Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 18/762,952

TOUCH INTEGRATED CIRCUIT INSPECTION DEVICE

Non-Final OA §102§103
Filed
Jul 03, 2024
Examiner
MONSUR, NASIMA
Art Unit
2858
Tech Center
2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems
Assignee
Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
78%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
2y 10m
To Grant
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 78% — above average
78%
Career Allow Rate
461 granted / 587 resolved
+10.5% vs TC avg
Strong +26% interview lift
Without
With
+26.4%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 10m
Avg Prosecution
50 currently pending
Career history
637
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
3.7%
-36.3% vs TC avg
§103
50.1%
+10.1% vs TC avg
§102
24.8%
-15.2% vs TC avg
§112
16.3%
-23.7% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 587 resolved cases

Office Action

§102 §103
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 Receipt is acknowledged of certified copies of papers required by 37 CFR 1.55. Information Disclosure Statement The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 7/03/2024 is in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement is being considered by the examiner. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102 In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the 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. 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. Claim(s) 1-2, 4-6, 8, 14 and 16-19 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102 (a) (1) as being anticipated by TAKAHASHI et al. (Hereinafter, “Takahashi”) in the US Patent application Publication Number US 20170315672 A1. Regarding claim 1, Takahashi teaches a touch integrated circuit (IC) inspection device (a circuit board inspection device and a circuit board inspection method whereby in the inspecting of circuit boards, such as e.g., touchscreens; Paragraph [0007] Line 2-4; FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically representing one example of the configuration of a circuit board inspection device; Paragraph [0052] Line 6-8) comprising: an inspection board [P] (In the touchscreen circuit board P (as the inspection board); Paragraph [0054] Line 1) electrically connected to a touch IC [1] (The circuit board inspection device 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 is connected with a touchscreen circuit board P (circuit board) that is an inspection target; Paragraph [0053] Line 1-3); and an inspection circuit [3+4+5+6] (The circuit board inspection device 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 is furnished with: an AC power source 2 (AC voltage output unit); an ammeter 3 (current detection unit); a control unit 4; a display unit 5 (notification unit); an operation unit 6; Paragraph [0052] Line 9-13) that receives an inspection result from the touch IC [P] (The touchscreen circuit board P is prearranged so that when the touchscreen circuit board P is assembled into a product and used, an AC signal, at a preestablished reading frequency f0 for reading capacitance at the positions where the X electrodes X and the Y electrodes Y intersect, is supplied to the Y electrodes Y via the connection terminals Ty and the circuit board terminals Py and supplied to the X electrodes X via the capacitance at the intersecting positions; Paragraph [0065] Line 1-8; The ammeter 3 detects the electric current flowing in the connection terminals Tx selected by the selector switch SW1 and outputs the information indicating the current value I and the phase difference θ to the control unit 4; Paragraph [0070] Line 1-4), wherein the inspection board [P] includes: a plurality of first electrodes [X1-X4] in Figure 1, each of which extends in a first direction (y-axis direction) (In the touchscreen circuit board P, a plurality of X electrodes X1-X4 (first electrodes) spaced from each other and extending along the y-axis direction (first direction); Paragraph [0054] Line 1-3) and which are spaced apart from one another in a second direction (x-axis direction) that intersects the first direction (In the touchscreen circuit board P, a plurality of X electrodes X1-X4 (first electrodes) spaced from each other and extending along the y-axis direction (first direction); Paragraph [0054] Line 1-3; Figure 1: Modified a portion of Figure 1 of Takahashi below shows a plurality of first electrodes [X1-X4] in Figure 1, each of which extends in a first direction spaced apart from one another in a second direction (x-axis direction) that intersects the first direction); and PNG media_image1.png 411 728 media_image1.png Greyscale Figure 1: Modified a portion of Figure 1 of Takahashi a plurality of second electrodes [Y1-Y4], each of which extends in the second direction (x-axis direction) (a