DETAILED ACTION
This Office action responds to Applicant’s invention filed on 06/28/2024.
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 . In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for a 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.
Amendment Status
The present Office action is made with all previously suggested amendments being fully considered. Accordingly, pending in this Office action are claims 1-20.
Information Disclosure Statement (IDS)
Acknowledgement is made of Applicant’s Information Disclosure Statement (IDS) form PTO-1449. The IDSs have been considered.
Specification Objection
The specification has been checked to the extend necessary to determine the presence of possible minor errors. However, the Applicant’s cooperation is requested in correcting any errors of which Applicant may become aware in the specification.
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.
This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any evidence to the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the later invention in order for the examiner to consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) prior art against the later invention.
Claims 1-16 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over by Hong (US 2023/0073072) in view of Min (US 2023/0165104) in further view of Choi (US 2023/0157119).
Regarding claim 1, Hong shows (see, e.g., Hong: figs. 1, 4A-4B, 10, 11a-11B, and 14B) most aspects of a display apparatus 1, comprising:
A substrate 100 comprising a component area DA2 and a main display area DA1
The component area DA2 including sub-display areas and transmission areas TA
The main display area DA1 at least partially surrounding the component area DA2
Main pixel electrodes 210 located in the main display area DA1 and spaced apart from one another
Sub-pixel electrodes 210 located in the sub-display areas and spaced apart from one another
However, Hong fails (see, e.g., Hong: figs. 1, 4A-4B, 10, 11a-11B, and 14B) to show three color filter layers stacked on each other in the main display area DA1. Min, in a similar device to Hong, shows (see, e.g., Min: fig. 4) three color filter layers 221/222/223 stacked on each other in the main display area DA. Min also shows (see, e.g., Min: fig. 4) that three color filter layers 221/222/223 stacked on each other in the main display area DA form a light blocking portion outside the light-emitting area LA (see, e.g., Min: par. [0081], and [0083]), and also improve the luminous efficiency of the light-emitting area LA (see, e.g., Min: par. [0090]).
It would have been obvious at the time of filing the invention to one of ordinary skill in the art to include three color filter layers stacked on each other in the main display area of Min in the device of Hong in order to form a light blocking portion outside the light-emitting area, and also improve the luminous efficiency of the light-emitting area.
Hong in view of Min shows (see, e.g., Min: fig. 4) that include three color filter layers 221/222/223 stacked on each other in the main display area correspond to a space between the main pixel electrodes 151.
However, Hong in view of Min fails (see, e.g., Hong: figs. 1, 4A-4B, 10, 11a-11B, and 14B) to show two color filter layers stacked on each other in the component area. Choi, in a similar device to Hong in view of Min, shows (see, e.g., Choi: fig. 3) two color filter layers CF3/CF1 stacked on each other. Choi also shows (see, e.g., Choi: fig. 3) that two color filter layers CF3/CF1 stacked on each other correspond to the peripheral regions NPXA disposed between the pixel regions PXA-R, PXA-G, and PXA-B that form a light blocking portion outside the light-emitting area (see, e.g., Choi: par. [0125]).
It would have been obvious at the time of filing the invention to one of ordinary skill in the art to include two color filter layers stacked on each other in the component area of Choi in the device of Hong in view of Min in order to form a light blocking portion outside the light-emitting area.
Choi in the device of Hong in view of Min shows (see, e.g., Hong: figs. 1, 4A-4B, 10, 11a-11B, and 14B, and also see, e.g., Choi: fig. 3) that two color filter layers stacked on each other in the component area correspond to a space between the transmission areas TA.
Regarding claim 2, Hong in view of Min in view of Choi shows (see, e.g., Min: fig. 4) that the three color filter layers 221/222/223 comprise (see, e.g., Min: par. [0080]):
A blue main color filter layer 221 through which blue light passes
A red main color filter layer 222 through which red light passes
A green main color filter layer 223 through which green light passes
Regarding claim 3, Hong in view of Min in view of Choi shows (see, e.g., Min: fig. 4) that the blue main color filter layer 221, the red main color filter layer 222, and the green main color filter layer 223 are sequentially stacked on each other in a direction away from the substrate 110.
