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 .
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.
Claims 1, 5-8, 12-15 and 19-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over US 20160202781 A1 (Kim et al., hereinafter Kim’781) in view of US 20230280875 A1 (Kim et al., hereinafter Kim’875).
Regarding claim 1, Kim’781 discloses an electronic device (please see at least Figs. 1A-C and par. [0047], “flexible display apparatus 1”) comprising:
a device housing (Figs. 1A-C and par. [0047], “housing unit 20”);
a blade assembly carrying a blade (Figs. 1A-C, “flexible display 10”) and a flexible display (Figs. 1A-C, “flexible display 10”) and slidably coupled to the device housing (Figs. 1B-C, showing arrows of the “flexible display 10” sliding in a left and right directions);
a translation mechanism operable to slide the blade assembly in a plurality of positions relative to the device housing between an extended position and a retracted position (Figs. 2A-2B and at least pars. [0058], “first guide unit 30 guides the flexible display 10 moving into or out from the housing…the first guide unit 30 may include a rotating unit 50 and a fixed unit 40”); and
a controller communicatively coupled to the blade assembly and the translation mechanism (Fig. 4, “control unit 80”). Note: the examiner recommends a careful review of the claims, since they are bordering into lack of clarity.
Kim’781 implicitly discloses where the controller determines whether the electronic device is in an idle state with the flexible display being off (par. [0084], where it is implied that a device controller/processor would detect/determine when the device is off/on; therefore, the display being off/on).
However, Kim’781 does not explicitly discloses where the controller determines whether the electronic device is in an idle state with the flexible display being off; and
in response to determining that the electronic device is in the idle state;
determines a device state of the electronic device; and
actuates the translation mechanism to translate the blade assembly to place a leading edge of the flexible display in a position indicative of the device state of the electronic device.
In related art concerning a method for operating a flexible display Kim’875
discloses where the controller determines whether the electronic device is in an idle state with the flexible display being off (par. [0114], “… in the first low-power mode, the electronic device 101 may be in a state in which the flexible display 160 is deactivated, and a screen is turned off…”); and
in response to determining that the electronic device is in the idle state (par. [0114], “… in the first low-power mode,…”);
determines a device state of the electronic device (par. [0115], “folded state” reads on “state” of the device); and
actuates the translation mechanism to translate the blade assembly to place a leading edge of the flexible display in a position indicative of the device state of the electronic device (par. [0115], “processor 120 may detect a sliding operation in a folded state”; Fig. 4A and par. [0116], “processor 120 may set a threshold value of the size of the first display region, for a change of an operation mode…”; par. [0117], “…processor 120 may change the flexible display from a first low-power mode to a second low-power mode, based on the first display region 401 of the flexible display 160, which is exposed to the outside… the processor 120 may display notification information in the activated first display region 401”).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to use Kim’875’s teachings where the controller determines whether the electronic device is in an idle state with the flexible display being off; and
in response to determining that the electronic device is in the idle state;
determines a device state of the electronic device; and
actuates the translation mechanism to translate the blade assembly to place a leading edge of the flexible display in a position indicative of the device state of the electronic device with the flexible display apparatus disclosed by Kim’781 because one of ordinary skill in the art would have recognized that by detecting the state of the display, the device processor can make determinations about the amount of power required for the functions required or used in a first, second or third state or mode. In this manner, power is saved, since the power allocated for each state/mode is tailored to the needs of the functions of the different states/modes.
Regarding claim 8, Kim’781 discloses a method (par. [0050]) comprising:
determining, by a controller of an electronic device, that the electronic device is in an idle state in which a display (Note: is this display different to the flexible display?) of the electronic device is off (par. [0084], where it is implied that a device controller/processor would detect/determine when the device is off/on; therefore, the display being off/on), wherein the electronic device comprises a device housing (Figs. 1A-C and par. [0047], “housing unit 20”), a blade assembly carrying a blade (Figs. 1A-C, “flexible display 10”) and a flexible display (Figs. 1A-C, “flexible display 10”) and slidably coupled to the device housing (Figs. 1B-C, showing arrows of the “flexible display 10” sliding in a left and right directions),
a translation mechanism operable to slide the blade assembly relative to the device housing to a plurality of positions between an extended position and a retracted position (Figs. 2A-2B and at least pars. [0058], “first guide unit 30 guides the flexible display 10 moving into or out from the housing…the first guide unit 30 may include a rotating unit 50 and a fixed unit 40”), and
the controller communicatively coupled to the blade assembly and the translation mechanism (Fig. 4, “control unit 80”).
Kim’781 implicitly discloses determining by a controller of an electronic device, that the electronic device in which a display of the electronic device is off (par. [0084], where it is implied that a device controller/processor would detect/determine when the device is off/on; therefore, the display being off/on).
