www.uspto.gov
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`Address: COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`PO. Box 1450
`Alexandria, Virginia 2231371450
`
`15/908,127
`
`02/28/2018
`
`ShOhei HIGASHIHARA
`
`20326.0117U301
`
`4975
`
`53148
`
`759°
`
`12/19/20”
`
`HAMRE, SCHUMANN, MUELLER & LARSON RC.
`45 South Seventh Street
`Suite 2700
`
`MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55402-1683
`
`QURESHI'MARIAM
`
`ART UNIT
`2871
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`NOTIFICATION DATE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`12/19/2019
`
`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.
`15/908,127
`Examiner
`MARIAM QURESHI
`
`Applicant(s)
`HIGASHIHARA, Shohei
`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 10/30/19.
`CI A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/were filed on
`
`2a). This action is FINAL.
`
`2b) D 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 Expade Quay/e, 1935 CD. 11, 453 O.G. 213.
`
`Disposition of Claims*
`
`5)
`
`Claim(s)
`
`1,3—5,7—16 and 20—23 is/are pending in the application.
`
`5a) Of the above claim(s)
`
`is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`
`
`
`[:1 Claim(ss)
`
`is/are allowed.
`
`8)
`Claim(s 1 ,3—5, 7— 16 and 20—23 is/are rejected.
`
`D Claim(ss_) is/are objected to.
`
`) ) ) )
`
`S)
`are subject to restriction and/or election requirement
`[:1 Claim(s
`* If any claims have been determined aflowable. 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)|:l The specification is objected to by the Examiner.
`
`is/are: a)[] accepted or b)l:] objected to by the Examiner.
`11)[:] The drawing(s) filed on
`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)D Acknowledgment is made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d) or (f).
`Certified copies:
`
`a)I:l All
`
`b)|:] Some**
`
`c)l:i None of the:
`
`1C] Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`
`2C] Certified copies of the priority documents have been received in Application No.
`
`3D 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) [3 Notice of References Cited (PTO-892)
`
`2) C] Information Disclosure Statement(s) (PTO/SB/08a and/or PTO/SB/08b)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date_
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`
`3) E] 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 20191210
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/908,127
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 2
`
`DETAILED ACTION
`
`Notice of Pre-AIA orAIA Status
`
`The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined underthe first
`
`inventor to file provisions of the AIA.
`
`Response to Arguments
`
`Applicant's arguments filed 10/30/19 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
`
`Regarding the applicant’s argument on page 7, the applicant states thatthe conductive layers
`
`disclosed by Lim are distinguishable from the claimed light-blocking layers. The examiner respectfully
`
`disagrees, since Lim is not relied on to teach the black matrix characteristic of the light-blocking layers but
`
`is only relied on to show a spacer disposed between a superimposed area of the first and second light -
`
`blocking layers. In this case, the first and second light-blocking layers only need to have a light-blocking
`
`property. The property of the black matrix is disclosed by Kimura.
`
`Regarding the applicant’s arguments on page 9, the applicant statesthat Kang does not disclose
`
`a black matrix property of the first and second light-blocking layers. However, the examiner does not rely
`
`on Kang to disclose this property and merely relies on Kang to disclose the position of the light-blocking
`
`layers. In this case, both light-blocking layers, as disclosed by Kang, have some sort of light-blocking
`
`property, whereas Kimura remedies Kang by disclosing the black matrix form of the first and second light-
`
`blocking layers.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 1 12
`
`The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
`(b) CONCLUSION—The specification shall concludewith one or more claims particularly
`pointing out and distinctlyclaiming the subject matterwhich the inventoror a joint inventor
`regards as the invention.
`
`The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA), second paragraph:
`The specifications hall conclude with one or more claims particularlypointing outand distinctly
`claiming the subject matterwhich the applicant regards as his invention.
`
`Claims 1, 3-5, 7-16, 20-23 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA),
`
`second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/908,127
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 3
`
`subject matterwhich the inventor or a joint inventor, or for pre-AIA the applicant regards as the
`
`invention.
