www.uspto.gov
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`Address: COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`PO. Box 1450
`Alexandria, Virginia 2231371450
`
`16/057,338
`
`08/07/2018
`
`YOShiki NAKANO
`
`20326.0136USW1
`
`2661
`
`53148
`
`759°
`
`09/24/20”
`
`HAMRE, SCHUMANN, MUELLER & LARSON RC.
`45 South Seventh Street
`Suite 2700
`
`MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55402-1683
`
`JUNG'JONATHAN Y
`
`ART UNIT
`2871
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`NOTIFICATION DATE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`09/24/2019
`
`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.
`16/057,338
`Examiner
`JONATHAN Y JUNG
`
`Applicant(s)
`NAKANO et al.
`Art Unit
`2871
`
`AIA (FITF) Status
`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 07 August 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)
`
`1—10 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 aflowabte. 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 08/07/2018 is/are: a). accepted or b)[:] 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)
`
`Information Disclosure Statement(s) (PTO/SB/08a and/or PTO/SB/08b)
`2)
`Paper No(s)/Mail DateW.
`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 20190914
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/057,338
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 2
`
`DETAILED ACTION
`
`Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
`
`The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013,
`
`is beingexamined underthe
`
`first inventorto file provisions ofthe AIA.
`
`Priority
`
`Receipt is acknowledged ofcertified copies of papers required by 37 CFR 1.55.
`
`Information Disclosure Statement
`
`The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 08/07/2018 is in compliance
`
`with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statementis being
`
`considered by the examiner.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
`
`In the eventthe determination ofthe status of the application as subject to AIA 35
`
`U.S.C.102 and 103 (or as subjectto 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
`
`eitherstatus.
`
`The followingisa quotation ofthe appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form
`
`the basisfor the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
`
`A person shall be entitled to a patent unless —
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/057,338
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 3
`
`(a )(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale
`or otherwise a vailable to the public before the effective filing date ofthe claimed invention.
`
`Claims 1-2 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Kim (KR
`
`2016/0029295;
`
`the English translation attached).
`
`Regarding claim 1, Kim disclosesa curved surface display (see Figs. 4 and 10 below; see
`
`page 4 identifyingthe embodiment shown in Figs. 4 and 10) comprising:
`
`a first substrate (110) that iscurved such that a portion located at a center in a first
`
`direction (alongthe x—direction in Fig. 4) is convex or concave toward a display surface side
`
`compared with portions located at both ends in the first direction (Page 4 ”The second
`
`substrate 120 is called a color filtersubstrate" indicating the display surface side formed on
`
`120);
`
`a second substrate (120) that is curved alongthe first substrate while opposite the first
`
`substrate; and
`
`a sealing mate rial (140) that bonds the first substrate and the second substrate
`
`together,
`
`wherein
`
`the sealing material includesa first sealing section (342 in Fig. 10; Page 17) extendingin
`
`a second direction (along the y—direction in Fig. 10) cross to the first direction and a second
`
`sealingsection (348) extendingin the firstdirection, and
`
`a dimension inthe first direction of the first sealing section is larger than a dimension in
`
`the second direction ofthe second sealing section (Fig. 10 and Page 18 ”the first widthwl may
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/057,338
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 4
`
`be three times the second widthw32. For example, the firstwidthw31 may be 1.5 to 3.0 mm,
`
`and the second width w32 may be 0.5 to 1.0 mm").
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/057,338
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 5
`
`Regarding claim 2, Kim discloses the limitations ofclaim 1 above, and furtherdiscloses
`
`that the dimension in the first direction of the first sealing section is 1.1 to 5.0 times the
`
`dimension inthe second direction ofthe second sealing section (Page 18, ”For example, the
`
`first width w31 may be 1.5 to 3.0 mm, and the second width w32 may be 0.5 to 1.0 mm").
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
`
`The followingisa quotation of 35 U.S.C.103 which forms the basis for all obviousness
`
`rejections setforth in this Office action:
`
`A patentfor a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstandingthattheclaimed
`invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, ifthe differences between the
`
`claimed invention a nd the priorartare such that the claimed invention as a whole wou ld have
`been obvious before the effective fi ling date ofthe claimed invention to a person havingordinary
`
`skill inthe artto whichthe claimed invention pertains. Patenta bility shall not be negated by the
`manner in which the i nventi on was made.
`
`Claims 3-6 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kim in view of
`
`Ukia (JP 2007/272107;
`
`the English translation attached).
`
`Regarding claim 3, Kim discloses the curved surface display according to claim 1.
