www.uspto.gov
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and TrademarkOffice
`Address; COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450
`
`16/777,402
`
`01/30/2020
`
`Teruhisa NAKAGAWA
`
`20295 .0063US01
`
`2070
`
`HAY
`
`M
`
`TLRS
`
`HAMRE, SCHUMANN, MUELLER & LARSON P.C.
`45 South Seventh Street
`Suite 2700
`MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55402-1683
`
`QURESHI, MARIAM
`
`2871
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`NOTIFICATION DATE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`06/07/2021
`
`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.com
`
`PTOL-90A (Rev. 04/07)
`
`

`

`
`
`Disposition of Claims*
`1.and 4-15 is/are pending in the application.
`)
`Claim(s)
`5a) Of the above claim(s)
`is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`C} Claim(s)
`is/are allowed.
`Claim(s)
`1. and 4-15 is/are rejected.
`S)
`) © Claim(s)____is/are objected to.
`Cj) Claim(s
`are subjectto restriction and/or election requirement
`)
`S)
`* If any claims have been determined allowable, you maybeeligible 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 PPHfeedback@uspto.gov.
`
`) )
`
`Application Papers
`10) The specification is objected to by the Examiner.
`11)0) The drawing(s) filedon__ is/are: a)(J 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)1) Acknowledgment is made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d)or (f).
`Certified copies:
`c)Z None ofthe:
`b)() Some**
`a)C All
`1.2 Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`2.1.) Certified copies of the priority documents have been received in Application No.
`3.1.) Copies of the certified copies of the priority documents have been receivedin 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 5/27/21.
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`
`3) (J Interview Summary (PTO-413)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date
`(Qj Other:
`
`4)
`
`PTOL-326 (Rev. 11-13)
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Part of Paper No./Mail Date 20210602
`
`Application No.
`Applicant(s)
`16/777,402
`NAKAGAWA, Teruhisa
`
`Office Action Summary Art Unit|AIA (FITF) StatusExaminer
`MARIAM QURESHI
`2871
`Yes
`
`
`
`-- The MAILING DATEofthis communication appears on the cover sheet with the correspondence address --
`Period for Reply
`
`A SHORTENED STATUTORY PERIOD FOR REPLYIS SET TO EXPIRE 3 MONTHS FROM THE MAILING
`DATE OF THIS COMMUNICATION.
`Extensions of time may be available underthe provisions of 37 CFR 1.136(a). In no event, however, may a reply betimely filed after SIX (6) MONTHSfrom 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) MONTHSfrom 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, evenif timely filed, may reduce any earned patent term
`adjustment. See 37 CFR 1.704(b).
`
`Status
`
`1) Responsive to communication(s) filed on 5/27/21.
`C} A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/werefiled on
`
`2a)L) This action is FINAL. 2b)¥)This action is non-final.
`3)02 An election was madeby the applicant in responseto a restriction requirement set forth during the interview
`on
`; the restriction requirement and election have been incorporated into this action.
`4\0) 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 Exparte Quayle, 1935 C.D. 11, 453 O.G. 213.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/777,402
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 2
`
`DETAILED ACTION
`
`Notice of Pre-AlA or AIA Status
`
`The presentapplication, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first
`
`inventor to file provisions of the AIA.
`
`Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
`
`A requestfor continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in 37 CFR
`
`1.17(e), wasfiled in this application after final rejection. Since this application is eligible for continued
`
`examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the
`
`finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's
`
`submission filed on 5/27/21 has been entered.
`
`Applicant’s arguments are moot in view of the amendmentsto the claims and the new groundsof
`
`Response to Arguments
`
`rejection below.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
`
`The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
`(b) CONCLUSION.—The 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-AlA), second paragraph:
`The specification shall conclude with one or moreclaims particularly pointing out and distinctly
`claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
`
`Claims 1, 4-15 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AlA), 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 applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112,
`
`the applicant), regards as the invention.
`
`Regarding Claims 1 and 15, the limitation “the pixel’ lacks proper antecedent basis since only
`
`“one pixel” has been previously introduced. Based on the entirety of the claim, it appears that the
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/777,402
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 3
`
`applicantis referring to “the one pixel’ and so any reference to “the pixel”will be interpreted as “the one
`
`pixel’. Further, the limitation “the one second signal line” lacks proper antecedent basis since only a
`
`plurality of second signal lines have been introduced previously. For this reason, the limitation is
`
`interpreted to mean “one second signal line’.
