www.uspto.gov
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`Address: COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`PO. Box 1450
`Alexandria, Virginia 2231371450
`
`15/695,711
`
`09/05/2017
`
`Tomoharu NOTOSHI
`
`20295.0019U301
`
`1693
`
`53148
`
`759°
`
`09/06/20”
`
`HAMRE, SCHUMANN, MUELLER & LARSON RC.
`45 South Seventh Street
`Suite 2700
`
`MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55402-1683
`
`LEE” PAUL CHANG
`
`ART UNIT
`2871
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`NOTIFICATION DATE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`09/06/2019
`
`ELECTRONIC
`
`Please find below and/or attached an Office communication concerning this application or proceeding.
`
`The time period for reply, if any, is set in the attached communication.
`
`Notice of the Office communication was sent electronically on above—indicated "Notification Date" to the
`
`following e—mail address(es):
`PTOMail@hsml.eom
`
`PTOL-90A (Rev. 04/07)
`
`

`

`0/7709 A0170” Summary
`
`Application No.
`15/695,711
`Examiner
`PAUL 0 LEE
`
`Applicant(s)
`NOTOSHI etal.
`Art Unit
`AIA (FITF) Status
`2871
`Yes
`
`- The MAILING DA TE of this communication appears on the cover sheet wit/7 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 CFR 1.136(a). In no event, however, may a reply be timely filed after SIX (6) MONTHS from the mailing
`date of this communication.
`|f 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). Responsive to communication(s) filed on 5/29/2019.
`[:1 A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/were filed on
`
`2a). This action is FINAL.
`
`2b) C] This action is non-final.
`
`3)[:] 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 Expat/7e Quay/e, 1935 CD. 11, 453 O.G. 213.
`
`Disposition of Claims*
`5)
`Claim(s)
`
`1 and 3—14is/are pending in the application.
`
`5a) Of the above claim(s)
`
`is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`
`E] Claim(s)
`
`is/are allowed.
`
`Claim(s) 1 and 3—14is/are rejected.
`
`[:1 Claim(s) _ is/are objected to.
`
`) ) ) )
`
`6 7
`
`8
`
`
`
`are subject to restriction and/or election requirement
`[j Claim(s)
`9
`* If any claims have been determined aflowabie. 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.
`
`Application Papers
`10)[:] The specification is objected to by the Examiner.
`
`11). The drawing(s) filed on 9/5/2017 is/are: a). accepted or b)D 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). Acknowledgment is made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d) or (f).
`Certified copies:
`
`a). All
`
`b)D Some**
`
`C)D None of the:
`
`1.. Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`
`2.[:] 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)
`
`1)
`
`Notice of References Cited (PTO-892)
`
`2) D Information Disclosure Statement(s) (PTO/SB/08a and/or PTO/SB/08b)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date_
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`
`3) C] Interview Summary (PTO-413)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date
`4) CI Other-
`
`PTOL-326 (Rev. 11-13)
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Part of Paper No./Mai| Date 20190902
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/695,711
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 2
`
`DETAILED ACTION
`
`Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
`
`1.
`
`The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the
`
`first inventor to file provisions of the AIA.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
`
`2.
`
`In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35
`
`U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre—AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction
`
`of the statutory basis for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the
`
`prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under
`
`either status.
`
`3.
`
`The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C.103 which forms the basis for all obviousness
`
`rejections set forth in this Office action:
`
`A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is
`not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention
`and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the
`effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the
`claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention
`was made.
`
`4.
`
`Claims 1, 3, 5—7, and 9—14is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over
`
`Jun et al. (U.S. 2014/0285747) in view of Garelli et al. (U.S. 2013/0155351).
`
`Regarding claim 1, Jun discloses a liquid crystal display device (Fig. 10; page 9, para [0105])
`
`comprising:
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/695,711
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 3
`
`a liquid crystal cell (LCP, Fig. 12; page 9, para [0106]) comprising a first transparent
`
`substrate (370a, Fig. 12; page 10, para [0118]), a second transparent substrate (370b, Fig. 12;
`
`page 10, para [0118]), and a liquid crystal layer (page 6, para [0070]) disposed between the first
`
`transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate;
`
`a backlight unit (BLU, Figs. 10 and 12; page 9, para [0106]) behind the liquid crystal cell;
`
`a first polarizer (POL1, Fig. 12; page 10, para [0122]) disposed between the liquid crystal
`
`cell (LCP, Fig. 12) and the backlight unit (BLU, Figs. 10 and 12) and attached to the first
`
`transparent substrate (370a, Fig. 12);
`
`a middle frame (360, Fig. 12; page 9, para [0114]) including a protrusion (360b, Fig. 12;
`
`page 10, para [0117]) protruding toward a space between the backlight unit and the polarizer
`
`(360b protruding toward space between BLU and POL1, Figs. 10 and 12).
