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 .
This office action is a response to the election of species filed on 5/19/2026.
Election/Restrictions
Applicant’s election without traverse of Species A, sub-Species AA, claims 1-7 and 9-12, in the reply filed on 5/19/2026 is acknowledged.
However, since claim 1 is allowable, claim 8, directed to the bonding apparatus, previously restricted from the election of species, are now subject to bring rejoined. Claims 1-12 are hereby rejoined and fully examined for patentability under 37 CFR 1.104.
Claims 13-20 are withdrawn from further consideration pursuant to 37 CFR 1.142(b) as being drawn to a nonelected invention, there being no allowable generic or linking claim. Election was made without traverse in the reply filed on 5/19/2026.
Claim Objections
Claims 1-12 are objected to because of the following informalities:
Re. claim 1: The phrase “a plurality of through-holes through which the light passes are” as recited in line 8 appears to be --a plurality of through-holes which the light passes are--.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
Claims 3 and 5 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
Re. claim 3: The phrase “a bottom surface facing the top surface” as recited in line 4 renders the claim vague and indefinite. It is unclear as to how the bottom surface of the light diffusion layer can be facing the top surface of the light diffusion layer.
Re. claim 5: The phrase “a top surface facing the bottom surface” as recited in line 5 renders the claim vague and indefinite. It is unclear as to how the top surface of the upper light diffusion layer can be facing the bottom surface of the upper light diffusion layer.
Appropriate correction is required.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1, 2, 4 and 6-12 are allowed.
Claims 3 and 5 would be allowable if rewritten to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action and to include all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
The Prior Art
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Joo et al. (PGPub 2024/0021570 A1), Yoda et al. (PGPub 2017/0102508 A1), Agatani et al. (US PAT. 8,735,914), and Omata et al. (PGPub 2008/0057717 A1) are cited to further show the state of the art with respect to a bonding apparatus.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to PAUL D KIM whose telephone number is (571)272-4565. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday: 6:00 AM-2:00 PM.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Thomas Hong can be reached at 571-272-0993. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/PAUL D KIM/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3729
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