`
`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`Address: COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria1 Virginia 22313- 1450
`www.uspto.gov
`
`APPLICATION NO.
`
`
`
`
`
` F ING DATE
`
`FIRST NAMED INVENTOR
`
`ATTORNEY DOCKET NO.
`
`
`
`
`
`CONF {MATION NO.
`
`13/581,654
`
`09/05/2012
`
`Jun Nakai
`
`OHNO—118US
`
`7775
`
`EXAMINER
`RATNERPRESTIA —
`08’0”“ —
`7590
`52473
`PO BOX 980
`HAGEMEIER, HERBERT L
`VALLEY FORGE, PA 19482-0980
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`ART UNIT
`
`2624
`
`
`
`
`NOT *ICATION DATE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`08/01/2014
`
`ELECTRONIC
`
`Please find below and/or attached an Office communication concerning this application or proceeding.
`
`The time period for reply, if any, is set in the attached communication.
`
`Notice of the Office communication was sent electronically on above—indicated "Notification Date" to the
`following e—mail address(es):
`
`ptocorrespondence @ratnerprestia.c0m
`
`PTOL—90A (Rev. 04/07)
`
`

`

`
`
`Applicant(s)
`Application No.
` 13/581,654 NAKAI, JUN
`
`
`AIA (First Inventor to File)
`Art Unit
`Examiner
`Office Action Summary
`
`
`HERBERT L. HAGEMEIER [SENS 2624
`-- 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 QAQI’i/ 2014.
`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: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) 1,2 and 5-14 is/are pending in the application.
`5a) Of the above claim(s)
`is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`
`is/are allowed.
`6)I:I Claim(s)
`7)|Z| Claim(s) 1,2 and 5-14 is/are rejected.
`8)|:I Claim(s)_ is/are objected to.
`
`
`are subject to restriction and/or election requirement.
`9)I:I Claim((s)
`* If any claims have been determined allowable, you may be eligible to benefit from the Patent Prosecution Highway program at a
`
`participating intellectual property office for the corresponding application. For more information, please see
`hit
`:/'I’vaIW.usnI‘.0. ovI’ atentS/init events/
`
`
`
`h/index.‘s or send an inquiry to PPI-iieedback{®usgtc.00v.
`
`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)I:I objected to by the Examiner.
`Applicant may not request that any objection to the drawing(s) be held in abeyance. See 37 CFR 1.85(a).
`
`Replacement drawing sheet(s) including the correction is required if the drawing(s) is objected to. See 37 CFR 1.121 (d).
`
`Priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119
`
`12)IXI Acknowledgment is made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d) or (f).
`Certified copies:
`
`a)IZl All
`
`b)|:l Some” c)I:l None of the:
`
`1.IXI 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) E 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 20140718
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 13/581 ,654
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`Page 2
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`Art Unit: 2624
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`The present application is being examined under the pre-AlA first to invent provisions.
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`DETAILED ACTION
`
`Response to Amendment
`
`1.
`
`In an amendment dated, 9 April 2014, the applicant’s amended claims 1, 2, and
`
`13. Claims 3-4 has been cancelled. Currently claims 1-2 and 5-14 are pending.
`
`Response to Arguments
`
`2.
`
`Applicant's arguments filed on 9 April 2014 have been fully considered but they
`
`are not persuasive. In view of amendments, the reference of Hotelling (US Pub.
`
`2011/0012840) has been added for new grounds of rejection.
`
`For all the above reasons, the pending claims remain rejected.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
`
`3.
`
`The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of pre-AlA 35 U.S.C.
`
`102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
`
`A person shall be entitled to a patent unless —
`
`(e) the invention was described in (1) an application for patent, published under section
`122(b), by another filed in the United States before the invention by the applicant for patent or
`(2) a patent granted on an application for patent by another filed in the United States before
`the invention by the applicant for patent, except that an international application filed under
`the treaty defined in section 351 (a) shall have the effects for purposes of this subsection of an
`application filed in the United States only if the international application designated the United
`States and was published under Article 21(2) of such treaty in the English language.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 13/581 ,654
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`Page 3
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`Art Unit: 2624
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`4.
`
`Claims 1, 5, 7 and 13 are rejected under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(e) as being
`
`anticipated by Hotelling (US Pub. 2011/0012840).
