Detailed Action
1. The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
2. A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after final rejection. Since this application is eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on 02/13/2026 has been entered.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
3. 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.
4. Claims 1-2 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Acreman (US 20190353944 A1).
Regarding claim 1, Acreman discloses a viewing angle controller (e.g., Figs. 5-7; view angle control device), comprising at least one liquid crystal controlling box, wherein the at least one liquid crystal controlling box comprises a first liquid crystal controlling box, the first liquid crystal controlling box comprises:
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a first substrate (first substrate 1006);
a second substrate (first substrate 1008), arranged opposite to the first substrate (first substrate 1007); and
a first liquid crystal layer (liquid crystal layer 1001), arranged between the first substrate (first substrate 1006) and the second substrate (first substrate 1007), wherein:
the first liquid crystal controlling box is configured to operate in a first state or in a second state (Figs. 5-7, view angle control, wide view angle mode and narrow view angle mode; [0054]-[0056]); and
a transmittance of the first liquid crystal controlling box with respect to a first light in the second state is less than one or both of: a transmittance of the first liquid crystal controlling box with respect to the first light in the first state, and a transmittance of the first liquid crystal controlling box with respect to a second light in the second state (Figs. 5-7; transmittance of light L1 in narrow view angle mode is less than transmittance of light L1 in wide view angle mode; transmittance of light L1 in narrow view mode is less than transmittance of light L2 in narrow view angle mode);
wherein an incident angle of the first light (Figs. 5-6; light L1) at a surface of the first liquid crystal controlling box is greater than an incident angle of the second light (Figs. 5-6; light L2) at the surface of the first liquid crystal controlling box,
or an inclination of the first light (Figs. 5-6; light L1) relative to a front-viewing direction of the viewing angle controller is greater than an inclination of the second light (Figs. 5-6; light L2) relative to the front- viewing direction of the viewing angle controller,
wherein an incident direction of the first light (Figs. 5-6; light L1) inclines towards a first direction (Y direction) relative to the front-viewing direction, the first direction has a positive direction (+Y direction), and the incident direction of the first light (Figs. 5-6; light L1) and the positive direction of the first direction (+Y direction) form an acute angle (acute angle θ1),
wherein a transmittance of a third light (Figs. 5-6; light L3) in the first state is approximately the same as a transmittance of the third light in the second state (Fig. 7; light L3 has an approximately same transmittance in wide view angle mode and narrow view angle mode; [0057]), wherein an incident direction of the third light (Figs. 5-7; light L3) and a negative direction of the first direction (-Y direction) form an acute angle (Figs. 5-7; acute angle θ2, corresponding to an zenith angle from ~ −10° to 0°), and the negative direction (-Y direction) is opposite to the positive direction (+Y direction).
Regarding claim 2, Acreman discloses the viewing angle controller according to claim 1, wherein orientation deviation of long axes of liquid crystal molecules in the first liquid crystal layer with respect to a direction parallel to a plane where the viewing angle controller is located in the first state is less than orientation deviation of long axes of liquid crystal molecules in the first liquid crystal layer with respect to the direction parallel to the plane where the viewing angle controller is located in the second state (e.g., Figs. 3 and 13; orientation of liquid crystal molecules in wide view angle mode and narrow view angle mode).
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
5. 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 of this title, 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.
6. Claim 3 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as unpatentable over Acreman (US 20190353944 A1) in view of HE (US 20240019725 A1).
Regarding claim 3, Acreman discloses the viewing angle controller according to claim 1, wherein the first liquid crystal layer comprises liquid crystal molecules (liquid crystal molecule layer 1001), but does not disclose the liquid crystal molecules are positive liquid crystal molecules or negative liquid crystal molecules as claimed. However, HE (e.g., Figs. 9-11) discloses a viewing angle controller, wherein the first liquid crystal layer comprises liquid crystal molecules, wherein: the liquid crystal molecules are positive liquid crystal molecules, a first long axis of the liquid crystal molecules corresponds to a first reference line, a plane where the first liquid crystal layer is located corresponds to a first reference plane, and a first angle between the first reference line and the first reference plane ranges from 0° to 10° in the first state; or the liquid crystal molecules are negative liquid crystal molecules, a second long axis of the liquid crystal molecules corresponds to a second reference line, the plane where the first liquid crystal layer is located corresponds to the first reference plane, and a second angle between the second reference line and the first reference plane ranges from 85° to 90° in the first state (e.g., Figs. 10-11, 3-4, and 5-6; positive liquid crystal molecules or negative liquid crystal molecules in normal mode or wide viewing angle mode). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one skilled in the art at the effective filing date of the claimed invention to incorporate the teaching from HE to the viewing angle control device of Acreman. The combination/motivation would be to provide a view angle control liquid crystal device for protecting information privacy of the user.
