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
`
`TLERS
`
`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
`
`09/17/2021
`
`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)
`
`

`

`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 9/2/21.
`C} A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/werefiled on
`2a)¥) This action is FINAL.
`2b) (J 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.
`
`Disposition of Claims*
`1,4-12,14 and 16-18 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) 1,4-12,14 and 16-18 is/are rejected.
`(1 Claim(s)__is/are objectedto.
`C} Claim(s)
`are subjectto restriction and/or election requirement
`* 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)
`
`2) (J Information Disclosure Statement(s) (PTO/SB/08a and/or PTO/SB/08b)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date
`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 20210907
`
`

`

`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.
`
`Response to Arguments
`
`Applicant's argumentsfiled 9/2/21 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
`
`Regarding the applicant’s arguments on page 9, the applicant states that Chen doesnot depict any
`
`overlap by scanningline with first and secondtransistors. The examiner respectfully disagrees. Chen
`
`discloses two adjacent scanninglines in Figure 3, where thefirst scanning line is 5006 (corresponding to
`
`oneof two adjacent secondsignallines) and the second scanningline is 5002 (corresponding to another
`
`of the two adjacent secondsignallines). Both of these scanninglines overlap with first and second
`
`transistors 5010 and 5012 and would overlap with all transistors that are horizontally adjacent to one
`
`another, since the scanning lines extendin a horizontal direction in a planar vew due to a matrix layout.
`
`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 distinctlyclaiming the subject matter which the inventor ora jointinve ntor
`regards as the invention.
`
`The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AlA), second paragraph:
`The specifications hall conclude with one or more claims particulary pointing out and distinctly
`claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
`
`Claims 1, 4-12, 14, 16-18 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-AlA
`
`35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards asthe invention.
`
`Regarding claim 1, the limitation “are separated across the onefirst signal line corresponding to
`
`the pixel” lacks proper antecedent basis since “the pixel” has not been previously introduced. Therefore,
`
`the limitation is interpreted to mean “the one pixel’. Further, thelimitation “a plurality of pixels includes a
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number. 16/777,402
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 3
`
`first pixel and a second pixel” lacks proper antecedentbasis, since a plurality of pixels has already
`
`previously been introduced. Forthis reason, the limitation is interpreted to mean “the plurality of pixels
`
`includesa first pixel and a second pixel’.
`
`Claims 4-12, 14, and 16 are rejected byvirtue of their dependenceon rejected claim 1.
`
`Regarding Claim 17, the limitation “corresponding to the pixel’ lacks proper antecedent basis
`
`since the pixel has not been previously introduced. Therefore, the limitation is interpreted to mean
`
`“corresponding to the one pixel”. Further, the limitation “a plurality of pixels includesa first pixel anda
`
`second pixel” lacks proper antecedent basis, since a plurality of pixels has already previously been
`
`introduced. For this reason, the limitation is interpreted to mean “the plurality of pixels includesa first pixel
`
`and a second pixel’.
`
`Claim 18 is rejected by virtue of its dependence on Claim 17.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
`
`The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basisforall obviousnessrejections
`
`set forth in this Office action:
`
`A patent for a claimed invention maynotbe obtained, notwithstanding thatthe claimed
`invention is not identicallydisclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences betweenthe
`claimed invention and the prior artare 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
`ordinaryskill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentabilitys hall notbe
`negated by the mannerin which the invention was made.
`
`Claims 1, 8, 13-14 are rejected under35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Chenetal
`
`(US Publication No.: US 2008/0117156 A1 of record, “Chen”) in view of Sakamoto et al (US Patent
`
`No.: US 5,805,248 of record).