`
`Jun does not expressly disclose a transparent reinforcement plate disposed between the first
`
`polarizer (POL1, Fig. 12) and the backlight unit (BLU, Figs. 10 and 12) and attached to the first
`
`polarizer (POL1, Fig. 12); wherein the transparent reinforcement plate rests on the protrusion
`
`(360b, Fig. 12). However, Garelli discloses a liquid crystal display device (14, Fig. 8; page 2, para
`
`[0045]) comprising a lower polarizer (74, Fig. 8; page 4, para [0069]) that is mounted on a
`
`transparent reinforcement plate (transparent reinforcement plate of lower polarizer 74, Fig. 8;
`
`page 4, para [0069]) such that the transparent reinforcement plate is disposed between the
`
`lower polarizer (74, Fig. 8) and a backlight unit (84, Fig. 8; page 4, para [0069]) in order to
`
`provide a rigid support to the lower polarizer (page 4, para [0069]).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/695,711
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 4
`
`Therefore, before the time ofthe effective filing ofthe claimed invention, it would have been
`
`obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to provide the first polarizer (Jun: POL1, Fig. 12) ofJun
`
`with the transparent reinforcement plate (Garelli: transparent reinforcement plate of lower
`
`polarizer 74, Fig. 8; page 4, para [0069]) of Garelli such that the first polarizer is mounted on the
`
`transparent reinforcement plate so that the transparent reinforcement plate is disposed
`
`between the first polarizer (Jun: POL1, Fig. 12) and the backlight unit (Jun: BLU, Figs. 10 and 12)
`
`and the transparent reinforcement plate rests on the protrusion (Jun: since POL1 rests on
`
`protrusion 360b, Fig. 12) in order to obtain the benefits of providing a rigid support to the first
`
`polarizer (Jun: POL1, Fig. 12) as taught by Garelli (page 4, para [0069]).
`
`Jun as modified by Garelli does not expressly disclose that in a plan view, an outer contour of
`
`the transparent reinforcement plate (Garelli: transparent reinforcement plate of lower polarizer
`
`74, Fig. 8; page 4, para [0069]) is external to each of an outer contour ofthe first transparent
`
`substrate (Jun: 370a, Fig. 12), an outer contour ofthe second transparent substrate (Jun: 370b,
`
`Fig. 12), and an outer contour ofthe first polarizer (Jun: POL1, Fig. 12). However, Examiner
`
`notes that it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the time ofthe
`
`effective filing ofthe claimed invention to configure the transparent reinforcement plate
`
`(Garelli: transparent reinforcement plate of lower polarizer 74, Fig. 8) ofJun as modified by
`
`Garelli such that an outer contour of the transparent reinforcement plate is extended to
`
`contact vertical portions ofthe middle frame (Jun: left and right 360a of 360, Fig. 12; page 10,
`
`para [0115]) so that the outer contour of the transparent reinforcement plate is external to
`
`each of an outer contour of the first transparent substrate (Jun: 370a, Fig. 12), an outer contour
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/695,711
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 5
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`of the second transparent substrate (Jun: 370b, Fig. 12), and an outer contour ofthe first
`
`polarizer (Jun: POL1, Fig. 12) in order to obtain the benefits of increasing a contact support area
`
`of the transparent reinforcement plate with a support pad (Jun: 363, Fig. 12; page 10, para
`
`[0116]) and preventing movement and shifting of the liquid crystal cell (Jun: LCP, Fig. 12) and
`
`the first polarizer (Jun: POL1, Fig. 12) by fixing the transparent reinforcement plate between the
`
`vertical portions of the middle frame (Jun: left and right 360a of 360, Fig. 12). Examiner notes
`
`that one of ordinary skill in the art before the time of the effective filing of the claimed
`
`invention would have been motivated to extend the outer contour ofthe transparent
`
`reinforcement plate to contact the vertical portions ofthe middle frame since it is well known
`
`to one of ordinary skill in the art that movement and shifting can be prevented by eliminating
`
`any gaps between the vertical portions of the middle frame and the transparent reinforcement
`
`plate ofJun as modified by Garelli.
