Prosecution Insights
Last updated: May 29, 2026
Application No. 18/239,638

Touch Display Device and Display Panel

Final Rejection §102§103
Filed
Aug 29, 2023
Priority
Sep 13, 2022 — RE 10-2022-0114718
Examiner
LIN, HANG
Art Unit
2626
Tech Center
2600 — Communications
Assignee
LG Display Co., Ltd.
OA Round
2 (Final)
65%
Grant Probability
Favorable
3-4
OA Rounds
0m
Est. Remaining
67%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 65% — above average
65%
Career Allowance Rate
297 granted / 457 resolved
+3.0% vs TC avg
Minimal +2% lift
Without
With
+1.6%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 6m
Avg Prosecution
11 currently pending
Career history
471
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.4%
-39.6% vs TC avg
§103
83.6%
+43.6% vs TC avg
§102
11.4%
-28.6% vs TC avg
§112
2.7%
-37.3% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 457 resolved cases

Office Action

§102 §103
DETAILED ACTION Status of Application Claims 1-17 are pending in the instant application. 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 . Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102 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 the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action: A person shall be entitled to a patent unless – (a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention. Claims 1-3, 7, 10-11 and 17 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Kim et al. (US 20210132723 A1). Regarding claim 1, Kim teaches a touch display device, comprising: a display area in which a plurality of subpixels are arranged in a first direction and a second direction; (fig. 1 and 10 shows a plurality of subpixels are arranged in a first direction and a second direction. Para 36-37, 123. Each EA is one subpixel) a reference voltage line extending along the first direction in a first line area between the plurality of subpixels; (Fig. 8: RVL. Para 108) a data line extending along the first direction in a second line area between the plurality of subpixels; (Fig. 1 and 8: DL. Para 101) a driving voltage line extending along the first direction in a third line area between the plurality of subpixels; (Fig. 8: DVL. Para 99) a touch electrode pattern that overlaps the reference voltage line or the driving voltage line; (Para 37-39. Fig. 1 shows the overlap of display panel and touch panel. Fig 3 shows touch electrodes 320. Fig 8 shows the subpixels which is part of the display panel with DVL and RVL. This means the electrode pattern overlaps with the reference voltage line or the driving voltage line) and a touch driving circuit configured to apply a touch driving signal to the touch electrode pattern through a touch line and detect a touch according to a change in capacitance of the touch electrode pattern. (Para 53-54, 57-58, 83-84. Fig. 3 and 6 show mutual capacitive touch panel with driving and sensing electrodes 320, touch line 220 and 230.) Regarding claim 2, Kim teaches the touch display device of claim 1, And Kim further teaches wherein the touch electrode pattern includes an opaque electrode in a mesh type in which a plurality of openings correspond to the plurality of subpixels. (Fig.6 shows the mesh electrode. OA is the opening. Para 83-84, 138) Regarding claim 3, Kim already teaches the touch display device of claim 1, and Kim further teaches wherein the touch line overlaps the data line in the second line area. (Para 37-39, 54. Fig. 1 shows the overlap of display panel and touch panel. This means the touch lines overlaps the data line) Regarding claim 7, Kim already teaches the touch display device of claim 1, and Kim further teaches wherein the reference voltage line is electrically connected to a transistor positioned in the plurality of subpixels via an active layer that is on the reference voltage line. (Fig. 8: RVL. Connecting to DRT. Para 108. The layer that is on the refence voltage line is the active layer. Please note that there will inherently be an active layer in the semiconductor device which is the display pixel). Regarding claim 10, Kim already teaches the touch display device of claim 1, and Kim further teaches wherein the driving voltage line is electrically connected to a transistor positioned in the plurality of subpixels via an active layer that is on the driving voltage line. (Fig. 8: DVL, connecting to DRT. Para 99. Please note that there will inherently be an active layer in the semiconductor device which is the display pixel). Regarding claim 11, Kim already teaches the touch display device of claim 1, and Kim further teaches wherein the touch line is between a plurality of data lines. (Para 37-39, 54. Fig. 1 and 3 show the overlap of display panel and touch panel. This means the touch lines is between the data line) Regarding claim 17, Kim teaches A display panel, comprising: a display area in which a plurality of subpixels are arranged in a first direction and a second direction; (fig. 1 and 10 shows a plurality of subpixels are arranged in a first direction and a second direction. Para 36-37, 123. Each EA is one subpixel) a reference voltage line extending along the first direction in a first line area between the plurality of subpixels; (Fig. 8: RVL. Para 108) a data line extending along the first direction in a second line area between the plurality of subpixels; (Fig. 1 and 8: DL. Para 101) a driving voltage line extending along the first direction in a third line area between the plurality of subpixels; (Fig. 8: DVL. Para 99) and a touch electrode pattern that overlaps the reference voltage line or the driving voltage line. (Para 