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 .
Priority
Acknowledgment is made of applicant’s claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 (a)-(d). The certified copy has been filed in Japanese parent Application No. JP2021-161688, filed on September 30, 2021.
Acknowledgment is made of applicant’s claim for international priority under 35 U.S.C. 371. The current application is a national stage entry of international application PCT/IB2022/058947, filed on September 22, 2022.
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on June 27, 2024 and November 7, 2025 are in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statements are being considered by the examiner.
Election/Restrictions
Applicant’s election of Group I (claims 1-3) in the reply filed on July 24, 2026 to the Requirement for Restriction/Election of May 27, 2026 is acknowledged. Claims 4 and 5 (Group II) are canceled without prejudice. Claims 2-3 are amended to be put into independent form.
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)(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 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Rong, United States Patent 11,163,159 B1.
Regarding claim 1, Rong discloses a display apparatus (Fig. 1, generally, Summary) comprising a display portion (Fig. 1, composite display layer, #120) comprising a first region and a second region,
wherein the first region comprises an image capturing pixel (Fig. 4-5, especially 5B, modules, #556; Detailed Description, Column 15, lines 15-30, “6. The modules 556 may include emitters (e.g., light emitters) and/or sensors (e.g., image sensors, cameras). In various embodiments, the modules 556 are arranged at various positions along the inner surface of the frame 552, so that the modules 556 are facing the eyes of a user wearing the NED 550. For example, the modules 556 could include emitters that emit structured light patterns onto the eyes and image sensors to capture images of the structured light pattern on the eyes. As another example, the modules 556 could include multiple time-of-flight sensors for directing light at the eyes and measuring the time of travel of the light at each pixel of the sensors. As a further example, the modules 556 could include multiple stereo depth sensors for capturing images of the eyes from different vantage points. In various embodiments, the modules 556 also include image sensors for capturing 2D images of the eyes.”),
wherein the second region comprises a light-emitting pixel (Fig. 1, display layer, #102; Detailed Description, Column 3, lines 24-36, “Display layer 102 includes one or more pixels that emit light rays. For example, display layer 102 could be a self-emitting display that causes pixels to emit light rays 112-2, 112-3, and 112-4, such as an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) or a direct LED liquid crystal display (LCD)”),
wherein the light-emitting pixel comprises a light-emitting device configured to emit one of infrared light and visible light (Fig. 1, display layer, #102; Detailed Description, Column 3, lines 24-36; See also Fig. 4 and Column 9, Lines 7-50),
wherein the image capturing pixel comprises a light-receiving device configured to receive light emitted from the light-emitting pixel (Fig. 4-5, especially 5B, modules, #556; Detailed Description, Column 15, lines 15-30, “6. The modules 556 may include emitters (e.g., light emitters) and/or sensors (e.g., image sensors, cameras). In various embodiments, the modules 556 are arranged at various positions along the inner surface of the frame 552, so that the modules 556 are facing the eyes of a user wearing the NED 550. For example, the modules 556 could include emitters that emit structured light patterns onto the eyes and image sensors to capture images of the structured light pattern on the eyes.”),
wherein a center portion of the display portion is a region of a circle centered at an intersection of two diagonal lines running across the display portion (see Fig. 1, lens, #130; See also Fig. 5B and circular shape of display. #554),
wherein a radius of the circle is less than or equal to ⅛ of a length of one of the two diagonal lines of the display portion (Fig. 1-5B, Detailed Description, Column 3, lines 2-24, “ In some embodiments, composite display layer 120 can be configured to have an area greater than or equal to the lens coverage area 110 associated with lens 130. For example, composite display layer 120 could have a width equal to the sums of display layer width 122 and mirror layer widths 124 and 126. The width of composite display layer 120 could be greater than or equal to a diameter for a circle that defines lens coverage area 110. In some embodiments, the distance between composite display layer 120 and lens 130 may vary. For example, lens 130 may be a component of a multifocal assembly. In such instances, composite display layer 120 can be configured to have an area greater than or equal to the largest lens coverage area 110 associated with lens 130.”; showing different design of areas thereby including this particular claimed relational length), and
wherein the first region comprises a region overlapping with the center portion (Fig. 4-5, especially 5B, modules, #556; Detailed Description, Column 15, lines 15-30; modules overlap with lens).
