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 .
Response to Amendment
An amendment filed on 12/04/2026 in response to the Office Action mailed on 09/05/2025 is
being acknowledged and entered into the record. The present Final rejection is made by taking into fully
consideration all the amendments.
Response to Arguments
On pages 9-10 of the remarks filed on 12/04/2026, with regards to the rejection of independent Claims 1 and 21, Applicant argues that Park fails to disclose the low-refractive inorganic layer is between the color conversion-transmitting layer and the second substrate. This argument is fully considered but is not persuasive. According to a different embodiment of Park shown in Fig. 4, the low-refractive inorganic layer 391 is between the color conversion-transmitting layer 341, 343, 345 and the second substrate 310 (see Fig. 4: 391, 341, 343, 345, 310, paragraph 0114, 0115). A person of ordinary skill in the art, would have combined the different embodiments of Park et al. in order to have the low-refractive inorganic layer disposed between color conversion-transmitting layer and the second substrate. Doing so would recycle at least a part of the light transmitted through the color conversion-transmitting layer toward the second substrate , thereby improving the light efficiency of the display device, as recognized by Park et al. (paragraph 0115). Therefore, the rejections of Claims 1, 21 and their dependents in view of the previously cited prior art references are maintained.
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.
Rejection note: Italicized claim limitations are limitations not explicitly disclosed in the primary
reference but disclosed either in a different embodiment of the primary reference or in the secondary reference(s).
Claims 1-3, 5-9, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18 and 20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Park et al. (US 20200091464 A1), in view of Kim et al. (US 20220102433 A1).
Regarding Claim 1, Park et al. discloses a display device comprising:
a first substrate 110 (Fig. 24: 110, paragraph 0042);
a second substrate 310 opposite to the first substrate 110 (Fig. 24: 110, 310, paragraph 0106);
a light-emitting element layer OL1, OL2, OL3 on the first substrate 110 and comprising at least one light-emitting element ED1, ED2, ED3 (Fig. 24: OL1, OL2, OL#, ED1, ED2, ED3, paragraph 0050, 0053);
an encapsulation layer 170 on the light-emitting element layer OL1, OL2, OL3 and comprising at least one inorganic encapsulation layer 171, 175 and at least one organic encapsulation layer 173 (Fig. 24: 170, 171, 173, 175, paragraph 0104, 0105);
a color conversion-transmitting layer 341, 343, 345 on the encapsulation layer 170 and configured to convert light emitted from the at least one light-emitting element ED1, ED2, ED3 into light having different colors, the color conversion-transmitting layer including quantum dots 3433, 3413 (Fig. 24: 341, 343, 345, 3433, 3413, paragraph 0114, 0142);
a low-refractive inorganic layer 391a on the color conversion-transmitting layer 341, 343, 345, between the color conversion-transmitting layer 341, 343, 345 and the second substrate 310, and having a refractive index less than a refractive index of the color conversion- transmitting layer 341, 343, 345, and having a refractive index less than a refractive index of the color conversion-transmitting layer 341, 343, 345 (Fig. 24: 391a, 341, 343, 345, paragraph 0114);
a color filter layer 331, 333, 335 on a surface of the second substrate 310 opposite to the first substrate 110 (Fig. 24: 331, 333, 335, paragraph 0108);
and a filler 70 between the low-refractive inorganic layer 391a and the color filter layer 331, 333, 335 and having a refractive index greater than the refractive index of the low-refractive inorganic layer 391a. (Fig. 24: 70, paragraph 0038).
Kim et al., in a different embodiment, teaches a low-refractive inorganic layer 391 between the color conversion-transmitting layer 341, 343, 345, and the second substrate 310 (see Fig. 4: 391, 341, 343, 345, 310, paragraph 0114, 0115).
Therefore, a person of ordinary skill in the art, would have combined the different embodiments of Park et al. in order to have the low-refractive inorganic layer disposed between color conversion-transmitting layer and the second substrate. Doing so would recycle at least a part of the light transmitted through the color conversion-transmitting layer toward the second substrate , thereby improving the light efficiency of the display device, as recognized by Park et al. (paragraph 0115).
