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 .
Priority
Receipt is acknowledged of certified copies of papers required by 37 CFR 1.55.
Information Disclosure Statement
The IDS filed to date have been considered.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments with respect to claim(s) 1-22 have been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection with regards to the limitations in question do not rely on the reference applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument.
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.
Claim(s) 1-22 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Akita (US 20130040052, of record) herein after referred to as D1, and further in view of Kaida (WO 2010126110, of record) herein after referred to as D2.
With regard to claim 1, D1 teaches A wire grid polarizing element (10), in at least (figs. 1-6; and [0020], [0022], [0025], [0055], [0080], [0088], [0113], [0219]); of a hybrid type made of an inorganic material ([0080]) and an organic material ([0025]) , comprising: a substrate (14; [0055]) made of the inorganic material ([0080]); a grid structural body (10) made of the organic material ([0025]) and including a base part (13) provided on the substrate (14; [0055]) and a plurality of ridge portions (12) protruding from the base part (13), the base part (13) and the ridge portions (12) being integrally formed; and a functional film (20 or 25) made of a metal material (22 or 27) and covering part of each of the ridge portions (12), wherein the ridge portions (12) each have an upward narrowing shape (16 and 18 narrow to 19) that narrows in width (Dpt) with distance from the base part (13), the functional film (20 or 25) covers and wraps a leading end (19) and an upper side of at least one of side surfaces (16 or 18) of each of the ridge portions (12), and does not cover a lower side of both the side surfaces (16 or 18) of each of the ridge portions (12) and the base part (13), and a surface of the functional film (20 or 25) covering and wrapping each of the ridge portions (12) is rounded and bulges in a width direction of the ridge portions (12), and a maximum width (WMAX) of the functional film (20 or 25) covering and wrapping each of the ridge portions (12) is more than or equal to a width (WB) of each of the ridge portions (12) at a position of 20% of a height of each of the ridge portions (12) upward from a bottom of each of the ridge portions (12).
However, D1 does not expressly disclose wherein the base and the lower sides of both the side surfaces of each of the ridge portions are not covered by a functional film.
In a related endeavor, D2 teaches a wire-grid polarizer, in at least (figure 1), wherein the base (14) and the lower sides of both the side surfaces (16 and 18) of each of the ridge portions (12) are not covered by a functional film (20).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide the invention of D1 with the base and the lower sides of both the side surfaces of each of the ridge portions are not covered by a functional film as taught by D2 for the purpose of increasing light utilization efficiency.
With regard to claim 2, D1 in view of D2 teaches all of the claimed limitations of the instant invention as have been outlined above with respect to claim 1, wherein D1 further teaches a process for producing wire-grid polarizer, in at least (figs. 1-6; and [0020], [0022], [0025], [0055], [0080], [0088], [0113], [0219]); wherein when a coverage rate (Rc) of the side surfaces (16 or 18) of each of the ridge portions (12) obtained by the functional film (20 or 25) is a proportion of a height (Hx) of a portion of the side surfaces (16 or 18) of each of the ridge portions (12) that is covered by the functional film (20 or 25) to a height (H) of the ridge portions (12), the coverage rate (Rc) is more than or equal to 25% and less than or equal to 80% (coverage of 22 and 27 of 12 is clearly in range).
With regard to claim 3, D1 in view of D2 teaches all of the claimed limitations of the instant invention as have been outlined above with respect to claim 2, wherein D1 further teaches a process for producing wire-grid polarizer, in at least (figs. 1-6; and [0020], [0022], [0025], [0055], [0080], [0088], [0113], [0219]); wherein the coverage rate (Rc) is more than or equal to 30% and less than or equal to 70% (coverage of 22 and 27 of 12 is clearly in range).