Regarding claim 2, Rong discloses a display apparatus (Fig. 1, generally, Summary) comprising
a display portion (Fig. 1, composite display layer, #120) comprising a first region and a second region,
wherein the first region comprises an image capturing pixel (Fig. 4-5, especially 5B, modules, #556; Detailed Description, Column 15, lines 15-30, “6. The modules 556 may include emitters (e.g., light emitters) and/or sensors (e.g., image sensors, cameras). In various embodiments, the modules 556 are arranged at various positions along the inner surface of the frame 552, so that the modules 556 are facing the eyes of a user wearing the NED 550. For example, the modules 556 could include emitters that emit structured light patterns onto the eyes and image sensors to capture images of the structured light pattern on the eyes. As another example, the modules 556 could include multiple time-of-flight sensors for directing light at the eyes and measuring the time of travel of the light at each pixel of the sensors. As a further example, the modules 556 could include multiple stereo depth sensors for capturing images of the eyes from different vantage points. In various embodiments, the modules 556 also include image sensors for capturing 2D images of the eyes.”),
wherein the second region comprises a light-emitting pixel (Fig. 1, display layer, #102; Detailed Description, Column 3, lines 24-36, “Display layer 102 includes one or more pixels that emit light rays. For example, display layer 102 could be a self-emitting display that causes pixels to emit light rays 112-2, 112-3, and 112-4, such as an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) or a direct LED liquid crystal display (LCD)”),
wherein the light-emitting pixel comprises a light-emitting device configured to emit one of infrared light and visible light (Fig. 1, display layer, #102; Detailed Description, Column 3, lines 24-36; See also Fig. 4 and Column 9, Lines 7-50),
wherein the image capturing pixel comprises a light-receiving device configured to receive light emitted from the light-emitting pixel (Fig. 4-5, especially 5B, modules, #556; Detailed Description, Column 15, lines 15-30, “6. The modules 556 may include emitters (e.g., light emitters) and/or sensors (e.g., image sensors, cameras). In various embodiments, the modules 556 are arranged at various positions along the inner surface of the frame 552, so that the modules 556 are facing the eyes of a user wearing the NED 550. For example, the modules 556 could include emitters that emit structured light patterns onto the eyes and image sensors to capture images of the structured light pattern on the eyes.”),
wherein a center portion of the display portion is a region of a circle centered at an intersection of two diagonal lines running across the display portion (see Fig. 1, lens, #130; See also Fig. 5B and circular shape of display. #554),
wherein a radius of the circle is less than or equal to ⅛ of a length of one of the two diagonal lines of the display portion (Fig. 1-5B, Detailed Description, Column 3, lines 2-24, “ In some embodiments, composite display layer 120 can be configured to have an area greater than or equal to the lens coverage area 110 associated with lens 130. For example, composite display layer 120 could have a width equal to the sums of display layer width 122 and mirror layer widths 124 and 126. The width of composite display layer 120 could be greater than or equal to a diameter for a circle that defines lens coverage area 110. In some embodiments, the distance between composite display layer 120 and lens 130 may vary. For example, lens 130 may be a component of a multifocal assembly. In such instances, composite display layer 120 can be configured to have an area greater than or equal to the largest lens coverage area 110 associated with lens 130.”; showing different design of areas thereby including this particular claimed relational length), and
wherein the first region comprises a region overlapping with the center portion (Fig. 4-5, especially 5B, modules, #556; Detailed Description, Column 15, lines 15-30; modules overlap with lens).
wherein the second region has a tetragonal frame shape (Figs 4-5, frame, #552, Column 15, Lines 1-13, “NED includes frame #552 and display #554…. In some embodiments, one or more displays 554 may be located within frame 552.”)., and
wherein the first region is positioned inside the tetragonal frame shape (Figs 4-5, frame, #552, Column 15, Lines 1-13, “NED includes frame #552 and display #554…. In some embodiments, one or more displays 554 may be located within frame 552.”).
