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
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
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 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.
Claims 1-7, 9-11, 13-16, 21-24 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) and/or (a)(2) as being anticipated by Jung (US 20220361350).
With regard claim 1, Jung discloses An electronic device, (abstract, see also fig 1-16) comprising: a foldable housing (at least fig 9-10); a flexible display panel coupled to the foldable housing (at least fig 1-2; paragraph [35]-[38]); and a hinge with rotationally synchronized left and right four-bar linkage portions (at least fig 9-11; any left or right bar shape structure, at least four; no label; see also paragraph [82-88; 151-156; 232-236]) that have virtual pivot points that lie outside of the hinge (at least fig 11, there are 3 or more sections on left/right sides; Examiner consider there are virtual pivot points, between at least one pair of the sections (no label), that lie outside of the hinge); wherein the hinge comprises: a pair of gear plates with interlocking teeth configured to rotationally synchronize the left and right four-bar linkage portions (at least fig 4-5, the plate shape structures with interlocking teeth configured to rotationally synchronize the left and right four-bar linkage portions; Examiner consider as pair of gear plates; see also paragraph [84-86; 152-157]), wherein a gear plate in the pair of gear plates has a crescent-shaped slot (at least fig 4, fig 5; there are, at least, two to three pair of crescent-shaped slot; see also paragraph [82-88; 151-156; 232-236]).
Examiner’s note:
the claimed “gear plate” doesn’t not have a specific shape, design, or assembly. It only required “with interlocking teeth configured to rotationally synchronize the left and right four-bar linkage portions”.
“crescent-shaped slot”: Applicant’s SPEC only shows a curved shape of slot; it’s not really a conventional “crescent-shaped slot”. The cited art shows the same shape as disclosed in Applicant’s SPEC.
Regarding claim 13, Jung further disclosed An electronic device, (abstract, see also fig 1-16) comprising: a foldable housing (at least fig 9-10); a flexible display panel coupled to the foldable housing (at least fig 1-2); and a hinge having left and right four-bar linkages (at least fig 9-11; any left or right bar shape structure, at least four; see also 112 rejection), wherein the hinge has portions that rotate relative to each other about a rotation axis that lies outside of the hinge (at least fig 11, there are 3 or more sections on left/right sides; Examiner consider there are virtual pivot points, between at least one pair of the sections (no label), that lie outside of the hinge); and wherein the hinge comprises: an arm with a crescent-shaped slot (at least fig 4, fig 5; there are, at least, two to three pair of crescent-shaped slot; see also paragraph [82-88; 151-156; 232-236]); and a block coupled to a guide pin that slides within the crescent-shaped slot, wherein the block is fixed relative to the foldable housing (at least fig 4, fig 5; there are, at least, two to three pair of crescent-shaped slot; see also paragraph [82-88; 151-156; 232-236]; there are, at least 2 pairs of slots with pins slide within the crescent-shaped slot; Examiner consider the structure with the protruded pin is the “block coupled to a guide pin that slides within the crescent-shaped slot”).
Examiner’s note:
“crescent-shaped slot”: Applicant’s SPEC only shows a curved shape of slot; it’s not really a conventional “crescent-shaped slot”. The cited art shows the same shape as disclosed in Applicant’s SPEC.
Regarding claim 21, Jung further disclosed An electronic device, (abstract, see also fig 1-16) comprising: a foldable housing (at least fig 9-10); a flexible display panel coupled to the foldable housing (at least fig 1-2); and a hinge having first and second four-bar linkage portions with virtual pivot points that lie outside of the hinge (at least fig 11, there are 3 or more sections on left/right sides; Examiner consider there are virtual pivot points, between at least one pair of the sections (no label), that lie outside of the hinge); wherein the hinge comprises: a gear plate with a first crescent-shaped slot (at least fig 4-5, the plate shape structures with interlocking teeth configured to rotationally synchronize the left and right four-bar linkage portions; Examiner consider as pair of gear plates; see also paragraph [84-86; 152-157]; there are, at least, two to three pair of crescent-shaped slot; see also paragraph [82-88; 151-156; 232-236]); and an arm with a second crescent-shaped slot(there are, at least, two to three pair of crescent-shaped slot; see also paragraph [82-88; 151-156; 232-236]; Examiner consider one of the structure with a second crescent-shaped slot is an arm; no label).
Examiner’s note:
the claimed “gear plate” doesn’t not have a specific shape, design, or assembly. It only required “with interlocking teeth configured to rotationally synchronize the left and right four-bar linkage portions”.