plurality of Y electrodes Y1-Y4 spaced from each other and extending along the x-axis direction (second direction) perpendicular to the y-axis direction are formed on a plate-shaped transparent substrate Pa such as, e.g., glass, so as to oppose each other across the thickness of the touchscreen circuit board P (i.e., in a direction orthogonal to the plane of the drawing); Paragraph [0054] Line 4-10) and which are spaced apart from one another in the first direction (y-axis direction) (a plurality of Y electrodes Y1-Y4 spaced from each other and extending along the x-axis direction (second direction) perpendicular to the y-axis direction are formed on a plate-shaped transparent substrate Pa such as, e.g., glass, so as to oppose each other across the thickness of the touchscreen circuit board P (i.e., in a direction orthogonal to the plane of the drawing); Paragraph [0054] Line 4-10; Figure 1: Modified a portion of Figure 1 of Takahashi above shows a plurality of second electrodes [Y1-Y4], each of which extends in the second direction (x-axis direction) spaced apart from one another in the first direction), and wherein a number of the plurality of first electrodes [X1-X4] is a same as a number of the plurality of second electrodes [Y1-Y4] (Although an example containing four X electrodes and four Y electrodes is illustrated in FIG. 1 for convenience in illustration, the numbers of the electrodes may be determined as appropriate depending on the size of the touchscreen circuit board P and the accuracy of detecting positions; Paragraph [0057] Line 1-6). Regarding claim 2, Takahashi teaches a touch IC inspection device, wherein each of the plurality of first electrodes [X1-X4] and the plurality of second electrodes [Y1-Y2] have a polygonal shape (The shape of each of the X electrodes X1-X4 and the Y electrodes Y1-Y4 has such a pattern that a plurality of small rhombuses with a uniform size are skewered on a stick; Paragraph [0060] Line 1-4; Every rhombus is a simple polygon and therefore first and second electrodes are polygonal shape). Regarding claim 4, Takahashi teaches a touch IC inspection device, wherein a first part of each of the plurality of second electrodes [Y1-Y4] and the plurality of first electrodes [X1-X4]are disposed on a same layer (plate shape transparent substrate) (In the touchscreen circuit board P, a plurality of X electrodes X1-X4 (first electrodes) spaced from each other and extending along the y-axis direction (first direction) and a plurality of Y electrodes Y1-Y4 spaced from each other and extending along the x-axis direction (second direction) perpendicular to the y-axis direction are formed on a plate-shaped transparent substrate Pa such as, e.g., glass, so as to oppose each other across the thickness of the touchscreen circuit board P (i.e., in a direction orthogonal to the plane of the drawing); Paragraph [0054] Line 1-10; the plurality of second electrodes [Y1-Y4] and the plurality of first electrodes [X1-X4] are disposed on a same layer as the plate shape transparent substrate). Regarding claim 5, Takahashi teaches a touch IC inspection device, wherein the inspection board further includes: a first resistor [Ry] electrically connected to one end of each of the plurality of first electrodes (Figure 3: Modified Figure 3 of Takahashi below shows a first resistor [Ry] electrically connected to one end of each of the plurality of first electrodes); and a first capacitor [C] connected between the first resistor [Ry] and a ground electrode (Figure 3: Modified Figure 3 of Takahashi below shows a first capacitor [C] connected between the first resistor [Ry] and a ground electrode). PNG media_image2.png 415 772 media_image2.png Greyscale Figure 3: Modified Figure 3 of Takahashi Regarding claim 6, Takahashi teaches a touch IC inspection device, wherein the inspection board further includes: a second resistor [Rf] electrically connected to one end of each of the plurality of second electrodes (Figure 3: Modified Figure 3 of Takahashi above shows a second resistor [Rf] electrically connected to one end of each of the plurality of second electrodes); and a second capacitor [Cf] connected between the second resistor [Rf] and the ground electrode (Figure 3: Modified Figure 3 of Takahashi above shows a second capacitor [Cf] connected between the second resistor [Rf] and the ground electrode). Regarding claim 8, Takahashi teaches a touch IC inspection device, wherein the ground electrode is disposed on a same layer as a second part of each of the plurality of second electrodes (In the touchscreen circuit board P, a plurality of X electrodes X1-X4 (first electrodes) spaced from each other and extending along the y-axis direction (first direction) and a plurality of Y electrodes Y1-Y4 spaced from each other and extending along the x-axis direction (second direction) perpendicular