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 .
DETAILED ACTION
This action is responsive to application No. 18/397,931 filed on August 04, 2026.
Priority
3. Receipt is acknowledged of papers submitted under 35 U.S.C. 119(a)-(d), which papers have been placed of record in the file.
Specification
4. The title of the invention has been amended as “Display Device Including Multiple Display Units and Transmissive Areas”.
Claims Corrections
5. Claim 3 is objected to because of the following informalities: In the following, the claims should be recited to avoid indefiniteness due to lack of antecedent basis, and/or perform proper alignment along with the prior claim languages:
3. (Currently Amended) The display device of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of bonding members includes:
a spacer pattern;
a conductive connection pattern covering at least an outer surface of the spacer pattern; and
an adhesive pattern disposed on the conductive connection pattern and contacting a corresponding one of the plurality of link wire lines.
Appropriate correction is needed.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
6. The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of 35 U.S.C. 112(a):
(a) IN GENERAL.—The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor or joint inventor of carrying out the invention.
The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112:
The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention.
7. Claim 16 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), first paragraph, as failing to comply with the enablement requirement. The claim(s) contains subject matter which was not described in the specification in such a way as to enable one skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and/or use the invention.
8. In claim 16, the amended limitation recites “each of the plurality of transmissive areas being an area in which anon-transparent material or a reflective material is not disposed”. Nowhere in the applicant’s original specification states that each of the plurality of transmissive areas being an area in which anon-transparent material or a reflective material is not disposed. Any negative limitation or exclusionary proviso must have basis in the original disclosure, and, if any claim containing a negative limitation which does not have basis in the original disclosure should be rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, first paragraph, as failing to comply with the written description requirement. See MPEP 2173.05(i). Due to dependency, claims 17-22, 24-26, 28-31 are also rejected.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
9. 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 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.
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. The factual inquiries set forth in Graham v. John Deere Co., 383 U.S. 1, 148 USPQ 459 (1966), that are applied for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
a. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
b. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
c. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
d. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or non-obviousness.
13. Claims 16-18, 24-26, 31-35 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kang et al. (US 2022/0208949 A1) in view of in view of Kang et al. (US 2023/0116218 A1).
Regarding independent claim 16, Kang et al./949 teaches a display device, comprising (Figs. 2, 4, 5B):
a wiring substrate (SUB/CCL containing circuit layer, para [0081], therefore, SUB/CCL considered as the wiring substrate); and
a display unit (TD: 10, para [0081], see Fig. 2) disposed on the wiring substrate (SUB/CCL) comprising:
a plurality of sub-pixels (PX: SPX1, SPX2, SPX3, see Fig. 4) each including one or more micro-LEDs (ED, para [0095], see Fig. 5B) including inorganic material (inorganic LEDs, para [0084], [0176]), and
a plurality of transmissive areas (CWL color control layer, para [0081]) adjacent to the plurality of sub-pixels (PX: SPX1, SPX2, SPX3), the plurality of transmissive areas (CWL) configured to transmit external light from a first side of the display device to a second side of the display device (this is a functional limitation/an intended use), each of the plurality of transmissive areas (CWL) being an area in which a non-transparent material (CAP2 capping layer, made of inorganic material, para [0128]) or a reflective material is not disposed.
Kang et al./949 is explicitly silent of disclosing wherein, the plurality of sub-pixels each including one or more micro-LEDs including a plurality of signal lines.
Kang et al./218 discloses wherein (Figs. 3-4), the plurality of sub-pixels (PX) each including one or more micro-LEDs including a plurality of signal lines (para [0186]).
It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to apply the teaching as taught by Kang et al./218, and show the signal lines, such as scan line/data line/voltage or power line in the display structure of Kang et al./949, in order to operate the light emitting element (s), thus functioning the display device or panel.
Regarding claim 17, Kang et al./949 and Kang et al./218 teach all of the limitations of claim 16 from which this claim depends.