“crescent-shaped slot”: Applicant’s SPEC only shows a curved shape of slot; it’s not really a conventional “crescent-shaped slot”. The cited art shows the same shape as disclosed in Applicant’s SPEC.
Regarding claim 2, Jung further disclosed the hinge includes first and second shafts (at least fig 10, at least 252/262, 241/242 can be considered as shaft) and a friction clip that supplies rotational friction to the first and second shafts (paragraph [99-101]-[87-90]). Examiner consider the elastic structure is a clip.
Regarding claim 3, Jung further disclosed the friction clip comprises an asymmetric friction clip configured to provide a first amount of rotational friction to the first shaft as the first shaft rotates clockwise relative to the asymmetric friction clip (paragraph [98]-[102]; the friction can be dynamically changes in different rotation direction) and to provide a second amount of friction that is different than the first amount of friction as the first shaft rotates counterclockwise relative to the asymmetric friction clip (paragraph [98]-[102]; the friction can be dynamically changes in different rotation direction).
Regarding claim 4, Jung further disclosed the hinge comprises: a block with a crescent-shaped groove that is coupled to the first shaft (at least fig 11, the block with crescent-shaped groove that is coupled to the first shaft; at least 225 or the other groove without label); and a crescent link having a crescent shaped ridge that slides within the crescent-shaped groove (at least fig 10-11, the crescent shaped ridge that slides within the crescent-shaped groove; no label; paragraph [151]-[155]). Examiner’s Note: all the parts are coupled together as shown in fig 2-3.
Regarding claim 5, Jung further disclosed the block is configured to receive the first and second shafts (at least fig 9-11, see the “shafts” discussed in above rejections).
Regarding claim 6, Jung further disclosed the hinge comprises: an arm with an additional crescent-shaped slot (at least fig 9-11, the portion with crescent-shaped slot, Examiner consider as an arm); and a block coupled to a guide pin that slides within the additional crescent-shaped slot (at least fig 9-11, see also paragraph [151]-[155]). Examiner’s note: As discussed above, there are two to three pair of crescent-shaped slots can be found in fig 5 (see also paragraph [82-88; 151-156; 232-236]).
Regarding claim 7, Jung further disclosed the arm is attached to the first shaft and is configured to rotate in unison with the first shaft (at least fig 10-11, at least fig 9-11, the portion with crescent-shaped slot, Examiner consider as an arm; see also paragraph [151]-[155]).
Regarding claim 9, Jung further disclosed the asymmetric friction clip is configured to provide a third amount of rotational friction to the second shaft as the second shaft rotates clockwise relative to the asymmetric friction clip (paragraph [86]-[89], [98]-[102]; the friction can be dynamically changes in different rotation direction) and to provide a fourth amount of friction that is different than the third amount of friction when the second shaft rotates counterclockwise relative to the asymmetric friction clip (paragraph [86]-[89], [98]-[102]; the friction can be dynamically changes in different rotation direction).
Regarding claim 14, Jung further disclosed the hinge includes first and second gear plates having interlocking teeth (at least fig 10, the pair of gear plates with interlocking teeth between 241, 242), wherein the first and second gear plates are configured to synchronize rotational movement of the left four-bar linkage with the right four-bar linkage (paragraph [83]-[85]; at least fig 10, the pair of gear plates with interlocking teeth between 241, 242).
Regarding claim 16, Jung further disclosed the hinge includes first and second shafts (at least fig 10, at least 252/262, 241/242 can be considered as shaft) and wherein the arm is attached to the first shaft and is configured to rotate in unison with the first shaft (paragraph [99-101]-[87-90]).
Regarding claim 17, Jung further disclosed the first gear plate has an additional crescent-shaped slot that receives the guide pin (at least fig 10-11, at least fig 9-11, the portion with crescent-shaped slot, Examiner consider as an arm as discussed above; see also paragraph [151]-[155]). Examiner’s note: As discussed above, there are two to three pair of crescent-shaped slots can be found in fig 5 (see also paragraph [82-88; 151-156; 232-236]).
Regarding claim 18, Jung further disclosed the hinge comprises: first and second shafts (at least fig 10, at least 252/262, 241/242 can be considered as shaft); a crescent block with a crescent-shaped groove that is coupled to the first shaft (at least fig 11, the block with crescent-shaped groove that is coupled to the first shaft; at least 225 or the other groove without label); and a crescent link having a crescent shaped ridge that slides within the crescent-shaped groove (at least fig 10-11, the crescent shaped ridge that slides within the crescent-shaped groove; no label; paragraph [151]-[155]). Examiner’s note: As discussed above, there are two to three pair of crescent-shaped slots can be found in fig 5 (see also paragraph [82-88; 151-156; 232-236]).
