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 .
Specification
The objection for the abstract and title of the invention have been withdrawn due to the amendments filed on 07/14/2026.
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.
The USPTO Internet website contains terminal disclaimer forms which may be used. Please visit www.uspto.gov/patent/patents-forms. The actual filing date of the application in which the form is filed determines what form (e.g., PTO/SB/25, PTO/SB/26, PTO/AIA /25, or PTO/AIA /26) should be used. A web-based eTerminal Disclaimer may be filled out completely online using web-screens. An eTerminal Disclaimer that meets all requirements is auto-processed and approved immediately upon submission. For more information about eTerminal Disclaimers, refer to www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/applying-online/eterminal-disclaimer.
Claims 1-6 and 11-19 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1, 9 and 10-15 of US Patent No. 12158775 B2. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because the instant claims are broader version of the patented claims and all proposed claims are obvious and included in the patented claims, and any infringement over the patents would also infringe over the instant claims.
The table below demonstrates claims 1-6 and 11-19 from the instant application and claims 1, 9 and 10-15 from the US patent No. 12158775 B2. The limitations recited in the US Patent that correspond to the limitations recited in the instant application have been bold for Application’s convenience.
Claim limitation of the instant App.
Claim limitation of US Patent No. 12158775 B2
1. An electronic device, comprising: a plurality of housings comprising a first housing and a second housing, wherein the first housing is movably connected to the second housing; a display panel in which a screen display area visually exposed to an outside changes based on movement of the first housing relative to the second housing ; and a lattice plate disposed on a rear surface of the display panel to support the display panel; and a lock comprising a fastening portion and a protruding portion extending from the fastening portion, wherein the display panel comprises: a flat portion comprising substantially a flat surface; an edge portion extending from a first end portion of the flat portion and comprising at least a partial region which is curved; and a bending portion extending from a second end portion of the flat portion and comprising at least a partial region which bends in response to movement of the first housing relative to the second housing, wherein the fastening portion of the lock is configured to connect to the lattice plate and the protruding portion is configured to engage with the second housing.
1. An electronic device comprising: a plurality of housings comprising a first housing and a second housing, wherein the first housing is movably connected to the second housing; a display panel in which a screen display area visually exposed to an outside changes based on movement of the second housing relative to the first housing; and a lattice plate disposed on a rear surface of the display panel to support the display panel, wherein the display panel comprises: a flat portion forming the screen display area and comprising a surface substantially forming a flat surface; an edge portion at a first end portion of the flat portion and comprising at least a partial region which is curved; and a bending portion at a second end portion of the flat portion opposite to the first end portion and comprising at least a partial region which bends according to movement of the first housing relative to the second housing, wherein the lattice plate comprises: a first lattice portion disposed on a rear surface of the edge portion and comprising a first lattice pattern to provide a first modulus; and a second lattice portion disposed on a rear surface of the bending portion and comprising a second lattice pattern different from the first lattice pattern to provide a second modulus higher than the first modulus.
15. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the lock comprises: a fastener connected to a rear surface of the lattice plate and extending from the rear surface of the lattice plate in a direction of the second housing; and a protrusion extending from the fastener in a direction of the first locking area to form the second locking area, wherein the fastener and the protrusion form a single body.
2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the folding portion comprises a second opening overlapping the first opening in a state in which the screen display area is viewed, and the lock is connected to the lattice plate by passing through the first opening and the second opening.
10. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the folding portion comprises a second opening overlapping the first opening in a state in which the screen display area is viewed, and the lock is connected to the lattice plate by passing through the first opening and the second opening at a same time.
3. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein the first opening and the second opening are substantially positioned at a center of a width direction perpendicular to a moving direction of the first housing, in a state in which the screen display area is viewed.
11. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the first opening and the second opening are substantially positioned at a center of a width direction perpendicular to a moving direction of the second housing, in a state in which the screen display area is viewed.
4. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the first opening is formed at a position abutting the folding portion or at a position spaced apart from the folding portion by a specified distance, based on a first end portion of the folding portion in a moving direction of the first housing, in a state in which the screen display area is viewed.
12. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the first opening is formed at a position abutting the folding portion or at a position spaced apart from the folding portion by a specified distance, based on a first end portion of the folding portion in a moving direction of the second housing, in a state in which the screen display area is viewed.
5. The electronic device of claim 4, wherein the first opening comprises a plurality of first openings is spaced apart from each other, based on a width direction perpendicular to the moving direction, in a state in which the screen display area is viewed.
6. The electronic device of claim 5, wherein the first locking area comprises a plurality of first locking area adjacent to each of the plurality of first openings, and the lock comprises plurality of locks each passes through a respective one of the first openings.
13. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein the first opening is formed in plurality such that the plurality of first openings is spaced apart from each other, based on a width direction perpendicular to the moving direction, in a state in which the screen display area is viewed, the first locking area is formed in plurality, so that each of the plurality of first locking areas is adjacent to each of the plurality of first openings, and the lock is formed in plurality, so that each of the plurality of locks passes through each of the first openings.
11. An electronic device comprising: a plurality of housings comprising a first housing and a second housing, wherein the first housing is movably connected to the second housing; a display panel in which a screen display area visually exposed to an outside changes based on movement of the first housing relative to the second housing; and a lattice plate disposed on a rear surface of the display panel to support the display panel, wherein the display panel comprises: a flat portion forming the screen display area and comprising a substantially flat surface; an edge portion at a first end portion of the flat portion and comprising at least a partial region which is curved; and a folding portion connected to the edge portion opposite to the flat portion and comprising at least a partial region which folds in a rear direction of the lattice plate, the second housing comprises: a support comprising a first opening overlapping the flat portion, and the electronic device further comprises: a lock comprising a locking area connected to the lattice plate by passing through the first opening, and engaging with the support to limit a position of the support.
1. An electronic device comprising: a plurality of housings comprising a first housing and a second housing, wherein the first housing is movably connected to the second housing; a display panel in which a screen display area visually exposed to an outside changes based on movement of the second housing relative to the first housing; and a lattice plate disposed on a rear surface of the display panel to support the display panel, wherein the display panel comprises: a flat portion forming the screen display area and comprising a surface substantially forming a flat surface; an edge portion at a first end portion of the flat portion and comprising at least a partial region which is curved; and a bending portion at a second end portion of the flat portion opposite to the first end portion and comprising at least a partial region which bends according to movement of the first housing relative to the second housing, wherein the lattice plate comprises: a first lattice portion disposed on a rear surface of the edge portion and comprising a first lattice pattern to provide a first modulus; and a second lattice portion disposed on a rear surface of the bending portion and comprising a second lattice pattern different from the first lattice pattern to provide a second modulus higher than the first modulus.
15. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the lock comprises: a fastener connected to a rear surface of the lattice plate and extending from the rear surface of the lattice plate in a direction of the second housing; and a protrusion extending from the fastener in a direction of the first locking area to form the second locking area, wherein the fastener and the protrusion form a single body.
12. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the folding portion comprises a second opening overlapping the first opening in a state in which the screen display area is viewed, and the lock is connected to the lattice plate by passing through the first opening and the second opening.
10. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the folding portion comprises a second opening overlapping the first opening in a state in which the screen display area is viewed, and the lock is connected to the lattice plate by passing through the first opening and the second opening at a same time.
13. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein the first opening and the second opening are substantially positioned at a center of a width direction perpendicular to a moving direction of the first housing, in a state in which the screen display area is viewed.
11. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the first opening and the second opening are substantially positioned at a center of a width direction perpendicular to a moving direction of the second housing, in a state in which the screen display area is viewed.
14. The electronic device of claim 19, wherein the first opening is formed at a position abutting the folding portion or at a position spaced apart from the folding portion by a specified distance, based on a first end portion of the folding portion in a moving direction of the first housing, in a state in which the screen display area is viewed.
12. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the first opening is formed at a position abutting the folding portion or at a position spaced apart from the folding portion by a specified distance, based on a first end portion of the folding portion in a moving direction of the second housing, in a state in which the screen display area is viewed.
15. The electronic device of claim 14, wherein the first opening is formed in plurality such that the plurality of first openings is spaced apart from each other, based on a width direction perpendicular to the moving direction, in a state in which the screen display area is viewed, the first locking area is formed in plurality, so that each of the plurality of first locking areas is adjacent to each of the plurality of first openings, and the lock is formed in plurality, so that each of the plurality of locks passes through each of the first openings.
13. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein the first opening is formed in plurality such that the plurality of first openings is spaced apart from each other, based on a width direction perpendicular to the moving direction, in a state in which the screen display area is viewed, the first locking area is formed in plurality, so that each of the plurality of first locking areas is adjacent to each of the plurality of first openings, and the lock is formed in plurality, so that each of the plurality of locks passes through each of the first openings.
16. The electronic device of claim 14, wherein the lock comprises: a fastener connected to a rear surface of the lattice plate and comprising a fastening groove formed therein; and a support comprising a pillar area that is fixed in the fastening groove and a head area extending from the pillar area in a direction of the first locking area to form the second locking area.
14. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the lock comprises: a fastener connected to a rear surface of the lattice plate and comprising a fastening groove formed therein; and a support comprising a pillar area that is fixed in the fastening groove and a head area extending from the pillar area in a direction of the first locking area to form the second locking area.
17. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the lock comprises: a fastener connected to a rear surface of the lattice plate and extending from the rear surface of the lattice plate in a direction of the second housing; and a protrusion extending from the fastener in a direction of the first locking area to form the second locking area, wherein the fastener and the protrusion form a single body.
15. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the lock comprises: a fastener connected to a rear surface of the lattice plate and extending from the rear surface of the lattice plate in a direction of the second housing; and a protrusion extending from the fastener in a direction of the first locking area to form the second locking area, wherein the fastener and the protrusion form a single body.
18. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the display panel comprises a folding portion at least partially folded in a rear direction of the lattice plate and supported by the second housing, the second housing comprises a support comprising a first opening overlapping the flat portion, in a state in which the screen display area is viewed, and a first locking area disposed to face the folding portion and extending in a direction of the first opening, and the lock comprises a second locking area connected to the lattice plate by passing through the first opening, and correspondingly connected to the first locking area to limit a position of the support.
9. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the second housing comprises a support portion comprising a first opening overlapping the flat portion, in a state in which the screen display area is viewed, and a first locking area disposed to face the folding portion and extending in a direction of the first opening, and the electronic device comprises a lock comprising a second locking area connected to the lattice plate by passing through the first opening, and correspondingly connected to the first locking area to limit a position of the support portion.
19. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the support comprises a first locking area disposed to face the folding portion and extending in a direction of the first opening, and the locking area of the lock is a second locking area facing the first locking area.
9. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the second housing comprises a support portion comprising a first opening overlapping the flat portion, in a state in which the screen display area is viewed, and a first locking area disposed to face the folding portion and extending in a direction of the first opening, and the electronic device comprises a lock comprising a second locking area connected to the lattice plate by passing through the first opening, and correspondingly connected to the first locking area to limit a position of the support portion.
Response to Amendment
The amendments filed on 07/14/2026 changed the scope of claims (Claim 1 is amended deleting the allowable subject matter) and the allowable subject matter of claims 1-17 has been withdrawn. Therefore, a rejection has been issued 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 16-17 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.
Claims 16 and 17 recites “a fastener” in line 1. It is unclear to the examiner if this is same or different than “a fastening portion” in line 7.
Claim 17 recites “a protrusion” in line 4. It is unclear to the examiner if this is same or different than “a protrusion portion” in line 7.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
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.