7. Claims 4-5, 8, and 11-15 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as unpatentable over Acreman (US 20190353944 A1) in view of MATSUSHIMA (US 20210333580 A1).
Regarding claim 4, Acreman discloses the viewing angle controller according to claim 1, wherein the first liquid crystal controlling box comprises: a first alignment film (alignment film 1003), wherein the first alignment film is arranged on a side of the first liquid crystal layer (liquid crystal layer 1001) facing the first substrate (first substrate 1006) and has a first alignment direction (first alignment direction); and a second alignment film (alignment film 1002), wherein the second alignment film is arranged on a side of the first liquid crystal layer (liquid crystal layer 1001) facing the second substrate (second substrate 1007) and has a second alignment direction (second alignment direction), wherein in the first state, orientation of liquid crystal molecules in the first liquid crystal layer rotates clockwise or counterclockwise in a direction pointing from the first substrate to the second substrate (orientation of liquid crystal molecules is determined by alignment films 1002 and 1003). The examiner further cites MATSUSHIMA as a reference. MATSUSHIMA (e.g., Figs. 1-8) discloses a viewing angle controller similar to that disclosed by Acreman, wherein the first liquid crystal controlling box comprises: a first alignment film (alignment film AL3), wherein the first alignment film is arranged on a side of the first liquid crystal layer (liquid crystal layer LC1) facing the first substrate (first substrate 40) and has a first alignment direction (alignment direction AD3); and a second alignment film (alignment film AL4), wherein the second alignment film is arranged on a side of the first liquid crystal layer (liquid crystal layer LC1) facing the second substrate (second substrate 30) and has a second alignment direction (alignment direction AD4), wherein in the first state, orientation of liquid crystal molecules in the first liquid crystal layer rotates clockwise or counterclockwise in a direction pointing from the first substrate to the second substrate (e.g., Fig. 4 and Fig. 18; orientation of liquid crystal molecules). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one skilled in the art at the effective filing date of the claimed invention to incorporate the teaching from MATSUSHIMA to the viewing angle control device of Acreman. The combination/motivation would be to provide a view angle control liquid crystal device for protecting information privacy of the user.
Regarding claim 5, Acreman in view of MATSUSHIMA discloses the viewing angle controller according to claim 4, MATSUSHIMA (e.g., Figs. 1-8) discloses further comprising: a first polarizer (polarizer POL4), wherein the first polarizer is arranged on a side of the first substrate (first substrate 40) away from the first alignment film (alignment film AL3) and has a first polarization direction (polarization direction T4); and a second polarizer (polarizer POL3), wherein the second polarizer is arranged on a side of the second substrate (second substrate 30) away from the second alignment film (alignment film AL4) and has a second polarization direction (polarization direction T3); wherein: the first polarization direction (polarization direction T4) is perpendicular to the second polarization direction (polarization direction T3); an angle α1 between the first polarization direction (polarization direction T4) and the first alignment direction (alignment direction AD3) meets: 0° ≤ α1 ≤ 180°, and 0° ≤ |α1-k×90°| ≤ 15° (α1=90°, k=1), wherein k is 0, 1, or 2; and an angle α2 between the second polarization direction (polarization direction T3) and the second alignment direction (alignment direction AD4) meets: 0° ≤ α2 ≤180°, and 0° ≤ |α2-k×90°| ≤ 15°, wherein k is 0, 1, or 2 (α2=90°, k=1). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one skilled in the art at the effective filing date of the claimed invention to incorporate the teaching from MATSUSHIMA to the viewing angle control device of Acreman for the same reason above.
