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
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.
Claim 1 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 as claiming the same invention as that of claim 1 of prior U.S. Patent No. 12,242,158. This is a statutory double patenting rejection.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Mori et al. (US 2010/0128210 A1) discloses a display device comprising: a scanning line extending in a first direction: a video signal line; a first pixel electrode adjacent to the video signal line in a first side of the first direction; a second pixel electrode adjacent to the video signal line in a second side opposed to the first side of the first direction; a first thin film transistor connected to the first pixel electrode; a second thin film transistor connected to the second pixel electrode; first common electrodes; second common electrodes located apart from the first common electrode in a second direction intersecting the first direction; and a common-electrode bridge connected between the first common electrode and the second common electrode.
Sakai et al (US 2015/0055043 A1) discloses a display device comprising: a scanning line extending in a first direction: a video signal line; a first pixel electrode adjacent to the video signal line in a first side of the first direction; a second pixel electrode adjacent to the video signal line in a second side opposed to the first side of the first direction; a first thin film transistor connected to the first pixel electrode; a second thin film transistor connected to the second pixel electrode; first common electrodes; and second common electrodes located apart from the first common electrode in a second direction intersecting the first direction.
Kim et al. (US 2014/0160066 A1) discloses a display device comprising: a scanning line extending in a first direction: a video signal line; a first pixel electrode adjacent to the video signal line in a first side of the first direction; a second pixel electrode adjacent to the video signal line in a second side opposed to the first side of the first direction; a first thin film transistor connected to the first pixel electrode; a second thin film transistor connected to the second pixel electrode; a first common electrode extended parallel to the scanning line; a second common electrode extended parallel to the scanning line located apart from the first common electrode in a second direction intersecting the first direction; and a common-electrode bridge connected between the first common electrode and the second common electrode.
Contact Information
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Mariceli Santiago whose telephone number is (571) 272-2464. The examiner can normally be reached on Monday-Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, James R. Greece, can be reached on (571) 272-3711. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/Mariceli Santiago/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2879