With regard to claim 4, D1 in view of D2 teaches all of the claimed limitations of the instant invention as have been outlined above with respect to claim 1, wherein D1 further teaches a process for producing wire-grid polarizer, in at least (figs. 1-6; and [0020], [0022], [0025], [0055], [0080], [0088], [0113], [0219]); wherein a product (Tp×Rs) of transmission axis transmittance (Tp) and reflection axis reflectance (Rs) for incident light at an incident angle of 45° with respect to the wire grid polarizing element (10) is more than or equal to 70% ([0022], [0219]).
With regard to claim 5, D1 in view of D2 teaches all of the claimed limitations of the instant invention as have been outlined above with respect to claim 1, wherein D1 further teaches a process for producing wire-grid polarizer, in at least (figs. 1-6; and [0020], [0022], [0025], [0055], [0080], [0088], [0113], [0219]); wherein the height ([0020]) of each of the ridge portions (12) is more than or equal to 160 nm.
With regard to claim 6, D1 in view of D2 teaches all of the claimed limitations of the instant invention as have been outlined above with respect to claim 1, wherein D1 further teaches a process for producing wire-grid polarizer, in at least (figs. 1-6; and [0020], [0022], [0025], [0055], [0080], [0088], [0113], [0219]); wherein the functional film (20 or 25) covering the leading end (19) of each of the ridge portions (12) has a thickness (Dpt) of more than or equal to 5 nm.
With regard to claim 7, D1 in view of D2 teaches all of the claimed limitations of the instant invention as have been outlined above with respect to claim 1, wherein D1 further teaches a process for producing wire-grid polarizer, in at least (figs. 1-6; and [0020], [0022], [0025], [0055], [0080], [0088], [0113], [0219]); wherein the functional film (20 or 25) covering the side surfaces (16 or 18) of each of the ridge portions (12) has a thickness (Ds) of more than or equal to 10 nm and less than or equal to 30 nm ([0080] and [0088]).
With regard to claim 8, D1 in view of D2 teaches all of the claimed limitations of the instant invention as have been outlined above with respect to claim 1, wherein D1 further teaches a process for producing wire-grid polarizer, in at least (figs. 1-6; and [0020], [0022], [0025], [0055], [0080], [0088], [0113], [0219]); wherein the base part (13) has a thickness (Dpb) of more than or equal to 1 nm ([0113]).
With regard to claim 9, D1 in view of D2 teaches all of the claimed limitations of the instant invention as have been outlined above with respect to claim 1, wherein D1 further teaches a process for producing wire-grid polarizer, in at least (figs. 1-6; and [0020], [0022], [0025], [0055], [0080], [0088], [0113], [0219]); wherein a sectional shape of each of the ridge portions (12) in a section orthogonal to a reflection axis direction of the wire grid polarizing element (10) is a trapezoidal shape, a triangular shape, a hanging bell shape, or an elliptical shape that narrows in width (Dpt) with distance from the base part (13).
With regard to claim 10, D1 in view of D2 teaches all of the claimed limitations of the instant invention as have been outlined above with respect to claim 1, wherein D1 further teaches a process for producing wire-grid polarizer, in at least (figs. 1-6; and [0020], [0022], [0025], [0055], [0080], [0088], [0113], [0219]); further comprising a protection film (20) formed to cover at least the surface of the functional film (20 or 25).
With regard to claim 11, D1 in view of D2 teaches all of the claimed limitations of the instant invention as have been outlined above with respect to claim 10, wherein D1 further teaches a process for producing wire-grid polarizer, in at least (figs. 1-6; and [0020], [0022], [0025], [0055], [0080], [0088], [0113], [0219]); wherein the protection film (20) includes a water-repellent coating ([0061]) or an oleophobic coating.
With regard to claim 12, D1 in view of D2 teaches all of the claimed limitations of the instant invention as have been outlined above with respect to claim 1, wherein D1 further teaches a process for producing wire-grid polarizer, in at least (figs. 1-6; and [0020], [0022], [0025], [0055], [0080], [0088], [0113], [0219]); wherein the functional film (20 or 25) further has a dielectric film.