to the y-axis direction are formed on a plate-shaped transparent substrate Pa such as, e.g., glass, so as to oppose each other across the thickness of the touchscreen circuit board P (i.e., in a direction orthogonal to the plane of the drawing); Paragraph [0054] Line 1-10; the plurality of second electrodes [Y1-Y4] and the plurality of first electrodes [X1-X4] are disposed on a same layer as the plate shape transparent substrate and ground on the other side as the second part is also in the same layer as there is no separate layer). PNG media_image3.png 345 670 media_image3.png Greyscale Figure 2: Modified Figure 2 of Takahashi Regarding claim 14, Takahashi teaches a touch integrated circuit (IC) inspection device (a circuit board inspection device and a circuit board inspection method whereby in the inspecting of circuit boards, such as e.g., touchscreens; Paragraph [0007] Line 2-4; FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically representing one example of the configuration of a circuit board inspection device; Paragraph [0052] Line 6-8) comprising: an inspection board [P] (In the touchscreen circuit board P (as the inspection board); Paragraph [0054] Line 1) electrically connected to a touch IC [1] (The circuit board inspection device 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 is connected with a touchscreen circuit board P (circuit board) that is an inspection target; Paragraph [0053] Line 1-3); wherein the inspection board [P] includes: a plurality of first electrodes [X1-X4] in Figure 1, each of which extends in a first direction (y-axis direction) (In the touchscreen circuit board P, a plurality of X electrodes X1-X4 (first electrodes) spaced from each other and extending along the y-axis direction (first direction); Paragraph [0054] Line 1-3) and which are spaced apart from one another in a second direction (x-axis direction) that intersects the first direction (In the touchscreen circuit board P, a plurality of X electrodes X1-X4 (first electrodes) spaced from each other and extending along the y-axis direction (first direction); Paragraph [0054] Line 1-3; Figure 1: Modified a portion of Figure 1 of Takahashi above shows a plurality of first electrodes [X1-X4] in Figure 1, each of which extends in a first direction spaced apart from one another in a second direction (x-axis direction) that intersects the first direction); a plurality of second electrodes [Y1-Y4], each of which extends in the second direction (x-axis direction) (a plurality of Y electrodes Y1-Y4 spaced from each other and extending along the x-axis direction (second direction) perpendicular to the y-axis direction are formed on a plate-shaped transparent substrate Pa such as, e.g., glass, so as to oppose each other across the thickness of the touchscreen circuit board P (i.e., in a direction orthogonal to the plane of the drawing); Paragraph [0054] Line 4-10) and which are spaced apart from one another in the first direction (y-axis direction) (a plurality of Y electrodes Y1-Y4 spaced from each other and extending along the x-axis direction (second direction) perpendicular to the y-axis direction are formed on a plate-shaped transparent substrate Pa such as, e.g., glass, so as to oppose each other across the thickness of the touchscreen circuit board P (i.e., in a direction orthogonal to the plane of the drawing); Paragraph [0054] Line 4-10; Figure 1: Modified a portion of Figure 1 of Takahashi above shows a plurality of second electrodes [Y1-Y4], each of which extends in the second direction (x-axis direction) spaced apart from one another in the first direction), a first resistor [Ry] electrically connected to one end of each of the plurality of first electrodes (Figure 3: Modified Figure 3 of Takahashi above shows a first resistor [Ry] electrically connected to one end of each of the plurality of first electrodes); and a first capacitor [C] connected between the first resistor [Ry] and a ground electrode (Figure 3: Modified Figure 3 of Takahashi above shows a first capacitor [C] connected between the first resistor [Ry] and a ground electrode). Regarding claim 16, Takahashi teaches a touch IC inspection device, wherein the inspection board further includes: a second resistor [Rf] electrically connected to one end of each of the plurality of second electrodes (Figure 3: Modified Figure 3 of Takahashi above shows a second resistor [Rf] electrically connected to one end of each of the plurality of second electrodes); and a second capacitor [Cf] connected between the second resistor [Rf] and the ground electrode (Figure 3: Modified Figure 3 of Takahashi above shows a second capacitor [Cf] connected between the second resistor [Rf] and the ground electrode). Regarding claim 17, Takahashi teaches a touch IC inspection device, wherein a first part of each of the plurality of second electrodes [Y1-Y4] and the plurality of first electrodes [X1-X4]are disposed on a same layer (plate shape transparent substrate) (In the touchscreen circuit board P, a plurality of X electrodes X1-X4 (first electrodes) spaced from each other and extending along the y-axis direction (first direction) and a plurality of Y electrodes Y1-Y4 spaced from each other and extending along the x-axis direction (second direction) perpendicular to the y-axis direction are formed on a plate-shaped transparent substrate Pa such as, e.g., glass, so as to oppose each other across the thickness of the touchscreen circuit board P (i.e., in a direction orthogonal to the plane of the drawing); Paragraph [0054] Line 1-10; the plurality of second electrodes [Y1-Y4] and the plurality of first electrodes [X1-X4] are disposed on a same layer as the plate shape transparent substrate). Regarding claim 18, Takahashi teaches a touch IC inspection device, wherein the ground electrode is disposed on a same layer as a second part of each of the plurality of second electrodes (In the touchscreen circuit board P, a plurality of X electrodes X1-X4 (first electrodes) spaced from each other and extending along the y-axis direction (first direction) and a plurality of Y electrodes Y1-Y4 spaced from each other and extending along the x-axis direction (second direction) perpendicular to the y-axis direction are formed on a plate-shaped transparent substrate Pa such as, e.g., glass, so as to oppose each other across the thickness of the touchscreen circuit board P (i.e., in a direction orthogonal to the plane of the drawing); Paragraph [0054] Line 1-10; the plurality of second electrodes [Y1-Y4] and the plurality of first electrodes [X1-X4] are disposed on a same layer as the plate shape transparent substrate and ground on the other side as the second part is also in the same layer as there is no separate layer). Regarding claim 19, Takahashi teaches a touch IC inspection device, wherein at least one of the plurality of first electrodes [X1-X4] or the plurality of second electrodes [Y1=Y4] have a diamond shape (The shape of each of the X electrodes X1-X4 and the Y electrodes Y1-Y4 has such a pattern that a plurality of small rhombuses with a uniform size are skewered on a stick; Paragraph [0060] Line 1-4; Other names for rhombus include diamond, lozenge, and calisson and therefore the electrodes are diamond shape). 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. Claim(s) 3, 7, 9-13, 15 and 20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Takahashi ‘672 A1 in view of HWANG et al. (Hereinafter, “Hwang”) in the US patent Application Publication Number US 20160282999 A1. Regarding claim 3, Takahashi fails to teach a touch IC inspection device, wherein each of the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes have a rectangular shape. Hwang teaches a touch screen device and a method of driving the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a touch screen device capable of sensing a three-dimensional and/or two-dimensional touch (paragraph [0003] line 1-5) wherein each of the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes have a rectangular shape (Referring to FIGS. 1 and 6, the touch screen device according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a touch panel 500 having a touch sensor 555 between first and second electrodes 512 and 532 confronting each other; Paragraph [0073] Line 1-5; Figure 6 shows that the first electrodes 532 and second electrodes 512 are rectangular in shape). The purpose of doing so is to provide simplified manufacturing process and high sensitivity, to detect the position of a touch made by a non-conductive object. It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to modify Takahashi in view of Hwang, because Hwang teaches to have at least one of the plurality of first electrodes or the plurality of second electrodes a rectangular shape provides simplified manufacturing process and high sensitivity (Paragraph [0006]), detects the position of a touch made by a non-conductive object (Paragraph [0007]). Regarding claim 7, Takahashi fails to teach a touch IC inspection device, wherein the first resistor is a variable resistor, and wherein the first capacitor is a variable capacitor. Hwang teaches a touch screen device and a method of driving the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a touch screen device capable of sensing a three-dimensional and/or two-dimensional touch (paragraph [0003] line 1-5), wherein the first resistor is a variable resistor (The resistance value of the touch sensor 155 in Figure 1 is provided by an electrical or physical contact between the second electrode 132 and the elastic resistor member 150. That is, if the second electrode 132 is brought into an electrical (or physical) contact with the elastic resistor member 150 in