Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 18/093,729

DISPLAY PANEL

Non-Final OA §103
Filed
Jan 05, 2023
Examiner
ABEL, GARY ROBERT
Art Unit
2897
Tech Center
2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems
Assignee
Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
OA Round
3 (Non-Final)
89%
Grant Probability
Favorable
3-4
OA Rounds
3y 4m
To Grant
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 89% — above average
89%
Career Allow Rate
31 granted / 35 resolved
+20.6% vs TC avg
Strong +17% interview lift
Without
With
+16.7%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 4m
Avg Prosecution
46 currently pending
Career history
81
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§103
77.8%
+37.8% vs TC avg
§102
14.7%
-25.3% vs TC avg
§112
6.9%
-33.1% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 35 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and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114.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 12/23/2025 has been entered. Response to Arguments Applicant's arguments of 11/18/2025 with respect to claims 1-18 and 20 have been fully considered but are moot in view of the new grounds of rejection. 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. In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status. Notes: when present, hyphen separated fields within the hyphens (- -) represent, for example, as (30A - Fig 2B - [0128]) = (element 30A - Figure No. 2B - Paragraph No. [0128]). For brevity, the texts “Element”, “Figure No.” and “Paragraph No.” shall be excluded, though; additional clarification notes may be added within each field. The number of fields may be fewer or more than three indicated above. The same conventions apply to Column and Sentence, for example (19:14-20) = (column19:sentences 14-20). These conventions are used throughout this document. Claims 1, 4-13, and 15-18 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kim (US 20190214446 A1 – hereinafter Kim) in view of Wu et al. (US 20210333919 A1 – hereinafter Wu), Park et al. (US 20210111372 A1 – hereinafter Park), and Yan (US 20170170210 A1 – hereinafter Yan). Regarding independent claim 1, Kim teaches: (Currently Amended) A display panel (100 – [0044] – “display panel 100”) comprising: a substrate (BS – Fig. 2B – [0043] – “substrate BS”); a signal line (E-CNT – Fig. 2B – [0072] – “The conductive patterns E-VSS, E- CNT, VIN, and CL may include a power supplying line E-VSS, a connection electrode E-CNT, an initializing voltage line VIN, and a signal line CL” – E-CNT is a signal line) on the substrate and extending in a first direction (DR1 – fig 4) (kim (DR1 – Fig. 2B – [0046] – “first direction DR1”); an organic insulating film (40 – Fig. 2B – [0074] – “insulating layer 30”) on and overlapping a first part (Fig. 2B annotated, see below – hereinafter ‘P1’) of the signal line (E-CNT) and not overlapping a second part (Fig. 2B annotated, see below – hereinafter ‘P2’) of the signal line (E-CNT); PNG media_image1.png 577 822 media_image1.png Greyscale a pixel (PX – Fig. 2B – [0044] – “pixels PX”) electrically connected to the signal line (E-VSS – Fig. 2B – [0072] – “The conductive patterns E-VSS, E-CNT, VIN, and CL may include a power supplying line E-VSS, a connection electrode E-CNT, an initializing voltage line VIN, and a signal line CL” – E-CNT is also signal line) and comprising a transistor (TR-p – Fig. 2B – [0071] – “pixel transistor TR-P”) and a light emitting element (ED – Fig. 2B – [0072] – “organic light emitting device ED”), the light emitting (ED) element comprising a pixel electrode (E1 – Fig. 2B – [0076] – “first electrode E1 of the organic light emitting device ED”) on the organic insulating film (30); and a conductive pattern directly covering at least a portion of an edge of the second part when viewed in a cross-sectional view along a thickness of the display panel in a direction toward the substrate. Kim does not expressly disclose the other limitations of claim 1. However, in an analogous art, Wu teaches a signal line on the substrate (10 – Fig. 17 – [0051] – “substrate 10” – Fig 17. shows the signal line on the substrate). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to integrate the signal line location as taught by Wu into Kim. An ordinary artisan would have been motivated to use the known technique of Wu in the manner set forth above to produce the predictable result of [0008] – “the touch layer is disposed at the side of the encapsulation layer away from the light-emitting component, so that TPOT, which is an In Cell touch structure, is formed, which is favorable for achieving the lightening and thinning of the touch display panel.” Kim and Wu do not expressly disclose the other limitations of claim 1. However, in an analogous art, Park teaches an organic (VIA2 – Fig. 3 – [0069] – “first source drain conductive pattern, a first organic insulating layer VIM , a second source drain conductive pattern, a second organic insulating layer VIA2” – known use of organic insulating layers on conductive patterns) insulating film. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to integrate the conductive pattern structure as taught by Park into Kim and Wu. An ordinary artisan would have been motivated to use the known technique of Park in the manner set forth above to produce the predictable result of [0005] – “a display apparatus that have improved display quality, which prevent defects from being generated in the conductive patterns disposed, on an organic insulating layer.” To do so would have merely been to apply a known technique to a known device ready for improvement to yield predictable results, KSR Int'l Co. v. Teleflex Inc., 550 U.S. 398, 82 USPQ2d 1385 (2007), MPEP 2143 I. D. Kim, Wu, and Park do not expressly disclose the other limitations of claim 1. However, in an analogous art, Yan teaches a conductive pattern (151 – Fig. 3D – [0046] – “protective layer 151 covers the second top surface S2 and the lateral sides S3 and S4 of the third conductive layer 141”) directly covering at least a portion of an edge (S3 – Fig. 3D – [0053] – “first protective layer 151 further covers the first top surface and the at least one lateral side S1 of the first conductive layer 141”) of the second part (141 – Fig. 3D – [0045] – “conductive layer 141” – this is a signal line) when viewed in a cross-sectional view along a thickness of the display panel in a (Fig. 3D shows this) direction toward the substrate (11 – Fig. 3D – [0045] – “substrate 11”). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to integrate the conductive pattern structure as taught by Yan into Kim, Wu, and Park. An ordinary artisan would have been motivated to use the known technique of Yan in the manner set forth above to produce the predictable result [0009] – “to provide a display panel which has better corrosion resistance to improve its reliability.” To do so would have merely been to apply a known technique to a known device ready for improvement to yield predictable results, KSR Int'l Co. v. Teleflex Inc., 550 U.S. 398, 82 USPQ2d 1385 (2007), MPEP 2143 I. D. Regarding claim 4, Kim as modified by Wu, Park, and Yan, teaches claim 1 from which claim 4 depends. Kim, Wu, and Park do not expressly disclose the limitations of claim 4. However, in an analogous art, Yan teaches (Original) The display panel of claim 1, wherein the conductive pattern (151) comprises a material ([0047] – “first protective layer 151 may be transparent conductive oxide (TCO) such as indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), aluminum zinc oxide (AZO), cadmium tin oxide (CTO), tin oxide (SnO.sub.2), gallium zinc oxide (GZO), indium zinc tin oxide (IZTO), zinc oxide (ZnO), or other transparent conductive materials”) different from that of the signal line ([0047] – ‘first conductive layer 141 may be a monolayer or multilayer structure formed by metal (e.g. aluminium, copper, silver, molybdenum, or titanium) or alloy thereof”). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to integrate the conductive pattern structure as taught by Yan into Kim, Wu, and Park. An ordinary artisan would have been motivated to use the known technique of Yan in the manner set forth above to produce the predictable result as stated above in claim 1. Regarding claim 5, Kim as modified by Wu, Park, and Yan, teaches claim 1 from which claim 5 depends. Kim, Wu, and Park do not expressly disclose the limitations of claim 5. However, in an analogous art, Yan teaches (Original) The display panel of claim 1, wherein the conductive pattern (151) comprises a same material as the pixel electrode ([0047] – “protective layer 151 can be formed of the same material by the same lithography process with the same photomask as the pixel electrode”). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to integrate the conductive pattern and pixel electrode material as taught by Yan into Kim, Wu, and Park. An ordinary artisan would have been motivated to use the known technique of Yan in the manner set forth above to produce the predictable result as stated above in claim 1. Regarding claim 6, Kim as modified by Wu, Park, and Yan, teaches claim 1 from which claim 6 depends. Kim, Wu, and Park do not expressly disclose the limitations of claim 6. However, in an analogous art, Yan teaches (Original) The display panel of claim 1, wherein the signal line (141) comprises a plurality of conductive layers ([0047] – “first conductive layer 141 may be a monolayer or multilayer structure”) that are sequentially stacked, wherein the conductive pattern (151) covers each side surface (S1 – Fig. 3D – [0053] – “first protective layer 151 further covers the first top surface and the at least one lateral side S1 of the first conductive layer 141”) of the plurality of conductive layers (141 – [0047] – “first conductive layer 141 may be a monolayer or multilayer structure” – Fig. 3D shows this). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to integrate the conductive pattern structure as taught by Yan into Kim, Wu, and Park. An ordinary artisan would have been motivated to use the known technique of Yan in the manner set forth above to produce the predictable result as stated above in claim 1. Regarding claim 7, Kim as modified by Wu, Park, and Yan, teaches claim 1 from which claim 7 depends. Kim further teaches (Currently Amended) The display panel of claim 1, further comprising at least one dam (Fig. 2B – [0070] – “dam portions DM1 and DM2”) extending in [[the]] a second direction (DR2 – Fig. 2B – [0046] – “second direction DR2”) intersecting the first direction (DR1 – Fig. 2B – [0046] – “first direction DR2”) and overlapping the second part (Fig. 2B annotated, see below – hereinafter ‘P2’) of the signal line (E-CNT), wherein the at least one dam (DM1 – Fig. 2B shows this) is spaced apart from the organic insulating film (30). PNG media_image1.png 577 822 media_image1.png Greyscale Kim, Wu and Yan do not expressly disclose the other limitations of claim 7. However, in an analogous art, Park teaches an organic (VIA2 – Fig. 3 – [0069] – “first source drain conductive pattern, a first organic insulating layer VIM , a second source drain conductive pattern, a second organic insulating layer VIA2” – known use of organic insulating layers on conductive patterns) insulating film. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to integrate the conductive pattern structure as taught by Park into Kim, Wu and Yan. An ordinary artisan would have been motivated to use the known technique of Park in the manner set forth above to produce the predictable result as stated above in claim 1. Regarding claim 8, Kim as modified by Wu, Park, and Yan, teaches claim 7 from which claim 8 depends. Kim further teaches (Original) The display panel of claim 7, wherein the at least one dam (DM2) comprises: a first sub-dam (DM2-L1 – Fig. 2B – [0082] – “dam portion DM2 may have a double-layered structure including a first layer DM2-L1 and a second layer DM2-L2”) on the second part of the signal line (Fig. 2B annotated, see above – hereinafter ‘P2’); and a second sub-dam (DM2-L2 – Fig. 2B – [0082] – “dam portion DM2 may have a double-layered structure including a first layer DM2-L1 and a second layer DM2-L2”) on the first sub-dam (DM2-L1), wherein at least one of the first sub-dam (DM2-L1) or the second sub-dam (DM2-L2) comprises a same material ([0082] – “the second layer DM2-L2 and the fourth insulating layer 40 may be formed at the same time (e.g., concurrently)” – formed of the same material since formed concurrently) as the organic insulating film (30). Kim, Wu and Yan do not expressly disclose the other limitations of claim 8. However, in an analogous art, Park teaches an organic (VIA2 – Fig. 3 – [0069] – “first source drain conductive pattern, a first organic insulating layer VIM , a second source drain conductive pattern, a second organic insulating layer VIA2” – known use of organic insulating layers on conductive patterns) insulating film. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to integrate the conductive pattern structure as taught by Park into Kim, Wu and Yan. An ordinary artisan would have been motivated to use the known technique of Park in the manner set forth above to produce the predictable result as stated above in claim 1. Regarding claim 9, Kim as modified by Wu, Park, and Yan, teaches claim 8 from which claim 8 depends. Kim further teaches (Original) The display panel of claim 8, wherein a portion of the conductive pattern (E-VSS – Fig. 2B – [0070] – “conductive patterns E-VSS, E-CNT”) is between (Fig. 2B shows this) the first sub-dam (DM2-L1) and the second sub-dam (DM2-L2). Regarding claim 10, Kim as modified by Wu, Park, and Yan, teaches claim 7 from which claim 10 depends. Kim further teaches (Original) The display panel of claim 7, wherein the at least one dam (DM1 – Fig. 2B) is on (Fig. 2B shows this) the conductive pattern (E-VSS – Fig. 2B shows this). Regarding claim 11, Kim as modified by Wu, Park, and Yan, teaches claim 7 from which claim 11 depends. Kim further teaches (Currently Amended) The display panel of claim 7, wherein the dam is provided in a plurality, and the plurality of dams (DM1 and DM2) are spaced apart from each other in the first direction (DR1 - Fig. 2B shows this). Regarding claim 12, Kim as modified by Wu, Park, and Yan, teaches claim 11 from which claim 12 depends. Kim further teaches (Original) The display panel of claim 11, further comprising an encapsulation layer (TFE – Fig. 2b – [0043] – “encapsulation layer TFE”) on the light emitting element (ED), and including a plurality of inorganic layers (IOL1 and IOL2 – Fig. 2B – [0065] – “encapsulation layer TFE may include a first inorganic layer IOL1, an organic layer OL, and a second inorganic layer IOL2, which are sequentially stacked”) and at least one organic layer (OL – Fig. 2B – [0065] – “organic layer OL”) between the plurality of inorganic layers (IOL1 and IOL2), wherein at least one of the plurality of dams (DM1) is spaced apart from the organic layer (OL – Fig. 2B shows this). Regarding claim 13, Kim as modified by Wu, Park, and Yan, teaches claim 12 from which claim 13 depends. Kim further teaches (Original) The display panel of claim 12, wherein the plurality of inorganic layers (IOL1 and IOL2) cover the conductive pattern (E-VSS – Fig. 2B shows this). Regarding independent claim 15, Kim teaches: (Currently Amended) A display panel comprising: a substrate (BS – Fig. 2B – [0043] – “substrate BS”) having a display area (DA – Fig. 2B – [0044] – “display region DA”) and a non-display area (NDA – Fig. 2B – [0044] – “peripheral region NDA”); a pixel (PX – Fig. 2B – [0044] – “pixels PX”) on the display area (DA) and comprising a light emitting element (ED – Fig. 2B – [0072] – “organic light emitting device ED”); a signal line (E-CNT – Fig. 2B – [0072] – “The conductive patterns E-VSS, E- CNT, VIN, and CL may include a power supplying line E-VSS, a connection electrode E-CNT, an initializing voltage line VIN, and a signal line CL” – E-CNT is a signal line) on the substrate, electrically connected to the pixel (PX), and extending in one direction from the display area (DA) to the non-display area (NDA); an organic insulating film (40 – Fig. 2B – [0081] – “insulating layer 40”) on the signal line (E-CNT) and exposing a portion of the signal line (E-CNT – Fig. 2B shows this); a conductive pattern (E-VSS – Fig. 2B – [0072] – “The conductive patterns E-VSS, E-CNT, VIN, and CL may include a power supplying line E-VSS, a connection electrode E-CNT, an initializing voltage line VIN, and a signal line CL” – E-VSS is a conductive pattern) on the non-display area (NDA) and directly covering at least a part of an edge of the portion of the signal line when viewed in a cross-sectional view along a thickness of the display panel in a direction toward the substrate; and at least one dam (Fig. 2B – [0070] – “dam portions DM1 and DM2”) overlapping the conductive pattern (E-VSS) and crossing the signal line (E-CNT – Fig. 2B – [0072] – “The conductive patterns E-VSS, E-CNT, VIN, and CL may include a power supplying line E-VSS, a connection electrode E-CNT, an initializing voltage line VIN, and a signal line CL” – E-CNT is a signal line). Kim does not expressly disclose the other limitations of claim 15. However, in an analogous art, Wu teaches a signal line on the substrate (10 – Fig. 17 – [0051] – “substrate 10” – Fig 17. shows the signal line on the substrate). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to integrate the signal line location as taught by Wu into Kim. An ordinary artisan would have been motivated to use the known technique of Wu in the manner set forth above to produce the predictable result of [0008] – “the touch layer is disposed at the side of the encapsulation layer away from the light-emitting component, so that TPOT, which is an In Cell touch structure, is formed, which is favorable for achieving the lightening and thinning of the touch display panel.” Kim and Wu do not expressly disclose the other limitations of claim 15. However, in an analogous art, Park teaches an organic (VIA2 – Fig. 3 – [0069] – “first source drain conductive pattern, a first organic insulating layer VIM , a second source drain conductive pattern, a second organic insulating layer VIA2” – known use of organic insulating layers on conductive patterns) insulating film. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to integrate the conductive pattern structure as taught by Park into Kim and Wu. An ordinary artisan would have been motivated to use the known technique of Park in the manner set forth above to produce the predictable result of [0005] – “a display apparatus that have improved display quality, which prevent defects from being generated in the conductive patterns disposed, on an organic insulating layer.” To do so would have merely been to apply a known technique to a known device ready for improvement to yield predictable results, KSR Int'l Co. v. Teleflex Inc., 550 U.S. 398, 82 USPQ2d 1385 (2007), MPEP 2143 I. D. Kim, Wu, and Park do not expressly disclose the other limitations of claim 15. However, in an analogous art, Yan teaches directly covering at least a part of an edge of (151 – Fig. 3E – [0046] – “protective layer 151 covers the second top surface S2 and the lateral sides S3 and S4 of the third conductive layer 141”) the portion of the signal line (141 – Fig. 3D – [0045] – “conductive layer 141” – this is a signal line) when viewed in a cross-sectional view along a thickness of the display panel in a (Fig. 3D shows this) direction toward the substrate (11 – Fig. 3D – [0045] – “substrate 11”). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to integrate the conductive pattern structure as taught by Yan into Kim, Wu, and Park. An ordinary artisan would have been motivated to use the known technique of Yan in the manner set forth above to produce the predictable result [0009] – “to provide a display panel which has better corrosion resistance to improve its reliability.” To do so would have merely been to apply a known technique to a known device ready for improvement to yield predictable results, KSR Int'l Co. v. Teleflex Inc., 550 U.S. 398, 82 USPQ2d 1385 (2007), MPEP 2143 I. D. Regarding claim 16, Kim as modified by Wu, Park, and Yan, teaches claim 15 from which claim 16 depends. Kim further teaches (Original) The display panel of claim 15, wherein the light emitting element (ED – Fig. 2B – [0072] – “organic light emitting device ED”) comprises; a pixel electrode (E1 – Fig. 2B – [0076] – “first electrode E1 of the organic light emitting device ED”) on the organic insulating film (30); a counter electrode (E2 – Fig. 2B – [0057] – “The organic light emitting device ED may include a first electrode E1, a light emitting layer EL, and a second electrode E2”) on the pixel electrode (E1); and a light emitting layer (EL – Fig. 2B – [0057] – “The organic light emitting device ED may include a first electrode E1, a light emitting layer EL, and a second electrode E2”) between the pixel electrode (E1) and the counter electrode (E2), wherein the conductive pattern (E-VSS) is spaced apart from the pixel electrode (E1 – Fig. 2B shows this). Kim, Wu, and Yan do not expressly disclose the other limitations of claim 16. However, in an analogous art, Park teaches an organic (VIA2 – Fig. 3 – [0069] – “first source drain conductive pattern, a first organic insulating layer VIM , a second source drain conductive pattern, a second organic insulating layer VIA2” – known use of organic insulating layers on conductive patterns) insulating film. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to integrate the conductive pattern structure as taught by Park into Kim and Wu. An ordinary artisan would have been motivated to use the known technique of Park in the manner set forth above to produce the predictable result of as stated above in claim 15. Regarding claim 17, Kim as modified by Wu, Park, and Yan, teaches claim 16 from which claim 17 depends. Kim, Wu, and Park do not expressly disclose the limitations of claim 17. However, in an analogous art, Yan teaches (Original) The display panel of claim 16, wherein the conductive pattern (151) comprises a same material as the pixel electrode ([0047] – “protective layer 151 can be formed of the same material by the same lithography process with the same photomask as the pixel electrode”). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to integrate the conductive pattern and pixel electrode material as taught by Yan into Kim, Wu, and Park. An ordinary artisan would have been motivated to use the known technique of Yan in the manner set forth above to produce the predictable result as stated above in claim 15. Regarding claim 18, Kim as modified by Wu, Park, and Yan, teaches claim 15 from which claim 18 depends. Kim, Wu, and Park do not expressly disclose the limitations of claim 18. However, in an analogous art, Yan teaches (Original) The display panel of claim 15, wherein the signal line (141 – Fig. 3D – [0045] – “conductive layer 141” – this is a signal line) comprises a material ([0047] – ‘first conductive layer 141 may be a monolayer or multilayer structure formed by metal (e.g. aluminium, copper, silver, molybdenum, or titanium) or alloy thereof”) different from that of the conductive pattern ([0047] – “first protective layer 151 may be transparent conductive oxide (TCO) such as indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), aluminum zinc oxide (AZO), cadmium tin oxide (CTO), tin oxide (SnO.sub.2), gallium zinc oxide (GZO), indium zinc tin oxide (IZTO), zinc oxide (ZnO), or other transparent conductive materials”). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to integrate the conductive pattern and pixel electrode material as taught by Yan into Kim, Wu, and Park. An ordinary artisan would have been motivated to use the known technique of Yan in the manner set forth above to produce the predictable result as stated above in claim 15. Claims 14 and 20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over over Kim in view of Wu, Park, Yan, and Liu et al. (US 20240049507 A1 – hereinafter Liu-507). Regarding claim 14, Kim as modified by Wu, Park, and Yan, teaches claim 1 from which claim 14 depends. Kim further teaches (Original) The display panel of claim 1, wherein the signal line (E- CNT) comprises a data line providing a data voltage to the pixel (PX) and a power line (VDD – [0049] – “first power voltage, which is transmitted through the first power line VDD, to the organic light emitting device OLED”) configured to provide a power supply voltage to the pixel (PX - [0075] – “E-CNT may receive the second power voltage from the power supplying line E-VSS. Accordingly, the second power voltage may be transmitted to the second electrode E2 through the connection electrode E-CNT and may be disposed (e.g., transmitted) to each of the pixels”). Kim, Wu, Park, and Yan do not expressly disclose the other limitations of claim 14. However, in an analogous art, Liu-507 teaches a data line ([0071] – “signal lines comprise a data line VDATA, a scanning signal line SCAN, a first voltage line (DC power supply signal line VDD), a control signal line EM, a reset signal line RESET, an initialization signal line VI, a second voltage line (DC low voltage signal line VSS, usually grounded), etc.”). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to integrate the data line structure as taught by Liu-507 into Kim, Wu, Park, and Yan. An ordinary artisan would have been motivated to use the known technique of Liu-507 in the manner set forth above to produce the predictable result of providing data voltage to the display's transistor structure. To do so would have merely been to apply a known technique to a known device ready for improvement to yield predictable results, KSR Int'l Co. v. Teleflex Inc., 550 U.S. 398, 82 USPQ2d 1385 (2007), MPEP 2143 I. D. Regarding claim 20, Kim as modified by Wu, Park, and Yan, teaches claim 15 from which claim 20 depends. Kim further teaches (Original) The display panel of claim 15, wherein the signal line (E- CNT) comprises: data lines extending in a first direction (DR1 – Fig. 2B – [0046] – “first direction DR1”), arranged along a second direction (DR2 – Fig. 2B – [0046] – “second direction DR2”) intersecting the first direction (DR1), and applying a data voltage to the pixel (PX); and at least one power line (VDD – [0049] – “first power voltage, which is transmitted through the first power line VDD, to the organic light emitting device OLED”) extending in the first direction (DR1) and applying a power supply voltage to the pixel (PX). Kim, Wu, Park, and Yan do not expressly disclose the other limitations of claim 20. However, in an analogous art, Liu-507 teaches a data line ([0071] – “signal lines comprise a data line VDATA, a scanning signal line SCAN, a first voltage line (DC power supply signal line VDD), a control signal line EM, a reset signal line RESET, an initialization signal line VI, a second voltage line (DC low voltage signal line VSS, usually grounded), etc.”). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to integrate the data line structure as taught by Liu-507 into Kim, Wu, Park, and Yan. An ordinary artisan would have been motivated to use the known technique of Liu-507 in the manner set forth above to produce the predictable result of providing data voltage to the display's transistor structure. To do so would have merely been to apply a known technique to a known device ready for improvement to yield predictable results, KSR Int'l Co. v. Teleflex Inc., 550 U.S. 398, 82 USPQ2d 1385 (2007), MPEP 2143 I. D. Pertinent Art For the benefits of the Applicant, US 20210328110 A1 is cited on the record as being pertinent to significant disclosure through some but not all claimed features of the defined invention. These references fail to disclose the combination of limitations including "conductive pattern". Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to GARY ABEL whose telephone number is (571) 272-0246. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm (Eastern). 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, CHAD M 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 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 ttps://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. /GRA/ Examiner, Art Unit 2897 /CHAD M DICKE/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2897
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Prosecution Timeline

Jan 05, 2023
Application Filed
May 28, 2025
Non-Final Rejection — §103
Sep 02, 2025
Response Filed
Sep 18, 2025
Final Rejection — §103
Nov 18, 2025
Response after Non-Final Action
Dec 23, 2025
Request for Continued Examination
Jan 16, 2026
Response after Non-Final Action
Feb 03, 2026
Non-Final Rejection — §103 (current)

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2y 5m to grant Granted Apr 07, 2026
Patent 12598892
LIGHT-EMITTING SUBSTRATE AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF, AND LIGHT-EMITTING APPARATUS
2y 5m to grant Granted Apr 07, 2026
Patent 12581798
DISPLAY DEVICE
2y 5m to grant Granted Mar 17, 2026
Patent 12559648
METHOD OF MANUFACTURING METAL STRUCTURE FOR OPTICAL SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE, PACKAGE, AND SOLUTION CONTAINING POLYALLYLAMINE POLYMER
2y 5m to grant Granted Feb 24, 2026
Patent 12563789
THIN FILM TRANSISTOR AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME
2y 5m to grant Granted Feb 24, 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
89%
Grant Probability
99%
With Interview (+16.7%)
3y 4m
Median Time to Grant
High
PTA Risk
Based on 35 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allow rate.

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