Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 18/263,533

DRIVING SUBSTRATES AND DISPLAY PANELS

Non-Final OA §102§103
Filed
Jul 30, 2023
Examiner
TRAN, TAN N
Art Unit
2812
Tech Center
2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems
Assignee
Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Semiconductor Display Technology Co. Ltd.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
86%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
2y 3m
To Grant
97%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 86% — above average
86%
Career Allow Rate
941 granted / 1088 resolved
+18.5% vs TC avg
Moderate +10% lift
Without
With
+10.2%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 3m
Avg Prosecution
45 currently pending
Career history
1133
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
1.2%
-38.8% vs TC avg
§103
49.9%
+9.9% vs TC avg
§102
34.9%
-5.1% vs TC avg
§112
7.2%
-32.8% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1088 resolved cases

Office Action

§102 §103
DETAILED ACTION Specification 1. The title of the invention is not descriptive. A new title is required that is clearly indicative of the invention to which the claims are directed. Claim Objections 2. Claims 6, 16 are objected to because of the following informalities: In claim 6, lines 1, 2, “a thickness of the first metal layer is less than a thickness of the second metal layer” should be changed to “a thickness of the second metal layer is less than a thickness of the first metal layer” because claim 5 comprising the first part is a first metal layer and the second part is a second metal layer; while claim 3 comprising the first part is greater than a thickness of the second part. In claim 16, lines 1, 2, “a thickness of the first metal layer is less than a thickness of the second metal layer” should be changed to “a thickness of the second metal layer is less than a thickness of the first metal layer” because claim 15 comprising the first part is a first metal layer and the second part is a second metal layer; while claim 13 comprising the first part is greater than a thickness of the second part. Appropriate correction is required. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102 3. 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. 4. Claim(s) 1 – 5, 7, 9 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Lu (10340365). With regard to claim 1, Lu discloses a driving substrate (a structure of fig. 4K, comprising transistors, functioning as a driving substrate), comprising: a substrate (41); and a thin film transistor structure (a transistor, having an active layer 4211 – 4215, functioning as a thin film transistor structure) disposed on the substrate (41), wherein the thin film transistor structure comprises: an active layer (4211 – 4215) disposed on the substrate (41) and comprising a first contact part (4211), a transition part (4213), a channel (4215), and a second contact part (4212), wherein the transition part (4213) is disposed between the first contact part (4211) and the channel (4215), and the second contact part (4212) is disposed at a side of the channel (4215) away from the first contact part (4211); wherein a resistance value of the first contact part (4211) is less than a resistance value of the transition part (4213), and the resistance value of the transition part (4213) is less than a resistance value of the channel (for example, see column 9, lines 12 – 22 discloses the active area without being shielded by the metal layer is implanted with ions, so as to form a source region 4211 and a drain region 4212 of the first thin film transistor. The first active layer being shielded by the metal half tone mask is implanted with ions, so as to form a source lightly doped region 4213 and a drain lightly doped region 4214 of the first thin film transistor. The first active layer being shielded by the photoresist 45 and the metal layer 44 is not implanted with ions. Therefore, it is inherently a resistance value of the first contact part 4211 is less than a resistance value of the transition part 4213, and the resistance value of the transition part 4213 is less than a resistance value of the channel based on the high doped in the source/drain region 4211, lightly doped in the region 4213 and no doped in the channel 4215); a gate insulation layer (43) disposed on the active layer (4211 – 4215); a gate (441, 442) disposed on the gate insulation layer (43) and comprising a first part (441) and a second part (442) connected to the first part (441), wherein the first part (441) is disposed overlapping with the channel (4215) and used to block doped ions completely (for example, see column 9, lines 20 – 24, fig. 4G discloses the first active layer being shielded by the photoresist 45 and the metal layer 44, including the first part 441, is not implanted with ions), and the second part (442) is disposed overlapping with the transition part (4213) and used to penetrate part of the doped ions (for example, see column 9, lines 12 – 22 discloses the first active layer being shielded by the metal half tone mask is implanted with ions, so as to form a source lightly doped region 4213. Therefore, the second part 442 used to penetrate part of the doped ions for forming a source lightly doped region 4213); and a first electrode (491) and a second electrode (492), wherein the first electrode (491) is connected to the first contact part (4211), and the second electrode (492) is connected to the second contact part (4212). PNG media_image1.png 437 855 media_image1.png Greyscale PNG media_image2.png 258 645 media_image2.png Greyscale With regard to claim 2, Lu inherently