`
`Consider claim 1 (Currently Amended), Hotelling discloses A display device (Fig. 9 &
`
`10) having a capacitive touch panel in front of an image display unit, the touch panel
`
`detecting a capacitance change of the touch panel (Para. 38: the increase in
`
`capacitance can be measured by the device to determine whether an object is
`
`touching the device and Para. 65: measuring changes to a signal charge), the
`
`display device comprising:
`
`a control unit (Fig. 8, 84) that sets a threshold (Para. 54 & 60: values can be
`
`compared to a threshold, indicating “grounded” above the threshold and” not
`
`grounded” below the threshold which can be adjusted, thereby reducing or
`
`elimination of any negative pixel effects, providing more accurate touch signals;
`
`values can be stored in RAM; Fig. 8) of the detected capacitance change of the touch
`
`paflto determine whether the touch panel is operated (Para. 38 & 40: the increase in
`
`capacitance can be measured by the device to determine whether an object is
`
`touching the device by sensing a touch on the device 40 indicating that the
`
`device is being held and therefore grounded); and
`
`a switch (Fig. 3, sensor 34 which may be optical or infrared (IR) [Para. 33])
`
`located past an outer edge of the touch panel (Para. 33 & 43: the proximity sensor 34
`
`can be disposed at a side of the touch surface) that causes the control unit to detect
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`that the display device is held by an operator responsive to actuation of the switch
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 13/581 ,654
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`Page 4
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`Art Unit: 2624
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`(Para. 40: sensing a touch on the device 40 can be indication that the device is
`
`being held),
`
`wherein the control unit (Para. 67) changes the threshold (Para. 54: a lookup
`
`table can be used which includes permutation of the possible parameter values)
`
`of the detected capacitance change of the touch panel to a different value (Para. 58:
`
`“one of multiple values”) responsive to the actuation of the switch (Para. 40: sensing
`
`a touch on the device 40 can be indication that the device is being held), and
`
`wherein the threshold is maintained (Para. 54: lookup table including
`
`permutations values) with at the different value (Para. 58: “one of multiple values”)
`
`while the switch is actuated (Para. 40: sensing a touch on the device 40 can be
`
`indication that the device is being held).
`
`Consider claim 5 (Original), Hotelling discloses the display device according to claim 1,
`
`wherein the switch is provided in a margin of the display device and lower left and right
`
`of the image display unit in a front view (Para. 43: the proximity sensor 34 can be any
`
`combination disposed at a side of the touch surface, at the front and the back).
`
`Consider claim 7 (Original), Hotelling discloses the display device according to claim 6,
`
`Hotelling further teaches wherein the first switch is provided in a margin of the display
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`device (Fig. 4, sensor 42) and one of a lower right side and lower left side of the image
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`display unit in a front view, and the second switch is provided in the other side of the
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`image display unit (Fig. 2-4 and Para. 43: the proximity sensor 34 can be any
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 13/581 ,654
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`Page 5
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`Art Unit: 2624
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`combination disposed at a side of the touch surface, at the front and the back,
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`Fig. 3 illustrates a sensor in the other side of display and either lower right or
`
`lower left side).
`
`Consider claim 13 (Currently Amended), Hotelling discloses a display device (Fig. 9 &
`
`10) having a capacitive touch panel that detects a capacitance change, in front of an
`
`image display unit (Para. 38: the increase in capacitance can be measured by the
`
`device to determine whether an object is touching the device and Para. 65:
`
`measuring changes to a signal charge), the display device comprising:
`
`a control unit (Fig. 8, 84) that sets a threshold to be compared (Para. 54 & 60:
`
`values can be compared to a threshold, indicating “grounded” above the
`
`threshold and” not grounded” below the threshold which can be adjusted,
`
`thereby reducing or elimination any negative pixel effects, providing more
`
`accurate touch signals; values can be stored in RAM; Fig. 8) to a variation of a
`
`capacitance detected by the touch panel to determine whether the touch panel is
`
`operated (Para. 38 & 40: the increase in capacitance can be measured by the
`
`device to determine whether an object is touching the device by sensing a touch
`
`on the device 40 indicating that the device is being held and therefore grounded);
`
`and
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`a switch (Fig. 3, sensor 34 which may be optical or infrared (IR) [Para. 33])
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`that causes the control unit to detect that the display device is attached to a stand (Fig.