Kang et al./218 teaches wherein (Figs. 3-4), further comprising:
a plurality of data lines (DTL, see Fig. 4) disposed along and between the plurality of transmissive areas;
a first voltage supply line (ELVDL, see Fig. 4) disposed on a first side of a group of sub-pixels (PX) along the plurality of data lines (DTL); and
a second voltage supply line (RVL, see Fig. 4) disposed on a second side of the group of sub-pixels (PX) along the plurality of data lines (DTL).
Regarding claim 18, Kang et al./949 and Kang et al./218 teach all of the limitations of claim 16 from which this claim depends.
Kang et al./949 teaches wherein (Figs. 4, 5B), the display unit (TD: 10, 10…., see Fig. 2) includes a plurality of first display units (10 left segment, see Fig. 2) and a plurality of second display units (10 right segment), each disposed alternately and spaced apart from each other through boundary area SA (para [0067]).
Regarding claim 24, Kang et al./949 and Kang et al./218 teach all of the limitations of claim 18 from which this claim depends.
Kang et al./949 teaches wherein (Fig. 5A), further comprising a refractive index matching layer (30, para [0088]) filling a boundary area between first display unit (10 left) and the second display unit (10 right).
Regarding claim 25, Kang et al./949 and Kang et al./218 teach all of the limitations of claim 24 from which this claim depends.
Kang et al./949 teaches wherein (Fig. 5A), the refractive index matching layer (30) includes an optical clear adhesive (OCA) or an optical clear resin (OCR) (optical member, para [0088]).
Regarding claim 26, Kang et al./949 and Kang et al./218 teach all of the limitations of claim 24 from which this claim depends.
Kang et al./949 teaches wherein (Fig. 5A), the refractive index matching layer (30) fills a boundary area between the first display unit (10 left) and the second display unit (10 right), and extends (vertically) along and on a display surface (side surfaces) of the first display unit (10 left) and the second display unit (10 right).
Regarding claim 31, Kang et al./949 and Kang et al./218 teach all of the limitations of claim 24 from which this claim depends.
Kang et al./949 teaches wherein (Figs. 5B), further comprising a cover substrate (ENC, para [0087] the first encapsulation layer ENC may be disposed to cover the color control layer CWL, the light-emitting element layer EML, and the circuit layer CCL./PAS2, para [0146]) disposed on display surfaces of the first (10 left) and second (10 right) display units, and wherein one surface of the refractive index matching layer (BK2) is in contact with the cover substrate (ENC/PAS2).
Regarding independent claim 32, Kang et al. teaches a display device, comprising (Figs. 2, 4, 5B):
a plurality of display units (TD: 10….10, para [0063], see Fig. 2) including a first display unit (10 left) and a second display unit (10 right) disposed laterally spaced apart from the first display unit, each of the first and second display units (10 left….10 right) comprising:
a substrate (SUB, see Fig. 5B) on which a plurality of thin film transistors (CCL comprising transistors, para [0083]) are disposed;
a passivation layer (PAS1, para [0106]) disposed on the thin film transistors (CCL) and including insulating material (the passivation layer is an insulating material);
an adhesive layer (510 insulating layer, considering as the adhesive layer to adhere the EDs with CCL layer) disposed on at least a part of the passivation layer (PAS1);
one or more micro-LED chips (ED, para [0095]) each including a micro-LED made of an inorganic material (inorganic LEDs, para [0084], [0176]), disposed on the adhesive layer (510), and attached to the passivation layer (PAS1), wherein the adhesive layer (510) is disposed under each of the one or more micro-LED chips (EDs); and
one or more protective patterns (520) each disposed on side surfaces and at least a part of a top surface of a corresponding one of the one or more the micro-LED chips (EDs).
Kang et al./949 is explicitly silent of disclosing wherein, the one or more micro-LED chips each including a micro-LED attached to the passivation layer by the adhesive layer.
