Prosecution Insights
Last updated: July 17, 2026
Application No. 17/947,303

ORGANIC LIGHT-EMITTING DISPLAY DEVICE

Non-Final OA §103
Filed
Sep 19, 2022
Priority
Oct 28, 2021 — RE 10-2021-0145931
Examiner
ZHU, SHENG-BAI
Art Unit
2897
Tech Center
2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems
Assignee
LG Display Co., Ltd.
OA Round
3 (Non-Final)
62%
Grant Probability
Moderate
3-4
OA Rounds
0m
Est. Remaining
68%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 62% of resolved cases
62%
Career Allowance Rate
444 granted / 714 resolved
-5.8% vs TC avg
Moderate +6% lift
Without
With
+6.0%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 9m
Avg Prosecution
64 currently pending
Career history
780
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.1%
-39.9% vs TC avg
§103
95.1%
+55.1% vs TC avg
§102
3.0%
-37.0% vs TC avg
§112
1.3%
-38.7% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 714 resolved cases

Office Action

§103
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and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114.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 12/15/2025 has been entered. Specification Objection Withdrawal Applicant’s amendment of title of the invention is acknowledged. Thus, the objection to specification is withdrawn. 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. Claims 1, 3, 7. 9, 10, 12, 16, 17 and 20 rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Lee (KR 20170135587) of record, in view of Nagayama (U.S. Patent No. 5,701,055) Regarding Claim 1 FIG. 1 of Lee discloses an organic light-emitting display device comprising: a substrate (100) including a display area (AA) in which a plurality of pixels are disposed and a non-display area (NA) surrounding the display area; a dam pattern (between 710) surrounding the display area and positioned in the non-display area; a first barrier pattern (right 710) positioned in a first barrier area between the dam pattern and the display area; a second barrier pattern (left 710) positioned in a second barrier area outside the dam pattern; an organic light-emitting element layer (520) positioned in the display area and the non-display area, wherein the organic light-emitting element layer in the non-display area comprises: an organic light-emitting layer (521) disposed on a first electrode (532) and divided into discontinuous portions spaced from each other; and a second electrode (531) enclosing each of the discontinuous portions of the organic light-emitting layer, and divided into discontinuous portions spaced from each other, wherein each of the first and the second barrier pattern is disposed between adjacent discontinuous portions of the second electrode; and an encapsulation portion (800) covering the display area and the non-display area. Lee is silent with respect to “each of the first and the second barrier pattern is disposed on the first electrode”. FIG. 3 of Nagayama discloses a similar organic light-emitting display device, wherein each of the first and the second barrier pattern (7) is disposed on the first electrode (3) between adjacent discontinuous portions of the second electrode (9). 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 Lee, as taught by Nagayama, such that the first electrode extends underneath each of the first and the second barrier pattern. The ordinary artisan would have been motivated to modify Lee in the above manner for purpose of manufacturing with a freely flexible patterning without deterioration of the organic function layer, cathode and other elements (Col. 2, Lines 56-62 of Nagayama). Regarding Claim 3 FIG. 1 of Lee discloses a vertical dimension of each of two opposing sidewalls of each of the first barrier pattern and the second barrier pattern is equal to or larger than a vertical dimension of a sidewall of each of the discontinuous portions of the second electrode that encloses a respective one of the discontinuous portions of the organic light-emitting layer. Regarding Claim 7 FIG. 1 of Lee discloses each of the first barrier pattern and the second barrier pattern includes a plurality of patterns. Regarding Claim 9 FIG. 1 of Lee discloses a large-screen display device comprising: a plurality of organic light-emitting display devices arranged along a first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction so as to contact each other, wherein each of the organic light-emitting display devices includes: a substrate (100) including a display area (AA) in which a plurality of pixels are disposed, and a non-display area (NA) surrounding the display area and having a bezel area; a dam pattern (between 710) surrounding the display area and positioned in the non-display area; a first barrier pattern (right 710) positioned in a first barrier area between the dam pattern and the display area; a second barrier pattern (left 710) positioned in a second barrier area outside the dam pattern; an organic light-emitting