Kim et al. discloses a display device comprising a filler PL between the low-refractive inorganic layer LR and the color filter layer CFB, CFR, CFG (Fig. 3: LR, PL, CFB, CFG, CFR, paragraph 0054).
Therefore, a person of ordinary skill in the art, would have combined the teachings of Park et al. and Kim et al. in order to dispose the filler of Kim et al. in the display device of Park et al. such that the filler is between the low-refractive inorganic layer and the color filter layer. Doing so would planarize uneven interfaces, as recognized by Kim et al. (paragraph 0054), as well as minimize internal reflections to improve light outcoupling efficiency.
The combination of Park et al. and Kim et al. fails to explicitly teach the filler having a refractive index greater than the refractive index of the low-refractive inorganic layer.
However, Park et al. teaches the refractive index of the low-refractive inorganic layer 391a is about 1.1 to 1.4 (paragraph 0114), and Kim et al. teaches the filler PL may include silicon oxynitride (paragraph 0085), which has a refractive index in the range of 1.45 to 2.0 (See Silicon oxynitride. Applications [online]. Wikipedia, January 2013 [retrieved on 08-26-2025]. Retrieved from the Internet: <URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silicon_oxynitride>).
Therefore, a person of ordinary skill in the art would have recognized that when the filler of Kim et al. is disposed in the display device of Park et al., the filler will have a refractive index greater than the refractive index of the low-refractive inorganic layer.
Regarding Claim 2, Park et al. discloses the display device of claim 1, wherein the refractive index of the low- refractive inorganic layer 391a is greater than 1.2 and less than 1.4 (paragraph 0114).
According to MPEP § 2144.05 (I), “In the case where the claimed ranges "overlap or lie inside ranges disclosed by the prior art" a prima facie case of obviousness exists”. In re Wertheim, 541 F.2d 257, 191 USPQ 90 (CCPA 1976); In re Woodruff, 919 F.2d 1575, 16 USPQ2d 1934 (Fed. Cir. 1990).
Regarding Claim 3, Park et al. discloses the display device of claim 2, wherein the low-refractive inorganic layer 391a comprises silicon oxide (SiO2) (i.e., silica according to paragraph 0116).
Regarding Claim 5, Park et al. discloses the display device of claim 1, a difference between the refractive index of the color conversion-transmitting layer 341, 343, 345 and the refractive index of the low-refractive inorganic layer 391a is at least 0.3 (paragraph 0114).
Regarding Claim 6, Park et al. discloses the display device of claim 1, further comprising a first passivation layer 353a, 351a between the color conversion-transmitting layer 341, 343, 345 and the filler 70 (Fig. 24: 353a, 351a, paragraph 0117, 0113).
Pan et al. fails to explicitly teach the first passivation layer 353a, 351a having a refractive index greater than the refractive index of the low-refractive inorganic layer 391a. However, Pan et al. teaches the refractive index of the low-refractive inorganic layer 391a is about 1.1 to 1.4 (paragraph 0114), and the first passivation layer 353a, 351a may include silicon oxynitride (paragraph 0113, 0117), which has a refractive index in the range of 1.45 to 2.0 (See Silicon oxynitride. Applications [online]. Wikipedia, January 2013 [retrieved on 08-26-2025]. Retrieved from the Internet: <URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silicon_oxynitride>).
Therefore, a person of ordinary skill in the art would have recognized that the first passivation layer will have a refractive index greater than the refractive index of the low-refractive inorganic layer.
Regarding Claim 7, Park et al. discloses the display device of claim 6, wherein the first passivation layer 351a, 353a is between the low-refractive inorganic layer 391a and the filler 70 (see Fig. 24: 351a, 353a, 70, 391a).
Regarding Claim 8, Park et al. discloses the display device of claim 6, wherein the first passivation layer 351a is between the color conversion-transmitting layer 341, 343, 345 and the low-refractive inorganic layer 391a (see Fig. 24: 351a, 391a, 341, 343, 345).
Regarding Claim 9, Park et al. discloses the display device of claim 6, wherein the first passivation layer 351a, 353a comprises an inorganic material layer comprising silicon oxynitride (SiON) (paragraph 0113, 0117).