`
`However, Kim does not disclose an on—vehicle device comprising:
`
`a curved surface display; and
`
`a main body component that attaches the curved surface displayto a vehicle, the main
`
`body component includinga frame body disposed at a peripheral edge of the curved surface
`
`display,
`
`wherein
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/057,338
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 6
`
`the frame body of the main body componentincludesa firstframe edge located
`
`correspondingto the first sealing section at the peripheral edge of the curved surface display
`
`and a second frame edge located corresponding to the second sealing section at the pe ripheral
`
`edge of the curved surface display, and
`
`the second frame edge includesa first bending region that is curved inthe first direction
`
`so as to protrude in a direction identical to the first substrate of the curved surface display.
`
`Ukia teaches
`
`an on—vehicle device (Figs. 7 and 8; [0038] ”the vehicle—mounted liquid crystal display
`
`device"; [0037] ”in FIGS. 7 and 8, the liquid crystal display device according to the present
`
`embodiment has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment except th at the display
`
`screen is curved in a convex shape")
`
`comprising:
`
`a curved surface display (10; [0038] ”the display screen is curved"); and
`
`a main body component (11, 15a and 15b; [0035] ”the liquid crystal display panel 10 is
`
`placed on the back side structure 11”; [0033] ”The stress buffermaterials 15a and 15b are
`
`arranged so as to surround the display area 20a in the non—displayarea 21b") that attaches the
`
`curved surface displayto a vehicle (see Figs. 7 and 8), the main body component includinga
`
`frame body (15a and 15b) disposed at a peripheral edge of the curved surface display (see Figs.
`
`7-8),
`
`wherein
`
`the frame bodyof the main body componentincludesa firstframe edge (15a) located
`
`correspondingto a first non—display section at the peripheral edge ofthe curved surface display
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/057,338
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 7
`
`(see Fig. 8 the shorter edge of 15a correspondingto the shorteredge of the curved liquid
`
`crystal display panel while arranged in the non—display area) and a second frame edge located
`
`correspondingto a second sealing section at the peripheral edge ofthe curved surface display
`
`(see Fig. 8 the longeredge of 15b correspondingto the longeredge ofthe curved liquid crystal
`
`display panel while arranged in the non—displayarea), and
`
`the second frame edge includesa first bending region (see the bending region of 15b)
`
`that is curved in a first direction (the y direction in Fig. 8) so as to protrude in a direction
`
`identical to the first substrate of the curved surface display (see Figs. 7—8).
`
`
`
`\.\\“““““
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/057,338
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 8
`
`It would have been obviousto one ofordinary skill in the art at a time before the
`
`effective filing date ofthe invention to modifythe Kim curved liquid crystal displaydevice with
`
`the Ukia in—vehicle application,wherein the curved liquid crystal displaydevice is mounted in a
`
`vehicle and the back side structure and stress buffer materials cover the non—displayarea of a
`
`curved liquid crystal display device, by using the back side structure and stress buffer materials
`
`of Ukia for the curved liquid crystal display device of Kim. One would have been motivated to
`
`use the curved display device for a vehicle to harmonize with the interiordesign of the vehicle
`
`(Ukia: [0003]).
`
`Regarding claim 4, Kim and Ukia disclose the limitations of claim 3 above, and Kim
`
`further discloses that the sealing material includesa third sealing section (346 in Fig. 10)
`
`disposed away from the first sealing section in the fi rst direction (along the x—direction), and
`
`a first bending region is located in a region between the first sealing se ction and the
`
`third sealing section in the first direction (see Figs. 4 and 10 where a bending region is located
`
`between 342 and 346).
`
`However, Kim does not disclose an on—vehicle device comprising: the first bending
`
`region.
`
`Ukia teaches an on—vehicle device comprising: a first bending region (see the bending
`
`region of 15b in Figs. 7—8 and [0017] ”concavely or convexlycurved").
`
`It would have been obviousto one of ordinary skill in the art at a time before the
`
`effective filing date of the invention to modify the Kim curved liquid crystal displaydevice with
`
`the Ukia in—vehicle application, wherein the curved liquid crystal displaydevice is mounted in a
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/057,338
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 9
`
`vehicle, by using the back side structure and stress buffermaterials okaia for the curved liquid
`
`crystal display device of Kim, while Ukia furtherteaches that the radius of curvature of the
`
`curved surfaces of the liquid crystal display panel and the holding material is concavely or
`
`convexly curved. One would have been motivated to use the curved display device fora vehicle
`
`to harmonize with the interiordesign of the vehicle (Ukia: [0003]).
`
`Regarding claim 5, Kim and Ukia disclose the limitations of claim 3 above.