`
`Regarding claim 3, Jun as modified by Garelli discloses a liquid crystal display device with all the
`
`limitations above and further discloses wherein a non—adhesive cushion (Jun: 363 is a non—
`
`adhesive since it is for the purpose of light—shielding, Fig. 12; page 9, para [0114]) fixed to the
`
`protrusion (Jun: 360b, Fig. 12), wherein the transparent reinforcement plate (Garelli:
`
`transparent reinforcement plate of lower polarizer 74, Fig. 8) rests on the protrusion (Jun: 360b,
`
`Fig. 12) via the non—adhesive cushion (transparent reinforcement plate of lower polarizer 74,
`
`Fig. 8 of Garelli rests on the protrusion 360b, Fig. 12 ofJun via 363 since POL1 rests on 360b via
`
`363, Fig. 12).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/695,711
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 6
`
`Regarding claim 5, Jun as modified by Garelli discloses a liquid crystal display device with all the
`
`limitations above and further discloses wherein the transparent reinforcement plate (Garelli:
`
`transparent reinforcement plate of lower polarizer 74, Fig. 8) is plate glass (Garelli: page 4, para
`
`[0069D.
`
`Regarding claim 6, Jun as modified by Garelli discloses a liquid crystal display device with all the
`
`limitations above and further discloses wherein the transparent reinforcement plate (Garelli:
`
`transparent reinforcement plate of lower polarizer 74, Fig. 8) transmits visible light and infrared
`
`light (Garelli: since the reinforcement plate is transparent to allow transmittance of light from a
`
`backlight 84, Fig. 8; page 4, para [0069]).
`
`Regarding claim 7, Jun as modified by Garelli discloses a liquid crystal display device with all the
`
`limitations above and but does not expressly disclose wherein the transparent reinforcement
`
`plate (Garelli: transparent reinforcement plate of lower polarizer 74, Fig. 8) is bonded to the
`
`first polarizer (Jun: POL1, Fig. 12) via an adhesive layer. However, Garelli discloses that a lower
`
`polarizer (Garelli: 74, Fig. 8) is mounted to the transparent reinforcement plate (Garelli: page 4,
`
`para [0069]). Furthermore, official notice is taken that it is well known to one of ordinary skill in
`
`the art before the time of the effective filing ofthe claimed invention that an adhesive layer can
`
`be used to adhere optical film layers to each other in a display device. Therefore, before the
`
`time ofthe effective filing of the claimed invention, it would have been obvious to one of
`
`ordinary skill in the art to bond the transparent reinforcement plate (Garelli: transparent
`
`reinforcement plate of lower polarizer 74, Fig. 8) ofJun as modified by Garelli to the first
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/695,711
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 7
`
`polarizer (Jun: POL1, Fig. 12) via an adhesive layer in order to obtain the benefits of adhering
`
`the transparent reinforcement plate to the first polarizer as is well known in the art.
`
`Regarding claim 9, Jun as modified by Garelli discloses a liquid crystal display device with all the
`
`limitations above and further discloses wherein the middle frame (Jun: 360, Fig. 12) further
`
`includes a side wall (Jun: 360a, Fig. 12; page 10, para [0115]) disposed on a lateral side of the
`
`liquid crystal cell (Jun: LCP, Fig. 12) and the first polarizer (Jun: POL1, Fig. 12), and
`
`a gap is provided between the side wall (Jun: 360a, Fig. 12) and the liquid crystal cell
`
`(Jun: LCP, Fig. 12).
`
`Regarding claim 10, Jun as modified by Garelli discloses a liquid crystal display device with all
`
`the limitations above and further discloses wherein a gap is provided between the side wall
`
`(Jun: 360a, Fig. 12) and the first polarizer (Jun: POL1, Fig. 12).
