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 .
Election/Restrictions
Applicant’s election without traverse of Invention I, claims 1-11 and 18-20, in the reply filed on 3/13/2026 is acknowledged. Claims 12-17 are withdrawn.
Claim Objections
Claim 9 is objected to because of the following informalities: distances between the an least one contact point. There is a miswording. Appropriate correction is required.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
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 the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
A person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claims 1-6, 8-11, and 18-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Noh (US 2022/0019336 A1).
Instant Claim 1: An electronic device comprising: a display; (“The mobile terminal includes … a display,” (Noh, abstract) The mobile terminal of Noh corresponds to the e3lectronic device of the claim.)
a touch sensor; (“The flexible display unit 151 (fig 1) may be combined with a touch sensor to implement a flexible touch screen.” (Noh, paragraph 91))
memory comprising one or more storage media storing instructions; (“For instance, the memory 170 (fig 1) may be configured to store application programs executed in the mobile terminal 100, data or instructions for operations of the mobile terminal 100, and the like.” (Noh, paragraph 80))
and at least one processor comprising processing circuitry, (“For example, the controller 180 (fig 1) may be a circuit board 181 including a processor and an electronic circuit for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal,” (Noh, paragraph 107) The processor of Noh contains processing circuitry.)
wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor individually or collectively, cause the electronic device to: obtain data from the touch sensor, while displaying a screen based on a first brightness of the display; (“More specifically, after touching the first region 1511 (fig 15A) of the icon 1510, the user may drag the first region 1511 to the first dial indicator 1521 while maintaining touch.” (Noh, paragraph 251) The touch sensor of Noh detects the user’s drag operation – obtaining and providing data.
In addition, referring to fig 15A of Noh, the display presents a certain brightness during the user’s drag operation, corresponding to the first brightness of the claim.)
identify, based on at least one contact point associated with a touch input performed on the display that is identified by the data, whether the touch input is corresponding to a preset gesture to adjust the first brightness of the display; (“More specifically, after touching the first region 1511 (fig 15A) of the icon 1510, the user may drag the first region 1511 to the first dial indicator 1521 while maintaining touch. In this case, a function controlled by the icon 1510 may be a brightness adjustment function and the first dial indicator 1521 may be an indicator having a brightness of 75%.” (Noh, paragraph 251) The drag operation of the user of Noh corresponds to the preset gesture of the claim.)
and based on identifying the touch input corresponding to the preset gesture, change, among a plurality of visual objects included in the screen, a brightness of a first portion where at least one first visual object having a preset type to a second brightness different from the first brightness. (“Accordingly, the mobile terminal may adjust the brightness of a first application 1531 (fig 15A) which is being executed in the first region of the display corresponding to the first region 1511 of the icon 1510 to 75%.” (Noh, paragraph 252) The portion of the display of Noh whose brightness is being adjusted contains visual objects.)
Instant Claim 2: The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor individually or collectively, cause the electronic device to: change, in a state that the touch input is corresponding to the preset gesture identified based on the at least one contact point greater than a preset number, which are arranged along a preset direction, the brightness of the first portion to the second brightness greater than the first brightness. (“More specifically, after touching the first region 1511 (fig 15A) of the icon 1510, the user may drag the first region 1511 to the first dial indicator 1521 while maintaining touch. … Accordingly, the mobile terminal may adjust the brightness of a first application 1531 which is being executed in the first region of the display corresponding to the first region 1511 of the icon 1510 to 75%.” (Noh, paragraphs 251-252) The drag gesture of Noh involves one contact point – greater than zero contact points.)
Instant Claim 3: The electronic device of claim 2, further comprising: a photoresistor, and wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor individually or collectively, cause the electronic device to: obtain, in the state, whether to change the brightness of the first portion to the second brightness based on data outputted from the photoresistor. (“For example, the sensing unit 140 (fig 1) may alternatively or additionally include other types of sensors or devices, such as a proximity sensor 141 and an illumination sensor 142,” (Noh paragraph 74) The illumination sensor 142 of Noh corresponds to the photoresistor of the claim.)
Instant Claim 4: The electronic device of claim 2, further comprising, an accelerometer; (“For example, the sensing unit 140 (fig 1) may alternatively or additionally include other types of sensors or devices, such as … an acceleration sensor,” (Noh, paragraph 74) The acceleration sensor of Noh corresponds to the accelerometer of the claim.)
and wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor individually or collectively, cause the electronic device to: obtain, in the state, whether to change the brightness of the first portion to the second brightness, based on whether a direction of the display is directed to a preset direction that is identified by data outputted from the accelerometer. (“In this connection, the information related to the deformation may include a direction in which the flexible display unit 151 (fig 1) is deformed, a degree of the deformation, a deformed position, a deformed time, an acceleration at which the deformed flexible display unit 151 is restored, and the like.” (Noh, paragraph 95))
Instant Claim 5: The electronic device of claim 2, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor individually or collectively, cause the electronic device to: identify, based on the preset type to classify at least one of a quick response (QR) code, an image, a video, or a software keyboard, the at least one first visual object among the plurality of visual objects included in the screen. (“Accordingly, the mobile terminal may adjust the brightness of a first application 1531 (fig 15A) which is being executed in the first region of the display corresponding to the first region 1511 of the icon 1510 to 75%.” (Noh, paragraph 252) The first application 1531 of Noh is an image appearing on the screen.)
