DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
This OA is in response to the claims filled on 9/9/204 that has been entered, wherein claims 1-15 are pending.
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 6/17/2021 is in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement is being considered by the examiner.
Specification
The title of the invention is not descriptive. A new title is required that is clearly indicative of the invention to which the claims are directed.
Double Patenting
The nonstatutory double patenting rejection is based on a judicially created doctrine grounded in public policy (a policy reflected in the statute) so as to prevent the unjustified or improper timewise extension of the “right to exclude” granted by a patent and to prevent possible harassment by multiple assignees. A nonstatutory double patenting rejection is appropriate where the conflicting claims are not identical, but at least one examined application claim is not patentably distinct from the reference claim(s) because the examined application claim is either anticipated by, or would have been obvious over, the reference claim(s). See, e.g., In re Berg, 140 F.3d 1428, 46 USPQ2d 1226 (Fed. Cir. 1998); In re Goodman, 11 F.3d 1046, 29 USPQ2d 2010 (Fed. Cir. 1993); In re Longi, 759 F.2d 887, 225 USPQ 645 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re Van Ornum, 686 F.2d 937, 214 USPQ 761 (CCPA 1982); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); In re Thorington, 418 F.2d 528, 163 USPQ 644 (CCPA 1969).
A timely filed terminal disclaimer in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(c) or 1.321(d) may be used to overcome an actual or provisional rejection based on nonstatutory double patenting provided the reference application or patent either is shown to be commonly owned with the examined application, or claims an invention made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement. See MPEP § 717.02 for applications subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA as explained in MPEP § 2159. See MPEP § 2146 et seq. for applications not subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . A terminal disclaimer must be signed in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(b).
The filing of a terminal disclaimer by itself is not a complete reply to a nonstatutory double patenting (NSDP) rejection. A complete reply requires that the terminal disclaimer be accompanied by a reply requesting reconsideration of the prior Office action. Even where the NSDP rejection is provisional the reply must be complete. See MPEP § 804, subsection I.B.1. For a reply to a non-final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.111(a). For a reply to final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.113(c). A request for reconsideration while not provided for in 37 CFR 1.113(c) may be filed after final for consideration. See MPEP §§ 706.07(e) and 714.13.
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Claims 1-15 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-7 and 10-11 of U.S. Patent No. 11,721,619 in view of Kim (US 2014/0111402 A1).
Regarding claim 1, claim 1 of U.S. Patent 11,721,619 recites an electronic device comprising a flexible circuit film comprises:
a base film;
an integrated circuit chip disposed on the base film; and
a first power wiring set including a first connection part disposed between the integrated circuit chip and the base film, wherein the first connection part is electrically conductive, overlaps the integrated circuit chip, and is not electrically connected to the integrated circuit chip, wherein the first power wiring set further includes a single integral first power input wire and a first power output wire set including multiple first power output wires, the first connection part electrically coupling the first power input wire to the first power output wire set.
Claim 1 of U.S. Patent 11,721,619 does not recite an electronic device comprising:
a display apparatus configured to display an image;
a power supply configured to provide power voltages to the display apparatus; and
a processor configured to perform an image processing for the display apparatus, wherein the display apparatus comprises:
a display panel on which the image is displayed;
a driving circuit unit configured to provide a first power voltage and a second power voltage different from the first power voltage; and
a flexible circuit film disposed between the display panel and the driving circuit unit and configured to transmit the first power voltage and the second power voltage to the display panel, a first power wiring set configured to receive the first power voltage.
Claim 11 of U.S. Patent 11,721,619 recites a first power wiring set configured to receive the first power voltage. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention that the combination of claims 1 and 11 of U.S. Patent 11,721,619 recite claim 1 of the instant case.
Claims 1 and 11 of U.S. Patent 11,721,619 does not recite an electronic device comprising:
a display apparatus configured to display an image;
a power supply configured to provide power voltages to the display apparatus; and
a processor configured to perform an image processing for the display apparatus, wherein the display apparatus comprises:
a display panel on which the image is displayed;
a driving circuit unit configured to provide a first power voltage and a second power voltage different from the first power voltage; and
a flexible circuit film disposed between the display panel and the driving circuit unit and configured to transmit the first power voltage and the second power voltage to the display panel.