accordance with a deformation of the second substrate 130 caused by a touch force of the user 10, the touch sensor 155 serves as a variable resistance having a resistance value determined by an electrical property of the elastic resistor member 150; Paragraph [0055] Line 1-10), and wherein the first capacitor is a variable capacitor (The touch sensor 155 is provided for a two-dimensional and/or three-dimensional touch sensing, wherein the touch sensor 155 may selectively detect changes in capacitance or resistance in accordance with a touch force applied to the cover window 190 by the user 10; Paragraph [0053] Line 1-5; Therefore, the value of capacitance is changes and therefore it is a variable capacitor). The purpose of doing so is to provide simplified manufacturing process and high sensitivity (Paragraph [0006]). It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to modify Takahashi in view of Hwang, because Hwang teaches to include a variable resistance provides simplified manufacturing process and high sensitivity (Paragraph [0006]). Regarding claim 9, Takahashi fails to teach a touch IC inspection device, wherein the inspection board further includes: a first ground layer disposed on the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes; and a second ground layer disposed under the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes. Hwang teaches a touch screen device and a method of driving the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a touch screen device capable of sensing a three-dimensional and/or two-dimensional touch (paragraph [0003] line 1-5), wherein the inspection board further includes: a first ground layer [130] (substrate 130 as the first ground layer) (Referring to FIG. 1, the touch screen device according to one embodiment of the present invention may include first and second substrates 110 and 130; Paragraph [0035] Line 1-3) disposed on the plurality of first electrodes [112] and the plurality of second electrodes [132] in Figure 1 (The second substrate 130 may be formed of the same material as that of the first substrate 110. The second substrate 130 confronts an upper surface of the first substrate 110; Paragraph [0037] Line 1-2; The first electrode 112 is disposed on the upper surface of the first substrate 110; Paragraph [0038] Line 1-2); and a second ground layer [110] (substrate 110 as the second ground layer) (Referring to FIG. 1, the touch screen device according to one embodiment of the present invention may include first and second substrates 110 and 130; Paragraph [0035] Line 1-3) disposed under the plurality of first electrodes [112] and the plurality of second electrodes [132] (The first electrode 112 is disposed on the upper surface of the first substrate 110; Paragraph [0038] Line 1-2). The purpose of doing so is to provide simplified manufacturing process and high sensitivity, to detect changes in capacitance or resistance in accordance with a touch force applied to the cover window. It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to modify Takahashi in view of Hwang, because Hwang teaches to include a first and second ground layers provides simplified manufacturing process and high sensitivity (Paragraph [0006]) and detects changes in capacitance or resistance in accordance with a touch force applied to the cover window (Paragraph [0053]). Regarding claim 10, Takahashi fails to teach a touch IC inspection device, wherein a plurality of first slits, each of which extends in the second direction and which are spaced apart from one another in the first direction, are disposed on the first ground layer, and wherein the plurality of first slits overlap the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes. Hwang teaches a touch screen device and a method of driving the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a touch screen device capable of sensing a three-dimensional and/or two-dimensional touch (paragraph [0003] line 1-5), wherein a plurality of first slits (gap space) in Figure 6, each of which extends in the second direction and which are spaced apart from one another in the first direction, are disposed on the first ground layer (The touch panel 500 is disposed on a display surface of a display panel (not shown) for, for example, a portable electronic device, wherein the touch panel 500 senses a touch by a user, conductive object, or non-conductive object. The touch panel 500 according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a first substrate 510 having the first electrode 512, a second substrate 530 having the second substrate 532, an elastic resistor member 550 disposed between the first and second electrodes 512 and 532, and a support member 570 for preparing a gap space (GS) between the elastic resistor member 550 and the second electrode 532; Paragraph [0074] Line 1-11), and