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`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`Address: COMIVHSSIONER FOR PATENTS
`PO. Box 1450
`Alexandria1 Virginia 22313-1450
`wwwusptogov
`
`
`
`
`
`15/085,690
`
`03/30/2016
`
`Tomohiro MAEYAMA
`
`20326.0078US01
`
`2950
`
`09’08’20” —HAMRE, SCHUMANN,MUELLER&LARSONP.C. m
`7590
`53148
`45 South Seventh Street
`MERLIN, IESSICAM
`Suite 2700
`MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55402- 1683
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`ART UNIT
`2871
`
`NOTIFICATION DATE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`09/08/2017
`
`ELECTRONIC
`
`Please find below and/0r attached an Office communication concerning this application or proceeding.
`
`The time period for reply, if any, is set in the attached communication.
`
`Notice of the Office communication was sent electronically on above—indicated "Notification Date" to the
`following e—mail address(es):
`PTOMail @hsml.com
`
`PTOL—90A (Rev. 04/07)
`
`

`

`
`
`Applicant(s)
`Application No.
` 15/085,690 MAEYAMA, TOMOHIRO
`
`Examiner
`Art Unit
`AIA (First Inventorto File)
`Office Action Summary
`
`2871JESSICA M. MERLIN $233
`
`-- 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 CFR 1.136(a).
`after SIX (6) 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)I:I Responsive to communication(s) filed on May 301 2017.
`[I A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/were filed on
`
`2b)lX| This action is non-final.
`2a)I:| 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)|:I 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 EX parte Quay/e, 1935 CD. 11, 453 O.G. 213.
`
`3) I] Interview Summary (PTO-413)
`1) E Notice of References Cited (PTO-892)
`Paper No(s)/Mai| Date.
`.
`.
`2) E Information Disclosure Statement(s) (PTO/SB/08a and/or PTO/SB/08b)
`Paper No(s)/Mai| Date 5/30/2015.
`4) D Other: —-
`
`US. Patent and Trademark Office
`PTOL-326 (Rev. 11-13)
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Part of Paper No./Mai| Date 20170830
`
`Disposition of Claims*
`5)|XI CIaim(s)1-_18is/are pending in the application.
`5a) Of the above claim(s) M is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`6 III Claim s) _ is/are allowed.
`s 1-11 and 15-18 is/are rejected.
`
`is/are objected to.
`
`I )
`
`_
`
`
`are subject to restriction and/or election requirement.
`9)|:l Claim(s
`I
`* 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
` S
`htt
`://www.usoto. ov/ atents/init events) .h/index.‘
`
`
`
`
`
`, or send an inquiry to PRl-Ifeedback{<‘buspto.qov.
`
`Application Papers
`
`10)I:I The specification is objected to by the Examiner.
`
`11)|Z| The drawing(s) filed on March 30 2016 is/are: a)IXI accepted or b)|:l objected to by the Examiner.
`Applicant may not request that any objection to the drawing(s) be held in abeyance. See 37 CFR 1.85(a).
`
`Replacement drawing sheet(s) including the correction is required if the drawing(s) is objected to. See 37 CFR 1.121 (d).
`
`Priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119
`12)I:I Acknowledgment is made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a)-(d) or (f).
`Certified copies:
`
`b)I:I Some” c)I:I None of the:
`a)|:l All
`1.I:I Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`2.I:I Certified copies of the priority documents have been received in Application No.
`3.I:I Copies of the certified copies of the priority documents have been received in this National Stage
`
`application from the International Bureau (PCT Rule 17.2(a)).
`** See the attached detailed Office action for a list of the certified copies not received.
`
`Attach ment(s)
`
`
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/085,690
`
`Page 2
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`Art Unit: 2871
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`DETAILED ACTION
`
`Notice of Pre-AIA 0r AIA Status
`
`1.
`
`The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the
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`first inventor to file provisions of the AIA.
`
`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
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`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.
`
`Election/Restrictions
`
`3.
`
`Claims 12—14 are withdrawn from further consideration pursuant to 37 CFR 1.142(b) as
`
`being drawn to a nonelected species, there being no allowable generic or linking claim. Election
`
`was made Without traverse in the reply filed on May 30, 2017.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
`
`4.