`
`Regarding Claim 1, Chen disclosesa liquid crystal display panel (Figure 3; Paragraph 0042)
`
`having a plurality of pixels arrayed in a matrix (Paragraph 0048), the liquid crystal display panel
`
`comprising:
`
`A plurality offirst signal lines extending in one of a row direction and a column direction (Figure3,
`
`first signal lines 5008; Paragraph 0049);
`
`A plurality of second signallines extending in the other direction of the row direction of the column
`
`direction (Figure 3, secondsignallines 5006),
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number. 16/777,402
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 4
`
`A first transistor and a secondtransistor provided in each of the plurality of pixels (Figure3, first
`
`transistor 5010, second transistor 5012),
`
`A first pixel electrode and a secondpixel electrode provided in each of the plurality of pixels
`
`(Figure 3, first pixel electrode 5022, secondpixel electrode 5024),
`
`Wherein, in one pixel,
`
`Thefirst pixel electrode and the secondpixel electrode are separated across onefirst signalline
`
`corresponding to the onepixel(Figure 3, first pixel electrode 5022 and secondpixel electrode 5024 are
`
`separated across one first signalline 5008),
`
`Thefirst transistor and the second transistor are separated acrossthe one first signalline
`
`corresponding to the onepixel(Figure 3, first transistor 5010 and secondtransistor 5012 are separated
`
`acrossonefirst signal line 5008),
`
`Thefirst transistor is connected to the one first signalline corresponding to the onepixel(Figure
`
`3, first transistor 5010 is connectedto one first signal line 5008),
`
`The secondtransistor is connected to the one first signalline corresponding to the one pixel
`
`(Figure 3, second transistor 5012 is connectedto the onefirst signal line 5008),
`
`Thefirst pixel electrode is connected to the one first signal line corresponding to the one pixel via
`
`the first transistor (Figure3, first pixel electrode 5022 is connected to the onefirst signal line 5008 via first
`
`transistor 5010),
`
`The secondpixel electrode is connected to the onefirst signal line corresponding to the one pixel
`
`via the secondtransistor (Figure 3, second pixel electrode 5024 is connected to the one first signalline
`
`5008 via secondtransistor 5012),
`
`Thefirst transistor is connected to one secondsignalline corresponding to the one pixel (Figure
`
`3, first transistor 5010 is connected to secondsignalline 5006), and
`
`The secondtransistor is connected to the one secondsignalline corresponding to the one pixel
`
`via the secondtransistor (Figure 3, second transistor 5012 is connected to the one secondsignalline
`
`5006), wherein
`
`The plurality of pixels includesafirst pixel and a second pixel (Paragraph 0042 discloses a
`
`plurality of pixel units, where any two adjacentpixel units may be consideredfirst and secondpixels),
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number. 16/777,402
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 5
`
`Thefirst pixel is adjacent to the second pixel in a direction along the second signalline
`
`(Paragraph 0042, where a secondpixel may be a pixelunit directly to the rightorleft of a first pixel, since
`
`the second signalline 5006 extendsin a horizontal direction as disclosed in Figure 3),
`
`Thefirst transistor and the secondtransistorof thefirst pixel overlap with one of two adjacent
`
`secondsignallines of the plurality of second signal lines corresponding to the first pixel in a planar view
`
`(Figure 3, first transistor 5010, secondtransistor 5012 overlap with second signalline 5006),
`
`Thefirst transistor and the secondtransistor of the second pixel overlap with another of the two
`
`adjacent second signallines of the plurality of second signallines corresponding to the secondpixelin
`
`the planar view (Figure 3 and Paragraph 0042 disclosea plurality of pixels, where pixel unit 500 would
`
`inherently have other pixels to the right and left of it, and where the second pixel may beeithera pixel to
`
`the left or to the right of pixel unit 500 and would beidentical to pixel unit 500, so such second pixel would
`
`overlap with adjacent second signalline 5002, as wouldfirst and second transistors 5010 and 5012 of
`
`said secondpixel).
`
`Chenfails to disclose that thefirst pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode are providedin
`
`a transmissive region of the one pixel.
`
`However, Sakamoto discloses a similar display wherethefirst 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, wherethefirst pixel electrode 5 and the second pixel electrode 6 are provided
`
`in a transmissive region of the one pixel; Column 5, 1.16-46).
`
`It would have been obvious to oneof ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the
`
`invention to modify the display as disclosed by Chento have both first 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, Column5, |.16-46).
`
`Regarding Claim 8, Chen in view of Sakamotodisclosestheliquid crystal display panel according
`
`to claim 1, wherein the secondpixel electrode ofthefirst pixel and the first pixel electrode of the second
`
`pixel are provided between twoadjacentfirst signal lines of the plurality offirst signal line (Chen, Figure 3
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number. 16/777,402
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 6
`
`discloses a single pixel unit, where Paragraphs 0042-0043 disclose that the pixel unit would be repeated,
`
`so the second pixel electrode 5024of the first pixel would be adjacent to thefirst pixel electrode 5022 of
`
`the second pixel, wherethefirst signal line 3008 would be disposed ona left side of the second pixel
`
`electrode 5024 (as shownin Figure 3)of the first pixel and a right side of the first pixel electrode 5022 of
`
`the second pixel).