Regarding Claim 12, Park et al. discloses the display device of claim 1, further comprising a low-refractive organic layer 393a and a second passivation layer 355a on a surface of the color filter layer 331, 333, 335 opposite to the color conversion-transmitting layer 341, 343, 345 (Fig 24: 393a, 355a, 341, 343, 345, 331, 333, 335, paragraph 0159, 0116, 0193).
Note that according to paragraphs 0116 and 0159, the low-refractive organic layer 393a may include a base resin which is an organic material.
Regarding Claim 13, Park et al. discloses the display device of claim 12, wherein the low-refractive organic layer 393a comprises an organic material and porous particles dispersed in the organic material (paragraphs 0116 and 0159).
Regarding Claim 15, The combination of Park et al. and Kim et al. fails to explicitly teach the display device of claim 12, wherein a refractive index of the low- refractive organic layer is less than the refractive index of the low-refractive inorganic layer.
However, Park et al. teaches the low-refractive inorganic layer 391a comprises silica (paragraph 0116), which has a refractive index of 1.45 (See Silicon oxynitride. Applications [online]. Wikipedia, January 2013 [retrieved on 08-26-2025]. Retrieved from the Internet: <URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silicon_oxynitride>). Park et al. further teaches the low- refractive organic layer 393a comprises a base resin with dispersed particles and having a refractive index of about 1.1. to 1.4. (paragraph 0116, 0114).
Therefore, a person of ordinary skill in the art would have recognized that the refractive index of the low- refractive organic layer is less than the refractive index of the low-refractive inorganic layer.
Regarding Claim 16, Park et al. discloses the display device of claim 12, wherein the second passivation layer 355a comprises an inorganic material layer comprising SiO2 (paragraph 0193, 0113).
Park et al. fails to explicitly teach the second passivation layer 355a has a refractive index greater than the refractive index of the low-refractive inorganic layer. However, Pan et al. teaches the refractive index of the low-refractive inorganic layer 391a is about 1.1 to 1.4 (paragraph 0114), and the second passivation layer 355a may include a silicon oxide such as silicon dioxide (paragraph 0113, 0117), which has a refractive index of 1.45 (See Silicon oxynitride. Applications [online]. Wikipedia, January 2013 [retrieved on 08-26-2025]. Retrieved from the Internet: <URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silicon_oxynitride>).
Therefore, a person of ordinary skill in the art would have recognized that the second passivation layer will have a refractive index greater than the refractive index of the low-refractive inorganic layer.
Regarding Claim 18, Park et al. discloses the display device of claim 1, wherein the light-emitting element layer OL1, OL2, OL3 comprises a first light-emitting element ED1, a second light-emitting element ED2, and a third light-emitting element ED3, and the color conversion-transmitting layer 341, 343, 345 comprises a first color converter 341 corresponding to the first light-emitting element ED1, a second color converter 343 corresponding to the second light-emitting element ED2, and a transmitter 345 corresponding to the third light-emitting element ED2, and further comprises a light-blocking partition wall 360 arranged among the first color converter 341, the second color converter 343, and the transmitter 345 (Fig. 24: OL1, OL2, OL3, ED1, ED2, ED3, 341, 343, 345, 360, paragraph 0118, 0137, 0156, 0178).
Regarding Claim 20, Park et al. discloses the display device of claim 1, wherein the first substrate 110 and the second substrate 310 each comprises glass (paragraph 0042, 0106).
Claim 4 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Park et al. (US 20200091464 A1), in view of Kim et al. (US 20220102433 A1), as applied to Claim 1 above, further in view of Kobayashi et al. (CN 111771163 A).
The combination of Park et al. and Kim et al. fails to teach the display device of claim 1, wherein a thickness of the low-refractive inorganic layer is from 100 Å to 4,000 Å.
However, Kobayashi et al. discloses a display device comprising a low-refractive inorganic layer 4 on the color conversion-transmitting layer 3, wherein a thickness of the low-refractive inorganic layer 3 is from 1000 Å to 20,000 Å (Fig. 3: 3, 4, page 46, lines 3, 4, page 26, lines 35-40 in English Translation of Kobayashi et al.). According to MPEP § 2144.05 (I), “In the case where the claimed ranges "overlap or lie inside ranges disclosed by the prior art" a prima facie case of obviousness exists”. In re Wertheim, 541 F.2d 257, 191 USPQ 90 (CCPA 1976); In re Woodruff, 919 F.2d 1575, 16 USPQ2d 1934 (Fed. Cir. 1990).
