DETAILED DESCRIPTION
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 .
Summary of Response
The 07/10/2025 response includes: (a) the specification is currently amended; (b) claims 1, 6, 11 and 16-17 are currently amended; (c) claims 2-5, 7-10, 12-15 and 19-20 are original; (d) claim 18 is canceled. Claims 1-17 and 19-20 are currently pending and an office action on the merits follows.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments filed 07/10/2025 with respect to the rejection of claims 1-17 and 19-20 under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) and 35 U.S.C. 103 have been fully considered and are persuasive. Therefore, the rejection has been withdrawn. However, upon further consideration, a new grounds of rejection of claims 1-16 is made below based on lack of written description and indefiniteness. Also, new objections to claims 1-16 are made below. Claims 17-20 are allowed.
Claim Objections
Claims 1-16 are objected to because of the following informalities:
Claim 1 at lines 11 and 14 includes “the display area” that lacks antecedent
basis. This objection may be overcome, for example, by amending line 11 to “a display area”. Appropriate correction is required. This objection applies to claims 2-5 that depends upon claim 1.
Claim 1 at lines 11 and 15 includes “the first resolution” that lacks antecedent
basis. This objection may be overcome, for example, by amending line 11 to “a first resolution”. Appropriate correction is required. This objection applies to claims 2-5 that depends upon claim 1.
Claim 1 at lines 12 and 16-17 includes “the gate signal” that lacks antecedent
basis. This objection may be overcome, for example, by amending line 12 to “a gate signal”. Appropriate correction is required. This objection applies to claims 2-5 that depends upon claim 1.
Claim 1 at line 12 includes “the first area” that lacks antecedent
basis. This objection may be overcome, for example, by amending it to “a first area”. Appropriate correction is required. This objection applies to claims 2-5 that depends upon claim 1.
Claim 1 at line 15 includes “the second resolution” that lacks antecedent
basis. This objection may be overcome, for example, by amending it to “a second resolution”. Appropriate correction is required. This objection applies to claims 2-5 that depends upon claim 1.
Claim 1 at line 17 includes “the second area” that lacks antecedent
basis. This objection may be overcome, for example, by amending it to “a second area”. Appropriate correction is required. This objection applies to claims 2-5 that depends upon claim 1.
Claim 6 at lines 16 and 19 includes “the display area” that lacks antecedent
basis. This objection may be overcome, for example, by amending line 16 to “a display area”. Appropriate correction is required. This objection applies to claims 7-16 that depends upon claim 6.
Claim 6 at line 16 includes “the first resolution” that lacks antecedent
basis. This objection may be overcome, for example, by amending line 16 to “a first resolution”. Appropriate correction is required. This objection applies to claims 7-16 that depends upon claim 6.
Claim 6 at line 17 includes “the first area” that lacks antecedent
basis. This objection may be overcome, for example, by amending it to “a first area”. Appropriate correction is required. This objection applies to claims 7-16 that depends upon claim 6.
Claim 6 at line 20 includes “the second resolution” that lacks antecedent
basis. This objection may be overcome, for example, by amending it to “a second resolution”. Appropriate correction is required. This objection applies to claims 7-16 that depends upon claim 6.
Claim 6 at line 22 includes “the second area” that lacks antecedent
basis. This objection may be overcome, for example, by amending it to “a second area”. Appropriate correction is required. This objection applies to claims 7-16 that depends upon claim 6.
Claim 11 at line 3 includes “the respective ones of the pixel lines” that lacks
antecedent basis. This objection may be overcome, for example, by amending it to “respective ones of the pixel lines”. Appropriate correction is required. This objection applies to claim 12 that depends upon claim 11.
Claim Rejections – 35 USC §112
5. The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(a):
(a) IN GENERAL.—The specification shall contain a written description of the invention,
and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and
exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which
it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best
mode contemplated by the inventor or joint inventor of carrying out the invention.