Kim teaches an electronic device(Fig. 10) comprising:
a display apparatus(260, ¶0065) configured to display an image;
a power supply(250, ¶0066) configured to provide power voltages to the display apparatus; and
a processor(210, ¶0066) configured to perform an image processing for the display apparatus, wherein the display apparatus(260, ¶0065) comprises:
a display panel(110, Fig. 1, ¶0045,¶0065) on which the image is displayed;
a driving circuit unit(140, Fig. 1, ¶0045) configured to provide a first power voltage(ELVDD, ¶0045) and a second power voltage(ELVSS, ¶0045) different from the first power voltage(ELVDD, ¶0045); and
a flexible circuit film(flexible printed circuit, ¶0045) disposed between the display panel(110, Fig. 1, ¶0045,¶0065) and the driving circuit unit(140, Fig. 1, ¶0045) and configured to transmit the first power voltage(ELVDD, ¶0045) and the second power voltage(ELVSS, ¶0045) to the display panel(110, Fig. 1, ¶0045,¶0065). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the device of claims 1 and 11 of , to include an electronic device comprising: a display apparatus configured to display an image; a power supply configured to provide power voltages to the display apparatus; and a processor configured to perform an image processing for the display apparatus, wherein the display apparatus comprises: a display panel on which the image is displayed; a driving circuit unit configured to provide a first power voltage and a second power voltage different from the first power voltage; and a flexible circuit film disposed between the display panel and the driving circuit unit and configured to transmit the first power voltage and the second power voltage to the display panel, as taught by Kim, in order to incorporated the electronic device of U.S. Patent 11,721,619 into a television, a computer monitor, a laptop, a digital camera, a cellular phone, a smart phone, a smart pad, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP), an MP3 player, a navigation system, a game console or a video phone(¶0068) that prevents image degradation (e.g., flicker, noise, etc.) due to external circumstances, and improves luminance distribution characteristics (i.e., may narrow luminance distribution)(¶0067).
Regarding claim 2, Claim 4 of U.S. Patent 11,721,619 recites the electronic device of claim 1, wherein the first power input wire is wider than each of the first power output wires.
Regarding claim 3, Claim 2 of U.S. Patent 11,721,619 recites the electronic device of claim 2, wherein the first power input wire electrically couples a first power input terminal to the first connection part, and wherein the first power output wire set electrically couples the first connection part to a first power output terminal set.
Regarding claim 4, Claim 1 of U.S. Patent 11,721,619 recites the electronic device of claim 1, wherein the flexible circuit film further comprises: a second power wiring set configured to receive the second power voltage and including a second connection part disposed between the integrated circuit chip and the base film and spaced from the first connection part, wherein the second connection part is electrically conductive, overlaps the integrated circuit chip, and is not electrically connected to the integrated circuit chip, wherein the second power wiring set further includes a single integral second power input wire and a second power output wire set including multiple second power output wires, the second connection part electrically coupling the second power input wire to the second power output wire set.
Claim 1 of U.S. Patent 11,721,619 does not recite the second power wiring set further includes a single integral second power input wire and a second power output wire set including multiple second power output wires, the second connection part electrically coupling the second power input wire to the second power output wire set.
Claim 3 of U.S. Patent 11,721,619 recites the second power wiring set further includes a single integral second power input wire and a second power output wire set including multiple second power output wires, the second connection part electrically coupling the second power input wire to the second power output wire set. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention that the combination of claims 1 and 3 of U.S. Patent 11,721,619 recite claim 4 of the instant case.
Regarding claim 5, claim 4 of U.S. Patent 11,721,619 recites the electronic device of claim 4, wherein the second power input wire is wider than each of the second power output wires.
Regarding claim 6, claim 3 of U.S. Patent 11,721,619 recites the electronic device of claim 5, wherein the second power input wire electrically couples a second power input terminal to the second connection part, and wherein the second power output wire set electrically couples the second connection part to a second power output terminal set.
