Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 18/465,707

Display Device Including Oxide Semiconductor

Non-Final OA §102§103
Filed
Sep 12, 2023
Examiner
SRINIVASAN, SESHA SAIRAMAN
Art Unit
2817
Tech Center
2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems
Assignee
LG Display Co., Ltd.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
68%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
3y 7m
To Grant
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 68% — above average
68%
Career Allow Rate
19 granted / 28 resolved
At TC average
Strong +53% interview lift
Without
With
+52.9%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 7m
Avg Prosecution
63 currently pending
Career history
91
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§103
71.4%
+31.4% vs TC avg
§102
21.4%
-18.6% vs TC avg
§112
7.1%
-32.9% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 28 resolved cases

Office Action

§102 §103
DETAILED ACTION Notice of 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 . Information Disclosure Statement No Information Disclosure Statement has been filed. Foreign Priority Foreign Priority certificate has been filed on 10/30/2023 and entered. 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. (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. Claim(s) 1, 3-4, and 8-10 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Eon Seok Oh et al, (hereinafter OH), US 20220367772 A1. Regarding Claim 1, OH teaches a display device (Figs. 7, 100, display panel) comprising: a pixel driving circuit (Fig. 7, PC3, third pixel circuit) located on a device substrate (Fig. 7, 110, base layer), the pixel driving circuit (Fig. 7, PC3, third pixel circuit) comprising a driving thin-film transistor (Fig. 7, S-TFT/O-TFT); a conductive pattern (Fig. 7, BML, back metal layer) located between the device substrate (Fig. 7, 110, base layer) and the driving thin-film transistor (Fig. 7, S-TFT/O-TFT), the conductive pattern (Fig. 7, BML, back metal layer) comprising a metal (BML may include for example, molybdenum (Mo), titanium (Ti), aluminum (Al), silver (Ag), copper (Gu), or the like, [0130]); and a light-emitting device (Fig. 7, LD3, third light-emitting elements) located on the device substrate (Fig. 7, 110, base layer) and electrically connected (Fig. 7, similar to AE1, the third lower electrode, AE3 may be electrically connected to the third pixel circuit, PC3 through a connection electrode, CNE2/CNE1, [0154]) to the driving thin-film transistor (Fig. 7, S-TFT/O-TFT), wherein the driving thin-film transistor (Fig. 7, S-TFT/O-TFT) comprises a driving semiconductor pattern (Fig. 7, AC1, active region, a portion of the semiconductor pattern may be an active region of the transistor, [0134]) made of an oxide semiconductor (Fig. 7, the second semiconductor pattern may include an oxide semiconductor, [0139]), wherein the driving semiconductor pattern (Fig. 7, AC1, active region, a portion of the semiconductor pattern may be an active region of the transistor, [0134]) is in contact with an upper surface (annotated Figure 7) of the conductive pattern (Fig. 7, BML, back metal layer), the upper surface being opposite (annotated Figure 7) the device substrate (Fig. 7, 110, base layer), and wherein the metal (BML may include for example, molybdenum (Mo), titanium (Ti), aluminum (Al), silver (Ag), copper (Gu), or the like, [0130]) of the conductive pattern (Fig. 7, BML, back metal layer) has a larger work function (work function of the said metals in range of 4.06-5.10 eV compared to metal oxides, according to Wikipedia regarding the work function of metals) than the oxide semiconductor (Fig. 7, the second semiconductor pattern may include an oxide semiconductor, [0139]) of the driving semiconductor pattern (Fig. 7, AC1, active region, a portion of the semiconductor pattern may be an active region of the transistor, [0134]). Regarding Claim 3, OH teaches the display device (Fig. 7, 100, display panel) according to claim 1, wherein the conductive pattern (Fig. 7, BML, back metal layer) is electrically connected (Fig. 7, CPN, connection bridge/ CNE1/CNE2, connection electrode) to a driving source electrode (Fig. 7, SE1/SE2) of the driving thin-film transistor (Fig. 7, S-TFT/O-TFT). Regarding Claim 4, OH teaches the display device (Figs. 7, 100, display panel) according to claim 3. wherein the conductive pattern (Fig. 7, BML, back metal layer) comprises a region located outside (Figs. 7-8) the driving semiconductor pattern (Fig. 7, AC1, active region, a portion of the semiconductor pattern may be an active region of the transistor, [0134]) so as not to overlap (Figs. 7-8) with the driving semiconductor pattern (Fig. 7, AC1, active