Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 18/470,532

DISPLAY PANEL AND DISPLAY DEVICE

Non-Final OA §103
Filed
Sep 20, 2023
Examiner
NGUYEN, SOPHIA T
Art Unit
2893
Tech Center
2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems
Assignee
HKC Corporation Limited
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
45%
Grant Probability
Moderate
1-2
OA Rounds
2y 8m
To Grant
58%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 45% of resolved cases
45%
Career Allow Rate
230 granted / 509 resolved
-22.8% vs TC avg
Moderate +13% lift
Without
With
+13.3%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 8m
Avg Prosecution
86 currently pending
Career history
595
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§103
51.4%
+11.4% vs TC avg
§102
17.0%
-23.0% vs TC avg
§112
26.7%
-13.3% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 509 resolved cases

Office Action

§103
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 . Election/Restrictions Applicant’s election without traverse of species 3, Fig. 5 and 6 in the reply filed on 01/16/2026 is acknowledged. Regarding claims 6-8 and 20, claims 6-8 and 20 requires “a piezoelectric film” which does not show in Fig. 5 and 6 of elected species 3. “a piezoelectric film” is described and illustrated as element 390 in Fig. 1 and Fig. 4 of nonelected species 1 and species 2. Regarding claim 14, claim 14 requires “the red display sub-pixel and the blue display sub-pixel are arranged at intervals and alternately in the plurality of first pixel rows, while the red display sub-pixel and the blue display sub-pixel are arranged at intervals and alternately in the column direction; wherein the green display sub-pixels are arranged at intervals in the plurality of second pixel rows, and the green display sub-pixels are staggered from both the red display sub-pixel and the blue display sub-pixel in the column direction; wherein each anti-peeping sub-pixel is arranged between two adjacent green display sub-pixels and between the red display sub-pixel and the blue display sub-pixel that are adjacent to each other” which does not show in Fig. 5 and 6 of elected species 3. The above feature is described in Fig. 7, Fig. 8, paragraph [0071] of non-elected species 3. According, claims 6-9, 12-14, 20 are withdrawn from further consideration pursuant to 37 CFR 1.142(b) as being drawn to a nonelected species 1 and species 2, there being no allowable generic or linking claim. Priority Acknowledgment is made of applicant’s claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 (a)-(d) to foreign application CN202310328574.0 filed on 01/16/2026. The foreign application is not in English. The certified copy of the foreign priority application CN202310328574.0 has been received. Filing Dates for the Claims — All Claims Not Entitled to Priority Date To be entitled to the filing date of the foreign priority application CN202310328574.0 that is not in English, an English translation of the non-English language foreign application CN202310328574.0 and a statement that the translation is accurate in accordance with 37 CFR 1.55 is required to perfect the claim for priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 (a)-(d). The foreign application must adequately support the claimed subject matter, meaning satisfy the written description and enablement requirements of 35 U.S.C. 112(a). See MPEP §§ 215 and 216. 37 C.F.R. 1.55(g)(3)(ii)-(iii). To demonstrate compliance with 35 U.S.C. 112(a), applicant should point to support for their claimed subject matter in their translations. 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. Claims 1-3, 15-17 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Wang et al. (CN115843199A), hereafter (US Pub. 20240284704) is used as English translation, in view of Ren et al. (US Pub. 20230142687). Regarding claims 1-2, Wang et al. discloses in Fig. 1, Fig. 2 a display panel, comprising: a substrate [100]; a driving circuit layer [200] formed on a side of the substrate [100]; a light emitting layer [310, 330, 340, 336, 390] formed on a side of the driving circuit layer [200] away from the substrate [100], wherein the light emitting layer [310, 330, 340, 336, 390] comprises a plurality of anti-peeping sub-pixels [390, 336 and 340] and a plurality of display sub-pixels [310, 330 and 340]; and a light shielding layer [360] comprising a plurality of light shielding components, wherein each of the plurality of light shielding components comprises a light transmitting area and a light shielding area located on at least one side of the light transmitting area, and wherein an orthographic projection of each of the plurality of anti-peeping sub-pixels [390, 336 and 340] on the light shielding layer [360] is at least partially located in a corresponding one of the plurality of light shielding components. Wang et al. fails to disclose wherein the driving circuit layer comprises photosensitive devices, wherein a corresponding one of the photosensitive devices is capable of receiving at least part of light reflected by a fingerprint through the light transmitting area; wherein an orthographic projection of a corresponding one of the photosensitive devices on the light shielding layer at least partially overlaps with the light transmitting area. Ren et al. discloses in Fig. 2 wherein the driving circuit layer [5-8] comprises photosensitive devices [3], wherein a corresponding one of the photosensitive devices [3] is capable of receiving at least part of light reflected by a fingerprint through the light transmitting area; wherein an orthographic projection of a corresponding one of the photosensitive devices [3] on the light shielding layer [1201] at least partially overlaps with the light transmitting area. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the invention to incorporate the teachings of Ren et al. into the method of Wang et al. to include wherein the driving circuit layer comprises photosensitive devices, wherein a corresponding one of the photosensitive devices is capable of receiving at least part of light reflected by a fingerprint through the light transmitting area; wherein an orthographic projection of a corresponding one of the photosensitive devices on the light shielding layer at least partially overlaps with the light transmitting area. The ordinary artisan would have been motivated to modify Wang et al. in the above manner for the purpose of enabling a texture recognition function of a display product [paragraph [0002] of Ren et al.]. Further, it would have been obvious to try one of the known methods with a reasonable expectation of success. KSR International Co. v. Teleflex Inc., 82 USPQ2d 1385 (2007). Regarding claims 3 and 17, Wang et al. discloses in Fig. 1 wherein each of the plurality of light shielding components [360] comprises two light shielding areas located on two sides of the light transmitting area in a row direction, respectively. Regarding claims 15-16, Wang et al. discloses in Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 11 a display device, comprising a display panel [10] and a mainboard [20], wherein the mainboard [20] is connected to the display panel [10], wherein the display panel [10] comprises: a substrate [100]; a driving circuit layer [200] formed on a side of the substrate [100]; a light emitting layer [310, 330, 340, 336, 390] formed on a side of the driving circuit layer [200] away from the substrate [100], wherein the light emitting layer [310, 330, 340, 336, 390] comprises a plurality of anti-peeping sub-pixels [390, 336 and 340] and a plurality of display sub-pixels [310, 330 and 340]; and a light shielding layer [360] comprising a plurality of light shielding components, wherein each of the plurality of light shielding components comprises a light transmitting area and a light shielding area located on at least one side of the light transmitting area, and wherein an orthographic projection of each of the plurality of anti-peeping sub-pixels [390, 336 and 340] on the light shielding layer [360] is at least partially located in a corresponding one of the plurality of light shielding components. Wang et al. fails to disclose wherein the driving circuit layer comprises photosensitive devices, wherein a corresponding one of the photosensitive devices is capable of receiving at least part of light reflected by a fingerprint through the light transmitting area; wherein an orthographic projection of a corresponding one of the photosensitive devices on the light shielding layer at least partially overlaps with the light transmitting area. Ren et al. discloses in Fig. 2 wherein the driving circuit layer [5-8] comprises photosensitive devices [3], wherein a corresponding one of the photosensitive devices [3] is capable of receiving at least part of light reflected by a fingerprint through the light transmitting area; wherein an orthographic projection of a corresponding one of the photosensitive devices [3] on the light shielding layer [1201] at least partially overlaps with the light transmitting area. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the invention to incorporate the teachings of Ren et al. into the method of Wang et al. to include wherein the driving circuit layer comprises photosensitive devices, wherein a corresponding one of the photosensitive devices is capable of receiving at least part of light reflected by a fingerprint through the light transmitting area; wherein an orthographic projection of a corresponding one of the photosensitive devices on the light shielding layer at least partially overlaps with the light transmitting area. The ordinary artisan would have been motivated to modify Wang et al. in the above manner for the purpose of enabling a texture recognition function of a display product [paragraph [0002] of Ren et al.]. Further, it would have been obvious to try one of the known methods with a reasonable expectation of success. KSR International Co. v. Teleflex Inc., 82 USPQ2d 1385 (2007). Claims 4, 18 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Wang et al. (CN115843199A), hereafter (US Pub. 20240284704) is used as English translation, in view of Ren et al. (US Pub. 20230142687) as applied to claim 3 and claim 17 above and further in view of Shin et al. (US Pub. 20210118962). Regarding claims 4 and 18, Wang et al. and Ren et al. fails to disclose wherein each of the plurality of light shielding components comprises four light shielding areas, wherein two of the four light shielding areas are located on the two sides of the light transmitting area in the row direction, respectively, and another two of the four light shielding areas are located on two sides of the light transmitting area in a column direction, respectively. Shin et al. discloses in Fig. 2B, paragraph [0061] wherein each of the plurality of light shielding components [150A] comprises four light shielding areas, wherein two of the four light shielding areas are located on the two sides of the light transmitting area [OA] in the row direction, respectively, and another two of the four light shielding areas are located on two sides of the light transmitting area [OA] in a column direction, respectively. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the invention to incorporate the teachings of Shin et al. into the method of Wang et al. and Ren et al. to include wherein each of the plurality of light shielding components comprises four light shielding areas, wherein two of the four light shielding areas are located on the two sides of the light transmitting area in the row direction, respectively, and another two of the four light shielding areas are located on two sides of the light transmitting area in a column direction, respectively. The ordinary artisan would have been motivated to modify Wang et al. and Ren et al. in the above manner for the purpose of providing suitable alternative configuration of the light shielding layer [paragraph [0061] of Shin et al.]. Claims 5 and 19 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Wang et al. (CN115843199A), hereafter (US Pub. 20240284704) is used as English translation, in view of Ren et al. (US Pub. 20230142687) and Shin et al. (US Pub. 20210118962) as applied to claim 4 and claim 18 above and further in view of Yao et al. (US Pub. 20230100284). Regarding claims 5 and 19, Wang et al. discloses in Fig. 1 wherein each of the plurality of anti- peeping sub-pixels comprises a first hollow area and edge areas, an orthographic projection of the first hollow area on the light shielding layer [360] is located in the light transmitting area, and wherein an orthographic projection of each of the edge areas on the light shielding layer [360] is located in a corresponding one of the light shielding areas. PNG media_image1.png 389 526 media_image1.png Greyscale Wang et al. fails disclose wherein the edge areas are arranged around the first hollow area. Yao et al. discloses in Fig. 16, Fig. 19 wherein the edge areas [22/223] are arranged around the first hollow area. PNG media_image2.png 435 490 media_image2.png Greyscale Shin et al. discloses in Fig. 2B, the light shielding areas comprise four light shielding areas. Yao et al. also discloses in Fig. 1, Fig. 3 the light shielding areas [3] comprise four light shielding areas located on the four sides of the light transmitting area [4]. Thus, the combination of Shin et al., Yao et al. and Wang et al. result to “wherein an orthographic projection of each of the edge areas on the light shielding layer is located in a corresponding one of the light shielding areas. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the invention to incorporate the teachings of Yao et al. into the method of Shin et al., and Wang et al. to include wherein the edge areas are arranged around the first hollow area. The ordinary artisan would have been motivated to modify Shin et al., and Wang et al. in the above manner for the purpose of proving suitable alternative structure of a light-emitting element that increases the viewable angle range in all directions and is beneficial to improving the uniformity of the brightness of the display panel at various viewing angles [paragraph [0030], [0019], [0116], [0124] of Yao et al.] Claims 10-11 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Wang et al. (CN115843199A), hereafter (US Pub. 20240284704) is used as English translation, in view of Ren et al. (US Pub. 20230142687) as applied to claim 1 above and further in view of Gao et al. (US Pub. 20220376215). Regarding claim 10, Wang et al. discloses in Fig. 1, paragraph [0027]-[0028], [0049]-[0050] a first anode layer [311 and 390], a pixel definition layer [320] and a cathode layer [340]; wherein the first anode layer [311 and 390] comprises a plurality of first anodes [311] and a plurality of second anodes [390], wherein the pixel definition layer [320] comprises first via holes [321], the plurality of display sub-pixels are at least partially located in the first via holes [321] and are connected to the plurality of first anodes [311] in a one-to-one correspondence manner; and wherein each of the plurality of second anodes [390] comprises a second hollow area. Wang et al. fails to disclose in Fig. 1 wherein the driving circuit layer, the first anode layer, the pixel definition layer, the light emitting layer, the cathode layer, and the light shielding layer are sequentially formed; wherein the pixel definition layer comprises second via holes; wherein the plurality of anti-peeping sub-pixels are at least partially located in the second via holes and are connected to the plurality of second anodes in a one-to- one correspondence manner. However, Wang et al. discloses in Fig. 9, paragraph [0065]-[0070] wherein the driving circuit layer [200], the first anode layer [311 and 391], the pixel definition layer [320], the light emitting layer [331 and 336], the cathode layer [340], and the light shielding layer [3611, 3612, 3613] are sequentially formed; wherein the pixel definition layer [320] comprises second via holes; wherein the plurality of anti-peeping sub-pixels are at least partially located in the second via holes and are connected to the plurality of second anodes [391] in a one-to- one correspondence manner. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the invention to incorporate the teachings of Fig. 9 of Wang et al. into the method of Fig. 1 of Wang et al. to include wherein the driving circuit layer, the first anode layer, the pixel definition layer, the light emitting layer, the cathode layer, and the light shielding layer are sequentially formed; wherein the pixel definition layer comprises second via holes; wherein the plurality of anti-peeping sub-pixels are at least partially located in the second via holes and are connected to the plurality of second anodes in a one-to- one correspondence manner. The ordinary artisan would have been motivated to modify Fig. 1 of Wang et al. in the above manner for the purpose of providing suitable alternative of anti-peeping sub-pixel having the second anodes and the first anodes arranged on the same layer to simplify the manufacturing process of the display panel and reducing the manufacturing cost of the display panel [paragraph [0069] of Wang et al.]. Wang et al. fails to disclose wherein each of the plurality of second anodes at least comprises a reflective layer, wherein an orthographic projection of a corresponding one of the photosensitive devices on the first anode layer is located in the second hollow area. Gao et al. discloses in Fig. 8A, Fig. 8B, paragraph [0054], [0057] wherein each of the plurality of second anodes [12] at least comprises a reflective layer [silver, aluminum are reflective material], wherein an orthographic projection of a corresponding one of the photosensitive devices [19] on the first anode layer [12] is located in the second hollow area [120]. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the invention to incorporate the teachings of Gao et al. into the method of Wang et al. and Ren et al. to include wherein each of the plurality of second anodes at least comprises a reflective layer, wherein an orthographic projection of a corresponding one of the photosensitive devices on the first anode layer is located in the second hollow area. The ordinary artisan would have been motivated to modify Wang et al. and Ren et al. in the above manner for the purpose of providing suitable material and structure of second anodes to improve the accuracy of the fingerprint recognition and to prevent the first anode layer from affecting the light transmittance of the OLEDs while allowing the photosensitive fingerprint sensors to receive the light reflected back from the first side of the OLED display panel with a relatively small loss [paragraph [0054], [0057] of Gao et al]. Regarding claim 11, Wang et al. discloses in Fig. 1, paragraph [0028], [0059]-[0061] an encapsulating layer [350] and a color resistor layer [370], wherein the encapsulating layer [350] is formed on a side of the cathode layer [340] away from the substrate [100], wherein the light shielding layer [360] is formed on a side of the encapsulating layer [350] away from the substrate [100], and wherein the color resistor layer [370] is formed on a side of the encapsulating layer [350] away from the substrate [100]; wherein the color resistor layer [370] comprises a plurality of color resistors, and orthographic projections of the plurality of display sub-pixels on the color resistor layer [370] are located in the plurality of color resistors [370] in a one-to-one correspondence manner. Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. The cited art discloses similar materials, devices and methods. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to SOPHIA T NGUYEN whose telephone number is (571)272-1686. The examiner can normally be reached 9:00am -5:00 pm, Monday-Friday. 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, BRITT D HANLEY can be reached at (571)270-3042. 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. /SOPHIA T NGUYEN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2893
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Sep 20, 2023
Application Filed
Feb 11, 2026
Non-Final Rejection — §103 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12563735
ELECTRONIC DEVICES INCLUDING VERTICAL STRINGS OF MEMORY CELLS, AND RELATED MEMORY DEVICES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS
2y 5m to grant Granted Feb 24, 2026
Patent 12563893
METHOD FOR FORMING AN ISOLATION STRUCTURE HAVING MULTIPLE THICKNESSES TO MITIGATE DAMAGE TO A DISPLAY DEVICE
2y 5m to grant Granted Feb 24, 2026
Patent 12557572
METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE
2y 5m to grant Granted Feb 17, 2026
Patent 12532630
DISPLAY PANEL COMPRISING A PASSIVATION LAYER HAVING A PIXEL OPENING DISPOSED THEREIN AND BEING FILLED WITH A COLOR RESIST
2y 5m to grant Granted Jan 20, 2026
Patent 12520531
SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF
2y 5m to grant Granted Jan 06, 2026
Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

AI Strategy Recommendation

Get an AI-powered prosecution strategy using examiner precedents, rejection analysis, and claim mapping.
Powered by AI — typically takes 5-10 seconds

Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
45%
Grant Probability
58%
With Interview (+13.3%)
2y 8m
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 509 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allow rate.

Sign in with your work email

Enter your email to receive a magic link. No password needed.

Personal email addresses (Gmail, Yahoo, etc.) are not accepted.

Free tier: 3 strategy analyses per month