DETAILED ACTION
General Remarks
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
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-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
When responding to this office action, applicants are advised to provide the examiner with line numbers and page numbers in the application and/or references cited to assist the examiner in locating appropriate paragraphs.
Per MPEP 2111 and 2111.01, the claims are given their broadest reasonable interpretation and the words of the claims are given their plain meaning consistent with the specification without importing claim limitations from the specification.
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Status of claim(s) to be treated in this office action:
Independent: 1, 9 and 16.
Pending: 1-20.
Amended: 1, 9 and 16.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments with respect to claim(s) 1-20 have been considered but are moot in view of the new ground(s) of rejection.
Applicants argue reference Bei et al., fail to teach the implementations feature in independent claim 1 and similar features amended in independent claims 9 and 16. Wherein implementations feature the include:
A bezel is defined around a hole in the display panel, and at least one source line in the first pixel array extends along the bezel. The display panel further includes a second pixel array. Furthermore, the at least one source line (which extends along the bezel) extends to the second pixel array. In particular, some of the source lines in the first pixel array extend to the bezel, while remaining source lines do not extend.
However Examiner disagree, Bei teaches the source lines which shown in figure 3 of Bei the data lines, lines from 1a to 4c have area that is extend to the bezel area and also have data lines 0a to 0c and 5a to 5c that doesn’t extend to the bezel area see annotated figure below for more clear explanation of Bei does teaches limitation such that “plurality of source lines in the first pixel array extend to the bezel, while remaining source lines do not extend”, therefore, these limitations are taught by reference Bei et al., therefore rejection under reference Bei et al., is maintained.
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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 11/13/2025 has been entered.
IDS
Applicant’s IDS(s) submitted on 11/26/2025 is/are in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement has/have considered by the examiner and made of record.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
The following is a quotation of AIA 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 of this title, 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.
Claim(s) 1-20 is/are rejected under AIA 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Bei et al., US Patent 10580803 B2; Jamshidi-Roundbari et al., US Patent 9269321 B2.
Re: Independent Claim 1, Bei discloses a display panel having a hole (2023, fig. 3;column 6, lines 1-3), comprising: a first pixel array (see annotated fig. 3) including a plurality of source lines (211 and 208 fig. 3;M2, fig. 6) and a plurality of sub-pixels 206 (column 13, lines 29-34; each of the sub-pixel including red sub-pixel, green sub-pixel, blue sub-pixel); a bezel (wiring area 2032, fig. 3) defined around the hole (2023, fig. 3) and at least one source line (211 curve around the hole 2023, fig. 3) among the plurality of source lines (211 and 208 fig. 3;M2, fig. 6) in the first pixel array (see annotated fig. 3) extends along the bezel (2032, fig. 3); and a second pixel array (see annotated fig. 3) including a plurality of sub-pixels (column 13, lines 29-34; each of the sub-pixel including red sub-pixel, green sub-pixel, blue sub-pixel), wherein the at least one source line (211 curve around the hole 2023, fig. 3) extended along the bezel (2032, fig. 3) extends to the second pixel array (see annotated fig. 3)
wherein some of the plurality of source lines (211 and 208 fig. 3;M2, fig. 6) in the first pixel array extend (for example data line from 1a,1b,1c to 4a, 4b, 4c extend to the bezel (a grooved ring or frame holding area in the region of 2032)) to the bezel while remaining source lines (211 and 208 fig. 3;M2, fig. 6) do not extend (data line such as 0a, 0b, 0c and 5a, 5b, 5c does not extend to the bezel).
Bei is silent regarding: plurality of data lines (211, 208 0a-5c) are called source lines.
Jamshidi-Roundbari discloses electronic display system has a light transmissive panel, a region of display elements on the panel, and source lines coupled to the display elements, wherein source lines can also call data lines as discloses in column 5, lines 8-13.
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to call a data line as a source line since the terms "data line" and "source line" are often used interchangeably, particularly in the context of LCD and OLED panels, furthermore Bei teaches to use the data lines for delivering pixel data to the display pixel which is a function of the source line in a display panel.