`
`1 and Para. 24-26: clock 18 with sensor 13a) responsive to actuation of the switch
`
`

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`Page 6
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`Art Unit: 2624
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`(Para. 40: sensing a touch on the device 40 can be indication that the device is
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`being held),
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`wherein the control unit sets the threshold to a different value (Para. 58: “one of
`
`multiple values”) according to a detection result using the switch (Para. 40: sensing a
`
`touch on the device 40 can be indication that the device is being held), and
`
`wherein the threshold is maintained (Para. 54: lookup table including
`
`permutations values) at the different value (Para. 58: “one of multiple values”) m
`
`the switch is actuated (Para. 40: sensing a touch on the device 40 can be indication
`
`that the device is being held).
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
`
`5.
`
`The following is a quotation of 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.
`
`The factual inquiries set forth in Graham v. John Deere Co., 383 U.S. 1, 148 USPQ 459
`
`(1966), that are applied for establishing a background for determining obviousness
`
`under 35 U.S.C. 103(a) are summarized as follows:
`
`1.
`2.
`3.
`4
`
`Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
`Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
`Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
`Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating
`obviousness or nonobviousness.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 13/581 ,654
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`Page 7
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`Art Unit: 2624
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`6.
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`Claim 2 is rejected under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as being unpatentable over
`
`Hotelling et al (US Pub. 2011/0012840), in view of Kazuto, JP2008—033701
`
`(submitted by applicant in the IDS).
`
`Consider claim 2 (Currently Amended), Hotelling discloses the display device
`
`according to claim 1, wherein the control unit (Fig. 8, 84) sets the threshold (Para. 54 &
`
`60: values can be compared to a threshold, indicating “grounded” above the
`
`threshold and” not grounded” below the threshold which can be adjusted,
`
`thereby reducing or elimination any negative pixel effects, providing more
`
`accurate touch signals; values can be stored in RAM; Fig. 8).
`
`While Hotelling teaches a generalized case of providing thresholds for whether
`
`the device is being held (grounded) or ungrounded, Hotelling fails to explicitly disclose
`
`setting the threshold value lower than the threshold for a case where it is not detected
`
`that the operator holds the display device.
`
`Kazuto teaches in paragraph 8, if the switch is operated, and the threshold value
`
`lower than the threshold (measured impedance of the switch is lower than the
`
`reference value) for a case where it is not detected that the operator holds the display
`
`device (it is determined that an ungloved (empty hand) has operated the switch).
`
`While Hotelling generalizes setting multiple values for thresholds based on
`
`whether the device is grounded or ungrounded, that is whether the device is handheld
`
`or in a stand, Hotelling fails to explicitly teach providing a specific threshold value
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 13/581 ,654
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`Page 8
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`Art Unit: 2624
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`relative to a reference value (in the instant invention, threshold value lower than a
`
`reference value), indicating that a switch or sensor is activated. Kazuto teaches setting
`
`specific touch threshold values relative to a reference value, that is, in the case where a
`
`switch or sensor is activated when handheld (ungloved), wherein the threshold value is
`
`lower than the reference level, thus indicating that a handheld touch has occurred.
`
`It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at the time of
`
`the invention that any known threshold values can be substituted into the device of
`
`Hotelling, which discloses a generalized notion of threshold values compared to a
`
`reference level,
`
`in order to provide a more specific threshold value for the different
`
`switch/sensor states, that is whether the device is handheld or mounted on a stand, and
`
`setting a threshold value lower than the reference level or value for a case when the
`
`device is handheld, thus yielding the predictable results that a device is handheld and
`
`grounded (as in the case of Hotelling) [Kazuto: Para. 8 and Hotelling: Para. 38].
`
`Claims 3-4. (Cancelled)
`
`7.
`
`Claim 6 is rejected under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as being unpatentable over
`
`Hotelling (US 2011/0012840), in further view of Wisniewski (US. Pub. 2009/0114456),
`
`Consider claim 6 (Original), Hotelling discloses the display device according to claim 1,
`
`wherein:
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 13/581 ,654
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`Page 9
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`Art Unit: 2624
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`the switch comprises a first switch and a second switch (Para. 43: “combination
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`of front, the sides and the back sensors and Fig. 3, two sensors 34 (switches)),
`
`the control unit (Fig. 8, 84) that sets a threshold (Para. 54 & 60: values can be
`
`compared to a threshold, indicating “grounded” above the threshold and” not
`
`grounded” below the threshold which can be adjusted, thereby reducing or
`
`elimination any negative pixel effects, providing more accurate touch signals;
`
`values can be stored in RAM; Fig. 8).