`
`The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 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 ,
`
`(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale or
`otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
`
`5.
`
`Claims 1, 2, 6, 11, 16, and 18 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being
`
`anticipated by Takabayashi (US 2009/0067112 A1).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/085,690
`
`Page 3
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`Art Unit: 2871
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`In regard to claim 1, Takabayashi discloses a display device, comprising (see e.g.
`
`Figure 3):
`
`a thin film transistor (TFT) substrate 11 having first and second major surfaces;
`
`a color filter substrate 12 opposed to the first major surface of the TFT substrate 11,
`
`wherein the TFT substrate 11 includes an overlap portion Which overlaps the color filter
`
`substrate 12 and a nonoverlap portion which does not overlap the color filter substrate 12, a color
`
`filter surface of the color filter substrate 12 that is opposite a surface facing the first major
`
`surface is disposed a first distance from the first major surface;
`
`a source driver 17 disposed on the non—overlap portion of the TFT substrate 11, a source
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`driver surface of the source driver 17 that is opposite a surface facing the first major surface is
`
`disposed a second distance from the first major surface, the second distance is less than the first
`
`distance; and
`
`a height adjusting body 18 disposed on the non—overlap portion of the TFT substrate 11, a
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`height adjusting body surface of the height adjusting body 18 that is opposite a surface facing the
`
`first major surface is disposed a third distance from the first major surface, the third distance is
`
`greater than the second distance.
`
`In regard to claim 2, Takabayashi discloses
`
`a metal frame 2 connected to the TFT substrate 11 (Le. at least via other display
`
`components); and
`
`an electromagnetic interference shielding tape 19 connected to the color filter surface 12,
`
`connected to the height adjusting body surface 18, and connected to the metal frame 2.
`
`In regard to claim 6, Takabayashi discloses (see e.g. Figure 3):
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/085,690
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`Page 4
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`Art Unit: 2871
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`wherein the third distance is the same as or smaller than the first distance.
`
`In regard to claim 11, Takabayashi discloses (see e.g. Figure 3):
`
`wherein the height adjusting body 18 is disposed on the source driver 17.
`
`In regard to claim 16, Takabayashi discloses
`
`wherein the height adjusting body 18 is electrically non—conductive (see e.g. paragraph
`
`[01 I 7]).
`
`In regard to claim 18, Takabayashi discloses
`
`a liquid crystal layer disposed between the TFT substrate 11 and the color filter substrate
`
`12.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
`
`6.
`
`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.
`
`7.
`
`Claims 3 and 4 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over
`
`Takabayashi (US 2009/0067112 A1) in View of Ono (6,525,786 B1).
`
`In regard to claim 3, Takabayashi discloses
`
`a polarizer 13, wherein the color filter substrate 12 includes an overlap portion which
`
`overlaps the polarizer 13 and a non—overlap portion which does not overlap the polarizer 13, the
`
`polarizer 13 being disposed on the color filter surface.
`
`Takabayashi fails to disclose
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/085,690
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`Page 5
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`Art Unit: 2871
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`wherein the electromagnetic interference shielding tape is connected to the color filter
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`surface in the non—overlap portion which does not overlap the polarizer.
`
`However, Ono discloses (see e.g. Figure 5):
`
`wherein the electromagnetic interference shielding tape 8 is connected to the color filter
`
`surface in the non—overlap portion which does not overlap the polarizer.
`
`Given the teachings of Ono, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art
`
`before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the display device of
`
`Takabayashi with wherein the electromagnetic interference shielding tape is connected to the
`
`color filter surface in the non—overlap portion which does not overlap the polarizer.
`
`Doing so would provide the shielding tape directly applied to the color filter substrate,
`
`which provides shielding from electromagnetic shock.
`
`In regard to claim 4, Takabayashi discloses the limitations as applied to claim 2 above,
`
`but fails to disclose
`
`a transparent conductive layer formed on the color filter surface, the electromagnetic
`
`interference shielding tape being directly connected to the transparent conductive layer.