Re: Claim 2, Bei and Jamshidi-Roundbari disclose all the limitations of claim 1 on which this claim depends. Bei further discloses: wherein a number of the at least one source line (211 curve around the hole 2023, fig. 3) extending along the bezel (2032, fig. 3) is smaller than a number of the plurality of source lines (211 and 208 fig. 3;M2, fig. 6) in the first pixel array (see annotated fig. 3).
Re: Claim 3, Bei and Jamshidi-Roundbari disclose all the limitations of claim 1 on which this claim depends. Bei further discloses: wherein the at least one source line (211 curve around the hole 2023, fig. 3) of the second pixel array (see annotated fig. 3) shares sub-pixels (column 13, lines 29-34; each of the sub-pixel including red sub-pixel, green sub-pixel, blue sub-pixel) in different columns.
Re: Claim 4, Bei and Jamshidi-Roundbari disclose all the limitations of claim 1 on which this claim depends. Bei further discloses: wherein the at least one source line (211 curve around the hole 2023, fig. 3) of the second pixel array (see annotated fig. 3) shares sub-pixels (column 13, lines 29-34; each of the sub-pixel including red sub-pixel, green sub-pixel, blue sub-pixel) corresponding to a same color among sub-pixels (column 13, lines 29-34; each of the sub-pixel including red sub-pixel, green sub-pixel, blue sub-pixel) in different columns.
Re: Claim 5, Bei and Jamshidi-Roundbari disclose all the limitations of claim 1 on which this claim depends. Bei further discloses: wherein at least two of the source lines (211 and 208 fig. 3;M2, fig. 6) of the first pixel array (see annotated fig. 3) extend along the bezel (2032, fig. 3).
Re: Claim 6, Bei and Jamshidi-Roundbari disclose all the limitations of claim 5 on which this claim depends. Bei further discloses: wherein at least two of the source lines (211 and 208 fig. 3;M2, fig. 6) of the first pixel array (see annotated fig. 3) includes a first source line (207 of data line 1a, fig. 3) corresponding to a blue color, a second source line (207 of data line 1b, fig. 3) corresponding to a green color, a third source line (207 of data line 1c, fig. 3) corresponding to a red color, and a fourth source line (207 of data line 2a, fig. 3) corresponding to a green color (column 13, lines 54-59; multiple arrangement manners to make the colors of the sub-pixels in the same column different from each other therefore, each of the pixel unit can have multiple color arrangement to a source line, for example the red sub-pixel, the blue sub-pixel, the green sub-pixel and the white sub-pixel are sequentially arranged along a column direction of the pixel unit column or the red sub-pixel, the green sub-pixel, the blue sub-pixel and the white sub-pixel are sequentially arranged along the column direction of the pixel unit column, therefore source line 1a, 1b, 1c and 2a can each connected to blue green red sub-pixel).
Re: Claim 7, Bei and Jamshidi-Roundbari disclose all the limitations of claim 6 on which this claim depends. Bei further discloses: wherein the first source line (207 of data line 1a, fig. 3) is connected to sub-pixels (column 13, lines 29-34; each of the sub-pixel including red sub-pixel, green sub-pixel, blue sub-pixel) corresponding to the blue color of a first column and a fifth column of the second pixel array (see annotated fig. 3), the second source line (207 of data line 1b, fig. 3) is connected to sub-pixels (column 13, lines 29-34; each of the sub-pixel including red sub-pixel, green sub-pixel, blue sub-pixel) corresponding to the green color of a second column and a sixth column of the second pixel array (see annotated fig. 3), the third source line (207 of data line 1c, fig. 3) is connected to sub-pixels (column 13, lines 29-34; each of the sub-pixel including red sub-pixel, green sub-pixel, blue sub-pixel) corresponding to the red color of a third column and a seventh column of the second pixel array (see annotated fig. 3), and the fourth source line (207 of data line 2a, fig. 3) is connected to sub-pixels (column 13, lines 29-34; each of the sub-pixel including red sub-pixel, green sub-pixel, blue sub-pixel) corresponding to the green color of a fourth column and an eighth column of the second pixel array (see annotated fig. 3).
