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and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114.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 03/18/2026 has been entered.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The Examiner acknowledges that the amendments to claims 1 and 14 resolve the previous rejections of claims 1-15 under 35 USC 112(b). Therefore, the previous rejections of claims 1-15 under 35 USC 112(b) have been withdrawn.
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 1-4 and 6-14 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Chung et al. (US 2013/0187131) hereinafter “Chung” in view of Choi et al. (US 2004/0195963) hereinafter “Choi”.
Regarding claim 1, Figs. 5 and 7 of Chung teach a display substrate, comprising: a base substrate (Item 1), having a first light-emitting region (See Picture 1 below; See Examiner’s Note 2 below), a second light-emitting region (See Picture 1 below) and a transparent region (Item TA), wherein an orthographic projection of the transparent region (Item TA) on the base substrate (Item 1) does not overlap an orthographic projection of the first light-emitting region on the base substrate and an orthographic projection of the second light-emitting region on the base substrate (Item 1); and a light-emitting member, located on a side of the base substrate (Item 1) and comprising a bottom- emitting light-emitting unit (Combination of Items 222, 223’ and 225; Paragraph 0078) located in the first light-emitting region (See Picture 1 below) and a top-emitting light-emitting unit (Combination of Items 221, 223 and 224; Paragraph 0075) located in (See Examiner’s Note below) the second light-emitting region (See Picture 1 below); wherein the display substrate further comprises a first driving unit (Item T4) located between the base substrate (Item 1) and the light emitting member, and a second driving unit (Item T3) between the base substrate (Item 1) and the light emitting member; where an entirety of the first driving unit (Item T4) is arranged in the first light emitting region and an entirety of the second driving unit (Item T3) is arranged in the second light emitting region.
Chung does not teach where the display substrate further comprises: a first color film part located between the base substrate and the light-emitting member and in the first light-emitting region, where the first driving unit is located between the first color film part and the base substrate.
Fig. 5 of Choi teaches a bottom-emitting light- emitting unit (Combination of Items PR, PG, PB and PW) comprises a plurality of auxiliary bottom light-emitting devices emitting white light (Paragraph 0038); and the display substrate further comprises: a first color film part (Item 900) located between a base substrate (Item 1010) and a light-emitting member (Combination of Items 700, 800 and 600) and in the first light-emitting region, and the first color film part comprises a plurality of first color filters (Items R, G, B and W) which are in one-to-one correspondence with the auxiliary bottom light-emitting devices, where a driving unit (Item 1061) is located between the first color film part (Item 900) and the base substrate (Item 1010).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have the display substrate further comprise: a first color film part located between the base substrate and the light-emitting member and in the first light-emitting region, where the first driving unit is located between the first color film part and the base substrate because this structure is known to result in improved luminance and light efficiency (Choi Paragraph 0009).
Examiner’s Note: The Examiner notes that the language of the claim does not require that the entirety of the top emitting unit is in the second light emitting region. Thus, a portion of the top emitting unit being in the second light emitting region reads on the claim language.
Examiner’s Note 2: The Examiner notes that the language of the claim does not specifically define the metes and bounds of what is the first light emitting region and the second light emitting region. Therefore, the Examiner may interpret any region of the display that emits light as being the respective first or second light emitting region even if a single light emitting region includes parts of more than one light emitting unit.
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Picture 1 (Labeled version of Chung Fig. 7)
Regarding claim 2, the combination of Chung and Choi teaches all of the elements of the claimed invention as stated above except.
Chung does not teach where the bottom-emitting light- emitting unit comprises a plurality of auxiliary bottom light-emitting devices emitting white light; and the first color film part comprises a plurality of first color filters which are in one-to-one correspondence with the auxiliary bottom light-emitting devices.
Fig. 5 of Choi teaches a bottom-emitting light- emitting unit (Combination of Items PR, PG, PB and PW) comprises a plurality of auxiliary bottom light-emitting devices emitting white light (Paragraph 0038); and the display substrate further comprises: a first color film part (Item 900) located between a base substrate (Item 1010) and a light-emitting member (Combination of Items 700, 800 and 600) and in the first light-emitting region, and the first color film part comprises a plurality of first color filters (Items R, G, B and W) which are in one-to-one correspondence with the auxiliary bottom light-emitting devices.
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have the bottom-emitting light- emitting unit comprise a plurality of auxiliary bottom light-emitting devices emitting white light; and the first color film part comprises a plurality of first color filters which are in one-to-one correspondence with the auxiliary bottom light-emitting devices because this structure is known to result in improved luminance and light efficiency (Choi Paragraph 0009).