`
`However, Ono discloses (see e.g. Figure 5):
`
`a transparent conductive layer 4 formed on the substrate 2, the electromagnetic
`
`interference shielding tape 8 being directly connected to the transparent conductive layer 4.
`
`Given the teachings of Ono, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art
`
`before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the display device of
`
`Takabayashi with a transparent conductive layer formed on the color filter surface, the
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/085,690
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`Page 6
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`Art Unit: 2871
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`electromagnetic interference shielding tape being directly connected to the transparent
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`conductive layer.
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`Doing so would provide the shielding tape directly applied to the color filter substrate,
`
`which provides shielding from electromagnetic shock.
`
`8.
`
`Claim 5 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Takabayashi
`
`(US 2009/0067112 A1) in View of Auger (US 5,573,857).
`
`In regard to claim 5, Takabayashi discloses the limitations as applied to claim 2 above,
`
`but fails to disclose
`
`wherein the electromagnetic interference shielding tape includes a metal film interposed
`
`between insulating films.
`
`However, Auger discloses
`
`wherein the electromagnetic interference shielding tape includes a metal film interposed
`
`between insulating films (see e.g. abstract).
`
`Given the teachings of Auger, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the
`
`art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the display device of Auger
`
`with wherein the electromagnetic interference shielding tape includes a metal film interposed
`
`between insulating films.
`
`Doing so would provide a means for preventing unwanted crosstalk and electromagnetic
`
`interference using known materials.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/085,690
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`Page 7
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`Art Unit: 2871
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`9.
`
`Claim 7 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Takabayashi
`
`(US 2009/0067112 A1) in View of Hashido (US 2014/0176840 A1).
`
`In regard to claim 7, Takabayashi discloses the limitations as applied to claim 1 above,
`
`but fails to disclose
`
`a flexible circuit film and a circuit substrate, the flexible circuit film being connected to
`
`the circuit substrate, and the source driver being connected to the flexible circuit film.
`
`However, Hashido discloses (see e.g. Figure 3):
`
`a flexible circuit film 3 and a circuit substrate 5, the flexible circuit film 3 being
`
`connected to the circuit substrate 5, and the source driver 23d being connected to the flexible
`
`circuit film 3.
`
`Given the teachings of Hashido, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in
`
`the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the display device of
`
`Takabayashi with a flexible circuit film and a circuit substrate, the flexible circuit film being
`
`connected to the circuit substrate, and the source driver being connected to the flexible circuit
`
`film.
`
`Doing so would provide a means for applying signals to the display pixel regions.
`
`10.
`
`Claims 8 and 9 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over
`
`Takabayashi (US 2009/0067112 A1) in View of Hashido (US 2014/0176840 A1) and further
`
`in View of Ono (6,525,786 B1).
`
`In regard to claim 8, Takabayashi, in view of Hashido, discloses
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/085,690
`
`Page 8
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`Art Unit: 2871
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`an electromagnetic interference shielding tape that covers at least a portion of the flexible
`
`circuit film and the circuit substrate.
`
`However, Ono discloses (see e.g. Figure 5):
`
`an electromagnetic interference shielding tape 19 that covers at least a portion of the
`
`flexible circuit film 6 and the circuit substrate 7.
`
`Given the teachings of Ono, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art
`
`before the effective filing date to modify the display device of Takabayashi, in view of Hashido,
`
`with an electromagnetic interference shielding tape that covers at least a portion of the flexible
`
`circuit film and the circuit substrate.
`
`Doing so would provide a shielding layer to the electrical components on the display
`
`device.
`
`In regard to claim 9, Takabayashi, in view of Hashido, discloses the limitations as
`
`applied to claim 8, but fails to disclose
`
`wherein the circuit substrate includes a ground terminal, the electromagnetic interference
`
`shielding tape being connected to the ground terminal.
`
`However, Ono discloses (see e.g. Figure 5):
`
`wherein the circuit substrate 7 includes a ground terminal, the electromagnetic
`
`interference shielding tape 19 being connected to the ground terminal (see e.g. abstract).
