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and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114.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 04/06/2026 has been entered.
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 02/18/2026 is in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement is being considered by the examiner.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
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.
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.
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Figure 1: Annotated Kwon Fig. 4B
Claims 1, and 3-6 are rejected under U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kwon et al.; US 2021/0126065 A1; 04/2020 using Fig. 4B in view of Kwon et al.; US 2021/0126065 A1; 04/2020 using Figs. 6A and 6B
Claim 1: Kwon discloses a display apparatus comprising: a substrate; a first pixel electrode ( Fig. 4B #210) disposed over the substrate ( Fig. 4B #110), wherein a distance from a first portion of an upper surface of the first pixel electrode to an upper surface of the substrate is greater ( [0109] second insulating layer #118 may have a first thickness h1, which is a greatest thickness, around the via hole VH ) than a distance from a second portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode to the upper surface of the substrate ( [0109] the second insulating layer #118 may have a second thickness h2, which is less than the first thickness h1, in an area farther away, or distal from the via hole VH ).
Kwon does not appear to disclose in (Fig. 4B) a data line disposed over the substrate and extending in a first direction; and an insulation layer covering the data line, wherein the first pixel electrode is disposed over the insulation layer, and, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the substrate, a line connecting a central portion of the first portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode and a central portion of the second portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode forms an acute angle with the first direction.
However, Kwon teaches in Figs. 6A and 6B a data line ( Fig. 6A: WL1; [00137] In an embodiment, the first wiring WL1 and the second wiring WL2 may be data lines ) disposed over the substrate ( [ 0130] In Figs. 6A and 6B, the same reference numerals as those in Figs. 4A and 4B refer to the same or like elements; Fig. 4B #110 same as Fig. 6B #110 which isn’t shown ) and extending in a first direction ( Fig. 6A: WL1 extends in the same direction as the data line #1710 of Figure 10 in the application ); and an insulation layer ( Fig. 6B #118 ) covering the data line ( Fig. 6B: WL1 ), wherein the first pixel electrode ( Fig. 6B #210 ) is disposed over the insulation layer ( Fig. 6B #118 ), and, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the substrate ( Fig. 6A top down view ), a line connecting a central portion of the first portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode ( Fig. 6A #210 ) and a central portion of the second portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode ( Fig. 6A center of #210) forms an acute angle with the first direction ( Fig. 6A shows an acute angle in #210 ).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to utilize the teachings of Kwon in Figs. 6A and 6B with Kwon in Fig. 4B to implement a data line disposed over the substrate and extending in a first direction; and an insulation layer covering the data line, wherein the first pixel electrode is disposed over the insulation layer, and, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the substrate, a line connecting a central portion of the first portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode and a central portion of the second portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode forms an acute angle with the first direction because this approach can prevent optical interference in touch sensitive displays.
Claim 3: Kwon discloses in (Fig. 4B) and (Figs. 6A and 6B) the display apparatus of claim 1 (as discussed above).
Kwon does not appear to disclose in (Fig. 4B) when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the substrate, the line connecting the central portion of the first portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode and the central portion of the second portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode forms an angle of about 45 degrees with the first direction.
However, Kwon teaches in Figs. 6A and 6B when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the substrate ( Fig. 6A view), the line connecting the central portion of the first portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode (Fig. 6A #210) and the central portion of the second portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode ( Fig. 6A #210) forms an angle of about 45 degrees with the first direction ( as shown in Fig. 6A ).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to utilize the teachings of Kwon in Figs. 6A and 6B with Kwon in Fig. 4B to implement when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the substrate, the line connecting the central portion of the first portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode and the central portion of the second portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode forms an angle of about 45 degrees with the first direction because a 45 degree angle is a critical design feature used to improve image quality.
Claim 4: Kwon discloses in (Fig. 4B) and (Figs. 6A and 6B) the display apparatus of claim 1 ( as discussed above).
