DEVICES COMPATIBLE WITH NIGHT VISION EQUIPMENT

Application No. 18/939,772

• Filed: Nov 07, 2024
• Priority: Sep 01, 2020 — provisional 63/073,386
  • Apr 13, 2021 — CIP of PCTUS2021027105
  • Aug 31, 2021 — continuation of PCTUS2021048535
  • Mar 01, 2023 — continuation of 12/230,620
• Examiner: RAABE, CHRISTOPHER M
• Assignee: Edison Innovations LLC
• OA Round: 1 (Non-Final)

Office 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 .
Double Patenting
A rejection based on double patenting of the “same invention” type finds its support in the language of 35 U.S.C. 101 which states that “whoever invents or discovers any new and useful process... may obtain a patent therefor...” (Emphasis added). Thus, the term “same invention,” in this context, means an invention drawn to identical subject matter. See Miller v. Eagle Mfg. Co., 151 U.S. 186 (1894); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); In re Ockert, 245 F.2d 467, 114 USPQ 330 (CCPA 1957).
A statutory type (35 U.S.C. 101) double patenting rejection can be overcome by canceling or amending the claims that are directed to the same invention so they are no longer coextensive in scope. The filing of a terminal disclaimer cannot overcome a double patenting rejection based upon 35 U.S.C. 101.
Claims 1-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 as claiming the same invention as that of the claims of prior U.S. Patent No. 12230620 (see below). This is a statutory double patenting rejection.

Application 18/939772
USPN 12230620
1. A device used in conjunction with night vision equipment, the device comprising an LED light source optically coupled and/or radiationally connected to a phosphor material comprising a green-emitting phosphor and a red-emitting phosphor of formula I: AxMFy:Mn4+ wherein A is Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, or a combination thereof; M is Si, Ge, Sn, Ti, Zr, Al, Ga, In, Sc, Hf, Y, La, Nb, Ta, Bi, Gd, or a combination thereof; x is an absolute value of a charge of the MFy ion; and y is 5, 6 or 7; and wherein the device limits emission of wavelengths longer than 650 nm to less than 1.75% of total emission.
2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the red-emitting phosphor is K.2SiF6:Mn4+ or Na.2SiF6:Mn4+.
3. A device according to claim 1, wherein the green-emitting phosphor material comprises a sulfide phosphor, uranium-doped phosphor or quantum dot material.
4. A device according to claim 3, wherein the uranium-doped phosphor comprises phosphors selected from the group consisting of γ-Ba.2UO.2(PO.4).2, (Ba, Zn, Mg, UO.2).3 (PO.4).2, Ba (UO.2)P.2O.7, BaMgUO.2(PO.4).2, BaZnUO.2(PO.4).2, Ba.3(PO.4).2(UO.2).2P.2O.7, Ba.2Sr(PO.4).2(UO.2).2P.2O.7, BaSr.2(PO.4).2(UO.2).2P.2O.7, Sr.3(PO.4).2(UO.2).2P.2O.7, Ca.3(PO.4).2(UO.2).2P.2O.7, BaMg.2(PO.4).2(UO.2).2P.2O.7, Ba.2UO.2(VO.4).2, RbMgPO.4:U6+, BaZn.2(PO.4).2:U6+, BaBPO.5:U6+, Ba6Al.5P.5O.26:U6+, Sr.3B.2O6:U6+, Ba.2Mg(PO.4).2(UO.2).2P.2O.7:U6+ and Ba.3(UO.2).2P.2O.7(PO.4).2.
5. A device according to claim 3, wherein the quantum dot material comprises perovskite.
6. A lighting apparatus comprising the device of claim 1.
7. A backlight apparatus comprising the device of claim 1.
8. A device used in conjunction with night vision equipment, the device comprising an LED light source optically coupled and/or radiationally connected to a phosphor material including a red-emitting phosphor having the formula Na.2SiF6:Mn4+, wherein the device limits emission of wavelengths longer than 650 nm to no more than 1.0% of total emission.
9. A lighting apparatus comprising the device of claim 8.
10. A backlight apparatus comprising the device of claim 8.
11. A single mode display used in conjunction with night vision equipment and compatible with day lighting and night lighting, the single mode display comprising the backlight apparatus of claim 7, and in the absence of an NVIS filter.
12. A single mode display compatible with night vision equipment and day lighting, the single mode display comprising the backlight apparatus of claim 7, and an NVIS filter having an optical density of 1.0 or less.
13. A display compatible with day lighting and compatible with night vision equipment, the display comprising the backlight apparatus of claim 7, wherein a color gamut in day lighting decreases by less than 20% when in use with night vision equipment.
14. A display compatible with day lighting and compatible with night vision equipment, the display comprising the backlight apparatus of claim 7, wherein the backlight apparatus produces a white light and a color shift in a red spectrum decreases by less than 10% when in use with night vision equipment.
15. A display compatible with day lighting and compatible with night vision equipment, the display comprising the backlight apparatus of claim 4, wherein a brightness in day lighting decreases by no more than 25% when in use with night vision equipment.
16. A television comprising the backlight apparatus of claim 7.
17. A mobile phone comprising the backlight apparatus of claim 7.
18. A computer monitor comprising the backlight apparatus of claim 7.
19. A tablet computer comprising the backlight apparatus of claim 7.
20. A laptop comprising the backlight apparatus of claim 7.

