DETAILED ACTION
1. This Office Action is responsive to claims filed for No. 19/093,985 on August 4, 2026. Please note Claims 1-19 and 21 are pending. Please note Claims 6, 8-11 and 19 have been withdrawn in light of an earlier restriction requirement.
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
2. The present application is being examined under the pre-AIA first to invent provisions.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Claims 1-5, 7, 12-18 and 21 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kim et al. ( US 2023/0419870 A1 ) in view of Jang et al. ( US 2021/0407437 A1 ).
Kim teaches in Claim 1:
A display apparatus ( [0002] discloses a display apparatus and method of driving ), comprising:
a display panel on which a plurality of sub-pixels are arranged, each of the plurality of sub-pixels including an organic light-emitting diode and a driving transistor for driving the organic light-emitting diode ( Figure 1, [0079] disclose a display panel 100 with a plurality of pixels P. Figure 3, [0103] discloses a pixel P which includes a light emitting element EE and a driving transistor T1 for driving EE );
a plurality of sensing lines disposed on the display panel ( Figures 1 and 3, [0083] discloses a plurality of sensing lines SL connected to the pixels P );
a sensing circuit configured to sense voltages of the plurality of sensing lines ( Figure 1, [0150] discloses the display panel driver may include a sensing circuit for receiving sensed signals from the pixels P through the sensing lines SL ); and
a controller configured to determine whether the organic light-emitting diode is defective based on pre-stored reference data ( Figure 9, [0159]+ disclose determining a defective pixel based on the sensed value set, as noted in steps S2000 and S3000. Please read the mobility sensing data, for the driving transistor, as pre-stored reference data. To clarify, the mobility aspects are determined and used to determine, i.e. pre-stored ),
wherein, after a power-off signal is generated, a process for determining whether the organic light-emitting diode is defective is performed [before an off-sensing process] after the power-off signal is generated ( [0112] discloses the sensing mode can be performed in a power off period when the display apparatus starts to turn off, i.e. after the power-off signal is generated, but the display has not been fully powered off yet (to clarify, meaning the sensing process occurs after a power-off signal has been generated). Respectfully, sensing during powering off is interpreted as off-sensing (as opposed to on-sensing, which is during display driving, etc), consistent with Applicant’s definition as well. Please note the defective detection (claimed process), is not done, during a broad “off-sensing process”. However, please note the combination below as well ); but
Kim does not explicitly teach of an off-sensing process, “wherein the process is separate from the off-sensing process, and wherein the off-sensing process is sensing a threshold voltage of the driving transistor”.
However, in the same field of endeavor, display driving with an emphasis on determining abnormal operation, Jang teaches of a similar concept of sensing characteristics of the driving transistor and its effect on operation, ( Jang, [0160] ). Notably, Jang teaches in Figure 5 of sensing threshold voltage and Figure 6 of sensing mobility aspects. Jang teaches in [0134]-[0135] of a similar concept of a sensing characteristic values after a power-off signal is generated, i.e. off-sensing process. Furthermore, Jang teaches in [0134]-[0135] that threshold voltage sensing is sensed during the off-sensing process, as opposed to mobility sensing, which is done during real-time, i.e. display driving, [0138]. As combined, mobility sensing is done during display driving, or before the power-off (both Kim and Jang teach this) and the threshold sensing is performed in an off-sensing period as it takes a longer period of time to determine, as Figure 8 teaches. Finally, the defect determination is performed before power-off, consistent with the teachings of Kim and within the spirit of Jang’s teachings and meaning these two processes are separate.
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, at the effective filed date of the invention, to implement the off-sensing period, as taught by Jang, with the motivation that by having the off-sensing period and real-time sensing period, the abnormal phenomenon can be further alleviated and still take advantage of the different lengths of sensing required. Essentially, efficient processing is achieved, ( Jang, Figure 8, [0137] and [0008]-[0009] ).