Regarding claim 3, Fig. 7 of Chung further teaches where each auxiliary bottom light- emitting device comprises: a bottom-emitting transparent anode (Item 222), a bottom-emitting light- emitting layer (Item 223’) and a bottom-emitting reflective cathode (Item 225) in sequence; and in a same bottom-emitting light-emitting unit, bottom-emitting transparent anodes of all auxiliary bottom light-emitting devices are mutually spaced (See Fig. 5), bottom-emitting light-emitting layers (Item 223’) of all auxiliary bottom light-emitting devices are of an integrated structure, and bottom- emitting reflective cathodes (Item 225) of all auxiliary bottom light-emitting devices are of an integrated structure.
Chung does not teach where the bottom-emitting transparent anode, a bottom-emitting light- emitting layer and a bottom-emitting reflective cathode are located on a side of the first color film part away from the base substrate. However, when the color film part of Choi is included in the structure of Chung as stated in the rejection of claim 2 above, the bottom-emitting transparent anode, a bottom-emitting light- emitting layer and a bottom-emitting reflective cathode will be located on a side of the first color film part away from the base substrate.
Regarding claim 4, Fig. 7 of Chung further teaches where the first driving unit comprises: a plurality of first thin-film transistors (Item PC2) which are electrically connected with the auxiliary bottom light-emitting devices in one-to-one correspondence.
Regarding claim 6, the combination of Chung and Choi teaches all of the elements of the claimed invention as stated above.
Chung does not teach where the top-emitting light-emitting unit comprises a plurality of auxiliary top-emitting devices emitting white light; and the display substrate further comprises: a second color film part located on a side of the light-emitting member facing away from the base substrate and in the second light-emitting region, and the second color film part comprises a plurality of second color filters.
Fig. 5 of Choi further teaches where a top-emitting light-emitting unit (Paragraph 0038) comprises a plurality of auxiliary top-emitting devices emitting white light (Paragraph 0038); and the display substrate further comprises: a second color film part (Item 900) located on a side of the light-emitting member facing away from the base substrate (When top emission the color filter would be on an emission side of the light emitting unit [ie away from the base substrate]) and in the second light-emitting region, and the second color film part comprises a plurality of second color filters (Items R, G, B and W).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have the top-emitting light-emitting unit comprise a plurality of auxiliary top-emitting devices emitting white light; and the display substrate further comprises: a second color film part located on a side of the light-emitting member facing away from the base substrate and in the second light-emitting region, and the second color film part comprises a plurality of second color filters because this structure is known to result in improved luminance and light efficiency (Choi Paragraph 0009).
Regarding claim 7, Fig. 7 of Chung further teaches where each auxiliary top-emitting device comprises a top-emitting reflective anode (Item 221), a top-emitting light-emitting layer (Item 223) and a top- emitting transparent cathode (Item 224) which are located on a side of the base substrate (Item 1) facing the second color film part (When combined with Choi as stated in the rejection of claim 6 above) in sequence; and in a same top-emitting light-emitting unit, top-emitting reflective anodes (Item 221) of all auxiliary top-emitting devices are mutually spaced (Fig. 5), top-emitting light-emitting layers (Item 223) of all auxiliary top- emitting devices are of an integrated structure, and top-emitting transparent cathodes (Item 224) of all auxiliary top-emitting devices are of an integrated structure.
Regarding claim 8, Fig. 7 of Chung further teaches where the second driving unit comprises: a plurality of second thin-film transistors (Items T3) which are electrically connected with the auxiliary top-emitting devices (Combination of Items 221, 223 and 224) in one-to-one correspondence.
Regarding claim 9, Fig. 7 of Chung further teaches where an orthographic projection of the top-emitting light-emitting unit (Combination of Items 221, 223 and 224) on the base substrate (Item 1) covers an orthographic projection of the second driving unit (Item T3) on the base substrate (Item 1).
Regarding claim 10, Fig. 7 of Chung further teaches where the bottom-emitting transparent anodes (Item 222) and the top-emitting transparent cathodes (Item 224) are on a same layer (See Examiner’s Note below) and made of a same material (Paragraphs 0110 and 0113 where highly transmissive films are used).
Examiner’s Note: Both the transparent anode and the transparent cathode are on the common light emitting layer.
Regarding claim 11, Fig. 7 of Chung further teaches where the bottom-emitting reflective cathodes (Item 221) and the top-emitting reflective anodes (Item 225b) are on (See Examiner’s Note below) a same layer and made of a same material (Paragraphs 0107 and 0115 where both have same reflective materials) .
Examiner’s Note: Both the reflecting cathode and the reflecting anode are on the common light emitting layer.