Regarding claim 7, claim 10 of U.S. Patent 11,721,619 recites the electronic device of claim 4, wherein the flexible circuit film further comprises: a third power wiring set configured to receive the first power voltage and including a third connection part disposed between the integrated circuit chip and the base film and spaced from the first connection part and the second connection part, wherein the third connection part is electrically conductive, overlaps the integrated circuit chip, and is not electrically connected to the integrated circuit chip, wherein the third power wiring set further includes a single integral third power input wire and a third power output wire set including multiple third power output wires, the third connection part electrically coupling the third power input wire to the third power output wire set.
Regarding claim 8, claim 1 of U.S. Patent 11,721,619 recites the electronic device of claim 7.
Claim 1 of U.S. Patent No. 11,721,619 does not recite the third power input wire is wider than each of the third power output wires. However, claim 4 of U.S. Patent No. 11,721,619 recites the first power input wire is wider than each of the first power output wires, and the second power input wire is wider than each of the second power output wires. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the device of claims 1 and 4 of U.S. Patent No. 11,721,619 to make the third power input wire is wider than each of
the third power output wires as a matter of symmetrical design choice thus the only
difference between the prior art and the claimed device is a recitation of relative
dimensions of the claimed device and a device having the claimed relative dimensions
would not perform differently than the prior art device. MPEP 2144.04
Regarding claim 9, claim 10 of U.S. Patent 11,721,619 recites the electronic device of claim 8, wherein the third power input wire electrically couples a third power input terminal to the third connection part, and wherein the third power output wire set electrically couples the third connection part to a third power output terminal set.
Regarding claim 10, claim 10 of U.S. Patent 11,721,619 recites the electronic device of claim 4, wherein the flexible circuit film further comprises: a fourth power wiring set configured to receive the second power voltage and including a fourth connection part disposed between the integrated circuit chip and the base film and spaced from the first connection part and the second connection part, wherein the fourth connection part is electrically conductive, overlaps the integrated circuit chip, and is not electrically connected to the integrated circuit chip, wherein the fourth power wiring set further includes a single integral fourth power input wire and a fourth power output wire set including multiple fourth power output wires, the fourth connection part electrically coupling the fourth power input wire to the fourth power output wire set.
Regarding claim 11, claim 1 of U.S. Patent 11,721,619 recites the electronic device of claim 10.
Claim 1 of U.S. Patent No. 11,721,619 does not recite the fourth power input wire is wider than each of the fourth power output wires. However, claim 4 of U.S. Patent No. 11,721,619 recites the first power input wire is wider than each of the first power output wires, and the second power input wire is wider than each of the second power output wires. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the device of claims 1 and 4 of U.S. Patent No. 11,721,619 to make the fourth power input wire is wider than each of the fourth power output wires as a matter of symmetrical design choice thus the only difference between the prior art and the claimed device is a recitation of relative dimensions of the claimed device and a device having the claimed relative dimensions would not perform differently than the prior art device. MPEP 2144.04
Regarding claim 12, claim 10 of U.S. Patent 11,721,619 recites the electronic device of claim 11, wherein the fourth power input wire electrically couples a fourth power input terminal to the fourth connection part, and wherein the fourth power output wire set electrically couples the fourth connection part to a fourth power output terminal set.
Regarding claim 13, claim 5 of U.S. Patent 11,721,619 recites the electronic device of claim 1, wherein the flexible circuit film further comprises: data input wires; data output wires; data input terminals respectively electrically coupled to the data input wires; and data output terminals respectively electrically coupled to the data output wires.
Regarding claim 14, claim 6 of U.S. Patent 11,721,619 recites the electronic device of claim 13, wherein the flexible circuit film further comprises: first-group connectors; and second-group connectors disposed between the first-group connectors and the data output terminals, wherein the data input wires are electrically coupled to the first-group connectors, respectively, and wherein data output wires of at least a first subset of the data output wires are electrically coupled to the second-group connectors, respectively.
Regarding claim 15, claim 7 of U.S. Patent 11,721,619 recites the electronic device of claim 14, wherein the flexible circuit film further comprises: third-group connectors, wherein the second-group connectors are disposed between the third-group connectors and the data output terminals, and wherein data output wires of a second subset of the data output wirings are electrically coupled to the third-group connectors, respectively.