However, Kim’781 does not explicitly discloses where
in response to determining that the electronic device is in the idle state with the display off:
determining a device state of the electronic device; and
actuating the translation mechanism to translate the blade assembly to place a leading edge of the flexible display in a position indicative of the device state of the electronic device.
Kim’875 discloses where in response to determining that the electronic device is in an idle state with the display off (par. [0114], “… in the first low-power mode, the electronic device 101 may be in a state in which the flexible display 160 is deactivated, and a screen is turned off…”); and
determining a device state of the electronic device (par. [0115], “folded state” reads on “state” of the device); and
actuating the translation mechanism to translate the blade assembly to place a leading edge of the flexible display in a position indicative of the device state of the electronic device (par. [0115], “processor 120 may detect a sliding operation in a folded state”; Fig. 4A and par. [0116], “processor 120 may set a threshold value of the size of the first display region, for a change of an operation mode…”; par. [0117], “…processor 120 may change the flexible display from a first low-power mode to a second low-power mode, based on the first display region 401 of the flexible display 160, which is exposed to the outside… the processor 120 may display notification information in the activated first display region 401”).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to use Kim’875’s teachings where
in response to determining that the electronic device is in the idle state with the display off:
determining a device state of the electronic device; and
actuating the translation mechanism to translate the blade assembly to place a leading edge of the flexible display in a position indicative of the device state of the electronic device with the flexible display apparatus disclosed by Kim’781 because one of ordinary skill in the art would have recognized that by detecting the state of the display, the device processor can make determinations about the amount of power required for the functions required or used in a first, second or third state or mode. In this manner, power is saved, since the power allocated for each state/mode is tailored to the needs of the functions of the different states/modes.
Regarding claim 15, Kim’781 discloses a computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium having program instructions that when executed by a processor of an electronic device (par. [0005], “mobile phones” inherently comprises at least a processor, a memory and programed instructions/code to perform its functions) that comprises
a device housing (Figs. 1A-C and par. [0047], “housing unit 20”),
a blade assembly carrying a blade (Figs. 1A-C, “flexible display 10”) and a flexible display (Figs. 1A-C, “flexible display 10”) and slidably coupled to the device housing (Figs. 1B-C, showing arrows of the “flexible display 10” sliding in a left and right directions),
a translation mechanism operable to slide the blade assembly in a plurality of positions relative to the device housing between an extended position and a retracted position (Figs. 2A-2B and at least pars. [0058], “first guide unit 30 guides the flexible display 10 moving into or out from the housing…the first guide unit 30 may include a rotating unit 50 and a fixed unit 40”), and a controller communicatively coupled to the blade assembly and the translation mechanism (Fig. 4, “control unit 80”), configures the electronic device to perform functions comprising:
determining that the electronic device is in an idle state in which a display of the electronic device is off; and
in response to determining that the electronic device is in the idle state with the display off:
determining a device state of the electronic device; and
actuating the translation mechanism to translate the blade assembly to place a leading edge of the flexible display at a position that is indicative of the device state of the electronic device.
Kim’781 implicitly discloses determining that the electronic device is in an idle state in which a display of the electronic device is off (par. [0084], where it is implied that a device controller/processor would detect/determine when the device is off/on; therefore, the display being off/on).
However, Kim’781 does not explicitly disclose where the controller determines whether the electronic device is in an idle state with the flexible display being off; and
determining a device state of the electronic device; and
actuating the translation mechanism to translate the blade assembly to place a leading edge of the flexible display in a position indicative of the device state of the electronic device.
Kim’875 discloses determining that the electronic device is in an idle state in which a display (Note: is this a display different to the flexible display?)of the electronic device is off (par. [0114], “… in the first low-power mode, the electronic device 101 may be in a state in which the flexible display 160 is deactivated, and a screen is turned off…”); and
determining a device state of the electronic device (par. [0115], “folded state” reads on “state” of the device); and
actuating the translation mechanism to translate the blade assembly to place a leading edge of the flexible display in a position indicative of the device state of the electronic device (par. [0115], “processor 120 may detect a sliding operation in a folded state”; Fig. 4A and par. [0116], “processor 120 may set a threshold value of the size of the first display region, for a change of an operation mode…”; par. [0117], “…processor 120 may change the flexible display from a first low-power mode to a second low-power mode, based on the first display region 401 of the flexible display 160, which is exposed to the outside… the processor 120 may display notification information in the activated first display region 401”).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to use Kim’875’s teachings about determining that the electronic device is in an idle state in which a display of the electronic device is off; and
determining a device state of the electronic device; and
actuating the translation mechanism to translate the blade assembly to place a leading edge of the flexible display in a position indicative of the device state of the electronic device with the flexible display apparatus disclosed by Kim’781 because one of ordinary skill in the art would have recognized that by detecting the state of the display, the device processor can make determinations about the amount of power required for the functions required or used in a first, second or third state or mode. In this manner, power is saved, since the power allocated for each state/mode is tailored to the needs of the functions of the different states/modes.