element layer (520) positioned in a pixel area, the first barrier area, and the second barrier area; and an encapsulation portion (800) covering the display area, the organic light-emitting element layer, the first barrier pattern and the second barrier pattern, wherein the organic light-emitting element layer is divided into discontinuous portions spaced from each other via each of the first barrier pattern and the second barrier pattern, wherein the organic light-emitting element layer includes a first electrode (510), an organic light-emitting layer (520) disposed on the first electrode, and a second electrode (530) disposed on the organic light-emitting layer, wherein, in the non-display area, each of the organic light-emitting layer and the second electrode is divided into discontinuous portions spaced from each other via each of the first barrier pattern and the second barrier pattern. Lee is silent with respect to each of the first and the second barrier pattern is disposed on the first electrode between adjacent discontinuous portions of the second electrode”. FIG. 3 of Nagayama discloses a similar organic light-emitting display device, wherein each of the first and the second barrier pattern (7) is disposed on the first electrode (3) between adjacent discontinuous portions of the second electrode (9); and adjacent substrates (2) of the plurality of organic light-emitting display devices are in contact with each other. 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 Lee, as taught by Nagayama, such that the first electrode extends underneath each of the first and the second barrier pattern. The ordinary artisan would have been motivated to modify Lee in the above manner for purpose of manufacturing with a freely flexible patterning without deterioration of the organic function layer, cathode and other elements (Col. 2, Lines 56-62 of Nagayama). Regarding Claim 10 FIG. 1 of Lee discloses a vertical dimension of each of the both opposing sidewalls of each of the first barrier pattern and the second barrier pattern is equal to or larger than a vertical dimension of a sidewall of the second electrode surrounding the face of each of the discontinuous portions of the organic light-emitting layer between the adjacent ones. Regarding Claim 12 FIG. 1 of Lee discloses each of the discontinuous portions of the second electrode (530) encloses a respective one of the discontinuous portions of the organic light-emitting layer (520) spaced from each other via each of the first barrier pattern and the second barrier pattern. Regarding Claim 16 FIG. 1 of Lee discloses a vertical dimension of each of two opposing sidewalls of each of the first barrier pattern and the second barrier pattern is equal to or larger than a vertical dimension of a sidewall of the each of the discontinuous portions of the second electrode that encloses the respective one of the organic light-emitting layer. Regarding Claim 17 FIG. 1 of Lee discloses an organic light-emitting display device comprising: one or more barrier patterns disposed on a bezel area (NA); and an organic light-emitting element layer on the bezel area, wherein the organic light-emitting element layer comprises: an organic light-emitting layer (520) disposed on a first electrode (510) and divided into discontinuous portions spaced from each other; and a second electrode (530) enclosing each of the discontinuous portions of the organic light-emitting layer, and divided into discontinuous portions spaced from each other, wherein each of the one or more barrier patterns (710) is disposed between adjacent discontinuous portions of the second electrode. Lee is silent with respect to “each of the one or more barrier patterns is disposed on the first electrode”. FIG. 3 of Nagayama discloses a similar organic light-emitting display device, wherein each of the one or more barrier patterns (7) is disposed on the first electrode (3) between adjacent discontinuous portions of the second electrode (9). 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 Lee, as taught by Nagayama, such that the first electrode extends underneath each of the first and the second barrier pattern. The ordinary artisan would have been motivated to modify Lee in the above manner for purpose of manufacturing with a freely flexible patterning without deterioration of the organic function layer, cathode and other elements (Col. 2, Lines 56-62 of Nagayama). Regarding Claim 20 FIG. 3 of Nagayama discloses a vertical dimension of each of two opposing sidewalls of the barrier pattern is equal to or larger than a vertical dimension of a sidewall of each of the discontinuous portions of the second electrode that encloses a respective one of the discontinuous portions of the organic light-emitting layer. Claims 1, 9 and 17 rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Lee, in view of Shitagami (U.S. Patent Pub. No. 20050189878). Regarding Claim 1 FIG. 1 of Lee discloses an