Regarding claim 12, Fig. 5 of Chung further teaches where the orthographic projection of the transparent region (Item TA) on the base substrate (Item 1) is located between (See Examiner’s Note and Picture 2 below) the orthographic projection of the first light emitting region (Item PA2) on the base substrate (Item 1) and the orthographic projection of the second light emitting region (Item PA1) on the base substrate (Item 1).
Examiner’s Note: The Examiner notes that what is displayed in Fig. 5 is only one unit of the display. When the units are present in a display device as taught by Chung, the transparent region (Item TA) will be between the second and first light emitting regions.
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Picture 2 (Two units (Fig. 5) of the display device as they would appear in a display)
Regarding claim 13, Fig. 5 of Chung further teaches where an area of the orthographic projection of the transparent region (Item TA) on the base substrate (Item 1) is approximately equal to an area of the orthographic projection of the first light emitting region (See Picture 2 above) on the base substrate (Item 1).
Regarding claim 14, Figs. 5 and 7 of Chung teach a display device (Paragraph 0003), comprising a display substrate, comprising: a base substrate (Item 1), having a first light-emitting region (See Picture 1 above; See Examiner’s Note 2 below), a second light-emitting region (See Picture 1 above) and a transparent region (Item TA), wherein an orthographic projection of the transparent region (Item TA) on the base substrate (Item 1) does not overlap an orthographic projection of the first light-emitting region on the base substrate and an orthographic projection of the second light-emitting region on the base substrate (Item 1); and a light-emitting member, located on a side of the base substrate (Item 1) and comprising a bottom- emitting light-emitting unit (Combination of Items 222, 223’ and 225; Paragraph 0078) located in the first light-emitting region (See Picture 1 above) and a top-emitting light-emitting unit (Combination of Items 221, 223 and 224; Paragraph 0075) located in (See Examiner’s Note below) the second light-emitting region (See Picture 1 above); wherein the display substrate further comprises a first driving unit (Item T4) located between the base substrate (Item 1) and the light emitting member, and a second driving unit (Item T3) between the base substrate (Item 1) and the light emitting member; where an entirety of the first driving unit (Item T4) is arranged in the first light emitting region and an entirety of the second driving unit (Item T3) is arranged in the second light emitting region.
Chung does not teach where the display substrate further comprises: a first color film part located between the base substrate and the light-emitting member and in the first light-emitting region, where the first driving unit is located between the first color film part and the base substrate.
Fig. 5 of Choi teaches a bottom-emitting light- emitting unit (Combination of Items PR, PG, PB and PW) comprises a plurality of auxiliary bottom light-emitting devices emitting white light (Paragraph 0038); and the display substrate further comprises: a first color film part (Item 900) located between a base substrate (Item 1010) and a light-emitting member (Combination of Items 700, 800 and 600) and in the first light-emitting region, and the first color film part comprises a plurality of first color filters (Items R, G, B and W) which are in one-to-one correspondence with the auxiliary bottom light-emitting devices, where a driving unit (Item 1061) is located between the first color film part (Item 900) and the base substrate (Item 1010).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have the display substrate further comprise: a first color film part located between the base substrate and the light-emitting member and in the first light-emitting region, where the first driving unit is located between the first color film part and the base substrate because this structure is known to result in improved luminance and light efficiency (Choi Paragraph 0009).
Examiner’s Note: The Examiner notes that the language of the claim does not require that the entirety of the top emitting unit is in the second light emitting region. Thus, a portion of the top emitting unit being in the second light emitting region reads on the claim language.
Examiner’s Note 2: The Examiner notes that the language of the claim does not specifically define the metes and bounds of what is the first light emitting region and the second light emitting region. Therefore, the Examiner may interpret any region of the display that emits light as being the respective first or second light emitting region even if a single light emitting region includes parts of more than one light emitting unit.
Claim 5 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Chung et al. (US 2013/0187131) hereinafter “Chung” in view of Choi et al. (US 2004/0195963) hereinafter “Choi” and in the alternative, in further view of Nie (US 2019/0013377) hereinafter “Nie”.
Regarding claim 5, the combination of Chung and Choi teaches all of the elements of the claimed invention as stated above except where an orthographic projection of the first driving unit on the base substrate does not coincide with an orthographic projection of the bottom emitting light emitting unit on the base substrate.
Fig. 2 of Nie where the orthographic projection of the bottom light emitting unit (Item D’) does not overlap with a transistor (Item T2).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have the orthographic projection of the first driving circuit not coincide with an orthographic projection of the bottom emitting light emitting unit because this allows the efficiency of the bottom emission to not be degraded (Chung Paragraph 0078).
Claims 1 and 15 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Song et al. (US 2016/0233282) hereinafter “Song” in view of Choi et al. (US 2004/0195963) hereinafter “Choi”.