`
`Regarding Claim 15, the limitation “each ofthe plurality offirst signal lines is a scanningline
`
`connected to a gate electrode the first transistor and the second transistor” is ambiguous as to the metes
`
`and bounds ofthe claim. This limitation implies that eachfirst signal line is connected to the first and
`
`secondtransistors. However, it is commonly knownin the art that each gate electrode of a transistor is
`
`only normally connected to a single signal line. For this reason, the limitation is interpreted to mean “each
`
`of the plurality of first signal lines is a scanning line, where the one first signal line is connected to a gate
`
`electrode ofthe first transistor and the second transistor’. Further, the limitation “each of the plurality of
`
`second signallines is a video signal line connected to a drain electrode the first transistor and the second
`
`transistor” is ambiguous as to the metes and boundsof the claim. This limitation implies that each second
`
`signal line is connected to the first and second transistors. However, it is commonly knownin the art that
`
`each drain electrode of a transistor is only normally connected to a single signal line. For this reason, the
`
`limitation is interpreted to mean “eachofthe plurality of second signal lines is a video signal line, wherein
`
`the one second signal line is connected to a drain electrode ofthe first transistor and the second
`
`transistor’.
`
`Regarding Claim 14, the limitation “each ofthe plurality offirst signal lines is a video signal line
`
`connected to a source electrode and/or drain electrode ofthe first transistor and the second transistor”is
`
`ambiguous as to the metes and boundsofthe claim. This limitation implies that each second signal line is
`
`connected to the first and second transistors. However, it is commonly Knownin the art that each drain
`
`electrode/source electrode of a transistor is only normally connected to a single signal line. For this
`
`reason, the limitation is interpreted to mean “each of the plurality of first signal lines is a video signal line,
`
`wherein the one first signal line is connected to a source electrode and/or drain electrode ofthe first
`
`transistor and the second transistor’.
`
`Claims 4-13 are rejected by virtue of their dependence on claim 1.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/777,402
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 4
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
`
`The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousnessrejections
`
`setforth 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 andthe 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.
`
`Claims 1, 8, 13-14 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Chenet al
`
`(US Publication No.: US 2008/0117156 A1 of record, “Chen”) in view of Sakamoto et al (US Patent
`
`No.: US 5,805,248).
`
`Regarding Claim 1, Chen disclosesa liquid crystal display panel (Figure 1; Paragraph 0042) having a
`
`plurality of pixels arrayed in a matrix (Paragraph 0042), the liquid crystal display panel comprising:
`
`A plurality of first signal lines extending in one of a row direction and a column direction (Figure 1,
`
`first signal lines 3008; Paragraph 0042):
`
`A plurality of second signal lines extending in the other direction of the row direction of the column
`
`direction (Figure 1, second signal lines 3006),
`
`A first transistor and a secondtransistor provided in each of the plurality of pixels (Figure 1, first
`
`transistor 3010, second transistor 3012),
`
`A first pixel electrode and a second pixel electrode provided in eachofthe plurality of pixels
`
`(Figure 1, first pixel electrode 3022, second pixel electrode 3024),
`
`Wherein, in one pixel,
`
`The first pixel electrode and the secondpixel electrode are separated across one first signal line
`
`corresponding to the one pixel (Figure 1, first pixel electrode 3022 and second pixel electrode 3024 are
`
`separated across one first signal line 3008),
`
`The first transistor is connected to the one first signal line corresponding to the one pixel (Figure
`
`1, first transistor 3010 is connected to one first signal line 3008),
`
`The second transistor is connected to the one first signal line corresponding to the one pixel
`
`(Figure 1, second transistor 3012 is connected to the one first signal line 3008),
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/777,402
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 5
`
`The first pixel electrode is connected to the one first signal line corresponding to the one pixel via
`
`the first transistor (Figure 1, first pixel electrode 3022 is connected to the one first signal line 3008 via first
`
`transistor 3010),
`
`The second pixel electrode is connected to the one first signal line corresponding to the one pixel
`
`via the secondtransistor (Figure 1, second pixel electrode 3024 is connected to the one first signal line
`
`3008 via second transistor 3012),
`
`The first pixel electrode is connected to one second signal line corresponding to the one pixel via
`
`the first transistor (Figure 1, first pixel electrode 3022 is connected to second signal line 3006via first
`
`transistor 3010), and
`
`The secondpixel electrode is connected to the one second signal line corresponding to the one
`
`pixel via the second transistor.
