Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Detailed Action
Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed 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and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114.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 5/26/2026 has been entered.
Claim Rejections – 35 U.S.C. 102
The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
A person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AlA 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 either status.
Claims 1-7, 19 and 20 rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Kim (U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2018/0012876) of record.
Regarding Claim 1
FIG. 18 of Kim discloses a display device comprising: a substrate (5) in which a first area and a second area, which is an area other than the first area, are defined; a first alignment electrode (11b) and a second alignment electrode (12b) at least partially spaced apart from each other in the first area on the substrate [0043]; a coating layer (605) covering opposing sides of the first alignment electrode and opposing sides of the second alignment electrode above the substrate, and having a thickness that is less than a thickness of the first alignment electrode and that is less than a thickness of the second alignment electrode (including the top portions 613 within 605); and a light emitting element (30) between the first alignment electrode and the second alignment electrode in the first area, and overlapping a portion of the coating layer, wherein the coating layer defines an opening exposing at least a portion of each of the first alignment electrode and the second alignment electrode, is located between the light emitting element and the first and second alignment electrodes in a thickness direction, overlaps an entirety of the light emitting element in the thickness direction to physically separate the light emitting element from the first and second alignment electrodes such that the light emitting element does not directly contact the first alignment electrode or the second alignment electrode, and comprises a first coating layer comprising a material having a first polarity (hydrophobicity, BCB is inherently hydrophobic) in an area excluding the opening.
Regarding Claim 2
FIG. 18 of Kim discloses the first coating layer overlaps the first area, wherein the light emitting element is in an area in which the opening is not on the first coating layer.
Regarding Claim 3
FIG. 18 of Kim discloses the first coating layer covers the first alignment electrode and the second alignment electrodes which are in the first area; and the opening is on the first coating layer and exposes at least a portion of the first alignment electrode and the second alignment electrode of the first area.
Regarding Claim 4
FIG. 18 of Kim discloses a first contact electrode (51) in contact with the first alignment electrode (11b) exposed through the opening; and a second contact electrode (52) in contact with the second alignment electrode (12b) exposed through the opening, wherein the first contact electrode is in contact with one end portion of the light emitting elements and the second contact electrode is in contact with another end portion of the light emitting element.
Regarding Claim 5
FIG. 18 of Kim discloses the first coating layer is in a gap region in which the first alignment electrode and the second alignment electrode are spaced apart from each others and partially overlaps facing side surfaces of the first alignment electrode and the second alignment electrode.
Regarding Claim 6
FIG. 18 of Kim discloses the first coating layer (70) comprises at least one coating pattern; and the coating pattern is on a first side surface of the first alignment electrode facing the second alignment electrode. and on a second side surface of the second alignment electrode facing the first alignment electrode.
Regarding Claim 7
FIG. 18 of Kim discloses at least a portion of each of the first alignment electrode and the second alignment electrode is in the second area; and the first coating layer covers the first alignment electrode and the second alignment electrode in the second area.
Regarding Claim 19
FIG. 18 of Kim discloses a display device comprising: a base layer (5) in which an alignment area and a non-alignment area are defined; a first alignment electrode (11b) and a second alignment electrode (12b) extending in a first direction and spaced apart from each other in a second direction that is different from the first direction, at least a portion of each of the first alignment electrode and the second alignment electrode being in the alignment area on the base layer [0043]; a coating layer (605) covering opposing sides of the first alignment electrode and opposing sides of the second alignment electrode, having a thickness that is less than a thickness of the first alignment electrode and that is less than a thickness of the second alignment electrode (including the top portions 613 within 605), and comprising a hydrophobic material (hydrophobicity, BCB is inherently hydrophobic); at least one opening defined by the coating layer, and partially exposing the first alignment electrode and the second alignment electrode; and a light emitting element (30) between the first alignment electrode and the second alignment electrode in the alignment area, overlapping a portion of the coating layer, and in an area in which the opening of the coating layer is not disposed, wherein the coating layer is located between the light emitting element and the first and second alignment electrodes in a thickness direction, and overlaps an entirety of the light emitting element in the thickness direction to physically separate the light emitting element from the first and second alignment electrodes such that the light emitting element does not directly contact the first alignment electrode or the second alignment electrode.
Regarding Claim 20
FIG. 18 of Kim discloses a first contact electrode (51) in contact with the first alignment electrode exposed through the opening; and a second contact electrode (52) in contact with the second alignment electrode exposed through the opening, wherein the first contact electrode is in contact with one end portion of the light emitting elements (30) and the second contact electrode is in contact with another end portion of the light emitting element.
Claim Rejections – 35 U.S.C. 103
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention 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 and the 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.
This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any evidence to the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the later invention in order for the examiner to consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) prior art against the later invention.
Claim 1 rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kim0 (U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2007/0018190) of record, in view of Negishi (CN 102782892, machine-translation provided).