Re: Claim 8, Bei and Jamshidi-Roundbari disclose all the limitations of claim 1 on which this claim depends. Bei further discloses: wherein the plurality of source lines (211 and 208 fig. 3;M2, fig. 6) in the first pixel array (see annotated fig. 3) extend in a vertical direction, wherein the bezel (2032, fig. 3) is disposed between the first pixel array (see annotated fig. 3) and the second pixel array (see annotated fig. 3), and wherein the at least one of the source lines (211 and 208 fig. 3;M2, fig. 6) of the first pixel array (see annotated fig. 3) extends along and in the bezel (2032, fig. 3).
Re: Independent Claim 9, Bei discloses a display panel having a hole (2023, fig. 3); and a source driver providing a source signal to the display panel; wherein the display panel includes: a first pixel array (see annotated fig. 3) including a plurality of source lines (211 and 208 fig. 3;M2, fig. 6) for transmitting the source signal and a plurality of sub-pixels (column 13, lines 29-34; each of the sub-pixel including red sub-pixel, green sub-pixel, blue sub-pixel) for emitting light based on the source signal; a bezel (2032, fig. 3) defined around the hole (2023, fig. 3) and at least one source line (211 curve around the hole 2023, fig. 3) of the plurality of source lines (211 and 208 fig. 3;M2, fig. 6) in the first pixel array (see annotated fig. 3) extends along the bezel (2032, fig. 3); a second pixel array (see annotated fig. 3) including sub-pixels (column 13, lines 29-34; each of the sub-pixel including red sub-pixel, green sub-pixel, blue sub-pixel) and the at least one source line (211 curve around the hole 2023, fig. 3) extending along the bezel (2032, fig. 3) and extending to the second pixel array (see annotated fig. 3)
wherein some of the plurality of source lines (211 and 208 fig. 3;M2, fig. 6) in the first pixel array extend (for example data line from 1a,1b,1c to 4a, 4b, 4c extend to the bezel (a grooved ring or frame holding area in the region of 2032)) to the bezel while remaining source lines (211 and 208 fig. 3;M2, fig. 6) do not extend (data line such as 0a, 0b, 0c and 5a, 5b, 5c does not extend to the bezel).
Bei is silent regarding: plurality of data lines 211, 208 0a-5c are source lines.
Jamshidi-Roundbari discloses electronic display system has a light transmissive panel, a region of display elements on the panel, and source lines coupled to the display elements, wherein source lines can also call data lines as discloses in column 5, lines 8-13.
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to call a data line as a source line since the terms "data line" and "source line" are often used interchangeably, particularly in the context of LCD and OLED panels, furthermore Bei teaches to use the data lines for delivering pixel data to the display pixel which is a function of the source line in a display panel.
Re: Claim 10, Bei and Jamshidi-Roundbari disclose all the limitations of claim 9 on which this claim depends. Bei further discloses: wherein a number of the at least one source line (211 curve around the hole 2023, fig. 3) extending along the bezel (2032, fig. 3) is smaller than a number of the plurality of source lines (211 and 208 fig. 3;M2, fig. 6) of the first pixel array (see annotated fig. 3).
Re: Claim 11, Bei and Jamshidi-Roundbari disclose all the limitations of claim 9 on which this claim depends. Bei further discloses: wherein the at least one source line (211 curve around the hole 2023, fig. 3) of the second pixel array (see annotated fig. 3) shares sub-pixels (column 13, lines 29-34; each of the sub-pixel including red sub-pixel, green sub-pixel, blue sub-pixel) in different columns.