wherein the plurality of first slits overlap the plurality of first electrodes [512] and the plurality of second electrodes [532] (Figure 6 shows the plurality of first slits overlap the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes). The purpose of doing so is to provide simplified manufacturing process and high sensitivity and to detect changes in capacitance or resistance in accordance with a touch force applied to the cover window. It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to modify Takahashi in view of Hwang, because Hwang teaches to include a plurality of first slits, each of which extends in the second direction and which are spaced apart from one another in the first direction provides simplified manufacturing process and high sensitivity (Paragraph [0006]) and detects detect the position of a touch made by a non-conductive object (Paragraph [0007]), detects changes in capacitance or resistance in accordance with a touch force applied to the cover window (Paragraph [0053]). Regarding claim 11, Takahashi fails to teach a touch IC inspection device, wherein self-capacitance of each of the plurality of first electrodes is controlled by a width, in a first direction, of each of the plurality of first slits. Hwang teaches a touch screen device and a method of driving the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a touch screen device capable of sensing a three-dimensional and/or two-dimensional touch (paragraph [0003] line 1-5), wherein self-capacitance of each of the plurality of first electrodes is controlled by a width, in a first direction, of each of the plurality of first slits (That is, the second electrode 132 and the elastic resistor member 150 are maintained at the gap height (GH) by the support member 170. If the second electrode 132 is electrically (or physically) separated from the elastic resistor member 150, the touch sensor 155 has the capacitance determined by a dielectric constant of the gap space (GS) and the elastic resistor member 150 disposed between the first and second electrodes 112 and 132; Paragraph [0054] Line 3-11). The purpose of doing so is to provide simplified manufacturing process and high sensitivity and to detect changes in capacitance or resistance in accordance with a touch force applied to the cover window. It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to modify Takahashi in view of Hwang, because Hwang teaches to control self-capacitance of each of the plurality of first electrodes by a width, in a first direction, of each of the plurality of first slits provides simplified manufacturing process and high sensitivity (Paragraph [0006]) and detects detect the position of a touch made by a non-conductive object (Paragraph [0007]), detects changes in capacitance or resistance in accordance with a touch force applied to the cover window (Paragraph [0053]). Regarding claim 12, Takahashi fails to teach a touch IC inspection device, wherein a plurality of second slits, each of which extends in the first direction and which are spaced apart from one another in the second direction, are disposed on the second ground layer, and wherein the plurality of second slits overlap the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes. Hwang teaches a touch screen device and a method of driving the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a touch screen device capable of sensing a three-dimensional and/or two-dimensional touch (paragraph [0003] line 1-5), wherein a plurality of second slits, each of which extends in the first direction and which are spaced apart from one another in the second direction, are disposed on the second ground layer (The touch panel 500 is disposed on a display surface of a display panel (not shown) for, for example, a portable electronic device, wherein the touch panel 500 senses a touch by a user, conductive object, or non-conductive object. The touch panel 500 according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a first substrate 510 having the first electrode 512, a second substrate 530 having the second substrate 532, an elastic resistor member 550 disposed between the first and second electrodes 512 and 532, and a support member 570 for preparing a gap space (GS) between the elastic resistor member 550 and the second electrode 532; Paragraph [0074] Line 1-11), and wherein the plurality of second slits overlap the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes (Figure 6 shows the plurality of second slits overlap the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes in another direction). The purpose of doing so is to provide simplified manufacturing process and high sensitivity and to detect changes in capacitance or resistance in accordance with a touch force applied to the cover window. It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to modify