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 .
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
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.
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 1-6 and 9-14 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Yu (US 2020/0389972) in view of Kim et al. (US 11,272,611; hereinafter “Kim”).
Regarding claim 1,Yu teaches a connection member (Fig. 1) comprising:
a first region (such as region on left side of right most 530 in Fig. 1), a second region (such as region that overlaps 530 in Fig. 1), and a third region (such as region on right side of right most 530 in Fig. 1; see cropped Fig. 1 below);
PNG
media_image1.png
373
513
media_image1.png
Greyscale
a first conductive layer (right most 530, Fig. 1);
a first insulating layer (same as 510, Fig. 1); and
a cover layer (600, Fig. 1),
wherein the first conductive layer is disposed in the second region (right most 530 in second region in Fig. 1),
the third region and the first region do not overlap the first conductive layer (as shown in Fig. 1),
the first insulating layer directly contact the first conductive layer and has an edge overlapping the third region (510 directly contacting 530 and right edge of 510 not overlapping 530),
the cover layer is disposed on the first conductive layer and overlaps the second region and the third region (600 overlap all regions as shown in Fig. 1).
Yu does not teach a side surface of the first insulating layer at the edge is covered by the cover layer. However, Kim teaches a connection member (Figs. 1-2) comprising: a side surface of a first insulating layer (same as right side surface of 120, Figs. 1, 2) at an edge is covered by a cover layer (200, Figs. 1-2). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have a side surface of the first insulating layer at the edge is covered by the cover layer in Yu, as taught by Kim, in order to prevent damage to the side surface of the first insulating layer.
Regarding claim 2, Yu in view of Kim teaches the connection member of claim 1, and Yu further teaches further comprising a second conductive layer (right most 540 in Fig. 1); a third conductive layer (right most 840 in Fig. 1); and a second insulating layer (same as 700, Fig. 1) disposed between the second conductive layer and the third conductive layer, wherein the first insulating layer is disposed between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer (as shown in Fig. 1).
Regarding claim 3, Yu in view of Kim teaches the connection member of claim 2, and Yu further teaches wherein the third conductive layer is disposed in the second region (right most 840 in second region in Fig. 1), and the third region and the first region do not overlap the third conductive layer (as shown in Fig. 1).
Regarding claim 4, Yu in view of Kim teaches the connection member of claim 2, and Yu further teaches the cover layer include a polyimide ([0041]). Yu does not teach the first insulating layer and the second insulating layer include a polyimide. However, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have the first insulating layer and the second insulating layer include a polyimide in Yu in view of Kim, since it has been held that a selection of a known material based on its suitability for its intended use supports a prima facie obviousness determination. Selecting a known compound to meet requirements is generally recognized as being within the level of ordinary skill in the art (citing Sinclair & Carroll Co. v. Interchemical Corp., 325 U.S. 327, 65 USPQ 297 (1945)). In this case, polyimide is a well-known material for good structural integrity and resist crack, and selecting this material does not yield any unexpected results to one of ordinary skill in the art.
Regarding claim 5, Yu in view of Kim teaches the connection member of claim 1, and Yu further teaches a second layer (650, Fig. 1), which is a lowermost layer of the third region, extends to the second region (as shown in Fig. 1); and wherein the cover layer includes a first layer (same as 600, Fig. 1), which is an uppermost layer of the second region, and extends to the third region (as shown in Fig. 1).
Regarding claim 6, Yu in view of Kim teaches the connection member of claim 1, and Yu further teaches a number of conductive layers in the second region is greater than a number of conductive layers in the first region and is greater than a number of conductive layers in the third region (as shown in cropped Fig. 1 above).
Regarding claim 9, Yu teaches a display device ([0002]) comprising:
a display panel ([0002]: “…display device such as a portable electronic device.”);
a body unit (portable electronic device inherently have a body unit); and
a connection member (Fig. 1) which connects the display panel and the body unit to each other ([0002]: “…a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) … often used for transmitting data signals between devices to a display device…”), wherein the connection member includes a first region (such as region on left side of right most 530 in Fig. 1), a second region (such as region that overlaps 530 in Fig. 1), and a third region (such as region on right side of right most 530 in Fig. 1; see cropped Fig. 1 below),
PNG
media_image1.png
373
513
media_image1.png
Greyscale
a first conductive layer (right most 530, Fig. 1),
a first insulating layer (same as 510, Fig. 1), and
a cover layer (600, Fig. 1),
wherein the first conductive layer is disposed in the second region (right most 530 in second region in Fig. 1),
the third region and the first region do not overlap the first conductive layer (as shown in Fig. 1),
the first insulating layer directly contacts the first conductive layer and having an edge overlap the third region (510 directly contacting 530 and right edge of 510 not overlapping 530),
the cover layer is disposed on the first conductive layer and overlaps the second region and the third region (600 overlap all regions as shown in Fig. 1).