`
`Regarding Claim 14, Chen in vew of Sakamotodisclosestheliquid crystal display panel
`
`according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality offirst signal lines is a ideo signal line, wherein the
`
`onefirst signalline is connected to a source electrode and/or drain electrode of the first transistor and the
`
`secondtransistor (Chen, Paragraph 0043), and each of the plurality of second signallines is a scanning
`
`line connected to a gate electrodeofthefirst and the secondtransistor (Figure 3, second signal lines
`
`5006 are scanninglines).
`
`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 disclosestheliquid crystal display panel according to claim 1.
`
`Chenfails to disclose that thefirst pixel electrode includesa plurality offirst line electrodes
`
`extending in a strip pattern in a first direction, and the secondpixel electrodeincludesa plurality of
`
`secondline electrodes extendingin a stripe pattern in a seconddirection different from thefirst direction.
`
`However, Kim discloses a similar display panel wherethe first pixel electrode includes a plurality
`
`offirst line electrodes extendingin a strip pattern inafirst direction, and the second pixel electrode
`
`includes a plurality of second line electrodes extendingin a stripe pattern in a second direction different
`
`from the first direction (Kim, Figure4,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 secondline
`
`electrodes BR that extend to the top left).
`
`It would have been obviousto oneof ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the
`
`invention to modify the display panel as disclosed by Chento have the pixel electrodesinclude line
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number. 16/777,402
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 7
`
`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 vewing angle (Kim, Paragraph 0074).
`
`Regarding Claim 5, Chen in view of Kim disclosestheliquid crystal display panel according to
`
`claim 4.
`
`Chenfails to disclose that in the planar view, in each of the plurality of pixels, a tip of at least one
`
`of the plurality offirst line electrodes and a tip of at least one of the plurality of secondline electrodes
`
`overlap the onefirst signal line correspondingto the pixel.
`
`However, Kim discloses a similar display wherein the planar view,in each ofthe plurality of
`
`pixels, a tip of at least one of the plurality offirst line electrodes andatip of at least one of the plurality of
`
`secondline electrodes overlap the onefirst signal line corresponding to the pixel (Kim, Figure 4,line
`
`electrodesoffirst and second electrodes HPE1 and LPE1overlapfirst signal line DL).
`
`It would have been obviousto oneof ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the
`
`invention to modify the display panel as disclosed by Chen to have the pixel electrodesincludeline
`
`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 Wewing angle (Kim, Paragraph 0074).
`
`Regarding Claim 6, Chen in view of Kim disclosestheliquid crystal display panel according to
`
`claim 4.
`
`Chenfails to disclose that thefirst 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 respect to a
`
`first direction, the second pixel electrode has a second bentportion 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 thefirst bent portion and the second bent
`
`portion overlapsthefirst signal line corresponding to the pixel in a planar view.
`
`However, Kim discloses a similar display wherethe first pixel electrode has a first 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 bentportion formed by bending a
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number. 16/777,402
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 8
`
`part of a side of at least one of a plurality of second line electrodesin a direction inclined with respect to a
`
`seconddirection, and in each of the plurality of pixels, at least one of thefirst bent portion and the second
`
`bent portion overlaps thefirst signal line corresponding to the pixel in a planar view (Kim, Figure4,first
`
`and second electrode HPE1 and LPE1 have first and second bent portions STM thatoverlap with first
`
`signalline DL).
`
`It would have been obvious to oneof ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the
`
`invention to modify the display panel as disclosed by Chen to have the pixel electrodesincludeline
`
`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 Wewing angle (Kim, Paragraph 0074).
`
`Regarding Claim 7, Kim in view of Chen disclosestheliquid crystal display panel according to
`
`claim 6.
`
`Chenfails to disclose that the plurality offirst line electrodes includesafirst finger electrode
`
`portion, the plurality of second line electrodes include a secondfinger electrode portion, thefirst bent
`
`portion is formed ata tip of the first finger electrode portion, and the second bentportion is formed ata tip
`
`of the secondfinger electrode portion.
`
`However, Kim discloses a similar display where the plurality offirst line electrodes includesa first
`
`finger electrode portion, the plurality of second line electrodes include a secondfinger electrode portion,
`
`the first bent portion is formed atatip of thefirst finger electrode portion, and the second bentportion is
`
`formed at a tip of the secondfinger electrode portion (Kim, Figure 4, 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 display panel as disclosed by Chen to have the pixel electrodesincludeline
`
`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 Wewing angle (Kim, Paragraph 0074).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number. 16/777,402
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 9
`
`FIG. 4
`| first beat portion « -NSSTE~
`(eS
`
`“firstfingerAB Pe
`
`Mt ONE PA Obi
`
`4Le:ell
`
`os BbeStege wen
`1... POOR
`
`second finger
`electrode portian
`
`“anna,RNAs
`
`Claims 9-12 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Chen in view of
`
`Lee etal (US Publication No.: US 2019/0296048 A1 of record, “Lee”.