Takahashi in view of Hwang, because Hwang teaches to include a plurality of second slits, each of which extends in the first direction and which are spaced apart from one another in the second direction provides simplified manufacturing process and high sensitivity (Paragraph [0006]) and detects detect the position of a touch made by a non-conductive object (Paragraph [0007]), detects changes in capacitance or resistance in accordance with a touch force applied to the cover window (Paragraph [0053]). Regarding claim 13, Takahashi fails to teach a touch IC inspection device, wherein a plurality of openings, each of which has a polygonal shape and which are arranged in the first direction and the second direction, are disposed on the first ground layer, and wherein the plurality of openings overlap the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes. Hwang teaches a touch screen device and a method of driving the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a touch screen device capable of sensing a three-dimensional and/or two-dimensional touch (paragraph [0003] line 1-5), wherein a plurality of openings, each of which has a polygonal shape (Figure 6: Modified a portion of Figure 6 of Hwang) and which are arranged in the first direction and the second direction, are disposed on the first ground layer [530] (The touch panel 500 is disposed on a display surface of a display panel (not shown) for, for example, a portable electronic device, wherein the touch panel 500 senses a touch by a user, conductive object, or non-conductive object. The touch panel 500 according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a first substrate 510 having the first electrode 512, a second substrate 530 having the second substrate 532, an elastic resistor member 550 disposed between the first and second electrodes 512 and 532, and a support member 570 for preparing a gap space (GS) between the elastic resistor member 550 and the second electrode 532; Paragraph [0074] Line 1-11), and wherein the plurality of openings overlap the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes (Figure 6: Modified a portion of Figure 6 of Hwang below shows the plurality of openings overlap the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes). The purpose of doing so is to provide simplified manufacturing process and high sensitivity, to detect the position of a touch made by a non-conductive object. It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to modify Takahashi in view of Hwang, because Hwang teaches to include a plurality of openings, each of which has a polygonal shape provides simplified manufacturing process and high sensitivity (Paragraph [0006]) and detects detect the position of a touch made by a non-conductive object (Paragraph [0007]). PNG media_image4.png 369 750 media_image4.png Greyscale Figure 6: Modified a portion of Figure 6 of Hwang Regarding claim 15, Takahashi fails to teach a touch IC inspection device, wherein the first resistor is a variable resistor, and wherein the first capacitor is a variable capacitor. Hwang teaches a touch screen device and a method of driving the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a touch screen device capable of sensing a three-dimensional and/or two-dimensional touch (paragraph [0003] line 1-5), wherein the first resistor is a variable resistor (The resistance value of the touch sensor 155 in Figure 1 is provided by an electrical or physical contact between the second electrode 132 and the elastic resistor member 150. That is, if the second electrode 132 is brought into an electrical (or physical) contact with the elastic resistor member 150 in accordance with a deformation of the second substrate 130 caused by a touch force of the user 10, the touch sensor 155 serves as a variable resistance having a resistance value determined by an electrical property of the elastic resistor member 150; Paragraph [0055] Line 1-10), and wherein the first capacitor is a variable capacitor (The touch sensor 155 is provided for a two-dimensional and/or three-dimensional touch sensing, wherein the touch sensor 155 may selectively detect changes in capacitance or resistance in accordance with a touch force applied to the cover window 190 by the user 10; Paragraph [0053] Line 1-5; Therefore, the value of capacitance is changes and therefore it is a variable capacitor). The purpose of doing so is to provide simplified manufacturing process and high sensitivity, to detect changes in capacitance or resistance in accordance with a touch force applied to the cover window. It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to modify Takahashi in view of Hwang, because Hwang teaches to include a variable capacitor provides simplified manufacturing process and high sensitivity (Paragraph [0006]) and detects changes in capacitance or resistance