discloses a compactness of the first part is greater than a compactness of the second part based on a thickness of the first part is thicker than that of the second part and the first part is functioning as a blocking region from the doped ions and the second part is the lightly doped region, used to penetrate part of the doped ions. With regard to claim 3, Lu discloses a thickness of the first part (441) is greater than a thickness of the second part (442). With regard to claim 4, Lu discloses the gate (441, 442) is a single film layer structure. With regard to claim 5, Lu discloses the first part (441) is a first metal layer and the second part (442) is a second metal layer, the first metal layer (441) is disposed on the gate insulation layer (43) and blocks (covers) the channel (4215) and the transition part (4213), and the second metal layer (442) is disposed on a side of the first metal layer (441) away (a top surface of the second metal layer 442 away) from the gate insulation layer (a portion 43A functioning as the gate insulation layer) and blocks (covers) the channel (4215). PNG media_image3.png 434 850 media_image3.png Greyscale With regard to claim 7, Lu discloses the first part (441) is a first metal layer and the second part (442) is a second metal layer, the first metal layer (441) is disposed on the gate insulation layer (43) and only blocks the channel (4215), and the second metal layer (442) is disposed on a side of the first metal layer (441) away from (a portion 43A functioning as the gate insulation layer) and blocks (covers) the channel (4215) and the transition part (4213). With regard to claim 9, Lu discloses a mass ratio of the doped ions in the first contact part (4211) is greater than a mass ratio of the doped ions in the transition part (4213). (for example, see column 9, lines 12 – 22 discloses the active area without being shielded by the metal layer is implanted with ions, so as to form a source region 4211 and a drain region 4212 of the first thin film transistor. The first active layer being shielded by the metal half tone mask is implanted with ions, so as to form a source lightly doped region 4213 and a drain lightly doped region 4214 of the first thin film transistor. Therefore, it is inherently a mass ratio of the doped ions in the first contact part 4211 is greater than a mass ratio of the doped ions in the transition part 4213 based on the metal half tone mask, forming on the transition part 4213, and no shielding or mask for forming implanted with ions, so as to form a source region 4211). Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103 5. 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. 6. Claim(s) 6 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Lu (10340365) in view of Ohta (12224356). With regard to claim 6, Lu does not clearly a thickness of the first metal layer is less than a thickness of the second metal layer. However, Ohta discloses a thickness (referred to as “A” by examiner’s annotation shown in fig. 1 below) of the first metal layer (referred to as “11A” by examiner’s annotation shown in fig. 1 below) is less than a thickness (referred to as “B” by examiner’s annotation shown in fig. 1 below) of the second metal layer (referred to as “11B” by examiner’s annotation shown in fig. 1 below). PNG media_image4.png 390 756 media_image4.png Greyscale Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the Lu’s device to have a thickness of the first metal layer is less than a thickness of the second metal layer as taught by Ohta in order to secure the mobility efficiency of the active layer of the transistor, as is known to one of ordinary skill in the art. 7. Claim(s) 8 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Lu (10340365) in view of Hayakawa (2002/0192931). With regard to claim 8, Lu does not clearly the thickness of the first part is greater than or equal to 250 nm, and the thickness of the second part is greater than or equal to 10 nm and less than or equal to 100 nm. However, Hayakawa discloses the thickness of the first part (409, fig. 5A), for forming a first part 418b of the gate 418, fig. 5B, is 400 nm, and the thickness of the second part (408, fig. 5A) for forming a second part 418a of the gate 418, fig. 5B, is 20 nm (for example, paragraph [0067, fig. 5A, 5B). PNG media_image5.png 383 959 media_image5.png Greyscale Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the Lu’s device to have the thickness of the first part is 400 nm, and the thickness of the second part is 20 nm as taught by Ding et al. in order to enhance a high blocking efficiency of the gate functioning as the mask, as is known to one of ordinary skill in the art. 8. Claim(s) 10 – 15, 17, 19, 20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Lu (10340365) in view of Ding et al. (12224354). With regard to claim 10, Lu discloses another transition part (4214) is connected between the channel (4215) and the second contact part (4212), but Lu does not clearly the first electrode is used to connect a light-emitting device. However, Ding et al. disclose the first electrode (206) is used to connect a light-emitting device (a light-emitting device including anode electrode 305; for example, column 9, lines 55 – 57, fig. 5). PNG media_image6.png 396 568 media_image6.png Greyscale Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the Lu’s device to have the first electrode is used to connect a light-emitting device as taught by Ding et al. in order to in order to perform color display, a light-emitting diode is provided on an organic light-emitting display substrate, as is known to one of ordinary skill in the art. With