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 .
Priority
Receipt is acknowledged of certified copies of papers required by 37 CFR 1.55.
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 12/26/2024 is in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement is being considered by the examiner.
Claim Interpretation
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(f):
(f) Element in Claim for a Combination. – An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof.
The following is a quotation of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph:
An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof.
The claims in this application are given their broadest reasonable interpretation using the plain meaning of the claim language in light of the specification as it would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The broadest reasonable interpretation of a claim element (also commonly referred to as a claim limitation) is limited by the description in the specification when 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is invoked.
As explained in MPEP § 2181, subsection I, claim limitations that meet the following three-prong test will be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph:
(A) the claim limitation uses the term “means” or “step” or a term used as a substitute for “means” that is a generic placeholder (also called a nonce term or a non-structural term having no specific structural meaning) for performing the claimed function;
(B) the term “means” or “step” or the generic placeholder is modified by functional language, typically, but not always linked by the transition word “for” (e.g., “means for”) or another linking word or phrase, such as “configured to” or “so that”; and
(C) the term “means” or “step” or the generic placeholder is not modified by sufficient structure, material, or acts for performing the claimed function.
Use of the word “means” (or “step”) in a claim with functional language creates a rebuttable presumption that the claim limitation is to be treated in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph. The presumption that the claim limitation is interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is rebutted when the claim limitation recites sufficient structure, material, or acts to entirely perform the recited function.
Absence of the word “means” (or “step”) in a claim creates a rebuttable presumption that the claim limitation is not to be treated in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph. The presumption that the claim limitation is not interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is rebutted when the claim limitation recites function without reciting sufficient structure, material or acts to entirely perform the recited function.
Claim limitations in this application that use the word “means” (or “step”) are being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, except as otherwise indicated in an Office action. Conversely, claim limitations in this application that do not use the word “means” (or “step”) are not being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, except as otherwise indicated in an Office action.
This application includes one or more claim limitations that do not use the word “means,” but are nonetheless being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, because the claim limitation(s) uses a generic placeholder that is coupled with functional language without reciting sufficient structure to perform the recited function and the generic placeholder is not preceded by a structural modifier. Such claim limitation(s) is/are: “an ambient light sensor configured to”, “an accumulation lookup table configured to”, “a compensation lookup table configured to” in claims 1, 21; “an accumulation lookup table configured to” in claim 7; “a compensation lookup table configured to” in claim 8; “an accumulation memory configured to” in claim 2; “a compensation memory configured to” in claim 3; “a data compensator configured to” in claim 3.
Because this/these claim limitation(s) is/are being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, it/they is/are being interpreted to cover the corresponding structure described in the specification as performing the claimed function, and equivalents thereof.
If applicant does not intend to have this/these limitation(s) interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, applicant may: (1) amend the claim limitation(s) to avoid it/them being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph (e.g., by reciting sufficient structure to perform the claimed function); or (2) present a sufficient showing that the claim limitation(s) recite(s) sufficient structure to perform the claimed function so as to avoid it/them being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph.
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.
The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness.
Claim(s) 1-3, 6-8, 10-14, 17-19 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Lee et al. (2020/0111455) in view of Lee et al. (US 2018/0247588, hereinafter Lee588).
As to Claim 1, Lee et al. discloses A display device, comprising: a display panel including a plurality of pixels (fig.1, pixels PX);
an ambient light sensor configured to sense an ambient light of the display panel {This element is interpreted under 112(f) as an RGB spectrum sensor); and
an image sticking compensator configured to perform an image sticking compensation operation on the pixels (fig.1-2,8; image sticking compensator 200),
wherein the image sticking compensator includes: an accumulation lookup table configured to generate a wavelength spectrum of an accumulated deterioration amount of the pixels based on the accumulated deterioration amount of the pixels ({This element is interpreted under 112(f) as any structure in hardware, software or firmware}, fig.2,8; compensator 240 may include memory 242 which may include a plurality of lookup tables including respective age values and compensation values corresponding to respective grayscales, where the lookup tables may be distinguished according to colors of the pixels; para.0093, 0098-0099); and
a compensation lookup table configured to generate a compensation value of the pixels for compensating an input image data based on a wavelength spectrum of the ambient light and the wavelength spectrum of the accumulated deterioration amount ({This element is interpreted under 112(f) as any structure in hardware, software or firmware}, fig.1-2,8; para. 0044-0045,0094-0095; 0098-0099),
wherein an ambient light lookup table included in the image sticking compensator or the ambient light sensor is configured to generate the wavelength spectrum of the ambient light based on the ambient light of the display panel {This element is interpreted under 112(f) as any structure in hardware, software or firmware}.