Kwon does not appear to disclose in (Fig. 4B) when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the substrate, the central portion of the second portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode is positioned closer to the data line than the central portion of the first portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode, and the central portion of the second portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode is positioned in the first direction from the central portion of the first portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode.
However, Kwon teaches in Figs. 6A and 6B when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the substrate ( Fig. 6B view), the central portion of the second portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode ( Fig. 6B #210 raised portion is closer to WL1 and WL2) is positioned closer to the data line than the central portion of the first portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode ( Fig. 6B #210 first portion is further away from WL1 and WL2), and the central portion of the second portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode ( Fig. 6A shows the central portion of #210) is positioned in the first direction from the central portion of the first portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode ( Fig. 6A the central part of #210 is in parallel with WL1 and WL2 in the first direction ).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to utilize the teachings of Kwon in Figs. 6A and 6B with Kwon in Fig. 4B to implement when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the substrate, the central portion of the second portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode is positioned closer to the data line than the central portion of the first portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode, and the central portion of the second portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode is positioned in the first direction from the central portion of the first portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode because this positioning would improve the pixel’s electrical efficiency and reduce optical interference.
Claim 5: Kwon discloses in (Fig. 4B) and (Figs. 6A and 6B) the display apparatus of claim 1 ( as discussed above).
Kwon teaches in Fig. 4B a first conductive layer ( Fig. 4B CL ) disposed on a layer ( Fig. 4B #117) on which the data line is disposed ( Fig. 4B DL is covered by #117 ), wherein the insulation layer ( Fig. 4B #118) covers the first conductive layer ( Fig. 4B CL), and, when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the substrate ( Fig. 4A is a top down view of 4B ), the first conductive layer ( Fig. 4B CL ) corresponds to the first portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode ( [0102] The conductive layer CL may be connected to members arranged on other layers through contact holes defined in the first insulating layer #117 ).
Claim 6: Kwon discloses in (Fig. 4B) and (Figs. 6A and 6B) the display apparatus of claim 5 (as discussed above).
Kwon teaches in Fig. 4B when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the substrate, the first conductive layer ( Fig. 4B: CL ) does not overlap the second portion of the upper surface ( [0109] the second insulating layer #118 may have a second thickness h2, which is less than the first thickness h1, in an area farther away, or distal from the via hole VH ) of the first pixel electrode ( Fig. 4B #210 ).
Claims 7 and 8 are rejected under U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kwon et al.; US 2021/0126065 A1; 04/2020 using Fig. 4B in view of Kwon et al.; US 2021/0126065 A1; 04/2020 using Figs. 6A and 6B as applied to claim 5 above, and further in view of Kim et al.; US 2021/0064169 A1; 04/2020
Claim 7: Kwon discloses in (Fig. 4B) and (Figs. 6A and 6B) the display apparatus of claim 5 (as discussed above).
Kwon does not appear to disclose when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the substrate, the first conductive layer has a chamfered line extending in a direction crossing the line connecting the central portion of the first portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode and the central portion of the second portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode to each other.
However, Kim teaches when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the substrate, the first conductive layer ( Fig. 14 TS-CL1 is connected to TS-CL2 ) has a chamfered line ( Fig. 14 TS-CL2 has a chamfered line ) extending in a direction crossing the line connecting the central portion of the first portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode ( Fig. 14 TS-CL2 connects to TS-PD12) and the central portion of the second portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode ( Fig. 14 TS-CL2 connects to TS-PD2) to each other ( [0166] As a result the first sensing pad parts TS-PD12 may be electrically connected to the second sensing pad parts TS-PD2).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to utilize the teachings of Kim with Kwon in Figs. 6A and 6B and Kwon in Fig. 4B to implement when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the substrate, the first conductive layer has a chamfered line extending in a direction crossing the line connecting the central portion of the first portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode and the central portion of the second portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode to each other because a chamfered (or beveled line) on a conductive layer crossing a pixel electrode has a primary purpose to control the electrical field within the pixel to improve performance, brightness and manufacturing yield.