37-39. Fig. 1 shows the overlap of display panel and touch panel. Fig 3 shows touch electrodes 320. Fig 8 shows the subpixels which is part of the display panel with DVL and RVL. This means the electrode pattern overlaps with the reference voltage line or the driving voltage line) 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. The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows: 1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art. 2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue. 3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art. 4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness. Claims 4-5, 8-9 and 15-16 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kim et al. (US 20210132723 A1), hereon Kim-1, further in view of Kim et al. (US 20210249451 A1), hereon Kim-2. Regarding claim 4, Kim-1 already teaches the touch display device of claim 1, However Kim-1 does not teach further comprising: a reference voltage bridge line extending along the second direction in an upper area of the plurality of subpixels from the reference voltage line, the reference voltage bridge line supplying a reference voltage to at least some subpixels among the plurality of subpixels. However Kim-2 teaches comprising: a reference voltage bridge line extending along the second direction in an upper area of the plurality of subpixels from the reference voltage line, the reference voltage bridge line supplying a reference voltage to at least some subpixels among the plurality of subpixels. (Para 113-114. Fig. 3. Reference voltage bridge line of RVL extending in the second direction. The area occupied by that RVL is an upper area of the plurality of subpixels.) Therefore it would have been obvious to one with ordinary skill, before the effective filing date of the invention, to modify Kim-1 with Kim-2 to teach comprising: a reference voltage bridge line extending along the second direction in an upper area of the plurality of subpixels from the reference voltage line, the reference voltage bridge line supplying a reference voltage to at least some subpixels among the plurality of subpixels in order to improve image display quality using constant reference voltage for threshold voltage compensation. Regarding claim 5, Kim-1 and Kim-2 already teach he touch display device of claim 4, And Kim-1 further teaches wherein the touch electrode pattern overlaps the reference voltage line. (Para 37-39 of Kim-1. Fig. 1 of Kim-1 shows the overlap of display panel and touch panel. Fig 3 shows touch electrodes 320. Fig 8 shows the subpixels which is part of the display panel with DVL and RVL. This means the electrode pattern overlaps with the reference voltage line or the driving voltage line.) However Kim-1 does not teach wherein the touch electrode pattern overlaps the reference voltage bridge line. However Kim-2 teaches wherein the touch electrode pattern overlaps the reference voltage bridge line.(Fig. 3: Kim-2 shows Reference voltage bridge line of RVL extending in the second direction. The reference voltage bridge is part of the display, therefore is overlapped with the touch electrode pattern of Kim-1.) Therefore it would have been obvious to one with ordinary skill, before the effective filing date of the invention, to modify Kim-1 with Kim-2 to teach wherein the touch electrode pattern overlaps the reference voltage bridge line in order to improve image display quality using constant reference voltage for threshold voltage compensation. Regarding claim 8, Kim-1 already teaches the touch display device of claim 1, However Kim-1 does not teach further comprising a driving voltage bridge line extending along the second direction in a lower area of the plurality of subpixels from the driving voltage line, the driving voltage bridge line configured to supply a driving voltage to at least some subpixels among the plurality of subpixels. However Kim-2 teaches further comprising a driving voltage bridge line extending along the second direction in a lower area of the plurality of subpixels from the driving voltage line, the driving voltage bridge line configured to supply a driving voltage to at least some subpixels among the plurality of subpixels. (Fig. 3: a driving voltage bridge line of ELVDL extending in the second direction. Para 112-113) Therefore it would have been obvious to one with ordinary skill, before the effective filing date of the invention, to modify Kim-1 with Kim-2 to teach further comprising a driving voltage bridge line extending along the second direction in a lower area of the plurality of subpixels from the driving voltage line, the driving voltage bridge line configured to supply a driving voltage to at least some subpixels among the plurality of subpixels in order produce the predictable result of image display with a power supply voltage line configuration as taught by Kim-2. Regarding claim 9, Kim already teaches the touch display device of claim 8, and Kim-1 further teach wherein the touch electrode pattern overlaps the driving voltage line. (Para 37-39, 54 of Kim-1. Fig 8 of Kim-1 shows DVL and RVL for each subpixel . and Fig. 1 and 3 of Kim-1show the overlap of display panel and touch panel.) However Kim-1 does not teach wherein the touch electrode pattern overlaps the driving voltage bridge line. However Kim-2 teaches wherein the touch electrode pattern overlaps the driving voltage bridge line. (Kim-2 of Fig. 3: shows driving voltage bridge line of ELVDLL extending in the second direction. The reference voltage bridge is part of the display. This means the touch electrode