in accordance with a touch force applied to the cover window (Paragraph [0053]). Regarding claim 20, Takahashi fails to teach a touch IC inspection device, wherein at least one of the plurality of first electrodes or the plurality of second electrodes have a rectangular shape. Hwang teaches a touch screen device and a method of driving the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a touch screen device capable of sensing a three-dimensional and/or two-dimensional touch (paragraph [0003] line 1-5), wherein at least one of the plurality of first electrodes or the plurality of second electrodes have a rectangular shape (Referring to FIGS. 1 and 6, the touch screen device according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a touch panel 500 having a touch sensor 555 between first and second electrodes 512 and 532 confronting each other; Paragraph [0073] Line 1-5; Figure 6 shows that the first electrodes 532 and second electrodes 512 are rectangular in shape). The purpose of doing so is to provide simplified manufacturing process and high sensitivity, to detect the position of a touch made by a non-conductive object. It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to modify Takahashi in view of Hwang, because Hwang teaches to have at least one of the plurality of first electrodes or the plurality of second electrodes a rectangular shape provides simplified manufacturing process and high sensitivity (Paragraph [0006]), detects the position of a touch made by a non-conductive object (Paragraph [0007]). Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure: Lee (US 20150153879 A1) discloses, “HIGH-ACCURACY SINGLE-LAYER CAPACITIVE TOUCH PANEL DEVICE WITH ONE SIDE FOR CONNECTION- 0003] The present invention relates to a touch panel structure and, more particularly, to a high-accuracy single-layer capacitive touch panel device with one side for connection. [0023] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a high-accuracy single-layer capacitive touch panel device with one side for connection 200 in accordance with the present invention, which includes a substrate 210, a plurality of conductive lines 22-1 to 22-N, and a touch detection circuit 230. The substrate 210 includes a surface, a first side 210a, and a second side 210b opposite to the first side 210a. The plurality of conductive lines 22-1 to 22-N each has an equivalent resistance and an equivalent capacitance. The plurality of conductive lines 22-1 to 22-N are arranged in parallel on the surface of substrate 210, and extended from the first side 210a to the second side 210b of the substrate 210. For the convenience of description, there are, for example, N conductive lines 22-1 to 22-N in this embodiment, where N is an integer greater than 1. [0025] As shown in FIG. 3, the plurality of triangle sensing electrodes 321 at the first edge of the conductive trace 310 of the i-th conductive line 22-i are disposed at positions aligned with the positions of the plurality of triangle sensing electrodes 322 at the second edge thereof, respectively, and two adjacent triangle sensing electrodes 321 at the first edge thereof are arranged to have a first distance (2d) therebetween, where i is a positive integer. One of the plurality of triangle sensing electrodes 321 at the first edge of the conductive trace 310 of the i-th conductive line 22-i is arranged at a position to have a second distance (d) to the nearest one of the plurality of triangle sensing electrodes 323 at the first edge of the conductive trace 310 of the (i+1)-th conductive line 22-(i+1). The first distance (2d) is twice of the second distance (d). One of the plurality of triangle sensing electrodes 322 at the second edge of the conductive trace 310 of the i-th conductive line 22-i is arranged at a position to have a second distance (d) to the nearest one of the plurality of triangle sensing electrodes 324 at the second edge of the conductive trace 310 of the (i+1)-th conductive line 22-(i+1)-However Lee does not disclose wherein the inspection board further includes: a first resistor electrically connected to one end of each of the plurality of first electrodes; and a first capacitor connected between the first resistor and a ground electrode.” Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to NASIMA MONSUR whose telephone number is (571)272-8497. The examiner can normally be reached 10:00 am-6:00 pm. 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, Eman Alkafawi can be reached at (571) 272-4448. 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. /NASIMA MONSUR/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2858
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Prosecution Timeline

Jul 03, 2024
Application Filed
Feb 07, 2026
Non-Final Rejection — §102, §103 (current)

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