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 .
Response to Amendment
The amendments to the specification field June 22nd, 2026 are acknowledged and accepted. The objections to the drawings are lifted.
The amendment under 37 CFR 1.132 filed June 22nd, 2026 is sufficient to overcome the rejection of claims 2 and 5-10 based upon 35 U.S.C. 112(b).
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 (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) 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, 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.
Claims 1-5, 10-16, and 19 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Yee et al. (US 20200093016 A1) in view of Kim et al. (US 20180121002 A1).
Regarding claim 1, FIG. 1, FIG. 22 and FIG. 23 of Yee et al. teaches a display apparatus (10; FIG. 22; paragraph 0048), comprising:
a display panel (300; FIG. 22; paragraph 0049) including a display area (DA; FIG. 1; paragraph 0049) and a non-display area (NDA; FIG. 1; paragraph 0049);
a cover window (100; FIG. 1; paragraph 0048) disposed on the display panel; and
a back frame (600; FIG. 23; paragraph 0088) coupled to the cover window, wherein:
the cover window includes a plurality of protrusions (100; FIG. 1; paragraph 0048; areas of protrusion plus fixation groove circled in the below figure) on a first lateral surface of the cover window, and the back frame includes a plurality of fixation grooves (SS1; FIG. 1; paragraph 0049; areas of protrusion plus fixation groove circled in the below figure) on a first lateral surface (SS1; FIG. 1; paragraph 0049) of the back frame, the plurality of fixation grooves coupled to the plurality of protrusions of the cover window, the second lateral surface (LS1; FIG. 1; paragraph 0049) being perpendicular to the first lateral surface of the back frame.
Yee et al. does not teach the back frame including a sliding groove on a second lateral surface and a third lateral surface of the back frame, the third lateral surface facing the second lateral surface.
Kim et al. teaches a housing side wall (530; FIG. 2; paragraph 0123) may include a groove (531; FIG. 2; paragraph 0123) provided in an upper inner surface and an elastic member (570; FIG. 2; paragraph 0123) installed in the groove that the cover window (300; FIG. 2; paragraph 0123) rests on while being perpendicular to the surface of the grooves on Yee et al..
Both Yee et al. and Kim et al. are analogous with the claimed invention in that they involve display devices with windows and frames. Therefore, it would have been obvious for a person with ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have sliding grooves on the side walls of the frame. This set up allows external impact on the cover window to be absorbed, making it bendable (paragraph 0123).
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Regarding claim 2, as best interpreted in regards to the 112(b) rejection above, the combination of Yee et al. in view of Kim et al. teaches the display apparatus of claim 1. Yee et al further teaches the apparatus wherein the cover window includes a second lateral surface (LS1; FIG. 1; paragraph 0049) being perpendicular to the first lateral surface (SS1; FIG. 1; paragraph 0049) of the cover window, and the cover window further includes a third lateral surface (LS2; FIG. 1; paragraph 0049) parallel to the second lateral surface. Yee et al. does not teach the apparatus wherein the second lateral surface and the third lateral surface of the cover window are coupled to the sliding grooves of the second lateral surface and the third lateral surface of the back frame.
Kim et al. teaches the corresponding housing side wall (530; FIG. 2; paragraph 0123) may include a groove (531; FIG. 2; paragraph 0123).
It would have been obvious for a person with ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have to have sliding grooves on the side walls of the frame. This set up allows external impact on the cover window to be absorbed, making it bendable (paragraph 0123).
Regarding claim 3, the combination of Yee et al. in view of Kim et al. teaches the display apparatus of claim 1. Yee et al. teaches the apparatus wherein the plurality of fixation grooves (SS1; FIG. 1; paragraph 0123) of the back frame (600; FIG. 23; paragraph 0088) are provided on a lateral wall (600b; FIG. 23; paragraph 0145) of the back frame, wherein the lateral wall is elongated upward from a bottom surface of the back frame. Yee et al. does not teach the sliding grooves being on the later wall of the back frame.
