`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COM1VIERCE
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`Address: COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`PO. Box 1450
`Alexandria, Virginia 2231371450
`www.uspto.gov
`
`NOTICE OF ALLOWANCE AND FEE(S) DUE
`
`53148
`
`7590
`
`04/24/2019
`
`HAMRE, SCHUMANN, MUELLER & LARSON P.C.
`45 South Seventh Street
`Suite 2700
`
`MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55402-1683
`
`LIU,SHAN
`
`2871
`DATE MAILED: 04/24/2019
`
`APPLICATION NO.
`
`FILING DATE
`
`FIRST NAMED INVENTOR
`
`ATTORNEY DOCKET NO.
`
`CONFIRMATION NO.
`
`15/476,363
`
`03/31/2017
`
`Takeki SATOU
`
`20326.0089US01
`
`7098
`
`TITLE OF INVENTION: SUPPORT FOR PANEL DEVICES IN AN ELECTRONIC DISPLAY DEVICE
`
`APPLN. TYPE
`
`ENTITY STATUS
`
`ISSUE FEE DUE
`
`PUBLICATION FEE DUE
`
`PREV. PALD ISSUE FEE
`
`TOTAL FEE(S) DUE
`
`DATE DUE
`
`nonprovisional
`
`UNDISCOUNTED
`
`$ 1000
`
`$0.00
`
`$0.00
`
`$1000
`
`07/24/2019
`
`THE APPLICATION IDENTIFIED ABOVE HAS BEEN EXAMINED AND IS ALLOWED FOR ISSUANCE AS A PATENT.
`
`PROSECUTION ON THE MERITS IS CLOSED. THIS NOTICE OF ALLOWANCE IS NOT A GRANT OF PATENT RIGHTS.
`THIS APPLICATION IS SUBJECT TO WITHDRAWAL FROM ISSUE AT THE INITIATIVE OF THE OFFICE OR UPON
`PETITION BY THE APPLICANT. SEE 37 CFR 1.313 AND MPEP 1308.
`
`THE ISSUE FEE AND PUBLICATION FEE (IF REQUIRED) MUST BE PAID WITHIN THREE MONTHS FROM THE MAILING
`
`DATE OF THIS NOTICE OR THIS APPLICATION SHALL BE REGARDED AS ABANDONED. THIS STATUTORY PERIOD
`CANNOT BE EXTENDED. SEE 35 U.S.C. 151. THE ISSUE FEE DUE INDICATED ABOVE DOES NOT REFLECT A CREDIT
`FOR ANY PREVIOUSLY PAID ISSUE FEE IN THIS APPLICATION. IF AN ISSUE FEE HAS PREVIOUSLY BEEN PAID IN
`
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`TO REAPPLY THE PREVIOUSLY PAID ISSUE FEE TOWARD THE ISSUE FEE NOW DUE.
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`"Change in Entity Status (from status indicated above)".
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`11. PART B - FEE(S) TRANSMITTAL, or its equivalent, must be completed and returned to the United States Patent and Trademark Office
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`Page 1 of 3
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`PTOL-85 (Rev. 02/11)
`
`

`

`Complete and send this form, together with applicable fee(s), by mail or fax, or via EFS-Web.
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`PART B - FEE(S) TRANSMITTAL
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`By mail, send to:
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`Mail Stop ISSUE FEE
`Commissioner for Patents
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`Certificate of Mailing 0r Transmission
`I hereby certify that this Fee(s) Transmittal is being deposited with the United
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`addressed to the Mail Stop ISSUE FEE address above, or being transmitted to
`the USPTO via EFS-Web or by facsimile to (571) 273-2885, on the date below.
`
`04/24/2019
`7590
`53148
`HAMRE SCHUMANN MUELLER & LARSON PHC
`’
`’
`45 South Seventh Street
`Suite 2700
`
`MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55402-1683
`
`(Signature) (Date)
`
`“VP“ 0: Primed “3"“)
`
`APPLICATION NO.
`
`FILING DATE
`
`FIRST NAMED INVENTOR
`
`ATTORNEY DOCKET NO.
`
`CONFIRMATION NO.
