DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
This OA is in response to the amendment filled on 4/16/2026 that has been entered, wherein claims 1-20 are pending.
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 5/16/2026 is in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement is being considered by the examiner.
Specification
The objection to the title is withdrawn in light of Applicant’s amendment of 5/16/2026.
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.
(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claims 1-3, 8-9, 11-12, 17-18 and 20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Shang et al. (US 2024/0324405 A1) of record.
Regarding claim 1, Shang teaches a display panel(Fig. 4O) comprising:
a substrate(10) which comprises an upper surface and a lower surface and through which a through-hole(101, Fig. 4A, ¶0074) passing through the lower surface from the upper surface is defined;
a light-emitting diode(anode layer in display region, not illustrated, 80, 90, ¶0086, ¶0088) disposed on the upper surface of the substrate(10), the light-emitting diode(anode layer in display region, not illustrated, 80, 90, ¶0086, ¶0088) comprising:
a first electrode(anode layer in display region, not illustrated, ¶0086);
an intermediate layer(80, ¶0088) on the first electrode(anode layer in display region, not illustrated, ¶0086) and
a second electrode(90, ¶0088) on the intermediate layer(80, ¶0088); and
a separator(middle 102, 20, ¶0077, ¶0080) disposed in an intermediate area(DD, Fig. 4A, ¶0074) between the light-emitting diode(anode layer in display region, not illustrated, 80, 90, ¶0086, ¶0088) and the through-hole(101, Fig. 4A, ¶0074) of the substrate(10), and comprising:
a first layer(12, ¶0075);
a second layer(20, ¶0077) on the first layer(12, ¶0075); and
a third layer(11, ¶0075) disposed below the first layer(12, ¶0075), a width of a lower surface of the second layer(20, ¶0077) being greater(¶0081) than a width of an upper surface of the first layer(12, ¶0075); and
a protective layer(61, ¶0084) disposed directly on second layer(20, ¶0077) of the separator(middle 102, 20, ¶0077, ¶0080) and comprising a same material(anode material film layer, ¶0084-86) as a material of the first electrode(anode layer in display region, not illustrated, ¶0086) of the light-emitting diode(anode layer in display region, not illustrated, 80, 90, ¶0086, ¶0088).
Regarding claim 2, Shang teaches the display panel of claim 1, wherein a functional layer(light emitting layer 80, ¶0088) included in the intermediate layer(80, ¶0088) extends to the intermediate area(DD, Fig. 4A, ¶0074) and comprises a plurality of portions separated(¶0088) from each other in the intermediate area(DD, Fig. 4A, ¶0074),
the plurality of portions of the functional layer(light emitting layer 80, ¶0088) comprises:
a first portion(portion of 80 over 61, ¶0088) overlapping the separator(middle 102, 20, ¶0077, ¶0080) and the protective layer(61, ¶0084); and
a second portion(portion of 80 over 62, ¶0088) separated from the first portion(portion of 80 over 61, ¶0088), and a vertical distance, from the upper surface of the substrate(10) to the first portion(portion of 80 over 61, ¶0088) of the functional layer(light emitting layer 80, ¶0088), is greater than a vertical distance, from the upper surface of the substrate(10) to the second portion(portion of 80 over 62, ¶0088) of the functional layer(light emitting layer 80, ¶0088).
Regarding claim 3, Shang teaches the display panel of claim 1, wherein the second electrode(90, ¶0088) of the light-emitting diode(anode layer in display region, not illustrated, 80, 90, ¶0086, ¶0088) extends to the intermediate area(DD, Fig. 4A, ¶0074) and comprises a plurality of portions disposed in the intermediate area(DD, Fig. 4A, ¶0074) and separated(¶0088) from each other, the plurality of portions of the second electrode(90, ¶0088) comprises:
a first portion(portion of 90 over 61 ¶0088) overlapping the separator(middle 102, 20, ¶0077, ¶0080) and the protective layer(61, ¶0084); and
a second portion(portion of 90 over 62, ¶0088) separated from the first portion(portion of 90 over 61, ¶0088), and
a vertical distance, from the upper surface of the substrate(10) to the first portion(portion of 90 over 61, ¶0088) of the second electrode(90, ¶0088), is greater than a vertical distance, from the upper surface of the substrate(10) to the second portion(portion of 90 over 62, ¶0088) of the second electrode(90, ¶0088).
Regarding claim 8, Shang teaches the display panel of claim 1, further comprising:
an encapsulation layer(encapsulation layer, not illustrated, ¶0090) disposed on the light-emitting diode(anode layer in display region, not illustrated, 80, 90, ¶0086, ¶0088), the encapsulation layer(encapsulation layer, not illustrated, ¶0090) comprising an inorganic encapsulation layer(inorganic layer, not illustrated, ¶0090) and an organic encapsulation layer(organic layer, not illustrated, ¶0090); and
a partition wall(102 that is closest to 101 and between middle 102 and 101, Fig. 4A, ¶0074, ¶0080) disposed in the intermediate area(DD, Fig. 4A, ¶0074).