Kim and Jang teach in Claim 2:
The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reference data is updated based on data acquired by a mobility sensing process of the driving transistor, which is performed in real time during display driving. ( Jang, [0138] discloses mobility sensing is performed in a real-time sensing process, i.e. during display driving, Kim, [0112] discloses sensing can be performed in a variety of periods as well )
Kim and Jang teach in Claim 3:
The display apparatus of claim 2, wherein the update of the reference data is performed before the display apparatus is completely turned off after the power-off signal is generated. ( Respectfully, the combination teaches to perform sensing during the interpreted off-sensing period. It is clear the process is iterative and updates are made based on the sensed values )
Kim and Jang teach in Claim 4:
The display apparatus of claim 3, wherein the updated reference data is stored in a non-volatile memory. ( Jang, [0178] discloses a memory which stores the reference mobility. Respectfully, the use of non-volatile memory is well known )
Kim and Jang teach in Claim 5:
The display apparatus of claim 4, wherein the controller is configured to perform defect detection of the organic light-emitting diode based on the reference data stored before last power-off after a last power-off signal is generated. ( Respectfully, the combination teaches to perform sensing during the interpreted off-sensing period. It is clear the process is iterative and updates are made based on the sensed values. To clarify, this is the most recently stored data )
Kim and Jang teach in Claim 7:
The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein mobility sensing of the driving transistor is performed before display driving after a power-on signal is generated. ( Kim, Figure 9, [0158] discloses mobility sensing is during display driving, i.e. after a power-on signal is generated. [0112] discloses in a blank period between active periods when the image is displayed. Likewise, Jang teaches in [0135] of mobility sensing during real-time, i.e. display driving )
Kim teaches in Claim 12:
The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein one of the plurality of sub-pixels includes a first transistor electrically connected between a first node of the driving transistor and a data line ( Figure 3, [0104] discloses transistor T2 connected between node N1 of T1 and data line VDATA ), and a second transistor electrically connected between a second node of the driving transistor and a sensing line ( Figure 3, [0104] discloses transistor T3 connected between node N2 and sensing line SL ), and
a gate node of the first transistor and a gate node of the second transistor are connected to one gate line ( Figure 3 shows the connection to S1 and S2. However, it is well known to have one scanning signal control both of these elements for the purpose of controlling scanning the pixel and sensing the pixel as neither is ON during actual display emission. Respectfully, Examiner asserts Official Notice to this being well known ),
wherein the sensing line is one of the plurality of sensing lines. ( Figure 1 shows a plurality of sensing lines SL, for each pixel )
Kim teaches in Claim 13:
The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein, when the process for determining whether the organic light-emitting diode is defective is performed, the controller changes image data supplied to a data driving circuit when a voltage sensed by the sensing circuit is less than a preset second comparison voltage value, wherein the voltage is one of the voltages sensed by the sensing circuit. ( Figure 5, [0139] discloses a panel protector can determine if there is a defective panel, notably with the number of defective pixels being very little, etc, i.e. a comparison value. This uses the voltages on the sensing lines and please note the thresholds used as a basis to determine defects )
Kim and Jang teach in Claim 14:
The display apparatus of claim 13, wherein the process for determining whether the organic light-emitting diode is defective includes an initializing operation, a tracking operation, and a sampling operation. ( [0106]+ discloses an initialization step, a sensing step (read as tracking) and then determination of the sensing data (read as sampling). Furthermore, Jang teaches in Figures 5 and 6 of initialization, tracking and sampling as well, for each of threshold sensing and mobility sensing. Again, this sensing is used to determine defective/abnormal operation )
Kim teaches in Claim 15:
The display apparatus of claim 14, wherein one of the plurality of sub-pixels includes a first transistor electrically connected between a first node of the driving transistor and a data line ( Figure 3, [0104] discloses transistor T2 connected between node N1 of T1 and data line VDATA ), and a second transistor electrically connected between a second node of the driving transistor and a sensing line ( Figure 3, [0104] discloses transistor T3 connected between node N2 and sensing line SL ), and
