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
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
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.
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 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 of this title, 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, 6-7, 11-12 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Jin (DE 102019119526;) in view of Ki (US 20170323934)
With regard claim 1, Jin discloses A stretchable electronic device having a connecting region, (abstract, see also fig 1-15) comprising: a first electronic unit having a first geometric center and comprising a first electronic element (at least fig 1, fig 7-9, fig 13, the electronic element with conductive lines, at least the component on the 111); a second electronic unit having a second geometric center and comprising a second electronic element (at least fig 1, fig 7-9, fig 13, the electronic element with conductive lines, at least the component on the 111), wherein the connecting region is disposed between the first electronic unit and the second electronic unit (at least fig 1, fig 7-9, fig 13, the connecting region between the first electronic unit and the second electronic unit; at least connecting lines 171); and a conductive line disposed in the connecting region and electronically connecting the first electronic unit and the second electronic unit (at least fig 1, fig 7-9, fig 13, the electronic element with conductive lines; see also fig 3, fig 5-6, or fig 10-15, at least connecting lines 171); an elasticity layer connecting the first electronic unit and the second electronic unit (at least fig 1 or fig 3, the elasticity layer connecting the first electronic unit and the second electronic unit, at least 110, or 119, 118, Examiner consider as the elasticity layer), wherein at least a part of the elasticity layer is located in the connection region (at least fig 3, see also fig 5-6, fig 15, ).
Jin lacks teaching: a minimum thickness of the elasticity layer in the connection region is less than a thickness of the elasticity layer in the portion of the connection region close to the first electron unit or the second electron unit.
Ki teaches a flexible display comprising: a minimum thickness of the elasticity layer in the connection region is less than a thickness of the elasticity layer in a portion of the connection region close to the first electron unit or the second electron unit (at least fig 14, fig 13, see also fig 9).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, or at the time of the invention was made, to include this feature (see above discussion) and modify to previous discussed structure (modified to the primary art’s elasticity layer) so as to further protect the modified structure; and/or reduce the weight.
Regarding claim 6, modified Jin further disclosed the elasticity layer covers the conductive line region (at least fig 1, fig 7-9, fig 13, see also fig 10-11, fig 14-15; the elasticity layer covers the conductive line region; see also the portion near the display), and in a cross-sectional view, the conductive line is disposed within the elasticity layer (at least fig 1 shows conductive line is disposed within the elasticity layer). Examiner’s note: it depends on the view point.
Regarding claim 7, modified Jin further disclosed the elasticity layer covers bottom surfaces of the first electronic unit and the second electronic unit (at least fig 1, fig 7-9, fig 13, the elasticity layer covers bottom surfaces of the first electronic unit and the second electronic unit), and the elasticity layer has a rough surface facing the bottom surfaces of the first electronic unit and the second electronic unit respectively (at least fig 10, fig 11, Examiner consider, at least, 980, 1280, formed a rough surface facing the bottom surfaces of the first electronic unit and the second electronic unit respectively). Examiner’s note: rough: having a coarse or uneven surface, as from projections, irregularities, or breaks; not smooth.. (https://www.dictionary.com/browse/rough)
Regarding claim 11, modified Jin further disclosed in a cross-sectional view, the elasticity layer is in contact with a top surface and a bottom surface of the first electronic unit and in contact with a top surface and a bottom surface of the second electronic unit (at least fig 1, fig 3-5, fig 7-9, fig 11-12).
Regarding claim 12, modified Jin further disclosed both the top surfaces of the first electronic unit and the second electronic unit have a protrusion respectively (at least fig 15, fig 3, fig 5-6, one or more protrusion on the top surfaces, no label), and the elasticity layer covers the protrusions of the first electronic unit and the second electronic unit (at least fig 1, see also fig 15, fig 3, fig 5-6).
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
With respect to the Applicants’ remarks that, “Specifically, Wu's application and the present application were, as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention” (pages 4 to the end).
Examiner’s Answer: the Examiner respectfully disagrees and notes that:
Applicant’s arguments have been considered but are moot because the arguments do not apply to current ground of rejection in the office action.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to JERRY WU whose telephone number is (571)270-5420. The examiner can normally be reached on PHP: M-Th: 8:30-12:30; 2:30-8:30pm.
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.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Imani Hayman can be reached on 571.270.5528. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/JERRY WU/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2841
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