UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`Address: COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`PO. Box 1450
`Alexandria, Virginia 2231371450
`www.uspto.gov
`
`16/223,201
`
`12/18/2018
`
`Hidehiro SONODA
`
`05 20—50502C3
`
`1850
`
`05/13/2019
`
`7590
`
`133303
`Typha IP LLC
`Arimi Yamada
`The Wharf 1000 Maine Avenue SW
`Suite 400
`
`Washington, DC 20024
`
`EXAMINER
`
`MERLIN, JESSICA M
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`ART UNIT
`
`2871
`
`NOTIFICATION DATE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`05/13/2019
`
`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):
`MBJP @miehaelbest.eom
`
`ayamada@ miehaelbest.eom
`mkeipdoeket@miehaelbest.eom
`
`PTOL-90A (Rev. 04/07)
`
`

`

`0/7709 A0170” Summary
`
`Application No.
`16/223,201
`Examiner
`JESSICA M MERLIN
`
`Applicant(s)
`SONODA et al.
`Art Unit
`AIA (FITF) Status
`2871
`No
`
`- 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 December 18, 2018.
`[:1 A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/were filed on
`
`2a)D This action is FINAL.
`
`2b)
`
`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) fl is/are pending in the application.
`
`5a) Of the above claim(s)
`
`is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`
`E] Claim(s)
`
`is/are allowed.
`
`Claim(s) fl is/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 December 18, 2018 is/are: a). accepted or b)lj 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. 14/592517.
`
`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)
`
`Information Disclosure Statement(s) (PTO/SB/08a and/or PTO/SB/08b)
`2)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date M.
`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 20190507
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/223,201
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 2
`
`DETAILED ACTION
`
`Notice ofPre-AIA 0r AIA Status
`
`1.
`
`The present application is being examined under the pre—AIA first to invent provisions.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 US C § 112
`
`2.
`
`The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
`(b) CONCLUSION.7The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing
`out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the
`invention.
`
`The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre—AIA), second paragraph:
`The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly
`claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
`
`3.
`
`Claims 1—9 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 subject
`
`matter which the inventor or a joint inventor, or for pre—AIA the applicant regards as the
`
`invention.
`
`4.
`
`In regard to claim 1, the limitation, “wherein the third metal line extends in parallel with
`
`the second metal line and extends intersecting a plurality of the second metal lines in a plan
`
`view” renders the scope of the claim unclear. Namely, it is unclear if the limitation should be
`
`“wherein the third metal extends in parallel with the first metal lines and extends intersecting a
`
`plurality of the second metal lines” or if applicant is indicating secondary extension direction
`
`such as in Figure 3 of the applicant’s originally filed specification. Further, it is noted that “a
`
`plurality of the second metal lines” lacks antecedent basis as only “a second metal line” is
`
`claimed.
`
`5.
`
`In regard to claim 8, the limitation “a width of the metal line” is unclear, because it is not
`
`clear to which metal line it refers.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/223,201
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`6.
`
`Claims 2—9 depend from claim 1.
`
`Page 3
`
`Double Patenting
`
`7.
`
`The nonstatutory double patenting rejection is based on a judicially created doctrine
`
`grounded in public policy (a policy reflected in the statute) so as to prevent the unjustified or
`
`improper timewise extension of the “right to exclude” granted by a patent and to prevent possible
`
`harassment by multiple assignees. A nonstatutory double patenting rejection is appropriate where
`
`the conflicting claims are not identical, but at least one examined application claim is not
`
`patentably distinct from the reference claim(s) because the examined application claim is either
`
`anticipated by, or would have been obvious over, the reference claim(s). See, e. g., In re Berg,
`
`140 F.3d 1428, 46 USPQ2d 1226 (Fed. Cir. 1998); In re Goodman, 11 F.3d 1046, 29 USPQ2d
`
`2010 (Fed. Cir. 1993); In re Longi, 759 F.2d 887, 225 USPQ 645 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re Van
`
`Ornum, 686 F.2d 937, 214 USPQ 761 (CCPA 1982); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619
`
`(CCPA 1970); In re Thorington, 418 F.2d 528, 163 USPQ 644 (CCPA 1969).