Claims 1 and 11 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102 (a) (1) as being anticipated by HE et al. (US 20210044683 A1 and HE hereinafter)
Regarding Claim 1, HE discloses (figs. 1-22) an electronic device, comprising: a plurality of housings comprising a first housing (10) and a second housing (31), wherein the first housing is movably connected to the second housing; a display panel (2) in which a screen display area visually exposed to an outside changes based on movement of the first housing relative to the second housing (figs. 5-6); and a lattice plate (30) disposed on a rear surface of the display panel to support the display panel; and a lock comprising a fastening portion (432) and a protruding portion (11) extending from the fastening portion, wherein the display panel comprises: a flat portion (top flat surface) comprising substantially a flat surface; an edge portion extending from a first end portion of the flat portion and comprising at least a partial region which is curved;
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and a bending portion extending from a second end portion of the flat portion and comprising at least a partial region which bends in response to movement of the first housing relative to the second housing, wherein the fastening portion of the lock is configured to connect to the lattice plate and the protruding portion is configured to engage with the second housing ([0146]).
Regarding Claim 11, HE discloses (figs. 1-22) an electronic device comprising: a plurality of housings comprising a first housing (10) and a second housing (31) , wherein the first housing is movably connected to the second housing; a display panel (2) in which a screen display area visually exposed to an outside changes based on movement of the first housing relative to the second housing; and a lattice plate (30) disposed on a rear surface of the display panel to support the display panel, wherein the
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display panel comprises: a flat portion forming the screen display area and comprising a substantially flat surface; an edge portion at a first end portion of the flat portion and comprising at least a partial region which is curved; and a folding portion connected to the edge portion opposite to the flat portion and comprising at least a partial region which folds in a rear direction of the lattice plate (figs. 19-20), the second housing comprises: a support comprising a first opening (314) overlapping the flat portion, and the electronic device further comprises: a lock (401) comprising a locking area connected to the lattice plate by passing through the first opening, and engaging with the support to limit a position of the support (figs. 21-22).
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 2-6, 10, 12-19 are objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim but would be allowable if overcome the 112(b) and Double patenting rejections and rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
Regarding claim 18, Song et al (US 20210185835 A1) or Jia et al (US 20250168996 A1) or Lin et al (US 20250093917 A1), except for the claim limitations. The prior art stated above, when taken alone, or, in combination, cannot be construed as reasonably teaching or suggesting all of the elements of the claimed limitations, “wherein the display panel comprises a folding portion at least partially folded in a rear direction of the lattice plate and supported by the second housing, the second housing comprises a support comprising a first opening overlapping the flat portion, in a state in which the screen display area is viewed, and a first locking area disposed to face the folding portion and extending in a direction of the first opening, and the lock comprises a second locking area connected to the lattice plate by passing through the first opening, and correspondingly connected to the first locking area to limit a position of the support.”
Claims 2-6, 10 are objected to being depend on claim 18.
Regarding claim 12, Song et al (US 20210185835 A1) or Jia et al (US 20250168996 A1) or Lin et al (US 20250093917 A1), except for the claim limitations. The prior art stated above, when taken alone, or, in combination, cannot be construed as reasonably teaching or suggesting all of the elements of the claimed limitations, “wherein the folding portion comprises a second opening overlapping the first opening in a state in which the screen display area is viewed, and the lock is connected to the lattice plate by passing through the first opening and the second opening.”
Claim 13 is objected to being depend on claim 12.
Regarding claim 19, Song et al (US 20210185835 A1) or Jia et al (US 20250168996 A1) or Lin et al (US 20250093917 A1), except for the claim limitations. The prior art stated above, when taken alone, or, in combination, cannot be construed as reasonably teaching or suggesting all of the elements of the claimed limitations, “wherein the support comprises a first locking area disposed to face the folding portion and extending in a direction of the first opening, and the locking area of the lock is a second locking area facing the first locking area.
Claims 14-17 are objected being depend on claim 19.
Conclusion
Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ROCKSHANA D CHOWDHURY whose telephone number is (571)272-1602. The examiner can normally be reached M-F: 8 AM - 4:30 PM ET.
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, Allen L Parker can be reached at 303-297-4722. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/ROCKSHANA D CHOWDHURY/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2841
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