Therefore, a person of ordinary skill in the art, would have combined the teachings of Park et al., Kim et al. and Kobayashi et al. in order to have a thickness of the low-refractive inorganic layer to be from 100 Å to 4,000 Å. Doing so would ensure a low-refractive inorganic layer of sufficient thickness is deposited without causing damage to the color conversion-transmitting layer.
Claim 10 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Park et al. (US 20200091464 A1), in view of Kim et al. (US 20220102433 A1), as applied to Claim 1 above, further in view of second reference Park et al. (US 20220149251 A1), herein referred to as Park II.
The combination of Park et al. and Kim et al. fails to explicitly teach the display device of claim 1, wherein the refractive index of the filler is from 1.45 to 1.55, and a thickness of the filler is from 1 µm to 10 µm.
However, Kim et al. teaches the filler PL may include silicon oxynitride (paragraph 0085), which has a refractive index in the range of 1.45 to 2.0 (See Silicon oxynitride. Applications [online]. Wikipedia, January 2013 [retrieved on 08-26-2025]. Retrieved from the Internet: <URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silicon_oxynitride>). According to MPEP § 2144.05 (I), “In the case where the claimed ranges "overlap or lie inside ranges disclosed by the prior art" a prima facie case of obviousness exists”. In re Wertheim, 541 F.2d 257, 191 USPQ 90 (CCPA 1976); In re Woodruff, 919 F.2d 1575, 16 USPQ2d 1934 (Fed. Cir. 1990).
Therefore, a person of ordinary skill in the art would have recognized that the refractive index of the filler of Kim et al. is from 1.45 to 1.55.
Furthermore, Park II teaches a display device comprising a filler 140, wherein a thickness of the filler 140 is from 1 µm to 10 µm (Fig. 4: 140, paragraph 0375, 0376, 0377).
Therefore, a person of ordinary skill in the art, would have combined the teachings of Park et al., Kim et al. and Park II in order to have a thickness of the filler to be from 1 µm to 10 µm. Doing so would protect and planarize the surfaces of the color conversion-transmitting layer, as recognized by Park II (paragraph 0375).
Claim 11 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Park et al. (US 20200091464 A1), in view of Kim et al. (US 20220102433 A1), as applied to Claim 1 above, further in view of Yun (US 20210336224 A1).
Park et al. teaches the display device of claim 1, wherein the encapsulation layer 170 comprises a first inorganic encapsulation layer 171, an organic encapsulation layer 173, and a second inorganic encapsulation layer 175 sequentially arranged (see Fig. 24: 170, 171, 173, 175, paragraph 0105), but fails to teach the color conversion-transmitting layer directly contacts the second inorganic encapsulation layer.
However, Yun teaches a display device, wherein the color conversion-transmitting layer 451, 452, 453 directly contacts the second inorganic encapsulation layer 330 (Fig. 2: 451, 452, 453, 330, paragraph 0076, 0080).
Therefore, a person of ordinary skill in the art, would have combined the teachings of Park et al., Kim et al. and Kobayashi et al. in order to have the color conversion-transmitting layer directly contacting the second inorganic encapsulation layer. Doing so would prevent the permeation of impurities into the color conversion-transmitting layer as well as the light-emitting layer.
Claim 14 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Park et al. (US 20200091464 A1), in view of Kim et al. (US 20220102433 A1), as applied to Claim 12 above, further in view of Tooley et al. (US 20100090182 A1).
The combination of Park et al. and Kim et al. fails to teach the display device of claim 12, wherein the low-refractive inorganic layer has a coefficient of extinction less than a coefficient of extinction of the low-refractive organic layer.
However, Park et al. teaches the low-refractive inorganic layer 391a comprises silica (paragraph 0116), which has a coefficient of extinction of zero in the visible wavelength range relevant for display applications (See Optical constants of SiO2. Refractive index database [online]. RefractiveIndex.info, January 2017 [retrieved on 08-27-2025]. Retrieved from the Internet: <URL: https://refractiveindex.info/?shelf=main&book=SiO2&page=Gao>). Park et al. further teaches the low- refractive organic layer 393a comprises a base resin with dispersed particles such as TiO2 (paragraph 0116, 0114). Furthermore, Tooley et al. teaches the coefficient of extinction of certain resin filled with TiO2 particles is non-zero and is in the range of 0.3 to 1.2 at 524 nm (paragraph 0009, 0063).