With regard to claim 13, D1 in view of D2 teaches all of the claimed limitations of the instant invention as have been outlined above with respect to claim 1, wherein D1 further teaches a process for producing wire-grid polarizer, in at least (figs. 1-6; and [0020], [0022], [0025], [0055], [0080], [0088], [0113], [0219]); wherein in a case where θ is more than or equal to 30° and less than or equal to 60°, a difference between transmission axis transmittance (Tp (+)) for incident light at an incident angle of +θ with respect to the wire grid polarizing element (10) and transmission axis transmittance (Tp (−)) for incident light at an incident angle of −θ is within 3% ([0115], [0117], [0203], and [0242]).
With regard to claim 14, D1 in view of D2 teaches all of the claimed limitations of the instant invention as have been outlined above with respect to claim 1, wherein D1 further teaches a process for producing wire-grid polarizer, in at least (figs. 1-6; and [0020], [0022], [0025], [0055], [0080], [0088], [0113], [0219]); wherein the functional film (20 or 25) is a reflection film ([0113]) configured to reflect incident light.
With regard to claim 15, D1 in view of D2 teaches all of the claimed limitations of the instant invention as have been outlined above with respect to claim 1, wherein D1 further teaches a process for producing wire-grid polarizer, in at least (figs. 1-6; and [0020], [0022], [0025], [0055], [0080], [0088], [0113], [0219]); wherein the wire grid polarizing element (10) is a polarizing beam splitter ([0004]; table 4) configured to split oblique incident light into first polarized light ([0004]; table 4) and second polarized light ([0004]; table 4).
With regard to claim 16, D1 teaches a method for manufacturing a wire grid polarizing element (10) of a hybrid type made of an inorganic material ([0025]) ([0080]) and an organic material ([0025]), comprising the steps of: forming a grid structural body (10) material made of the organic material ([0025]) on a substrate (14; [0055]) made of the inorganic material ([0025]) ([0080]); subjecting the grid structural body (10) material to nano-imprinting to form a grid structural body (10) including a base part (13) provided on the substrate (14; [0055]) and a plurality of ridge portions (12)protruding from the base part (13), the base part (13) and the ridge portions (12)being integrally formed; and forming a functional film (20 or 25) covering part of each of the ridge portions (12)using a metal material (22 or 27), wherein in the step of forming the grid structural body (10), the ridge portions (12) each having an upward narrowing shape that narrows in width (Dpt) with distance from the base part (13) are formed, and in the step of forming the functional film (20 or 25), the functional film (20 or 25) is formed such that the functional film (20 or 25) covers and wraps a leading end (19) and an upper side of at least one of side surfaces (16 or 18) of each of the ridge portions (12) and does not cover a lower side of both the side surfaces (16 or 18) of each of the ridge portions (12)and the base part (13), a surface of the functional film (20 or 25) covering and wrapping each of the ridge portions (12)is rounded and bulges in a width (Dpt) direction of the ridge portions (12), and a maximum width (Dpt) (WMAX) of the functional film (20 or 25) covering and wrapping each of the ridge portions (12) is more than or equal to a width (Dpt) (WB) of each of the ridge portions (12) at a position of 20% of a height of each of the ridge portions (12) upward from a bottom of each of the ridge portions.
However, D1 does not expressly disclose wherein the base and the lower sides of both the side surfaces of each of the ridge portions are not covered by a functional film.
However, D1 Does not expressly disclose, the functional film is formed such that the functional film covers and wraps a leading end and an upper side of at least one of side surfaces of each of the ridge portions and does not cover a lower side of both the side surfaces of each of the ridge portions and the base part,
In a related endeavor, D2 teaches a wire-grid polarizer, in at least (figure 1), wherein the functional film is formed such that the functional film covers and wraps a leading end and an upper side of at least one of side surfaces (16 and 18) of each of the ridge portions (12) and does not cover a lower side of both the side surfaces (16 and 18) of each of the ridge portions (12) and the base part (14).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide the invention of D1 with the base and the lower sides of both the side surfaces of each of the ridge portions are not covered by a functional film as taught by D2 for the purpose of increasing light utilization efficiency.