Claim 8: Kwon in (Fig. 4B) and (Figs. 6A and 6B) and Kim disclose the display apparatus of claim 7 ( as discussed above).
Kwon in (Fig. 4B) and (Figs. 6A and 6B) does not appear to disclose when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the substrate, the chamfered line is perpendicular to the line connecting the central portion of the first portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode and the central portion of the second portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode to each other.
However, Kim teaches when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the substrate ( Fig. 14: DR3 ) , the chamfered line ( Fig. 14 portion of TS-CL2 connecting to TS-PD12) is perpendicular to the line connecting the central portion of the first portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode ( Fig. 14 the portion of TS-CL2 connecting to TS-PD12 is perpendicular to DR3 in the direction of DR1) and the central portion of the second portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode ( Fig. 14 the portion of TS-CL2 connecting to TS-PD2 is perpendicular to DR3 in the direction of DR1) to each other ( Fig. 14 both TS-PD2 and TS-PD12 are in the same plane where they connect).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to utilize the teachings of Kim with Kwon in Figs. 6A and 6B and Kwon in Fig. 4B to implement when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the substrate, the chamfered line is perpendicular to the line connecting the central portion of the first portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode and the central portion of the second portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode to each other because combining a chamfered line with a 45 degree angled electrode is an advanced design used to improve display brightness, response time, and overall viewing angle.
Claim 9 is rejected under U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kwon et al.; US 2021/0126065 A1; 04/2020 using Fig. 4B in view of Kwon et al.; US 2021/0126065 A1; 04/2020 using Fig. 8
Claim 9: Kwon discloses in (Fig. 4B) the display apparatus of claim 1 ( as discussed above).
Kwon does not appear to disclose in (Fig. 4B) a data line disposed over the substrate and extending in a first direction; an insulation layer covering the data line; a second pixel electrode disposed over the insulation layer; and a pixel-defining layer covering an edge of each of the first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode, wherein the first pixel electrode is disposed over the insulation layer, and, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the substrate, a line connecting a central portion of the first portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode and a central portion of the second portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode forms an acute angle with the first direction.
However, Kwon teaches in (Fig. 8) a data line ( Fig. 8 WL1 ) disposed over the substrate ( [0142] Fig.8 is a schematic layout diagram illustrating a relationship between emission areas, pixel electrodes, and wirings arranged below the pixel electrodes in a plurality of pixels, according to an embodiment ) and extending in a first direction ( Fig. 8: WL1 extends in the same direction as the data line #1710 of Figure 10 in the application ); an insulation layer ( Fig. 4B #118 ) covering the data line (Fig. 8 WL1 ); a second pixel electrode ( Fig. 8: green electrode G ) disposed over the insulation layer ( Fig. 4B #118 ); and a pixel-defining layer ( Fig. 4B pixel defining layer #119 ) covering an edge of each of the first pixel electrode ( Fig. 8: red R) and the second pixel electrode ( Fig. 8: G), wherein the first pixel electrode ( Fig. 8: R ) is disposed over the insulation layer ( Fig. 4B #118), and, when viewed from a direction perpendicular ( Fig. 8 top down view) to the substrate ( Fig. 4B #110 ), a line connecting a central portion of the first portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode ( Fig. 8: R) and a central portion of the second portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode ( Fig. 8 center of R ) forms an acute angle with the first direction ( Fig. 8 shows acute angle in R).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to utilize the teachings of Kwon in Figs. 8 with Kwon in Fig. 4B to implement a data line disposed over the substrate and extending in a first direction; an insulation layer covering the data line; a second pixel electrode disposed over the insulation layer; and a pixel-defining layer covering an edge of each of the first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode, wherein the first pixel electrode is disposed over the insulation layer, and, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the substrate, a line connecting a central portion of the first portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode and a central portion of the second portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode forms an acute angle with the first direction because by using an acute angle the distance and orientation between the active pixel area and the data line can be precisely managed.