`
`Regarding Claims 1 and 21, the limitation “are made ofa black matrix” is ambiguous as to the
`
`metes and bounds of claim, since a “black matrix” is generally known in the art to referto a matrix-form
`
`light-blocking layer and does not refer to a particular material. For this reason, the limitation “are made of
`
`a black matrix” is interpreted to mean “are formed as black matrices”.
`
`Claim Rejections- 35 USC § 103
`
`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 maynotbe obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed
`invention is not identicallydisclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the
`claimed invention and the priorartare such that the claimed invention as awhole would have
`been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having
`ordinaryskill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentabilitys hall notbe
`negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
`
`Claims 1, 4-5, 11-12 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kimura et
`
`al (US Publication No.: US 2015/0301402 A1, “Kim ura”) in view of Lim (US 2009/0122240 A1).
`
`Regarding Claim 1, Kimura discloses a liquid crystal display device (Figure 1), comprising:
`
`A first substrate, including a plurality of pixel electrodes (Figure 1, first substrate 3, pixel
`
`electrodes 9);
`
`A second substrate disposed opposite the first substrate, the second substrate including a first
`
`colored region transmitting light of a first color, a second colored region transmitting light of a second
`
`color (Figure 1, second substrate 4, a first colored region RF, a second colored region GF; Paragraph
`
`0076); and
`
`A first light-blocking layer for blocking light disposed in a boundary area between the first colored
`
`region and the second colored region, wherein the first-light blocking layer is disposed between the first
`
`substrate and the second substrate (Figure 1, first light-blocking layer 14),
`
`Wherein the second substrate further includes a second light-blocking layer disposed in the
`
`boundary area between the first colored region and the second colored region (Figure 1, second light-
`
`blocking layer 1 1),
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/908,127
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 4
`
`The first colored region and the second colored region are disposed between the first light-
`
`blocking layer and the second light-blocking layer (Figure 1, the first colored region RF and the second
`
`colored region GF are disposed between first light-blocking layer 14 and second light-blocking layer 11),
`
`and
`
`The first colored region and the second colored region comprise color filters (Paragraph 0076),
`
`Wherein the first light-blocking layer and the second light-blocking layer are formed as black
`
`matrices (Figure 1, the first and second light-blocking layers 14 and 11 are formed in between color filters
`
`in a matrix-type form, as shown in Figure 2).
`
`Kimura fails to explicitly disclose that the first substrate includes a plurality of gate lines and a
`
`plurality of data lines, and a spacer that holds a clearance between the first substrate and the second
`
`substrate, and the spacer is disposed in a superimposed area where the first light-blocking layer, the
`
`second light-blocking layer, and at least one of the first colored region and the second colored region
`
`overlap.
`
`However, Lim discloses a similar display device where the first substrate includes a plurality of
`
`gate lines and a plurality of data lines, and a spacer that holds a clearance between the first substrate
`
`and the second substrate, and the spacer is disposed in a superimposed area where the first light-
`
`blocking layer, the second light-blocking layer, and at least one of the first colored region and the second
`
`colored region overlap (Lim, Figure 3, first light-blocking layer314, second light-blocking layer 31 7, first
`
`colored region 312R, spacer 325; Paragraph 0054 discloses a plurality of data and gate lines; Paragraph
`
`0046 discloses the light-blocking characteristic of the second light-blocking layer 31 7 by disclosing that
`
`the conductive layer may be made of a metal material, which is known in the art to be light-blocking).