`
`15/476,363
`
`03/31/2017
`
`Takeki SATOU
`
`20326.0089US01
`
`7098
`
`TITLE OF INVENTION: SUPPORT FOR PANEL DEVICES IN AN ELECTRONIC DISPLAY DEVICE
`
`APPLN. TYPE
`
`ENTITY STATUS
`
`ISSUE FEE DUE
`
`PUBLICATION FEE DUE
`
`PREV. PAID ISSUE FEE
`
`TOTAL FEE(S) DUE
`
`DATE DUE
`
`nonprovisional
`
`UNDISCOUNTED
`
`$ 1000
`
`$0.00
`
`$0.00
`
`$1000
`
`07/24/2019
`
`EXAMINER
`
`LIU, SHAN
`
`ART UNIT
`
`CLASS-SUBCLASS
`
`2871
`
`349-058000
`
`1. Change of correspondence address or indication of ”Fee Address” (37
`CFR 1.363).
`
`3 Change of correspondence address (or Change of Correspondence
`Address form PTO/SB/ 122) attached.
`
`
`
`2. For printing on the patent front page, list
`(1) The names of up to 3 registered patent attorneys
`or agents OR, alternatively,
`(2) The name of a single firm (having as a member a
`registered attorney or agent) and the names of up to
`2 registered patent attorneys or agents. If no name is
`listed, no name will be printed.
`
`
`
`
`
`1
`
`2
`
`
`
`
`
`3 ”Fee Address” indication (or ”Fee Address” Indication form PTO/
`SB/47; Rev 03-09 or more recent) attached. Use of a Customer
`\Iumber is required.
`3. ASSIGNEE NAME AND RESIDENCE DATA TO BE PRINTED ON THE PATENT (print or type)
`PLEASE NOTE: Unless an assignee is identified below, no assignee data will appear on the patent. If an assignee is identified below, the document must have been previously
`recorded, or filed for recordation, as set forth in 37 CFR 3.11 and 37 CFR 3.81(a). Completion of this form is NOT a substitute for filing an assignment.
`(A) NAME OF ASSIGNEE
`(B) RESIDENCE: (CITY and STATE OR COUNTRY)
`
`Please check the appropriate assignee category or categories (will not be printed on the patent) : D Individual D Corporation or other private group entity D Government
`
`DAdvance Order - # of Copies
`DPublication Fee (if required)
`DIssue Fee
`4a. Fees submitted:
`4b. Method of Payment: (Please first reapply any previously paidfee shown above)
`
`3 Electronic Payment via EFS-Web
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` :I The Director is hereby authorized to charge the required fee(s), any deficiency, or credit any overpayment to Deposit Account No.
`
`D Enclosed check
`
`D Non-electronic payment by credit card (Attach form PTO-2038)
`
`5. Change in Entity Status (from status indicated above)
`
`3 Applicant certifying micro entity status. See 37 CFR 1.29
`
`NOTE: Absent a valid certification of Micro Entity Status (see forms PTO/SB/ 15A and 15B), issue
`fee payment in the micro entity amount will not be accepted at the risk of application abandonment.
`NOTE: If the application was previously under micro entity status, checking this box will be taken
`to be a notification of loss of entitlement to micro entity status.
`NOTE: Checking this box will be taken to be a notification of loss of entitlement to small or micro
`entity status, as applicable.
`NOTE: This form must be signed in accordance with 37 CFR 1.31 and 1.33. See 37 CFR 1.4 for signature requirements and certifications.
`
`Date
`
`Registration No.
`
`3 Applicant asserting small entity status. See 37 CFR 1.27
`
` 3 Applicant changing to regular undiscounted fee status.
`
`Authorized Signature
`
`Typed or printed name
`
`PTOL—SS Part B (08-18) Approved for use through 01/31/2020
`
`Page 2 of 3
`OMB 0651-0033
`
`US. Patent and Trademark Office; US. DEPARTMENT OF COMIVIERCE
`
`

`

`
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMIVIERCE
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`Address: COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`PO. Box 1450
`Alexandria, Virginia 2231371450
`www.uspto.gov
`
`APPLICATION NO.
`
`FILING DATE
`
`FIRST NAMED INVENTOR
`
`ATTORNEY DOCKET NO.
`
`CONFIRMATION NO.
`
`15/476,363
`
`03/31/2017
`
`Takeki SATOU
`
`20326.0089US01
`
`7098
`
`53148
`
`7590
`
`04/24/2019
`
`HAMRE, SCHUMANN, MUELLER & LARSON P.C.