`
`A timely filed terminal disclaimer in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(c) or 1.321(d) may
`
`be used to overcome an actual or provisional rejection based on nonstatutory double patenting
`
`provided the reference application or patent either is shown to be commonly owned with the
`
`examined application, or claims an invention made as a result of activities undertaken within the
`
`scope of a joint research agreement. See MPEP § 717.02 for applications subject to examination
`
`under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA as explained in MPEP § 2159. See MPEP
`
`§§ 706.02(l)(1) — 706.02(l)(3) for applications not subject to examination under the first inventor
`
`to file provisions of the AIA. A terminal disclaimer must be signed in compliance with 37 CFR
`
`1.32103).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/223,201
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 4
`
`The USPTO Internet website contains terminal disclaimer forms which may be used.
`
`Please Visit www.uspto.gov/patent/patents—forms. The filing date of the application in which the
`
`form is filed determines what form (e.g., PTO/SB/25, PTO/SB/26, PTO/AIA/25, or
`
`PTO/AIA/26) should be used. A web—based eTerminal Disclaimer may be filled out completely
`
`online using web—screens. An eTerminal Disclaimer that meets all requirements is auto—
`
`processed and approved immediately upon submission. For more information about eTerminal
`
`Disclaimers, refer to f».
`
`8.
`
`Claims 1-4 and 7 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as
`
`being unpatentable over claims 1 and 2 of US. Patent No. 8,958,042. Although the claims at
`
`issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because all of the
`
`limitations of the instant claim set are required by the claims of said patent (see below).
`
`stal dis nla deVice com risin:
`
`a TFT substrate and a counter substrate;
`
`A li-uid cr stal dis nla deVice com risin:
`a TFT substrate on which a
`
`US 8,958,042
`Claim 1
`
`surrounded by scanning lines which extend
`
`pixel is formed in each of regions
`surrounded by scanning lines which extend
`in a first direction and are arranged parallel
`to each other in a second direction and Video
`
`signal lines which extend in the second
`direction and are arranged parallel to each
`other in the first direction; a counter
`
`substrate which is arranged to face the TFT
`substrate in an o nosed manner;
`
`a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the
`TFT substrate and the counter substrate;
`
`a liquid crystal layer which is sandwiched
`between the TFT substrate and the counter
`
`a first metal Eine functioning as a scanning
`line, a secortd metal line funetitming as a
`Video signal Eine, a thin tiim transistor
`connected to the first: metal line and the
`
`substrate,
`a TFT substrate on which a
`
`pixel is formed in each of regions
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/223,201
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 5
`
`second metal line, a pixel eleetrede et‘inneeted
`tn the thin film transisten and a eennter
`
`in a first direction and are arranged parallel
`to each other in a second direction and video
`
`electrede formed an the 'l‘lii'l" substrate;
`
`signal lines which extend in the second
`direction and are arranged parallel to each
`other in the first direction; wherein a pixel
`electrode made of a transparent conductive
`film formed in a planar shape, and a counter
`electrode made of a transparent conductive
`film and formed in a comb—teeth shape on
`the pixel electrode by way of an insulation
`film are arran ed in the nixel,
`
`columnar spacers which define a distance
`between the TFT substrate and the counter
`
`substrate are formed over the counter
`
`substrate,
`
`wherein a pixel electrode made of a
`transparent conductive film formed in a
`planar shape, and a counter electrode made
`of a transparent conductive film and formed
`in a comb—teeth shape on the pixel electrode
`by way of an insulation film are arranged in
`the pixel,
`a bus electrode made of elemental metal
`
`a eolnrnnar spacer formed on the eennter
`substrate;
`
`wherein the pixel electrnde and the eennter
`electrta‘le are transparent, and the liquid,
`crystal layer is controlled by an eleetric field
`generated between the pixel electrede and the
`en n n ter electrode;
`
`wherein the cnnnter electrode contacts with a
`
`
`
`tl'iird metal line, wl'ierein the third metal line
`
`which extends in the first direction and is
`
`extends in parallel with the second metal line,
`and extends intersecting a plurality of the
`seeend metal lines in a alan View;
`
`wherein the columnar spaeer everlaps with
`an intersection of the first metal line and the
`
`seeend metal line, and the third metal line.