Kang et al./218 discloses wherein (Fig. 3), the one or more micro-LED chips (EMD, para [0104]) each including a micro-LED attached to the passivation layer (1234, para [0180]) by the adhesive layer (130, para [0093]).
It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to apply the teaching as taught by Kang et al./218, and modify to the structure of Kang et al./949, in order to decrease in light output may be minimized or reduced; and strengthen the bond between the first and second substrates by including an adhesive material (para [0093]).
Regarding claim 33, Kang et al./949 and Kang et al./218 teach all of the limitations of claim 32 from which this claim depends.
Kang et al./949 teaches wherein (Figs. 4, 5B), the protective pattern (520) is disposed between the passivation layer (PAS1) and the micro-LED chip (ED).
Regarding claim 34, Kang et al./949 and Kang et al./218 teach all of the limitations of claim 33 from which this claim depends.
Kang et al./949 is explicitly silent of disclosing wherein, the protective pattern includes inorganic material.
Kang et al./218 teaches wherein (Fig. 3), the capping layer (1234, para [0180]) includes inorganic material (silicon nitride, para [0180]).
It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to apply the teaching as taught by Kang et al./218, and modify to the passivation layer of Kang et al./949, in order to cover to the display elements effectively, and works as high resistance/barrier towards moisture, and higher stability.
Regarding claim 35, Kang et al./949 and Kang et al./218 teach all of the limitations of claim 33 from which this claim depends.
Kang et al./949 teaches wherein (Figs. 4, 5B), the first display unit (10 left, Fig. 2) and the second display unit (10 right) comprise a plurality of sub-pixels (PX: SPX1, SPX2, SPX3) and a plurality of transmissive areas (CWL) adjacent to the plurality of sub- pixels (PX: SPX1, SPX2, SPX3), the plurality of transmissive areas (CWL) configured to transmit external light from a first side of the display device to a second side of the display device (this is a functional limitation/an intended use).
Allowable Subject Matter
14. Claims 1-5, 8-15 are allowed.
15. The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance:
Claim 1 is allowed because all prior arts to include those on record either singularly or in combination fail to anticipate or render obvious of a display device comprising:
…. a plurality of bonding members each disposed between the wiring substrate and a corresponding one of the plurality of display units, so as to electrically connect corresponding one or more of the plurality of link wire lines and corresponding one or more of the plurality of signal lines to each other;
16. Claim 19 (claims 20-22, 28-30 depend on claim 19) are 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.
Claim 19 recites …. further comprising:
a first bonding member disposed between and in contact with the first display unit and the wiring substrate, the first bonding member electrically connecting the link wire line and one or more of the signal lines of the first display unit; and
a second bonding member disposed between and in contact with the second display unit and the wiring substrate, the second bonding member electrically connecting the link wire line and one or more of the signal lines of the second display unit.
17. Prior arts made of record in PTO-892 and not relied upon are considered pertinent to applicant’s disclosure: prior arts, Kang et al. (US 2022/0208949 A1) and Kang et al. (US 2023/0116218 A1) are cited as close prior arts, wherein the prior arts depict the similar structure of the display device comprising micro-LEDs. However, the prior arts do not disclose the bonding member disposed between the display unit and the wiring substrate and connecting to the link wire line, therefore, either by itself or in combination with other arts fail to disclose the above quoted limitation in sections 14.
Response to Arguments
18. It has been acknowledged that the applicant amended claims 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 11, 13, 16, 17, 32, 34, 35, per the response dated on 08/04/2026.
Applicant’s remarks in pages 14-17 w.r.t. claims 16, 32 have been considered, but they are not found persuasive because of new grounds/interpretations of rejection in the current office action. This is to remind that these are device claims, have been rejected how they were constructed.
Conclusion
19. 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.
20. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to DIDARUL MAZUMDER whose telephone number is (571)272-8823. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 9-5.
Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice.
21. If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, William Partridge can be reached at 571-270-1402. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/DIDARUL A MAZUMDER/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2812
