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 .
This action is in response to the amendment filed by Applicant on 12/15/2025. This action is made FINAL.
Official Notice
The Applicant does not traverse the official notice raised in the non-final action. Therefore, the common knowledge or well-known in the art statement is taken to be admitted prior art. Please refer to MPEP 2144.03 C.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
Rejections under 35 USC § 112 has been withdrawn in response to Applicant’s amendments.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments with respect to claims 1-13 have been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection does not rely on any reference applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument.
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 1-8, 10, and 12 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Gourevitch et al (Publication number: US 2017/0083152) in view of King-Smith et al (Publication number: US 2019/0050110) in view of Bell (Publication number: US 2016/0202783).
Consider Claim 1, Gourevitch et al touch input device comprising a sensor unit and a control unit (see figure 1; where the control unit is read as host processor 128, and the sensor unit is read as touch sensor panel), wherein the sensor unit comprises:
(a) A plurality of first patterns each extending in a first direction and having one ends electrically connected to the control unit; a plurality of second patterns each extending in the first direction and disposed adjacent to the first patterns (see figures 14A, and 14B; and paragraphs 75-77); (sense electrodes 1411, 1412, and 1413 are read as first and second patterns where each split bar is read as a different pattern).
(b) A plurality of third patterns each extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and having one ends electrically connected to the control unit; and a plurality of fourth patterns each extending in the second direction, disposed adjacent to the third patterns (see figures 14A, and 14B; and paragraphs 75-78); (sense electrodes 1411, 1412, and 1413 are read as first and second patterns where electrodes 1491 and 1492 are read as third and fourth patterns).
(c) Wherein the first patterns comprise first-a patterns and first-b patterns arranged in the first direction, and the second patterns comprise second-a patterns and second-b patterns arranged in the first direction (see figures 14A, and 14B; and paragraphs 75-77); (sense electrodes 1411, 1412, and 1413 are read as first and second patterns where each split bar is read as a different pattern).
However, Gourevitch et al does not specifically show having one ends that are electrically floated and other ends that are electrically connected to each other.
In the same field of endeavor, King-Smith et al shows having one ends that are electrically floated and other ends that are electrically connected to each other (see figures 11B and 11C; and paragraphs 35-40); (FIGS. 11B and 11C each illustrate an array of electrodes, in which when one elongate electrode is sensed during a transducer mode using the electric field coupling, two or more of the elongate electrodes adjacent to the electrode being sensed are selectively terminated (e.g., floated, terminated via a resistor to ground, or grounded)).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the application to incorporate the teaching of King-Smith et al into the teaching of Gourevitch et al in order to incorporate a variety of different types of input devices (see King-Smith et al; paragraphs 2-6).
However, Gourevitch et al in view of King-Smith et al do not specifically show that the plurality of first to fourth patterns are configured to be electrically isolated from each other.
In the same field of endeavor, Bell shows the plurality of first to fourth patterns are configured to be electrically isolated from each other (see figure 5; and paragraphs 54-58); (Bell shows electrode sets (patterns) that are hereby read to be equivalent to figure 4 of the instant Application, and therefore, Bell shows that the plurality of first to fourth patterns are configured to be electrically isolated from each other).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the application to incorporate the teaching of Bell into the teaching of Gourevitch et al in and of King-Smith et al in order to systemically cycle through different patterns (see Bell; paragraph 58).
Consider Claim 4, Gourevitch et al shows a touch input device comprising a sensor unit and a control unit (see figure 1; where the control unit is read as host processor 128, and the sensor unit is read as touch sensor panel), wherein the sensor unit comprises:
(a) A plurality of first patterns each extending in a first direction and having one ends electrically connected to the control unit; a plurality of second patterns each extending in the first direction, disposed adjacent to the first patterns (see figures 14A, and 14B; and paragraphs 75-77); (sense electrodes 1411, 1412, and 1413 are read as first and second patterns where each split bar is read as a different pattern).