Regarding claim 8, Acreman discloses the viewing angle controller according to claim 1, wherein the first liquid crystal controlling box further comprises: a first electrode (electrode 1004), arranged between the first liquid crystal layer (liquid crystal layer 1001) and the first substrate (first substrate 1006); and a second electrode (electrode 1005), arranged between the first liquid crystal layer (liquid crystal layer 1001) and the second substrate (second substrate 1007), wherein a voltage difference between the first electrode (electrode 1004) and the second electrode (electrode 1005) in the second state ranges from 1.5V to 4V during operation of the viewing angle controller ([0051]; 0.5V-10V). The examiner further cites MATSUSHIMA as a reference. MATSUSHIMA (e.g., Figs. 1-8) discloses a viewing angle controller similar to that disclosed by Acreman, wherein the first liquid crystal controlling box further comprises: a first electrode (electrode TE1), arranged between the first liquid crystal layer (liquid crystal layer LC1) and the first substrate (first substrate 40); and a second electrode (electrode TE2), arranged between the first liquid crystal layer (liquid crystal layer LC1) and the second substrate (second substrate 340), wherein a voltage difference between the first electrode (electrode TE1) and the second electrode (electrode TE2) in the second state ranges from 1.5V to 4V during operation of the viewing angle controller (e.g., Fig. 8; 1.5V-2.5V). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one skilled in the art at the effective filing date of the claimed invention to incorporate the teaching from MATSUSHIMA to the viewing angle control device of Acreman. The combination/motivation would be to provide a view angle control liquid crystal device for protecting information privacy of the user.
Regarding claim 11, Acreman discloses the viewing angle controller according to claim 1, wherein the at least one liquid crystal controlling box further comprises a second liquid crystal controlling box (e.g., Fig. 13; viewing angle controller comprising a first liquid crystal control panel on bottom and a second liquid crystal control panel on top), the second liquid crystal controlling box (e.g., Fig. 13; second liquid crystal control panel) comprises: a third substrate (substrate 1006), a fourth substrate (substrate 1007), and a second liquid crystal layer (liquid crystal layer 1001), arranged between the third substrate (substrate 1006) and the fourth substrate (substrate 1007), wherein: the second liquid crystal controlling box is configured to operate in a third state or in a fourth state (Fig. 13, view angle control, wide view angle mode and narrow view angle mode); and a transmittance of the second liquid crystal controlling box with respect to a third light in the fourth state is less than one or both of: a transmittance of the second liquid crystal controlling box with respect to the third light in the third state, and a transmittance of the second liquid crystal controlling box with respect to a fourth light in the fourth state (Fig. 13; light transmittance in wide viewing angle mode is less than light transmittance in narrow viewing angle mode); wherein an incident angle of the third light at a surface of the second liquid crystal controlling box is greater than an incident angle of the fourth light at the surface of the second liquid crystal controlling box (alternative limitation, it is interpreted as optional); or an inclination of the third light relative to the front-viewing direction of the viewing angle controller is greater than an inclination of the fourth light relative to the front-viewing direction of the viewing angle controller (alternative limitation, it is interpreted as optional). The examiner further cites MATSUSHIMA as a reference. MATSUSHIMA (e.g., Figs. 1-8) discloses a viewing angle controller similar to that disclosed by Acreman, wherein the at least one liquid crystal controlling box further comprises a second liquid crystal controlling box (e.g., Figs. 17-19; viewing angle controller comprising a first liquid crystal control panel 1 and a second liquid crystal control panel 2), the second liquid crystal controlling box (e.g., Figs. 17-19; second liquid crystal control panel 2) comprises: a third substrate (substrate 60), a fourth substrate (substrate 50), and a second liquid crystal layer (liquid crystal layer LC2), arranged between the third substrate (substrate 60) and the fourth substrate (substrate 50), wherein: the second liquid crystal controlling box is configured to operate in a third state or in a fourth state (Figs. 17-19 and 5-7, viewing angle control, wide viewing angle mode and narrow viewing angle mode); and a transmittance of the second liquid crystal controlling box with respect to a third light in the fourth state is less than one or both of: a transmittance of the second liquid crystal controlling box with respect to the third light in the third state, and a transmittance of the second liquid crystal controlling box with respect to a fourth light in the fourth state (Figs. 5-7; light transmittance in wide viewing angle mode or narrow viewing angle mode); wherein an incident angle of the third light at a surface of the second liquid crystal controlling box is greater than an incident angle of the fourth light at the surface of the second liquid crystal controlling box (alternative limitation, it is interpreted as optional); or an inclination of the third light relative to the front-viewing direction of the viewing angle controller is greater than an inclination of the fourth light relative to the front-viewing direction of the viewing angle controller (Figs. 5-7; light transmittance and viewing angle characteristic in wide viewing angle mode or narrow viewing angle mode). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one skilled in the art at the effective filing date of the claimed invention to incorporate the teaching from MATSUSHIMA to the viewing angle control device of Acreman. The combination/motivation would be to provide a view angle control liquid crystal device for protecting information privacy of the user.