Re: Claim 12, Bei and Jamshidi-Roundbari disclose all the limitations of claim 9 on which this claim depends. Bei further discloses: wherein the at least one source line (211 curve around the hole 2023, fig. 3) of the second pixel array (see annotated fig. 3) shares sub-pixels (column 13, lines 29-34; each of the sub-pixel including red sub-pixel, green sub-pixel, blue sub-pixel) corresponding to a same color among sub-pixels (column 13, lines 29-34; each of the sub-pixel including red sub-pixel, green sub-pixel, blue sub-pixel) in different columns.
Re: Claim 13, Bei and Jamshidi-Roundbari disclose all the limitations of claim 9 on which this claim depends. Bei further discloses: wherein at least two of the source lines (211 and 208 fig. 3;M2, fig. 6) of the first pixel array (see annotated fig. 3) extend along the bezel (2032, fig. 3).
Re: Claim 14, Bei and Jamshidi-Roundbari disclose all the limitations of claim 13 on which this claim depends. Bei further discloses: wherein at least two of the source lines (211 and 208 fig. 3;M2, fig. 6) of the first pixel array (see annotated fig. 3) includes a first source line (207 of data line 1a, fig. 3) corresponding to a blue color, a second source line (207 of data line 1b, fig. 3) corresponding to a green color, a third source line (207 of data line 1c, fig. 3) corresponding to a red color, and a fourth source line (207 of data line 2a, fig. 3) corresponding to a green color (column 13, lines 54-59; multiple arrangement manners to make the colors of the sub-pixels in the same column different from each other therefore, each of the pixel unit can have multiple color arrangement to a source line, for example the red sub-pixel, the blue sub-pixel, the green sub-pixel and the white sub-pixel are sequentially arranged along a column direction of the pixel unit column or the red sub-pixel, the green sub-pixel, the blue sub-pixel and the white sub-pixel are sequentially arranged along the column direction of the pixel unit column, therefore source line 1a, 1b, 1c and 2a can each connected to blue green red sub-pixel).
Re: Claim 15, Bei and Jamshidi-Roundbari disclose all the limitations of claim 14 on which this claim depends. Bei further discloses: wherein the first source line (207 of data line 1a, fig. 3) is connected to sub-pixels (column 13, lines 29-34; each of the sub-pixel including red sub-pixel, green sub-pixel, blue sub-pixel) corresponding to the blue color of a first column and a fifth column in the second pixel array (see annotated fig. 3), the second source line (207 of data line 1b, fig. 3) is connected to sub-pixels (column 13, lines 29-34; each of the sub-pixel including red sub-pixel, green sub-pixel, blue sub-pixel) corresponding to the green color of a second column and a sixth column in the second pixel array (see annotated fig. 3), the third source line (207 of data line 1c, fig. 3) is connected to sub-pixels (column 13, lines 29-34; each of the sub-pixel including red sub-pixel, green sub-pixel, blue sub-pixel) corresponding to the red color of a third column and a seventh column in the second pixel array (see annotated fig. 3), and the fourth source line (207 of data line 2a, fig. 3) is connected to sub-pixels (column 13, lines 29-34; each of the sub-pixel including red sub-pixel, green sub-pixel, blue sub-pixel) corresponding to the green color of a fourth column and an eighth column in the second pixel array (see annotated fig. 3).
Re: Independent Claim 16, Bei discloses a display panel having a hole (2023, fig. 3), comprising: a first pixel array (see annotated fig. 3) including a plurality of source lines (211 and 208 fig. 3;M2, fig. 6); a second pixel array (see annotated fig. 3); and a bezel (2032, fig. 3) defined around the hole (2023, fig. 3) between the first pixel array (see annotated fig. 3) and the second pixel array (see annotated fig. 3), wherein at least one source line (211 curve around the hole 2023, fig. 3) disposed in a vertical direction in the first pixel array (see annotated fig. 3) extends along the bezel (2032, fig. 3)
wherein some of the plurality of source lines (211 and 208 fig. 3;M2, fig. 6) in the first pixel array extend (for example data line from 1a,1b,1c to 4a, 4b, 4c extend to the bezel (a grooved ring or frame holding area in the region of 2032)) to the bezel while remaining source lines (211 and 208 fig. 3;M2, fig. 6) do not extend (data line such as 0a, 0b, 0c and 5a, 5b, 5c does not extend to the bezel).