`
`Regarding Claim 9, Chen disclosestheliquid crystal display panel according to claim 8.
`
`Chenfails to disclose that thefirst pixel electrode includesa plurality offirst 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 endelectrode located closestto a plurality offirst line
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number. 16/777,402
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 10
`
`electrodesin the other pixel from among a plurality of secondline electrodes in the one pixelis adjacent
`
`to a first end electrode located closest to the plurality of secondline electrodesin the onepixelfrom
`
`amongtheplurality offirst line electrodes in the other pixel.
`
`However, Lee discloses a similar display wherethefirst pixel electrode includes a plurality offirst
`
`line electrodes extending in a stripe pattern, the second pixel electrode includes a plurality of secondline
`
`electrodes extendingin a stripe pattern, and a second endelectrode located closestto a plurality offirst
`
`line electrodes in the otherpixel from amonga plurality of secondline electrodes in the one pixel is
`
`adjacentto a first end electrode located closestto the plurality of second line electrodesin the one pixel
`
`from amongtheplurality of first line electrodes in the other pixel (Figure 2, as annotated below).
`
`It would have been obviousto oneof ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the
`
`invention to modify the pixel electrodes as disclosed by Chento includeline electrodes as disclosed by
`
`Lee. One would have been motivated to do so for the purpose of 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
`
`FIG. 2
`second
`_
`‘Ket
`re
`first pixel
`adjacent first
`is clectende
` aactrode of
`PY
`PK. signal fines,
`of one pixel
`adjacent pixet
`|
`:
`:
`‘
`Y tN
`
`
`
`on
`ef o
`
`“a
`
`we
`
`
`
`first ang
`Sih ge siectrade
`vee a
`
`LLEPLHE
`oaSRR!
`
`
`
`
`second |
`and
`aiectrade
`
`=
`
`
`
`
`DR DRL
`
`
`
`Regarding Claim 10, Chen in Vew of Lee disclosestheliquid 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 ofthe plurality of first line electrodes and a pitchof the plurality of secondline
`
`electrodes.
`
`However, Lee discloses a similar display where a distance betweenthefirst 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 secondline electrodes (Lee, Figure 2, as annotatedin the rejection of claim 9 above, discloses
`
`that, proportionally, the distance betweenthefirst end electrode and the second endelectrode is greater
`
`than a pitch ofthe plurality offirst and secondline electrodes, since the first and secondline electrodes
`
`are much closertogether).
`
`It would have been obviousto oneof ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the
`
`invention to modify the pixel electrodes as disclosed by Chento includeline electrodes as disclosed by
`
`Lee. One would have been motivated to do so for the purpose of controlling the pre-tilt angle of the liquid
`
`crystal molecules thereby improving transmittance and visibility of the display device (Lee, Paragraphs
`
`0114-0117).
`
`Regarding Claim 11, Chen in Vew of Lee disclosestheliquid 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 equalto a pitch ofthe plurality offirst line electrodes and a pitch of the plurality of secondline
`
`electrodes.
`
`However, Lee discloses a similar display where a distance betweenthefirst end electrode and
`
`the second endelectrodeis equalto a pitch of the plurality offirst line electrodes and a pitch of the
`
`plurality of secondline 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 thefirst and secondline electrodesare).
`
`It would have been obviousto oneof ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the
`
`invention to modify the pixel electrodes as disclosed by Chento includeline electrodes as disclosed by
`
`Lee. One would have been motivated to do so for the purpose of controlling the pre-tilt angle of the liquid
`
`crystal molecules thereby improving transmittance and visibility of the display device (Lee, Paragraphs
`
`0114-0117).
`
`Regarding Claim 12, Chen disclosesthe liquid crystal display panel according to claim 8.
`
`Chenfails to disclose that thefirst pixel electrode includesa plurality offirst line electrodes
`
`extending in a stripe pattern in a first direction, the second pixel electrode includes a plurality of second
`
`

`

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

`Application/Control Number. 16/777,402
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 14
`
`Allowable Subject Matter
`
`Claim 16 is objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim and being subjected to a
`
`112(b) rejection, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form includingall of the limitations of
`
`the base claim and anyintervening claims.