Yu does not teach a side surface of the first insulating layer at the edge is covered by the cover layer. However, Kim teaches a connection member (Figs. 1-2) comprising: a side surface of a first insulating layer (same as right side surface of 120, Figs. 1, 2) at an edge is covered by a cover layer (200, Figs. 1-2). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have a side surface of the first insulating layer at the edge is covered by the cover layer in Yu, as taught by Kim, in order to prevent damage to the side surface of the first insulating layer.
Regarding claim 10, Yu in view of Kim teaches the display device of claim 9, and Yu further teaches the connection member further includes a second conductive layer (right most 540 in Fig. 1), a third conductive layer (right most 840 in Fig. 1), and a second insulating layer (same as 700, Fig. 1) disposed between the second conductive layer and the third conductive layer, wherein the first insulating layer is disposed between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer (as shown in Fig. 1).
Regarding claim 11, Yu in view of Kim teaches the display device of claim 10, and Yu further teaches wherein the third conductive layer disposed in the second region (right most 840 in second region in Fig. 1), the third region and the first region do not overlap the third conductive layer (as shown in Fig. 1).
Regarding claim 12, Yu in view of Kim teaches the display device of claim 10, and Yu further teaches the cover layer include a polyimide ([0041]). Yu does not teach the first insulating layer and the second insulating layer include a polyimide. However, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have the first insulating layer and the second insulating layer include a polyimide in Yu, since it has been held that a selection of a known material based on its suitability for its intended use supports a prima facie obviousness determination. Selecting a known compound to meet requirements is generally recognized as being within the level of ordinary skill in the art (citing Sinclair & Carroll Co. v. Interchemical Corp., 325 U.S. 327, 65 USPQ 297 (1945)). In this case, polyimide is a well-known material for good structural integrity and resist crack, and selecting this material does not yield any unexpected results to one of ordinary skill in the art.
Regarding claim 13, Yu in view of Kim teaches the display device of claim 9, and Yu further teaches wherein the connection member further includes a second layer (650, Fig. 1), which is a lowermost layer of the third region, extends to the second region (as shown in Fig. 1); and wherein the cover layer includes a first layer (same as 600, Fig. 1), which is an uppermost layer of the second region, extends to the third region (as shown in Fig. 1).
Regarding claim 14, Yu in view of Kim teaches the display device of claim 9, and Yu further teaches a number of conductive layers in the second region is greater than a number of conductive layers in the first region and is greater than a number of conductive layers in the third region (as shown in cropped Fig. 1 above).
Claims 7-8 and 15-16 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Yu in view of Kim, and further in view of Takahashi et al. (US 8,071,883; hereinafter “Takahashi”).
Regarding claims 7-8, Yu in view of Kim teaches the connection member of claim 5, and Yu further teaches wherein the first layer is one selected from an insulating layer including a black material, a shielding film, and a stacked structure of the insulating layer including the black material and the shielding film; wherein the second layer is one selected from an insulating layer including a black material, a shielding film, and a stacked structure of the insulating layer including the black material and the shielding film. However, Takahashi teaches a first layer including a shield film (137, Fig. 3) and a second layer including a shield film (136, Fig. 3). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have the first layer is one selected from an insulating layer including a black material, a shielding film, and a stacked structure of the insulating layer including the black material and the shielding film; wherein the second layer is one selected from an insulating layer including a black material, a shielding film, and a stacked structure of the insulating layer including the black material and the shielding film in Yu in view of Kim, as taught by Takahashi, in order to shield unwanted electromagnetic noise.
Regarding claims 15-16, Yu in view of Kim teaches the display device of claim 13, and Yu further teaches wherein the first layer is one selected from an insulating layer including a black material, a shielding film, and a stacked structure of the insulating layer including the black material and the shielding film; wherein the second layer is one selected from an insulating layer including a black material, a shielding film, and a stacked structure of the insulating layer including the black material and the shielding film. However, Takahashi teaches a first layer including a shield film (137, Fig. 3) and a second layer including a shield film (136, Fig. 3). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have the first layer is one selected from an insulating layer including a black material, a shielding film, and a stacked structure of the insulating layer including the black material and the shielding film; wherein the second layer is one selected from an insulating layer including a black material, a shielding film, and a stacked structure of the insulating layer including the black material and the shielding film in Yu in view of Kim, as taught by Takahashi, in order to shield unwanted electromagnetic noise.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments with respect to claims 1-16 have been considered but are moot in view of the new ground(s) of rejection.
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 JAMES WU whose telephone number is (571)270-7974. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday, 9:00AM - 5:00PM.
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 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.
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.
/JAMES WU/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2841
Prosecution Insights