(b) A plurality of third patterns each extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and having one ends electrically connected to the control unit; and a plurality of fourth patterns each extending in the second direction, disposed adjacent to the third patterns (see figures 14A, and 14B; and paragraphs 75-78); (sense electrodes 1411, 1412, and 1413 are read as first and second patterns where electrodes 1491 and 1492 are read as third and fourth patterns).
However, Gourevitch et al does not specifically show having one ends that are electrically floated and other ends that are electrically connected to each other.
In the same field of endeavor, King-Smith et al shows having one ends that are electrically floated and other ends that are electrically connected to each other (see figures 11B and 11C; and paragraphs 35-40); (FIGS. 11B and 11C each illustrate an array of electrodes, in which when one elongate electrode is sensed during a transducer mode using the electric field coupling, two or more of the elongate electrodes adjacent to the electrode being sensed are selectively terminated (e.g., floated, terminated via a resistor to ground, or grounded)).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the application to incorporate the teaching of King-Smith et al into the teaching of Gourevitch et al in order to incorporate a variety of different types of input devices (see King-Smith et al; paragraphs 2-6).
However, Gourevitch et al in view of King-Smith et al do not specifically show that the plurality of first to fourth patterns are configured to be electrically isolated from each other.
In the same field of endeavor, Bell shows the plurality of first to fourth patterns are configured to be electrically isolated from each other (see figure 5; and paragraphs 54-58); (Bell shows electrode sets (patterns) that are hereby read to be equivalent to figure 4 of the instant Application, and therefore, Bell shows that the plurality of first to fourth patterns are configured to be electrically isolated from each other).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the application to incorporate the teaching of Bell into the teaching of Gourevitch et al in and of King-Smith et al in order to systemically cycle through different patterns (see Bell; paragraph 58).
Consider Claim 6, Gourevitch et al shows touch input device comprising a sensor unit and a control unit (see figure 1; where the control unit is read as host processor 128, and the sensor unit is read as touch sensor panel), wherein the sensor unit comprises:
(a) A plurality of first patterns each extending in a first direction and having one ends electrically connected to the control unit; a plurality of second patterns each extending in the first direction, disposed adjacent to the first patterns (see figures 14A, and 14B; and paragraphs 75-77); (sense electrodes 1411, 1412, and 1413 are read as first and second patterns where each split bar is read as a different pattern).
(b) A plurality of third patterns each extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and having one ends electrically connected to the control unit; and a plurality of fourth patterns each extending in the second direction, disposed adjacent to the third patterns (see figures 14A, and 14B; and paragraphs 75-78); (sense electrodes 1411, 1412, and 1413 are read as first and second patterns where electrodes 1491 and 1492 are read as third and fourth patterns).
However, Gourevitch et al does not specifically show having one ends that are electrically floated and other ends that are electrically connected to each other.
In the same field of endeavor, King-Smith et al shows having one ends that are electrically floated and other ends that are electrically connected to each other (see figures 11B and 11C; and paragraphs 35-40); (FIGS. 11B and 11C each illustrate an array of electrodes, in which when one elongate electrode is sensed during a transducer mode using the electric field coupling, two or more of the elongate electrodes adjacent to the electrode being sensed are selectively terminated (e.g., floated, terminated via a resistor to ground, or grounded)).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the application to incorporate the teaching of King-Smith et al into the teaching of Gourevitch et al in order to incorporate a variety of different types of input devices (see King-Smith et al; paragraphs 2-6).
However, Gourevitch et al in view of King-Smith et al do not specifically show that the plurality of first to fourth patterns are configured to be electrically isolated from each other.
In the same field of endeavor, Bell shows the plurality of first to fourth patterns are configured to be electrically isolated from each other (see figure 5; and paragraphs 54-58); (Bell shows electrode sets (patterns) that are hereby read to be equivalent to figure 4 of the instant Application, and therefore, Bell shows that the plurality of first to fourth patterns are configured to be electrically isolated from each other).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the application to incorporate the teaching of Bell into the teaching of Gourevitch et al in and of King-Smith et al in order to systemically cycle through different patterns (see Bell; paragraph 58).