`
`Chen fails to disclose that the first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode are provided in
`
`a transmissive region of the one pixel.
`
`However, Sakamoto discloses a similar display where the first pixel electrode and the second
`
`pixel electrode are provided in a transmissive region of the one pixel (Sakamoto, Figure 4B, the one pixel
`
`comprisesall of Figure 4B, where the first pixel electrode 5 and the secondpixel electrode 6 are provided
`
`in a transmissive region of the one pixel; Column 5, |.16-46).
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effectivefiling date of the
`
`invention to modify the display as disclosed by Chen to have bothfirst pixel electrode and the second
`
`pixel electrode be provided in a transmissive region of one pixel as disclosed by Sakamoto. One would
`
`have been motivated to do so for the purpose of having a transmissive display such as a VGA display
`
`instead of a transflective display (Sakamoto, Column 5, |.16-46).
`
`Regarding Claim 8, Chen in view of Sakamoto disclosesthe liquid crystal display panel according
`
`to claim 1, wherein the second pixel electrode of one pixel of two adjacentpixels of the plurality of pixels
`
`and the first pixel electrode of another pixel of the two adjacent pixels are provided between two adjacent
`
`first signal lines of the plurality of first signal line (Chen, Figure 1 discloses a single pixel unit, where
`
`Paragraphs 0042-0043 disclose that the pixel unit would be repeated, so a secondpixel electrode 3024 of
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/777,402
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 6
`
`one pixel would be adjacentto a first pixel electrode 3022 of a second pixel, where a signalline 3008
`
`would be disposed on each edge of the secondpixel electrode 3024 of the first pixel and the first pixel
`
`electrode 3022 of the second pixel).
`
`Regarding Claim 13, Chen in view of Sakamoto disclosesthe liquid crystal display panel
`
`according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of second signallines extending in a direction
`
`orthogonalto the plurality of first signallines,
`
`wherein the first transistor of one of two adjacentpixels of the plurality of pixels in a direction
`
`along the second signalline and the secondtransistor of the other pixel of the two adjacentpixels ina
`
`direction along the second signal line are provided to overlap different second signallines of the plurality
`
`of second signallines (Chen, Figure 1, second signal lines 3002 and 3004, where Figure 1 discloses only
`
`one pixel; however, Paragraphs 0042-0043 discloses a plurality of pixel, where each transistor of
`
`adjacent pixels would be connected to 3002 and 3004, and so, at leasta first transistor 3010 of thefirst
`
`pixel would be connected to a second signal line 3002 which would be different than a second transistor
`
`3012 of a second pixel that would be connected to a second signal line 3004).
`
`Regarding Claim 14, Chen in view of Sakamoto disclosesthe liquid crystal display panel
`
`according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of first signal lines is a video signal line, wherein the
`
`one first signal line is connected to a source electrode and/or drain electrode of the first transistor and the
`
`secondtransistor (Chen, Paragraph 0043).
`
`Claims 4-7 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Chen in view of
`
`Kim (US Publication No.: US 2019/0108811 A1 of record).
`
`Regarding Claim 4, Chen disclosesthe liquid crystal display panel according to claim 1.
`
`Chen fails to disclose that the first pixel electrode includes a plurality of first line electrodes
`
`extending in a strip pattern inafirst direction, and the second pixel electrode includes a plurality of
`
`secondline electrodes extending in a stripe pattern in a second direction different from the first direction.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/777,402
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 7
`
`However, Kim discloses a similar display panel wherethe first pixel electrode includesa plurality
`
`of first line electrodes extending in a strip pattern in a first direction, and the secondpixel electrode
`
`includes a plurality of second line electrodes extending in a stripe pattern in a second direction different
`
`from the first direction (Kim, Figure 4, first pixel electrode HPE1 includesa plurality offirst line electrodes
`
`BR that extend to the bottom left, where second pixel electrode LPE1 includes a plurality of second line
`
`electrodes BR that extend to the topleft).