Kim et al. teaches the corresponding housing side wall (530; FIG. 2; paragraph 0123) may include a groove (531; FIG. 2; paragraph 0123).
It would have been obvious for a person with ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have sliding walls on the side grooves of the frame. This set up allows external impact on the cover window to be absorbed, making it bendable (paragraph 0123).
Regarding claim 4, the combination of Yee et al. and Kim et al. teach the display apparatus of claim 3. Kim et al. further teaches the apparatus wherein the display apparatus further comprises an upper surface part (SS1; FIG. 1; paragraph 0049), wherein the upper surface part is elongated from the lateral wall (600b; FIG. 23; paragraph 0145) of the back frame (600; FIG. 23; paragraph 0088) and covers the plurality of fixation grooves (SS1; FIG. 1; paragraph 0049). Yee et al. does not teach the upper surface covering sliding grooves.
Kim et al. teaches the corresponding housing side wall (530; FIG. 2; paragraph 0123) covers a groove (531; FIG. 2; paragraph 0123) that the cover window (300; FIG. 2; paragraph 0123) rests on.
It would have been obvious for a person with ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have sliding grooves on the side walls of the frame covered by an upper side wall. This set up allows external impact on the cover window to be absorbed, making it bendable (paragraph 0123).
Regarding claim 5, as best interpreted in regards to the 112(b) rejection above, the combination of Yee et al. in view of Kim et al. teaches the display apparatus of claim 1. FIG. 1 and FIG. 23 of Yee et al. further teaches the apparatus wherein the cover window (100; FIG. 1; paragraph 0048) includes a fixation bar (200; FIG. 23; paragraph 0123) disposed on a lower surface of a fourth lateral surface (SS2; FIG. 1; paragraph 0049) of the cover window, and wherein the fourth lateral surface of the cover window is parallel to the first lateral surface (SS1; FIG. 1; paragraph 0049) of the cover window.
Regarding claim 10, as best interpreted in regards to the 112(b) rejection above, the combination of Yee et al. in view of Kim et al. teaches the display apparatus of claim 5. FIG. 1 and FIG. 23 of Yee et al. further teach the apparatus wherein the fixation bar (200; FIG. 23; paragraph 0123) is attached to the lower surface of the fourth lateral surface (SS2; FIG. 1; paragraph 0049) of the cover window (100; FIG. 1; paragraph 0048), by an adhesive (910; FIG. 23; paragraph 0123).
Regarding claim 11, the combination of Yee et al. in view of Kim et al. teaches the display apparatus of claim 1. Yee et al. does not teach the apparatus further comprising: a driving assembly including a printed circuit board and a chip on film electrically coupled to the display panel.
FIG. 2 of Kim et al. teaches a driving circuit unit (700; FIG. 125; paragraph 0125) according to an embodiment may include a circuit board (710; FIG. 125; paragraph 0125), first flexible printed circuit cable (720; FIG. 2; paragraph 0125), and a display panel driving circuit (740; FIG. 2; paragraph 0125) in which the first flexible printed circuit cable may be connected to a first connector provided in the circuit board and may be connected to the panel pad part (115; FIG. 2; paragraph 0125) provided on the substrate (110; FIG. 2; paragraph 0125) of the organic light emitting display device (100; FIG. 2; paragraph 0125) and the driving integrated circuit (IC) mounted in a chip mounting area in a chip-on glass (COG) type (paragraph 0129).
It would have been obvious for a person with ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have a driving assembly including a printed circuit board and a chip on film electrically coupled to the display panel. This allows the display device to display an image (paragraph 0124).
Regarding claim 12, the combination of Yee et al. in view of Kim et al. teaches the display apparatus of claim 11. Yee et al. does not teach the apparatus, wherein the driving assembly is disposed between the back frame and the display panel.