Regarding claim 12, Acreman in view of MATSUSHIMA discloses the viewing angle controller according to claim 11, MATSUSHIMA (e.g., Figs. 17-19; some features of Figs. 17-19 are referred to 1-8) discloses wherein the second liquid crystal controlling box (e.g., Figs. 17-19; second liquid crystal control panel 2) comprises: a third alignment film (alignment film AL5), wherein the third alignment film is arranged on a side of the second liquid crystal layer (liquid crystal layer LC2) facing the third substrate (substrate 60) and has a third alignment direction (alignment direction AD5); and a fourth alignment film (alignment film AL6), wherein the fourth alignment film is arranged on a side of the second liquid crystal layer (liquid crystal layer LC2) facing the fourth substrate (substrate 50) and has a fourth alignment direction (alignment direction AD6), wherein in the third state, orientation of liquid crystal molecules in the second liquid crystal layer is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise in a direction pointing from the third substrate to the fourth substrate (e.g., Fig. 19; orientation of liquid crystal molecules). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one skilled in the art at the effective filing date of the claimed invention to incorporate the teaching from MATSUSHIMA to the viewing angle control device of Acreman for the same reason above.
Regarding claim 13, Acreman in view of MATSUSHIMA discloses the viewing angle controller according to claim 11, MATSUSHIMA (e.g., Figs. 17-19; some features of Figs. 17-19 are referred to 1-8) discloses further comprising: a second polarizer (polarizer POL5), wherein the second polarizer is arranged on a side of the third substrate (substrate 60) away from the third alignment film (alignment film AL5) and has a second polarization direction (polarization direction T5); a third polarizer (polarizer POL4), wherein the third polarizer is arranged on a side of the fourth substrate (substrate 50) away from the fourth alignment film (alignment film AL6) and has a third polarization direction (polarization direction T4), wherein: the second polarization direction (polarization direction T5) is perpendicular to the third polarization direction (polarization direction T4), an angle α3 between the second polarization direction (polarization direction T5) and the third alignment direction (alignment direction AD5) meets: 0° ≤ α3 ≤ 180°, and 0° ≤ |α3-k×90°| ≤ 15° (α1=90°, k=1), wherein k is 0, 1, or 2; and an angle α4 between the third polarization direction (polarization direction T4) and the fourth alignment direction (alignment direction AD6) meets: 0° ≤ α4 ≤ 180°, and 0° ≤ |α4-k×90°| ≤ 15°, wherein k is 0, 1, or 2 (α2=90°, k=1). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one skilled in the art at the effective filing date of the claimed invention to incorporate the teaching from MATSUSHIMA to the viewing angle control device of Acreman for the same reason above.
Regarding claim 14, Acreman in view of MATSUSHIMA discloses the viewing angle controller according to claim 11, Acreman (e.g., Figs. 5-6 reproduced on page 3) discloses wherein an incident direction of the third light (light L3) inclines towards a second direction (-Y direction) relative to the front- viewing direction, the second direction (-Y direction) has a positive direction, and the incident direction of the third light (light L3) and the positive direction of the second direction (-Y direction) form an acute angle (acute angle θ2).
Regarding claim 15, Acreman in view of MATSUSHIMA discloses the viewing angle controller according to claim 11, Acreman (e.g., Figs. 5-6 reproduced on page 3) discloses wherein an incident direction of the first light (light L1) inclines towards a first direction (Y direction) relative to the front-viewing direction, the first direction (Y direction) has a positive direction, and the incident direction of the first light (light L1) and the positive direction of the first direction (Y direction) form an acute angle (acute angle θ1), wherein the first direction (Y direction) is parallel to the second direction (-Y direction).
8. Claim 7 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as unpatentable over Acreman (US 20190353944 A1) in view of Choi (US 20160357046 A1).
Regarding claim 7, Acreman discloses the viewing angle controller according to claim 1, but does not disclose wherein a phase retardance of the first liquid crystal layer ranges from 200nm to 1000nm. However, Choi (e.g., Figs. 9-12 and 19-20) discloses a viewing angle controller, wherein a phase retardance of the first liquid crystal layer ranges from 200nm to 1000nm (e.g., Figs. 21-22 and [0090]-[0100]; phase retardance of 900nm). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one skilled in the art at the effective filing date of the claimed invention to incorporate the teaching from Choi to the viewing angle control system of Acreman. The combination/motivation would be to provide a display device having a function of protecting information privacy of the user.
9. Claim 9 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as unpatentable over Acreman (US 20190353944 A1) in view of GENG (US 20240302684 A1).