`and
`
`wherein an alignment film is dispesed
`between the cohnnnar spaeer and the third
`metal line in ernss sectional view.
`
`Claim 2
`wherein the width nf the metal line is ne
`
`greater than 3 inn.
`
`Claim 3
`
`connected with the counter electrode is
`
`formed over the insulation film and the
`
`scannin; line formed over the TFT substrate,
`
`a distal end of the columnar spacer faces the
`bus electrode in an opposed manner,
`
`an alignment film formed over the counter
`electrode, the insulation film, and the bus
`
`electrode,
`Claim 1
`
`the bus electrode which extends in the first
`
`direction has a width which is no greater than
`3 tan.
`Claim 1
`
`a first insulating film dispersed between the
`first metal line and the seennd metal line, and
`
`counter electrode made of a transparent
`conductive film and formed in a comb—teeth
`
`a secend insulating film dispnsed between the
`pixel eleetrede ant the counter eleetrnde.
`
`shape on the pixel electrode by way of an
`insulation film are arranged in the pixel, a
`gate insulation film is formed on the
`scanning lines, the video signal lines are
`formed over the ate insulation film,
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/223,201
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 6
`
`Claim 4
`
`Claim 1
`
`third insulating filrn diseased between the
`ixel electrnde.
`thin film transistnr and the ,
`Claim 7
`
`a pas sivation film is formed on the Video
`si nal lines,
`Claim 2
`
`the scanning line and the Video signal line,
`
`wherein the third metal line includes a part
`which extends in parallel with the first metal
`line, and the third rnetal line has a crcss shape
`in a plan View above the intersectitm til the
`first metal line and the second metal line.
`
`wherein the bus electrode has a portion
`which extends in the second direction and
`
`has a cruciform shape at an intersection of
`
`9.
`
`Claims 1-8 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being
`
`unpatentable over claims 1-6 of US. Patent No. 9,720,288. Although the claims at issue are
`
`not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because all of the limitations
`
`of the instant claim set are required by the claims of said patent (see below).
`
`Instant application
`
`US 9,720,288
`Claim 1
`
`stal dis nla device com risin:
`
`A li-uid cr stal dis nla device com risin:
`
`
`
`a ’l‘FT substrate and a cennter substrate;
`
`a liquid crystal layer sandwiched hetween
`the Till" substrate and the cnunter snhstrate;
`
`a first metal line functinning as a scanning
`line, a secnrid metal line l’l'mt'JllGl‘lll’lg as a
`Viden signal line, a thin tilrn transistor
`crsnneeted to the first metal line and the
`
`second metal line“ a pixel electrede
`connected tn the thin film transistor, and a
`cannter electrode ltn‘nied en the TFT
`
`substrate;
`
`TFT substrate and the counter substrate;
`
`a scanning line, a Video signal line, a thin film
`transistor connected to the scanning line and
`the Video signal line, a pixel
`electrode connected to the thin film transistor,
`and a counter electrode formed on the TFT
`
`substrate;
`
`a columnar spacer formed an the counter
`substrate;
`
`a columnar spacer formed on the counter
`substrate;
`
`wherein the pixel electrode and the cennter
`electrrstle are transparent, and the liquid
`crystal layer is controlled by an electric field
`generated between the pixel electrede and
`the cannter electrrx‘le;
`wherein the eotinter electrcde contacts with a
`
`wherein the pixel electrode and the counter
`electrode are transparent, and the liquid
`crystal layer is controlled by an electric field
`generated between the pixel electrode and the
`counter electrode;
`wherein the counter electrode contacts with a
`
`third metal line, wherein the third. metal line
`
`metal line, and the metal line includes a first
`
`extends in parallel with the second metal
`
`part which is extended in parallel with the
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/223,201
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 7
`
`line. and extends intersecting a plurality of
`the second. metal lines in a plan View;
`
`extended in parallel with the Video signal line,
`
`wherein the enluinnar spacer overlaps with
`an intersection of the first metal line and the
`
`second metal line, and the third metal line,
`and
`
`wherein the columnar spacer is overlapped
`with an intersection of the scanning line and
`the Video signal line and an intersection of the
`first part and the second part of the metal line,
`
`wherein an alignment film is disposed
`hetween the columnar spacer and the third
`metal line in cross sectional View
`
`an alignment film is disposed between the
`columnar spacer
`and the metal line in cross sectional View.
