Prosecution Insights
Last updated: August 17, 2026
Application No. 18/611,654

DISPLAY DEVICE

Non-Final OA §102
Filed
Mar 20, 2024
Priority
Jul 31, 2023 — RE 10-2023-0100097
Examiner
ULLAH, ELIAS
Art Unit
Tech Center
Assignee
Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
85%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
0m
Est. Remaining
93%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 85% — above average
85%
Career Allowance Rate
723 granted / 852 resolved
+24.9% vs TC avg
Moderate +8% lift
Without
With
+7.8%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 4m
Avg Prosecution
23 currently pending
Career history
860
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.2%
-39.8% vs TC avg
§103
36.0%
-4.0% vs TC avg
§102
53.0%
+13.0% vs TC avg
§112
7.4%
-32.6% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 852 resolved cases

Office Action

§102
DETAILED ACTION 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. Claims 1-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Lee et al. (Lee, US 2022/0190045 A1). Regarding claim 1, Lee shows a display device comprising: a light emitting element layer (light emitting elements LEL in FIG. 14 and [0138]) disposed on a substrate (SUB in FIG. 14), wherein a plurality of emission areas ( emission areas EA1-EA3 in FIG. 14 and [0107]) is defined on the light emitting element layer ([0138]); an encapsulation layer (encapsulation layer TFEL in FIG. 14 and [0094]) disposed on the light emitting element layer ([0138]); a touch sensing layer disposed on the encapsulation layer, wherein the touch sensing layer comprises a plurality of touch electrodes ( TE in FIG. 14 and [0091]); a reflection reduction layer ([0178]) disposed on the touch sensing layer; and a window ([AHL1-CW in FIG. 14) disposed on the reflection reduction layer, wherein the reflection reduction layer comprises: a color filter ( CF1-CF2) layer disposed on the touch sensing layer; a bank layer (element between EA1-EA3) disposed on the touch sensing layer between the color filter layers (CF1-CF2); a light blocking layer (BM1 in FIG. 14 and [0100]) disposed on the bank layer; and a low refractive layer ([0198]) disposed on the color filter layer, and disposed between the light blocking layer and the color filter layer (see FIG. 14). Regarding claims 2-3, Lee shows a display device comprising, wherein a refractive index of the low refractive layer is less than a refractive index of the window and wherein a difference between the refractive index of the low refractive layer and the refractive index of the window is about 0.1 or greater ([0199-0204]). Regarding claim 4, Lee shows a display device comprising, wherein the low refractive layer comprises a resin and hollow particles dispersed in the resin ([0214]). Regarding claim 5, Lee shows a display device comprising, wherein a top surface of the low refractive layer and a top surface of the light blocking layer collectively define a continuous top surface of the reflection reduction layer (see FIG. 14). Regarding claim 6, Lee shows a display device comprising, wherein the light blocking layer defines a plurality of holes overlapping the plurality of emission areas, and an area of each of the holes is greater than an area of a corresponding one of the emission areas (see FIG. 14). Regarding claim 7, Lee shows a display device comprising, wherein the bank layer and the color filter layer are disposed in a same layer as each other, and the color filter layer comprises a plurality of color filters ( CF1-CF3). Regarding claim 8, Lee shows a display device comprising, wherein the bank layer has a lateral side overlapping the plurality of emission areas (EA1-EA3) with a taper angle in a range of about 30 degrees to about 90 degrees (see FIG. 14). Regarding claim 9, Lee shows a display device comprising, wherein a refractive index of the bank layer is less than a refractive index of the color filter layer (CF1-CF3). Regarding claim 10, Lee shows a display device comprising, wherein the light emitting element layer comprises a pixel electrode (pixel electrode 171) disposed on the substrate ( SUB in FIG. 14), a pixel defining layer covering an edge of the pixel electrode and defining the plurality of emission areas (EA1-EA3), a light emitting layer disposed on the pixel electrode (pixel electrode 171), and a common electrode disposed on the light emitting layer, and the light blocking layer and the bank layer overlap the pixel defining layer (see FIG. 14). Regarding claim 11, Lee shows a display device comprising, wherein the low refractive layer covers the light blocking layer, and is in contact with a top surface of the light blocking layer (see FIG. 14). Regarding claim 12, Lee shows a display device comprising a light emitting element layer (light emitting elements LEL in FIG. 14 and [0138]) disposed on a substrate (SUB in FIG. 14), wherein a plurality of emission areas (EA1-EA3) is defined on the light emitting element layer; an encapsulation layer (encapsulation layer TFEL in FIG. 14 and [0094]) disposed on the light emitting element layer; a touch sensing layer ( TE in FIG. 14 and [0091]) disposed on the encapsulation layer, wherein the touch sensing layer comprises a plurality of touch electrodes ( TE in FIG. 14 and [0091]); a reflection reduction layer disposed on the touch sensing layer; and a window disposed on the reflection reduction layer, wherein the reflection reduction layer comprises: a color filter layer disposed on the touch sensing layer; a first light blocking layer disposed on the color filter layer, wherein a plurality of holes is defined through the first light blocking layer to overlap the plurality of emission areas, respectively; and a low refractive layer disposed on the color filter layer, and disposed between the first light blocking layers (see FIG. 14 and see above claim 1 ref.). Regarding claims 13 and 18, Lee shows a display device comprising, wherein the plurality of emission areas comprise a first emission area (EA1), a second emission area (EA2), and a third emission area (EA3), and the color filter layer comprises a first color filter (CF1) overlapping the first emission area (EA1), a second color filter (CF2) overlapping the second emission area (EA2), and a third color filter (CF3) overlapping the third emission area (EA3), wherein the first color filter transmits red light, the second color filter transmits blue light, and the third color filter transmits green light ([0108]). Regarding claim 14, Lee shows a display device comprising, wherein the color filter layer comprises a color pattern disposed between the first color filter and the first light blocking layer, and the color pattern is a blue color filter which transmits blue light ([0108]). Regarding claim 15, Lee shows a display device comprising, wherein the color pattern overlaps the first light blocking layer and does not overlap the plurality of emission areas (EA1-EA3 in FIG. 14). Regarding claim 16, Lee shows a display device comprising, wherein a second light blocking layer disposed on the touch sensing layer, disposed between the first color filter and the second color filter, between the second color filter and the third color filter, and between the third color filter and the first color filter (see FIG. 14). Regarding claim 17, Lee shows a display device comprising, wherein the second light blocking layer overlaps the first light blocking layer and does not overlap the plurality of emission areas (see FIG. 14). Regarding claim 19, Lee shows a display device comprising, wherein the plurality of emission areas comprise a first emission area, a second emission area, and a third emission area, the first color filter overlaps the first emission area and transmits red light, the second color filter overlaps the second emission area and transmits blue light, and the third color filter overlaps the third emission area and transmits green light (see FIG. 14). Regarding claim 20, Lee shows a display device comprising, wherein the color pattern is a red color filter which transmits red light ([0108]). Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ELIAS M ULLAH whose telephone number is (571)272-1415. The examiner can normally be reached M-F at 8AM-5PM EST. 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, Yara Green can be reached at 571-270-3035. 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. /ELIAS ULLAH/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2893
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Mar 20, 2024
Application Filed
Jul 28, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §102 (current)

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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
85%
Grant Probability
93%
With Interview (+7.8%)
2y 4m (~0m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 852 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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