`
`Regarding claim 11, Jun as modified by Garelli discloses a liquid crystal display device with all
`
`the limitations above and further discloses
`
`a second polarizer (Jun: POL2, Fig. 12; page 10, para [0124]) attached to the second
`
`transparent substrate (Jun: 370b, Fig. 12), wherein
`
`in a plan view, the outer contour of the transparent reinforcement plate (Garelli:
`
`transparent reinforcement plate of lower polarizer 74, Fig. 8) is external to an outer contour of
`
`the second polarizer (Jun: since the transparent reinforcement plate of the first polarizer POL1
`
`is extended to contact the vertical portions 360a ofthe middle frame 360, Fig. 12).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/695,711
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 8
`
`Regarding claim 12, Jun discloses a liquid crystal display device (Fig. 11; page 9, para [0105])
`
`comprising:
`
`a liquid crystal cell (LCP, Fig. 11; page 10, para [0123]) comprising a first transparent
`
`substrate (370a, Fig. 11; page 10, para [0123]), a second transparent substrate (370b, Fig. 11;
`
`page 10, para [0118]), and a liquid crystal layer (page 6, para [0070]) disposed between the first
`
`transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate;
`
`a backlight unit (BLU, Figs. 10 and 11; page 9, para [0106]) behind the liquid crystal cell;
`
`a first polarizer (POL1, Fig. 11; page 10, para [0122]) disposed between the liquid crystal
`
`cell (LCP, Fig. 11) and the backlight unit (BLU, Figs. 10 and 11) and attached to the first
`
`transparent substrate (370a, Fig. 11);
`
`a middle frame (360, Fig. 11; page 9, para [0114]) including a protrusion (360b, Fig. 11;
`
`page 10, para [0117]) protruding toward a space between the backlight unit and the polarizer
`
`(360b protruding toward space between BLU and POL1, Figs. 10 and 11), and
`
`wherein the outer contour of the first transparent substrate (370a, Fig. 11) is external to
`
`the outer contour of the first polarizer (POL1, Fig. 11).
`
`Jun does not expressly disclose a transparent reinforcement plate disposed between the first
`
`polarizer (POL1, Fig. 11) and the backlight unit (BLU, Figs. 10 and 12) and attached to the first
`
`polarizer (POL1, Fig. 11); wherein the transparent reinforcement plate rests on the protrusion
`
`(360b, Fig. 11). However, Garelli discloses a liquid crystal display device (14, Fig. 8; page 2, para
`
`[0045]) comprising a lower polarizer (74, Fig. 8; page 4, para [0069]) that is mounted on a
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/695,711
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 9
`
`transparent reinforcement plate (transparent reinforcement plate of lower polarizer 74, Fig. 8;
`
`page 4, para [0069]) such that the transparent reinforcement plate is disposed between the
`
`lower polarizer (74, Fig. 8) and a backlight unit (84, Fig. 8; page 4, para [0069]) in order to
`
`provide a rigid support to the lower polarizer (page 4, para [0069]).
`
`Therefore, before the time of the effective filing of the claimed invention, it would have been
`
`obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to provide the first polarizer (Jun: POL1, Fig. 11) ofJun
`
`with the transparent reinforcement plate (Garelli: transparent reinforcement plate of lower
`
`polarizer 74, Fig. 8; page 4, para [0069]) of Garelli such that the first polarizer is mounted on the
`
`transparent reinforcement plate so that the transparent reinforcement plate is disposed
`
`between the first polarizer (Jun: POL1, Fig. 11) and the backlight unit (Jun: BLU, Figs. 10 and 11)
`
`in order to obtain the benefits of providing a rigid support to the first polarizer (Jun: POL1, Fig.
`
`11) as taught by Garelli (page 4, para [0069]).
`
`Jun as modified by Garelli does not expressly disclose that the transparent reinforcement plate
`
`(Garelli: transparent reinforcement plate of lower polarizer 74, Fig. 8; page 4, para [0069]) rests
`
`on the protrusion (Jun: 360b, Fig. 11), and in a plan view, an outer contour of the transparent
`
`reinforcement plate (Garelli: transparent reinforcement plate of lower polarizer 74, Fig. 8; page
`
`4, para [0069]) is external to each of an outer contour of the first transparent substrate (Jun:
`
`370a, Fig. 11), an outer contour of the second transparent substrate (Jun: 370b, Fig. 11), and an
`
`outer contour of the first polarizer (Jun: POL1, Fig. 11). However, Examiner notes that it would
`
`have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the time of the effective filing of the
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/695,711
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 10
`
`claimed invention to configure the transparent reinforcement plate (Garelli: transparent
`
`reinforcement plate of lower polarizer 74, Fig. 8) ofJun as modified by Garelli such that an
`
`outer contour of the transparent reinforcement plate is extended to contact vertical portions of
`
`the middle frame (Jun: left and right 360a of 360, Fig. 11; page 10, para [0115]) so that the
`
`outer contour of the transparent reinforcement plate rests on the protrusion (Jun: 360b, Fig.