FIG. 2 of Kim et al. shows the driving circuit unit (700; FIG. 125; paragraph 0125) between the rear cover (550; FIG. 2; paragraph 0121) and the display device (100; FIG. 2; paragraph 0125).
It would have been obvious for a person with ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have the driving assembly disposed between the back frame and the display panel. This is because the rear surface can be used a system accommodating space (paragraph 0121).
Regarding claim 13, FIG. 1, FIG. 22 and FIG. 23 Yee et al. teach a display apparatus (10; FIG. 22; paragraph 0048), comprising:
a display panel (300; FIG. 22; paragraph 0049);
a cover window (100; FIG. 22; paragraph 0049) disposed on the display panel, the cover window including a plurality of protrusions (100; FIG. 22; paragraph 0048); and
a back frame (600; FIG. 23; paragraph 0088) coupled to the cover window, the back frame including a plurality of fixation grooves (SS1; FIG. 1; paragraph 0049), wherein the plurality of protrusions of the cover window are coupled to the plurality of fixation grooves of the back frame.
Yee et al. does not include the back frame including a sliding groove, wherein the plurality of fixation grooves and the at least one sliding groove are on different surfaces of the back frame.
FIG. 2 of Kim et al. teaches a housing side wall (530; FIG. 2; paragraph 0123) may include a groove (531; FIG. 2; paragraph 0123) provided in an upper inner surface and an elastic member (570; FIG. 2; paragraph 0123) installed in the groove that the cover window (300; FIG. 2; paragraph 0123) rests on while being perpendicular to the surface of the grooves on Yee et al..
Both Yee et al. and Kim et al. are analogous with the claimed invention in that they involve display devices with windows and frames. Therefore, it would have been obvious for a person with ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have sliding grooves on the side walls of the frame. This set up allows external impact on the cover window to be absorbed, making it bendable (paragraph 0123).
Regarding claim 14, the combination of Yee et al. in view of Kim et al. teaches the display apparatus of claim 13. Yee does not teach the apparatus wherein the at least one sliding groove of the back frame includes a first sliding groove and a second sliding groove, the first sliding groove and the second sliding groove being on opposite lateral surfaces of the back frame.
FIG. 2 of Kim et al. teaches opposing housing side walls (530; FIG. 2; paragraph 0123) may each include a groove (531; FIG. 2; paragraph 0123).
It would have been obvious for a person with ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have to have sliding grooves on the side walls of the frame. This set up allows external impact on the cover window to be absorbed, making it bendable (paragraph 0123).
Regarding claim 15, the combination of Yee et al. in view of Kim et al. teach the display apparatus of claim 14. Yee et al. does not teach the apparatus wherein the cover window includes opposite side surfaces coupled to the first sliding groove and the second sliding groove on the opposite lateral surfaces of the back frame.
FIG. 2 of Kim et al. teaches opposing housing side walls (530; FIG. 2; paragraph 0123) may each include a groove (531; FIG. 2; paragraph 0123) that opposing sides of the cover window (300; FIG. 2; paragraph 0066).
It would have been obvious for a person with ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have to have sliding grooves on the side walls of the frame. This set up allows external impact on the cover window to be absorbed, making it bendable (paragraph 0123).
Regarding claim 16, the combination of Yee et al. in view of Kim et al. teaches the display apparatus of claim 14. FIG. 1 and FIG. 23 of Yee et al. further teach the apparatus wherein the back frame (600; FIG. 23; paragraph 0088) includes a lateral wall (600b; FIG. 23; paragraph 0145) extending from a bottom surface of the back frame (600a; FIG. 23; paragraph 0145), the lateral wall including the plurality of fixation grooves (SS1; FIG. 1; paragraph 0049). Yee et al. does not teach the lateral wall including the first sliding groove and the second sliding groove.
FIG. 2 of Kim et al. teaches opposing housing side walls (530; FIG. 2; paragraph 0123) may each include a groove (531; FIG. 2; paragraph 0123).