Regarding claim 4, Hong in view of Min in view of Choi shows (see, e.g., Min: fig. 4) that:
A red sub-pixel 262, a green sub-pixel 264, and a blue sub-pixel 265 are included
Each of the red sub-pixel 262, the green sub-pixel 264 and the blue sub-pixel 265 comprises one of the main pixel electrodes 151
The blue main color filter layer 221 has first main openings exposing a center of a one of the main pixel electrodes 151 corresponding to the red sub-pixel 262 and a center of a one of the main pixel electrodes 151 corresponding to the green sub-pixel 264
The red main color filter layer 222 is disposed on the blue main color filter layer 221 and fills a one of the first main openings corresponding to the red sub-pixel 262
The red main color filter layer 222 has second main openings exposing a center of a one of the main pixel electrodes 151 corresponding to the blue sub-pixel 265 and the center of the one of the main pixel electrodes corresponding to the green sub-pixel 264
The green main color filter layer 223 is disposed on the red main color filter layer 222 and fills a one of the first main openings corresponding to the green sub-pixel 264 and a one of the second main openings corresponding to the green sub-pixel 264
The green main color filter layer 223 has third main openings exposing the center of the one of the main pixel electrodes 151 corresponding to the blue sub-pixel 265 and the center of the one of the main pixel electrodes 151 corresponding to the red sub-pixel 262
Regarding claim 5, Hong in view of Min in view of Choi shows (see, e.g., Min: figs. 4 and 11) that:
An area of a one of the third main openings 223a/223b corresponding to the red sub-pixel 262 is greater than an area of the one of the first main openings 221a/221b corresponding to the red sub-pixel 262
An area of the one of the second main openings 222a/222b corresponding to the green sub-pixel 264 is greater than an area of the one of the first main openings 221a/221b corresponding to the green sub-pixel 264
An area of the a one of the third main openings 223a/223b corresponding to the blue sub-pixel 265 is greater than an area of a one of the second main openings 222a/222b corresponding to the blue sub-pixel 265
Regarding claim 6, Hong in view of Min in view of Choi shows (see, e.g., Choi: fig. 3) two color filter layers CF3/CF1 comprise (see, e.g., Choi: par. [0123]):
A blue sub-color filter layer CF3 through which blue light passes
A red sub-color filter layer CF1 through which red light passes
Regarding claim 7, Hong in view of Min in view of Choi shows (see, e.g., Choi: fig. 3) that the blue sub-color filter layer CF3 and the red sub-color filter layer CF1 are sequentially stacked on each other in a direction away from the substrate BS.
Regarding claim 8, Hong in view of Min in view of Choi shows (see, e.g., Hong: figs. 1, 4A-4B, 10, 11a-11B, and 14B, and also see, e.g., Choi: fig. 3) that the component area CA has:
A red sub-pixel ED, a green sub-pixel ED, and a blue sub-pixel ED are included
Each of the red sub-pixel ED, the green sub-pixel ED and the blue sub-pixel ED comprises one of the sub-pixel electrodes EL1
The blue sub-color filter layer CF3 has first sub-openings exposing the transmission areas and a center of a one of the sub-pixel electrodes EL1 corresponding to the red sub-pixel ED and a center of a one of the sub-pixel electrodes EL1 corresponding to the green sub-pixel ED
The red sub-color filter layer CF1 is disposed on the blue sub-color filter layer CF3 and fills a one of the first sub-openings corresponding to the red sub-pixel ED
The red sub-color filter layer ED having second sub-openings exposing the transmission areas and a center of a one of the sub-pixel electrodes EL1 corresponding to the blue sub-pixel ED and the center of the one of the sub-pixel electrodes EL1 corresponding to the green sub-pixel ED
Regarding claim 9, Hong in view of Min in view of Choi shows (see, e.g., Hong: figs. 1, 4A-4B, 10, 11a-11B, and 14B, and also see, e.g., Choi: fig. 3) that in the component area CA, a green sub-color filter layer CF2 filling a one of the first sub-openings corresponding to the green sub-pixel ED and a one of the second sub-openings corresponding to the green sub-pixel ED.
Regarding claim 10, Hong in view of Min in view of Choi shows (see, e.g., Hong: figs. 1, 4A-4B, 10, 11a-11B, and 14B) that the green sub-color filter layer 620 extends to a space between the green sub-pixel OLED2 and a one of the transmission areas TA adjacent to the green sub-pixel OLED2.
Regarding claim 11, Hong in view of Min in view of Choi shows (see, e.g., Hong: figs. 1, 4A-4B, 10, 11a-11B, and 14B and also see, e.g., Choi: fig. 3) that a distal end of the green sub-color filter layer CF2 in a direction to the one of the transmission areas TA adjacent to the green sub-pixel EA2 is disposed on the red sub-color filter layer CF1.
Regarding claim 12, Hong in view of Min in view of Choi shows (see, e.g., Hong: figs. 1, 4A-4B, 10, 11a-11B, and 14B and also see, e.g., Choi: fig. 3) that the green sub-color filter layer CF2 is disposed on the red sub-color filter layer CF1 in a space between the green sub-pixel EA2 and the one of the transmission areas TA adjacent to the green sub-pixel EA2.
Regarding claim 13, Hong in view of Min in view of Choi shows (see, e.g., Hong: figs. 1, 4A-4B, 10, 11a-11B, and 14B and also see, e.g., Choi: figs. 1A and 3) that the green sub-color filter layer CF2 has an island shape in a plan view.
