Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 02, 2026
Application No. 17/955,859

DISPLAY DEVICE

Non-Final OA §103
Filed
Sep 29, 2022
Priority
Jan 24, 2022 — RE 10-2022-0010242
Examiner
MATTHEWS, ANDRE L
Art Unit
2621
Tech Center
2600 — Communications
Assignee
Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
OA Round
3 (Non-Final)
62%
Grant Probability
Moderate
3-4
OA Rounds
0m
Est. Remaining
77%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 62% of resolved cases
62%
Career Allowance Rate
329 granted / 529 resolved
At TC average
Moderate +14% lift
Without
With
+14.5%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 5m
Avg Prosecution
14 currently pending
Career history
554
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
1.9%
-38.1% vs TC avg
§103
70.9%
+30.9% vs TC avg
§102
12.1%
-27.9% vs TC avg
§112
13.4%
-26.6% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 529 resolved cases

Office Action

§103
DETAILED ACTION 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 . 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and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114.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 6/5/2026 has been entered. Response to Arguments Applicant’s arguments with respect to claim(s) 1-10 have been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection does not rely on any reference applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 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. Claims 1-10 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Jung (US 2021/0043616) in view of Kim (US 2015/0022508) and Shin (US 2005/0110723). Regarding claim 1, Jung teaches A display device comprising: a first sub-pixel that emits a first color light (Fig. 3 sub-pixels RGB), the first sub-pixel comprising: a first anode pad electrode; a second anode pad electrode spaced apart from the first anode pad electrode in a plan view (Figs. 13-19, first anode pad being either RGB 410 and the second anode pad being any other RGB 410); a first cathode pad electrode spaced apart from the first anode pad electrode and the second anode pad electrode in a plan view (Figs. 13-19 cathode pad being 420); and a first light emitting element comprising: a first sub-light emitting element disposed on the first anode pad electrode and the first cathode pad electrode (either light-emitting element of RGB disposed on anode pad 410 and cathode pad 420) , and a second sub-light emitting element disposed on the second anode pad electrode and the first cathode pad electrode(any other of light-emitting element of RGB disposed on anode pad 410 and same cathode pad 420 as shown in Figs. 13,14, and 16-19); and a second sub-pixel that emits a second color light excluding the first color light (any color of the RGB), wherein an area of the first cathode pad electrode is larger than an area of the first anode pad electrode or an area of the second anode pad electrode (Figs. 13-19 show that cathode pad 420 is larger than anode pads 410). Although Jung teaches the limitations as discussed above, and it obvious the light emitting elements can emit light of the same color during different periods based on design choice, Jung does not explicitly teach the first sub-light emitting element and the second sub-light emitting element emit the first color light during different periods, and the first sub-light emitting element and the second sub-light emitting element emit a same color light. However in the field of manufacturing a display device Kim teaches display device where a first sub-light emitting element and the second sub-light emitting element emit the first color light during different periods([0057-0060] teach how the pixels are grouped together and how the pixel of the same group can emit light during different periods based on which transistor is connected as the driving transistor), and the first sub-light emitting element and the second sub-light emitting element emit a same color light ([0064] teach that pixels of the same group can emit the same color) a second sub-pixel that emits a second color different from the first color light ([0023] teaches a light emitting group having a first light emitting element, a second light emitting element, a third light emitting element, and fourth light emitting element. [0064] teach the pixels of the same group can emit the same color. Since the display of Fig. 1 requires different pixels to present an image and pixels of the same group emit the same color then it is obvious that a second pixel group would be able to second color different from the first color.). Therefore it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to combine the device as taught by Jung the method of driving as taught by Kim. This combination would improve the display quality for a user as taught by Kim [0012]. Although the combination teaches the limitations as discussed above, they fail to teach a first transistor that supplies a first driving current to the first sub- light emitting element in response to receiving a first emission control signal that is applied to a gate of the first transistor; and a second sub-pixel that emits a second transistor that supplies a second driving current to the second sub-light emitting element in response to receiving a second emission control signal that is applied to a gate of the second transistor. However in the field of manufacturing and driving a display panel, Shin teaches a first transistor that supplies a first driving current to the first sub- light emitting element in response to receiving a first emission control signal that is applied to a gate of the first transistor; and a second sub-pixel that emits a second transistor that supplies a second driving current to the second sub-light emitting element in response to receiving a second emission control signal that is applied to a gate of the second transistor (Fig. 12 shows pixel units comprising a first light emitting element connected to emitting control signal EC_11 and second light emitting elements connected to emitting control signal EC_21. Where the current applied to the light emitting element depends on the color of the light emitting element. Fig. 15 shows the driving method of EC_11 and ED_21). Therefore it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to combine the device as taught by Jung the method of driving as taught by Kim and the driving method as taught by Shin. This combination would improve the display quality for a user as taught by Kim [0012]. Regarding claim 2, Jung teaches wherein a length of the first cathode pad electrode in a direction is greater than a length of the first anode pad electrode in the direction or a length of the second anode pad electrode in the direction (Figs. 16 cathode pad 420GB or Fig. 17 cathode pad 420RG). Regarding claim 3, Jung teaches wherein the second sub-pixel comprises: a third anode pad electrode (Fig. 16 anode pad 410R or Fig. 17 anode pad 410B); a second cathode pad electrode spaced apart from the third anode pad electrode direction (Figs. 16 cathode pad 420R or Fig. 17 cathode pad 420B); a second light emitting element disposed on the third anode pad electrode and the second cathode pad electrode(Fig. 16 and Fig. 17). Regarding claim 4, Jung teaches wherein an area of the first cathode pad electrode is larger than an area of the second cathode pad electrode(Figs. 16 cathode pad 420GB is larger than cathode pad 420R or Fig. 17 cathode pad 420RG is larger than cathode pad 420B). Regarding claim 5, Jung teaches wherein a length of the first cathode pad electrode in a direction is greater than a length of the second cathode pad electrode in the direction(Figs. 16 cathode pad 420GB is larger than cathode pad 420R or Fig. 17 cathode pad 420RG is larger than cathode pad 420B). Regarding claim 6, Jung teaches a third sub-pixel that emits a third color light different from the first color light of the first sub-pixel and the second color light of the second sub-pixel(Fig. 16 anode pad 410R or Fig. 17 anode pad 410B), wherein the third sub-pixel comprises: a fourth anode pad electrode(Fig. 16 anode pad 410R or Fig. 17 anode pad 410B); a third cathode pad electrode spaced apart from the fourth anode pad electrode in a plan view(Figs. 16 cathode pad 420R or Fig. 17 cathode pad 420B);; and a third light emitting element disposed on the fourth anode pad electrode and the third cathode pad electrode(Figs. 16 and 17). Regarding claim 7, Jung teaches wherein an area of the first cathode pad electrode is larger than an area of the third cathode pad electrode(Figs. 16 cathode pad 420GB is larger than cathode pad 420R or Fig. 17 cathode pad 420RG is larger than cathode pad 420B). Regarding claim 8, Jung teaches wherein a length of the first cathode pad electrode in a direction is greater than a length of the third cathode pad electrode in the direction(Figs. 16 cathode pad 420GB is larger than cathode pad 420R or Fig. 17 cathode pad 420RG is larger than cathode pad 420B). Regarding claim 9, Jung teaches the second light emitting element emits the second color light (Figs. 16-17 any one of RGB), and the third light emitting element emits the third color light (Fig. 16-17 any other one of RGB), however Kim teaches the first sub-light emitting element and the second sub-light emitting element emit the first color light([0064] teach that pixels of the same group can emit the same color). Regarding claim 10, Jung teaches wherein the first color light is red light, the second color light is green light, and the third color light is blue light (Figs. 13-19 RGB), and Kim teaches the first color light is red light, the second color light is green light, and the third color light is blue light ([0064]). Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ANDRE L MATTHEWS whose telephone number is (571)270-5806. The examiner can normally be reached Mon-Fri 9:00-6:00. Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice. If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Amr Awad can be reached at 571-272-7764. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. /ANDRE L MATTHEWS/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2621
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Prosecution Timeline