Claims 10, 17, and 18 are rejected under U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kwon et al.; US 2021/0126065 A1; 04/2020 using Fig. 4B in view of Kwon et al.; US 2021/0126065 A1; 04/2020 using Fig. 8 as applied to claim 9 above, and further in view of Kim et al.; US 2021/0064169 A1; 04/2020
Claim 10: Kwon discloses in (Fig. 4B) and (Fig. 8) the display apparatus of claim 9 ( as discussed above).
Kwon does not appear to disclose in (Fig. 4B) a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer disposed on a layer on which the data line is disposed, wherein the insulation layer covers the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer, and, when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the substrate, the first conductive layer corresponds to the first portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode, and the second conductive layer corresponds to the second pixel electrode.
However, Kim teaches a first conductive layer ( Fig. 14: TS-CL1 ) and a second conductive layer ( Fig. 14: TS-CL2 ) disposed on a layer ( Fig. 14: TS-IL ) on which the data line is disposed ( [0105] In the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 5, each pixel PX is connected to the signal lines, SL, SL-1, EL, and DL (data line) ), wherein the insulation layer ( Fig. 14: TS-IL ) covers the first conductive layer ( Fig. 14: TS- CL1 ) and the second conductive layer ( Fig. 14: TS-CL2 ), and, when viewed from the direction perpendicular ( Fig. 14: DR3 ) to the substrate ( Fig. 14: substrate SUB1 ), the first conductive layer ( Fig. 14: TS-CL1 ) corresponds to the first portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode ( [0135] The first connection parts CP1 may be formed by patterning the first conductive layer TS-CL1 shown in Fig. 6 ), and the second conductive layer ( Fig. 14: TS-CL2 ) corresponds to the second pixel electrode ( [0135] the second connection parts CP2, the first sensing signal lines SL1, and the second sensing signal lines (SL2) may be formed by patterning the second conductive layer TS-CL2 ).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to utilize the teachings of Kwon in Fig. 4B and Figs. 8 with Kim to implement a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer disposed on a layer on which the data line is disposed, wherein the insulation layer covers the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer, and, when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the substrate, the first conductive layer corresponds to the first portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode, and the second conductive layer corresponds to the second pixel electrode because by designing the common electrode to have multiple conductive layers different electrical field characteristics can be created.
Claim 17: Kwon in (Fig. 4B) and (Fig. 8) and Kim disclose the display apparatus of claim 10 ( as discussed above).
Kwon in (Fig. 4B) and (Fig. 8) does not appear to disclose when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the substrate, the first conductive layer has a chamfered line extending in a direction crossing the line connecting the central portion of the first portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode and the central portion of the second portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode.
However, Kim teaches when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the substrate, the first conductive layer ( Fig. 14 TS-CL1 is connected to TS-CL2 ) has a chamfered line ( Fig. 14 TS-CL2 has a chamfered line ) extending in a direction crossing the line connecting the central portion of the first portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode ( Fig. 14 TS-CL2 connects to TS-PD12) and the central portion of the second portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode ( Fig. 14 TS-CL2 connects to TS-PD2) to each other ( [0166] As a result the first sensing pad parts TS-PD12 may be electrically connected to the second sensing pad parts TS-PD2).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to utilize the teachings of Kwon in Fig. 4B and Figs. 8 with Kim to implement when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the substrate, the first conductive layer has a chamfered line extending in a direction crossing the line connecting the central portion of the first portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode and the central portion of the second portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode because a chamfered (or beveled line) on a conductive layer crossing a pixel electrode has a primary purpose to control the electrical field within the pixel to improve performance, brightness and manufacturing yield.
Claim 18: Kwon in (Fig. 4B) and (Fig. 8) and Kim disclose the display apparatus of claim 17 ( as discussed above),
Kwon in (Fig. 4B) and (Fig. 8) does not appear to disclose when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the substrate the chamfered line is perpendicular to the line connecting the central portion of the first portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode and the central portion of the second portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode.