region, a portion of the semiconductor pattern may be an active region of the transistor, [0134]), and wherein the driving source electrode (Fig. 7, SE1/SE2) is in contact with the conductive pattern (Fig. 7, BML, back metal layer) at the region located outside (Figs. 7-8) the driving semiconductor pattern (Fig. 7, AC1, active region, a portion of the semiconductor pattern may be an active region of the transistor, [0134]). Regarding Claim 8, OH teaches the display device (Figs. 7, 100, display panel) according to claim 1, wherein the conductive pattern (Fig. 7, BML, back metal layer) comprises one of copper, molybdenum, nickel, cobalt, and platinum ([0173]). Regarding Claim 9, OH teaches the display device (Figs. 7, 100, display panel) according to claim 1, wherein the conductive pattern (Fig. 7, BML, back metal layer) overlaps a first portion of the driving semiconductor pattern (Fig. 7, AC1, active region, a portion of the semiconductor pattern may be an active region of the transistor, [0134]; right side of the BML) and does not overlap a second portion of the driving semiconductor pattern (Fig. 7, AC1, active region, a portion of the semiconductor pattern may be an active region of the transistor, [0134]; left side of the BML). Regarding Claim 10, OH teaches the display device (Figs. 7, 100, display panel) according to claim 9, wherein the driving semiconductor pattern (Fig. 7, AC1, active region, a portion of the semiconductor pattern may be an active region of the transistor, [0134]) comprises a channel region (Fig. 7, AC1) overlapping with the conductive pattern (Fig. 7, BML, back metal layer). Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103 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. The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows: 1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art. 2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue. 3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art. 4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness. Claim(s) 2 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over OH, in view of Ali Afzali-Ardakani et al, (hereinafter AFZALI-ARDAKANI), US 9553056 B1. Regarding Claim 2, OH teaches the display device (Figs. 7, 100, display panel) according to claim 1, wherein the driving semiconductor pattern (Fig. 7, AC1, active region, a portion of the semiconductor pattern may be an active region of the transistor, [0134]) comprises a rear portion located adjacent to the conductive pattern (Fig. 7, BML, back metal layer). OH does not explicitly disclose the display device, wherein the driving semiconductor pattern, the rear portion comprises a depletion region. AFZALI-ARDAKANI teaches the display device (Fig. 1, 20, semiconductor structure), wherein the driving semiconductor pattern (Fig. 10, 24, semiconductor layer), the rear portion comprises a depletion region (Fig. 10 WD, depletion region width, [Col. 11, Lines 5-10]). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention (AIA ) to have modified OH to incorporate the teachings of AFZALI-ARDAKANI, such that the display device, wherein the driving semiconductor pattern, the rear portion comprises a depletion region, so that the width of the depletion region which is a function of voltage, therefore, by illumination creates an additional voltage (AFZALI-ARDAKANI, [Col. 11, Lines 5-10]) Claim(s) 5-7 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over OH, in view of Kyeong-Ju Moon et al, (hereinafter MOON), US 20210202634 A1 Regarding Claim 5, OH teaches the display device (Figs. 7, 100, display panel) according to claim 1. OH does not explicitly disclose the display device, wherein the conductive pattern comprises a first pattern layer and a second pattern layer located on the first pattern layer, wherein the driving semiconductor pattern is in contact with the second pattern layer, and wherein the second pattern layer has a larger work function than the driving semiconductor pattern. MOON teaches the display device (Fig. 2, 200, display apparatus), wherein the conductive pattern (Fig. 1, 150, second storage capacitor) comprises a first pattern layer (Fig. 1, 151, lower electrode) and a second pattern layer (Fig. 1, 152, upper electrode) located on the first pattern layer (Fig. 1, 151, lower electrode), wherein the driving semiconductor pattern (Fig. 1, 331, third semiconductor pattern) is in contact with the second pattern layer (Fig. 1, 152, upper electrode), and wherein the second pattern layer (Fig. 1, 152, upper electrode) has a larger work function (work function of the said metals [0056] in range of 4.06-5.10 eV compared to metal oxides, according to Wikipedia regarding the work function of metals) than the driving semiconductor pattern (Fig. 1, 331, third semiconductor pattern). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention (AIA ) to have modified OH to incorporate the teachings of MOON, such that the display device, wherein the conductive pattern comprises a first pattern layer and a second pattern layer located on the first pattern layer, wherein the driving semiconductor pattern is in contact with the second pattern layer, and wherein the second pattern layer has a larger work function than the driving semiconductor pattern, so that the display device demonstrate with high reflection efficiency (MOON, [0096]). Regarding Claim 6, OH as modified by MOON teaches the display device according to claim 5. MOON further teaches the display device (Fig. 2, 200, display apparatus), wherein the second pattern layer (Fig. 1, 152, upper electrode) is made of a conductive metal oxide ([0059]). Regarding Claim 7, OH as modified by MOON teaches the display device according to claim 6. MOON further teaches the display device (Fig. 2, 200, display apparatus), wherein the first pattern layer (Fig. 1, 151, lower electrode) comprises a same metal ([0059]) as the second pattern layer (Fig. 1, 152, upper electrode). Claim(s) 11-12 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Jinsung An et al, (hereinafter AN), US 20220336564 A1, Kangyoung Lee et al, (hereinafter LEE), US 20210118968 A1, and further in view of Chi-Wen Chen et al, (CHEN), US 20060124930 A1. Regarding Claim 11, AN teaches a display device (Figs. 5, 10, display panel) comprising: a first conductive pattern (Fig. 5, BSL, bottom shielding layer) located on a device substrate (Fig. 5, 100); an upper buffer layer (Fig. 5, 111) located on the device substrate (Fig. 5, 100) to cover the first conductive pattern (Fig. 5, BSL, bottom shielding layer); a second conductive pattern (Fig. 5, BGE, bottom gate electrode) located on the upper buffer layer (Fig. 5, 111), the second conductive pattern (Fig. 5, BGE, bottom gate electrode) comprising a metal (BGE include the same material as CE2, [0112], [0203]); a pixel driving circuit (Fig. 5, PC3, third pixel circuit) located on the device substrate (Fig. 5, 100), the pixel driving circuit (Fig. 5, PC3, third pixel circuit) comprising a first thin-film transistor (Fig. 5, TFT1) located on the first conductive pattern (Fig. 5, BSL, bottom shielding layer) and a second thin-film transistor (Fig. 5, TFT2) located on the second conductive pattern (Fig. 5, BGE, bottom gate electrode); and wherein the second thin-film transistor (Fig. 5, TFT2) comprises a semiconductor pattern (Fig. 5, Act2, semiconductor layer, [0165]) made of an oxide semiconductor (Fig. 5, TFT2 may include an oxide semiconductor, [0165]), and Though AN teaches a light-emitting device electrically connected to the first thin-film transistor, AN does not explicitly disclose a display device comprising: a light-emitting device electrically connected to the second thin-film transistor. LEE teaches a display device (Fig. 1, 1) comprising: a light-emitting device (Fig. 5, OLED) electrically connected (Fig. 5, CM, connection electrode, [0111]) to the second thin-film transistor (Fig. 5, TFT′). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention (AIA ) to have modified AN to incorporate the teachings of LEE, such that a display device comprising: a light-emitting device electrically connected to the second thin-film transistor, so that a connection electrode, CM may connect the thin film transistor, TFT to the organic light-emitting diode, OLED for pixel conversion to electrical power voltage (LEE, [0060], [0111]). AN as modified by LEE does not explicitly disclose a display device comprising: wherein the semiconductor pattern of the second thin-film transistor is in Schottky contact with the second conductive pattern. CHEN teaches a display device (TFT-LCD displays, [0005]) comprising: wherein the semiconductor pattern of the second thin-film transistor (Fig. 2, 30, thin film transistor) is in Schottky contact (Fig. 2, [0007], [0043]) with the second conductive pattern (Fig. 2, interface between the source electrode, 42, and the drain electrode, 44, and the amorphous silicon layer, 18, [0007]). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention (AIA ) to have AN as modified by LEE to incorporate the teachings of CHEN, such that a display device comprising: wherein the semiconductor pattern of the second thin-film transistor is in Schottky contact with the second conductive pattern, so that Schottky contact occurs in the interface of the semiconductor layer made of other materials and the metal electrode and thus reduce the current leakage problem (CHEN, [0043]). Regarding Claim 12, AN as modified by LEE and CHEN teaches the display device according to claim 11. AN further teaches a display device (Figs. 5, 10, display panel), wherein the second conductive pattern (Fig. 5, BGE, bottom gate electrode) is electrically connected (Fig. 5, WL, line, [0125]) to a source electrode (Fig. 5, SE2), of the second thin-film transistor (Fig. 5, TFT2). Claim(s) 13, 15 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over AN, LEE, further in view of CHEN, and further in view of Kuan-FENG Lee et al, (hereinafter LEE2, US 20170338252 A1. Regarding Claim 13, AN as modified by LEE and CHEN teaches the display device according to claim 11. AN as modified by LEE and CHEN dopes not explicitly disclose the display device, wherein the first thin-film transistor comprises a semiconductor pattern located on a same layer as the second conductive pattern. LEE2 teaches the display device (Fig. 7, display device), wherein the first thin-film transistor (Fig. 7, 13a/13b, first/second semiconductor layer) comprises a semiconductor pattern (Fig. 7, 111, light shielding layer) located on a same layer as the second conductive pattern (Fig. 7, 112, light shielding layer). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention (AIA ) to have AN as modified by LEE and CHEN to incorporate the teachings of LEE2, such that the display device, wherein the first thin-film transistor comprises a semiconductor pattern located on a same layer as the second conductive pattern, so that the simultaneous formation of the light shielding layers, 111 and 112 thus ensure the uniformity and improve the simplify process for manufacturing thin film transistors and display devices (LEE2, [0006]). Regarding Claim 15, AN as modified by LEE, CHEN, and LEE2 teaches the display device according to claim 13. LEE2 further teaches the display device (Fig. 7, display device), further comprising: an upper gate insulating layer (Fig. 5, 112) located on the upper buffer layer (Fig. 5, 111), wherein the upper gate insulating layer (Fig. 7, 14, gate insulating layer) covers the semiconductor pattern (Fig. 7, 111, light shielding layer) of the first thin-film transistor (Fig. 7, 13a, first semiconductor layer) and the semiconductor pattern (Fig. 7, 13b, second semiconductor layer) of the second thin-film transistor, wherein each of the first thin-film transistor (Fig. 7, 13a, first semiconductor layer) and the second thin-film transistor (Fig. 7, 13b, second semiconductor layer) comprises a gate electrode (Fig 7, 151/152) located on the upper gate insulating layer (Fig. 7, 14, gate insulating layer), and wherein the gate electrode (Fig 7, 152) of the second thin-film transistor (Fig. 7, 13a, first semiconductor layer) is located on a same layer as the gate electrode (Fig 7, 151) of the first thin-film transistor (Fig. 7, 13b, second semiconductor layer). Claim(s) 14 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over AN, LEE, further in view of CHEN, further in view of LEE2, and further in view of Kyeong-Ju Moon et al, (hereinafter MOON), US 20210202634 A1. Regarding Claim 14 AN as modified by LEE, CHEN, and LEE2 teaches the display device according to claim 13. AN as modified by LEE, CHEN, and LEE2 does not explicitly disclose the display device, wherein the semiconductor pattern of the first thin-film transistor comprises a same material as the semiconductor pattern of the second thin-film transistor. MOON teaches the display device (Fig. 2, 200, display apparatus), wherein the semiconductor pattern (Fig. 2, 610, first metal pattern) of the first thin-film transistor (Fig. 2, 350, first thin film transistor) comprises a same material as the semiconductor pattern (Fig. 2, 620, second metal pattern) of the second thin-film transistor (Fig. 2, 320, second thin film transistor). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention (AIA ) to have AN as modified by LEE, CHEN, and LEE2 to incorporate the teachings of MOON, such that the display device, wherein the semiconductor pattern of the first thin-film transistor comprises a same material as the semiconductor pattern of the second thin-film transistor, so that the uniformity in terms of material properties are maintained while manufacturing the display device having higher reflection efficiency (MOON, [0096]). Claim(s) 16-17, 20-21, and 24 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Hoon Yim et al, (hereinafter YIM), US 20110278565 A1, in view of LEE, and further in view of OH. Regarding Claim 16, YIM teaches a thin film transistor (Fig. 3, oxide TFT, [0031]) for driving a light-emitting element of a display device (UV light emitting diode (LED), [0046]), the