pattern of Kim-1 overlaps the driving voltage bridge line.) Therefore it would have been obvious to one with ordinary skill, before the effective filing date of the invention, to modify Kim-1 with Kim-2 to teach wherein the touch electrode pattern overlaps the driving voltage bridge line in order produce the predictable result image result with a power supply voltage line configuration as taught by Kim-2. Regarding claim 15, Kim-1 and Kim-2 already teach the touch display device of claim 4, And Kim-1 further teaches wherein the touch electrode pattern is positioned along the first line area in which the reference voltage line is disposed. (Para 37-39 of Kim-1. Fig. 1 of Kim-1 shows the overlap of display panel and touch panel. Fig 3 shows touch electrodes 320. Fig 8 shows the subpixels which is part of the display panel with DVL and RVL. This means wherein the touch electrode pattern is positioned along the first line area in which the reference voltage line is disposed.) However Kim-1 does not teach wherein the touch electrode pattern is positioned the reference voltage bridge line is disposed. However Kim-2 teaches wherein the touch electrode pattern is positioned the reference voltage bridge line is disposed. (Para 113-114. Fig. 3. Reference voltage bridge line of RVL extending in the second direction. This means the touch electrode pattern of Kim1 is positioned the reference voltage bridge line is disposed.) Therefore it would have been obvious to one with ordinary skill, before the effective filing date of the invention, to modify Kim-1 with Kim-2 to teach wherein the touch electrode pattern is positioned the reference voltage bridge line is disposed in order to improve image display quality using constant reference voltage for threshold voltage compensation. Regarding claim 16, Kim-1 and Kim-2 already teach the touch display device of claim 8, And Kim-1 further teaches wherein the touch electrode pattern is positioned along the third line area in which the driving voltage line is disposed. (Para 37-39 of Kim-1. Fig. 1 of Kim-1 shows the overlap of display panel and touch panel. Fig 3 shows touch electrodes 320. Fig 8 shows the subpixels which is part of the display panel with DVL and RVL. This means wherein the touch electrode pattern of Kim-1 is positioned along the third line area in which the driving voltage line is disposed.) However Kim-1 does not teach the touch electrode pattern is positioned along an area in which the driving voltage bridge line is disposed. However Kim-2 teaches the touch electrode pattern is positioned along an area in which the driving voltage bridge line is disposed. (Kim-2 of Fig. 3: shows driving voltage bridge line of ELVDLL extending in the second direction. The reference voltage bridge is part of the display. This means wherein the touch electrode pattern of Kim-1 is positioned along the third line area in which the driving voltage bridge line is disposed.) Therefore it would have been obvious to one with ordinary skill, before the effective filing date of the invention, to modify Kim-1 with Kim-2 to teach the touch electrode pattern is positioned along an area in which the driving voltage bridge line is disposed in order produce the predictable result of image display with a power supply voltage line configuration as taught by Kim-2. Claim 12 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kim et al. (US 20210132723 A1), hereon Kim-1, in view of Yang et al. (US 20230119909 A1), in view of Chen et al. (US 20210272513 A1), further in view of Kim et al. (US 20170102825 A1), hereon Kim-2. Regarding claim 12, Kim-1 already teaches the touch display device of claim 1, However Kim-1 does not teach (i) wherein the first line area is a constant voltage line area. (ii) and the third line area is a constant voltage line area. (iii) and the second line area is a pulse voltage line area. However with regarding to aforementioned (i), Yang teaches wherein the first line area is a constant voltage line area, (Para 108. Reference voltage is constant) Therefore it would have been obvious to one with ordinary skill, before the effective filing date of the invention, to modify Kim-1 with Yang to teach wherein the first line area is a constant voltage line area in order to improve image display quality using constant reference voltage for threshold voltage compensation. However with regarding to aforementioned (ii), Chen teaches and the third line area is a constant voltage line area. (Para 68. VDD is constant) Therefore it would have been obvious to one with ordinary skill, before the effective filing date of the invention, to modify Kim-1 and Yang with Chen to teach and the third line area is a constant voltage line area in order produce the predictable result image result with a constant power supply voltage for the subpixel circuit. However with regarding to aforementioned (iii), Kim-2 teaches and the second line area is a pulse voltage line area. (Para 207) Therefore it would have been obvious to one with ordinary skill, before the effective filing date of the invention, to modify Kim-1, Yang and Chen with Kim-2 to teach and the second line area is a pulse voltage line area in order produce the predictable result image result with a PWM data voltage. Claims 13-14 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kim et al. (US 20210132723 A1), in view of Wang et al. (US 20210159299 A1), further in view of Chang (US 20210159250 A1). Regarding claim 13, Kim already teaches the touch display device of claim 7, However Kim does not teach (i) wherein the transistor includes a