However, Kim teaches when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the substrate ( Fig. 14: DR3 ) , the chamfered line ( Fig. 14 portion of TS-CL2 connecting to TS-PD12) is perpendicular to the line connecting the central portion of the first portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode ( Fig. 14 the portion of TS-CL2 connecting to TS-PD12 is perpendicular to DR3 in the direction of DR1) and the central portion of the second portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode ( Fig. 14 the portion of TS-CL2 connecting to TS-PD2 is perpendicular to DR3 in the direction of DR1) to each other ( Fig. 14 both TS-PD2 and TS-PD12 are in the same plane where they connect).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to utilize the teachings of Kwon in Fig. 4B and Figs. 8 with Kim to implement when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the substrate the chamfered line is perpendicular to the line connecting the central portion of the first portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode and the central portion of the second portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode because combining a chamfered line with a 45 degree angled electrode is an advanced design used to improve display brightness, response time, and overall viewing angle.
Claim 13 is rejected under U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kwon et al.; US 2021/0126065 A1; 04/2020 using Fig. 4B and Fig. 8 in view of Kim et al.; US 2021/0064169 A1; 04/2020 as applied to claim 10 above, and further in view of Cai et al.; US 2022/0320851 A1; 06/2021
Claim 13: Kwon in (Fig. 4B) and (Fig. 8) and Kim disclose the display apparatus of claim 10 ( as discussed above).
Kwon discloses in Fig. 4B when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the substrate ( Fig. 4B: looking perpendicular from #110 ) , the first conductive layer ( Fig. 4B: CL) does not overlap the second portion ( Fig. 4B: portion of #210 at height h2 ) of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode ( Fig. 4B #210)
Neither Kwon nor Kim appear to disclose a length of the second conductive layer in the first direction is greater than a length, in the first direction, of an exposed portion of the second pixel electrode, which is not covered with the pixel-defining layer.
However, Cai teaches a length of the second conductive layer ( Fig. 5: SD2) in the first direction is greater than a length ( Fig. 5: SD2 is longer than #31 in the first direction), in the first direction, of an exposed portion of the second pixel electrode ( Fig. 5: #31), which is not covered with the pixel-defining layer ( Fig. 5: SD2 is longer than the portion of #31 in the center that is not covered by PDL).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to utilize the teachings of Cai with Kwon in Fig. 4B and Figs. 8 and Kim to implement a length of the second conductive layer in the first direction is greater than a length, in the first direction, of an exposed portion of the second pixel electrode, which is not covered with the pixel-defining layer because the extended common electrode can act as a shield blocking stray electric fields from the data line
Claim 14 is rejected under U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kwon et al.; US 2021/0126065 A1; 04/2020 using Fig. 4B and Fig. 8 in view of Kim et al.; US 2021/0064169 A1; 04/2020 as applied to claim 10 above, and further in view of Ka et al.; US 2020/0058725 A1; 08/2019
Claim 14: Kwon in (Fig. 4B) and (Fig. 8) and Kim disclose the display apparatus of claim 10 ( as discussed above).
Kwon discloses in Fig. 4B when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the substrate ( Fig. 4B: looking perpendicular from #110 ), the first conductive layer ( Fig. 4B: CL ) does not overlap the second portion ( Fig. 4B: portion of #210 at height h2 ) of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode ( Fig. 4B #210 )
Neither Kwon nor Kim appear to disclose an end of the second conductive layer in the first direction is aligned with an end, in the first direction, of an exposed portion of the second pixel electrode, which is not covered with the pixel-defining layer, and an end of the second conductive layer in a direction opposite to the first direction is positioned outside of an end, in the direction opposite to the first direction, of the exposed portion of the second pixel electrode, which is not covered with the pixel- defining layer.
