Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 18/977,464

METHODS AND APPARATUS TO RENDER 3D CONTENT WITHIN A MOVEABLE REGION OF DISPLAY SCREEN

Non-Final OA §DP
Filed
Dec 11, 2024
Examiner
PARK, SUNGHYOUN
Art Unit
2484
Tech Center
2400 — Computer Networks
Assignee
Texas Instruments Incorporated
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
75%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
2y 9m
To Grant
85%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 75% — above average
75%
Career Allow Rate
459 granted / 613 resolved
+16.9% vs TC avg
Moderate +10% lift
Without
With
+10.2%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 9m
Avg Prosecution
43 currently pending
Career history
656
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
5.9%
-34.1% vs TC avg
§103
51.8%
+11.8% vs TC avg
§102
26.4%
-13.6% vs TC avg
§112
6.9%
-33.1% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 613 resolved cases

Office Action

§DP
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 . 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 claims at issue 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); and 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 a nonstatutory double patenting ground provided the reference application or patent either is shown to be commonly owned with this application, or claims an invention made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement. A terminal disclaimer must be signed in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(b). The USPTO internet Web site contains terminal disclaimer forms which may be used. Please visit http://www.uspto.gov/forms/. The filing date of the application will determine what form 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 http://www.uspto.gov/patents/process/file/efs/guidance/eTD-info-I.jsp. Claims 1-20 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory obviousness-type double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-24 of U.S. Patent No. 12,212,734. Although the conflicting claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other. See the reasons sets forth below: Instance Application No. 18/977,464 U.S. Patent No. 12,212,734 1. A method comprising: projecting, by a first projector, a first image to a first region, the first image having a first angular resolution and a first number of views; and projecting, by a second projector, a second image to a second region, the second image having a second angular resolution and a second number of views, wherein the second region is within the first region, the second angular resolution is greater than the first angular resolution, and the second number of views is greater than the first number of views. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the second number of views is greater than one and the first number of views is one. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first number of views is greater than one and the second number of views is greater than one. 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising projecting, by a third projector, a third image to a third region, wherein the third region is a subset of the first region. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein projecting the first image comprises projecting the first image in the second region. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein projecting the first image comprises projecting the first image in at least a portion of the second region. 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: instructing, by a controller, the first projector to project first content in the first region; and instructing, by the controller, the second projector to project second content in the second region. 8. An apparatus comprising: a controller, the controller configured to: produce a first image based on first content; and produce a second image based on second content; a first projector coupled to the controller, the first projector configured to project the first image to a first region, the first image having a first angular resolution and a first number of views; and a second projector coupled to the controller, the second projector configured to project the second image to a second region, the second image having a second angular resolution and a second number of views, wherein the second region is within the first region, the second angular resolution is greater than the first angular resolution, and the second number of views is greater than the first number of views. 9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a lens array and a screen panel optically coupled to the first projector and to the second projector. 10. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a diffractive film or metalenses optically coupled to the first projector and to the second projector. 11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the second number of views is greater than one and the first number of views is one. 12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first number of views is greater than one and the second number of views is greater than one. 13. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein a size of the second region is a quarter or less than a size of the first region. 14. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a third projector coupled to the controller, the third projector configured to project a third image to a third region, wherein the third region is a subset of the first region. 15. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first projector is configured to project the first image in the second region. 16. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first projector is configured to not project the first image in at least a portion of the second region. 17. A method comprising: determining, by a controller, a first region of a display; instructing, by the controller, the display to display first content in the first region as a first image having a first angular resolution and a first number of views; determining, by the controller, a second region of the display, the second region different than the first region; and instructing, by the controller, the display to display second content in the second region as a second image having a second angular resolution a second number of views, the second angular resolution greater than the first angular resolution and the second number of views greater than the first number of views. 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising selecting the first region based on the first content. 19. The method of claim 17, further comprising selecting the first region based on metadata associated with the first content. 20. The method of claim 17, further comprising selecting the first region based on a detected gaze. 1. An apparatus comprising: a display having a first region and a second region; a first projector optically coupled to the display, the first projector configured to project a first image to the first region, the first image having a first angular resolution and a first number of views; and a second projector optically coupled to the display, the second projector configured to project a second image to the second region, the second image having a second angular resolution and a second number of views, wherein the second region is within the first region, the second angular resolution is greater than the first angular resolution, and the second number of views is greater than the first number of views. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the display comprises a lens array and a screen panel. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the display comprises a diffractive film or metalenses. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second number of views is greater than one and the first number of views is one. 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first number of views is greater than one and the second number of views is greater than one. 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a size of the second region is a quarter or less than a size of the first region. 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the size of the second region is an eighth or less than the size of the first region. 8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a third projector optically coupled to the display, the third projector configured to project a third image to a third region, wherein the third region is a subset of the first region. 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first projector is configured to project the first image in the second region. 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first projector is configured to not project the first image in at least a portion of the second region. 11. A controller configured to: determine a first region of a display; instruct the display to display first content in the first region as a first image having a first angular resolution and a first number of views; determine a second region of the display, the second region different than the first region; and instruct the display to display second content in the second region as a second image having a second angular resolution a second number of views, the second angular resolution greater than the first angular resolution and the second number of views greater than the first number of views. 12. The controller of claim 11, further configured to select the first region based on the first content. 13. The controller of claim 11, further configured to select the first region based on metadata associated with the first content. 14. The controller of claim 11, further configured to select the first region based on a detected gaze. 15. The controller of claim 11, wherein the first region less than or equal to four times a foveal region. 16. An apparatus comprising: a pixel array; a lens array optically coupled to the pixel array, a lens of the lens array associated with a number of pixels of the pixel array; and a projector optically coupled to the lens array, the projector configured to: display a first image in a first region using the lens array and the pixel array, the first image having a first angular resolution and a first number of views; and display a second image in a second region using the lens array and the pixel array, the second image having a second angular resolution a second number of views, wherein the first region is different than the second region, the first angular resolution is greater than the second angular resolution, and the first number of views is greater than the second number of views. 17. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a screen panel optically coupled to the lens array. 18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first image is a 3D lightfield. 19. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising: a sensor configured to detect a gaze; and a controller coupled to the sensor and to the projector, the controller configured to instruct the projector to display the first image in the first region based on the gaze. 20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the gaze is a first gaze, wherein the sensor is further configured to detect a second gaze, and wherein the controller is further configured to instruct the projector to transition from displaying the first image in the first region to displaying the second image in the second region based on the second gaze. 21. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the lens array is a lenticular lens array, a spherical lens array, or an aspherical lens array. 22. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein a size of the second region is greater than a size of the first region. 23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the projector is configured to move away from the lens array. 24. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the projector comprises a zoom lens. Claims 1-20 are anticipated by U.S. Patent No. 12,212,734 claims 1-24 as show in the table above. Allowable Subject Matter Claims 1-20 would be allowable if rewritten to overcome the rejection(s) under nonstatutory obviousness-type double patenting set forth in this office action and to include all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to SUNGHYOUN PARK whose telephone number is (571)270-1333. The examiner can normally be reached M - Thur 6:00 am - 4 pm. 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, THAI Q TRAN can be reached at (571)272-7382. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. /SUNGHYOUN PARK/Examiner, Art Unit 2484
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Prosecution Timeline

Dec 11, 2024
Application Filed
Jan 06, 2026
Non-Final Rejection — §DP (current)

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Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

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Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
75%
Grant Probability
85%
With Interview (+10.2%)
2y 9m
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 613 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allow rate.

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