Regarding Claim 1
FIG. 1 of Kim0 discloses a display device comprising: a substrate (11) in which a first area and a second area, which is an area other than the first area, are defined; a first electrode (left 15) and a second electrode (right 15) at least partially spaced apart from each other in the first area on the substrate [0037]; a coating layer (111) covering opposing sides of the first electrode and opposing sides of the second electrode above the substrate, and having a thickness that is less than a thickness of the first electrode and that is less than a thickness of the second electrode; and a light emitting element (21) between the first electrode and the second electrode in the first area, and overlapping a portion of the coating layer, wherein the coating layer defines an opening exposing at least a portion of each of the first electrode and the second electrode, is located between the light emitting element and the first and second electrodes in a thickness direction, overlaps an entirety of the light emitting element in the thickness direction to physically separate the light emitting element from the first and second electrodes such that the light emitting element does not directly contact the first electrode or the second electrode, and comprises a first coating layer comprising a material having a first polarity (SiO2 is hydrophilic) in an area excluding the opening.
Kim0 does not explicitly discloses the light emitting element is aligned by the first electrode and the second electrode.
However, the term “alignment” is functional. While features of an apparatus may be recited either structurally or functionally, claims< directed to >an< apparatus must be distinguished from the prior art in terms of structure rather than function. >In re Schreiber, 128 F.3d 1473, 1477-78, 44 USPQ2d 1429, 1431-32 (Fed. Cir. 1997).
Furthermore, FIG. 109 of Negishi discloses a similar display device, wherein the light emitting element (910) is aligned by the first electrode and the second electrode [0096].
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing of the claimed invention to modify the device of Kim0, as taught by Negishi. The ordinary artisan would have been motivated to modify Kim0 in the above manner for purpose of improving alignment accuracy ([0096] of Negishi).
Claims 1, 8 and 19 rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Chen (U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2007/0090510) of record, in view of Imazu (WO 2013115379, machine-translation provided).
Regarding Claim 1
FIG. 12 of Chen discloses a display device comprising: a substrate (100) in which a first area and a second area, which is an area other than the first area, are defined; a first electrode (140-1) and a second electrode (140-2) at least partially spaced apart from each other in the first area on the substrate; a coating layer (130) covering opposing sides of the first electrode and opposing sides of the second electrode above the substrate, and having a thickness that is less than a thickness of the first electrode and that is less than a thickness of the second electrode; and a light emitting element (LED) between the first electrode and the second electrode in the first area, and overlapping a portion of the coating layer, wherein the coating layer defines an opening exposing at least a portion of each of the first electrode and the second electrode, is located between the light emitting element and the first and second electrodes in a thickness direction, overlaps an entirety of the light emitting element in the thickness direction to physically separate the light emitting element from the first and second electrodes such that the light emitting element does not directly contact the first electrode or the second electrode, and comprises a first coating layer comprising a material having a first polarity (Silicon Oxide is hydrophilic) in an area excluding the opening.
Chen does not explicitly discloses the light emitting element is aligned by the first electrode and the second electrode.
However, the term “alignment” is functional. While features of an apparatus may be recited either structurally or functionally, claims< directed to >an< apparatus must be distinguished from the prior art in terms of structure rather than function. >In re Schreiber, 128 F.3d 1473, 1477-78, 44 USPQ2d 1429, 1431-32 (Fed. Cir. 1997).
Furthermore, FIG. 8 of Imazu discloses a similar display device, wherein the light emitting element (16) is aligned by the first electrode (11) and the second electrode (12).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing of the claimed invention to modify the device of Chen, as taught by Imazu. The ordinary artisan would have been motivated to modify Chen in the above manner for purpose of improving luminous efficiency ([0083] of Imazu).
Regarding Claim 8
FIG. 12 of Chen discloses the coating layer comprises a material (110) having a second polarity (hydrophobic) that is opposite to the first polarity (hydrophilic) and a second coating layer in the first area; and the light emitting element is on the second coating layer.
Regarding Claim 19
FIG. 12 of Chen discloses a display device comprising: a base layer (100) in which an alignment area and a non-alignment area are defined; a first electrode (140-1) and a second electrode (140-2) extending in a first direction and spaced apart from each other in a second direction that is different from the first direction, at least a portion of each of the first electrode and the second electrode being in the alignment area on the base layer; a coating layer (110) covering opposing sides of the first electrode and opposing sides of the second electrode, having a thickness that is less than a thickness of the first electrode and that is less than a thickness of the second electrode, and comprising a hydrophobic material (Silicon Nitride is hydrophobic); at least one opening defined by the coating layer, and partially exposing the first alignment electrode and the second electrode; and a light emitting element (LED) between the first electrode and the second electrode in the alignment area, overlapping a portion of the coating layer, and in an area in which the opening of the coating layer is not disposed, wherein the coating layer is located between the light emitting element and the first and second electrodes in a thickness direction, and overlaps an entirety of the light emitting element in the thickness direction to physically separate the light emitting element from the first and second electrodes such that the light emitting element does not directly contact the first electrode or the second electrode.