`
`However, Kim does not disclose that the second frame edge overlaps the second sealing
`
`sectionin planarview.
`
`Ukia teaches that the second frame edge overlaps the second sealing section in planar
`
`view (see Figs. 7 and 8 where the longer edge of 15b overlapsthe longeredge ofthe curved
`
`liquid crystal display panel 10).
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at a time before the
`
`effective filing date of the invention to modify the Kim curved liquid crystal displaydevice with
`
`the Ukia in—vehicle application, wherein the curved liquid crystal displaydevice is mounted in a
`
`vehicle, by using the back side structure and stress buffermaterials okaia for the curved liquid
`
`crystal display device of Kim. One would have been motivated to use the curved display device
`
`for a vehicle to harmonize with the interior design of the vehicle (Ukia: [0003]).
`
`Regarding claim 6, Kim and Ukia disclose the limitations of claim 3 above.
`
`However, Kim does not disclose that the first frame edge overlaps the first sealing
`
`sectionin planarview.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/057,338
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 10
`
`Ukia teaches that the first frame edge overlapsthe first sealing section in planar view
`
`(see Fig. 8 the shorter edge of 15a overlaps the shorteredge ofthe curved liquid crystal display
`
`panel10)
`
`It would have been obviousto one of ordinary skill in the art at a time before the
`
`effective filing date of the invention to modify the Kim curved liquid crystal displaydevice with
`
`the Ukia in—vehicle application, wherein the curved liquid crystal displaydevice is mounted in a
`
`vehicle, by using the back side structure and stress buffermaterials okaia for the curved liquid
`
`crystal display device of Kim. One would have been motivated to use the curved display device
`
`fora vehicle to harmonize with the interiordesign of the vehicle (Ukia: [0003]).
`
`Regarding claim 7, Kim and Ukia disclose the limitations of claim 3 above.
`
`However, Kim does not disclose
`
`the firstframe edge protrudes onto a central side of the curved surface display beyond
`
`the first sealing section in planar view, and
`
`the second frame edge protrudes onto the central side of the curved surface display
`
`beyond the second sealing section in planar view.
`
`While Ukia does not explicitly teach that the stress buffer material is disposed in the
`
`displayarea, Ukia teachesthat the stress buffermaterial is used to reduce or disperse
`
`externally applied stress ([0016]) and itis preferred the area where the stress buffer material is
`
`interposed betweenthe display panel 10 and the holding material 11 and 12 can be as large as
`
`possible ([0017]).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/057,338
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 11
`
`Therefore, it is obvious to one of ordinary skill inthe art at a time before the effective
`
`filing date of the invention to modify the Kim curved liquid crystal displaydevice with the
`
`teaching of Ukia, whereinthe stress buffermaterial beyond the non—display area, as Ukia
`
`teaches the usage ofthe stress buffermaterial.
`
`One would have been motivated to dispose the stress buffermaterial protruding onto a
`
`central side of the curved surface display beyond the non—display area to reduce or disperse
`
`externally applied stress, consideringthatthe display panel is used in a vehicle.
`
`Kim furtherfailsto disclose that a length of the second frame edge protruding from the
`
`second sealing section in planar view is longerthan a length ofthe first frame edge protruding
`
`from the first sealing section in planar view.
`
`However, Ukia teachesthat a length ofthe second frame edge protruding from the
`
`second sealing section in planar view is longerthan a length ofthe first frame edge protruding
`
`from the first sealing section in planarview (Figs. 7 and 8).
`
`It would have been obviousto one of ordinary skill in the art at a time before the
`
`effective filing date of the invention to modify the Kim curved liquid crystal displaydevice with
`
`the Ukia in—vehicle application, wherein the curved liquid crystal displaydevice is mounted in a
`
`vehicle, by using the back side structure and stress buffermaterials okaia for the curved liquid
`
`crystal display device of Kim. One would have been motivated to use the curved display device
`
`fora vehicle to harmonize with the interiordesign of the vehicle (Ukia: [0003]).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/057,338
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 12
`
`Claims 8-10 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kim in view
`
`of Ukia, and in further view of Ahn (US 2014/0092356).
`
`Regarding claim 8, Kim and Ukia disclose the limitations of claim 3 above.
`
`However, Kim and Ukia do not disclose that the first bending region is located closerto
`
`the first sealing section than to a centerof the curved surface display.
`
`Ahn teaches that a bending region is located closerto a first sealant than to a center of
`
`the curved surface display (see Figs. 8—9 where the edge portions R1, R2
`
`are formed between
`
`the sealant 310).