`45 South Seventh Street
`Suite 2700
`
`MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55402-1683
`
`LIU,SHAN
`
`2871
`DATE MAILED: 04/24/2019
`
`Determination of Patent Term Adjustment under 35 U.S.C. 154 (b)
`
`(Applications filed on or after May 29, 2000)
`
`The Office has discontinued providing a Patent Term Adjustment (PTA) calculation with the Notice of Allowance.
`
`Section 1(h)(2) of the AIA Technical Corrections Act amended 35 U.S.C. 154(b)(3)(B)(i) to eliminate the requirement
`
`that the Office provide a patent term adjustment determination with the notice of allowance. See Revisions to Patent
`
`Term Adjustment, 78 Fed. Reg. 19416, 19417 (Apr. 1, 2013). Therefore, the Office is no longer providing an initial
`
`patent term adjustment determination with the notice of allowance. The Office will continue to provide a patent term
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`adjustment determination with the Issue Notification Letter that is mailed to applicant approximately three weeks prior
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`to the issue date of the patent, and will include the patent term adjustment on the patent. Any request for reconsideration
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`of the patent term adjustment determination (or reinstatement of patent term adjustment) should follow the process
`outlined in 37 CFR 1.705.
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`Any questions regarding the Patent Term Extension or Adjustment determination should be directed to the Office of
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`Patent Legal Administration at (571)—272—7702. Questions relating to issue and publication fee payments should be
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`
`PTOL-85 (Rev. 02/11)
`
`Page 3 of 3
`
`

`

`OMB Clearance and PRA Burden Statement for PTOL-85 Part B
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`The Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 requires Federal agencies to obtain Office of Management and Budget
`approval before requesting most types of information from the public. When OMB approves an agency request to
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`U.S. Department of Commerce, PO. Box 1450, Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450. DO NOT SEND FEES OR
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`9. A record from this system of records may be disclosed, as a routine use, to a Federal, State, or local law
`enforcement agency, if the USPTO becomes aware of a violation or potential violation of law or regulation.
`
`

`

`,
`
`, ,
`
`15/476,363
`
`SHAN LIU
`
`SATOU, Takeki
`
`2871
`
`Yes
`
`- The MAILING DA TE of this communication appears on the cover sheet wit/7 the correspondence address-
`All claims being allowable, PROSECUTION ON THE MERITS IS (OR REMAINS) CLOSED in this application. If not included
`herewith (or previously mailed), a Notice of Allowance (PTOL-85) or other appropriate communication will be mailed in due course. THIS
`NOTICE OF ALLOWABILITY IS NOT A GRANT OF PATENT RIGHTS. This application is subject to withdrawal from issue at the initiative
`of the Office or upon petition by the applicant. See 37 CFR 1.313 and MPEP 1308.
`
`1.. This communication is responsive to 3/14/2019.
`
`[:1 A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/were filed on
`
`2:] An election was made by the applicant in response to a restriction requirement set forth during the interview on
`restriction requirement and election have been incorporated into this action.
`
`; the
`
`3.. The allowed c|aim(s) is/are 1-5,7-8 and 10-13 . As a result of the allowed c|aim(s), you may be eligible to benefit from the Patent
`Prosecution Highway program at a participating intellectual property office for the corresponding application. For more information
`, please see http://www.uspto.gov/patents/init_events/pph/index.jsp or send an inquiry to PPeredback@uspto.gov.
`
`4C] Acknowledgment is made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119( )-(d) or (f).
`
`Certified copies:
`
`a) DA”
`
`b) C] Some
`
`*c) D None of the:
`
`1. D Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`2. [:1 Certified copies of the priority documents have been received in Application No.
`
`3. [:1 Copies of the certified copies of the priority documents have been received in this national stage application from the
`International Bureau (PCT Rule 17.2( )).
`
`* Certified copies not received:
`
`Applicant has THREE MONTHS FROM THE “MAILING DATE“ of this communication to file areply complying with the requirements
`noted below. Failure to timely comply will result in ABANDONMENT of this application.
`THIS THREE-MONTH PERIOD IS NOT EXTENDABLE.
`
`5C] CORRECTED DRAWINGS (as “replacement sheets“) must be submitted.
`C]
`including changes required by the attached Examiner's Amendment / Comment or in the Office action of
`Paper No./Mai| Date
`Identifying indicia such as the application number (see 37 CFR 1.84(c)) should be written on the drawings in the front (not the back) of each
`sheet. Replacement sheet(s) should be labeled as such in the header according to 37 CFR 1.121(d).
