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
Response to Election
1. This action is in response to the provisional election mailed June 16, 2026.
(Group I) Claims 1-19 were provisionally elected rendering (Group II) Claim 20 to a non-elected invention.
RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION
2. Applicant's election with traverse of method of making an optical recording medium (Group II) is acknowledged. The traversal is on the ground(s) that
both Group I and Group II share a common core technical concept: providing a support layer for a display panel, wherein the support layer comprises a first support part located in a first area corresponding to an under-screen optical device, with a phase difference in a thickness direction of the first support part being greater than or equal to 8000 nanometers, or less than 10 nanometers. This shared feature is not merely a common structural element but constitutes a special technical feature that defines a contribution over the prior art. Specifically, the specific phase difference parameter of the first support part serves to weaken or even eliminate the birefringence phenomenon of the support layer, thereby reducing the rainbow pattern phenomenon, improving the reliability of the under-screen optical device, and enhancing the accuracy of under-screen fingerprint recognition and under-screen camera imaging. This results in an improved overall display effect and optical performance of the display panel and the mobile terminal incorporating the same.
In response to Applicant’s argument, the special technical feature linking the two inventions, a support layer comprising a first support part located in the first area, does not provide a contribution over the prior art, and no single general inventive concept exists. Applicant argues examination of an entire application can be made without serious burden. The search of the 2 classes and subclasses would entail the requisite serious burden as the search for method of making is not the same as the article search. Consequently, a lack of unity exists. Applicant’s request for rejoinder is acknowledged.
The requirement is deemed proper and is therefore made FINAL.
Information Disclosure Statement
3. The references disclosed within the information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on May 30, 2023, has been considered and initialed by the Examiner.
Claim Rejections – 35 USC 112
4. 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-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
5. Claims 3-4, 11 and 15 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b), as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which applicant regards as the invention.
In claims 3-4, 11 and 15, the phrase, “optical COP material” is indefinite. It is unclear what is meant by COP material, as the phrase does not appear to be defined in the instant specification.
Conclusion
6. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Lawrence Ferguson whose telephone number is 571-272-1522. The examiner can normally be reached on Monday through Friday 9:00 AM – 5:30PM.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner's supervisor, Frank Vineis, can be reached on 571-270-1547. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/LAWRENCE D FERGUSON/Examiner, Art Unit 1781
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