`
`11) and is also external to each of an outer contour of the first transparent substrate (Jun: 370a,
`
`Fig. 11), an outer contour ofthe second transparent substrate (Jun: 370b, Fig. 11), and an outer
`
`contour of the first polarizer (Jun: POL1, Fig. 11) in order to obtain the benefits of increasing a
`
`contact support area ofthe transparent reinforcement plate with a support pad (Jun: 363, Fig.
`
`11; page 10, para [0116]) on the protrusion (Jun: 360b, Fig. 11) and preventing movement and
`
`shifting of the liquid crystal cell (Jun: LCP, Fig. 11) and the first polarizer (Jun: POL1, Fig. 11) by
`
`fixing the transparent reinforcement plate between the vertical portions of the middle frame
`
`(Jun: left and right 360a of 360, Fig. 11). Examiner notes that one of ordinary skill in the art
`
`before the time of the effective filing of the claimed invention would have been motivated to
`
`extend the outer contour of the transparent reinforcement plate to contact the vertical
`
`portions of the middle frame since it is well known to one of ordinary skill in the art that
`
`movement and shifting can be prevented by eliminating any gaps between the vertical portions
`
`of the middle frame and the transparent reinforcement plate ofJun as modified by Garelli.
`
`Regarding claim 13, Jun as modified by Garelli discloses a liquid crystal display device with all
`
`the limitations above and further discloses wherein the middle frame (Jun: 360, Fig. 12)
`
`includes a side wall (Jun: 360a, Fig. 12; page 10, para [0115]) disposed on a lateral side of the
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/695,711
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 11
`
`liquid crystal cell (Jun: 360a on a lateral side of LCP, Fig. 12) and the first polarizer (Jun: 360a on
`
`a lateral side of POL1, Fig. 1), and
`
`an air gap is provided in a space (Jun: such as air gap space at least partially surrounded
`
`by the non—adhesive cushion 363, the side wall 360a, the transparent reinforcement plate on
`
`bottom surface of POL1, and the protrusion 360b, Fig. 12) at least partially surrounded by the
`
`non—adhesive cushion (Jun: 363, Fig. 12), the side wall (Jun: 360a, Fig. 12), the transparent
`
`reinforcement plate (Jun: transparent reinforcement plate of Garelli on bottom side of POL1 of
`
`Jun, Fig. 12), and the protrusion (Jun: 360b, Fig. 12).
`
`Regarding claim 14, Jun discloses a liquid crystal display device (Fig. 10; page 9, para [0105])
`
`comprising:
`
`a liquid crystal cell (LCP, Fig. 12; page 9, para [0106]) comprising a first transparent
`
`substrate (370a, Fig. 12; page 10, para [0118]), a second transparent substrate (370b, Fig. 12;
`
`page 10, para [0118]), and a liquid crystal layer (page 6, para [0070]) disposed between the first
`
`transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate;
`
`a backlight unit (BLU, Figs. 10 and 12; page 9, para [0106]) behind the liquid crystal cell;
`
`a first polarizer (POL1, Fig. 12; page 10, para [0122]) disposed between the liquid crystal
`
`cell (LCP, Fig. 12) and the backlight unit (BLU, Figs. 10 and 12) and attached to the first
`
`transparent substrate (370a, Fig. 12);
`
`a middle frame (combination of: 310e, 310a, 310c, and 360, Fig. 12; page 9, para [0107,
`
`0114]) including a protrusion (360b, Fig. 12; page 10, para [0117]) protruding toward a space
`
`between the backlight unit and the polarizer (360b protruding toward space between BLU and
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/695,711
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 12
`
`POL1, Figs. 10 and 12), wherein the middle frame (combination of: 310e, 310a, 310c, and 360,
`
`Fig. 12) includes a side wall (such as 310e, Fig. 12) disposed on a lateral side ofthe liquid crystal
`
`cell (310e disposed on a lateral side ofthe liquid crystal cell LCP, Fig. 12) and the first polarizer
`
`(310e disposed on a lateral side of the first polarizer POL1, Fig. 12), and
`
`a gap (gap between 310e and POL1, Fig. 12) is provided between the side wall and the
`
`first polarizer (since presence of 360a results in a gap between 310e and POL1, Fig. 12).