Bei is silent regarding: plurality of data lines 211, 208 0a-5c are source lines.
Jamshidi-Roundbari discloses electronic display system has a light transmissive panel, a region of display elements on the panel, and source lines coupled to the display elements, wherein source lines can also call data lines as discloses in column 5, lines 8-13.
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to call a data line as a source line since the terms "data line" and "source line" are often used interchangeably, particularly in the context of LCD and OLED panels, furthermore Bei teaches to use the data lines for delivering pixel data to the display pixel which is a function of the source line in a display panel.
Re: Claim 17, Bei and Jamshidi-Roundbari disclose all the limitations of claim 16 on which this claim depends. Bei further discloses: wherein the at least one source line (211 curve around the hole 2023, fig. 3) extending along the bezel (2032, fig. 3) extends to the second pixel array (see annotated fig. 3) in the vertical direction.
Re: Claim 18, Bei and Jamshidi-Roundbari disclose all the limitations of claim 17 on which this claim depends. Bei further discloses: wherein a number of source lines (211 and 208 fig. 3;M2, fig. 6) disposed in the second pixel array (see annotated fig. 3) is smaller than a number of the source lines (211 and 208 fig. 3;M2, fig. 6) disposed in the first pixel array (see annotated fig. 3).
Re: Claim 19, Bei and Jamshidi-Roundbari disclose all the limitations of claim 16 on which this claim depends. Bei further discloses: wherein each of the at least one source line (211 curve around the hole 2023, fig. 3) in the second pixel array (see annotated fig. 3) shares sub-pixels (column 13, lines 29-34; each of the sub-pixel including red sub-pixel, green sub-pixel, blue sub-pixel) in different columns.
Re: Claim 20, Bei and Jamshidi-Roundbari disclose all the limitations of claim 19 on which this claim depends. Bei further discloses: wherein each of the at least one source line (211 curve around the hole 2023, fig. 3) in the second pixel array (see annotated fig. 3) shares sub-pixels (column 13, lines 29-34; each of the sub-pixel including red sub-pixel, green sub-pixel, blue sub-pixel) corresponding to a same color among sub-pixels (column 13, lines 29-34; each of the sub-pixel including red sub-pixel, green sub-pixel, blue sub-pixel) in different columns.
Annotated Figure 3 of Bei et al., 10580803 B2.
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Prior art made of record and not relied upon are considered pertinent to current application disclosure.
* (“Lee et al., US PG pub. 20180144675 A1”) Discloses a display device may include: a display unit including: a display area having a plurality of pixels to display an image; and a non-display area surrounding the display area; and a frame covering at least a portion of the non-display area, the frame having a rounded outer corner and an inner corner, wherein the plurality of pixels includes a first pixel disposed between the inner corner and a curved line or under the curved line, and wherein the display device is configured to operate the first pixel to constantly generate a first color while the image is displayed.
* (“Shin et al., US PG pub. 20180150274 A1”) discloses a display device can include a display panel including data lines and gate lines on a triangular-shaped board, and a plurality of pixels in a matrix arrangement, in which pixel rows are arranged with a step for each at least one gate line among the gate lines based on a number of the plurality of pixels connected to each of the gate lines; a data-driving unit on a first side of the triangular-shaped board, and configured to supply data voltages to the data lines to drive the data lines; and a gate-driving unit including a plurality of gate-in-panels (GIPs) on a second side of the triangular-shaped board, in which the plurality of gate-in-panels are arranged to correspond to the step for each of the at least one gate line and sequentially supply a gate signal to the plurality of gate lines to sequentially drive the gate lines.
Conclusion
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/TSZ K CHIU/Examiner, Art Unit 2898 Tsz.Chiu@uspto.gov
/JESSICA S MANNO/SPE, Art Unit 2898