However, Ka teaches an end of the second conductive layer ( Fig. 8 #175) in the first direction is aligned with an end ( Fig. 8 left side of figure), in the first direction, of an exposed portion of the second pixel electrode ( Fig. 8 #290 ), which is not covered with the pixel-defining layer ( Fig. 8 #310), and an end of the second conductive layer ( Fig. 8 #175) in a direction opposite to the first direction is positioned outside of an end ( Fig. 8 right side of figure), in the direction opposite to the first direction, of the exposed portion of the second pixel electrode, which is not covered with the pixel- defining layer ( Fig. 8 right side of figure #175 extends outside of electrode area).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to utilize the teachings of Ka with Kwon in (Fig. 4B) and (Fig. 8) and Kim to implement an end of the second conductive layer in the first direction is aligned with an end, in the first direction, of an exposed portion of the second pixel electrode, which is not covered with the pixel-defining layer, and an end of the second conductive layer in a direction opposite to the first direction is positioned outside of an end, in the direction opposite to the first direction, of the exposed portion of the second pixel electrode, which is not covered with the pixel- defining layer because by controlling the overlap of conductive layers in different directions, the electric field within the pixel can be precisely shaped.
Claims 19 and 20 are rejected under U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kwon et al.; US 2021/0126065 A1; 04/2020 using Fig. 4B in view of Kwon et al.; US 2021/0126065 A1; 04/2020 using Fig. 8 and Kim et al.; US 2021/0064169 A1; 04/2020 as it applies to claim 10 above and further in view of Kwon et al.; US 2021/0126065 A1; 04/2020 using Figs. 6A and 6B
Claim 19: Kwon in (Fig. 4B) and (Fig. 8) and Kim disclose the display apparatus of claim 10 (as discussed above).
Neither Kwon in (Fig. 4B) and (Fig.8) nor Kim appear to disclose when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the substrate, the line connecting the central portion of the first portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode and the central portion of the second portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode forms an angle of about 45 degrees with the first direction.
However, Kwon teaches in (Figs. 6A and 6B) when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the substrate ( Fig. 6A view), the line connecting the central portion of the first portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode (Fig. 6A #210) and the central portion of the second portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode ( Fig. 6A #210) forms an angle of about 45 degrees with the first direction ( as shown in Fig. 6A ).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to utilize the teachings of Kwon in (Figs. 6A and 6B) with Kwon in (Fig. 4B) and (Fig. 8) and Kim to implement when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the substrate, the line connecting the central portion of the first portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode and the central portion of the second portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode forms an angle of about 45 degrees with the first direction because a 45 degree angle is a critical design feature used to improve image quality.
Claim 20: Kwon in (Fig. 4B) and (Fig. 8) and Kim disclose the display apparatus of claim 10 (as discussed above).
Neither Kwon in (Fig. 4B) and (Fig.8) nor Kim appear to disclose when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the substrate, the central portion of the second portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode is positioned closer to the data line than the central portion of the first portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode, and the central portion of the second portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode is positioned in the first direction from the central portion of the first portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode.
However, Kwon teaches in (Figs. 6A and 6B) wherein, when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the substrate ( Fig. 6B view), the central portion of the second portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode ( Fig. 6B #210 raised portion is closer to WL1 and WL2) is positioned closer to the data line than the central portion of the first portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode ( Fig. 6B #210 first portion is further away from WL1 and WL2), and the central portion of the second portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode ( Fig. 6A shows the central portion of #210) is positioned in the first direction from the central portion of the first portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode ( Fig. 6A the central part of #210 is in parallel with WL1 and WL2 in the first direction ).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to utilize the teachings of Kwon in (Figs. 6A and 6B) with Kwon in (Fig. 4B) and (Fig. 8) and Kim to implement when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the substrate, the central portion of the second portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode is positioned closer to the data line than the central portion of the first portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode, and the central portion of the second portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode is positioned in the first direction from the central portion of the first portion of the upper surface of the first pixel electrode because this positioning would improve the pixel’s electrical efficiency and reduce optical interference.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 04/06/26 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
Page 8 – 9 of remarks. Arguments for traversal of the rejections of Claims 1 and 3-6 based on the combination of two embodiments of Kwon as being non obvious is not persuasive. According to the MPEP 7.37.11 “Applicant’s arguments fail to comply with 37 CFR 1.111(b) because they amount to a general allegation that the claims define a patentable invention without specifically pointing out how the language of the claims patentably distinguishes them from the references.”