`
`Jun does not expressly disclose a transparent reinforcement plate disposed between the first
`
`polarizer (POL1, Fig. 12) and the backlight unit (BLU, Figs. 10 and 12) and attached to the first
`
`polarizer (POL1, Fig. 12); wherein the transparent reinforcement plate rests on the protrusion
`
`(360b, Fig. 12) and a gap is provided between the side wall (310e, Fig. 12) and the transparent
`
`reinforcement plate. However, Garelli discloses a liquid crystal display device (14, Fig. 8; page
`
`2, para [0045]) comprising a lower polarizer (74, Fig. 8; page 4, para [0069]) that is mounted on
`
`a transparent reinforcement plate (transparent reinforcement plate of lower polarizer 74, Fig.
`
`8; page 4, para [0069]) such that the transparent reinforcement plate is disposed between the
`
`lower polarizer (74, Fig. 8) and a backlight unit (84, Fig. 8; page 4, para [0069]) in order to
`
`provide a rigid support to the lower polarizer (page 4, para [0069]).
`
`Therefore, before the time ofthe effective filing ofthe claimed invention, it would have been
`
`obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to provide the first polarizer (Jun: POL1, Fig. 12) ofJun
`
`with the transparent reinforcement plate (Garelli: transparent reinforcement plate of lower
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`polarizer 74, Fig. 8; page 4, para [0069]) of Garelli such that the first polarizer is mounted on the
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`transparent reinforcement plate so that the transparent reinforcement plate is disposed
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`between the first polarizer (Jun: POL1, Fig. 12) and the backlight unit (Jun: BLU, Figs. 10 and 12)
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`and the transparent reinforcement plate rests on the protrusion (Jun: since POL1 rests on
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`protrusion 360b, Fig. 12) in order to obtain the benefits of providing a rigid support to the first
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`polarizer (Jun: POL1, Fig. 12) as taught by Garelli (page 4, para [0069]). Examiner notes that the
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`presence of a vertical portion of the middle frame (Jun: vertical portion 360a ofthe middle
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`frame: combination of 310e/310a/310c/360, Fig. 12) necessarily creates a gap between the side
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`wall (Jun: 310e, Fig. 12) and the transparent reinforcement plate (Jun: transparent
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`reinforcement plate of Garelli attached to the bottom surface ofthe first polarizer POL1 ofJun,
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`Fig. 12).
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`Jun as modified by Garelli does not expressly disclose that in a plan view, an outer contour of
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`the transparent reinforcement plate (Garelli: transparent reinforcement plate of lower polarizer
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`74, Fig. 8; page 4, para [0069]) is external to each of an outer contour of the first transparent
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`substrate (Jun: 370a, Fig. 12), an outer contour ofthe second transparent substrate (Jun: 370b,
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`Fig. 12), and an outer contour ofthe first polarizer (Jun: POL1, Fig. 12). However, Examiner
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`notes that it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the time ofthe
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`effective filing ofthe claimed invention to configure the transparent reinforcement plate
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`(Garelli: transparent reinforcement plate of lower polarizer 74, Fig. 8) ofJun as modified by
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`Garelli such that an outer contour of the transparent reinforcement plate is extended to
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`contact vertical portions ofthe middle frame (Jun: left and right 360a of 360, Fig. 12; page 10,
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`para [0115]) so that the outer contour of the transparent reinforcement plate is external to
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`each of an outer contour of the first transparent substrate (Jun: 370a, Fig. 12), an outer contour
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`of the second transparent substrate (Jun: 370b, Fig. 12), and an outer contour of the first
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`polarizer (Jun: POL1, Fig. 12) in order to obtain the benefits of increasing a contact support area
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`of the transparent reinforcement plate with a support pad (Jun: 363, Fig. 12; page 10, para
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`[0116]) and preventing movement and shifting of the liquid crystal cell (Jun: LCP, Fig. 12) and
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`the first polarizer (Jun: POL1, Fig. 12) by fixing the transparent reinforcement plate between the
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`vertical portions of the middle frame (Jun: left and right 360a of 360, Fig. 12). Examiner notes
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`that one of ordinary skill in the art before the time of the effective filing of the claimed
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`invention would have been motivated to extend the outer contour ofthe transparent
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`reinforcement plate to contact the vertical portions ofthe middle frame since it is well known
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`to one of ordinary skill in the art that movement and shifting can be prevented by eliminating
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`any gaps between the vertical portions of the middle frame and the transparent reinforcement
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`plate ofJun as modified by Garelli.
