event, however, may a reply be timely filed
`
`Status
`
`1)IZI Responsive to communication(s) filed on Amendment (03/11/151.
`El A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/were filed on
`
`2b)|:l This action is non-final.
`2a)|Z| This action is FINAL.
`3)|:I An election was made by the applicant in response to a restriction requirement set forth during the interview on
`
`; the restriction requirement and election have been incorporated into this action.
`
`4)|:| Since this application is in condition for allowance except for formal matters, prosecution as to the merits is
`
`closed in accordance with the practice under Exparte Quay/e, 1935 CD. 11, 453 O.G. 213.
`
`Disposition of Claims*
`
`5)IZI Claim(s) 249 is/are pending in the application.
`5a) Of the above claim(s)
`is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`
`is/are allowed.
`6)|:I Claim(s)
`7)|Z| Claim(s)_2—9 is/are rejected.
`
`8)|:I Claim(s)_ is/are objected to.
`* If any)claims have been determined allowable, you may be eligible to benefit from the Patent Prosecution Highway program at a
`
`
`
`()
`
`are subject to restriction and/or election requirement.
`
`participating intellectual property office for the corresponding application. For more information, please see
`
`
`
`I/'/\WII‘IN.USOIO. ovI’ atentS/init events/
`iindex.‘s orsend an inquiry to PPI-iieedback{®usgtc.00v.
`
`htt
`
`Application Papers
`
`10)I:l The specification is objected to by the Examiner.
`11)I:l The drawing(s) filed on
`is/are: a)I:I 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)I:| Acknowledgment is made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d) or (f).
`Certified copies:
`
`a)I:l All
`
`b)|:l Some” c)I:l None of the:
`
`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.|:| 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)
`
`3) D Interview Summary (PTO-413)
`1) D Notice of References Cited (PTO-892)
`Paper No(s)/Mai| Date.
`.
`.
`4) I:I Other'
`2) I] InformatIon DIsclosure Statement(s) (PTO/SB/08a and/or PTO/SB/08b)
`Paper No(s)/Mai| Date
`US. Patent and Trademark Office
`PTOL—326 (Rev. 11-13)
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Part of Paper No./Mai| Date 20150324
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 12/987,381
`
`Page 2
`
`Art Unit: 2422
`
`The present application is being examined under the pre-AIA first to invent
`
`provisions.
`
`1.
`
`There were no arguments with the amendment, thus no arguments to address.
`
`Response to Arguments
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
`
`2.
`
`The following is a quotation of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a) which forms the basis for all obviousness
`
`rejections set forth in this Office action:
`
`(a) A patent may not be obtained though the invention is not identically disclosed or
`described as set forth in section 102 of this title, if the differences between the subject
`matter sought to be patented and the prior art are such that the subject matter as a whole
`would have been obvious at the time the invention was made to a person having ordinary
`skill in the art to which said subject matter pertains. Patentability shall not be negatived
`by the manner in which the invention was made.
`
`2a.
`
`Claim 2 are rejected under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as being unpatentable over
`
`Credelle et al., US 7,283,142, Brown Elliott et al., US 7,583,279 and Kim, US 2005/0258740
`
`In considering claim 2,
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 12/987,381
`
`Page 3
`
`Art Unit: 2422
`
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`
`
`The examiner notes that limitations a/b and c are conventional LCD features, wherein LCD
`
`includes subpixels, including the RGBW, which are connected by a transistor and signal line.
`
`Although well known, and even disclosed by applicant's admission of prior art the examiner
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 12/987,381
`
`Page 4
`
`Art Unit: 2422
`
`introduces Credelle et al., US 7,283,142 which discloses the features of sub-pixels being connected via a
`
`transistor and signal line as shown.
`
`COLUMN DRWElS
`
`Regarding limitation d,
`
`The examiner notes that it is known in the art to assign a white display auxiliary pixel area for
`
`each sub-pixel as evidenced by Brown Elliott et al., US 7,583,279, which discloses subpixels 104, 106,
`
`108, 110 as the clear/white, green, red and blue subpixels. The white subpixel increases the brightness
`
`1
`
`when displaying non-satured colors as taught by Brown Elliott.
`
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`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 12/987,381
`
`Page 5
`
`Art Unit: 2422
`
`
`
`Regarding the limitation:
`
`\\ \
`
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`
`The examiner notes in the field of displays, the use of transistors and the sharing of a transistor in
`
`lieu of two transistors is well known in the art.
`
`The examiner incorporates Kim, US 2005/0258740, which discloses (para 27, 52) a dual sided
`
`display which preferably uses a single transistor, although alternatively may use the non-preferred two
`
`transistors.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 12/987,381
`
`Page 6
`
`Art Unit: 2422
`
`EEKETE Preferahiy. the first and 53362121 organic EL idea-ices
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`
`Thus the combination above would be motivated by Kim to reduce hardware/costs by using the
`
`preferential single transistor for both the white and other color area, being obvious to one of ordinary skill
`
`in the art, when the regions are adjacent/next/above-below each other.
`
`Regarding the newly amended/added portion:
`
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`
`
`
`The examiner notes evidenced prior art Credelle et al., US 7,283, 142 discloses embodiments
`
`where the electrodes may crossover or not crossover (meets the claimed "without overlap"). As shown in
`
`Fig 5 each electrode are connected without overlap. Therefore it would have been obvious to one of
`
`ordinary skill in the art to implement a circuit which is of conventional form which includes the "without
`
`overlap" as claimed.
`
`titers-.- are elmtmde cemecticfis
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`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 12/987,381
`
`Page 7
`
`Art Unit: 2422
`
`4‘34
`
` FMy:
`
`in
`Er;
`
`:
`
`En g n
`
`:
`
`2b.