organic light-emitting display device comprising: a substrate (100) including a display area (AA) in which a plurality of pixels are disposed and a non-display area (NA) surrounding the display area; a dam pattern (between 710) surrounding the display area and positioned in the non-display area; a first barrier pattern (right 710) positioned in a first barrier area between the dam pattern and the display area; a second barrier pattern (left 710) positioned in a second barrier area outside the dam pattern; an organic light-emitting element layer (520) positioned in the display area and the non-display area, wherein the organic light-emitting element layer in the non-display area comprises: an organic light-emitting layer (521) disposed on a first electrode (532) and divided into discontinuous portions spaced from each other; and a second electrode (531) enclosing each of the discontinuous portions of the organic light-emitting layer, and divided into discontinuous portions spaced from each other, wherein each of the first and the second barrier pattern is disposed between adjacent discontinuous portions of the second electrode; and an encapsulation portion (800) covering the display area and the non-display area. Lee is silent with respect to “each of the first and the second barrier pattern is disposed on the first electrode”. FIG. 3 of Shitagami discloses a similar organic light-emitting display device, wherein each of the first and the second barrier pattern (221) is disposed on the first electrode (23). 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 Lee, as taught by Shitagami, such that the first electrode extends underneath each of the first and the second barrier pattern. The ordinary artisan would have been motivated to modify Lee in the above manner for purpose of improving the uniformity of display ([0009] of Shitagami). Regarding Claim 9 FIG. 1 of Lee discloses a large-screen display device comprising: a plurality of organic light-emitting display devices arranged along a first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction so as to contact each other, wherein each of the organic light-emitting display devices includes: a substrate (100) including a display area (AA) in which a plurality of pixels are disposed, and a non-display area (NA) surrounding the display area and having a bezel area; a dam pattern (between 710) surrounding the display area and positioned in the non-display area; a first barrier pattern (right 710) positioned in a first barrier area between the dam pattern and the display area; a second barrier pattern (left 710) positioned in a second barrier area outside the dam pattern; an organic light-emitting element layer (520) positioned in a pixel area, the first barrier area, and the second barrier area; and an encapsulation portion (800) covering the display area, the organic light-emitting element layer, the first barrier pattern and the second barrier pattern, wherein the organic light-emitting element layer is divided into discontinuous portions spaced from each other via each of the first barrier pattern and the second barrier pattern, wherein the organic light-emitting element layer includes a first electrode (510), an organic light-emitting layer (520) disposed on the first electrode, and a second electrode (530) disposed on the organic light-emitting layer, wherein, in the non-display area, each of the organic light-emitting layer and the second electrode is divided into discontinuous portions spaced from each other via each of the first barrier pattern and the second barrier pattern; and adjacent substrates of the plurality of organic light-emitting display devices are in contact with each other. Lee is silent with respect to each of the first and the second barrier pattern is disposed on the first electrode between adjacent discontinuous portions of the second electrode”. FIG. 3 of Shitagami discloses a similar organic light-emitting display device, wherein each of the first and the second barrier pattern (221) is disposed on the first electrode (23). 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 Lee, as taught by Shitagami, such that the first electrode extends underneath each of the first and the second barrier pattern. The ordinary artisan would have been motivated to modify Lee in the above manner for purpose of improving the uniformity of display ([0009] of Shitagami). Regarding Claim 17 FIG. 1 of Lee discloses an organic light-emitting display device comprising: one or more barrier patterns disposed on a bezel area (NA); and an organic light-emitting element layer on the bezel area, wherein the organic light-emitting element layer comprises: an organic light-emitting layer (520) disposed on a first electrode (510) and divided into discontinuous portions spaced from each other; and a second electrode (530) enclosing each of the discontinuous portions of the organic light-emitting layer, and divided into discontinuous portions spaced from each other, wherein each of the one or more barrier patterns (710) is disposed between adjacent discontinuous portions of the second electrode. Lee is silent with respect to “each of the one or more barrier patterns is disposed on the first electrode”. FIG. 3 of Shitagami discloses a similar organic light-emitting display device, wherein each of the one or more barrier patterns (221) is disposed on the first electrode (23). 