Chen does not explicitly discloses the light emitting element is aligned by the first electrode and the second electrode.
However, the term “alignment” is functional. While features of an apparatus may be recited either structurally or functionally, claims< directed to >an< apparatus must be distinguished from the prior art in terms of structure rather than function. >In re Schreiber, 128 F.3d 1473, 1477-78, 44 USPQ2d 1429, 1431-32 (Fed. Cir. 1997).
Furthermore, FIG. 8 of Imazu discloses a similar display device, wherein the light emitting element (16) is aligned by the first electrode (11) and the second electrode (12).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing of the claimed invention to modify the device of Chen, as taught by Imazu. The ordinary artisan would have been motivated to modify Chen in the above manner for purpose of improving luminous efficiency ([0083] of Imazu).
Claims 8, 9 and 11-13 rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kim, in view of Jung (KR 20060006121) of record, in view of Do (U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2016/0172339) of record
Regarding Claim 8
Kim discloses Claim 7.
Kim is silent with respect to “the coating layer comprises a material having a second polarity that is opposite to the first polarity” and “a second coating layer in the first area; and the light emitting element is on the second coating layer”.
FIG. 6 Jung discloses a similar display device, wherein the coating layer comprises a material (440) having a second polarity (442 has hydrophilicity) that is opposite to the first polarity (hydrophobic).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing of the claimed invention to modify the device of Kim, as taught by Jung. The ordinary artisan would have been motivated to modify Kim in the above manner in order that the solution can better enter into the opening.
Modified Kim is silent with respect to “a second coating layer in the first area; and the light emitting element is on the second coating layer”.
FIG. 5 Do discloses a similar display device, comprising a second coating layer (40) in the first area; and the light emitting element is on the second coating layer.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing of the claimed invention to modify the device of Kim, as taught by Do. The ordinary artisan would have been motivated to modify Kim in the above manner for purpose of preventing the LED devices from being aggregated ([0112] of Do).
Regarding Claim 9
Jung discloses the first polarity is hydrophobic (425), and the second polarity is hydrophilic (442).
Regarding Claim 11
Modified Kim discloses the second coating layer is to cover the first alignment electrode and the second alignment electrodes which are in the first area; and the opening is on the second coating layers and exposes at least a portion of each of the first alignment electrode and the second alignment electrode of the first area.
Regarding Claim 12
FIG. 5 Do discloses the second coating layer is in a gap region between the first alignment electrode and the second alignment electrodes which are in the first area
Regarding Claim 13
FIG. 14 of Inoue discloses the second coating layer partially overlaps facing side surfaces of the first alignment electrode (146) and the second alignment electrode.
Claim 10 rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kim, Jung and Do, in view of Kuma (CN 100474654) of record.
Regarding Claim 10
Kim as modified by Jung and Do discloses Claim 9.
Kim as modified by Jung and Do is silent with respect to “the first coating layer comprises a polymer containing fluorine”.
Kuma discloses a similar coating layer, wherein the first coating layer comprises a polymer containing fluorine (Claim 1).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing of the claimed invention to modify the device of Kim, as taught by Kuma. The ordinary artisan would have been motivated to modify Kim in the above manner, because such material substitution or replacement would have been considered a mere substitution of art-recognized equivalent values (hydrophobic), MPEP 2144.06.
Pertinent Art
Shibata (U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2012/0326181) discloses a display device comprising: a substrate (200) in which a first area and a second area, which is an area other than the first area, are defined; a first electrode (401) and a second electrode (402) at least partially spaced apart from each other in the first area on the substrate; a coating layer (420) covering at least a portion of each of the first electrode and the second electrode on the substrate; and at least one light emitting element (410) between the first electrode and the second electrode in the first area. Hung (U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2016/0276293) discloses a second coating layer in the first area; and the light emitting element is on the second coating layer, wherein: the second coating layer is to cover the first electrode and the second electrodes which are in the first area. Tanaka (JP 2004233929) discloses a coating layer comprising a material having a first polarity and a second polarity that is opposite to the first polarity, wherein the first polarity is hydrophobic and the second polarity is hydrophilic. Zhang (CN 103515500) discloses a coating layer covering at least a portion of each of the first electrode and the second electrode on the substrate; and a light emitting element, wherein the coating layer located between the light emitting element and the first and second electrodes in a thickness direction. Kimura (U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2008/0191227), KR 20160050341,
Kang (U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2018/0366615), 20220173160, 20170194541, and KR 101436123
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments with respect to Claims 1 and 19 have been considered but are moot because the arguments do not apply to any of the references being used in the current rejection.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to SHENG-BAI ZHU whose telephone number is (571)270-3904. The examiner can normally be reached on 11am – 7pm EST.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Chad Dicke can be reached on (571)270-7996. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/SHENG-BAI ZHU/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2897
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