gate node, a source node, and a drain node comprising as same gate metal. (ii) and the active layer is a bridge line that connects an upper-positioned gate metal and a lower-positioned reference voltage line. However with regarding to the aforementioned (i), Wang teaches wherein the transistor includes a gate node, a source node, and a drain node comprising as same gate metal. (Para 40) Therefore it would have been obvious to one with ordinary skill, before the effective filing date of the invention, to modify Kim with Wang to teach wherein the transistor includes a gate node, a source node, and a drain node comprising as same gate metal in order to produce the predictable of image display using pixels using transistors by adopting transistor composition material as taught by Wang. With regarding to the aforementioned (i), Chang teaches the active layer is a bridge line that connects an upper-positioned gate metal and a lower-positioned reference voltage line. (Para 123. Fig. 5: ACT3 is the active layer which is the bridge line. RVT is the reference voltage line. And the gate is considered to be upper-positioned and the reference voltage line is considered to be lower-position depending on the device orientation.) Therefore it would have been obvious to one with ordinary skill, before the effective filing date of the invention, to modify Kim with Chang to teach the active layer is a bridge line that connects an upper-positioned gate metal and a lower-positioned reference voltage line in order to improve image display quality using constant reference voltage for threshold voltage compensation with the connection configuration as taught by Chang. Regarding claim 14, Kim already teaches the touch display device of claim 10, However Kim does not teach (i) wherein the transistor includes a gate node, a source node, and a drain node including a same gate metal or a different gate metal. (ii) and the active layer is a bridge line that connects an upper-positioned gate metal and a lower-positioned driving voltage line. However with regarding to the aforementioned (i), Wang teaches wherein the transistor includes a gate node, a source node, and a drain node including a same gate metal or a different gate metal. (Para 40) Therefore it would have been obvious to one with ordinary skill, before the effective filing date of the invention, to modify Kim with Wang to teach wherein the transistor includes a gate node, a source node, and a drain node including a same gate metal or a different gate metal in order to produce the predictable of image display using pixels using transistors by adopting transistor composition material as taught by Wang. With regarding to the aforementioned (ii), Chang teaches and the active layer is a bridge line that connects an upper-positioned gate metal and a lower-positioned driving voltage line. (Para 119. Fig. 5. ACT1 is the active line which is the bridge line. And the gate is considered to be upper-positioned and the driving voltage line is considered to be lower-position depending on the device orientation.) Therefore it would have been obvious to one with ordinary skill, before the effective filing date of the invention, to modify Kim with Chang to teach the active layer is a bridge line that connects an upper-positioned gate metal and a lower-positioned driving voltage line in order produce the predictable result of image display with a power supply voltage line connecting configuration as taught by Chang. Allowable Subject Matter Claim 6 is objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to HANG LIN whose telephone number is (571)270-7596. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm. 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, Temesghen Ghebretinsae can be reached at 571-272-3017. 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 https://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. /HANG LIN/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2626
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Aug 29, 2023
Application Filed
Dec 02, 2025
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §102, §103
Feb 04, 2026
Response Filed
May 27, 2026
Final Rejection mailed — §102, §103 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12608095
Mouse and Replacement Support Kit
1y 6m to grant Granted Apr 21, 2026
Patent 12579932
DISPLAY CONTROL METHOD AND DEVICE FOR A DISPLAY PANEL, STORAGE MEDIUM, AND DISPLAY DEVICE
11m to grant Granted Mar 17, 2026
Patent 12562131
DISPLAY DEVICE AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE INCLUDING THE DISPLAY DEVICE
1y 0m to grant Granted Feb 24, 2026
Patent 12547261
Rotary Control Input Device for a Capacitive Touch Screen
2y 2m to grant Granted Feb 10, 2026
Patent 12548504
DRIVING CIRCUIT, DISPLAY PANEL AND DISPLAY DEVICE
2y 4m to grant Granted Feb 10, 2026
Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

Strategy Recommendation AI-generated — please review before filing

Get a prosecution strategy drawn from examiner precedents, rejection analysis, and claim mapping.
Typically takes 5-10 seconds — AI-generated, attorney review required before filing

Prosecution Projections

3-4
Expected OA Rounds
65%
Grant Probability
67%
With Interview (+1.6%)
2y 6m (~0m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Moderate
PTA Risk
Based on 457 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

Sign in with your work email

Enter your email to receive a magic link. No password needed.

Personal email addresses (Gmail, Yahoo, etc.) are not accepted.

Free tier: 3 strategy analyses per month