6. Claims 1-16 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(a), as failing to comply with
the written description requirement. The claim(s) contains subject matter which was not
described in the specification in such a way as to reasonably convey to one skilled in
the relevant art that the inventor or a joint inventor, or for pre-AIA the inventor(s), at the
time the application was filed, had possession of the claimed invention.
Claim 1 at lines 10 and 14 includes at lines 16-17 “the plurality of signal transmission parts sequentially supply the gate signal to the gate line arranged in the second area”, however the specification describes the signal transmission parts sequentially supplying gate signals (i.e., a plurality of signals and not a single gate signal)(see e.g., ¶00701). In other words, the same single signal is not output simultaneously and sequentially by plurality of signal transmission parts but instead respective different ones of signals are output by each of the signal transmission parts. This grounds of rejection applies to claims 2-5 that depend upon claim 1. Claim 6 at lines 21-22 include the same issue as claim 1. This grounds of rejection applies to claims 7-16 that depend upon claim 6. Thus, applicants have both failed to satisfy their obligation to the public of disclosing their technical knowledge upon which this claim is based and failed to demonstrate to demonstrate that they were in possession of the invention that is claimed. MPEP §2163.
7. The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
8. Claims 1-16 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
Claim 1 at lines 10 and 14 includes at lines 10-11 “the gate line in the display area”, however it is unclear whether applicant is referring to (i) “a first gate line” in claim 1 at line 5; (ii) “a second gate line” in claim 1 at line 8; or to (iii) another gate line different than the first and second gate lines. Appropriate correction is required. This grounds of rejection applies to claims 2-5 that depend upon claim 1.
Claim 1 at line 12 includes “the gate line in the first area”, however it is unclear whether applicant is referring to (i) “a first gate line” in claim 1 at line 5; (ii) “a second gate line” in claim 1 at line 8; or to (iii) another gate line different than the first and second gate lines. Appropriate correction is required. This grounds of rejection applies to claims 2-5 that depend upon claim 1.
Claim 1 at line 17 includes “the gate line in the second area”, however it is unclear whether applicant is referring to (i) “a first gate line” in claim 1 at line 5; (ii) “a second gate line” in claim 1 at line 8; or to (iii) another gate line different than the first and second gate lines. Appropriate correction is required. This grounds of rejection applies to claims 2-5 that depend upon claim 1.
Claim 6 at lines 15-16 “the gate line in the display area”, however it is unclear whether applicant is referring to (i) “a first gate line” in claim 6 at lines 10-11 and 13; (ii) “a second gate line” in claim 6 at line 13; or to (iii) another gate line different than the first and second gate lines. Appropriate correction is required. This grounds of rejection applies to claims 7-16 that depend upon claim 6.
Claim 6 at line 17 includes “the gate line arranged in the first area”, however it is unclear whether applicant is referring to (i) “a first gate line” in claim 6 at lines 10-11 and 13; (ii) “a second gate line” in claim 6 at line 13; or to (iii) another gate line different than the first and second gate lines. Appropriate correction is required. This grounds of rejection applies to claims 7-16 that depend upon claim 6.
Claim 6 at line 22 includes “the gate line in the second area”, however it is unclear whether applicant is referring to (i) “a first gate line” in claim 6 at lines 10-11 and 13; (ii) “a second gate line” in claim 6 at line 13; or to (iii) another gate line different than the first and second gate lines. Appropriate correction is required. This grounds of rejection applies to claims 7-16 that depend upon claim 6.
Allowed Claims
9. Claims 17-20 are allowed.
Reasons for Allowance
10. The following is examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance: the claimed invention is directed to:
PNG
media_image1.png
200
400
media_image1.png
Greyscale
PNG
media_image2.png
811
325
media_image2.png
Greyscale
Independent claim 17 identifies the distinct features: “the first pixel(FIGs. 2, 14: red pixel directly connected to gate line G3, SWC9) and the second pixel(FIGs. 2, 14: red pixel directly connected to gate line G9, SWC9) arranged with respect to one another in a second direction(FIG. 2: y-axis direction) that traverses the first direction(FIG. 2: x-axis direction)”, with all other limitations as claimed.