Consider Claim 2, Gourevitch et al shows a plurality of second-a patterns of the plurality of second patterns have the other ends that are electrically connected to each other and one ends of which two ends that are adjacent to each other in the second direction are electrically connected to each other and electrically connected to the control unit, and a plurality of second-b patterns of the plurality of second patterns have the other ends that are electrically connected to each other and one ends of which two ends that are adjacent to each other in the second direction are electrically connected to each other and electrically connected to the control unit (see figures 14A, and 14B; and paragraphs 75-78); (sense electrodes 1411, 1412, and 1413 are read as first and second patterns where electrodes 1491 and 1492 are read as third and fourth patterns).
Consider Claims 3, 5, and 7, King-Smith et al shows that the control unit controls the sensor unit to operate in one of a touch driving/sensing mode for sensing a touch position of an object, an antenna driving mode for driving a stylus pen, and a stylus sensing mode for sensing a touch position of the stylus pen, wherein, in the touch driving/sensing mode, the control unit applies a touch driving signal to the plurality of first patterns and receives a touch sensing signal through the plurality of third patterns (see paragraph 60); (the pressure sensor 306 can be used to force the combination touch and transducer input system to remain operating in the transducer mode as long as a pressure value above a certain threshold is detected, instead of switching to operating in the touch mode); in the antenna driving mode, the control unit applies a pen driving signal for driving the stylus pen to the plurality of second patterns, and in the stylus sensing mode, the control unit receives a pen sensing signal from the stylus pen through the plurality of first patterns and the plurality of third patterns (see paragraph 54); (The transducer controller 177 regulates the emitting of an electric field from the antenna 179. When the transducer 175 is proximate the array of electrodes 154, the electric field emitted by the antenna 179 will induce sensing signals in one or more electrodes. Specifically, by applying a voltage V to the transducer antenna 179, an amount of charge Q is stored on the transducer antenna 179 that effectively forms a top plate of a capacitor, and an electric field is established between the transducer antenna 179 and one or more of the array of electrodes 154 that effectively form a bottom plate of the capacitor).
Consider Claims 8, 10, and 12, Gourevitch et al shows that each of the first and second patterns comprises a plurality of main pattern parts and a connection pattern part configured to connect two adjacent main pattern parts among the plurality of main pattern parts, the first pattern has an opening in which the second pattern is disposed, each of the third and fourth patterns comprises a plurality of main pattern parts and a connection pattern part configured to connect two adjacent main pattern parts among the plurality of main pattern parts, the third pattern has an opening in which the fourth pattern is disposed, and the first and second patterns are disposed on the third and fourth patterns (see figures 14A, and 14B; and paragraphs 75-78); (sense electrodes 1411, 1412, and 1413 are read as first and second patterns where electrodes 1491 and 1492 are read as third and fourth patterns).
Claims 9, 11, and 13 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Gourevitch et al (Publication number: US 2017/0083152) in view of King-Smith et al (Publication number: US 2019/0050110) and Bell in view of an official notice taken by the USPTO.
Consider Claims 9, 11, and 13, Gourevitch in view of King-Smith and Bell do not specifically show that a screen on which the sensor unit is disposed has a diagonal length of 10 inches or more to 13 inches or less. However, the USPTO takes official notice that it is well known and expected in the art that a screen on which the sensor unit is disposed has a diagonal length of 10 inches or more to 13 inches or less in order to incorporate multiple sensing input operations into tablet personal computers.
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 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 MICHAEL A FARAGALLA whose telephone number is (571)270-1107. The examiner can normally be reached Mon-Fri 8:00-5:00.
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/MICHAEL A FARAGALLA/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2624 04/04/2026
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