`
`Given the teachings of Ono, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art
`
`before the effective filing date to modify the display device of Takabayashi, in view of Hashido,
`
`with wherein the circuit substrate includes a ground terminal, the electromagnetic interference
`
`shielding tape being connected to the ground terminal.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/085,690
`
`Page 9
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`Art Unit: 2871
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`Doing so would provide a means for providing a ground terminal to the EMI shielding
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`tape.
`
`11.
`
`Claim 10 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Takabayashi
`
`(US 2009/0067112 A1) in View of Hashido (US 2014/0176840 A1) in View of Ono (6,525,786
`
`B1) and further in View of Auger (US 5,573,857).
`
`In regard to claim 10, Takabayashi, in view of Hashido and Ono, discloses the
`
`limitations as applied to claim 9 above, but fails to disclose
`
`wherein the electromagnetic interference shielding tape includes a metal film interposed
`
`between insulating films, and a portion of the electromagnetic interference shielding tape which
`
`is not covered by the insulating films is connected to the ground terminal.
`
`However, Auger discloses
`
`wherein the electromagnetic interference shielding tape includes a metal film interposed
`
`between insulating films (see e.g. abstract).
`
`Further, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize connecting the EMI shielding
`
`tape via an opening in the insulating film, in order to provide a ground connection.
`
`Given the teachings of Auger, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the
`
`art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the display device of
`
`Takabayashi, in view of Hashido and Ono, with wherein the electromagnetic interference
`
`shielding tape includes a metal film interposed between insulating films, and a portion of the
`
`electromagnetic interference shielding tape which is not covered by the insulating films is
`
`connected to the ground terminal.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/085,690
`
`Page 10
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`Art Unit: 2871
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`Doing so would provide a means for preventing unwanted crosstalk and electromagnetic
`
`interference using known materials.
`
`12.
`
`Claim 15 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Takabayashi
`
`(US 2009/0067112 A1) in View of Okuda (US 2006/0119760 A1).
`
`In regard to claim 15, Takabayashi discloses the limitations as applied to claim 1 above,
`
`but fails to disclose
`
`wherein the height adjusting body is compressible.
`
`However, Okuda discloses wherein the height adjusting body 20 is compressible (see e.g.
`
`paragraph [0063]).
`
`Given the teachings of Okuda, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the
`
`art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the display device of
`
`Takabayashi with wherein the height adjusting body is compressible.
`
`Doing so would provide a material that may absorb shock that is applied to the display
`
`device.
`
`13.
`
`Claim 17 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Takabayashi
`
`(US 2009/0067112 A1) in View of Bae et al. (US 7,251,140 B2).
`
`In regard to claim 17, Takabayashi discloses the limitations as applied to claim 1 above,
`
`but fails to disclose
`
`wherein the height adjusting body is thermally conductive.
`
`However, Bae et al. discloses
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/085,690
`
`Page ll
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`Art Unit: 2871
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`wherein the height adjusting body 36 is thermally conductive (see e.g. Column 3, lines
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`5 7-59).
`
`Given the teachings of Bae et al., it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in
`
`the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the display device of
`
`Takabayashi with wherein the height adjusting body is thermally conductive.
`
`Doing so would provide a means for providing thermal conduction away from electronic
`
`components.
`
`Conclusion
`
`Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the
`
`examiner should be directed to JESSICA M. MERLIN whose telephone number is (571)270—
`
`3207. The examiner can normally be reached on Monday—Thursday 6:00AM—4z30 PM.
`
`Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in—person, and video conferencing using
`
`a USPTO supplied web—based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is
`
`encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at
`
`http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice.
`
`If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s
`
`supervisor, Edward Glick can be reached on (571) 272—2490. The fax phone number for the
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`organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571—273—8300.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/085,690
`
`Page 12
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`Art Unit: 2871
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`Information regarding the status of an application may be obtained from the Patent
`
`Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system. Status information for published applications
`
`may be obtained from either Private PAIR or Public PAIR. Status information for unpublished
`
`applications is available through Private PAIR only. For more information about the PAIR
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`
`Jessica M. Merlin
`
`August 30, 2017
`
`/JESSICA M MERLIN/
`
`Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2871
`
`