thin film transistor (Fig. 3, oxide TFT, [0031]) comprising: an oxide semiconductor pattern (Fig. 3, 124, active layer made of oxide semiconductor, [0038]) including oxide semiconductor material (Fig. 3, 124, active layer made of oxide semiconductor, [0038]); a gate insulation layer (Fig. 3, 115a, gate insulating layer) disposed on a first side of the oxide semiconductor pattern (Fig. 3, 124, active layer made of oxide semiconductor, [0038]); a gate electrode (Fig. 3, 121) disposed on the gate insulation layer (Fig. 3, 115a, gate insulating layer); a first electrode (Fig. 3, 122, source electrode) electrically connected (Fig. 3, 125b, contact layers, [0065]) to the oxide semiconductor pattern (Fig. 3, 124, active layer made of oxide semiconductor, [0038]); a second electrode (Fig. 3, 123, drain electrode) electrically connected (Fig. 3, 125b, contact layers, [0065]) to the oxide semiconductor pattern (Fig. 3, 124, active layer made of oxide semiconductor, [0038]). YIM does not disclose a thin film transistor for driving a light-emitting element of a display device, the thin film transistor comprising: the second electrode electrically connected to the light-emitting element such that the thin film transistor drives current through the light-emitting element. LEE teaches a thin film transistor (Fig. 5, TFT′) for driving a light-emitting element of a display device (Fig. 1, 1) comprising: the second electrode (Fig. 5, 216a, second drain electrode) electrically connected (Fig. 5, CM, connection electrode, [0111]) to the light-emitting element (Fig. 5, OLED) such that the thin film transistor (Fig. 5, TFT′) drives current (Fig. 2, [0061]) through the light-emitting element (Fig. 5, OLED). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention (AIA ) to have modified YIM to incorporate the teachings of LEE, such that a thin film transistor for driving a light-emitting element of a display device, the thin film transistor comprising: the second electrode electrically connected to the light-emitting element such that the thin film transistor drives current through the light-emitting element, so that the organic light-emitting diode, OLED may emit light having a brightness by using the driving current (LEE, [0061]). YIM as modified by LEE does not explicitly disclose a thin film transistor for driving a light-emitting element of a display device, the thin film transistor comprising: a conductive pattern disposed directly on and in contact with a second side of the oxide semiconductor pattern, the conductive pattern having a first work function greater than a second work function of the oxide semiconductor pattern. OH teaches a thin film transistor (Fig. 7, S-TFT/O-TFT) for driving a light-emitting element (Fig. 7, LD3, third light-emitting elements) of a display device (Figs. 7, 100, display panel), the thin film transistor (Fig. 7, S-TFT/O-TFT) comprising: a conductive pattern (Fig. 7, BML, back metal layer) disposed directly on and in contact with a second side of the oxide semiconductor pattern (Fig. 7, AC1, active region, a portion of the semiconductor pattern may be an active region of the transistor, [0134]; the second semiconductor pattern may include an oxide semiconductor, [0139]), the conductive pattern (Fig. 7, BML, back metal layer) having a first work function greater than a second work function of the oxide semiconductor pattern (work function of the said metals in range of 4.06-5.10 eV compared to metal oxides, according to Wikipedia regarding the work function of metals). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention (AIA ) to have YIM as modified by LEE to incorporate the teachings of OH, such that a thin film transistor for driving a light-emitting element of a display device, the thin film transistor comprising: a conductive pattern disposed directly on and in contact with a second side of the oxide semiconductor pattern, the conductive pattern having a first work function greater than a second work function of the oxide semiconductor pattern. The said arrangement of conductive patterns or back metal layers with greater work function improve the transmittance and reliability of the display device (OH, [0002]). Regarding Claim 17, YIM as modified by LEE and OH teaches the thin film transistor of claim 16. OH further teaches a thin film transistor (Fig. 7, S-TFT/O-TFT), wherein the conductive pattern (Fig. 7, BML, back metal layer) is electrically coupled to a DC voltage (Fig. 7, similar to AE1, the third lower electrode, AE3 may be electrically connected to the third pixel circuit, PC3 through a connection electrode, CNE2/CNE1, [0154]) or the second electrode (Fig. 7, DE1, drain region, [0134]) . Regarding