Regarding claim 19, Jung further disclosed the block is configured to receive the first and second shafts (at least fig 11, the block with crescent-shaped groove that is coupled to the first shaft; at least 225 or the other groove without label). Examiner’s note: As discussed above, there are two to three pair of crescent-shaped slots can be found in fig 5 (see also paragraph [82-88; 151-156; 232-236]).
Regarding claim 22, Jung further disclosed the hinge comprises: an additional gear plate, wherein the gear plate and the additional gear plate have interlocking teeth that are configured to synchronize rotational movement of the first four-bar linkage portion with the second four-bar linkage portion (see also above discussion; at least fig 10, the pair of gear plates with interlocking teeth between 241, 242); a shaft that extends parallel to a bend axis of the hinge; and a friction clip that supplies rotational friction to the shaft (see above discussion; at least fig 10).
Examiner’s note:
the claimed “gear plate” doesn’t not have a specific shape, design, or assembly. It only required “with interlocking teeth configured to rotationally synchronize the left and right four-bar linkage portions”.
“crescent-shaped slot”: Applicant’s SPEC only shows a curved shape of slot; it’s not really a conventional “crescent-shaped slot”. The cited art shows the same shape as disclosed in Applicant’s SPEC.
Regarding claim 23, Jung further disclosed a crescent block with a crescent-shaped groove that is coupled to the shaft (at least fig 11, the block with crescent-shaped groove that is coupled to the first shaft; at least 225 or the other groove without label); and a crescent link having a crescent shaped ridge that slides within the crescent-shaped groove (at least fig 10-11, the crescent shaped ridge that slides within the crescent-shaped groove; no label; paragraph [151]-[155]).
Regarding claim 24, Jung further disclosed a mounting block coupled to a guide pin that slides within the crescent-shaped slot (paragraph [87]-[90], at least fig 10-11; a guide pin that slides within the second crescent-shaped slot, with a mounting block).
Examiner’s note: As discussed above, there are two to three pair of crescent-shaped slots can be found in fig 5 (see also paragraph [82-88; 151-156; 232-236]).
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.
Claim 25 rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Jung (US 20220361350) further in view of Ikegami (US 5515607).
Regarding claim 25, the above discussed art further disclosed the first gear plate has a crescent-shaped slot in which the guide pin slides (at least fig 10-11, crescent-shaped slot in which the guide pin slides; no label; the plate with the gear shown in fig 9)
The primary art and/or the modified structure discussed in the preceding claim disclosed all the subject matter except for the first gear plate has a thickness of less than 4 mm.
However, Ikegami teaches the gear plate structure with wheel etc. has a thickness of less than 4 mm (column 4, lines 49-59).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention was made to include this feature (see above discussion with size ranges) and modify to previous discussed structure (modified to the first gear plate has a thickness of less than 4 mm). The motivation to modify the previous discussed structure with Ikegami feature is to further reduce the size for the modified structure.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
With respect to the Applicants’ remarks that, “Jung's gears are not gear plates. Jung's gears in FIG. 10 are ring-shaped and surround the first and second arm shafts 241 and 242. This is also evidenced in the exploded perspective view of the hinge structure in FIG. 5 of Jung, in which gears 244 and 245 surround the shafts 241 and 242. Ring- shaped gears are not the same as gear plates.” (pages 14-16).
Examiner’s Answer: the Examiner respectfully disagrees and notes that:
Jung discloses An electronic device, (abstract, see also fig 1-16) comprising: a foldable housing (at least fig 9-10); a flexible display panel coupled to the foldable housing (at least fig 1-2; paragraph [35]-[38]); and a hinge with rotationally synchronized left and right four-bar linkage portions (at least fig 9-11; any left or right bar shape structure, at least four; no label; see also paragraph [82-88; 151-156; 232-236]) that have virtual pivot points that lie outside of the hinge (at least fig 11, there are 3 or more sections on left/right sides; Examiner consider there are virtual pivot points, between at least one pair of the sections (no label), that lie outside of the hinge); wherein the hinge comprises: a pair of gear plates with interlocking teeth configured to rotationally synchronize the left and right four-bar linkage portions (at least fig 4-5, the plate shape structures with interlocking teeth configured to rotationally synchronize the left and right four-bar linkage portions; Examiner consider as pair of gear plates; see also paragraph [84-86; 152-157]), wherein a gear plate in the pair of gear plates has a crescent-shaped slot (at least fig 4, fig 5; there are, at least, two to three pair of crescent-shaped slot; see also paragraph [82-88; 151-156; 232-236]).