Page 9 of remarks. Arguments for traversal of the rejections of Claims 7 and 8 based on the combination of Kwon and Kim with no discussion of the claim features not being described by the prior art. According to the MPEP 7.37.11 “Applicant’s arguments fail to comply with 37 CFR 1.111(b) because they amount to a general allegation that the claims define a patentable invention without specifically pointing out how the language of the claims patentably distinguishes them from the references.”
Page 9 of remarks. Arguments for traversal of the rejection of Claim 9 using two embodiments of Kwon as being obvious is not persuasive. According to the MPEP 7.37.11 “Applicant’s arguments fail to comply with 37 CFR 1.111(b) because they amount to a general allegation that the claims define a patentable invention without specifically pointing out how the language of the claims patentably distinguishes them from the references.”
Page 9 of remarks. Arguments for traversal of the rejection of Claims 10, 17, and 18 using two embodiments of Kwon as being obvious is not persuasive. According to the MPEP 7.37.11 “Applicant’s arguments fail to comply with 37 CFR 1.111(b) because they amount to a general allegation that the claims define a patentable invention without specifically pointing out how the language of the claims patentably distinguishes them from the references.”
Page 9 of remarks. Arguments for traversal of the rejection of Claim 13 based on the combination of Kwon and Kim and further in view of Cai with no discussion of the claim features not being described by the prior art is not persuasive. According to the MPEP 7.37.11 “Applicant’s arguments fail to comply with 37 CFR 1.111(b) because they amount to a general allegation that the claims define a patentable invention without specifically pointing out how the language of the claims patentably distinguishes them from the references.”
Page 9 of remarks. Arguments for traversal of the rejection of Claim 14 using two embodiments of Kwon with no discussion of the claim features not being described by the prior art is not persuasive. According to the MPEP 7.37.11 “Applicant’s arguments fail to comply with 37 CFR 1.111(b) because they amount to a general allegation that the claims define a patentable invention without specifically pointing out how the language of the claims patentably distinguishes them from the references.”
Page 9 of remarks. Arguments for traversal of the rejection of Claims 19 and 20 using embodiments of Kwon with no discussion of the claim features not being described by the prior art is not persuasive. According to the MPEP 7.37.11 “Applicant’s arguments fail to comply with 37 CFR 1.111(b) because they amount to a general allegation that the claims define a patentable invention without specifically pointing out how the language of the claims patentably distinguishes them from the references.”
Pages 9-10 of remarks. Applicant argues about the obvious statement in claim 2. Applicant doesn’t agree with statement that the combination is obvious because the cited feature in the obvious statement and the reason for combining which is “this approach can prevent optical interference in touch sensitive displays” does not appear to be related. However, claim 2 is canceled. This feature is incorporated into claim 1 but there is no argument related to this incorporation into the claim 1 rejection.
Conclusion
All claims are identical to or patentably indistinct from, or have unity of invention with claims in the application prior to the entry of the submission under 37 CFR 1.114 (that is, restriction (including a lack of unity of invention) would not be proper) and all claims could have been finally rejected on the grounds and art of record in the next Office action if they had been entered in the application prior to entry under 37 CFR 1.114. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL even though it is a first action after the filing of a request for continued examination and the submission under 37 CFR 1.114. See MPEP § 706.07(b). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.
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/K.N.F./Examiner, Art Unit 2817
/MARLON T FLETCHER/Supervisory Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2817
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