Claim 20, YIM as modified by LEE and OH teaches the thin film transistor of claim 16. OH further teaches a thin film transistor (Fig. 7, S-TFT/O-TFT), wherein the conductive pattern (Fig. 7, BML, back metal layer) overlaps with the entire oxide semiconductor pattern (Fig. 7, AC1, active region, a portion of the semiconductor pattern may be an active region of the transistor, [0134]; the second semiconductor pattern may include an oxide semiconductor, [0139]) and extends beyond edges of the oxide semiconductor pattern (Fig. 7, AC1, active region, a portion of the semiconductor pattern may be an active region of the transistor, [0134]; the second semiconductor pattern may include an oxide semiconductor, [0139]). Regarding Claim 21, YIM as modified by LEE and OH teaches the thin film transistor of claim 16. OH further teaches a thin film transistor (Fig. 7, S-TFT/O-TFT), further comprising another conductive pattern (Fig. 7, BML, back metal layer) disposed beyond edges of the oxide semiconductor pattern (Fig. 7, AC1, active region, a portion of the semiconductor pattern may be an active region of the transistor, [0134]; the second semiconductor pattern may include an oxide semiconductor, [0139]), the source electrode (Fig. 8, SE1/SE2, source region, [0134]) electrically connected (Fig. 8, CPN, connection bridge, [0154]), to the another conductive pattern (Fig. 8, TWL, connection wiring, [0154]). Regarding Claim 24, YIM as modified by LEE and OH teaches the thin film transistor of claim 16. OH further teaches a thin film transistor (Fig. 7, S-TFT/O-TFT), wherein the conductive pattern (Fig. 7, BML, back metal layer) comprises one of copper, molybdenum, nickel, cobalt, and platinum ([0173]). Claim(s) 18-19, and 22-23 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over YIM, in view of LEE, further in view of OH, and further in view of MOON. Regarding Claim 18, YIM as modified by LEE and OH teaches the thin film transistor of claim 16. LEE further teaches the thin film transistor (Fig. 5, TFT′) wherein: the oxide semiconductor pattern (Fig. 5, 212, second semiconductor layer, may include an oxide semiconductor, [0128]) includes a source region (Fig. 5, 212b, second source region), a drain region (Fig. 5, 212a, second drain region), and a channel region (Fig. 5, 212c, second channel region) between the source region (Fig. 5, 212b, second source region) and the drain region (Fig. 5, 212a, second drain region), the source region (Fig. 5, 212b, second source region) and the drain region (Fig. 5, 212a, second drain region) including the oxide semiconductor material (Fig. 5, 212, second semiconductor layer, may include an oxide semiconductor, [0128]), and the channel region (Fig. 5, 212c, second channel region) including the oxide semiconductor material free of the dopant (Fig. 5, 212, second semiconductor layer, may include an oxide semiconductor, [0128]), OH further teaches a thin film transistor (Fig. 7, S-TFT/O-TFT), wherein, the source region and the drain region including the oxide semiconductor material doped with a dopant (first region, doped with p-type or n-type dopant, first region may serve or substantially serve as an electrode or a signal line (e.g., source or drain), [0132]), and the channel region including the oxide semiconductor material free of the dopant (a second region may be an undoped region, the second region may correspond to or substantially correspond to an active region (e.g. channel), [0132]). YIM as modified by LEE and OH does not explicitly disclose the thin film transistor, wherein, the conductive pattern extends shorter than edges of the oxide semiconductor region, and the conductive pattern overlaps with the channel region but does not overlap with the source region or the drain region. MOON teaches the thin film transistor (Fig. 2, 330, third thin film transistor), wherein, the conductive pattern (Fig. 2, 630, third metal pattern) extends shorter than edges of the oxide semiconductor region (Fig. 2, 331, third semiconductor pattern), and the conductive pattern (Fig. 2, 630, third metal pattern) overlaps with the channel region (Fig. 2, 331C, third channel region) but does not overlap with the source region (Fig. 2, 331S, third source region) or the drain region (Fig. 2, 331D, third drain region). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention (AIA ) to have YIM as modified by LEE and OH to incorporate the teachings of MOON, such that the thin film transistor, wherein, the conductive pattern extends shorter than edges of the oxide semiconductor region, and the conductive pattern overlaps with the channel region but does not overlap with the source region or the drain region, so that the light transmittance from the light emitting element is improved in terms of brightness and reliability of the display device (MOON, [0043]). Regarding Claim 19, YIM as modified by LEE, OH, and MOON teaches the thin film transistor of claim 18. MOON further teaches the thin film transistor (Fig. 2, 330, third thin film transistor), wherein the conductive pattern (Fig. 2, 630, third metal pattern) extends shorter than edges of the oxide semiconductor region (Fig. 2, 331, third semiconductor pattern); and wherein the oxide semiconductor region (Fig. 2, 331, third semiconductor pattern) has stepped shapes (Fig. 2, 331, third semiconductor pattern demonstrating stepped profile). Regarding Claim 22, YIM as modified by LEE and OH teaches the thin film transistor of claim 16. YIM as modified by LEE and OH does not explicitly disclose the thin film transistor, wherein the conductive pattern comprises a first conductive pattern layer and a second conductive pattern layer disposed on the first conductive pattern layer, wherein the oxide semiconductor pattern is in direct contact with the second conductive pattern layer, and wherein the second conductive pattern layer has the first work function greater than the second work function of the oxide semiconductor pattern. MOON teaches the thin film transistor (Fig. 2, 330, third thin film transistor), wherein the conductive pattern (Fig. 1, 150, second storage capacitor) comprises a first conductive pattern layer (Fig. 1, 151, lower electrode) and a second conductive pattern layer (Fig. 1, 152, upper electrode) disposed on the first conductive pattern layer (Fig. 1, 151, lower electrode), wherein the oxide semiconductor pattern (Fig. 1, 331, third semiconductor pattern) is in direct contact (Fig. 1, 170, second connecting electrode) with the second conductive pattern layer (Fig. 1, 152, upper electrode), and wherein the second conductive pattern (Fig. 1, 152, upper electrode) layer has the first work function greater (work function of the said metals [0056] in range of 4.06-5.10 eV compared to metal oxides, according to Wikipedia regarding the work function of metals) than the second work function of the oxide semiconductor pattern (Fig. 1, 331, third semiconductor pattern). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention (AIA ) to have YIM as modified by LEE and OH to incorporate the teachings of MOON, such that the thin film transistor, wherein the conductive pattern comprises a first conductive pattern layer and a second conductive pattern layer disposed on the first conductive pattern layer, wherein the oxide semiconductor pattern is in direct contact with the second conductive pattern layer, and wherein the second conductive pattern layer has the first work function greater than the second work function of the oxide semiconductor pattern, so that the display device demonstrate with high reflection efficiency (MOON, [0096]). Regarding Claim 23, YIM as modified by LEE, OH, and MOON teaches the thin film transistor of claim 22. LEE further teaches the thin film transistor (Fig. 5, TFT′) wherein the second conductive pattern layer (Fig. 5, 212, second semiconductor layer) comprises a conductive metal oxide (the second semiconductor layer, 212, may include an oxide semiconductor, [0128]). Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. US 20210005693 A1 - Figure 1 STATEMENT OF RELEVANCE – Cross-sectional view illustrating a display apparatus with thin film transistors. US 20210202671 A1 - Figure 2A STATEMENT OF RELEVANCE – Semiconductor pattern with thin film transistor in line with the light emitting element. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to SESHA SAIRAMAN SRINIVASAN whose telephone number is (703)756-1389. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday 7:30 AM -5:30 PM. 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, Christine S. Kim can be reached at 571-272-8458. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. /SESHA SAIRAMAN SRINIVASAN/ Examiner, Art Unit 2812 /CHRISTINE S. KIM/ Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2812
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Prosecution Timeline

Sep 12, 2023
Application Filed
Jan 10, 2026
Non-Final Rejection — §102, §103 (current)

Precedent Cases

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Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

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Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
68%
Grant Probability
99%
With Interview (+52.9%)
3y 7m
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 28 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allow rate.

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