Examiner’s note:
the claimed “gear plate” doesn’t not have a specific shape, design, or assembly. It only required “with interlocking teeth configured to rotationally synchronize the left and right four-bar linkage portions”.
“crescent-shaped slot”: Applicant’s SPEC only shows a curved shape of slot; it’s not really a conventional “crescent-shaped slot”. The cited art shows the same shape as disclosed in Applicant’s SPEC.
With respect to the Applicants’ remarks that, “Claim 13 has been amended to include the features of former claim 15. Claim 13 recites "wherein the hinge comprises: an arm with a crescent-shaped slot; and a block coupled to a guide pin that slides within the crescent-shaped slot, wherein the block is fixed relative to the foldable housing."” (pages 16-17).
Examiner’s Answer: the Examiner respectfully disagrees and notes that:
Jung further disclosed An electronic device, (abstract, see also fig 1-16) comprising: a foldable housing (at least fig 9-10); a flexible display panel coupled to the foldable housing (at least fig 1-2); and a hinge having left and right four-bar linkages (at least fig 9-11; any left or right bar shape structure, at least four; see also 112 rejection), wherein the hinge has portions that rotate relative to each other about a rotation axis that lies outside of the hinge (at least fig 11, there are 3 or more sections on left/right sides; Examiner consider there are virtual pivot points, between at least one pair of the sections (no label), that lie outside of the hinge); and wherein the hinge comprises: an arm with a crescent-shaped slot (at least fig 4, fig 5; there are, at least, two to three pair of crescent-shaped slot; see also paragraph [82-88; 151-156; 232-236]); and a block coupled to a guide pin that slides within the crescent-shaped slot, wherein the block is fixed relative to the foldable housing (at least fig 4, fig 5; there are, at least, two to three pair of crescent-shaped slot; see also paragraph [82-88; 151-156; 232-236]; there are, at least 2 pairs of slots with pins slide within the crescent-shaped slot; Examiner consider the structure with the protruded pin is the “block coupled to a guide pin that slides within the crescent-shaped slot”).
Examiner’s note:
“crescent-shaped slot”: Applicant’s SPEC only shows a curved shape of slot; it’s not really a conventional “crescent-shaped slot”. The cited art shows the same shape as disclosed in Applicant’s SPEC.
With respect to the Applicants’ remarks that, “As described above in connection with claim 1, Jung's gears are not gear plates and are not shown to have any crescent-shaped slots. Jung's gears are ring-shaped and surround the first and second arm shafts 241 and 242 (FIGS. 5 and 10). Jung also makes no mention of any slot in the gear, let alone a "crescent-shaped slot," as recited in claim 21.” (pages 17 to the end).
Examiner’s Answer: the Examiner respectfully disagrees and notes that:
Jung further disclosed An electronic device, (abstract, see also fig 1-16) comprising: a foldable housing (at least fig 9-10); a flexible display panel coupled to the foldable housing (at least fig 1-2); and a hinge having first and second four-bar linkage portions with virtual pivot points that lie outside of the hinge (at least fig 11, there are 3 or more sections on left/right sides; Examiner consider there are virtual pivot points, between at least one pair of the sections (no label), that lie outside of the hinge); wherein the hinge comprises: a gear plate with a first crescent-shaped slot (at least fig 4-5, the plate shape structures with interlocking teeth configured to rotationally synchronize the left and right four-bar linkage portions; Examiner consider as pair of gear plates; see also paragraph [84-86; 152-157]; there are, at least, two to three pair of crescent-shaped slot; see also paragraph [82-88; 151-156; 232-236]); and an arm with a second crescent-shaped slot(there are, at least, two to three pair of crescent-shaped slot; see also paragraph [82-88; 151-156; 232-236]; Examiner consider one of the structure with a second crescent-shaped slot is an arm; no label).
Examiner’s note:
the claimed “gear plate” doesn’t not have a specific shape, design, or assembly. It only required “with interlocking teeth configured to rotationally synchronize the left and right four-bar linkage portions”.
“crescent-shaped slot”: Applicant’s SPEC only shows a curved shape of slot; it’s not really a conventional “crescent-shaped slot”. The cited art shows the same shape as disclosed in Applicant’s SPEC.
Conclusion
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 extension fee 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 date of this final action.
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.
Information regarding the status of an application may be obtained from the Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system. Status information for published applications may be obtained from either Private PAIR or Public PAIR. Status information for unpublished applications is available through Private PAIR only. For more information about the PAIR system, see http://pair-direct.uspto.gov. Should you have questions on access to the Private PAIR system, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative or access to the automated information system, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000.
/JERRY WU/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2841
Prosecution Insights