Regarding claim 1, Fig 10 of Song teaches a display substrate, comprising: a base substrate (Item 10), having a first light-emitting region (See Picture 3 below; See Examiner’s Note 2 below), a second light-emitting region (See Picture 3 below) and a transparent region (See Picture 3 below), wherein an orthographic projection of the transparent region on the base substrate does not overlap an orthographic projection of the first light-emitting region on the base substrate and an orthographic projection of the second light-emitting region on the base substrate; and a light-emitting member, located on a side of the base substrate (Item 10) and comprising a bottom- emitting light-emitting unit (Combination of Items 221b, 223b, 225b and 229) located in the first light-emitting region and a top-emitting light- emitting unit (Combination of Items 221a, 223a, 225a and 227) located in the second light-emitting region; wherein the display substrate further comprises a first driving unit (Item TR2) located between the base substrate (Item 10) and the light emitting member, and a second driving unit (Item TR1) between the base substrate (Item 1) and the light emitting member, where an entirety of the first driving unit (Item TR2) is arranged in the first light emitting region and an entirety of the second driving unit (Item TR1) is arranged in the second light emitting region.
Song does not teach where the display substrate further comprises a first color film part between the base substrate and the light emitting member and the first light emitting region, where the first driving unit is located between the first color film part and the base substrate.
Fig. 5 of Choi teaches a bottom-emitting light- emitting unit (Combination of Items PR, PG, PB and PW) comprises a plurality of auxiliary bottom light-emitting devices emitting white light (Paragraph 0038); and the display substrate further comprises: a first color film part (Item 900) located between a base substrate (Item 1010) and a light-emitting member (Combination of Items 700, 800 and 600) and in the first light-emitting region, and the first color film part comprises a plurality of first color filters (Items R, G, B and W) which are in one-to-one correspondence with the auxiliary bottom light-emitting devices, where a driving unit (Item 1061) is located between the first color film part (Item 900) and the base substrate (Item 1010).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have the display substrate further comprise: a first color film part located between the base substrate and the light-emitting member and in the first light-emitting region, where the first driving unit is located between the first color film part and the base substrate because this structure is known to result in improved luminance and light efficiency (Choi Paragraph 0009).
Examiner’s Note 2: The Examiner notes that the language of the claim does not specifically define the metes and bounds of what is the first light emitting region and the second light emitting region. Therefore, the Examiner may interpret any region of the display that emits light as being the respective first or second light emitting region even if a single light emitting region includes parts of more than one light emitting unit.
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Picture 3 (Labeled version of Song Fig. 10)
Regarding claim 15, Figs. 5-10 of Song (when combined with Choi as stated in the rejection of claim 1 above) teach a fabrication method of the display substrate according to claim 1 (For purposes of brevity the rejection of claim 1 will not be repeated here; See rejection of claim 1 above), comprising: providing the base substrate (Item 10), wherein the base substrate (Item 10) has the first light-emitting region, the second light-emitting region and the transparent region; forming a plurality of bottom-emitting transparent anodes (Item 221b) of a plurality of auxiliary bottom light-emitting devices in the first light-emitting region on the side of the base substrate (Item 10) through a first one-time patterning process; forming a plurality of top-emitting reflective anodes (Item 221a) of a plurality of auxiliary top-emitting devices in the second light-emitting region on the side of the base substrate (Item 10) through a second one-time patterning process; forming a plurality of bottom-emitting light-emitting layers (Item 223b) of the plurality of auxiliary bottom light-emitting devices and a plurality of top-emitting light-emitting layers (Item 223a) of the plurality of auxiliary top-emitting devices on one sides of the bottom-emitting transparent anodes away from the base substrate (Item 10) through a third one-time patterning process; forming a plurality of bottom-emitting reflective cathodes (Item 229) of the plurality of auxiliary bottom light-emitting devices in the first light-emitting region on one sides of the bottom- emitting light-emitting layers (Item 223b) away from the bottom-emitting transparent anodes (Item 221b) through a fourth one-time patterning process; and forming a plurality of top-emitting transparent cathodes (Item 225a) of the plurality of auxiliary top- emitting devices in the second light-emitting region on one sides of the top-emitting light- emitting layers away from the top-emitting reflective anodes (Item 221a) through fifth a one-time patterning process.
Claims 1 and 15 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Liu et al. (US 2020/0273932) hereinafter “Liu” in view of Choi et al. (US 2004/0195963) hereinafter “Choi” and in further view of Song et al. (US 2016/0233282) hereinafter “Song”.