Therefore, a person of ordinary skill in the art would have combined the teachings of Park et al. and Tooley et al. in order to recognize that the low-refractive inorganic layer has a coefficient of extinction less than a coefficient of extinction of the low-refractive organic layer. Doing so would minimize light loss due to absorption.
Claim 17 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Park et al. (US 20200091464 A1), in view of Kim et al. (US 20220102433 A1), as applied to Claim 1 above, further in view of Lee et al. (US 20170076678 A1).
Park et al. teaches the display device of claim 1, wherein the color filter layer 331, 333, 335 comprises a first color filter 331 configured to transmit light La of a first color, a second color filter 333 configured to transmit light Lb of a second color, a third color filter 335 configured to transmit light L3 of a third color, and a light-blocking portion 360 dividing the first color filter 331, the second color filter 333, and the third color filter 335 (Fig.24: 331, 333, 335, La, Lb, L3, 360, paragraph 0195).
The combination of Park et al. and Kim et al. fails to teach in the light-blocking portion, a first color layer, a second color layer, and a third color layer respectively comprising same materials as the first color filter, the second color filter, and the third color filter overlap.
However, Lee et al. discloses a display device, wherein in the light-blocking portion SA, a first color layer 320G’, a second color layer 320R, and a third color layer 320B respectively comprising same materials as the first color filter 320G, the second color filter 320R, and the third color filter 320B overlap (Fig. 1: 320G’, 320G, 320R, 320B, paragraph 0045, 0048).
Therefore, a person of ordinary skill in the art, would have combined the teachings of Park et al., Kim et al. and Lee et al. in order to have in the light-blocking portion, a first color layer, a second color layer, and a third color layer respectively comprising same materials as the first color filter, the second color filter, and the third color filter overlap. By doing so, overlapping color filters would block the light emitted in the display device thereby preventing color mixing without the need for a separate light blocking member, as recognized by Lee et al. (paragraph 0049).
Claim 19 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Park et al. (US 20200091464 A1), in view of Kim et al. (US 20220102433 A1), as applied to Claim 18 above, further in view of second reference Park et al. (US 20220149251 A1), herein referred to as Park II.
The combination of Park et al. and Kim et al. fails to teach the display device of claim 1, wherein a top surface of each of the first color converter, the second color converter, and the transmitter has a concave shape recessed with respect to a top surface of the light-blocking partition wall, and the low-refractive inorganic layer comprises a groove formed according to the concave shape.
However, Park II discloses a display device, wherein a top surface of each of the first color converter 130R, the second color converter 130G, and the transmitter 130B has a concave shape recessed with respect to a top surface of the light-blocking partition wall 131, and the low-refractive inorganic layer 140 comprises a groove formed according to the concave shape (Fig. 4: 130R, 130G, 130B, 131, 140, paragraphs 0349, 0359, 0376).
Therefore, a person of ordinary skill in the art, would have combined the teachings of Park et al., Kim et al. and Park II in order to have a top surface of each of the first color converter, the second color converter, and the transmitter have a concave shape recessed with respect to a top surface of the light-blocking partition wall, and the low-refractive inorganic layer comprise a groove formed according to the concave shape. Doing so would yield a color conversion-transmitting layer with an improved photo-efficiency and an absorption ratio relevant for high definition display device, as recognized by Park II (paragraph 0004).
Claims 21 and 23 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Park et al. (US 20200091464 A1), in view of Jang et al. (KR 20180078805 A).
