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 .
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.
Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
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and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114.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 March 26, 2026 has been entered.
Response to Amendment
Receipt is acknowledged of applicant’s amendment filed March 26, 2026. Claims 3 and 4 have been cancelled without prejudice. Claims 1, 2, and 5-14 are pending and an action on the merits is as follows. Claims 8-12 were previously withdrawn.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed March 26, 2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
In regard to independent claim 1, applicant’s arguments, on pages 5-7 of the Remarks, that the previously applied prior art fails to disclose all of the limitations of claim 1, as newly amended, have been fully considered and are appreciated. However, the examiner respectfully disagrees. Namely, applicant argues that the previously applied references fail to disclose “round prisms which include a first round prism and a second round prism are formed on the second side surface of the light guide plate, each of the round prisms has a rounded apex and two straight lines connecting the rounded apex, in sectional view, light emitted from the plurality of light emitting diodes enters the round prism of the light guide and exits through the first lens of the light guide, a radius of curvature at an apex of the round prism is 0.01 mm or more, a flat plane exists between the first round prism and the second round prism, and a pitch of the round prisms in a first direction is larger than a width in the first direction of a round prism.” However, as set forth below, Masao discloses (see e.g. Figures 3-4): first lenses 52 (denoted “output-side prism portions, see e.g. page 4, second full paragraph and Figure 4) are formed on the first side surface 30b (denoted “exit surface” see e.g. page 2, last full paragraph and Figure 4), of the light guide plate 30 (denoted “translucent base material”, see e.g. page 2, last full paragraph and Figure 4), round prisms 42 (denoted “incident-side prism portions”, see e.g. page 4, first full paragraph and Figure 4) which include a first round prism 42 and a second round prism 42 (see e.g. Figure 4) are formed on the second side surface 30a (denoted “incident surface, see e.g. page 2, last full paragraph and Figure 4) of the light guide plate 30 (see e.g. Figure 4), each of the round prisms 42 has a rounded apex (see e.g. Figure 4 for rounded apex) and two straight lines connecting the rounded apex (see e.g. Figure 4 for rounded apexes that are connected to straight lines on either side), in sectional view, light emitted from the plurality of light emitting diodes 10 (see e.g. page 3, second full paragraph) enters the round prism 42 (i.e. on side 30a in Figure 4) of the light guide 30 and exits through the first lens 52 (i.e. on side 30b in Figure 4) of the light guide 30, a flat plane exists between a first round prism 42 and a second round prism 42 (see e.g. Figure 4 and note there is a spacing between each prism 42). a pitch of the round prisms 42 in a first direction is larger than a width in the first direction of a round prism 42 (see e.g. Figure 4 and note that the pitch between prisms 42 is larger than the width of 42). Further, one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention would recognize using a configuration in which a radius of curvature at an apex of the round prism is 0.01 mm or more, since it has been held that where the general condition of a claim are disclosed in the prior art, discovering the optimum or working ranges involves only routine skill in the art.
Therefore, claims 1, 2, 5-7, 13, and 14 are rejected as set forth below.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
Claims 1, 2, 5-7, 13, and 14 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
In regard to independent claim 1, the limitation, “each of the round prisms has a rounded apex and two straight lines connecting the rounded apex, in sectional view” renders the scope of the claim unclear. Namely, it is unclear if the straight lines are connecting the rounded apexes to each other or merely connected to the sides of the apex. For examination purposes, it is presumed that either will satisfy the claim limitations.
Claims 2, 5-7, 13, and 14 depend from claim 1.
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.
Claims 1, 2 5-7, 13, and 14 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Numata et al. (US 2021/0223465 A1) in view of Masao (JP 2019200358).