`
`6C] DEPOSIT OF and/or INFORMATION about the deposit of BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL must be submitted. Note the
`attached Examiner's comment regarding REQUIREMENT FOR THE DEPOSIT OF BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL.
`
`Examiner, Art Unit 2871
`
`Attachment(s)
`1.. Notice of References Cited (PTO-892)
`
`2D Information Disclosure Statements (PTO/SB/08),
`Paper No./Mai| Date
`3C] Examiner's Comment Regarding Requirement for Deposit
`of Biological Material
`.
`4.. Interview Summary (PTO-413)
`Paper No./Mai| Date. 20190411.
`ISHAN LIU/
`
`5.
`
`6.
`
`Examiner's Amendment/Comment
`
`Examiner's Statement of Reasons for Allowance
`
`7. C] Other
`
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`PTOL-37 (Rev. 08-13)
`
`Notice of Allowability
`
`_
`Part of Paper N0-/MaI| Date 20190411
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/476,363
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 2
`
`Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
`
`The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first
`
`inventor to file provisions of the AIA.
`
`Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
`
`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 3/14/2019 has been entered.
`
`Response to Amendment
`
`The amendment filed 3/14/2019has been entered. Claims 1-2 and 7 are amended. Claims 1-13
`
`are currently pending in this application.
`
`EXAMINER’S AMENDMENT
`
`An examiner’s amendment to the record appears below. Should the changes and/or additions
`
`be unacceptable to applicant, an amendment may be filed as provided by 37 CFR 1.312. To ensure
`
`consideration of such an amendment, it MUST be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee.
`
`Authorization for this examiner’s amendment was given in a telephone interview with the
`
`applicant's representative, Mr. Anthony Marshik (Reg. No. 73969) on 4/11/2019.
`
`The application has been amended as follows:
`
`1. (Currently Amended) An electronic display device, comprising:
`
`a support portion;
`
`a first panel device and a second panel device, the first panel device and the second panel
`
`device being stacked and affixed together in a thickness direction of the electronic display device; and
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/476,363
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 3
`
`a plurality of support structuresI each of the [[a]] support structures secured to the support
`
`portion and located at an edge of the stacked first and second panel devices, each of the support
`
`structures comprising a first support member and a second support member, wherein
`
`the first support member comprises a first support surfaceI and—the second support member
`
`comprisesa—fi-rst—su-ppert—su-rfaee—anel a second support surface, respeet-i-vel-yT the first support surface
`
`being parallel to and configured to contact an edge of the first panel device, and the second support
`
`surface being parallel to and configured to contact an edge of the second panel deviceid
`
`in each of the support structures, the first support member and th_esecond support
`
`member[[s]] of the support structure are separate pieces that contact each other and have the same
`
`shaperand
`
`
`
`2. (Currently Amended) The electronic display device of claim 1, wherein the first support
`
`member and th_esecond support member[[s]] in each of the support structures are configured to be
`
`independently adjustable such that each of the first support surface and th_esecond support surface[[s]]
`
`can be placed in contact with the respective edge of the first panel device or second panel device before
`
`being secured to the support portion.
`
`4. (Currently Amended) The electronic display device of claim 1, wherein each of the support
`
`structures is secured to the support portion such that the first support member cannot move in a
`
`direction perpendicular to the edge of the first panel device contacted by the first support surface and
`
`the second support member cannot move in a direction perpendicular to the edge of the second panel
`
`device contacted by the second support surface.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/476,363
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 4
`
`5. (Currently Amended) The electronic display device of claim 1, wherein the first support
`
`member and the second support member in each of the support structures are stacked in a direction
`
`parallel to the thickness direction of the first and second panel devices.
`
`6. (Cancelled)
`
`7. (Currently Amended) The electronic display device of claim 1, wherein
`
`
`the first support member andm second support member[[s]] are a first corner support[[s]]
`
`member and a second corner support member, the first corner support member and the second
`
`comer support member located at a corner of one of the stacked first and second panel devices,
`
`the first corner support member and the second corner support member comprise a third
`
`support surface and a fourth support surface, respectively, the third support surface being parallel and
`
`configured to contact another edge of the first panel device, and the fourth support surface being
`
`parallel and configured to contact another edge of the second panel device,
`
`the edges of the first panel device corresponding to the first support surface and the third
`
`support surface of the first corner support member meet at the corner of the first panel device, and
`
`the edges of the second panel device corresponding to the second support surface and the
`
`fourth support surface of the second corner support member meet at the corner of the second panel
`
`device.