Regarding Claim 21, Park et al. discloses a display device comprising:
a first substrate 110 (Fig. 24: 110, paragraph 0042);
a second substrate 310 opposite to the first substrate 110 (Fig. 24: 110, 310, paragraph 0106);
a light-emitting element layer OL1, OL2, OL3 on the first substrate 110 and comprising at least one light-emitting element ED1, ED2, ED3 (Fig. 24: OL1, OL2, OL#, ED1, ED2, ED3, paragraph 0050, 0053);
an encapsulation layer 170 on the light-emitting element layer OL1, OL2, OL3 and comprising at least one inorganic encapsulation layer 171, 175 and at least one organic encapsulation layer 173 (Fig. 24: 170, 171, 173, 175, paragraph 0104, 0105);
a color conversion-transmitting layer 341, 343, 345 on the encapsulation layer 170 and configured to convert light emitted from the at least one light-emitting element ED1, ED2, ED3 into light having different colors, the color conversion-transmitting layer including quantum dots 3433, 3413 (Fig. 24: 341, 343, 345, 3433, 3413, paragraph 0114, 0142);
a low-refractive inorganic layer 391a on the color conversion-transmitting layer 341, 343, 345, between the color conversion-transmitting layer 341, 343, 345 and the second substrate 310, and having a refractive index less than a refractive index of the color conversion- transmitting layer 341, 343, 345 (Fig. 24: 391a, 341, 343, 345, paragraph 0114);
a color filter layer 331, 333, 335 on a surface of the second substrate 310 opposite to the first substrate 110, and being spaced apart from the low-refractive inorganic layer 391a with an air gap therebetween (Fig. 24: 331, 333, 335, paragraph 0108);
Kim et al., in a different embodiment, teaches a low-refractive inorganic layer 391 between the color conversion-transmitting layer 341, 343, 345 and the second substrate 310 (see Fig. 4: 391, 341, 343, 345, 310, paragraph 0114, 0115).
Therefore, a person of ordinary skill in the art, would have combined the different embodiments of Park et al. in order to have the low-refractive inorganic layer disposed between color conversion-transmitting layer and the second substrate. Doing so would recycle at least a part of the light transmitted through the color conversion-transmitting layer toward the second substrate , thereby improving the light efficiency of the display device, as recognized by Park et al. (paragraph 0115).
Jang et al. discloses a display device comprising a color filter layer 320 on a surface of the second substrate 300 opposite to the first substrate 110, and being spaced apart from the low-refractive inorganic layer 250 with an air gap 260 therebetween (Fig. 3: 260, 250, 320, 110, 300, paragraph 0051, 0052 in English Translation of Jang et al.).
Therefore, a person of ordinary skill in the art, would have combined the teachings of Park et al. and Jang et al. in order to have the color filter layer be spaced apart from the low-refractive inorganic layer with an air gap therebetween. By doing so, the emitted light is repeatedly reflected between the air gap and light emitting layer, thereby increasing the light extraction efficiency (paragraph 0053 in English Translation of Jang et al.).
Regarding Claim 23, Park et al. discloses the display device of claim 21, a difference between the refractive index of the color conversion-transmitting layer 341, 343, 345 and the refractive index of the low-refractive inorganic layer 391a is at least 0.3 (paragraph 0114).
Claim 22 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Park et al. (US 20200091464 A1), in view of Jang et al. (KR 20180078805 A), as applied to Claim 21 above, further in view of Kobayashi et al. (CN 111771163 A).
Park et al. teaches the display device of claim 21, wherein the refractive index of the low-refractive inorganic layer 391a is greater than 1.2 and less than 1.4 (paragraph 0114), but fails to teach a thickness of the low-refractive inorganic layer 391a is from 100 A to 4,000 A.
However, Kobayashi et al. discloses a display device comprising a low-refractive inorganic layer 4 on the color conversion-transmitting layer 3, wherein a thickness of the low-refractive inorganic layer 3 is from 1000 Å to 20,000 Å (Fig. 3: 3, 4, page 46, lines 3, 4, page 26, lines 35-40 in English Translation of Kobayashi et al.). According to MPEP § 2144.05 (I), “In the case where the claimed ranges "overlap or lie inside ranges disclosed by the prior art" a prima facie case of obviousness exists”. In re Wertheim, 541 F.2d 257, 191 USPQ 90 (CCPA 1976); In re Woodruff, 919 F.2d 1575, 16 USPQ2d 1934 (Fed. Cir. 1990).
Therefore, a person of ordinary skill in the art, would have combined the teachings of Park et al., Jang et al. and Kobayashi et al. in order to have a thickness of the low-refractive inorganic layer to be from 100 Å to 4,000 Å. Doing so would ensure a low-refractive inorganic layer of sufficient thickness is deposited without causing damage to the color conversion-transmitting layer.