Lee et al. does not expressly disclose an ambient light sensor configured to sense an ambient light of the display panel {This element is interpreted under 112(f) as an illuminance sensor); a wavelength spectrum of the ambient light; wherein an ambient light lookup table included in the image sticking compensator or the ambient light sensor is configured to generate the wavelength spectrum of the ambient light based on the ambient light of the display panel ({This element is interpreted under 112(f) as any structure in hardware, software or firmware},
Lee588 discloses an ambient light sensor configured to sense an ambient light of the display panel {This element is interpreted under 112(f) as an illuminance sensor) (fig.1, ambient light sensor 15; para.0024), a wavelength spectrum of the ambient light (para.0024,0076, 0078-0079,0081, 0084-0087 ); wherein an ambient light lookup table included in the image sticking compensator or the ambient light sensor is configured to generate the wavelength spectrum of the ambient light based on the ambient light of the display panel ({This element is interpreted under 112(f) as any structure in hardware, software or firmware}, para.0024,0076,0084).
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 Lee et al. with the teachings of Lee588, such that the compensator (of Lee et al.) may generate age compensation data based on the pixel luminance and pixel light exposure obtained based on wavelength spectrum of the ambient light (as disclosed by Lee588).
The motivation being to provide compensation data taking into account pixel aging effects, thereby compensating for undesired aging-induced color shift and display images more accurately.
As to Claim 2, Lee et al. in view of Lee588 disclose wherein the image sticking compensator further includes: an accumulation memory configured to store the accumulated deterioration amount of the pixels {This element is interpreted under 112(f) as a non-volatile memory or a flash memory}; fig.2, para.0052).
As to Claim 3, Lee et al. in view of Lee588 disclose wherein the image sticking compensator further includes: a compensation memory configured to store the compensation value {This element is interpreted under 112(f) as a volatile memory}; fig.8, memory 242, para.0093) and a data compensator configured to compensate the input image data based on the compensation value {This element is interpreted under 112(f) as any structure in hardware, software or firmware}; fig.2,8; compensation data output 246; para.0092,0095).
As to Claim 6, Lee et al. in view Lee588 wherein each of the pixels includes a red sub-pixel, a green sub-pixel, and a blue sub-pixel (Lee-para.0048; Lee588-para.0028, 0047), and wherein the accumulated deterioration amount includes a red accumulated deterioration amount which is an accumulated deterioration amount of the red sub-pixel, a green accumulated deterioration amount which is an accumulated deterioration amount of the green sub-pixel, and a blue accumulated deterioration amount which is an accumulated deterioration amount of the blue sub-pixel (Lee-para.0060,0098; Lee588-para.0047).
As to Claim 7, Lee et al. in view of Lee588 disclose wherein the accumulation lookup table is configured to generate the wavelength spectrum of the accumulated deterioration amount based on the red accumulated deterioration amount, the green accumulated deterioration amount, and the blue accumulated deterioration amount (Lee-para.0060, 0098-0099).
As to Claim 8, Lee et al. in view of Lee588 disclose wherein the compensation lookup table is configured to generate a wavelength spectrum of an image perceived by a user by applying the wavelength spectrum of the ambient light to the wavelength spectrum of the accumulated deterioration amount (Lee-para.0060, 0098-0099; Lee588- para.0024,0076,0084).
As to Claim 10, Lee et al. in view of Lee588 disclose wherein the ambient light sensor is an illuminance sensor (Lee588-fig.1, para.0024).
As to Claim 11, Lee et al. in view of Lee588 disclose wherein the ambient light sensor is an RGB spectrum sensor and configured to generate the wavelength spectrum of the ambient light based on the ambient light of the display panel (Lee588-fig.1, para.0024).
As to Claim 12, Lee et al. in view of Lee588 disclose wherein each of the pixels includes a plurality of cells, and the input image data is additionally compensated according to a characteristics of each of the cells (Lee-para.0048,0098; Lee588-para.0031,0047,0054).
As to Claims 13-14, 17-19 are method claims drawn to the apparatus of Claim 1, 6-8 and are rejected for the reasons as set forth above.
Claim(s) 4-5, 15-16 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Lee et al. (2020/0111455) in view of Lee et al. (US 2018/0247588, hereinafter Lee588), further in view of Wilson (US 2011/0199350).
As to Claim 4, Lee et al. in view of Lee588 disclose wherein the ambient light includes a red ambient light, a green ambient light, and a blue ambient light (Lee588, para.0044,0070,0078-0079,0084-0085).
Lee et al. in view of Lee588 do not expressly disclose, but Wilson discloses wherein the ambient light sensor is configured to sense the ambient light to generate an intensity of the red ambient light, an intensity of the green ambient light, and an intensity of the blue ambient light (fig.5, red/green/blue light intensity sensors 501,503,505 respectively) and provide the intensity of the red ambient light, the intensity of the green ambient light, and the intensity of the blue ambient light to the ambient light lookup table (fig.5, ambient light from sensors provided to ambient light compensation device 507; para.0035, 0037).