Claims 1-15 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-15 of U.S. Patent No. 12,113,007 in view of Kim (US 2014/0111402 A1).
Regarding claim 1, claim 1 of U.S. Patent 12,113,007 recites an electronic device comprising a flexible circuit film comprises:
a base film;
an integrated circuit chip disposed on the base film; and
a first power wiring set configured to receive the first power voltage including a first connection part disposed between the integrated circuit chip and the base film, wherein the first connection part is electrically conductive, overlaps the integrated circuit chip, and is not electrically connected to the integrated circuit chip, wherein the first power wiring set further includes a single integral first power input wire and a first power output wire set including multiple first power output wires, the first connection part electrically coupling the first power input wire to the first power output wire set.
Claim 1 of U.S. Patent 12,113,007 does not recite an electronic device comprising:
a display apparatus configured to display an image;
a power supply configured to provide power voltages to the display apparatus; and
a processor configured to perform an image processing for the display apparatus, wherein the display apparatus comprises:
a display panel on which the image is displayed;
a driving circuit unit configured to provide a first power voltage and a second power voltage different from the first power voltage; and
a flexible circuit film disposed between the display panel and the driving circuit unit and configured to transmit the first power voltage and the second power voltage to the display panel.
Claim 11 of U.S. Patent 12,113,007 recites a first power wiring set configured to receive the first power voltage. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention that the combination of claims 1 and 11 of U.S. Patent 12,113,007 recite claim 1 of the instant case.
Kim teaches an electronic device(Fig. 10) comprising:
a display apparatus(260, ¶0065) configured to display an image;
a power supply(250, ¶0066) configured to provide power voltages to the display apparatus; and
a processor(210, ¶0066) configured to perform an image processing for the display apparatus, wherein the display apparatus(260, ¶0065) comprises:
a display panel(110, Fig. 1, ¶0045,¶0065) on which the image is displayed;
a driving circuit unit(140, Fig. 1, ¶0045) configured to provide a first power voltage(ELVDD, ¶0045) and a second power voltage(ELVSS, ¶0045) different from the first power voltage(ELVDD, ¶0045); and
a flexible circuit film(flexible printed circuit, ¶0045) disposed between the display panel(110, Fig. 1, ¶0045,¶0065) and the driving circuit unit(140, Fig. 1, ¶0045) and configured to transmit the first power voltage(ELVDD, ¶0045) and the second power voltage(ELVSS, ¶0045) to the display panel(110, Fig. 1, ¶0045,¶0065). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the device of claims 1 and 11 of , to include an electronic device comprising: a display apparatus configured to display an image; a power supply configured to provide power voltages to the display apparatus; and a processor configured to perform an image processing for the display apparatus, wherein the display apparatus comprises: a display panel on which the image is displayed; a driving circuit unit configured to provide a first power voltage and a second power voltage different from the first power voltage; and a flexible circuit film disposed between the display panel and the driving circuit unit and configured to transmit the first power voltage and the second power voltage to the display panel, as taught by Kim, in order to incorporated the electronic device of U.S. Patent 12,113,007 into a television, a computer monitor, a laptop, a digital camera, a cellular phone, a smart phone, a smart pad, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP), an MP3 player, a navigation system, a game console or a video phone(¶0068) that prevents image degradation (e.g., flicker, noise, etc.) due to external circumstances, and improves luminance distribution characteristics (i.e., may narrow luminance distribution)(¶0067).
Regarding claim 2, Claim 2 of U.S. Patent 12,113,007 recites the electronic device of claim 1, wherein the first power input wire is wider than each of the first power output wires.
Regarding claim 3, Claim 3 of U.S. Patent 12,113,007 recites the electronic device of claim 2, wherein the first power input wire electrically couples a first power input terminal to the first connection part, and wherein the first power output wire set electrically couples the first connection part to a first power output terminal set.