`
`8. (Currently Amended) The electronic display device of claim 7, wherein the first and third
`
`support surfaces of the first corner support member are perpendicular to each other, and the second
`
`and fourth support surfaces of the second corner support member are perpendicular to each other.
`
`9. (Cancelled)
`
`
`10. (Currently Amended) The electronic display device of claim 1, wherein one of the support
`
`structure; is secured to the support portion by a screw.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/476,363
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 5
`
`11. (Currently Amended) The electronic display device of claim 1, wherein the first
`
`support[[ing]] member and the second support member are independently secured to the support
`
`portion.
`
`Claims 1-5, 7-8 and 10-13 are allowed.
`
`Allowable Subject Matter
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`The following is an examiner's statement of reasons for allowance:
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`None of the prior art of record discloses or suggests all the combination of an electronic display
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`device as set forth in claims 1-5, 7-8 and 10-13.
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`Regarding claim 1, the prior art of record, taken along or in combination, fails to disclose or
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`suggest an electronic display device, comprising a support portion; a first panel device and a second
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`panel device being stacked and affixed together in a thickness direction; a support structure secured to
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`the support portion, located at an edge of the stacked first and second panel devices and comprising a
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`first support member and a second support member, the first support member comprises a first support
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`surface, the second support member comprises a second support surface, the first support surface being
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`parallel to and configured to contact an edge of the first panel device, and the second support surface
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`being parallel to and configured to contact an edge of the second panel device, and the first support
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`member and the second support member of the support structure are separate pieces that contact each
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`other and have the same shape, wherein ”a plurality of the support structures, each of the support
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`structures secured to the support portion and located at an edge of the stacked first and second panel
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`devices, each of the support structures comprising the first support member and the second support
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`member, the first support member and the second support member in each of the support structures
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`are separate pieces that contact each other and have the same shape” in combination with the other
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`required elements of the claim.
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 15/476,363
`Art Unit: 2871
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`Page 6
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`Claims 2-5, 7-8 and 10-13 are allowable due to their dependency.
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`The most relevant reference, Chen et al. US 2016/0083173 (at least Fig. 8-9) in view of Nishio et
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`al. US 2008/0239195 (at least Fig. 3-4) only discloses an electronic display device, comprising a support
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`portion; a first panel device and a second panel device being stacked and affixed together in a thickness
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`direction; a support structure secured to the support portion, located at an edge of the stacked first and
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`second panel devices and comprising a first support member and a second support member, the first
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`support member comprises a first support surface, the second support member comprises a second
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`support surface, the first support surface being parallel to and configured to contact an edge of the first
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`panel device, and the second support surface being parallel to and configured to contact an edge of the
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`second panel device, and the first support member and the second support member of the support
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`structure are separate pieces that contact each other and have the same shape. However, they do not
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`teach or suggest that a plurality of the support structures, each of the support structures secured to the
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`support portion and located at an edge of the stacked first and second panel devices, each of the
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`support structures comprising the first support member and the second support member, the first
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`support member and the second support member in each of the support structures are separate pieces
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`that contact each other and have the same shape in combination with the other required elements of
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`the claim.
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`Fujikawa US 2009/0140121 (at least Fig. 10), Yuan et al. US 2010/0045889 (at least Fig. 6-7), Lee
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`US 2016/0054613 (at least Fig. 9), Park et al. US 2016/0306480 (at least Fig.2), Ooami US 2009/0153768
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`(at least Fig. 1-3) and Yoshikawa US 2015/0324043 (at least Fig. 8) are also silent as of the specific
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`limitation in combination with the other required elements of the claim.
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`Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later than the payment
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`of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably accompany the issue fee. Such
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`submissions should be clearly labeled "Comments on Statement of Reasons for Allowance."
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 15/476,363
`Art Unit: 2871
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`Page 7
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`Conclusion
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`Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner
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`should be directed to SHAN LIU whose telephone number is (571)270-0383. The examiner can normally
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`be reached on 9am-5pm EST M-F.
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`If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Ed
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`Glick can be reached on 571-272-2490. The fax phone number for the organization where this
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`application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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`/Shan Liu/
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`Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2871
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`