`
`However, Hotelling fails to disclose to a first threshold when it is detected that the
`
`first switch and the second switch are turned off, sets the threshold to a second
`
`threshold when it is detected that only the first switch is turned on, and sets the
`
`threshold to a third threshold when it is detected that both of the first switch and the
`
`second switch are turned on, and the third threshold is a value lower than the second
`
`threshold and the second threshold is a value lower than the first threshold.
`
`Wisniewski teaches a first threshold when it is detected that the first switch and
`
`the second switch are turned off (a first threshold value known as the baseline value
`
`which represents the absence (first switch and the second switch are turned off)
`
`of a conductive object on the touch panel switch (Fig. 1, baseline 124, and Para.
`
`16), sets the threshold to a second threshold when it is detected that only the first switch
`
`is turned on (in Fig. 6, step 601 & 602, a baseline capacitance value is measured
`
`for both the first target touch-sensor button (first switch) and secondary touch-
`
`sensor button (second switch) [Fig. 2, buttons 210 and 220]. Then, the process
`
`determines the difference between the target and secondary touch-sensor
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 13/581 ,654
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`Page 10
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`Art Unit: 2624
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`buttons and calculates an offset value for each of the target and the secondary
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`touch-sensor buttons to determine the second and third threshold values. The
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`button threshold value (second threshold) is set so that when a conductive object
`
`is near one of the capacitive sensing buttons it would raise the measured value
`
`for that button above the button threshold [Para. 31]), and sets the threshold to a
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`third threshold when it is detected that both of the first switch and the second switch are
`
`turned on (Fig. 7, block 704 and Para. 36: the offset values for each of the
`
`secondary values are calculated and the threshold values (third threshold value)
`
`is determined by simple addition with the result being a baseline capacitance
`
`value for each secondary touch-sensor button), and the third threshold is a value
`
`lower than the second threshold and the second threshold is a value lower than the first
`
`threshold (Para. 36: the lowest secondary baseline capacitance value (third
`
`threshold) is used when the conductive object affects more than one of the
`
`touch-sensor buttons. Using the secondary baseline capacitance value ensures
`
`that the target baseline capacitance value (the second threshold; the next higher
`
`value) is compared to that of a touch-sensor button that was not affected by the
`
`conductive object).
`
`While Hotelling generalizes setting multiple values for thresholds based on
`
`whether the device is grounded or ungrounded, that is whether the device is handheld
`
`or in a stand, Hotelling fails to explicitly teach providing a specific threshold values
`
`relative to a reference value, indicating whether a first switch/sensor and/or a second
`
`switch/sensor is activated or not. Wisniewski teaches setting specific touch threshold
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 13/581 ,654
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`Page 11
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`Art Unit: 2624
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`values (a first, a second and a third threshold) relative to a reference value (baseline
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`value when both switches are deactivated), and based on the state (first switch
`
`activated and the second switch is deactivated; the first switch is deactivated and the
`
`second switch is activated; and both the first and the second switch is activated)
`
`different threshold values are set, accordingly. Moreover, the third threshold value or
`
`level is a mere duplication of parts which has no patentable significance.
`
`It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at the time of
`
`the invention that any known threshold values can be substituted into the device of
`
`Hotelling, which discloses a generalized notion of threshold values compared to a
`
`reference level,
`
`in order to provide a more specific threshold value for the different
`
`states, that is whether the device is handheld or mounted on a stand, and setting
`
`threshold values (a first threshold and second threshold) based on the state of the first
`
`and second switches (activated/deactivated) thus yielding predictable results in
`
`determining that a conductive object is near/touches one or both switches on the device
`
`are pressed and the baseline is adjusted according to external changes (Para. 15-16).
`
`8.
`
`Claim 8 is rejected under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as being unpatentable over
`
`Hotelling (US 2011/0012840), in further view of King et al (US Pub. 2006/0238517).
`
`Consider claim 8 (Original), Hotelling discloses the display device according to claim 1,
`
`further comprising a storage unit,
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 13/581 ,654
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`Page 12
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`Art Unit: 2624
`
`wherein the control unit sets the threshold (Fig. 8, 84) and (Para. 54 & 60:
`
`values can be compared to a threshold, indicating “grounded” above the
`
`threshold and” not grounded” below the threshold which can be adjusted,
`
`thereby reducing or elimination any negative pixel effects, providing more
`
`accurate touch signals; values can be stored in RAM; Fig. 8) to a different value
`
`according to the detection result using the switch. (Para. 58: “one of multiple values”)
`
`and (Para. 40: sensing a touch on the device 40 can be indication that the device
`
`is being held)
`
`However, Hotelling fails to disclose a storage unit that stores several kinds of
`
`icon layouts, and displays the icon layout corresponding to the detection result using the
`
`switch on the image display unit.