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 Lee, as taught by Shitagami, such that the first electrode extends underneath each of the first and the second barrier pattern. The ordinary artisan would have been motivated to modify Lee in the above manner for purpose of improving the uniformity of display ([0009] of Shitagami). Claim 1 rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Oh (KR 100647339, machine-translation provided), in view of Lee62 (U.S. Patent Pub. No. 20130112962), in view Park (U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2020/0235180) of record. Regarding Claim 1 FIG. 3 (Annotated below) of Oh discloses an organic light-emitting display device comprising: a substrate (111) including a display area (DP) in which a plurality of pixels are disposed and a non-display area (W) surrounding the display area; a dam pattern (Dam) surrounding the display area and positioned in the non-display area; a first barrier pattern (B1) positioned in a first barrier area between the dam pattern and the display area; a second barrier pattern (B2) positioned in a second barrier area outside the dam pattern; an organic light-emitting element layer positioned in the display area, wherein the organic light-emitting element layer comprises: an organic light-emitting layer (120) disposed on a first electrode (121); and a second electrode (127), wherein each of the first and the second barrier pattern is disposed on the first electrode. PNG media_image1.png 380 798 media_image1.png Greyscale Oh is silent with respect to “an organic light-emitting element layer positioned in the display area and the non-display area”; “the organic light-emitting element layer in the non-display area comprises: an organic light-emitting layer disposed on a first electrode and divided into discontinuous portions spaced from each other”; “a second electrode enclosing each of the discontinuous portions of the organic light-emitting layer, and divided into discontinuous portions spaced from each other” and “each of the first and the second barrier pattern is disposed between adjacent discontinuous portions of the second electrode”. FIG. 4 of Lee62 discloses a similar organic light-emitting display device, comprising an organic light-emitting element layer positioned in the display area (center) and the non-display area (sides); the organic light-emitting element layer in the non-display area comprises: an organic light-emitting layer (30) disposed on a first electrode (20) and divided into discontinuous portions spaced from each other; a second electrode (40) on each of the discontinuous portions of the organic light-emitting layer, and divided into discontinuous portions spaced from each other; and each of the first and the second barrier pattern (50) is disposed on the first electrode between adjacent discontinuous portions of the second electrode. 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 Oh, as taught by Lee62. The ordinary artisan would have been motivated to modify Oh in the above manner for purpose of improving brightness uniformity and stability ([0012] of Lee62). Oh as modified by Lee62 is silent with respect to “a second electrode enclosing each of the discontinuous portions of the organic light-emitting layer”. FIG. 8 of Park discloses a similar organic light-emitting display device, comprising a second electrode (223) enclosing each of the discontinuous portions of the organic light-emitting layer (222). 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 Oh, as taught by Park. The ordinary artisan would have been motivated to modify Oh in the above manner for purpose of making thinner and lighter display devices ([0003] of Park). Claim 4 rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Lee and Nagayama, in view of Zhou (U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2021/0257588) of record Regarding Claim 4 Lee as modified by Nagayama discloses Claim 1. Lee modified by Nagayama is silent with respect to “the second barrier area is positioned between an outer side edge of the substrate and the dam pattern, and wherein the first barrier area has a width smaller than a width of the second barrier area”. FIG. 1 of Zhou discloses a similar organic light-emitting display device, the second barrier area (right 14) is positioned between an outer side edge of the substrate and the dam pattern, and wherein the first barrier area (141) has a width smaller than a width of the second barrier area. 