In regard to claim 1, Numata et al. discloses a liquid crystal display device DSP (see e.g. paragraph [0024], Figures 1-4) having a liquid crystal LC being (see e.g. paragraph [0026], Figure 4) sandwiched between a thin-film transistor substrate SUB1 including a pixel electrode PE and an opposing substrate SUB2 (see e.g. paragraphs [0026], [0033], Figure 4),
wherein a display area DA is formed in a portion where the thin-film transistor substrate SUB1 and the opposing substrate SUB2 overlap (see e.g. paragraph [0029], Figure 1), and a terminal area Ex is formed in a portion of the thin-film transistor substrate SUB1 that does not overlap with the opposing substrate SUB2 (see e.g. paragraph [0032], Figures 1, 3, and 4),
a cover glass 30 (denoted “transparent substrate”) is arranged over the thin-film transistor substrate SUB1 or the opposing substrate SUB2 (see e.g. paragraph [0036], Figures 3, 4 and note it is arranged over both SUB1, SUB2),
a first side surface 1d (see e.g. paragraph [0039]) of a light guide plate LG1 (see e.g. paragraph [0038], Figure 4) contacts the terminal area side Ex of the cover glass 30 (see e.g. Figure 4 and note that the light guide contacts the terminal area side of 30 indirectly contacts or is in thermal contact with LG1),
a second side surface 1c (see e.g. paragraph [0039]) of the light guide plate LG1 (see e.g. paragraph [0038], Figure 4), the second side surface 1c being opposite to the first side surface 1d of the light guide plate LG1, is arranged with a plurality of light emitting diodes LD1 (see e.g. paragraph [0038], Figures 3, 4).
Numata et al. fails to disclose
first lenses are formed on the first side surface of the light guide plate,
round prisms which include a first round prism and a second round prism are formed on the second side surface of the light guide plate,
each of the round prisms has a rounded apex and two straight lines connecting the rounded apex, in sectional view,
light emitted from the plurality of light emitting diodes enters the round prism of the light guide and exits through the first lens of the light guide,
a radius of curvature at an apex of the round prism is 0.01 mm or more,
a flat plane exists between the first round prism and the second round prism, and
a pitch of the round prisms in a first direction is larger than a width in the first direction of a round prism.
However, Masao discloses (see e.g. Figures 3-4):
first lenses 52 (denoted “output-side prism portions, see e.g. page 4, second full paragraph and Figure 4) are formed on the first side surface 30b (denoted “exit surface” see e.g. page 2, last full paragraph and Figure 4), of the light guide plate 30 (denoted “translucent base material”, see e.g. page 2, last full paragraph and Figure 4),
round prisms 42 (denoted “incident-side prism portions”, see e.g. page 4, first full paragraph and Figure 4) which include a first round prism 42 and a second round prism 42 (see e.g. Figure 4) are formed on the second side surface 30a (denoted “incident surface, see e.g. page 2, last full paragraph and Figure 4) of the light guide plate 30 (see e.g. Figure 4),
each of the round prisms 42 has a rounded apex (see e.g. Figure 4 for rounded apex) and two straight lines connecting the rounded apex (see e.g. Figure 4 for rounded apexes that are connected to straight lines on either side), in sectional view,
light emitted from the plurality of light emitting diodes 10 (see e.g. page 3, second full paragraph) enters the round prism 42 (i.e. on side 30a in Figure 4) of the light guide 30 and exits through the first lens 52 (i.e. on side 30b in Figure 4) of the light guide 30,
a flat plane exists between a first round prism 42 and a second round prism 42 (see e.g. Figure 4 and note there is a spacing between each prism 42).
a pitch of the round prisms 42 in a first direction is larger than a width in the first direction of a round prism 42 (see e.g. Figure 4 and note that the pitch between prisms 42 is larger than the width of 42).
Further, one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention would recognize using a configuration in which a radius of curvature at an apex of the round prism is 0.01 mm or more, since it has been held that where the general condition of a claim are disclosed in the prior art, discovering the optimum or working ranges involves only routine skill in the art.