Regarding claim 1, Fig 6 of Liu teaches a display substrate, comprising: a base substrate (Item 1), having a first light-emitting region (Item 4 demarcated by the dotted lines indicated in Picture 4 below) and a second light-emitting region (Item 5 demarcated by the dotted lines indicated in Picture 4 below); and a light-emitting member, located on a side of the base substrate and comprising a bottom- emitting light-emitting unit located in the first light-emitting region and a top-emitting light- emitting unit located in the second light-emitting region, wherein the display substrate further comprises a first driving unit (Item 21) located between the base substrate (Item 1) and the light emitting member, and a second driving unit (Item 22) between the base substrate (Item 1) and the light emitting member, where an entirety of the first driving unit (Item 21) is arranged in the first light emitting region and an entirety of the second driving unit (Item 22) is arranged in the second light emitting region.
Liu does not teach where the display substrate further comprises a first color film part between the base substrate and the light emitting member and the first light emitting region, where the first driving unit is located between the first color film part and the base substrate.
Fig. 5 of Choi teaches a bottom-emitting light- emitting unit (Combination of Items PR, PG, PB and PW) comprises a plurality of auxiliary bottom light-emitting devices emitting white light (Paragraph 0038); and the display substrate further comprises: a first color film part (Item 900) located between a base substrate (Item 1010) and a light-emitting member (Combination of Items 700, 800 and 600) and in the first light-emitting region, and the first color film part comprises a plurality of first color filters (Items R, G, B and W) which are in one-to-one correspondence with the auxiliary bottom light-emitting devices, where a driving unit (Item 1061) is located between the first color film part (Item 900) and the base substrate (Item 1010).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have the display substrate further comprise: a first color film part located between the base substrate and the light-emitting member and in the first light-emitting region, where the first driving unit is located between the first color film part and the base substrate because this structure is known to result in improved luminance and light efficiency (Choi Paragraph 0009).
Liu does not teach where the display substrate comprises a transparent region on the base substrate nor where an orthographic projection of the transparent region on the base substrate does not overlap an orthographic projection of the first light-emitting region on the base substrate and an orthographic projection of the second light-emitting region on the base substrate.
Fig. 10 of Song teaches a transparent region between a top emission region (Item TA) and a bottom emission region (Item BA); where an orthographic projection of the transparent region (Item CA) on the base substrate does not overlap an orthographic projection of the first light-emitting region (Item BA) on the base substrate and an orthographic projection of the second light-emitting region (Item TA) on the base substrate.
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have the display substrate comprise a transparent region on the base substrate, where an orthographic projection of the transparent region on the base substrate does not overlap an orthographic projection of the first light-emitting region on the base substrate and an orthographic projection of the second light-emitting region on the base substrate because this allows for external light to be transmitted through the display device (Song Paragraph 0101).
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Picture 4 (Labeled version of Liu Fig. 6)
Regarding claim 15, Figs. 6 and 7 of Liu (in combination with Choi and Song as stated in the rejection of claim 1 above) teach a fabrication method of the display substrate according to claim 1 (For purposes of brevity the rejection of claim 1 will not be repeated here; See rejection of claim 1 above), comprising: providing the base substrate (Item 1), wherein the base substrate (Item 1) has the first light-emitting region (See Picture 4 above) and the second light-emitting region (See Picture 4 above); forming a plurality of bottom-emitting transparent anodes (Item S405) of a plurality of auxiliary bottom light-emitting devices in the first light-emitting region (Item 4) on the side of the base substrate (Item 1) through a first one-time patterning process; forming a plurality of top-emitting reflective anodes (Item S404) of a plurality of auxiliary top-emitting devices in the second light-emitting region (Item 5) on the side of the base substrate (Item 1) through a second one-time patterning process; forming a plurality of bottom-emitting light-emitting layers of the plurality of auxiliary bottom light-emitting devices and a plurality of top-emitting light-emitting layers of the plurality of auxiliary top-emitting devices on one sides of the bottom-emitting transparent anodes away from the base substrate (Item 10) through a third one-time patterning process (Item S407); forming a plurality of bottom-emitting reflective cathodes of the plurality of auxiliary bottom light-emitting devices in the first light-emitting region (Item 4) on one sides of the bottom- emitting light-emitting layers away from the bottom-emitting transparent anodes through a fourth one-time patterning process (Item S409); and forming a plurality of top-emitting transparent cathodes of the plurality of auxiliary top- emitting devices in the second light-emitting region (Item 5) on one sides of the top-emitting light- emitting layers away from the top-emitting reflective anodes through a fifth one-time patterning process (Item S408).
Liu does not teach where the display substrate comprises a transparent region on the base substrate.
Fig. 10 of Song teaches a transparent region between a top emission region (Item TA) and a bottom emission region (Item BA).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have the display substrate comprise a transparent region on the base substrate because this allows for external light to be transmitted through the display device (Song Paragraph 0101).