Regarding claim 3, Rong disclose an electronic device comprising
a display apparatus (Fig. 1, generally, Summary)
a housing (Figs 4-5, frame, #552),
wherein the display apparatus comprises:
a display portion (Fig. 1, composite display layer, #120) comprising a first region and a second region,
wherein the first region comprises an image capturing pixel (Fig. 4-5, especially 5B, modules, #556; Detailed Description, Column 15, lines 15-30, “6. The modules 556 may include emitters (e.g., light emitters) and/or sensors (e.g., image sensors, cameras). In various embodiments, the modules 556 are arranged at various positions along the inner surface of the frame 552, so that the modules 556 are facing the eyes of a user wearing the NED 550. For example, the modules 556 could include emitters that emit structured light patterns onto the eyes and image sensors to capture images of the structured light pattern on the eyes. As another example, the modules 556 could include multiple time-of-flight sensors for directing light at the eyes and measuring the time of travel of the light at each pixel of the sensors. As a further example, the modules 556 could include multiple stereo depth sensors for capturing images of the eyes from different vantage points. In various embodiments, the modules 556 also include image sensors for capturing 2D images of the eyes.”),
wherein the second region comprises a light-emitting pixel (Fig. 1, display layer, #102; Detailed Description, Column 3, lines 24-36, “Display layer 102 includes one or more pixels that emit light rays. For example, display layer 102 could be a self-emitting display that causes pixels to emit light rays 112-2, 112-3, and 112-4, such as an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) or a direct LED liquid crystal display (LCD)”),
wherein the light-emitting pixel comprises a light-emitting device configured to emit one of infrared light and visible light (Fig. 1, display layer, #102; Detailed Description, Column 3, lines 24-36; See also Fig. 4 and Column 9, Lines 7-50),
wherein the image capturing pixel comprises a light-receiving device configured to receive light emitted from the light-emitting pixel (Fig. 4-5, especially 5B, modules, #556; Detailed Description, Column 15, lines 15-30, “6. The modules 556 may include emitters (e.g., light emitters) and/or sensors (e.g., image sensors, cameras). In various embodiments, the modules 556 are arranged at various positions along the inner surface of the frame 552, so that the modules 556 are facing the eyes of a user wearing the NED 550. For example, the modules 556 could include emitters that emit structured light patterns onto the eyes and image sensors to capture images of the structured light pattern on the eyes.”),
wherein a center portion of the display portion is a region of a circle centered at an intersection of two diagonal lines running across the display portion (see Fig. 1, lens, #130; See also Fig. 5B and circular shape of display. #554),
wherein a radius of the circle is less than or equal to ⅛ of a length of one of the two diagonal lines of the display portion (Fig. 1-5B, Detailed Description, Column 3, lines 2-24, “ In some embodiments, composite display layer 120 can be configured to have an area greater than or equal to the lens coverage area 110 associated with lens 130. For example, composite display layer 120 could have a width equal to the sums of display layer width 122 and mirror layer widths 124 and 126. The width of composite display layer 120 could be greater than or equal to a diameter for a circle that defines lens coverage area 110. In some embodiments, the distance between composite display layer 120 and lens 130 may vary. For example, lens 130 may be a component of a multifocal assembly. In such instances, composite display layer 120 can be configured to have an area greater than or equal to the largest lens coverage area 110 associated with lens 130.”; showing different design of areas thereby including this particular claimed relational length), and
wherein the first region comprises a region overlapping with the center portion (Fig. 4-5, especially 5B, modules, #556; Detailed Description, Column 15, lines 15-30; modules overlap with lens).
wherein the housing is shaped to be capable of being worn on a head of a human (Figs 4-5, frame, #552, Column 15, Lines 1-13, “NED includes frame #552 and display #554…. In some embodiments, one or more displays 554 may be located within frame 552.”), and wherein
when the housing is worn on the head of the human, the first region comprises a region overlapping with an eye of the human in a front view (Figs. 4-5, Column 15, Lines 1-13; See also Detailed Description, Overview, “In various embodiments, an optical assembly, such as a wearable device included in a head-mounted display (HMD) or near-eye display (NED), may include a composite display layer that provides light to the user. Embodiments herein present composite display layers that provide sets of composite light to the user.”).
Other References
The following references are also cited as pertinent on the PTO-892 but may not be specifically relied upon within this Action:
Border et al. (US 2023/0258929 A1)
Fliszar et al. (US 2023/0204958 A1)
Osterhout et al. (US 2021/0089129 A1)
Torch (US 2007/0273611 A1)
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to KWIN XIE whose telephone number is (571)272-7812. The examiner can normally be reached 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Temesghen Ghebretinsae can be reached at (571)272-3017. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/KWIN XIE/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2626
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