`
`Claims 17-18 are objected to as being subjected to a 112(b) rejection and would be allowable if
`
`the 112(b) rejection was overcome.
`
`The following is a statement of reasonsfor the indication of allowable subject matter:
`
`Regarding Claim 16, the prior art of record does not teach or suggesta liquid crystal display
`
`panel having a plurality of pixels arrayed in a matrix, the liquid crystal display comprising: a plurality offirst
`
`signal lines extending in of a row direction and a column direction; a plurality of second signallines
`
`extending in the other direction of the row direction or the column direction, a first transistor and a second
`
`transistor provided in each ofthe plurality of pixels, a first pixel electrode and a secondpixel electrode
`
`provided in each of the plurality of pixels, wherein, in one pixel, thefirst pixel electrode and the second
`
`pixel electrode are separated acrossonefirst signal line corresponding to the onepixel, the first pixel
`
`electrode and the secondpixel electrode are provided in a transmissive region of the onepixel, the first
`
`transistor and the second transistor are separated acrossthe onefirst signalline, the first transistor is
`
`connectedto the onefirst signal line, the secondtransistor is connected to the onefirst signalline, first
`
`transistor is connected to one secondsignalline, and the secondtransistor is connected to the one
`
`second signalline, wherein a first gate electrode of the first transistor and a second gate electrode of the
`
`secondtransistorof the first pixel connected to one of two adjacent second signallines, and the first gate
`
`electrode of the first transistor and the second gate electrode of the secondtransistor of the secondpixel
`
`connectto anotherof the two adjacent secondsignallines, in combination with the remaining features
`
`recited in the claim.
`
`The prior art of Chen (US 2008/0117156 A1 of record) disclosesa liquid crystal display panel
`
`having a plurality of pixels arrayed in a matrix, the liquid crystal display comprising: a plurality offirst
`
`signal lines extending in of a row direction and a column direction; a plurality of second signallines
`
`extending in the otherdirection of the row direction or the column direction, a first transistor and a second
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number. 16/777,402
`Art Unit: 2871
`
`Page 15
`
`transistor provided in each ofthe plurality of pixels, a first pixel electrode and a secondpixel electrode
`
`provided in each of the plurality of pixels, wherein, in one pixel, the first pixel electrode and the second
`
`pixel electrode are separated across one first signal line corresponding to the onepixel, thefirst transistor
`
`and the secondtransistor are separated acrossthe onefirst signalline, the first transistor is connected to
`
`the onefirst signalline, the second transistor is connectedto the onefirst signalline, first transistor is
`
`connectedto one secondsignal line, and the secondtransistor is connected to the one secondsignalline
`
`(Chen, Figure 3; Paragraphs 0048-0049). However, Chenfails to disclose that the first pixel electrode and
`
`the secondpixel electrode are provided in a transmissive region of the one pixel and that a first gate
`
`electrode of the first transistor and a second gate electrode of the second transistor of thefirst pixel
`
`connected to one of two adjacent second signallines, and thefirst gate electrode of the first transistor
`
`and the second gate electrode of the secondtransistor of the second pixel connect to anotherof the two
`
`adjacent second signallines. The prior art of Sakamoto (US 5,805,248 of record) disclosesa liquid crystal
`
`display panel wherethefirst pixel electrode and the secondpixel electrode are provided in a transmissive
`
`region of the one pixel (Sakamoto, Figure 4B; Column 5). Sakamoto also fails to disclose thata first gate
`
`electrode of the first transistor and a second gate electrode of the second transistorofthe first pixel
`
`connected to one of two adjacent second signallines, and thefirst gate electrodeof thefirst transistor
`
`and the second gate electrode of the secondtransistor of the second pixel connect to anotherof the two
`
`adjacent secondsignallines.
`
`Regarding Claim 17, the prior art of record does not teach or suggesta liquid crystal display
`
`panel having a plurality of pixels arrayed in a matrix, the liquid crystal display comprising: a plurality of
`
`video signallines extendingin of a row direction and a column direction; a plurality of scanning lines
`
`extending in the otherdirection of the row direction or the columndirection, a first transistor and a second
`
`transistor provided in each ofthe plurality of pixels, a first pixel electrode and a secondpixel electrode
`
`provided in each of the plurality of pixels, wherein, in one pixel, the first pixel electrode and the second
`
`pixel