It would have been obvious for a person with ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have to have sliding grooves on the side walls of the frame. This set up allows external impact on the cover window to be absorbed, making it bendable (paragraph 0123).
Regarding claim 19, the combination of Yee et al. in view of Kim et al. teaches the display apparatus of claim 13. Yee does not teach the apparatus further comprising: a driving assembly electrically coupled to the display panel and disposed between the back frame and the display panel, wherein the driving assembly includes a printed circuit board and a chip on film.
FIG. 2 of Kim et al. teaches a driving circuit unit (700; FIG. 125; paragraph 0125) located between the rear cover (550; FIG. 2; paragraph 0121) and the display device (100; FIG. 2; paragraph 0125) and, according to an embodiment, may include a circuit board (710; FIG. 125; paragraph 0125), first flexible printed circuit cable (720; FIG. 2; paragraph 0125), and a display panel driving circuit (740; FIG. 2; paragraph 0125) in which the first flexible printed circuit cable may be connected to a first connector provided in the circuit board and may be connected to the panel pad part (115; FIG. 2; paragraph 0125) provided on the substrate (110; FIG. 2; paragraph 0125) of the organic light emitting display device (100; FIG. 2; paragraph 0125) and the driving integrated circuit (IC) mounted in a chip mounting area in a chip-on glass (COG) type (paragraph 0129).
It would have been obvious for a person with ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have a driving assembly including a printed circuit board and a chip on film electrically coupled to the display panel. This allows the display device to display an image (paragraph 0124).
Claims 6 and 17 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over the combination of Yee et al. in view of Kim et al. as applied to claims 1 and 13 above, and further in view of Lee et al. (US 20230217614 A1).
Regarding claim 6, the combination of Yee et al. in view of Kim et al. teaches the display apparatus of claim 5. Neither Yee et al. nor Kim et al. teach the apparatus wherein the back frame further includes a lower end fixation part having at least one hook on a fourth lateral surface of the back frame, the fourth lateral surface of the back frame facing the first lateral surface of the back frame.
Lee et al. teach a second housing (220; FIG. 14; FIG. 15; paragraph 0142) may include the first reception groove (222; FIG. 14; paragraph 0142), a fourth reception groove (224; FIG. 14; paragraph 0142), a fifth reception groove (228; FIG. 14; paragraph 0142), and a second hook structure (227; FIG. 14; FIG. 15; paragraph 0142) opposite of the grooves, and a first housing (210; FIG. 15; paragraph 0142) opposite of the second housing may include a first hook structure (214; FIG. 15; paragraph 0142).
Yee et al., Kim et al., and Lee et al. are all analogous with the claimed invention in that they involve display devices with windows and frames. Therefore, it would have been obvious for a person with ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have a fixation part of the frame to have at least one hook opposite of the grooves on the frame. This allows components to be prevented and/or reduced from spacing apart from each other due to an external force unintended by a user (paragraph 0145).
Regarding claim 17, the combination of Yee et al. in view of Kim et al. teaches the display apparatus of claim 13. Neither Yee et al. nor Kim et al. teach apparatus wherein the back frame further includes a fastener having a hook, and wherein the fastener is located on an opposite side of the back frame from the plurality of fixation grooves.
Lee et al. teach a second housing (220; FIG. 14; FIG. 15; paragraph 0142) may include the first reception groove (222; FIG. 14; paragraph 0142), a fourth reception groove (224; FIG. 14; paragraph 0142), a fifth reception groove (228; FIG. 14; paragraph 0142), and a second hook structure (227; FIG. 14; FIG. 15; paragraph 0142) opposite of the grooves, and a first housing (210; FIG. 15; paragraph 0142) opposite of the second housing may include a first hook structure (214; FIG. 15; paragraph 0142).