Regarding claim 4, Claim 4 of U.S. Patent 12,113,007 recites the electronic device of claim 1, wherein the flexible circuit film further comprises: a second power wiring set configured to receive the second power voltage and including a second connection part disposed between the integrated circuit chip and the base film and spaced from the first connection part, wherein the second connection part is electrically conductive, overlaps the integrated circuit chip, and is not electrically connected to the integrated circuit chip, wherein the second power wiring set further includes a single integral second power input wire and a second power output wire set including multiple second power output wires, the second connection part electrically coupling the second power input wire to the second power output wire set, wherein the second power wiring set further includes a single integral second power input wire and a second power output wire set including multiple second power output wires, the second connection part electrically coupling the second power input wire to the second power output wire set.
Regarding claim 5, claim 5 of U.S. Patent 12,113,007 recites the electronic device of claim 4, wherein the second power input wire is wider than each of the second power output wires.
Regarding claim 6, claim 6 of U.S. Patent 12,113,007 recites the electronic device of claim 5, wherein the second power input wire electrically couples a second power input terminal to the second connection part, and wherein the second power output wire set electrically couples the second connection part to a second power output terminal set.
Regarding claim 7, claim 7 of U.S. Patent 12,113,007 recites the electronic device of claim 4, wherein the flexible circuit film further comprises: a third power wiring set configured to receive the first power voltage and including a third connection part disposed between the integrated circuit chip and the base film and spaced from the first connection part and the second connection part, wherein the third connection part is electrically conductive, overlaps the integrated circuit chip, and is not electrically connected to the integrated circuit chip, wherein the third power wiring set further includes a single integral third power input wire and a third power output wire set including multiple third power output wires, the third connection part electrically coupling the third power input wire to the third power output wire set.
Regarding claim 8, claim 8 of U.S. Patent 12,113,007 recites the electronic device of claim 7, wherein the third power input wire is wider than each of the third power output wires.
Regarding claim 9, claim 9 of U.S. Patent 12,113,007 recites the electronic device of claim 8, wherein the third power input wire electrically couples a third power input terminal to the third connection part, and wherein the third power output wire set electrically couples the third connection part to a third power output terminal set.
Regarding claim 10, claim 10 of U.S. Patent 12,113,007 recites the electronic device of claim 4, wherein the flexible circuit film further comprises: a fourth power wiring set configured to receive the second power voltage and including a fourth connection part disposed between the integrated circuit chip and the base film and spaced from the first connection part and the second connection part, wherein the fourth connection part is electrically conductive, overlaps the integrated circuit chip, and is not electrically connected to the integrated circuit chip, wherein the fourth power wiring set further includes a single integral fourth power input wire and a fourth power output wire set including multiple fourth power output wires, the fourth connection part electrically coupling the fourth power input wire to the fourth power output wire set.
Regarding claim 11, claim 11 of U.S. Patent 12,113,007 recites the electronic device of claim 10, wherein the fourth power input wire is wider than each of the fourth power output wires.
Regarding claim 12, claim 12 of U.S. Patent 12,113,007 recites the electronic device of claim 11, wherein the fourth power input wire electrically couples a fourth power input terminal to the fourth connection part, and wherein the fourth power output wire set electrically couples the fourth connection part to a fourth power output terminal set.
Regarding claim 13, claim 13 of U.S. Patent 12,113,007 recites the electronic device of claim 1, wherein the flexible circuit film further comprises: data input wires; data output wires; data input terminals respectively electrically coupled to the data input wires; and data output terminals respectively electrically coupled to the data output wires.
Regarding claim 14, claim 14 of U.S. Patent 12,113,007 recites the electronic device of claim 13, wherein the flexible circuit film further comprises: first-group connectors; and second-group connectors disposed between the first-group connectors and the data output terminals, wherein the data input wires are electrically coupled to the first-group connectors, respectively, and wherein data output wires of at least a first subset of the data output wires are electrically coupled to the second-group connectors, respectively.
Regarding claim 15, claim 15 of U.S. Patent 12,113,007 recites the electronic device of claim 14, wherein the flexible circuit film further comprises: third-group connectors, wherein the second-group connectors are disposed between the third-group connectors and the data output terminals, and wherein data output wires of a second subset of the data output wirings are electrically coupled to the third-group connectors, respectively.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure:
Chen et al. (US 2015/0310812 A1) Discloses electronic device.
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/LAURA M DYKES/Examiner, Art Unit 2892
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