Regarding claim 9, Shang teaches the display panel of claim 8, wherein the separator(middle 102, 20, ¶0077, ¶0080) is disposed between the light-emitting diode(anode layer in display region, not illustrated, 80, 90, ¶0086, ¶0088) and the partition wall(102 that is closest to 101 and between middle 102 and 101, Fig. 4A, ¶0074, ¶0080), and the organic encapsulation layer(organic layer, not illustrated, ¶0090) overlaps the separator(102, ¶0080).
Regarding claim 11, Shang teaches an electronic apparatus(Fig. 40) comprising:
a display panel(Fig. 4A) comprising:
a transmissive area(101, ¶0074);
a display area(AA, ¶0074) surrounding the transmissive area(101, ¶0074);
a substrate(10) through which a through-hole(101, Fig. 4A, ¶0074) corresponding to the transmissive area(101, ¶0074) is defined;
a light-emitting diode(anode layer in display region, not illustrated, 80, 90, ¶0086, ¶0088) disposed on the substrate(10), the light-emitting diode(anode layer in display region, not illustrated, 80, 90, ¶0086, ¶0088) comprising:
a first electrode(anode layer in display region, not illustrated, ¶0086); a second electrode(90, ¶0088); and
an intermediate layer(80, ¶0088) on the first electrode(anode layer in display region, not illustrated, ¶0086) and
a second electrode(90, ¶0088) on the intermediate layer(80, ¶0088);;
a separator(middle 102, 20, ¶0077, ¶0080) disposed in an intermediate area(DD, Fig. 4A, ¶0074) between the light-emitting diode(anode layer in display region, not illustrated, 80, 90, ¶0086, ¶0088) and the through-hole(101, Fig. 4A, ¶0074) of the substrate(10), and comprising:
a first layer(12, ¶0075);
a second layer(20, ¶0077) on the first layer(12, ¶0075); and
a third layer(11, ¶0075) disposed below the first layer(12, ¶0075), a width of a lower surface of the second layer(20, ¶0077) is greater than a width of an upper surface of the first layer(12, ¶0075); and
a protective layer(61, ¶0084) disposed directly on second layer(20, ¶0077) of the separator(middle 102, 20, ¶0077, ¶0080) and comprising a same material(anode material film layer, ¶0084-86) as a material of the first electrode(anode layer in display region, not illustrated, ¶0086) of the light-emitting diode(anode layer in display region, not illustrated, 80, 90, ¶0086, ¶0088); and
a component(camera or sensor, not illustrated, ¶0061-62) which overlaps the transmissive area(101, ¶0074) of the display panel(Fig. 4A).
Regarding claim 12, Shang teaches the electronic apparatus of claim 11, wherein each of a functional layer(light emitting layer 80, ¶0088) and the second electrode(90, ¶0088) of the intermediate layer(80, ¶0088) extends to the intermediate area(DD, Fig. 4A, ¶0074) and comprises a plurality of portions disposed in the intermediate area(DD, Fig. 4A, ¶0074) and separated from each other, and
the plurality of portions of the functional layer(light emitting layer 80, ¶0088) comprise:
a first portion(portion of 80 over 61, ¶0088) overlapping the separator(middle 102, 20, ¶0077, ¶0080) and the protective layer(61, ¶0084); and
a second portion(portion of 80 over 62, ¶0088) separated from the first portion(portion of 80 over 61, ¶0088).
Regarding claim 17, Shang teaches the electronic apparatus of claim 11, wherein the display panel comprises:
an encapsulation layer(encapsulation layer, not illustrated, ¶0090) disposed on the light-emitting diode(anode layer in display region, not illustrated, 80, 90, ¶0086, ¶0088), the encapsulation layer(encapsulation layer, not illustrated, ¶0090) comprising an inorganic encapsulation layer(inorganic layer, not illustrated, ¶0090) and an organic encapsulation layer(organic layer, not illustrated, ¶0090); and
a partition wall(102 that is closest to 101 and between middle 102 and 101, Fig. 4A, ¶0074, ¶0080) disposed in the intermediate area(DD, Fig. 4A, ¶0074).
Regarding claim 18, Shang teaches the electronic apparatus of claim 17, wherein the separator(middle 102, 20, ¶0077, ¶0080) is disposed between the light-emitting diode(anode layer in display region, not illustrated, 80, 90, ¶0086, ¶0088) and the partition wall(102 that is closest to 101 and between middle 102 and 101, Fig. 4A, ¶0074, ¶0080), and the organic encapsulation layer(organic layer, not illustrated, ¶0090) overlaps the separator(102, ¶0080).
Regarding claim 20, Shang teaches the electronic apparatus of claim 11, wherein the component(camera or sensor, not illustrated, ¶0061-62) comprises a camera(camera, not illustrated, ¶0061-62) or a sensor(sensor, not illustrated, ¶0061-62).
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.
This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any evidence to the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the later invention in order for the examiner to consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) prior art against the later invention.
Claims 4 and 13 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Shang et al. (US 2024/0324405 A1) in view of Wang et al. (2021/0376288 A1) both of record.