`
`King teaches a device memory that stores several kinds of icon layouts, and
`
`displays the icon layout (can store data, software, including menu items, icons of a
`
`user interface (Para. 7 & 57 & 62). During operation of the touch device, the user
`
`operates the sensors at the designated areas on the bezel which corresponds to
`
`visual guides displayed on the screen teaches (Fig. 4 and Fig. 7 and Para. 79), or
`
`the visual guides 180 may not be shown in most circumstances during operation)
`
`and display the icon layout corresponding to the detection result using the switch on the
`
`image display unit (visual guides are displayed only after the user touches a
`
`predetermined portion of the bezel on the device 100 (Para. 58—59).
`
`While Hotelling discloses a proximity sensor(s) can be any combination disposed
`
`at a side of the touch surface, at the front and the back (Para. 43 and Figs. 2-4),
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 13/581 ,654
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`Page 13
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`Art Unit: 2624
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`Hotelling fails to disclose associating the sensors with corresponding icons/visual
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`guides displayed on the display unit.
`
`It would be beneficial to the user that the sensors
`
`disposed at a side of the touch surface correspond to icons or visual guides,
`
`corresponding to controls, in the image displayed are adjacent to the sensors/switches
`
`providing user controls.
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of
`
`invention to combine the association of sensors/switches with corresponding
`
`icons/visual guides, as taught by King, in combination with Hotelling, by providing the
`
`user designated areas along the bezel and corresponding designated areas in the
`
`displayed image to initiate user controls for the device when the user touches a
`
`designated icon/visual guide on the touch device, thereby providing an improved user
`
`interface and experience (Para. 13 & 58).
`
`9.
`
`Claims 9-12 are rejected under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as being unpatentable
`
`over Hotelling (US 2011/0012840), in further view of King et al (US Pub.
`
`2006/0238517), in further View still of Sawai (UK Pat.GBZ466905).
`
`Consider claim 9 (Original), Hotelling and King fail to disclose the display device
`
`according to claim 8, wherein the control unit displays a one-hand operation layout on
`
`the image display unit when it is detected that the operator holds the display device.
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 13/581 ,654
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`Page 14
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`Art Unit: 2624
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`Sawai teaches a control unit (Fig. 3, (80)) which determines a touch operation as
`
`being a single-hand operation (right-hand or left-hand mode) and displaying a one-hand
`
`operation layout (the menu items or icons arranged based on the hand mode the
`
`user is grasping the touch device [Fig. 4A or 4B, and Page 8, lines 18 — 37]) when it
`
`is detected that the operator holds the display (an operation area 390 and 392 (sensor
`
`switch) detects the operator touch [Fig. 11 and page 12, lines 3-7]).
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`While Hotelling discloses a proximity sensor(s) can be any combination disposed
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`at a side of the touch surface, at the front and the back (Para. 43 and Figs. 2-4),
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`Hotelling fails to disclose associating the sensors to determine whether the device is
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`being held with a one-hand and whether it is held with a left-or right-hand and displaying
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`icons on the image display according to the one-hand operation. Sawai teaches an
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`input apparatus and method with a control unit which determines the user’s one-hand
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`orientation (left- or right-hand) and displays the image displayed icons appropriately to
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`accommodate a user one-hand operation.
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`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of
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`invention to combine the method of Sawai into the display device of Hotelling, so that
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`when only one of operation area, sensor switch 390 and 392 is pressed, that the control
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`unit determines that the user is using a single hand to operate the touch device, and
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`appropriately configures the menu items icons on the display screen for either right-
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`hand or left-hand mode operation, thereby making it easier to use the device by
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`providing an appropriate user interface based on the one-hand operation of the user
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`(Para. 9-10).
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 13/581 ,654
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`Page 15
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`Art Unit: 2624
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`Consider claim 10 (Original), Hotelling, King and Sawai disclose the display device
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`according to claim 9, Sawai further teaches wherein the operation icons are arranged in
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`line in the one-hand operation layout (Fig. 4A or 4B, Page 8, lines 18 — 37 and Fig. 11,
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`page 12, lines 3-7).