in the initializing operation, the tracking operation, and the sampling operation, a gate signal of a turn-on level is applied to a gate node of the first transistor and a gate node of the second transistor ( Figure 3 shows the connection to S1 and S2. However, it is well known to have one scanning signal control both of these elements for the purpose of controlling scanning the pixel and sensing the pixel as neither is ON during actual display emission. Respectfully, Examiner asserts Official Notice to this being well known ),
wherein the sensing line is one of the plurality of sensing lines. ( Figure 1 shows a plurality of sensing lines SL, for each pixel )
Kim teaches in Claim 16:
A display apparatus ( [0002] discloses a display apparatus and method of driving ), comprising:
a display panel on which a plurality of sub-pixels are arranged, each of the plurality of sub-pixels including an organic light-emitting diode and a driving transistor for driving the organic light-emitting diode ( Figure 1, [0079] disclose a display panel 100 with a plurality of pixels P. Figure 3, [0103] discloses a pixel P which includes a light emitting element EE and a driving transistor T1 for driving EE );
a plurality of sensing lines disposed on the display panel ( Figures 1 and 3, [0083] discloses a plurality of sensing lines SL connected to the pixels P );
a sensing circuit configured to sense voltages of the plurality of sensing lines ( Figure 1, [0150] discloses the display panel driver may include a sensing circuit for receiving sensed signals from the pixels P through the sensing lines SL ); and
a controller configured to determine whether the organic light-emitting diode is defective based on pre-stored reference data ( Figure 9, [0159]+ disclose determining a defective pixel based on the sensed value set, as noted in steps S2000 and S3000. Please read the mobility sensing data, for the driving transistor, as pre-stored reference data. To clarify, the mobility aspects are determined and used to determine, i.e. pre-stored );
wherein, after a power-off signal is generated, a process for determining whether the organic light-emitting diode is defective is performed [before an off-sensing process] after the power-off signal is generated ( [0112] discloses the sensing mode can be performed in a power off period when the display apparatus starts to turn off, i.e. after the power-off signal is generated, but the display has not been fully powered off yet (to clarify, meaning the sensing process occurs after a power-off signal has been generated). Respectfully, sensing during powering off is interpreted as off-sensing (as opposed to on-sensing, which is during display driving, etc), consistent with Applicant’s definition as well. Please note the defective detection (claimed process), is not done, during a broad “off-sensing process”. However, please note the combination below as well ); but
Kim may not explicitly teach “wherein the reference data is updated based on data acquired by a mobility sensing process of the driving transistor, which is performed in real time during display driving” and Kim also does not explicitly teach of an off-sensing process and “wherein the process is separate from the off-sensing process, and wherein the off-sensing process includes sensing a threshold voltage of the driving transistor”.
Initially, Kim, [0112] discloses sensing can be performed in a variety of periods as well.
However, in the same field of endeavor, display driving with an emphasis on determining abnormal operation, Jang teaches of a similar concept of sensing characteristics of the driving transistor and its effect on operation, ( Jang, [0160] ). Notably, Jang teaches in Figure 5 of sensing threshold voltage and Figure 6 of sensing mobility aspects. Jang teaches in [0134]-[0135] of a similar concept of a sensing characteristic values after a power-off signal is generated, i.e. off-sensing process. Furthermore, Jang teaches in [0134]-[0135] that threshold voltage sensing is sensed during the off-sensing process, as opposed to mobility sensing, which is done during real-time, i.e. display driving, [0138]. As combined, mobility sensing is done during display driving, or before the power-off (both Kim and Jang teach this) and the threshold sensing is performed in an off-sensing period as it takes a longer period of time to determine, as Figure 8 teaches. Finally, the defect determination is performed before power-off, consistent with the teachings of Kim and within the spirit of Jang’s teachings and meaning these two processes are separate.