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 disclosed by Lee et al. in view of Lee588 with the teachings of Wilson, the motivation being to provide ambient light detection and compensation device that detects and applies the appropriate color profile to compensate for non-ideal lighting conditions, thus providing the specified color balance.
As to Claim 5, Lee et al. in view of Lee588, as modified by Wilson, disclose wherein the ambient light lookup table is configured to generate the wavelength spectrum of the ambient light based on the intensity of the red ambient light, the intensity of the green ambient light, and the intensity of the blue ambient light (Lee588-0024, 0076, 0084; Wilson-para.0028-0029,0056).
As to Claims 15-16 are method claims drawn to the apparatus of Claims 4-5 and are rejected for the reasons as set forth above.
Claim(s) 21 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Lee et al. (2020/0111455) in view of Lee et al. (US 2018/0247588, hereinafter Lee588), further in view of An et al. (US 2017/0162103).
As to Claim 21, Lee et al. discloses An electronic device comprising: a display panel including a plurality of pixels (fig.1, pixels PX);
an ambient light sensor configured to sense an ambient light of the display panel {This element is interpreted under 112(f) as an RGB spectrum sensor); and
an image sticking compensator configured to perform an image sticking compensation operation on the pixels (fig.1-2,8; image sticking compensator 200),
a power supply configured to provide a power to the display panel, the ambient light sensor, and the image sticking compensator,
wherein the image sticking compensator includes: an accumulation lookup table configured to generate a wavelength spectrum of an accumulated deterioration amount of the pixels based on the accumulated deterioration amount of the pixels ({This element is interpreted under 112(f) as any structure in hardware, software or firmware}, fig.2,8; compensator 240 may include memory 242 which may include a plurality of lookup tables including respective age values and compensation values corresponding to respective grayscales, where the lookup tables may be distinguished according to colors of the pixels; para.0093, 0098-0099); and
a compensation lookup table configured to generate a compensation value of the pixels for compensating an input image data based on a wavelength spectrum of the ambient light and the wavelength spectrum of the accumulated deterioration amount ({This element is interpreted under 112(f) as any structure in hardware, software or firmware}, fig.1-2,8; para. 0044-0045,0094-0095; 0098-0099),
wherein an ambient light lookup table included in the image sticking compensator or the ambient light sensor is configured to generate the wavelength spectrum of the ambient light based on the ambient light of the display panel {This element is interpreted under 112(f) as any structure in hardware, software or firmware}.
Lee et al. does not expressly disclose an ambient light sensor configured to sense an ambient light of the display panel {This element is interpreted under 112(f) as an illuminance sensor); a power supply configured to provide a power to the display panel, the ambient light sensor, and the image sticking compensator; a wavelength spectrum of the ambient light; wherein an ambient light lookup table included in the image sticking compensator or the ambient light sensor is configured to generate the wavelength spectrum of the ambient light based on the ambient light of the display panel ({This element is interpreted under 112(f) as any structure in hardware, software or firmware},
Lee588 discloses an ambient light sensor configured to sense an ambient light of the display panel {This element is interpreted under 112(f) as an illuminance sensor) (fig.1, ambient light sensor 15; para.0024), a wavelength spectrum of the ambient light (para.0024,0076, 0078-0079,0081, 0084-0087 ); wherein an ambient light lookup table included in the image sticking compensator or the ambient light sensor is configured to generate the wavelength spectrum of the ambient light based on the ambient light of the display panel ({This element is interpreted under 112(f) as any structure in hardware, software or firmware}, para.0024,0076,0084).
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 Lee et al. with the teachings of Lee588, such that the compensator (of Lee et al.) may generate age compensation data based on the pixel luminance and pixel light exposure obtained based on wavelength spectrum of the ambient light (as disclosed by Lee588).
The motivation being to provide compensation data taking into account pixel aging effects, thereby compensating for undesired aging-induced color shift and display images more accurately.
Lee et al. in view of Lee588 do not expressly disclose a power supply configured to provide a power to the display panel, the ambient light sensor, and the image sticking compensator
An et al. discloses a power supply that may supply power for operations of the electronic device (fig.13, para.0071).
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 disclosed by Lee et al. in view of Lee588, with the teachings An et al., such that it provides power the display panel, the ambient light sensor, and the image sticking compensator. The motivation being to provide power for operations of the electronic device.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claim 9, 20 are objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter: Claim 9 (20) is allowable over the prior art of record since the cited references alone or in combination do not teach or suggest “wherein the compensation lookup table is configured to compare the wavelength spectrum of the image perceived by the user with a reference wavelength spectrum, which is a target wavelength spectrum of the image to be perceived by the user, to generate a final accumulated deterioration amount of the pixels, and generate the compensation value of the pixels based on the final accumulated deterioration amount” in combination with the other limitations in the claim.
Conclusion
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/DISMERY MERCEDES/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2627
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