`
`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 as disclosed by Kimura to include data and gate lines and
`
`a spacer as disclosed by Lim. One would have been motivated to include data and gate lines for the
`
`purpose of creating a pixel array that can control the light transmissivity of a display (Lim, Paragraph
`
`0054). One would have been motivated to include a spacer for the purpose of serving as a sealing
`
`member (Lim, Paragraph 0057) while also maintain a cell gap).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/908,127
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 5
`
`Regarding Claim 4, Kimura in view of Lim discloses the liquid crystal display device according to
`
`claim 1, wherein the first light-blocking layer has a width and a thickness, the width being larger than the
`
`thickness, and the second light-blocking layer has awidth and a thickness, the width being largerthan the
`
`thickness, wherein the width of the first light-blocking layer is relatively smaller than the width of the
`
`second light-blocking layer (Kimura, Figure 1, the first light-blocking layer 14 has a width larger than its
`
`thickness and the second light-blocking layer 11 has a width larger than its thickness, where
`
`comparatively, the width of the first light-blocking layer 14 is smaller than the width of the second light-
`
`blocking layer 1 1).
`
`Regarding Claim 5, Kimura in view of Lim discloses the liquid crystal display device according to
`
`claim 4, wherein the thickness ofthe first light-blocking layer is relatively largerthan the thickness ofthe
`
`second light-blocking layer (Kimura, Paragraph 0268 discloses a film thickness of the first light -b|ocking
`
`layer 14 to be 2 mum, where Paragraph 0206 discloses a film thickness of the second light-blocking layer
`
`11 to be 1.5 mum).
`
`Regarding Claim 11, Kimura in view of Lim discloses the liquid crystal display device according to
`
`claim 1, wherein the first substrate is a thin film transistor and the second substrate is a color filter
`
`substrate (Kimura, Paragraph 0064).
`
`Regarding Claim 12, Kimura in view of Lim discloses the liquid crystal display device according to
`
`claim 1, wherein the first colored region and the second colored region abut (Kimura, Figure 1, first
`
`colored region RF abuts with the second colored region GF).
`
`Claim 3, 7-8, 10 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kimura in
`
`view of Lim in further view of Okada et al (US Publication No.: US 2018/0120656 A1 of record,
`
`“Okada”).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/908,127
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 6
`
`Regarding Claim 3, Kimura in view of Lim discloses the liquid crystal display device according to
`
`claim 1, wherein a plurality ofsecond light-blocking layers are provided (Kimura, Figure 1 discloses a
`
`plurality of second light-blocking layers 1 1 ).
`
`Kimura fails to explicitly disclose that the second light-blocking layer extends in a direction parallel
`
`to the plurality of data lines.
`
`However, Okada discloses a similar display device where the plurality of second light-blocking
`
`layers extend in a direction parallel to the plurality of data lines (Okada, Figure 2, second light-blocking
`
`layers 21s, where each vertical portion of 21s may be considered an individual second light-blocking
`
`layer, plurality of data lines 12; Paragraph 0056), and are spaced apart from each other in a direction
`
`perpendicular to the direction parallel to the plurality of data lines (Figure 2 discloses the parallel direction
`
`is into the page, whereas the perpendicular direction is horizontally, and the second light-blocking layers
`
`21s are spaced apart horizontally).
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the
`
`invention to modify the display device as disclosed by Kimura to have the second light-blocking layer
`
`overlap the data line as disclosed by Okada. One would have been motivated to do so for the purpose of
`
`improving the aperture ratio of the display (Okada, Paragraph 0010).
`
`Regarding Claim 7, Kimura in view of Lim discloses the liquid crystal display device according to
`
`claim 1.
`
`Kimura fails to explicitly disclose that the spacer is disposed on the plurality of gate lines, wherein
`
`the second light-blocking layer is wider than the spacer at a location of the spacer.
`
`However, Okada discloses a similar display device where the spacer is disposed on the plurality
`
`of gate lines, wherein the second light-blocking layer is wider than the spacer at a location of the spacer
`
`(Okada, Figure 4, spacer 40, second light-blocking layer 21t, where the second light-blocking layer 21t is
`
`proportionally much widerthan the spacer 40; Paragraph 0056).
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the
`
`invention to modify the display device as disclosed by Kimura to have the second light-blocking layer be
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/908,127
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 7
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`wider than the spacer as disclosed by Okada. One would have been motivated to do so for the purpose of
`
`improving the aperture ratio of the display (Okada, Paragraphs 0064-0067).
`
`Regarding Claim 8, Kimura in view of Lim and Okada discloses the liquid crystal display device
`
`according to claim 7.