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effectivefiling date of the
`
`invention to modify the display panel as disclosed by Chen to have the pixel electrodesinclude line
`
`electrodes as disclosed by Kim. One would have been motivated to do so for the purposeof controlling a
`
`pre-tilt angle of the liquid crystal layer thereby optimizing the viewing angle (Kim, Paragraph 0074).
`
`Regarding Claim 5, Chen in view of Kim discloses the liquid crystal display panel according to
`
`claim 4.
`
`Chen fails to disclose that in a planar view, in each of the plurality of pixels, a tip of at least one of
`
`the plurality of first line electrodes andatip of at least one of the plurality of second line electrodes
`
`overlap the one first signal line corresponding to the pixel.
`
`However, Kim discloses a similar display where in a planar view, in each ofthe plurality of pixels,
`
`a tip of at least one of the plurality of first line electrodes andatip of at least one of the plurality of second
`
`line electrodes overlap the one first signal line corresponding to the pixel (Kim, Figure 4, line electrodes of
`
`first and second electrodes HPE1 and LPE1 overlapfirst signal line DL).
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effectivefiling date of the
`
`invention to modify the display panel as disclosed by Chen to havethe pixel electrodesinclude line
`
`electrodes as disclosed by Kim. One would have been motivated to do so for the purpose of controlling a
`
`pre-tilt angle of the liquid crystal layer thereby optimizing the viewing angle (Kim, Paragraph 0074).
`
`Regarding Claim 6, Chen in view of Kim discloses the liquid crystal display panel according to
`
`claim 4.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/777,402
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 8
`
`Chen fails to disclose that the first pixel electrode hasa first bent portion formed by bending a
`
`part of a side of at least one of a plurality of first line electrodes in a direction inclined with respect to a
`
`first direction, the second pixel electrode has a second bent portion formed by bending a part of a side of
`
`at least one of a plurality of secondline electrodesin a direction inclined with respect to a second
`
`direction, and in each of the plurality of pixels, at least one of the first bent portion and the second bent
`
`portion overlapsthe first signal line corresponding to the pixel in a planar view.
`
`However, Kim discloses a similar display wherethe first pixel electrode hasafirst bent portion
`
`formed by bending a part of a side of at least one of a plurality offirst line electrodes in a direction inclined
`
`with respectto a first direction, the second pixel electrode has a second bent portion formed by bending a
`
`part of a side of at least one of a plurality of secondline electrodesin a direction inclined with respect to a
`
`second direction, and in each of the plurality of pixels, at least one of the first bent portion and the second
`
`bent portion overlapsthe first signal line corresponding to the pixel in a planar view (Kim, Figure 4, first
`
`and second electrode HPE1 and LPE1 havefirst and second bent portions STM that overlap with first
`
`signal line DL).
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effectivefiling date of the
`
`invention to modify the display panel as disclosed by Chen to havethe pixel electrodesinclude line
`
`electrodes as disclosed by Kim. One would have been motivated to do so for the purpose of controlling a
`
`pre-tilt angle of the liquid crystal layer thereby optimizing the viewing angle (Kim, Paragraph 0074).
`
`Regarding Claim 7, Kim in view of Chen discloses the liquid crystal display panel according to
`
`claim 6.
`
`Chen fails to disclose that the plurality offirst line electrodes includesa first finger electrode
`
`portion, the plurality of second line electrodes include a second finger electrode portion, the first bent
`
`portion is formed ata tip of the first finger electrode portion, and the second bent portion is formed at a tip
`
`of the second finger electrode portion.
`
`However, Kim discloses a similar display where the plurality of first line electrodes includesa first
`
`finger electrode portion, the plurality of second line electrodes include a second finger electrode portion,
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/777,402
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 9
`
`the first bent portion is formed at a tip of the first finger electrode portion, and the second bent portion is
`
`formed ata tip of the second finger electrode portion (Kim, Figure 4, as annotated below).
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effectivefiling date of the
`
`invention to modify the display panel as disclosed by Chen to have the pixel electrodesinclude line
`
`electrodes as disclosed by Kim. One would have been motivated to do so for the purpose of controlling a
`
`pre-tilt angle of the liquid crystal layer thereby optimizing the viewing angle (Kim, Paragraph 0074).
`
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`Application/Control Number: 16/777,402
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 10
`
`Claims 9-12 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Chenin view of
`
`Lee et al (US Publication No.: US 2019/0296048 A1 of record, “Lee”).