Under an alternate interpretation of Chung, Claims 1-4 and 6-14 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Chung et al. (US 2013/0187131) hereinafter “Chung” in view of Choi et al. (US 2004/0195963) hereinafter “Choi” and in further view of Zhu et al. (US 2024/0155905) hereinafter “Zhu”.
Regarding claim 1, Figs. 5 and 7 of Chung teach a display substrate, comprising: a base substrate (Item 1), having a first light-emitting region (Item PA2), a second light-emitting region (Item PA1) and a transparent region (Item TA), wherein an orthographic projection of the transparent region (Item TA) on the base substrate (Item 1) does not overlap an orthographic projection of the first light-emitting region (Item PA2) on the base substrate and an orthographic projection of the second light-emitting region (Item PA1) on the base substrate (Item 1); and a light-emitting member, located on a side of the base substrate (Item 1) and comprising a bottom- emitting light-emitting unit (Combination of Items 222, 223’ and 225; Paragraph 0078) located in the first light-emitting region (Item PA2) and a top-emitting light-emitting unit (Combination of Items 221, 223 and 224; Paragraph 0075) located in the second light-emitting region (Item PA1), wherein the display substrate further comprises a first driving unit (Item T4) located between the base substrate (Item 1) and the light emitting member, and a second driving unit (Item T3) between the base substrate (Item 1) and the light emitting member, where an entirety of the second driving unit (Item T3) is arranged in the second light emitting region.
Chung does not teach where the display substrate further comprises: a first color film part located between the base substrate and the light-emitting member and in the first light-emitting region, where the first driving unit is located between the first color film part and the base substrate.
Fig. 5 of Choi teaches a bottom-emitting light- emitting unit (Combination of Items PR, PG, PB and PW) comprises a plurality of auxiliary bottom light-emitting devices emitting white light (Paragraph 0038); and the display substrate further comprises: a first color film part (Item 900) located between a base substrate (Item 1010) and a light-emitting member (Combination of Items 700, 800 and 600) and in the first light-emitting region, and the first color film part comprises a plurality of first color filters (Items R, G, B and W) which are in one-to-one correspondence with the auxiliary bottom light-emitting devices, where a driving unit (Item 1061) is located between the first color film part (Item 900) and the base substrate (Item 1010).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have the display substrate further comprise: a first color film part located between the base substrate and the light-emitting member and in the first light-emitting region, where the first driving unit is located between the first color film part and the base substrate because this structure is known to result in improved luminance and light efficiency (Choi Paragraph 0009).
Chung does not teach where an entirety of the first driving unit is arranged in the first light emitting region.
Fig. 1 of Zhu teaches where an entirety of a first driving unit (Item 25) is arranged in a first light emitting region comprising a top emitting unit (Item 5) and an entirety of a second driving unit (Item 26) is arranged in a second light emitting region comprising a bottom emitting unit (Item 6).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have an entirety of the first driving unit is arranged in the first light emitting region because this configuration results in an effective double sided display (Zhu Paragraph 0003).
Regarding claim 2, the combination of Chung, Choi and Zhu teaches all of the elements of the claimed invention as stated above except.
Chung does not teach where the bottom-emitting light- emitting unit comprises a plurality of auxiliary bottom light-emitting devices emitting white light; and the first color film part comprises a plurality of first color filters which are in one-to-one correspondence with the auxiliary bottom light-emitting devices.
Fig. 5 of Choi teaches a bottom-emitting light- emitting unit (Combination of Items PR, PG, PB and PW) comprises a plurality of auxiliary bottom light-emitting devices emitting white light (Paragraph 0038); and the display substrate further comprises: a first color film part (Item 900) located between a base substrate (Item 1010) and a light-emitting member (Combination of Items 700, 800 and 600) and in the first light-emitting region, and the first color film part comprises a plurality of first color filters (Items R, G, B and W) which are in one-to-one correspondence with the auxiliary bottom light-emitting devices.
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have the bottom-emitting light- emitting unit comprise a plurality of auxiliary bottom light-emitting devices emitting white light; and the first color film part comprises a plurality of first color filters which are in one-to-one correspondence with the auxiliary bottom light-emitting devices because this structure is known to result in improved luminance and light efficiency (Choi Paragraph 0009).
Regarding claim 3, Fig. 7 of Chung further teaches where each auxiliary bottom light- emitting device comprises: a bottom-emitting transparent anode (Item 222), a bottom-emitting light- emitting layer (Item 223’) and a bottom-emitting reflective cathode (Item 225) in sequence; and in a same bottom-emitting light-emitting unit, bottom-emitting transparent anodes of all auxiliary bottom light-emitting devices are mutually spaced (See Fig. 5), bottom-emitting light-emitting layers (Item 223’) of all auxiliary bottom light-emitting devices are of an integrated structure, and bottom- emitting reflective cathodes (Item 225) of all auxiliary bottom light-emitting devices are of an integrated structure.