Regarding claims 5, 12 and 19, Kim’781 and Kim’875 disclose all the limitations of claims 1, 8 and 15, respectively. Kim’781 further discloses wherein: to determine the device state of the electronic device, the controller determines a new message status of the electronic device, wherein the new message status comprises one of a value of yes and a value of no; and the controller actuates the translation mechanism to translate the blade assembly to place the leading edge of the flexible display at a position indicative of a current value of the new message status (par. [0115], “processor 120 may detect a sliding operation in a folded state”; Fig. 4A and par. [0116], “processor 120 may set a threshold value of the size of the first display region, for a change of an operation mode…”; par. [0117], “…processor 120 may change the flexible display from a first low-power mode to a second low-power mode, based on the first display region 401 of the flexible display 160, which is exposed to the outside… the processor 120 may display notification information in the activated first display region 401”, where controllers/processor respond to instructions having logic “yes” and “no” bits).
Regarding claims 6, 13 and 20, Kim’781 and Kim’875 disclose all the limitations of claims 1, 8 and 15, respectively.
Kim’781 does not explicitly disclose wherein to actuate the translation mechanism to translate the blade assembly to place the leading edge of the flexible display at the position indicative of the device state of the electronic device, the controller translates the blade assembly along an elongated axis of the electronic device.
Kim’875 discloses wherein to actuate the translation mechanism to translate the blade assembly to place the leading edge of the flexible display at the position indicative of the device state of the electronic device, the controller translates the blade assembly along an elongated axis of the electronic device (Fig. 4A, please see arrows 411 and 412).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to use Kim’875’s teachings about a translation of the blade assembly along an elongated axis of the electronic device with the flexible display apparatus disclosed by Kim’781 because one of ordinary skill in the art would have recognized that the direction of translation movement constitutes a design consideration available to the inventor based on the intended device type or the purpose of the device.
Regarding claims 7 and 14, Kim’781 and Kim’875 disclose all the limitations of claims 1 and 8, respectively. Kim’781 further discloses wherein to actuate the translation mechanism to translate the blade assembly to place a leading edge of the flexible display at the position indicative of the device state of the electronic device, the controller translates the blade assembly along a crosswise axis of the electronic device (Figs. 1B-C, please see the direction of the arrows).
Claims 2, 9 and 16 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kim’781 in view of Kim’875, and further in view of US 20230214174 A1 (Kim et al., hereinafter Kim’174).
Regarding claims 2, 9 and 16, Kim’781 and Kim’875 disclose all the limitations of claims 1, 8 and 15, respectively.
Kim’875 discloses where the display is expanded when a call is received and a notification is displayed (Fig. 4A and par. [0076]-[0077] and [0080]).
However, Kim’781 and Kim’875 do not specifically disclose wherein: to determine the device state of the electronic device, the controller determines a device volume that includes an incoming call notification mode of the electronic device, wherein the incoming call notification mode comprises at least one of a silent setting, a vibrate setting, and at least one volume setting; and
the controller actuates the translation mechanism to translate the blade assembly to place the leading edge of the flexible display at a position indicative of a current value of the incoming call notification mode.
In related art concerning electronic device including flexible display and method, Kim’174 discloses wherein: to determine the device state of the electronic device, the controller determines a device volume that includes an incoming call notification mode of the electronic device, wherein the incoming call notification mode comprises at least one of a silent setting, a vibrate setting, and at least one volume setting; and the controller actuates the translation mechanism to translate the blade assembly to place the leading edge of the flexible display at a position indicative of a current value of the incoming call notification mode (Figs. 6A-B; at least pars. [0106][0135]-[0138], “a sound optimization function, the electronic device 201 (e.g., the processor 220 of FIG. 2) may control the speaker 255 to output the first sound at a second volume value higher than the first volume value, based on the size of the first area while the state of the housing 101 is the extended state…”).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to use Kim’174’s teachings wherein: to determine the device state of the electronic device, the controller determines a device volume that includes an incoming call notification mode of the electronic device, wherein the incoming call notification mode comprises at least one of a silent setting, a vibrate setting, and at least one volume setting; and the controller actuates the translation mechanism to translate the blade assembly to place the leading edge of the flexible display at a position indicative of a current value of the incoming call notification mode with the flexible display apparatus disclosed by Kim’781 and Kim’875 because one of ordinary skill in the art would have recognized that sound optimization is achieved based on the state/mode/position of de display (Kim’174, par. [0106]).