Claim 24 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Park et al. (US 20200091464 A1), in view of Jang et al. (KR 20180078805 A), as applied to Claim 21 above, further in view of Lee et al. (US 20170076678 A1).
Park et al. teaches the display device of claim 21, wherein the color filter layer 331, 333, 335 comprises a first color filter 331 configured to transmit light La of a first color, a second color filter 333 configured to transmit light Lb of a second color, a third color filter 335 configured to transmit light L3 of a third color, and a light-blocking portion 360 dividing the first color filter 331, the second color filter 333, and the third color filter 335 (Fig.24: 331, 333, 335, La, Lb, L3, 360, paragraph 0195).
The combination of Park et al. and Jang et al. fails to teach in the light-blocking portion, a first color layer, a second color layer, and a third color layer respectively comprising same materials as the first color filter, the second color filter, and the third color filter overlap.
However, Lee et al. discloses a display device, wherein in the light-blocking portion SA, a first color layer 320G’, a second color layer 320R, and a third color layer 320B respectively comprising same materials as the first color filter 320G, the second color filter 320R, and the third color filter 320B overlap (Fig. 1: 320G’, 320G, 320R, 320B, paragraph 0045, 0048).
Therefore, a person of ordinary skill in the art, would have combined the teachings of Park et al., Jang et al. and Lee et al. in order to have in the light-blocking portion, a first color layer, a second color layer, and a third color layer respectively comprising same materials as the first color filter, the second color filter, and the third color filter overlap. By doing so, overlapping color filters would block the light emitted in the display device thereby preventing color mixing without the need for a separate light blocking member, as recognized by Lee et al. (paragraph 0049).
Claim 25 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Park et al. (US 20200091464 A1), in view of Jang et al. (KR 20180078805 A), as applied to Claim 21 above, further in view of second reference Park et al. (US 20220149251 A1), herein referred to as Park II.
Park et al. discloses the display device of claim 21, wherein the light-emitting element layer OL1, OL2, OL3 comprises a first light-emitting element ED1, a second light-emitting element ED2, and a third light-emitting element ED3, and the color conversion-transmitting layer 341, 343, 345 comprises a first color converter 341 corresponding to the first light-emitting element ED1, a second color converter 343 corresponding to the second light-emitting element ED2, and a transmitter 345 corresponding to the third light-emitting element ED2, and further comprises a light-blocking partition wall 360 arranged among the first color converter 341, the second color converter 343, and the transmitter 345 (Fig. 24: OL1, OL2, OL3, ED1, ED2, ED3, 341, 343, 345, 360, paragraph 0118, 0137, 0156, 0178).
The combination of Park et al. and Jang et al. fails to teach wherein a top surface of each of the first color converter, the second color converter, and the transmitter has a concave shape recessed with respect to a top surface of the light-blocking partition wall, and the low-refractive inorganic layer comprises a groove formed according to the concave shape.
However, Park II discloses a display device, wherein a top surface of each of the first color converter 130R, the second color converter 130G, and the transmitter 130B has a concave shape recessed with respect to a top surface of the light-blocking partition wall 131, and the low-refractive inorganic layer 140 comprises a groove formed according to the concave shape (Fig. 4: 130R, 130G, 130B, 131, 140, paragraphs 0349, 0359, 0376).
Therefore, a person of ordinary skill in the art, would have combined the teachings of Park et al., Jang et al. and Park II in order to have a top surface of each of the first color converter, the second color converter, and the transmitter have a concave shape recessed with respect to a top surface of the light-blocking partition wall, and the low-refractive inorganic layer comprise a groove formed according to the concave shape. Doing so would yield a color conversion-transmitting layer with an improved photo-efficiency and an absorption ratio relevant for high definition display device, as recognized by Park II (paragraph 0004).
Conclusion
THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. 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.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to HAMNA F IQBAL whose telephone number is (571)272-1587. The examiner can normally be reached M-F: 8.30 am - 5.30 pm EST.
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/HAMNA FATHIMA IQBAL/Examiner, Art Unit 2817 05/12/2026
/NICHOLAS J TOBERGTE/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2817
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