`
`Claims 3. 5 are rejected under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as being unpatentable over
`
`Credelle et al., US 7,283,142 and Brown Elliott et al., US 7,583,279, Kim, US 2005/0258740 and Suzuki,
`
`US 2006/0290869.
`
`In considering claim 3,
`
`As shown above in the combination of claim 2, the sub-pixels are driven by a pixel electrode
`
`structure through the transistor connected with the signal line.
`
`Regarding the bending direction, the examiner notes Suzuki, US 2006/0290869, which discloses
`
`both in the prior art and disclosure the bending of the electrodes in the upper and lower part as shown Fig
`
`1a/para 009.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 12/987,381
`
`Page 8
`
`Art Unit: 2422
`
`In considering claim 5,
`
`Suzuki discloses the comb-like structure as claimed in reference to the prior art, para 005-006
`
`and 009 and in the disclosed invention.
`
`2c. Claims 4, 6 and 9 are rejected under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as being unpatentable over
`
`Credelle et al., US 7,283,142 and Brown Elliott et al., US 7,583,279, Kim, US 2005/0258740 and Pate et
`
`al., US 7,391,475.
`
`In considering claim 4,
`
`Regarding limitation d) the voltage characteristic on the white (auxiliary) area being higher then
`
`the other sub-pixels. The examiner notes that it is known in the field of displays to enhance/increase the
`
`brightness of the white pixel/sub-pixel without saturating/deteriorating the colors of the RGB
`
`pixels/subpixels and to conserve energy/power in the system.
`
`The examiner introduces Pate et al., US 7,391,475.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 12/987,381
`
`Page 9
`
`Art Unit: 2422
`
`US Patent:
`
`Jun. lat, 21m
`
`Sheet :5 of 9
`
`LS T._.391,s$?5 32
`
`Fig i3
`
`an ,
`
`,
`
`‘
`
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`.
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`
`RED
`
`
`GREEN: BLUE mam-re
`
`As shown by Pate it is known to apply more energy during a particular color or white component
`
`of the image in order to increase the brightness. Pate discloses that although a color wheel is used, the
`
`use of reflective filters, micromirror device, LCD etc...thus the benefits of such increased energy (voltage)
`
`of the white light would apply to the claimed LCD display.
`
`In considering claims 6 and 9,
`
`The above combination does not explicitly recite the differing in voltage-transmittance
`
`characteristics between the white and other colors (red, green and blue), however it is common
`
`knowledge that white light is at the upper end of the voltage spectrum and black/dark light at the lower
`
`end, thus one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize, the voltage value may be shared (since a single
`
`transistor) and may be different (when white light is predominant).
`
`Also see Suzuki, para 23 which discloses the change in voltage for black (non-white display).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 12/987,381
`
`Page 10
`
`Art Unit: 2422
`
`2d.
`
`Claims 7-8 are rejected under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as being unpatentable over
`
`Credelle et al., US 7,283,142 and Brown Elliott et al., US 7,583,279, Kim, US 2005/0258740 and Suzuki,
`
`US 2006/0290869 and Nakakima, US 6,281,958
`
`Regarding claims 7 and 8,
`
`The examiner as noted above notes that the bending of electrodes is common in the art.
`
`In
`
`addition the examiner notes that based upon a viewing angle of the display, wherein when the electrodes
`
`are bent, allows users to view the display from multiple angles as disclosed by Nakakima, US 6,281,958
`
`(for example col 6, line 40-49).
`
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`
`Conclusion
`
`3.
`
`THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth
`
`in 37 CFR1.136(a).
`
`A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from
`
`the mailing date of this action.
`
`In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date
`
`of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH
`
`shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory 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 of this final action.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 12/987,381
`
`Page 11
`
`Art Unit: 2422
`
`4.
`
`Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should
`
`be directed to Brian Yenke whose telephone number is (571 )272-7359. The examiner work schedule is
`
`Monday-Thursday, 0730-1830 hrs.
`
`lf attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s Supervisor,
`
`Jeffrey Harold, can be reached at (571)272-7519.
`
`Any response to this action should be mailed to:
`
`Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks
`
`Washington, DC. 20231
`
`or faxed to:
`
`(571 )-273-8300
`
`Any inquiry of a general nature or relating to the status of this application or proceeding should be
`
`directed to the Technology Center 2600 Customer Service Office whose telephone number is
`
`(703)305-HELP.
`
`General information about patents, trademarks, products and services offered by the United
`
`States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), and other related information is available by
`
`contacting the USPTO’s General Information Services Division at:
`
`800-PTO-9199 or 703-308-HELP
`
`(FAX) 703-305-7786
`
`(TDD) 703-305-7785
`
`An automated message system is available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day providing
`
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`
`Customer service representatives are available to answer questions, send materials or connect
`
`customers with other offices of the USPTO from 8:30 am. - 8:00p.m. EST/EDT, Monday-Friday
`
`excluding federal holidays.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 12/987,381
`
`Page 12
`
`Art Unit: 2422
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`For other technical patent information needs, the Patent Assistance Center can be reached
`
`through customer service representatives at the above numbers, Monday through Friday (except
`
`federal holidays) from 8:30 am. to 5:00 pm. EST/EDT.
`
`The Patent Electronic Business Center (EBC) allows USPTO customers to retrieve data,
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`available in the Patent EBC are Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) and the Electronic
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`
`form.
`
`B.P.Y.
`24 Mar 15
`
`/BRIAN P. YENKE/
`
`Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2422
`
`