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 .
Response to Amendment
Applicant’s amendment dated May 8, 2026, in which claims 1, 12, 17, 18, and 23 were amended, and claims 2 and 16 were cancelled, has been entered.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
Claims 1, 3-15, and 17-24 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
Regarding claims 1 and 23, the claims recite the limitation "the top surface" in lines 18 and 7, respectively, and the limitation “the side surface” in lines 18 and 8, respectively. There is insufficient antecedent basis for these limitations in the claims.
Claims 3-15, 17-22, and 24 are rejected due to their dependency.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
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.
Claim(s) 23-24 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Park et al. (U.S. Pub. 2021/0200361) [Hereafter “Park”].
Regarding claim 23 and 24, Park [Figs.1-3] discloses a display apparatus, comprising:
a display apparatus, comprising:
a display substrate including an active area [DA] configured to display an image and a non-active area [NDA] enclosing the active area;
an organic layer [portions of bank 118 between structures 160 and 170; Fig.3] [Paras.73,145] in the non-active area configured to prevent a crack in the display apparatus; and
a crack detection unit [171] configured to detect at least one crack in the display apparatus;
a cover layer [145] arranged to be in direct contact with (i) a part of the top surface, and (ii) a part of the side surface of the organic layer [portions of bank 118 between structures 160 and 170; Fig.3], wherein the cover layer is formed of an organic material [Para.102];
a light emitting diode [130] in the active area [DA] [Fig.3];
an encapsulation layer [135] on the light emitting diode; and
a dam [180] configured to prevent at least a part of the encapsulation layer unit from flowing to the outside of the display substrate in the non-active area [Fig.3].
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments with respect to claim(s) 23-24 have been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection does not rely on any reference applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument.
Overall, Applicant’s arguments are not persuasive. The rejected claims stand rejected and the Action is made Final.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. The cited prior art is considered analogous art and discloses at least some of the claimed subject matter of the current invention.
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 BAC H AU whose telephone number is (571)272-8795. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 9:00AM-6:00PM.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Leonard Chang can be reached at 571-270-3691. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/BAC H AU/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2898
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