`
`Kimura fails to explicitly disclose that the spacer is disposed between adjacent two of the plurality
`
`of data lines.
`
`However, Okada discloses a similar display device where the spacer is disposed between
`
`adjacent two of the plurality of data lines (Okada, Figures 1-4 disclose that the spacers 40 must be
`
`disposed between the data lines as they are disposed in a horizontal direction along gate lines).
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the
`
`invention to modify the display device as disclosed by Kimura to have a specific location for the spacers
`
`as disclosed by Okada. One would have been motivated to do so for the purpose of improving the
`
`aperture ratio of the display (Okada, Paragraphs 0064-0067).
`
`Regarding Claim 10, Kimura in view of Lim discloses the liquid crystal display device according to
`
`claim 1.
`
`Kimura fails to explicitly disclose that the spacer is disposed between adjacent two of the plurality
`
`of data lines.
`
`However, Okada discloses a similar display device where the spacer is disposed between
`
`adjacent two of the plurality of data lines (Okada, Figures 1 -4 disclose that the spacers 40 must be
`
`disposed between the data lines as they are disposed in a horizontal direction along gate lines).
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the
`
`invention to modify the display device as disclosed by Kimura to have a specific location for the spacers
`
`as disclosed by Okada. One would have been motivated to do so for the purpose of improving the
`
`aperture ratio of the display (Okada, Paragraphs 0064-0067).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/908,127
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 8
`
`Claim 9 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kimura in view of Lim
`
`and Okada in further view of Yasukawa et al (US Publication No.: US 2017/010256 A1 of record,
`
`“Yasu kawa”).
`
`Regarding Claim 9, Kimura in view of Lim and Okada discloses the liquid crystal display device
`
`according to claim 7.
`
`Kimura fails to explicitly disclose that the spacer is disposed on the plurality of data lines.
`
`However, Yasukawa discloses a similar display device where the spacer is disposed on the
`
`plurality of data lines (Yasukawa, Figure 2, data lines 11, spacer 21 0a and 210b).
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the
`
`invention to modify the display device as disclosed by Kimura and Okada to include spacers on the data
`
`lines as disclosed by Yasukawa. One would have been motivated to do so for the purpose of holding a
`
`gap between the TFT and color filter substrate (Yasukawa, Paragraph 0042).
`
`Claims 13-16 and 20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kimura in
`
`view of Lim in further view of Kang et al (US Publication No.: US 2016/0202528 A1 of record,
`
`“Kang”).
`
`Regarding Claim 13, Kimura in view of Lim discloses the liquid crystal display device according to
`
`claim 1.
`
`overlap.
`
`Kimura fails to explicitly disclose that the first colored region and the second colored region
`
`However, Kang discloses a similar display device where the first colored region and the second
`
`colored region overlap (Kang, Figure 6, first colored region B, second colored region R).
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the
`
`invention to modify the display device as disclosed by Kimura to have the first and second colored
`
`regions overlap as disclosed by Kang. One would have been motivated to do so for the purpose of
`
`implementing multi-transmittance (Kang, Paragraphs 0009-0011).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/908,127
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 9
`
`Regarding Claim 14, Kimura in view of Lim and Kang discloses the liquid crystal display device
`
`according to claim 13.
`
`Kimura fails to explicitly disclose that the second substrate further includes a third colored region
`
`overlapped on the first colored region and the second colored region.
`
`However, Kang discloses a similar display device where the second substrate further includes a
`
`third colored region overlapped on the first colored region and the second colored region (Kang, Figure 6,
`
`second substrate 110, first colored region B, second colored region R, third colored region G).
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the
`
`invention to modify the display device as disclosed by Kimura to include three overlapping colored
`
`regions as disclosed by Kang. One would have been motivated to do so for the purpose of implementing
`
`multi-transmittance (Kang, Paragraphs 0009-0011).
`
`Regarding Claim 15, Kimura in view of Lim and Kang discloses the liquid crystal display device
`
`according to claim 14.