Instant Claim 6: The electronic device of claim 2, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor individually or collectively, cause the electronic device to: change, in another state that the touch input is corresponding to another preset gesture identified based on the at least one contact point arranged along another direction which is perpendicular to the preset direction, a brightness of the screen to a third brightness lower than the first brightness. (“More specifically, after touching the first region 1511 (fig 15A) of the icon 1510, the user may drag the first region 1511 to the first dial indicator 1521 while maintaining touch. … Accordingly, the mobile terminal may adjust the brightness of a first application 1531 which is being executed in the first region of the display corresponding to the first region 1511 of the icon 1510 to 75%.” (Noh, paragraphs 251-252) Referring to fig 15A of Noh, the user’s drag gesture may be in any direction.)
Instant Claim 8: The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor individually or collectively, cause the electronic device to: change, in a state that the touch input is corresponding to the preset gesture identified based on the at least one contact point greater than a preset number, which are arranged along a closed curve, the brightness of the first portion to the second brightness lower than the first brightness. (“More specifically, after touching the first region 1511 (fig 15A) of the icon 1510, the user may drag the first region 1511 to the first dial indicator 1521 while maintaining touch. … Accordingly, the mobile terminal may adjust the brightness of a first application 1531 which is being executed in the first region of the display corresponding to the first region 1511 of the icon 1510 to 75%.” (Noh, paragraphs 251-252) The drag gesture of Noh involves one contact point – greater than zero contact points.
In addition, the brightness level may be adjusted to be less than or greater than the current level.)
Instant Claim 9: The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor individually or collectively, cause the electronic device to: identify, based on a preset closed curve formed in the display, and distances between the an least one contact point, whether the at least one contact point is corresponding to the preset gesture. (“More specifically, after touching the first region 1511 (fig 15A) of the icon 1510, the user may drag the first region 1511 to the first dial indicator 1521 while maintaining touch. In this case, a function controlled by the icon 1510 may be a brightness adjustment function and the first dial indicator 1521 may be an indicator having a brightness of 75%.” (Noh, paragraph 251))
Instant Claim 10: The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor individually or collectively, cause the electronic device to: identify, based on the preset type for classifying at least one of a text box to receive a password, an image, or a video, the at least one first visual object among the plurality of visual objects. (“Accordingly, the mobile terminal may adjust the brightness of a first application 1531 (fig 15A) which is being executed in the first region of the display corresponding to the first region 1511 of the icon 1510 to 75%.” (Noh, paragraph 252) The first application 1531 of Noh is an image appearing on the screen.)
Instant Claim 11: The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor individually or collectively, cause the electronic device to: identify, based on differences of coordinates in axes which are perpendicular to each other, whether the touch input is corresponding to the preset gesture. (“More specifically, after touching the first region 1511 (fig 15A) of the icon 1510, the user may drag the first region 1511 to the first dial indicator 1521 while maintaining touch. In this case, a function controlled by the icon 1510 may be a brightness adjustment function and the first dial indicator 1521 may be an indicator having a brightness of 75%.” (Noh, paragraph 251) The user of Noh performs a drag operation over a certain distance – therefore, there are differences in coordinates in the perpendicular x-axis and y-axis from the start position to the end position of the user’s touch.)
Instant Claim 18: (Claim 18 is substantially identical to claim 1, and thus, is rejected under similar rationale. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 18 corresponds to the memory of claim 1.)
Instant Claim 19: (Claim 19 is substantially identical to claim 2, and thus, is rejected under similar rationale.)
Instant Claim 20: (Claim 20 is substantially identical to claim 3, and thus, is rejected under similar rationale.)
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 7 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Noh in view of Choi (US 2017/0206049 A1).
Instant Claim 7: The electronic device of claim 6, further comprising, a Hall sensor, (Noh teaches the mobile terminal in accordance with claim 6, but does not explicitly disclose the use of a Hall sensor. However, in the same field of endeavor, Choi teaches the use of a Hall sensor for an electronic device: “For example, the geomagnetic sensor or the hall sensor is used to detect the magnetic material attached to the first display 410 (fig 4) or the second display 420, and provides data to measure an angle between the first display 410 and the second display 420.” (Choi, paragraph 135))
wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor individually or collectively, cause the electronic device to: identify data associated with the display, which is a flexible display that is foldable along a folding axis, from the Hall sensor; and based on identifying the data associated with the display indicating that the display is folded along the folding axis by a preset angle range from the Hall sensor in the another state, change a brightness of a second portion different from the first portion including the at least one contact point among portions of the display distinguished by the folding axis, to the third brightness, and maintain the brightness of the first portion as the first brightness. (“The flexible display unit 151 (fig 1) may be a display unit capable of maintaining a flat state like a conventional flat panel display and capable of warping, bending, folding, twisting, or rolling like paper.” (Noh, paragraph 88) When the Hall sensor of Choi is incorporated into Noh, Noh may use information on the state of the folding angle of the flexible display unit 151 to determine which area of the flexible display unit 151 should have its brightness adjusted.)
Before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to combine the mobile terminal as taught by Noh, wherein the display is flexible and foldable; with the electronic device as taught by Choi, wherein a Hall sensor is used to measure the angle between the first display and the second display. “For example, the geomagnetic sensor or the hall sensor is used to detect the magnetic material attached to the first display 410 (fig 4) or the second display 420, and provides data to measure an angle between the first display 410 and the second display 420.” (Choi, paragraph 135)
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Yaron Cohen whose telephone number is (571)270-7995. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
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/YARON COHEN/
Examiner, Art Unit 2626
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