CTNF 19/025,286 CTNF 80016 DETAILED ACTION Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status 07-03-aia AIA 15-10-aia The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA. 07-30-03-h AIA Claim Interpretation Claim(s) 1-15 do not use “means for” (or “step for”) language, or generic placeholders for "means” coupled with functional language without recitation of sufficient structure for carrying out the claimed functions and therefore do not invoke 35 U.S.C. 112(f) (pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph). Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112 07-30-02 AIA 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. 07-34-01 Claims 4 and 7-15 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 4, 7 and 8] Claim 1 recites “an under-display camera positioned under an aperture region of a primary display of the electronic device… providing display functionality around the aperture region during the ON period of a primary display region overlapping with the aperture region; and performing image capture, by the under-display camera, during the OFF period of the primary display region overlapping with the aperture region”. Claim 4, which depends on claim 1 recites “wherein the providing display functionality around the aperture region of the primary display during the ON period is enabled using a secondary display positioned under the primary display of the electronic device” Claim 7, which depends on claim 4 recites “further comprises a projection system comprising multiple refractive and reflective elements present under the primary display, and in front of the secondary display, wherein the projection system is configured to congregate and project the light from the secondary display onto the aperture region”. As written, it is unclear whether claim 7 is attempting to claim a method and system together, or whether the method somehow uses the projection system. Furthermore, it is unclear how “around the aperture region” in claim 4 is to be defined. As claimed, the claim appears to recite displaying images using the second display in an area surrounding the aperture region (i.e. “around the aperture region”). Claim 7 recites projecting light onto the aperture region, not “around” the aperture region. The specification shows projecting light onto the aperture region (e.g. Figures 3A and 6) and not the area “around” the aperture region as claimed. See MPEP 2173.03: “A claim, although clear on its face, may also be indefinite when a conflict or inconsistency between the claimed subject matter and the specification disclosure renders the scope of the claim uncertain as inconsistency with the specification disclosure or prior art teachings may make an otherwise definite claim take on an unreasonable degree of uncertainty. In re Moore, 439 F.2d 1232, 1235-36, 169 USPQ 236, 239 (CCPA 1971)”. Therefore, it is unclear what specifically is required by claims 4 and 7 as well as claim 8 which depends from claim 8. Clarification is required. [claims 9-15] Claims 9-15 recite similar limitations to claims 4 and 7 in a system form. Claims 9-15 are similarly rejected for the same reasons discussed in the rejection of claim 4 above. Clarification is required. Allowable Subject Matter 12-151-07 AIA 07-97 12-51-07 Claim s 1-3, 5 and 6 are allowed. 07-43-01 Claims 4 and 7-15 would be allowable if rewritten or amended to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action. [claims 1-15] Regarding claims 1-8, the prior art does not teach or reasonably suggest a method performed by an electronic device, the method comprising: receiving an input to initiate an image capturing operation using an under-display camera positioned under an aperture region of a primary display of the electronic device; detecting a modulation rate of the primary display, wherein the modulation rate comprises an ON period and an OFF period; determining a current operating frame rate of the under-display camera; synchronizing, when the image capturing operation is in progress, the current operating frame rate associated with the under-display camera with the detected modulation rate, wherein the synchronizing comprises: providing display functionality around the aperture region during the ON period of a primary display region overlapping with the aperture region; and performing image capture, by the under-display camera, during the OFF period of the primary display region overlapping with the aperture region. Regarding claims 9-15, the prior art does not teach or reasonably suggest an electronic device comprising: a primary display and a secondary display; a projection system that is under the primary display and is in front of the secondary display, wherein the projection system comprises multiple refractive and reflective elements and the projection system is configured to congregate and project the light from the secondary display onto an aperture region in the primary display; an under-display camera below the aperture region; and at least one processor operatively connected with the projection system, the primary display, the secondary display, and the under-display camera, wherein the at least one processor is configured to: receive an input to initiate an image capturing operation using the under-display camera; detect a modulation rate of the primary display, wherein the modulation rate comprises an ON period and an OFF period; determine a current operating frame rate of the under-display camera; synchronize, when the image capturing operation is in progress, the current operating frame rate associated with the under-display camera with the detected modulation rate, and wherein the synchronizing comprises: providing display functionality around the aperture region during the ON period of a primary display region overlapping with the aperture region; and performing image capture, by the under-display camera, during the OFF period of the primary display region overlapping with the aperture region. While the prior art teaches similar systems for synchronization the display of a display device with the image capturing of an under-display camera, the prior art does not teach doing so using the particular system or method claimed. For example, Liu (US 11,863,855 B2) teaches a system which determines a vertical blanking interval of a display and operates an under-display camera based on the VBI of the display (e.g. Figure 10). Yoon et al. (US 2023/0082406 A1 – common applicant) teaches a system which synchronizes operation of a camera shutter to a display duty of a display (Figure 6A). Nikhara et al. (US 11,509,806 B2) operating a display device during a camera sensor blanking period (e.g. Figures 6 and 11). Cok (US 2008/0165267 A1) teaches a similar system for capturing images during a non-display period of a display (Figure 3). However, these references and other cited prior art references (see IDS) do not teach or reasonably suggest a system or method configured to detect a modulation rate of the primary display, wherein the modulation rate comprises an ON period and an OFF period; determine a current operating frame rate of the under-display camera; synchronizing, when the image capturing operation is in progress, the current operating frame rate associated with the under-display camera with the detected modulation rate, wherein the synchronizing comprises: providing display functionality around the aperture region during the ON period of a primary display region overlapping with the aperture region; and performing image capture, by the under-display camera, during the OFF period of the primary display region overlapping with the aperture region as recited in the claims. Specifically, the cited references do not detect rates of the display and the camera and synchronize while an image capturing operation is in progress. Instead, the cited references set display or capture rates prior to a display or capture operation so that the rates are synchronized once started. However, the above 35 USC 112(b) rejections must be overcome before all claims can be considered allowable. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to TIMOTHY J HENN whose telephone number is (571)272-7310. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday ~10-6. 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, Twyler Haskins can be reached at (571) 272-7406. 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. /Timothy J Henn/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2639 Application/Control Number: 19/025,286 Page 2 Art Unit: 2639 Application/Control Number: 19/025,286 Page 3 Art Unit: 2639 Application/Control Number: 19/025,286 Page 4 Art Unit: 2639 Application/Control Number: 19/025,286 Page 5 Art Unit: 2639 Application/Control Number: 19/025,286 Page 6 Art Unit: 2639 Application/Control Number: 19/025,286 Page 7 Art Unit: 2639
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