With regard to claim 17, D1 in view of D2 teaches all of the claimed limitations of the instant invention as have been outlined above with respect to claim 16, wherein D1 further teaches a process for producing wire-grid polarizer, in at least (figs. 1-6; and [0020], [0022], [0025], [0055], [0080], [0088], [0113], [0219]); wherein in the step of forming the functional film (20 or 25), deposition is performed on the ridge portions (12) alternately in a plurality of directions by a sputtering or vapor deposition method ([0052]).
With regard to claim 18, D1 in view of D2 teaches all of the claimed limitations of the instant invention as have been outlined above with respect to claim 1, wherein D1 further teaches a process for producing wire-grid polarizer, in at least (figs. 1-6; and [0020], [0022], [0025], [0055], [0080], [0088], [0113], [0219]); as part of a projection display device ([0026]) comprising: a light source ([0217]); a polarizing beam splitter ([0004]; table 4) arranged such that incident light from the light source ([0217]) is incident at an incident angle in a predetermined range including 45° ([0117]), and configured to split the incident light into first polarized light ([0004]; table 4) and second polarized light ([0004]; table 4); a reflection-type liquid crystal display element ([0205]) arranged such that the first polarized light reflected by the polarizing beam splitter ([0004]; table 4) or the second polarized light transmitted through the polarizing beam splitter ([0004]; table 4) is incident, and configured to reflect and modulate the first polarized light or the second polarized light having been incident; and a lens arranged such that the first polarized light or the second polarized light reflected and modulated by the reflection-type liquid crystal display element ([0205]) is incident through the polarizing beam splitter ([0004]; table 4), wherein the polarizing beam splitter ([0004]; table 4) is implemented by the wire grid polarizing element (10)
With regard to claim 19, D1 in view of D2 teaches all of the claimed limitations of the instant invention as have been outlined above with respect to claim 18, wherein D1 further teaches a process for producing wire-grid polarizer, in at least (figs. 1-6; and [0020], [0022], [0025], [0055], [0080], [0088], [0113], [0219]); wherein the incident angle ([0117]) in the predetermined range is more than or equal to 30° and less than or equal to 60°.
With regard to claim 20, D1 in view of D2 teaches all of the claimed limitations of the instant invention as have been outlined above with respect to claim 18, wherein D1 further teaches a process for producing wire-grid polarizer, in at least (figs. 1-6; and [0020], [0022], [0025], [0055], [0080], [0088], [0113], [0219]); wherein a heat dissipation member ([0237]) is provided around the wire grid polarizing element (10).
With regard to claim 21, D1 in view of D2 teaches all of the claimed limitations of the instant invention as have been outlined above with respect to claim 18, wherein D1 further teaches a process for producing wire-grid polarizer, in at least (figs. 1-6; and [0020], [0022], [0025], [0055], [0080], [0088], [0113], [0219]); wherein the polarizer is part of a display device in a vehicle ([0205]).
With regard to claim 21, D1 in view of D2 teaches all of the claimed limitations of the instant invention as have been outlined above with respect to claim 18, wherein D1 further teaches a process for producing wire-grid polarizer, in at least (figs. 1-6; and [0020], [0022], [0025], [0055], [0080], [0088], [0113], [0219]); wherein the surface of the functional film covering and wrapping each of the ridge portions is curvilinear ([0205]).
Conclusion
Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). 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 GRANT A GAGNON whose telephone number is (571)270-0642. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 7:30-5:30.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Bumsuk Won can be reached at (571) 272-2713. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/GRANT A GAGNON/ Examiner, Art Unit 2872
/BUMSUK WON/ Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2872
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