`
`Regarding Claim 9, Chen disclosesthe liquid crystal display panel according to claim 8.
`
`Chen fails to disclose that the first pixel electrode includesa plurality of first line electrodes
`
`extending in a stripe pattern, the second pixel electrode includesa plurality of second line electrodes
`
`extending in a stripe pattern, and a second end electrode located closestto a plurality offirst line
`
`electrodes in the other pixel from amonga plurality of second line electrodes in the one pixel is adjacent
`
`to a first end electrode located closestto the plurality of second line electrodesin the one pixel from
`
`amongthe plurality offirst line electrodes in the other pixel.
`
`However, Lee discloses a similar display wherethe first pixel electrode includes a plurality offirst
`
`line electrodes extending in a stripe pattern, the second pixel electrode includes a plurality of second line
`
`electrodes extending in a stripe pattern, and a second end electrode located closestto a plurality offirst
`
`line electrodesin the other pixel from amongaplurality of second line electrodes in the one pixel is
`
`adjacentto a first end electrode located closest to the plurality of second line electrodes in the one pixel
`
`from among the plurality offirst line electrodes in the other pixel
`
`(Figure 2, as annotated below).
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the
`
`invention to modify the pixel electrodes as disclosed by Chen to include line electrodes as disclosed by
`
`Lee. One would have been motivated to do so for the purposeof controlling the pre-tilt angle of the liquid
`
`crystal molecules thereby improving transmittance and visibility of the display device (Lee, Paragraphs
`
`0114-0117).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/777,402
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 11
`
`secon
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`of one pixel
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`
`Regarding Claim 10, Chen in view of Lee discloses the liquid crystal display panel according to
`
`claim 9.
`
`Chen fails to disclose that a distance between the first end electrode and the second electrode is
`
`greater than a pitch of the plurality of first line electrodes and a pitch of the plurality of secondline
`
`electrodes.
`
`However, Lee discloses a similar display where a distance between the first end electrode and
`
`the second electrode is greater than a pitch of the plurality offirst line electrodes and a pitch of the
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/777,402
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 12
`
`plurality of second line electrodes (Lee, Figure 2, as annotated in the rejection of claim 9 above, discloses
`
`that, proportionally, the distance between the first end electrode and the second end electrode is greater
`
`than a pitch of the plurality of first and second line electrodes, since the first and secondline electrodes
`
`are muchcloser together).
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effectivefiling date of the
`
`invention to modify the pixel electrodes as disclosed by Chen to include line electrodes as disclosed by
`
`Lee. One would have been motivated to do so for the purposeof controlling the pre-tilt angle of the liquid
`
`crystal molecules thereby improving transmittance andvisibility of the display device (Lee, Paragraphs
`
`0114-0117).
`
`Regarding Claim 11, Chen in view of Lee discloses the liquid crystal display panel according to
`
`claim 9.
`
`Chen fails to disclose that a distance between the first end electrode and the second end
`
`electrode is equal to a pitch of the plurality offirst line electrodes and a pitch of the plurality of second line
`
`electrodes.
`
`However, Lee discloses a similar display where a distance between the first end electrode and
`
`the second end electrode is equal to a pitch of the plurality of first line electrodes and a pitch of the
`
`plurality of second line electrodes (Lee, Figure 2, as annotated in the rejection of claim 9 above, the first
`
`and second end electrodes are the same distance apart as the first and second line electrodes are).
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effectivefiling date of the
`
`invention to modify the pixel electrodes as disclosed by Chen to include line electrodes as disclosed by
`
`Lee. One would have been motivated to do so for the purposeof controlling the pre-tilt angle of the liquid
`
`crystal molecules thereby improving transmittance andvisibility of the display device (Lee, Paragraphs
`
`0114-0117).
`
`Regarding Claim 12, Chen disclosesthe liquid crystal display panel according to claim 8.
`
`Chen fails to disclose that the first pixel electrode includes a plurality of first line electrodes
`
`extending in a stripe pattern in a first direction, the second pixel electrode includes a plurality of second
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/777,402
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 13
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`line electrodes extending in a second direction different from the first direction, and the second direction
`
`that is an extending direction of a plurality of second line electrodes in the one pixel is equal to the first
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`direction that is an extending direction of a plurality offirst line electrodes the other pixel.