`
`Claim 2
`
`Claim 2
`
`wherein the width of the metal line is no
`
`reater than 3. pm.
`Claim 3
`
`wherein the width of the first part of the metal
`line is no reater than 3 am,
`Claim 3
`
`a first insulating filni disposed between the
`first metal line and the second metal line“ and
`
`a second insulating film disposed hetween
`the pixel electrode and the counter electrode.
`
`first insulating film disposed between the
`scanning line and the Video signal line, and a
`second insulating film disposed between the
`pixel electrode and the counter electrode.
`
`Claim 4
`
`Claim 4
`
`third insulating lilin disposed between the
`thin film transistor and the iixel electrode.
`
`a third insulating film disposed between the
`thin film transistor and the nixel electrode.
`
`Claim 5
`
`Claim 5
`
`wherein the third insulating film is an
`organi c filth .
`Claim 6
`
`wherein the upper surface of the third metal
`line is covered by the counter electrode.
`Claim 7
`
`wherein the third metal line includes a part
`which extends in parallel with the first metal
`line, and the third metal line has a cross
`
`shape in a plan View aheve the intersection
`of the first metal line and the second metal
`
`wherein the third insulating film is an organic
`film.
`
`Claim 6
`
`wherein the upper surface of the metal line is
`covered b the counter electrode.
`
`Claim 1
`
`the metal line includes a first part which is
`extended in parallel with the scanning line
`and a second part which is extended in
`parallel with the Video signal line,
`
`
`
`line.
`
`Claim 8
`
`Claim 1
`
`wherein. a width of the metal line is narrower
`
`than a width of the first metal line.
`
`width of the first part of the metal line is
`narrower than a width of the scannin line,
`
`10.
`
`Claims 1-8 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being
`
`unpatentable over claims 1-6 of US. Patent No. 10,185,183. Although the claims at issue
`
`are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because all of the
`
`limitations of the instant claim set are required by the claims of said patent (see below),
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/223,201
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 8
`
`except “wherein an alignment film is disposed between the columnar spacer and the third
`
`metal line in cross sectional viewf’
`
`11.
`
`However, it is known in the art to utilize alignment films in liquid crystal display devices
`
`in order to provide a uniform alignment to the liquid crystal layer.
`
`12.
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing
`
`date of the claimed invention to modify US 10, 185,183 with wherein an alignment film is
`
`disposed between the columnar spacer and the third metal line in cross sectional View in order to
`
`provide a uniform alignment to the liquid crystal molecules.