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, at the effective filed date of the invention, to implement the off-sensing period, as taught by Jang, with the motivation that by having the off-sensing period and real-time sensing period, the abnormal phenomenon can be further alleviated and still take advantage of the different lengths of sensing required. Essentially, efficient processing is achieved, ( Jang, Figure 8, [0137] and [0008]-[0009] ).
Kim and Jang teach in Claim 17:
The display apparatus of claim 16, wherein the update of the reference data is performed before the display apparatus is completely turned off after a power-off signal is generated. ( Respectfully, the combination teaches to perform sensing during the interpreted off-sensing period. It is clear the process is iterative and updates are made based on the sensed values )
Kim and Jang teach in Claim 18:
The display apparatus of claim 17, wherein the controller performs defect detection of the organic light-emitting diode based on the reference data stored before last power-off after a last power-off signal is generated. ( Respectfully, the combination teaches to perform sensing during the interpreted off-sensing period. It is clear the process is iterative and updates are made based on the sensed values. To clarify, this is the most recently stored data )
Kim and Jang teach in Claim 20:
The display apparatus of claim 16, wherein a process for determining whether the organic light-emitting diode is defective is performed before an off-sensing process after a power-off signal is generated. ( Please note the reasoning in Claim 16: Notably, Jang teaches in Figure 5 of sensing threshold voltage and Figure 6 of sensing mobility aspects. Jang teaches in [0134]-[0135] of a similar concept of a sensing characteristic values after a power-off signal is generated, i.e. off-sensing. Furthermore, Jang teaches in [0134]-[0135] that threshold voltage sensing is sensed during the off-sensing process, as opposed to mobility sensing, which is done during real-time, i.e. display driving, [0138]. As combined, mobility sensing is done during display driving, or before the power-off (both Kim and Jang teach this) and the threshold sensing is performed in an off-sensing period as it takes a longer period of time to determine, as Figure 8 teaches. Finally, the defect determination is performed before power-off, consistent with the teachings of Kim and within the spirit of Jang’s teachings )
Kim teaches in Claim 21:
The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the process for determining whether the organic light-emitting diode is defective includes an initializing operation, a tracking operation, and a sampling operation ( [0106]+ discloses an initialization step, a sensing step (read as tracking) and then determination of the sensing data (read as sampling). Furthermore, Jang teaches in Figures 5 and 6 of initialization, tracking and sampling as well, for each of threshold sensing and mobility sensing. Again, this sensing is used to determine defective/abnormal operation ),
wherein in the initializing operation, the tracking operation, and the sampling operation, a black data voltage is applied to a data line of each of the plurality of sub-pixels, and wherein the black data voltage is a voltage that does not turn on the driving transistor. ( Figure 3 shows the connection to VDATA. Furthermore, [0112], etc, teaches of a blank period for the power off period and blank periods are well known for having blank/black voltages applied. Respectfully, this is well known and Examiner asserts Official Notice )
Response to Arguments
6. Applicant’s arguments considered, but are respectfully not persuasive.
Please note the updated rejection in light of the claim amendments.
Respectfully, Applicant is not giving enough weight to the combination. The combination, namely Kim, teaches of sensing and mobility aspects, as well as determining defects. However, for specifics of the sensing of the driving transistor characteristics, notably in a distinct period, is taught by Jang.
Respectfully, “an off-sensing process” is broad and needs to be better defined. This is too broad of a term and can constitute a wide variety of processes that occur during the off-sensing period, or as the power begins to turn off, which is a detail Kim in particular teaches. However, Jang also teaches of this and it is clear that this occurs “separate” from the defect determination aspect.
Conclusion
7. THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. 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 DENNIS P JOSEPH whose telephone number is (571)270-1459. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday 5:30 - 3:30 EST.
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/DENNIS P JOSEPH/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2621
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