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 Lee, as taught by Zhou. The ordinary artisan would have been motivated to modify Lee in the above manner for purpose of avoiding corrosion and improving packaging effect ([0009] of Zhou). Claim 5 rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Lee and Nagayama, in view of Fujisawa (JP 2012098640) of record. Regarding Claim 5 Lee as modified by Nagayama discloses Claim 1. Lee as modified by Nagayama is silent with respect to “each of the first barrier pattern and the second barrier pattern includes a polymer material in which carbon-carbon bonds are continuously arranged in a chain structure so as to achieve orthogonality, and wherein the polymer material contains a substantial amount of fluorine (F) at a functional group thereof”. However, Fujisawa discloses a polymer material containing a substantial amount of fluorine has high barrier properties against oxygen, water, vapor, etc. 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 Lee, as taught by Fujisawa, such that each of the first barrier pattern and the second barrier pattern includes a polymer material in which carbon-carbon bonds are continuously arranged in a chain structure so as to achieve orthogonality, and wherein the polymer material contains a substantial amount of fluorine (F) at a functional group thereof. The ordinary artisan would have been motivated to modify Lee in the above manner for purpose of improving structural durability and display durability (Abstract of Fujisawa). Claim 6 rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Lee and Nagayama, in view of Long (WO 2020094015) of record. Regarding Claim 6 Lee as modified by Nagayama discloses Claim 1. Lee as modified by Nagayama is silent with respect to “the first barrier pattern has a frame shape surrounding four sides of the display area in a plan view of the device, and wherein the second barrier pattern is positioned outside the dam pattern and has a frame shape surrounding four sides of the dam pattern in the plan view”. FIG. 6 of Long discloses a similar organic light-emitting display device, wherein the first barrier pattern (81) has a frame shape surrounding four sides of the display area in a plan view of the device, and wherein the second barrier pattern is positioned outside the dam pattern and has a frame shape surrounding four sides of the dam pattern in the plan view. 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 Lee, as taught by Long. The ordinary artisan would have been motivated to modify Lee in the above manner for purpose of improving blocking effect (Text of Long). Claim 8, 15 and 19 rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Lee and Nagayama, in view of Wang (CN 112310320) of record. Regarding Claim 8 Lee as modified by Nagayama discloses Claim 1, wherein the first barrier pattern and the second barrier pattern are separated from each other. Lee as modified by Nagayama is silent with respect to “each of the first barrier pattern and the second barrier pattern has both opposing sidewalls and a bottom portion which are integrally formed such that a cross-sectional shape thereof is a 'U' shape having a valley”. FIG. 4 of Wang discloses a similar organic light-emitting display device, wherein each of the first barrier pattern and the second barrier pattern (20) has both opposing sidewalls and a bottom portion which are integrally formed such that a cross-sectional shape thereof is a 'U' shape having a valley. 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 Lee, as taught by Wang. The ordinary artisan would have been motivated to modify Lee in the above manner for purpose of preventing water vapor or oxygen from being transmitted to the driving area and the pixel area (Abstract of Wang). Regarding Claim 15 FIG. 4 of Wang discloses each of the first barrier pattern and the second barrier pattern (20) has both opposing sidewalls and a bottom portion which are integrally formed such that a cross-sectional shape thereof is a 'U' shape having a valley. FIG. 1 of Lee discloses the first barrier pattern and the second barrier pattern are separated from each other. Regarding Claim 19 FIG. 4 of Wang discloses each of the first barrier pattern and the second barrier pattern (20) has both opposing sidewalls and a bottom portion such that a cross-sectional shape thereof is a 'U' shape having a valley. Claim 13 rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Lee and Nagayama, in view of Fujisawa (JP 2012098640) of record. Regarding Claim 13 Lee as modified by Nagayama discloses Claim 9. Lee as modified by Nagayama is silent with respect to “each of the first barrier pattern and the second barrier pattern includes a polymer material in which carbon-carbon bonds are continuously arranged in a chain structure that achieves orthogonality, and wherein the polymer material contains a substantial amount of fluorine (F) at a functional group thereof”. However, Fujisawa discloses a polymer material containing a substantial amount of fluorine has high barrier properties against oxygen, water, vapor, etc. 