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 .
Response to Amendment
Acknowledgment is made of Applicant arguments/Remarks made in amendment in which the following is noted: claims 1, 13, 14, and 18 are amended; the rejection of the claims traversed; and claim 7 is cancelled. Claims 1 – 6 and 8 – 20 are currently pending and an Office action on the merits follows.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments, see pages 6 - 9, filed 16 July 2026, with respect to the rejection(s) of claim(s) 1 – 20 under 35 USC 103 have been fully considered and are persuasive. Therefore, the rejection has been withdrawn. However, upon further consideration, a new ground(s) of rejection is made in view of Ai et al; (Patent number: US 10, 020, 462 B2).
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.
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.
This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any evidence to the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the later invention in order for the examiner to consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) prior art against the later invention.
Claim(s) 1 – 6, 8 – 12 and 18 - 20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over CHOI et al; (Publication number: US 2018/0124937 A1), hereafter CHOI, in view of Zhang, Pangling (Publication number: WO 2011/157015 A1), hereafter Zhang, and in view of Ai et al; (Patent number: US 10, 020, 462 B1), hereafter Ai. Note a English-language translation is relied upon in the rejection on the claims below.
Regarding claim 1:
CHOI discloses a display device (CHOI Figure 1 10) comprising: a display panel having a first area, a folding area, and a second area arranged along a first direction, the folding area being configured to be folded with respect to a folding axis defined along a second direction (CHOI Figures 1 and 2 – display panel 10 includes two flat area FA and a bending area BA arranged along an x-direction and foldable with respect to an axis in the y-direction); and
a support plate on a rear surface of the display panel, the support plate having a pattern portion overlapping the folding area (CHOI Figure 1 and 2 – panel support portion 20 includes portion 40 overlapping the bending area BA).
CHOI does not disclose: a heat dissipation plate on a rear surface of the support plate, the heat dissipation plate having a continuous bending portion; and a first coolant between the bending portion and the support plate.
However, Zhang discloses a backlight module and display device thereof. More particularly, Zhang discloses a heat dissipation plate on a rear surface of the support plate, the heat dissipation plate having a continuous bending portion; and a first coolant between the bending portion and the support plate (Zhang page 3 paragraphs 3 – 6; heat dissipation plate 150, disposed on backplate 110, includes channel forming unit with wavy structure and heat dissipation fluid 156).
It would have been obvious to modify CHOI to include a heat dissipation plate on a rear surface of the support plate, the heat dissipation plate having a continuous bending portion; and a first coolant between the bending portion and the support plate, as claimed. Those skilled in the art would appreciate the ability to improve heat dissipation in the liquid crystal display, thereby improving a deformation problem of the backplate.
CHOI (in view of Zhang) does not disclose wherein the first coolant does not overlap the folding area.
However, Ai discloses an electronic devices with flexible displays. More particularly, Ai illustrates a cross-sectional side view of a display having a hinge or other flexible structure in which a portion of the layer(s) 64T/64B are configured with openings 66T and 66B (the illustration suggests removing a portion of the layer which overlaps the flexible area 14B; see Figure 34).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to further modify CHOI (in view of Zhang) wherein the first coolant does not overlap the folding area, as claimed. Those skilled in the art would appreciate the ability to enhance the flexibility to the flexible area (Ai Col 9 lines 49 – 55; Figure 34).
Regarding claim 2:
CHOI (in view of Zhang and Ai) discloses the display device of claim 1, wherein the bending portion is coupled to the support plate (CHOI Figure 2 bending area BA is coupled to 20).
Regarding claim 3:
CHOI (in view of Zhang and Ai) discloses the display device of claim 1, wherein the bending portion overlaps the folding area (disclosed by combination of CHOI Figure 1 BA and Zhang Figure 3 150).
Regarding claim 4:
CHOI (in view of Zhang and AI) discloses the display device of claim 1, wherein the bending portion does not overlap the folding area (disclosed by combination of CHOI Figure 1 BA and Zhang Figure 3 150 portion not including center of backlight).
Regarding claim 5:
CHOI (in view of Zhang and Ai) discloses the display device of claim 4, wherein the heat dissipation plate has a lattice portion overlapping the folding area (CHOI Figure 2 40).
Regarding claim 6:
CHOI (in view of Zhang and Ai) discloses the display device of claim 1, wherein the first coolant overlaps the first area and the second area (disclosed by combination of CHOI Figure 1 and Zhang 150 illustrating fluid 156 across length of backplate).
Regarding claim 7:
CHOI (in view of Zhang and Ai) discloses the display device of claim 1, wherein the first coolant does not overlap the folding area (Zhang Figure 3 – portion of fluid in 150 does not overlap region BA in CHOI).
Regarding claim 8:
CHOI (in view of Zhang and Ai) discloses the display device of claim 1, further comprising a lower plate on a rear surface of the heat dissipation plate (Zhang Figure 3 second plate 153).
Regarding claim 9:
CHOI (in view of Zhang and Ai) discloses the display device of claim 8, further comprising a second coolant between the bending portion and the lower plate (Zhang Figure 3 fluid passage 155 on lower side includes fluid 156).
Regarding claim 10:
CHOI (in view of Zhang and Ai) discloses the display device of claim 8, wherein the bending portion is coupled to the lower plate (Zhang Figure 3 fluid passage 155 on lower side includes fluid 156; connected to second plate 153).