The closest prior art, U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2024/0144887 A1 to Gohardehi et al. (“Gohardehi”), either singularly or in combination, fails to anticipate or render obvious the above underlined features associated with other features of this claim as explained in the 04/10/2025 office action.
Other Relevant Prior Art
11. Other relevant prior art includes:
U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2021/0398491 A1 to Kwak et al. (“Kwak”):
PNG
media_image3.png
200
400
media_image3.png
Greyscale
PNG
media_image4.png
200
400
media_image4.png
Greyscale
PNG
media_image5.png
200
400
media_image5.png
Greyscale
PNG
media_image6.png
200
400
media_image6.png
Greyscale
As to claim 1, Kwak discloses a gate driving circuit(200)(FIGs. 1, 4; ¶¶0039, 0068) comprising:
a plurality of signal transmission parts(221s)(FIGs. 4, 9) connected in cascade by means of a line(curved lines between 221s)(FIGs. 4, 9; ¶¶0095-0101) configured to receive a start signal or a carry signal from a previous signaling unit(GST2 or previous 221)(FIGs. 4, 9; ¶¶0095-0101);
a first switch part(OGS1-OGS12)(FIGs. 4, 9; ¶0094) including a plurality of first switches(OGS1-OGS4)(FIGs. 4, 9; ¶0094) connected between an output end of a first signal transmission part(221 to the left of OGS1)(FIGs. 4, 9; ¶¶0095-0101) of the plurality of signal transmission parts(221s)(FIGs. 4, 9) and a first gate line(GL4)(FIGs. 4, 9; ¶0126); and
a second switch part(IGS1-IGS12)(FIG. 9; ¶0094) including a plurality of second switches(IGS2-IGS4)(FIG. 9; ¶0094) connected between the first gate line(GL4)(FIGs. 4, 9; ¶0126) connected to the first switch part(OGS1-OGS12)(FIGs. 4, 9; ¶0094) and a second gate line(GL1)(FIGs. 4, 9; ¶0126) connected to an output end of a second signal transmission part(221 to the left of OGS1)(FIGs. 4, 9; ¶0094),
wherein when one first switch(OGS4)(FIGs. 4, 9; ¶0094) and the plurality of second switches(IGS2-IGS4)(FIG. 9; ¶0094) connected to the gate line(GL4)(FIG. 9; ¶0126) of the first resolution(low resolution)(FIG. 9; ¶0223) are turned on (OGS4 and IGS2-IGS4 are all turned ON)(FIGs. 4, 9; ¶¶0094), the plurality of signal transmission parts(221s)(FIGs. 4, 9; ¶¶0095-0101) simultaneously supply the gate signal to the gate line(GL4)(FIG. 9; ¶0126) arranged in the first area(area including GL1-GL4)(FIG. 9; ¶0126), and
when the plurality of first switches(OGS1-OGS4)(FIGs. 4, 9) connected to the gate line(GL4)(FIG. 9¶0126) arranged in the display area (FIG. 8A; ¶0215) of the second resolution(high resolution)(FIG. 9; ¶0215) higher than the first resolution(low resolution)(FIG. 9; ¶0215) are turned on(OGS1-OGS4 all turned ON)(FIGs. 4, 9; ¶0094) and the plurality of second switches(IGS2-IGS4)(FIG. 9; ¶0094) are turned off(IGS10-IGS12)(FIG. 9; ¶¶0069, 0232), the plurality of signal transmission parts(221s)(FIGs. 4, 9; ¶0096) sequentially supply gate signals (¶0112).
Conclusion
12. 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 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 mailing date of this final action.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to KIRK W HERMANN whose telephone number is (571) 270-3891. The examiner can normally be reached on Monday-Friday, 10am-7pm, EST.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, LunYi Lao can be reached on (571) 272-7671. 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.
/KIRK W HERMANN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2621
1 Paragraph cites refer to the published version of the application, i.e., U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2025/0191540 A1.