Regarding claim 9, Acreman (e.g., Figs. 5-7) discloses the viewing angle controller according to claim 1, wherein the first liquid crystal controlling box further comprises: a first electrode, arranged between the first liquid crystal layer and the first substrate; and a second electrode, arranged between the first liquid crystal layer and the second substrate (Figs. 5-6; first electrode 1004 and second electrode 1005), but does not disclose wherein at least one of: the first electrode comprises a plurality of first sub-electrodes spaced apart from each other, and a distance between adjacent first sub-electrodes among the plurality of first sub-electrodes is greater than or equal to 10 microns; or the second electrode comprises a plurality of second sub-electrodes spaced apart from each other, and a distance between adjacent second sub-electrodes among the plurality of second sub-electrodes is greater than or equal to 10 microns. However, GENG (e.g., Figs. 2-6 and 12-13 and 24-26; [0104]-[0106]) discloses a viewing angle controller, wherein at least one of: the first electrode comprises a plurality of first sub-electrodes spaced apart from each other, and a distance between adjacent first sub-electrodes among the plurality of first sub-electrodes is greater than or equal to 10 microns; or the second electrode comprises a plurality of second sub-electrodes spaced apart from each other, and a distance between adjacent second sub-electrodes among the plurality of second sub-electrodes is greater than or equal to 10 microns ([0096] and [0155]; a plurality of electrodes 251/252, a distance between adjacent electrodes is 10um). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one skilled in the art at the effective filing date of the claimed invention to incorporate the teaching from GENG to the viewing angle control system of Acreman. The combination/motivation would be to provide a display device having a function of protecting information privacy of the user.
Allowable Subject Matter
10. Claims 16-19, 21, and 23 are allowed. The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance: The present invention is directed to a display device including a viewing angle control. The closet prior arts, Acreman (US 20190353944 A1), Wang (US 20240118565 A1), HE (US 20240019725 A1), MATSUSHIMA (US 20210333580 A1), and JIANG (US 20170192263 A1) discloses a display panel, comprising a viewing angle controller, wherein the viewing angle controller comprises at least one liquid crystal controlling box, and the at least one liquid crystal controlling box comprises a first liquid crystal controlling box, the first liquid crystal controlling box comprises: a first substrate; a second substrate, arranged opposite to the first substrate; and a first liquid crystal layer, arranged between the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein: the first liquid crystal controlling box is configured to operate in a first state or in a second state; a transmittance of the first liquid crystal controlling box with respect to a first light in the second state is less than one or both of :a transmittance of the first liquid crystal controlling box with respect to the first light in the first state, and a transmittance of the first liquid crystal controlling box with respect to a second light in the second state; wherein an incident angle of the first light at a surface of the first liquid crystal controlling box is greater than an incident angle of the second light at a surface of the first liquid crystal controlling box, or an inclination of the first light relative to a front-viewing direction of the viewing angle controller is greater than an inclination of the second light relative to the front- viewing direction of the viewing angle controller, wherein the display panel further comprises a plurality of pixel units arranged in an array, wherein the first liquid crystal controlling box further comprises one or more first electrodes and one or more second electrodes, the one or more first electrode are arranged between the first liquid crystal layer and the first substrate; the one or more second electrodes are arranged between the first liquid crystal layer and the second substrate; wherein at least one of: a quantity of the one or more first electrodes is more than one, and the first electrodes and the pixel units in the plurality of pixel units are in one-to-one correspondence; or a quantity of the one or more second electrodes is more than one, and the second electrodes and the pixel units in the plurality of pixel units are in one-to-one correspondence, wherein the display panel further comprises a pixel electrode layer, comprising a plurality of pixel electrodes, wherein each pixel electrode of the plurality of pixel electrodes corresponds to a respective pixel unit of the plurality of pixel units, wherein the viewing angle controller further comprises: a first electrode, arranged on a side of the first liquid crystal layer facing the first substrate; and a second electrode, arranged on a side of the first liquid crystal layer facing the second substrate, wherein: the pixel electrode layer is arranged on a side of the first substrate away from the second substrate. However, the closet prior arts fail to teach the plurality of pixel electrodes are multiplexed as the first electrodes; or the pixel electrode layer is arranged on a side of the second substrate away from the first substrate, and the plurality of pixel electrodes are multiplexed as the second electrodes.
Inquiry
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to YUZHEN SHEN whose telephone number is (571)272-1407. The examiner can normally be reached on 9:00-18:00.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Chanh Nguyen can be reached on 571-272-7772. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/YUZHEN SHEN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2623