`
`However, Lee discloses a similar display wherethe first pixel electrode includes a plurality offirst
`
`line electrodes extending in a stripe pattern in a first direction, the second pixel electrode includes a
`
`plurality of second line electrodes extending in a second direction different from the first direction, and the
`
`second direction that is an extending direction of a plurality of second line electrodesin the one pixel is
`
`equal to the first direction that is an extending direction of a plurality of first line electrodes the other pixel
`
`(Lee, Figure 2, as annotated below).
`
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/777,402
`Art Unit: 2871
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`Page 14
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`Claim 15 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Okita (US Publication
`
`No.: US 2016/0170276 A1) in view of Zhang (US Publication No.: US 2018/0373105 A1).
`
`Regarding Claim 15, Okita discloses a liquid crystal display panel (Figure 5) having a plurality of
`
`pixels arrayed in a matrix (Figure 5), the liquid crystal display panel comprising:
`
`A plurality offirst signal lines extending in a row direction (Figure 5, first signal lines G1);
`
`A plurality of second signal lines extending in a column direction (Figure 5, second signallines
`
`$1),
`
`A first transistor and a second transistor provided in each of the plurality of pixels (Figure 5, first
`
`transistor SWG1, second transistor SWR1),
`
`A first pixel electrode and a second pixel electrode provided in each of the plurality of pixels
`
`(Figure 5, first pixel electrode PEG1, second pixel electrode PER1),
`
`Wherein, in one pixel,
`
`The first pixel electrode and the secondpixel electrode are separated acrossone first signalline
`
`corresponcing to the pixel (Figure 5, first pixel electrode PEG1 and secondpixel electrode PER1 are
`
`separated acrossone first signal line G1),
`
`The first transistor and the second transistor are separated acrossthe one first signalline
`
`corresponding to the one pixel (Figure5, first transistor SWG1 and second transistor SWR1 are
`
`separated acrossfirst signal line G1),
`
`The first transistor is connected to the one first signal line corresponding to the one pixel (Figure
`
`5, first transistor SWG1 is connected to one first signal line G1),
`
`The second transistor is connected to the one first signal line corresponding to the one pixel
`
`(Figure 5, second transistor SWR1 is connectedto the one first signal line G1),
`
`The first pixel electrode is connected to the one first signal line corresponding to the one pixel via
`
`the first transistor (Figure 5, first pixel electrode PEG1 is connected to the one first signal line G1 via first
`
`transistor SWG1), and
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/777,402
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 15
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`The second pixel electrode is connected to the one first signal line corresponding to the one pixel
`
`via the secondtransistor (Figure 5, second pixel electrode PER1 is connected to the one first signalline
`
`G1 via second transistor SWR1),
`
`The first pixel electrode is connected to one second signal line corresponding to the one pixel via
`
`the first transistor (Figure 5, one second signal line S1 is connected to the first transistor SWG1 and
`
`therefore the first pixel electrode PXG1),
`
`Each of the plurality of first signal lines is a scanning line, where the one first signal line is
`
`connected to a gate electrode ofthe first transistors and the second transistor (Okita, Paragraph 0041;
`
`Figure 5), and
`
`Eachof the plurality of second signallines is a video signal line, where the one second signalline
`
`is connected to a drain electrode of the first transistor (Figure 5, second signal line S1 is connected to a
`
`drain electrode ofthe first transistor SWG1).
`
`Okita fails to disclose that the second pixel electrode is connected to the one second signal line
`
`corresponding to the one pixel via the second transistor, and that the one second signallines is
`
`connected to a drain electrode of the second transistor.
`
`However, Zhang discloses a similar display where the secondpixel electrode is connected to the
`
`one second signal line corresponding to the one pixel via the secondtransistor, and that the one second
`
`signal lines is connected to a drain electrode of the second transistor (Zhang, Figures 1-4, second pixel
`
`electrode 200 andfirst pixel electrode 100 are connected to the one secondsignal line Data(m) via
`
`second transistor T2 andfirst transistor T1, respectively; Paragraph 0053-0054).
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effectivefiling date of the
`
`invention to modify the display as disclosed by Okita to have both pixel electrodes connected to the same
`
`video signal line as disclosed by Zhang. One would have been motivated to do so for the purpose of
`
`reducing the number ofsignal lines thereby reducing the wicth of the frame of the d