`
`It would have been obviousto one of ordinary skill in the art at a time before the
`
`effective filing date of the invention to modify the device disclosed by Kim and Ukia with the
`
`teaching ofAhn, wherein a bending region on a substrate is located closerto a sealantthan to a
`
`center of the curved surface display, as taught by Ahn. While Ahn does not explicitly teach a
`
`frame body includesa bending region, the examinerconsidersthat the first substrate 110 of
`
`Kim teaches the shape of a frame.
`
`In general,the edge portion ofthe display device is relativelyweak to thermal stress and
`
`mechanical stress (Ahn: [0077]). Therefore, one would have been motivated to introduce
`
`different radii of curvature for different portions forthe display device to prevent deterioration
`
`of the display quality (Ahn: [0077]).
`
`Regarding claim 9, Kim and Ukia disclose the limitations of claim 3 above.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/057,338
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 13
`
`However, Kim and Ukia do not disclose that the first bending region is located away
`
`from the first sealing section by a distance smallerthan a half of a distance from the first sealing
`
`section to a center of the curved surface display.
`
`Ahn teachesa bending region is located away from a sealant by a distance smallerthan
`
`a halfof a distance from a first sealant to a centerof the curved surface display(see Fig. 9 and
`
`[0083] ”the curvature radius of the second (intermediate) region R4is smallerthan the
`
`curvature radius of the first region R3 and largerthan the curvature radius of the third region
`
`R5") (A prima facie case of obviousness exists where claimed ranges overlap or lie inside ranges
`
`disclosed by the prior art [MPEP 2144.05]. For example, choose R3=22%, R4=20% and R5/2=8%
`
`of the curvature radius of the curved display). While Ahn does not explicitly teach a frame body
`
`includesa bending region, the examinerconsiders that the first substrate 110 of Kim teaches
`
`the shape of a frame.
`
`In general, the edge portion ofthe display device is relativelyweak to thermal stress and
`
`mechanical stress (Ahn: [0077]). Therefore, one would have been motivated to introduce
`
`different radii of curvature for different portions forthe display device to prevent deterioration
`
`of the display quality (Ahn: [0077]).
`
`Regarding claim 10, Kim and Ukia disclose the limitations ofclaim 3 above.
`
`However, Kim and Ukia do not disclose wherein
`
`the second frame edge includesa second bending region disposed closerto the first
`
`sealing section than to the first bent region, and
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/057,338
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 14
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`the second bending region is curved in the first direction so as to protrude in an
`
`opposite direction to the first bending region.
`
`Ahn teachesa substrate incudesa second bending region disposed c|oserto a first
`
`sealantthan to a first bending region (see Fig. 9 where 110 includes a second bending region
`
`formed between R4 and R3, closer to the sealant 310 than to a first bending region formed at a
`
`center), and
`
`the second bending region is curved in the x direction so as to protrude in an opposite
`
`direction to the first bending region (see Fig. 9).
`
`It would have been obvious to one ofordinary skill in the art at a time before the
`
`effective filing date of the invention to modify the device disclosed by Kim and Ukia with the
`
`teaching ofAhn, wherein a number of bending regions are formed on a substrate ofthe curved
`
`surface display as taught by Ahn. While Ahn does not explicitly teach a frame body includes a
`
`bending region, the examinerconsiders that the first substrate 110 of Kim teaches the shape of
`
`a frame.
`
`In general, the edge portion ofthe display device is relativelyweak to thermal stress and
`
`mechanical stress (Ahn: [0077]). Therefore, one would have been motivated to introduce
`
`different radii of curvature for different portions forthe display device to prevent deterioration
`
`of the display quality (Ahn: [0077]).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/057,338
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 15
`
`Conclusion
`
`Any inquiryconcerning this communication or earliercommunicatio ns from the
`
`examinershould be directed to JONATHAN Y JUNG whose telephone numberis (469)295—9076.
`
`The examinercan normally be reached on Monday — Friday, 9:00 am — 5:00 pm.
`
`Examinerinterviews 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(A|R) at
`
`http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice.
`
`If attempts to reach the examinerby telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s
`
`supervisor, Michael H Caley can be reached on (571)272—2286. The fax phone numberfor 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 obtainedfrom eitherPrivate PAIR or PublicPAIR. 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 Ce nter(EBC) at 866—217—9197 (toll—free). Ifyou
`
`would like assistance from a USPTO CustomerService Representative oraccess to the
`
`automated information system, call 800—786—9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571—272—1000.
`
`/JONATHAN Y JUNG/
`
`Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2871
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/057,338
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`/M|CHAEL H CALEY/
`
`Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2871
`
`Page 16
`
`