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`5.
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`Claim 4 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable overJun et al. (U.S.
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`2014/0285747) in view of Garelli et al. (U.S. 2013/0155351) as applied to claim 1 above and
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`further in view of Sato et al. (U.S. 6,327,006).
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`Regarding claim 4, Jun as modified by Garelli discloses a liquid crystal display device with all the
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`limitations above and further discloses a light—shielding pad (Jun: 363, Fig. 12; page 9, para
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`[0114]) formed on a surface of the transparent reinforcement plate (Jun: lower surface ofthe
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`transparent reinforcement plate supporting the first polarizer POL1, Fig. 12; Garelli: page 4,
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`para [0069]) that faces the backlight unit (Jun: BLU, Figs. 10 and 12).
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`Jun as modified by Garelli does not expressly disclose that the light—shielding pad (Jun: 363, Fig.
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`12) is a metal layer formed on a surface ofthe transparent reinforcement plate (Jun: lower
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`surface of the transparent reinforcement plate supporting the first polarizer POL1, Fig. 12;
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`Garelli: page 4, para [0069]) that faces the backlight unit (Jun: BLU, Figs. 10 and 12). However,
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`Sato discloses a liquid crystal display device (Fig. 3; col 2, lines 61—62) comprising a light—
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`shielding pad (4P, Fig. 3; col 3, line 48) formed of a metal film (col 3, line 48).
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`Therefore, before the time ofthe effective filing ofthe claimed invention, it would have been
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`obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to form the light shielding pad (Jun: 363, Fig. 12; page
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`9, para [0114]) ofJun as modified by Garelli from a metal film (Sato: col 3, line 48) in order to
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`obtain the benefits of simplifying the manufacturing process of the liquid crystal display device
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`(Jun: Fig. 12) ofJun as modified by Garelli by forming the light shielding pad having light
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`shielding properties from a well known and readily available metal material as taught by Sato
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`(col 3, line 48).
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`6.
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`Claim 8 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable overJun et al. (U.S.
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`2014/0285747) in view of Garelli et al. (U.S. 2013/0155351) as applied to claim 1 above and
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`further in view of Kinoshita et al. (U.S. 2004/0179165).
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`Regarding claim 8, Jun as modified by Garelli discloses a liquid crystal display device with all the
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`limitations above but does not expressly disclose wherein the liquid crystal cell (Jun: LCP, Fig.
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`12) is driven using an in—plane switching driving method. However, Kinoshita discloses that a
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`liquid crystal panel can adopt an in—plane switching (IPS) driving display mode that is not greatly
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`affected by a variation in a cell gap (page 2, para [0045]).
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`Therefore, before the time ofthe effective filing ofthe claimed invention, it would have been
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`obvious to one of ordinary skill to drive the liquid crystal cell (Jun: LCP, Fig. 6) ofJun as modified
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`by Garelli using an in—plane switching (IPS) driving method in order to obtain the benefits of
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`providing a high quality display by using a driving display mode that is not greatly affected by a
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`variation in a cell gap as taught by Kinoshita (page 2, para [0045]).
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`Response to Arguments
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`7.
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`Applicant's arguments filed 5/29/2019 have been fully considered but they are not
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`persuasive.
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`Regarding claim 1, Applicant argues that Garelli is silent regarding the size for the clear glass
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`substrate interpreted in the Office Action as the recited ”transparent reinforcement plate," and
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`therefore, there is no reason to assume that one of skill in the art would be led to make further
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`modifications to Garelli’s substrate. Applicant argues that during the telephone interview of
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`May 17, 2019, Examiner ”conceded that Garelli and Jun fail to even recognize the importance of
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`the size of the clear glass substrate relative to the polarizer to which it supports," and yet the
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`rejection stated that modifying the size ofthe clear glass substrate can be done because ”it is
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`well known to one of ordinary skill in the art that shifting and movement can be prevented by
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`eliminating gaps between vertical portions ofthe middle frame and the transparent
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`reinforcement plate." Applicant disagrees with Examiner and argues that the statement made
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`in the rejection regarding the size feature is merely a conclusory statement without any
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`evidentiary support from the record and that it is never appropriate to rely solely on common
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`knowledge in the art without evidentiary support in the record, especially w