1. A device used in conjunction with night vision equipment, the device comprising an LED light source optically coupled and/or radiationally connected to a phosphor material comprising a green-emitting phosphor and a red-emitting phosphor of formula I:AxMFy:Mn4+ wherein A is Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, or a combination thereof; M is Si, Ge, Sn, Ti, Zr, Al, Ga, In, Sc, Hf, Y, La, Nb, Ta, Bi, Gd, or a combination thereof, x is an absolute value of a charge of the MFy ion; and y is 5, 6 or 7; and wherein the device limits emission of wavelengths longer than 650 nm to less than 1.75% of total emission.
2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the red-emitting phosphor is K.2SiF6:Mn4+ or Na.2SiF6:Mn4+.
3. A device according to claim 1 wherein the green-emitting phosphor material comprises a sulfide phosphor, uranium-doped phosphor or quantum dot material.
4. A device according to claim 3, wherein the uranium-doped phosphor comprises phosphors selected from the group consisting of γ-Ba.2UO.2(PO.4).2,(Ba, Zn, Mg, UO.2).3 (PO.4).2, Ba(UO.2)P.2O.7, BaMgUO.2(PO.4).2, BaZnUO.2(PO.4).2, Ba.3(PO.4).2(UO.2).2P.2O.7, Ba.2Sr(PO.4).2(UO.2).2P.2O.7, BaSr.2(PO.4).2(UO.2).2P.2O.7, Sr.3(PO.4).2(UO.2).2P.2O.7, Ca.3(PO.4).2(UO.2).2P.2O.7, BaMg.2(PO.4).2(UO.2).2P.2O.7, Ba.2UO.2(VO.4).2, RbMgPO.4:U6+, BaZn.2(PO.4).2:U6+, BaBPO.5:U6+, Ba6Al.5P.5O.26:U6+, Sr.3B.2O6:U6+, Ba.2Mg(PO.4).2(UO.2).2P.2O.7:U6+ and Ba.3(UO.2).2P.2O.7(PO.4).2.
5. A device according to claim 3, wherein the quantum dot material comprises perovskite.
6. A lighting apparatus comprising the device of claim 1.
7. A backlight apparatus comprising the device of claim 1.
8. A device used in conjunction with night vision equipment, the device comprising an LED light source optically coupled and/or radiationally connected to a phosphor material including a red-emitting phosphor having the formula Na.2SiF6:Mn4+, wherein the device limits emission of wavelengths longer than 650 nm to no more than 1.0% of total emission.
21.A lighting apparatus comprising the device of claim 8.
22. A backlight apparatus comprising the device of claim 8.
9. A single mode display used in conjunction with night vision equipment and compatible with day lighting and night lighting, the single mode display comprising the backlight apparatus of claim 7, and in the absence of an NVIS filter.
10. A single mode display compatible with night vision equipment and day lighting, the single mode display comprising the backlight apparatus of claim 7, and an NVIS filter having an optical density of 1.0 or less.
11. A display compatible with day lighting and compatible with night vision equipment, the display comprising the backlight apparatus of claim 7, wherein a color gamut in day lighting decreases by less than 20% when in use with night vision equipment.
23. A display compatible with day lighting and compatible with night vision equipment, the display comprising the backlight apparatus of claim 7, wherein the backlight apparatus produces a white light and a color shift in a red spectrum decreases by less than 10% when in use with night vision equipment.
24. A display compatible with day lighting and compatible with night vision equipment, the display comprising the backlight apparatus of claim 7, wherein a brightness in day lighting decreases by no more than 25% when in use with night vision equipment.
12. A television comprising the backlight apparatus of claim 7.
13. A mobile phone comprising the backlight apparatus of claim 7.
14. A computer monitor comprising the backlight apparatus of claim 7.
15. A tablet computer comprising the backlight apparatus of claim 7.
16. A laptop comprising the backlight apparatus of claim 7.

Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. USPN 2025/0282993.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Christopher Raabe whose telephone number is [phone]. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 0530-1430.
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, James R Greece can be reached at [phone]. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/CHRISTOPHER M RAABE/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2875

Prosecution Timeline

• Nov 07, 2024: Application Filed
• Jul 27, 2026: Non-Final Rejection mailed — §101 (current)