Yee et al., Kim et al., and Lee et al. are all analogous with the claimed invention in that they involve display devices with windows and frames. Therefore, it would have been obvious for a person with ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have a fixation part of the frame to have at least one hook opposite of the grooves on the frame. This allows components to be prevented and/or reduced from spacing apart from each other due to an external force unintended by a user (paragraph 0145).
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
Regarding claim 7, the combination of Yee et al. in view of Kim et al. and further in view of Lee et al. teach the display apparatus of claim 6. Neither Yee et al. nor Kim et al., nor Lee et al. teach the apparatus wherein the lower end fixation part is provided in a portion of the fourth lateral surface of the back frame, and a thickness of the lower end fixation part is less than a thickness of the fourth lateral surface of the back frame.
Lee et al. teach a second housing (220; FIG. 14; FIG. 15; paragraph 0142) may include the first reception groove (222; FIG. 14; paragraph 0142), a fourth reception groove (224; FIG. 14; paragraph 0142), a fifth reception groove (228; FIG. 14; paragraph 0142), and a second hook structure (227; FIG. 14; FIG. 15; paragraph 0142) opposite of the grooves, and a first housing (210; FIG. 15; paragraph 0142) opposite of the second housing may include a first hook structure (214; FIG. 15; paragraph 0142). Lee et al. does not teach a thickness of the lower end fixation part is less than a thickness of the fourth lateral surface of the back frame.
None of the located prior art teaches these limitations. Therefore, it would be improper in hindsight for a person with ordinary skill in the art to modify Yee et al. so a thickness of the lower end fixation part is less than a thickness of the fourth lateral surface of the back frame.
Regarding claim 8, the combination of Yee et al. in view of Kim et al. and further in view of Lee et al. teach the display apparatus of claim 6. Neither Yee et al., Kim et al., nor Lee et al. teach the apparatus wherein the fixation bar includes at least one fixation hole, and the at least one hook is coupled to the at least one fixation hole. None of the located prior art teaches these limitations. Therefore, it would be improper in hindsight for a person with ordinary skill in the art to modify Yee et al. to have the fixation bar include at least one fixation hole, and the at least one hook is coupled to the at least one fixation hole.
Claim 9 is dependent on claim 8 and thus allowed.
Regarding claim 18, the combination of Yee et al. in view of Kim et al. and further in view of Lee et al. teach the display apparatus of claim 17. Yee et all, Kim et al., and Lee et al. do not teach the apparatus wherein the cover window includes a fixation bar with a hole configured to receive the hook of the fastener of the back frame. Based on this configuration, it would be improper in hindsight for a person with ordinary skill in the art to modify Yee et al. so that a fixation bar on the cover window has a hole to fit a hook on the back frame.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments regarding the objections to the drawings are acknowledged. The amendments to the specifications have resulted in the withdrawal of the objections.
Applicant's arguments for claims 1 and 13 filed June 22nd, 2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
Applicant's arguments for claims 1, 6, and 13 do not comply with 37 CFR 1.111(c) because they do not clearly point out the patentable novelty which he or she thinks the claims present in view of the state of the art disclosed by the references cited or the objections made. Further, they do not show how the amendments avoid such references or objections. Specifically, it is not explained how the point that protrusions and fixation grooves of claims 1, 6, and 13 do not match the mapped features in the prior art. However, a FIG. 1 of from Yee et al. has been added to the action with the protrusion and fixation groove equivalents circled for greater clarity.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Jeong et al. (US 20160204377 A1) concerns a cover window for a display device. Jinbo (US 20150177789 A1) concerns a portable semiconductor device with a flexible display panel.
THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to JACOB A VLCEK whose telephone number is (571)272-9665. The examiner can normally be reached Mon-Fri, 9:00 AM -5:00 PM.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Eliseo Ramos-Feliciano can be reached at (571) 272-7925. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/JACOB ALEXANDER VLCEK/Examiner, Art Unit 2817
/RATISHA MEHTA/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2817
Prosecution Insights