regard to claim 11, Lu discloses a driving substrate (a structure of fig. 4K, comprising transistors, functioning as a driving substrate), comprising: a substrate (41); and a thin film transistor structure (a transistor, having an active layer 4211 – 4215, functioning as a thin film transistor structure) disposed on the substrate (41), wherein the thin film transistor structure comprises: an active layer (4211 – 4215) disposed on the substrate (41) and comprising a first contact part (4211), a transition part (4213), a channel (4215), and a second contact part (4212), wherein the transition part (4213) is disposed between the first contact part (4211) and the channel (4215), and the second contact part (4212) is disposed at a side of the channel (4215) away from the first contact part (4211); wherein a resistance value of the first contact part (4211) is less than a resistance value of the transition part (4213), and the resistance value of the transition part (4213) is less than a resistance value of the channel (for example, see column 9, lines 12 – 22 discloses the active area without being shielded by the metal layer is implanted with ions, so as to form a source region 4211 and a drain region 4212 of the first thin film transistor. The first active layer being shielded by the metal half tone mask is implanted with ions, so as to form a source lightly doped region 4213 and a drain lightly doped region 4214 of the first thin film transistor. The first active layer being shielded by the photoresist 45 and the metal layer 44 is not implanted with ions. Therefore, it is inherently a resistance value of the first contact part 4211 is less than a resistance value of the transition part 4213, and the resistance value of the transition part 4213 is less than a resistance value of the channel based on the high doped in the source/drain region 4211, lightly doped in the region 4213 and no doped in the channel 4215); a gate insulation layer (43) disposed on the active layer (4211 – 4215); a gate (441, 442) disposed on the gate insulation layer (43) and comprising a first part (441) and a second part (442) connected to the first part (441), wherein the first part (441) is disposed overlapping with the channel (4215) and used to block doped ions completely (for example, see column 9, lines 20 – 24, fig. 4G discloses the first active layer being shielded by the photoresist 45 and the metal layer 44, including the first part 441, is not implanted with ions), and the second part (442) is disposed overlapping with the transition part (4213) and used to penetrate part of the doped ions (for example, see column 9, lines 12 – 22 discloses the first active layer being shielded by the metal half tone mask is implanted with ions, so as to form a source lightly doped region 4213. Therefore, the second part 442 used to penetrate part of the doped ions for forming a source lightly doped region 4213); and a first electrode (491) and a second electrode (492), wherein the first electrode (491) is connected to the first contact part (4211), and the second electrode (492) is connected to the second contact part (4212). PNG media_image1.png 437 855 media_image1.png Greyscale PNG media_image2.png 258 645 media_image2.png Greyscale Lu does not clearly a display panel, comprising a light emitting device disposed on the driving substrate. However, Ding et al. disclose a display panel (300), comprising a light emitting device (a light-emitting device including anode electrode 305; for example, column 9, lines 55 – 57, fig. 5) disposed on the driving substrate (referred to as “SUB1” by examiner’s annotation shown in fig. 5 below). PNG media_image7.png 388 662 media_image7.png Greyscale Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the Lu’s device to have a display panel, comprising a light emitting device disposed on the driving substrate as taught by Ding et al. in order to in order to perform color display, a light-emitting diode is provided on an organic light-emitting display substrate, as is known to one of ordinary skill in the art. With regard to claim 12, Lu inherently discloses a compactness of the first part is greater than a compactness of the second part based on a thickness of the first part is thicker than that of the second part and the first part is functioning as a blocking region from the doped ions and the second part is the lightly doped region, used to penetrate part of the doped ions. With regard to claim 13, Lu discloses a thickness of the first part (441) is greater than a thickness of the second part (442). With regard to claim 14, Lu discloses the gate (441, 442) is a single film layer structure. With regard to claim 15, Lu discloses the first part (441) is a first metal layer and the second part (442) is a second metal layer, the first metal layer (441) is disposed on the gate insulation layer (43) and blocks (covers) the channel (4215) and the transition part (4213), and the second metal layer (442) is disposed on a side of the first metal layer (441) away (a top surface of the second metal layer 442 away) from the gate insulation layer (a portion 43A functioning as the gate insulation layer) and blocks (covers) the channel (4215). PNG media_image3.png 434 850 media_image3.png Greyscale With regard to claim 17, Lu discloses the first part (441) is a first metal layer and the second part (442) is a second metal layer, the first metal layer (441) is disposed on the gate insulation layer (43) and only blocks the channel (4215), and the second metal layer (442) is disposed on a side of the first metal layer (441) away from (a portion 43A functioning as the gate insulation layer) and