Regarding claim 4, Shang teaches the display panel of claim 1, wherein the protective layer(61, ¶0084) covers an upper surface of the second layer(20, ¶0077) of the separator(102, ¶0080).
Shang is not relied on to teach wherein the protective layer(61, ¶0084) covers side surface of the second layer(20, ¶0077) of the separator(102, ¶0080).
Wang teaches a display panel(Fig. 5) teaches the protective layer(312, ¶0085) covers side surface(Fig. 5) of the second layer(317, ¶0083) of the separator(36, ¶0086). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the device of Shang, so that the protective layer covers side surface of the second layer of the separator, as taught by Shang, in order to effectively blocks continued diffusion of water vapor, thereby effectively protecting the display area and the display panel(¶0086).
Regarding claim 13, Shang teaches the electronic apparatus of claim 11, wherein the protective layer(61, ¶0084) covers an upper surface and side surface of the second layer(20, ¶0077).
Shang is not relied on to teach wherein the protective layer(61, ¶0084) covers side surface of the second layer(20, ¶0077) of the separator(102, ¶0080).
Wang teaches an electronic apparatus(Fig. 5) teaches the protective layer(312, ¶0085) covers side surface(Fig. 5) of the second layer(317, ¶0083) of the separator(36, ¶0086). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the device of Shang, so that the protective layer covers side surface of the second layer of the separator, as taught by Shang, in order to effectively blocks continued diffusion of water vapor, thereby effectively protecting the display area and the display panel(¶0086).
Claims 10 and 19 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Shang et al. (US 2024/0324405 A1) in view of Huang et al. (2022/0190285 A1) both of record.
Regarding claim 10, Shang teaches the display panel of claim 8, but is not relied on to teach the separator(middle 102, 20, ¶0077, ¶0080) is disposed between the partition wall and the through-hole(101, Fig. 4A, ¶0074) of the substrate(10), and
the inorganic encapsulation layer comprises a first inorganic encapsulation layer and a second inorganic encapsulation layer which contact each other on the separator(102, ¶0080).
Huang teaches a display panel(Fig. 6) wherein the separator(31, ¶0079) is disposed between the partition wall(29, ¶0079) and the through-hole(20b, Fig. 4, ¶0079) of the substrate(21), and the inorganic encapsulation layer(320, 322, ¶0079) comprises a first inorganic encapsulation layer(320, ¶0079) and a second inorganic encapsulation layer(322, ¶0079) which contact each other on the separator(31, ¶0079). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the device of Shang, so that separator is disposed between the partition wall and the through-hole of the substrate, and the inorganic encapsulation layer comprises a first inorganic encapsulation layer and a second inorganic encapsulation layer which contact each other on the separator, as taught by Huang, in order to avoid packaging failure caused by the materials of the organic packaging layer flowing into the through-hole(¶0120).
Regarding claim 19, Shang teaches the electronic apparatus of claim 18, but is not relied on to teach the separator(middle 102, 20, ¶0077, ¶0080) is disposed between the partition wall and the through-hole(101, Fig. 4A, ¶0074) of the substrate(10), and
the inorganic encapsulation layer comprises a first inorganic encapsulation layer and a second inorganic encapsulation layer which contact each other on the separator(102, ¶0080).
Huang teaches an electronic apparatus(Fig. 6) wherein the separator(31, ¶0079) is disposed between the partition wall(29, ¶0079) and the through-hole(20b, Fig. 4, ¶0079) of the substrate(21), and the inorganic encapsulation layer(320, 322, ¶0079) comprises a first inorganic encapsulation layer(320, ¶0079) and a second inorganic encapsulation layer(322, ¶0079) which contact each other on the separator(31, ¶0079). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the device of Shang, so that separator is disposed between the partition wall and the through-hole of the substrate, and the inorganic encapsulation layer comprises a first inorganic encapsulation layer and a second inorganic encapsulation layer which contact each other on the separator, as taught by Huang, in order to avoid packaging failure caused by the materials of the organic packaging layer flowing into the through-hole(¶0120).
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 5-7 and 14-16 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.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter:
Regarding dependent claim 5, the prior art of record neither anticipates nor renders obvious the claimed subject matter of the instant application as a whole either taken alone or in combination, in particular, prior art of record does not teach “the protective layer extends to continuously cover a part of the lower surface of the second layer of the separator, a side surface of the first layer of the separator, and a part of an upper surface of the third layer of the separator”.
Claims 6-7 depend on claim 5 and inherit it’s allowable subject matter.
Regarding dependent claim 14, the prior art of record neither anticipates nor renders obvious the claimed subject matter of the instant application as a whole either taken alone or in combination, in particular, prior art of record does not teach “the protective layer continuously covers a part of the lower surface of the second layer of the separator, a side surface of the first layer of the separator, and a part of an upper surface of the third layer of the separator”.
Claims 15-16 depend on claim 14 and inherit it’s allowable subject matter.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments with respect to claims 1 and have been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection based on a new interpretation of the second layer in the prior art of record.
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 LAURA DYKES whose telephone number is (571)270-3161. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 9:30 am-5 pm.
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/LAURA M DYKES/Examiner, Art Unit 2892
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