`
`Kimura fails to explicitly disclose that the third colored region is overlapped on the first light-
`
`blocking layer.
`
`However, Kang discloses a similar display device where the third colored region is overlapped on
`
`the first light-blocking layer (Kang, Figure 6, third colored region G, first light-blocking layer 220a, MCS).
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the
`
`invention to modify the display device as disclosed by Kimura to have the first light-blocking layer overlap
`
`with the third colored region as disclosed by Kang. One would have been motivated to do so for the
`
`purpose of implementing multi-transmittance (Kang, Paragraphs 0009-0011).
`
`Regarding Claim 16, Kimura in view of Lim and Kang discloses the liquid crystal display device
`
`according to claim 15.
`
`Kimura fails to explicitly disclose that the first light-blocking layer is disposed between the third
`
`colored region and the first substrate.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/908,127
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 10
`
`However, Kang discloses a similar display device where the first light-blocking layer is disposed
`
`between the third colored region and the first substrate (Kang, Figure 7, third colored region 270a, first
`
`substrate 100, first light-blocking layer MCS).
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the
`
`invention to modify the display device as disclosed by Kimura to have the first light-blocking layer
`
`between the third colored region and the first substrate as disclosed by Kang. One would have been
`
`motivated to do so for the purpose of implementing multi-transmittance (Kang, Paragraphs 0009-0011).
`
`Regarding Claim 20, Kimura in view of Lim and Kang discloses the liquid crystal display device
`
`according to claim 16, comprising a glass substrate of the second substrate (Paragraph 0206 disclose a
`
`glass substrate 10 of the second substrate 4).
`
`Kimura fails to disclose that the second light-blocking layer is disposed between the third colored
`
`region and the second substrate.
`
`However, Kang discloses a similar display device where the second light-blocking layer is
`
`disposed between the third colored region and the second substrate (Kang, Figure 7, second substrate
`
`210, second light-blocking layer 250, third colored region 270a; Paragraph 0040 discloses that element
`
`250 is a sub color-filter, which mean it must block at least some light and may serve as at least a partial
`
`light-blocking layer).
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the
`
`invention to modify the display device as disclosed by Kang to include a second light-blocking layer
`
`between the third colored region and the second substrate as disclosed by Kimura. One would have been
`
`motivated to do so for the purpose of implementing multi-transmittance (Kang, Paragraphs 0009-0011).
`
`Claims 21-23 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kimura in view
`
`of Kang.
`
`Regarding Claim 21, Kimura discloses a liquid crystal display device (Figure 1), comprising:
`
`A first substrate, including a plurality of pixel electrodes (Figure 1, first substrate 3, pixel
`
`electrodes 9);
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/908,127
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 11
`
`A second substrate disposed opposite the first substrate, the second substrate including a first
`
`colored region transmitting light of a first color, a second colored region transmitting light of a second
`
`color (Figure 1, second substrate 4, a first colored region RF, a second colored region GF; Paragraph
`
`0076); and
`
`A first light-blocking layer for blocking light disposed in a boundary area between the first colored
`
`region and the second colored region, wherein the first-light blocking layer is disposed between the first
`
`substrate and the second substrate (Figure 1, first light-blocking layer 14), and
`
`Wherein the second substrate further includes a second light-blocking layer disposed in the
`
`boundary area between the first colored region and the second colored region (Figure 1, second light-
`
`blocking layer 1 1), and a third colored region between the first light-blocking layer and the second light-
`
`blocking layer (Figure 1, second light-blocking layer 11, first light-blocking layer 14, third colored region
`
`BF),
`
`and
`
`The first colored region and the second colored region comprise color filters (Paragraph 0076),
`
`The third colored region is disposed in a superimposed area where the first light-blocking layer,
`
`the second light-blocking layer, and at least one of the first colored region and the second colored region
`
`overlap (Figure 1, second light-blocking layer 11, first light-blocking layer 14, third colored region BF,
`
`second colored region GF, where the superimposed area is as annotated below), and
`
`The first light-blocking layer and the second light-blocking layer are formed as black matrices
`
`(Figure 1, the first and second light-blocking layers 14 and 11 are formed in between color filters in a
`
`matrix-type form, as shown in Figure 2).