blocks (covers) the channel (4215) and the transition part (4213). PNG media_image3.png 434 850 media_image3.png Greyscale With regard to claim 19, Lu discloses a mass ratio of the doped ions in the first contact part (4211) is greater than a mass ratio of the doped ions in the transition part (4213). (for example, see column 9, lines 12 – 22 discloses the active area without being shielded by the metal layer is implanted with ions, so as to form a source region 4211 and a drain region 4212 of the first thin film transistor. The first active layer being shielded by the metal half tone mask is implanted with ions, so as to form a source lightly doped region 4213 and a drain lightly doped region 4214 of the first thin film transistor. Therefore, it is inherently a mass ratio of the doped ions in the first contact part 4211 is greater than a mass ratio of the doped ions in the transition part 4213 based on the metal half tone mask, forming on the transition part 4213, and no shielding or mask for forming implanted with ions, so as to form a source region 4211). With regard to claim 20, Lu discloses another transition part (4214) is connected between the channel (4215) and the second contact part (4212), but Lu does not clearly the first electrode is used to connect a light-emitting device. However, Ding et al. disclose the first electrode (206) is used to connect a light-emitting device (a light-emitting device including anode electrode 305; for example, column 9, lines 55 – 57, fig. 5). PNG media_image6.png 396 568 media_image6.png Greyscale Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the Lu’s device to have the first electrode is used to connect a light-emitting device as taught by Ding et al. in order to in order to perform color display, a light-emitting diode is provided on an organic light-emitting display substrate, as is known to one of ordinary skill in the art. 9. Claim(s) 16 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Lu (10340365) in view of Ding et al. (12224354) and further in view of Ohta (12224356). With regard to claim 16, Lu does not clearly a thickness of the first metal layer is less than a thickness of the second metal layer. However, Ohta discloses a thickness (referred to as “A” by examiner’s annotation shown in fig. 1 below) of the first metal layer (referred to as “11A” by examiner’s annotation shown in fig. 1 below) is less than a thickness (referred to as “B” by examiner’s annotation shown in fig. 1 below) of the second metal layer (referred to as “11B” by examiner’s annotation shown in fig. 1 below). PNG media_image4.png 390 756 media_image4.png Greyscale Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the Lu and Ding et al.’s device to have a thickness of the first metal layer is less than a thickness of the second metal layer as taught by Ohta in order to secure the mobility efficiency of the active layer of the transistor, as is known to one of ordinary skill in the art. 10. Claim(s) 18 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Lu (10340365) in view of Ding et al. (12224354) and further in view of Hayakawa (2002/0192931). With regard to claim 18, Lu and Ding et al. do not clearly the thickness of the first part is greater than or equal to 250 nm, and the thickness of the second part is greater than or equal to 10 nm and less than or equal to 100 nm. However, Hayakawa discloses the thickness of the first part (409, fig. 5A), for forming a first part 418b of the gate 418, fig. 5B, is 400 nm, and the thickness of the second part (408, fig. 5A) for forming a second part 418a of the gate 418, fig. 5B, is 20 nm (for example, paragraph [0067, fig. 5A, 5B). PNG media_image5.png 383 959 media_image5.png Greyscale Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the Lu and Ding et al.’s device to have the thickness of the first part is 400 nm, and the thickness of the second part is 20 nm as taught by Ding et al. in order to enhance a high blocking efficiency of the gate functioning as the mask, as is known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Conclusion 11. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to TAN N TRAN whose telephone number is (571) 272 - 1923. The examiner can normally be reached on 8:30-5:00PM. If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Davienne Monbleau can be reached on (571) 272-1945. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. Information regarding the status of an application may be obtained from the Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system. Status information for published applications may be obtained from either Private PAIR or Public PAIR. Status information for unpublished applications is available through Private PAIR only. For more information about the PAIR system, see http://pair-direct.uspto.gov. Should you have questions on access to the Private PAIR system, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative or access to the automated information system, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. /TAN N TRAN/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2812
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Jul 30, 2023
Application Filed
Jan 23, 2026
Non-Final Rejection — §102, §103 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

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Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

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Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
86%
Grant Probability
97%
With Interview (+10.2%)
2y 3m
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
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