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 Lee, as taught by Fujisawa, such that each of the first barrier pattern and the second barrier pattern includes a polymer material in which carbon-carbon bonds are continuously arranged in a chain structure that achieves orthogonality, and wherein the polymer material contains a substantial amount of fluorine (F) at a functional group thereof. The ordinary artisan would have been motivated to modify Lee in the above manner for purpose of improving structural durability and display durability (Abstract of Fujisawa). Claim 14 rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Lee and Nagayama, in view of Long (WO 2020094015) of record. Regarding Claim 14 Lee as modified by Nagayama discloses Claim 9. Lee as modified by Nagayama is silent with respect to “the first barrier pattern has a frame shape surrounding four sides of the display area in a plan view, and wherein the second barrier pattern is positioned outside the dam pattern and has a frame shape surrounding four sides of the dam pattern in the plan view”. FIG. 6 of Long discloses a similar organic light-emitting display device, wherein the first barrier pattern (81) has a frame shape surrounding four sides of the display area in a plan view, and wherein the second barrier pattern is positioned outside the dam pattern and has a frame shape surrounding four sides of the dam pattern in the plan view. 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 Lee, as taught by Long. The ordinary artisan would have been motivated to modify Lee in the above manner for purpose of improving blocking effect (Text of Long). Claim 18 rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Lee and Nagayama, in view of Xue (CN 110416266) of record. Regarding Claim 18 Lee as modified by Nagayama discloses Claim 17. Lee as modified by Nagayama is silent with respect to “the barrier pattern includes a polymer material in which carbon-carbon bonds are continuously arranged in a chain structure that achieves orthogonality, and wherein the polymer material contains a substantial amount of fluorine at a functional group thereof”. Xue discloses a similar organic light-emitting display device, wherein the barrier pattern includes a polymer material in which carbon-carbon bonds are continuously arranged in a chain structure that achieves orthogonality, and wherein the polymer material contains a substantial amount of fluorine (F) at a functional group thereof (text: the barrier piece 80 comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of polymethyl methacrylate and polystyrene, polymer based on phenol group and derivative, polymer based on acrylic, polymer based on paraxylene, polymer based on aromatic ether, polymer based on amide, polymer based on fluoride). 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 Lee, as taught by Xue. The ordinary artisan would have been motivated to modify Lee in the above manner for purpose of improving blocking effect (Text of Xue). Pertinent Art Pertinent art includes Ding (CN 110265583), Sui (CN 110544714), Lee (U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2018/0006264), Kim (U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2020/0176520), Wang (U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2006/0273307) and Lu (U.S. Patent No. 6,630,785). Response to Arguments Applicant’s arguments with respect to Claims 1, 9 and 17 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. Information regarding the status of an application may be obtained from the Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system. Status information for published applications may be obtained from either Private PAIR or Public PAIR. Status information for unpublished applications is available through Private PAIR only. For more information about the PAIR system, see http://pair-direct.uspto.gov. Should you have questions on access to the Private PAIR system, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative or access to the automated information system, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. /SHENG-BAI ZHU/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2897
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Sep 19, 2022
Application Filed
May 08, 2025
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103
Sep 02, 2025
Response Filed
Sep 15, 2025
Final Rejection mailed — §103
Dec 15, 2025
Request for Continued Examination
Jan 20, 2026
Response after Non-Final Action
Apr 08, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103 (current)

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Prosecution Projections

3-4
Expected OA Rounds
62%
Grant Probability
68%
With Interview (+6.0%)
2y 9m (~0m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
High
PTA Risk
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