Given the teachings of Masao, 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 Numata et al. with first lenses are formed on the first side surface of the light guide plate, round prisms which include a first round prism and a second round prism are formed on the second side surface of the light guide plate, each of the round prisms has a rounded apex and two straight lines connecting the rounded apex, in sectional view, light emitted from the plurality of light emitting diodes enters the round prism of the light guide and exits through the first lens of the light guide, a radius of curvature at an apex of the round prism is 0.01 mm or more, a flat plane exists between the first round prism and the second round prism, and a pitch of the round prisms in a first direction is larger than a width in the first direction of a round prism.
Providing the light guide plate with the surface structures would provide a light emitting device that has an improved evenness of luminance of the light emitted from the light emitting diodes (see e.g. abstract of Masao). Also, optimizing the size and orientation of the prisms in order to optimize the luminance evenness would be considered within ordinary skill in the art.
In regard to claim 2, Numata et al., in view of Masao, discloses the limitations as applied to claim 1 above, but fails to disclose
wherein the width in the first direction of the round prism is 80% to 95% of the pitch in the first direction of the round prisms.
However, one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention would recognize using a configuration in which the width in the first direction of the round prism is 80% to 95% of the pitch in the first direction of the round prisms, since it has been held that where the general condition of a claim are disclosed in the prior art, discovering the optimum or working ranges involves only routine skill in the art.
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 Numata et al., in view of Masao, with wherein the width in the first direction of the round prism is 80% to 95% of the pitch in the first direction of the round prisms.
Optimizing the size and orientation of the prisms in order to optimize the luminance evenness would be considered within ordinary skill in the art.
In regard to claim 5, Numata et al. discloses the limitations as applied to claim 1 above, but fails to disclose
wherein the first lenses are lenticular lenses.
However, Masao discloses (see e.g. Figures 3-4):
wherein the first lenses 52 are lenticular lenses (see e.g. Figure 4).
Given the teachings of Masao, 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 Numata et al. with wherein the first lenses are lenticular lenses.
Providing the light guide plate with the surface structures would provide a light emitting device that has an improved evenness of luminance of the light emitted from the light emitting diodes (see e.g. abstract of Masao).
In regard to claim 6, Numata et al., in view of Masao discloses the limitations as applied to claim 1 above, but fails to disclose
wherein a pitch of the round prisms is larger than a pitch of the first lenses.
However, one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention would recognize using wherein a pitch of the round prisms is larger than a pitch of the first lenses, since it has been held that where the general condition of a claim are disclosed in the prior art, discovering the optimum or working ranges involves only routine skill in the art (see e.g. MPEP 2144.05).
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 Numata et al., in view of Masao, with wherein a pitch of the round prisms is larger than a pitch of the first lenses.
Providing an optimized size of the input and output structures would provide a desired light distribution for a brighter display device.
In regard to claim 7, Numata et al. discloses the limitations as applied to claim 1 above, but fails to disclose
wherein an extending direction of the first lenses is same as an extending direction of the round prisms.
However, Masao discloses (see e.g. Figures 3-4):
wherein an extending direction of the first lenses 52 is same as an extending direction of the round prisms 42 (see e.g. Figures 3, 4 and note that the lenses and prisms both extend in 3 dimensions and thus have the same extending directions).
Given the teachings of Masao, 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 Numata et al. with wherein an extending direction of the first lenses is same as an extending direction of the round prisms.
Providing the light guide plate with the surface structures would provide a light emitting device that has an improved evenness of luminance of the light emitted from the light emitting diodes (see e.g. abstract of Masao).
In regard to claim 13, Numata et al. discloses the limitations as applied to claim 1 above, and
wherein the cover glass 30 is disposed on the opposing substrate SUB2 (see e.g. Figure 4).
In regard to claim 14, Numata et al. discloses the limitations as applied to claim 1 above, and
wherein a displayed image can be seen both from a side of the thin-film transistor substrate SUB1 and from a side of the opposing substrate SUB2 (see e.g. Figure 4 and note that an image may be displayed on both sides due to the transparency of the substrates).
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to JESSICA M MERLIN whose telephone number is (571)270-3207. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Thursday 7:00AM-5:00PM.
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/JESSICA M MERLIN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2871