Chung does not teach where the bottom-emitting transparent anode, a bottom-emitting light- emitting layer and a bottom-emitting reflective cathode are located on a side of the first color film part away from the base substrate. However, when the color film part of Choi is included in the structure of Chung as stated in the rejection of claim 2 above, the bottom-emitting transparent anode, a bottom-emitting light- emitting layer and a bottom-emitting reflective cathode will be located on a side of the first color film part away from the base substrate.
Regarding claim 4, Fig. 7 of Chung further teaches where the first driving unit comprises: a plurality of first thin-film transistors (Item PC2) which are electrically connected with the auxiliary bottom light-emitting devices in one-to-one correspondence.
Regarding claim 6, the combination of Chung, Choi and Zhu teaches all of the elements of the claimed invention as stated above.
Chung does not teach where the top-emitting light-emitting unit comprises a plurality of auxiliary top-emitting devices emitting white light; and the display substrate further comprises: a second color film part located on a side of the light-emitting member facing away from the base substrate and in the second light-emitting region, and the second color film part comprises a plurality of second color filters.
Fig. 5 of Choi further teaches where a top-emitting light-emitting unit (Paragraph 0038) comprises a plurality of auxiliary top-emitting devices emitting white light (Paragraph 0038); and the display substrate further comprises: a second color film part (Item 900) located on a side of the light-emitting member facing away from the base substrate (When top emission the color filter would be on an emission side of the light emitting unit [ie away from the base substrate]) and in the second light-emitting region, and the second color film part comprises a plurality of second color filters (Items R, G, B and W).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have the top-emitting light-emitting unit comprise a plurality of auxiliary top-emitting devices emitting white light; and the display substrate further comprises: a second color film part located on a side of the light-emitting member facing away from the base substrate and in the second light-emitting region, and the second color film part comprises a plurality of second color filters because this structure is known to result in improved luminance and light efficiency (Choi Paragraph 0009).
Regarding claim 7, Fig. 7 of Chung further teaches where each auxiliary top-emitting device comprises a top-emitting reflective anode (Item 221), a top-emitting light-emitting layer (Item 223) and a top- emitting transparent cathode (Item 224) which are located on a side of the base substrate (Item 1) facing the second color film part (When combined with Choi as stated in the rejection of claim 6 above) in sequence; and in a same top-emitting light-emitting unit, top-emitting reflective anodes (Item 221) of all auxiliary top-emitting devices are mutually spaced (Fig. 5), top-emitting light-emitting layers (Item 223) of all auxiliary top- emitting devices are of an integrated structure, and top-emitting transparent cathodes (Item 224) of all auxiliary top-emitting devices are of an integrated structure.
Regarding claim 8, Fig. 7 of Chung further teaches where the second driving unit comprises: a plurality of second thin-film transistors (Items T3) which are electrically connected with the auxiliary top-emitting devices (Combination of Items 221, 223 and 224) in one-to-one correspondence.
Regarding claim 9, Fig. 7 of Chung further teaches where an orthographic projection of the top-emitting light-emitting unit (Combination of Items 221, 223 and 224) on the base substrate (Item 1) covers an orthographic projection of the second driving unit (Item T3) on the base substrate (Item 1).
Regarding claim 10, Fig. 7 of Chung further teaches where the bottom-emitting transparent anodes (Item 222) and the top-emitting transparent cathodes (Item 224) are on a same layer (See Examiner’s Note below) and made of a same material (Paragraphs 0110 and 0113 where highly transmissive films are used).
Examiner’s Note: Both the transparent anode and the transparent cathode are on the common light emitting layer.
Regarding claim 11, Fig. 7 of Chung further teaches where the bottom-emitting reflective cathodes (Item 221) and the top-emitting reflective anodes (Item 225b) are on (See Examiner’s Note below) a same layer and made of a same material (Paragraphs 0107 and 0115 where both have same reflective materials) .
Examiner’s Note: Both the reflecting cathode and the reflecting anode are on the common light emitting layer.
Regarding claim 12, Fig. 5 of Chung further teaches where the orthographic projection of the transparent region (Item TA) on the base substrate (Item 1) is located between (See Examiner’s Note and Picture 2 below) the orthographic projection of the first light emitting region (Item PA2) on the base substrate (Item 1) and the orthographic projection of the second light emitting region (Item PA1) on the base substrate (Item 1).