Show 2 earlier events
Jan 20, 2026
Response Filed
Apr 08, 2026
Final Rejection mailed — §103
May 20, 2026
Applicant Interview (Telephonic)
May 22, 2026
Examiner Interview Summary
Jun 05, 2026
Response after Non-Final Action
Jun 30, 2026
Request for Continued Examination
Jul 02, 2026
Response after Non-Final Action
Sep 01, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12711889
CONTROL OF THE IMAGE REPRODUCTION OF A DISPLAY APPARATUS
4y 4m to grant Granted Aug 18, 2026
Patent 12710863
DISPLAY CONTROL APPARATUS, DISPLAY CONTROL METHOD, AND DISPLAY CONTROL PROGRAM
1y 5m to grant Granted Aug 18, 2026
Patent 12699497
VIRTUAL USER INPUT CONTROLS IN A MIXED REALITY ENVIRONMENT
1y 8m to grant Granted Aug 04, 2026
Patent 12693824
DISPLAY METHOD, CHIP, AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE
2y 5m to grant Granted Jul 28, 2026
Patent 12688804
TEST SYSTEM, METHOD OF TESTING DISPLAY CELL USING THE SAME, AND DISPLAY DEVICE
3y 7m to grant Granted Jul 21, 2026
Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

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Prosecution Projections

3-4
Expected OA Rounds
62%
Grant Probability
77%
With Interview (+14.5%)
3y 5m (~0m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
High
PTA Risk
Based on 529 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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