`
`US 10,185,183
`Claim 1
`
`stal dis nla device com risin:
`
`A liuid cr stal dis nla device com risin:
`
`a TFT substrate and a counter substrate;
`
`a TFT substrate and a counter substrate;
`
`a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the
`TFT substrate and the counter substrate;
`
`a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between
`the TFT substrate and the counter substrate;
`
`a first metal line functioning as a scanning
`line, a second metal line functioning as a
`video signal line, a thin tilrn transistor
`connected to the first metal line and the
`
`second metal line. a pixel electrode connected
`to the thin film transistor. and a counter
`
`electrode formed on the "l”F'l" substrate:
`
`a scanning line, a video signal line, a thin
`film transistor connected to the scanning line
`and the video signal line, a pixel electrode
`connected to the thin film transistor, and a
`counter electrode formed on the TFT
`
`substrate;
`
`a coluninar spacer formed on the counter
`substrate;
`
`a columnar spacer formed on the counter
`substrate,
`
`
`
`wherein the. pixel electrot'le and the cointter
`electrode are transparent, and the liquid
`crystal layer is controlled by an electric field
`generated hetween the pixel electrode and the
`counter electrode;
`wherein the counter electrode contacts with a
`
`third metal line, wherein the third metal line
`
`extends in parallel with the second. metal line,
`and extends intersecting a plurality of the
`second metal lines in a plan View;
`
`wherein the columnar spacer overlaps with
`an intersection of the first metal line and the
`
`wherein the pixel electrode and the counter
`electrode are transparent, and the liquid
`crystal layer is controlled by an electric field
`generated between the pixel electrode and
`the counter electrode,
`
`the metal line includes a first part which is
`extended in parallel with the scanning line, a
`second part which is extended in
`parallel with the video signal line, and a third
`part which is arranged between
`the first part and the second part,
`
`the columnar spacer is arranged at the
`intersection of the scanning line and the
`video sinal line.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/223,201
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`secehd litetal line, and the thirtl metal line,
`and
`
`Page 9
`
`wherein an alignment film is disposed
`hetween the eelunihar spacer and the third
`metal line in cmss sectienal View.
`
`(see above)
`
`Claim 2
`
`Claim 2
`
`wherein the width «of the metal line is no
`
`greater than 3 pm.
`Claim 3
`
`wherein the width of the first part of the
`metal line is 3 pm or less.
`Claim 3
`
`a. first insulating filth disposed between the
`first metal line and the second metal liner and
`
`a second insulating film t‘lispesed hetween the
`pixel electrode and the counter electrode.
`Claim 4
`
`a first insulating film disposed between the
`scanning line and the Video signal line, and a
`second insulating film disposed between the
`pixel electrode and the counter electrode.
`Claim 4
`
`third insulating fihn disposed between the
`thin film ti'ahsister and the pixel eleetmde.
`
`a third insulating film disposed between the
`thin film transistor and the pixel electrode.
`
`Claim 5
`
`Claim 5
`
`wherein the third insulating film is an organic
`film.
`
`wherein the third insulating film is an
`or anic film.
`
`Claim 6
`
`Claim 6
`
`wherein the upper surface el the third metal
`line is eevered by the counter eieetrnde.
`Claim 7
`
`wherein the upper surface of the metal line is
`covered by the counter electrode.
`Claim 1
`
`
`
`wherein the third metal line includes a part
`which extends in parallel witi'i the first metal
`line, and the third metal line has a emss shape
`in a plan view above the intersection (it the
`first metal line and the secehd metal line.
`
`Claim 8
`
`the metal line includes a first part which is
`extended in parallel with the scanning line, a
`second part which is extended in
`parallel with the Video signal line, and a third
`part which is arranged between
`the first nart and the second nart,
`Claim 1
`
`wherein a width at the metal line is harrewer
`
`ti'iah a witlti'r ef the first metal hhe.
`
`a width of the first part of the metal line is
`narrower than a width of the scanning line,
`
`Allowable Subject Matter
`
`13.
`
`Claims 1—9 would be allowable if rewritten or amended to overcome the rejecti0n(s)
`
`under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre—AIA), 2nd paragraph, and the obvious—type double
`
`patenting rejections set forth in this Office action.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/223,201
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 10
`
`Conclusion
`
`14.
`
`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 7:00AM—5z00PM.
`
`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, Ed Glick can be reached on (571) 272—2490. The fax phone number for the
`
`organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571—273—8300.
`
`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 http://pair—direct.uspto.gov. Should you have questions on access to the Private PAIR
`
`system, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866—217—9197 (toll—free). If you would
`
`like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative or access to the automated
`
`information system, call 800—786—9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571—272—1000.
`
`Jessica M. Merlin
`
`May 8,2019
`
`