Regarding claim 11:
CHOI (in view of Zhang and Ai) discloses the display device of claim 1, further comprising an upper plate between the support plate and the heat dissipation plate (disclosed in combination between CHOI Figure 2 20 and Zhang and first plate 151).
Regarding claim 12:
CHOI (in view of Zhang and Ai) discloses the display device of claim 11, wherein the bending portion is coupled to the upper plate (Zhang Figure 3 fluid passage 155 on upper side includes fluid 156; connected to first plate 151).
Regarding claim 18:
Claim 18 is similarly rejected for those reasons disclosed above in claim 1 (CHOI display device 100 comprises the display panel 10).
Regarding claim 19:
CHOI (in view of Zheng, and Ai) discloses the electronic device of claim 18, further comprising a sensing layer on the display device, the sensing layer being configured to receive a user’s touch as an input (CHOI [0069]).
Regarding claim 20:
CHOI (in view of Zheng and Ai) discloses the electronic device of claim 18, wherein the bending portion of the heat dissipation plate forms two adjacent cooling channels separated from each other by the heat dissipation plate (Zheng figure 3 channel forming unit 152 separates fluid passages).
Claim(s) 13 - 17 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over CHOI et al; (Publication number: US 2018/0124937 A1), hereafter CHOI, in view of Zhang, Pangling (Publication number: WO 2011/157015 A1), hereafter Zhang, in view of Shimokoba et al; (Publication number: US 2013/0030105 A1), hereafter Shimokoba, in view of Ai. Note a English-language translation is relied upon in the rejection on the claims below.
Regarding claim 13:
CHOI discloses a display device (CHOI Figure 1 10) comprising: a display panel having a first area, a folding area, and a second area arranged along a first direction, the folding area being configured to be folded with respect to a folding axis defined along a second direction (CHOI Figures 1 and 2 – display panel 10 includes two flat area FA and a bending area BA arranged along an x-direction and foldable with respect to an axis in the y-direction); and
a support plate on a rear surface of the display panel, the support plate having a pattern portion overlapping the folding area (CHOI Figure 1 and 2 – panel support portion 20 includes portion 40 overlapping the bending area BA).
CHOI does not disclose a lower plate on a rear surface of the support plate; a heat dissipate plate between the support plate and the lower plate, the heat dissipation plate having a continuous bending portion; a first flow path between the support plate and the bending portion; and a second flow path between the lower plate and the bending portion, 1) a first heat dissipation resin the first flow path and wherein 2) the first heat dissipation resin does not overlap the folding area.
However, Zhang discloses a backlight module and display device thereof. More particularly, Zhang discloses: a lower plate on a rear surface of the support plate (Zhang Figure 3 second plate 153 disclosed on backplate 110); a heat dissipate plate between the support plate and the lower plate (Zhang Figure 3 heat plate 150), the heat dissipation plate having a continuous bending portion (Zhang Figure 3 152 channel forming unit is wavy structure);
a first flow path between the support plate and the bending portion; and a second flow path between the lower plate and the bending portion (Zhang Figure 3 path between upper and lower plates and heat dissipating fluid 156).
Modifying CHOI in view of Zhang would have been obvious for those reasons discussed above in claim 1.
Further, Shimokoba discloses a heat-dissipating resin composition used for LED light housing and heat-dissipating housing for LED lighting (Shimokoba [0014]), as claimed.
It would have been obvious to further modify CHOI (in view of Zhang) wherein , 1) a first heat dissipation resin the first flow path, as claimed. Those skilled in the art would appreciate excellent heat dissipation and insulation properties (Shimokoba [0015]).
Finally, AI discloses an electronic devices with flexible displays. More particularly, Ai illustrates a cross-sectional side view of a display having a hinge or other flexible structure in which a portion of the layer(s) 64T/64B are configured with openings 66T and 66B (the illustration suggests removing a portion of the layer which overlaps the flexible area 14B; see Figure 34).
Therefore it would have been obvious to further modify CHOI (in view of Zhang, Shimokoba and AI wherein 2) the first heat dissipation resin does not overlap the folding area, as claimed, for those reasons discussed above in claim 1.
Regarding claim 14:
CHOI (in view of Zhang, Shimokoba, and AI) discloses the display device of claim 13, further comprising:a second heat dissipation resin in the second flow path (disclosed in combination [0014] Shimokoba).
Regarding claim 15:
CHOI (in view of Zheng, Shimokoba, and Ai) discloses the display device of claim 14, wherein the first heat dissipation resin and the second heat dissipation resin overlap in the first area and the second area (disclosed in combination of CHOI Figure 2 20, 30 and Zhang Figure 3 backplate 150).
Regarding claim 16:
CHOI (in view of Zheng and Shimokoba and Ai) discloses the display device of claim 14, wherein the first heat dissipation resin and the second heat dissipation resin do not overlap the folding area (disclosed in combination Zheng Figure 3 150 and Shimokoba [0014] with areas not corresponding to area BA in CHOI).
Regarding claim 17:
CHOI (in view of Zhang, Shimokoba and Ai) discloses the display device of claim 13, wherein the bending portion comprises a first bending portion coupled to the support plate and a second bending portion coupled to the lower portion (Zhang Figure 3 fluid passage 155 on upper side includes fluid 156; connected to first plate 151/second plate 153).
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to MIHIR K RAYAN whose telephone number is (571)270-5719. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday 9 - 5pm (EST).
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/MIHIR K RAYAN/ 24 August 2026.Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2622
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