Claims 3, 10 and 17 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kim’781 in view of Kim’875, and further in view of US 20230333605 A1 (Meen et al., hereinafter Meen).
Regarding claims 3, 10 and 17, Kim’781 and Kim’875 disclose all the limitations of claims 1, 8 and 15, respectively.
Kim’875 discloses where different power is applied based on the different modes of the display (at least pars. [0097], [0100], [0105]).
However, Kim’781 and Kim’875 do not specifically disclose wherein: to determine the device state of the electronic device, the controller determines a battery charge level for an internal battery of the electronic device, wherein the battery charge level comprises a low level, a medium level, and a high level; and the controller actuates the translation mechanism to translate the blade assembly to place the leading edge of the flexible display at a position indicative of a current battery charge level of the internal battery.
In related art concerning electronic device providing status information by changing shape of electronic device, Meen discloses wherein: to determine the device state of the electronic device, the controller determines a battery charge level for an internal battery of the electronic device, wherein the battery charge level comprises a low level, a medium level, and a high level (Figs 3A-3C and pars. [0063],[0048], where “no battery”, “50%” and “100%” read on “low level, a medium level, and a high level”); and the controller actuates the translation mechanism to translate the blade assembly to place the leading edge of the flexible display at a position indicative of a current battery charge level of the internal battery (Figs 3A-3C and par. [0048], please see the translation states/positions of the device based on the battery level/percentage).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to use Meen’s teachings wherein: to determine the device state of the electronic device, the controller determines a battery charge level for an internal battery of the electronic device, wherein the battery charge level comprises a low level, a medium level, and a high level; and the controller actuates the translation mechanism to translate the blade assembly to place the leading edge of the flexible display at a position indicative of a current battery charge level of the internal battery with the flexible display apparatus disclosed by Kim’781 and Kim’875 because one of ordinary skill in the art would have recognized that by determining a display size based on battery level, battery life is extended when reducing the size of the display in a low battery level mode/state.
Claims 4, 11 and 18 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kim’781 in view of Kim’875, and further in view of US 20220109472 A1 (Na et al., hereinafter Na).
Regarding claims 4, 11 and 18, Kim’781 and Kim’875 disclose all the limitations of claims 1, 8 and 15, respectively. Kim’875 discloses where the device extends based on at least first and second power modes, where different types of communication use different powers based on frequencies (pars. [0048]-[0050], [0090], [0097]).
However, Kim’781 and Kim’875 do not disclose wherein: to determine the device state of the electronic device, the controller determines a network mode of the electronic device, wherein the network mode comprises a connection type value identifying one of a WIFI connection, a cellular connection, and no connection; and the controller actuates the translation mechanism to translate the blade assembly to place the leading edge of the flexible display at a position indicative of a current connection type value of the network mode.
In related art concerning 5G communication based on change in shape of electronic device, Na discloses wherein: to determine the device state of the electronic device, the controller determines a network mode of the electronic device, wherein the network mode comprises a connection type value identifying one of a WIFI connection, a cellular connection, and no connection; and the controller actuates the translation mechanism to translate the blade assembly to place the leading edge of the flexible display at a position indicative of a current connection type value of the network mode (Figs. 8-11 and at least par. [0105], “antenna module for 5G mobile communication… the characteristics of the antenna module may be changed by changing the position or orientation of the antenna module with the change in the shape of the electronic device…the characteristics of the antenna module may be changed with the extension/retraction of the electronic devices...”; par. [0047], where the different antenna modules support different frequencies and/or networks including cellular and Wi-Fi networks).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to use Na’s teachings wherein: to determine the device state of the electronic device, the controller determines a network mode of the electronic device, wherein the network mode comprises a connection type value identifying one of a WIFI connection, a cellular connection, and no connection; and the controller actuates the translation mechanism to translate the blade assembly to place the leading edge of the flexible display at a position indicative of a current connection type value of the network mode with the flexible display apparatus disclosed by Kim’781 and Kim’875 because one of ordinary skill in the art would have recognized that modern electronic device support several network interface communications; therefore, shaping the electronic device to a desired configuration, enhances the quality of communication when specific antennas types or arrangements provide the optimal conditions for specific types of networks.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
US 20220384934 A1, relates to electronic device comprising antenna that changes based on device shape.
US 20200409421 A1, relates to flexible display and electronic device that perform different functions based on extended/retracted position of the display.
US 20230126559 A1, relates to electronic device for changing operation of wireless communication based on change of angle of housing.
US 2012/0019482 A1 relates to flexible display device and method capable of reducing accidental contact-inducing malfunctions.
US 2018/0088699 A1 relates to balancing usage across a foldable display.
US 2021/0385311 A1 relates to electronic device including a plurality of displays for displaying different content based on the display position.
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/Angelica M. Perez/
Primary Examiner AU 2649