`
`Kimura is silent regarding the presence of gates lines and data lines and so fails to explicitly
`
`disclose that the first substrate comprises a plurality of gate lines and a plurality of data lines. However,
`
`Kimura discloses the general environment of constructing a liquid crystal display using a thin film
`
`transistor and electrodes (Paragraphs 0064-0065). Having these teachings, it would have been obvious
`
`to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention that the first
`
`substrate would also comprise a plurality of data lines and a plurality of gate lines. One would have been
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 15/908,127
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 12
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`motivated to do so for the purpose of manufacturing a working liquid crystal display device according to
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`an IPS method (Paragraph 0063).
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`Kimura fails to explicitly disclose that the first light-blocking layer is disposed between the third
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`colored region and the first substrate, and the second light-blocking layer is disposed between the third
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`colored region and the second substrate.
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`However, Kang discloses a similar display device where the first light-blocking layer is disposed
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`between the third colored region and the first substrate, and the second light-blocking layer is disposed
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`between the third colored region and the second substrate (Kang, Figure 7, third colored region 270a, first
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`substrate 100, first light-blocking layer MCS, second substrate 210, second light-blocking layer 250,
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`Paragraph 0040 discloses that element 250 is a sub color-filter, which means it must block at least some
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`light and may serve as at least a partial light-blocking layer).
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`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the
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`invention to modify the display device as disclosed by Kimura to have the first light -blocking layer
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`between the third colored region and the first substrate and to include a second light-blocking layer
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`between the third colored region and the second substrate as disclosed by Kang. One would have been
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`motivated to do so for the purpose of implementing multi-transmittance (Kang, Paragraphs 0009-0011).
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 15/908,127
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 13
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`Fig. 'i
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`superimposed area
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`
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`‘ iicguid crystal
`3 driving emment:
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`
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`Regarding Claim 22, Kimura discloses the liquid crystal display device according to claim 21,
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`wherein the first colored region and the second colored region are disposed between the first light-
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`blocking layer and the second light-blocking layer (Figure 1, the first colored region RF and the second
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`colored region GF are disposed between first light-blocking layer 14 and second light-blocking layer 11).
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`Regarding Claim 23, Kimura discloses the liquid crystal display device according to claim 21.
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 15/908,127
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 14
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`Kimura fails to disclose that the first colored region and the second colored region overlap.
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`However, Kang discloses a similar display device where the first colored region and the second
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`colored region overlap (Kang, Figure 6, first colored region B, second colored region R).
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`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the
`
`invention to modify the display device as disclosed by Kimura to have the first and second colored
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`regions overlap as disclosed by Kang. One would have been motivated to do so for the purpose of
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`implementing multi-transmittance (Kang, Paragraphs 0009-0011).
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`Conclusion
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`Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office
`
`action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of
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`the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR1.136(a).
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`A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from
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`the mailing date of this action.
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`In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date
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`of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH
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`shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action
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`is mailed, and any 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 laterthan SIX
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`MONTHS from the date of this final action.
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`Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should
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`be directed to MARIAM QURESHI whose telephone number is (571)272-4434. The examiner can
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`normally be reached on 9AM-5PM EST M-F.
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`Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a
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`USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use
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`the US PTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice.
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`If attempts to reach the examiner bytelephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor,
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`Michael Caley can be reached on 571-272-2286. The fax phone numberfor the organization where this
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`application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 15/908,127
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 15
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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 system, see https://ppair-
`
`my.uspto.gov/pair/PrivatePair. Should you have questions on access to the Private PAIR system, contact
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`the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a
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`USPTO Customer Service Representative or access to the automated information system, call 800 -786-
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`9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571 -272-1000.
`
`/MARIAM QURESHI/
`Examiner, Art Unit 2871
`
`/MICHAEL H CALEY/
`
`Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2871
`
`