Regarding claim 14, Hong in view of Min in view of Choi shows (see, e.g., Hong: figs. 1, 4A-4B, 10, 11a-11B, and 14B and also see, e.g., Choi: fig. 3) the blue sub-color filter layer and the red sub-color filter.
However, Hong in view of Min in view of Choi fails (see, e.g., Hong: figs. 1, 4A-4B, 10, 11a-11B, and 14B and also see, e.g., Choi: fig. 3) to show that a width of the blue sub-color filter layer CF3 is greater than a width of the red sub-color filter layer CF1 in an area between ones of the transmission areas TA. Hong in view of Min in view of Choi fails (see, e.g., Hong: figs. 1, 4A-4B, 10, 11a-11B, and 14B and also see, e.g., Choi: fig. 3) is actually silent about the width of the blue sub-color filter layer CF3 and the width of the red sub-color filter layer CF1 in an area between ones of the transmission areas TA. However, Hong in view of Min in view of Choi shows (see, e.g., Min: figs. 4 and 11) that the width of the blue main color filter layer 221 is greater than a width of the red main color filter layer 222 in an area between ones of the transmission areas TA (see, e.g., Min: par. [0091]).
However, the differences in the widths will not support the patentability of subject matter encompassed by the prior art unless there is evidence indicating such differences are critical. “Where the general conditions of a claim are disclosed in the prior art, it is not inventive to discover the workable ranges by routine experimentation”. In re Aller, 220 F.2d 454,456,105 USPQ 233, 235 (CCPA 1955).
Accordingly, since the applicant has not established the criticality (see next paragraph below) of the mentioned widths, and Min has identified such widths as result-effective variables subject to optimization (see, e.g., Min: par. [0091]), it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to use these width values in the device of Hong in view of Min in view of Choi.
CRITICALITY
The specification contains no disclosure of either the critical nature of the claimed width values or any unexpected results arising therefrom. Where patentability is said to be based upon particular chosen dimensions or upon another variable recited in a claim, the applicant must show that the chosen dimensions are critical. In re Woodruff, 919 F.2d 1575, 1578, 16 USPQ2d 1934, 1936 (Fed. Cir. 1990).
Regarding claim 15, Hong in view of Min in view of Choi shows (see, e.g., Hong: figs. 1, 4A-4B, 10, 11a-11B, and 14B and also see, e.g., Choi: fig. 3) that in the transmission areas TA, an area of each of the second sub-openings is greater than an area of each of the first sub-openings.
Regarding claim 16, Hong in view of Min in view of Choi shows (see, e.g., Hong: figs. 1, 4A-4B, 10, 11a-11B, and 14B and also see, e.g., Choi: fig. 3) that:
The three color filter layers 221/222/223 comprise a blue main color filter layer 221 through which blue light passes, a red main color filter layer 222 through which red light passes, and a green main color filter layer 223 through which green light passes
A red sub-pixel 262, a green sub-pixel 264, and a blue sub-pixel 265 are included
Each of the red sub-pixel 262, the green sub-pixel 264 and the blue sub-pixel 265 comprises one of the main pixel electrodes 151
The blue main color filter layer 221 has first main openings exposing a center of a one of the main pixel electrodes 151 corresponding to the red sub-pixel 262 and a center of a one of the main pixel electrodes 151 corresponding to the green sub-pixel 264
The red main color filter layer 222 is disposed on the blue main color filter layer 221 and fills a one of the first main openings corresponding to the red sub-pixel 262
The red main color filter layer 222 has second main openings exposing a center of a one of the main pixel electrodes 151 corresponding to the blue sub-pixel 265 and the center of the one of the main pixel electrodes corresponding to the green sub-pixel 264
The green main color filter layer 223 is disposed on the red main color filter layer 222 and fills a one of the first main openings corresponding to the green sub-pixel 264 and a one of the second main openings corresponding to the green sub-pixel 264
The green main color filter layer 223 has third main openings exposing the center of the one of the main pixel electrodes 151 corresponding to the blue sub-pixel 265 and the center of the one of the main pixel electrodes 151 corresponding to the red sub-pixel 262
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 17-20 are 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.
The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for objecting to claim 17: The prior art of record neither anticipates nor renders obvious the blue main color filter layer and the blue sub-color filter layer are integral with each other as a single body, and the red main color filter layer and the red sub-color filter layer are integral with each other as a single body.
Claims 18-20 depend on the objected claim 17.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to TIBERIU DAN ONUTA whose telephone number is (571) 270-0074 and between the hours of 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Eastern Standard Time) Monday through Friday or by e-mail via Tiberiu.Onuta@uspto.gov. If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone or email are unsuccessful, the examiner's supervisor, Wael Fahmy, can be reached on (571) 272-1705.
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/TIBERIU DAN ONUTA/Examiner, Art Unit 2814
/WAEL M FAHMY/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2814
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