Examiner’s Note: The Examiner notes that what is displayed in Fig. 5 is only one unit of the display. When the units are present in a display device as taught by Chung, the transparent region (Item TA) will be between the second and first light emitting regions.
Regarding claim 13, Fig. 5 of Chung further teaches where an area of the orthographic projection of the transparent region (Item TA) on the base substrate (Item 1) is approximately equal to an area of the orthographic projection of the first light emitting region (Item PA2) on the base substrate (Item 1).
Regarding claim 14, Figs. 5 and 7 of Chung teach a display device, comprising a display substrate, comprising: a base substrate (Item 1), having a first light-emitting region (Item PA2), a second light-emitting region (Item PA1) and a transparent region (Item TA), wherein an orthographic projection of the transparent region (Item TA) on the base substrate (Item 1) does not overlap an orthographic projection of the first light-emitting region (Item PA2) on the base substrate and an orthographic projection of the second light-emitting region (Item PA1) on the base substrate (Item 1); and a light-emitting member, located on a side of the base substrate (Item 1) and comprising a bottom- emitting light-emitting unit (Combination of Items 222, 223’ and 225; Paragraph 0078) located in the first light-emitting region (Item PA2) and a top-emitting light-emitting unit (Combination of Items 221, 223 and 224; Paragraph 0075) located in the second light-emitting region (Item PA1), wherein the display substrate further comprises a first driving unit (Item T4) located between the base substrate (Item 1) and the light emitting member, and a second driving unit (Item T3) between the base substrate (Item 1) and the light emitting member, where an entirety of the second driving unit (Item T3) is arranged in the second light emitting region.
Chung does not teach where the display substrate further comprises: a first color film part located between the base substrate and the light-emitting member and in the first light-emitting region, where the first driving unit is located between the first color film part and the base substrate.
Fig. 5 of Choi teaches a bottom-emitting light- emitting unit (Combination of Items PR, PG, PB and PW) comprises a plurality of auxiliary bottom light-emitting devices emitting white light (Paragraph 0038); and the display substrate further comprises: a first color film part (Item 900) located between a base substrate (Item 1010) and a light-emitting member (Combination of Items 700, 800 and 600) and in the first light-emitting region, and the first color film part comprises a plurality of first color filters (Items R, G, B and W) which are in one-to-one correspondence with the auxiliary bottom light-emitting devices, where a driving unit (Item 1061) is located between the first color film part (Item 900) and the base substrate (Item 1010).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have the display substrate further comprise: a first color film part located between the base substrate and the light-emitting member and in the first light-emitting region, where the first driving unit is located between the first color film part and the base substrate because this structure is known to result in improved luminance and light efficiency (Choi Paragraph 0009).
Chung does not teach where an entirety of the first driving unit is arranged in the first light emitting region.
Fig. 1 of Zhu teaches where an entirety of a first driving unit (Item 25) is arranged in a first light emitting region comprising a top emitting unit (Item 5) and an entirety of a second driving unit (Item 26) is arranged in a second light emitting region comprising a bottom emitting unit (Item 6).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have an entirety of the first driving unit is arranged in the first light emitting region because this configuration results in an effective double sided display (Zhu Paragraph 0003).
Claim 5 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Chung et al. (US 2013/0187131) hereinafter “Chung” in view of Choi et al. (US 2004/0195963) hereinafter “Choi” and in the alternative, in further view of Nie (US 2019/0013377) hereinafter “Nie” and Zhu et al. (US 2024/0155905) hereinafter “Zhu”.
Regarding claim 5, the combination of Chung, Choi and Zhu teaches all of the elements of the claimed invention as stated above except where an orthographic projection of the first driving unit on the base substrate does not coincide with an orthographic projection of the bottom emitting light emitting unit on the base substrate.
Fig. 2 of Nie where the orthographic projection of the bottom light emitting unit (Item D’) does not overlap with a transistor (Item T2).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have the orthographic projection of the first driving circuit not coincide with an orthographic projection of the bottom emitting light emitting unit because this allows the efficiency of the bottom emission to not be degraded (Chung Paragraph 0078).
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments, see Applicant’s REMARKS, filed 03/18/2026, with respect to the rejection(s) of claim(s) 1 and 14 under 35 USC 103 have been fully considered and are persuasive. Therefore, the rejection has been withdrawn. However, upon further consideration, a new ground(s) of rejection is made in view of an alternate interpretation of Chung.
Applicant’s arguments, see Applicant’s REMARKS, filed 03/18/2026, with respect to the rejection(s) of claim(s) 1 and 14 under 35 USC 103 have been fully considered and are persuasive. Therefore, the rejection has been withdrawn. However, upon further consideration, a new ground(s) of rejection is made in view of Zhu.
Conclusion
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/ERIC K ASHBAHIAN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2891