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`Consider claim 11 (Original), Hotelling, King and Sawai disclose the display device
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`according to claim 9, Sawai further teaches wherein operation icons are arranged in a
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`plurality of lines in the one-hand operation layout (Fig. 7).
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`Consider claim 12 (Original), Hotelling, King and Sawai disclose the display device
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`according to claim 9, Sawai further teaches wherein the operation icons are arranged in
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`an arc-like manner in the one-hand operation layout (Fig. 4A or 4B, Page 8, lines 18 —
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`37 and Fig. 11, page 12, lines 3-7).
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`10.
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`Claim 14 is rejected under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as being unpatentable over
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`Hotelling (US 2011/0012840), in further view of Kimura et al (US Pub. 2009/0244030).
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`Consider claim 14 (Original), Hotelling fails to disclose the display device according to
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`claim 13, wherein the control unit sets a threshold for a case where it is detected by the
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`switch that the display device is attached to the stand to a value greater than a
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 13/581 ,654
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`Page 16
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`Art Unit: 2624
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`threshold for a case where it is not detected that the display device is attached to the
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`stand.
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`Kimura teaches an apparatus with a control unit ((Fig. 2, ASIC 26) senses an
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`electrostatic sensor 35 corresponding to a button displayed on the display
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`section or screen 36, and is connected to the touch detection portion 29 (Fig. 2)
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`via any one of the connecting portions (1) 41, (2) 42, (3) 43, and (4) 44; [Para. 26 &
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`36]) sets a threshold for a case where it is detected by the switch that the display device
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`is attached to the stand to a value greater than a threshold for a case where it is not
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`detected that the display device is attached to the stand (depending on the attached
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`location (1) 41, (2) 42, (3) 43, and (4) 44, the detection conditions parameters, e.g.,
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`a detection threshold, can be set for the corresponding location (Para. 35) and the
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`sensitivity for the touch operation can be adjusted by changing a threshold level
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`to detect the input received from the electrostatic sensor at each section of the
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`region on the panel and according to the location sensor (1) 41, (2) 42, (3) 43, and
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`(4) 44 at which the touch panel is attached [Para. 27]. Based on the location the
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`touch panel is attached, the sensitivity or threshold can be set higher (greater) at
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`locations (2), (3), and (4), e.g., value of 50, compared to location (1) with a
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`threshold value of 10 [Fig. 5]).
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`While Hotelling generalizes setting multiple values for thresholds based on
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`whether the device is grounded or ungrounded, that is whether the device is handheld
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`or in a stand, Hotelling fails to explicitly teach providing a specific threshold value
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`relative to a reference value (in the instant invention, threshold value higher than a
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 13/581 ,654
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`Page 17
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`Art Unit: 2624
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`reference value), indicating that a switch or sensor is activated by a mounting device
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`(stand, docking station, etc). Kimura teaches setting specific touch threshold values
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`relative to a reference value, that is, in the case where a switch or sensor is activated
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`when mounted to a stand or device, wherein the threshold value can be set higher
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`(greater) than the reference level according to the detection of which sensor on the
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`touch panel has been actuated.
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`It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at the time of
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`the invention that any known threshold values can be substituted into the device of
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`Hotelling, in order to provide a more specific threshold value for the different states, in
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`this case, device mounted on a stand, and setting a threshold value higher (greater)
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`than the reference level, thus yielding the predictable results that the device is mounted,
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`and moreover, having the ability to set the sensitivity or threshold according to the
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`attached location,
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`the threshold value could be set higher (or possibly, lower) [Para.
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`3m.
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`Conclusion
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`Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in
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`this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP
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`§ 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37
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`CFRfJBGQ)
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 13/581 ,654
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`Page 18
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`Art Unit: 2624
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`A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE
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`MONTHS from the mailing date of this action.
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`In the event a first reply is filed within
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`TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not
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`mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the
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`shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any
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`extension fee pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of
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`the advisory action.
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`In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later
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`than SIX MONTHS from the date of this final action.
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`Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the
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`examiner should be directed to HERBERT L. HAGEMEIER whose telephone number is
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`(571 )272—3199. The examiner can normally be reached on Mon-Fri: 8AM to 5PM.
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`If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s
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`supervisor, Kent Chang can be reached on 571-272—7667. The fax phone number for
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`the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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`