Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 19/215,737

VIBRATION PANEL AND DRIVE METHOD THEREFOR, AND HAPTIC FEEDBACK DEVICE

Non-Final OA §DP
Filed
May 22, 2025
Examiner
SADIO, INSA
Art Unit
2628
Tech Center
2600 — Communications
Assignee
BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
81%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
2y 7m
To Grant
89%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 81% — above average
81%
Career Allow Rate
660 granted / 817 resolved
+18.8% vs TC avg
Moderate +8% lift
Without
With
+7.8%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 7m
Avg Prosecution
11 currently pending
Career history
828
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
2.1%
-37.9% vs TC avg
§103
60.1%
+20.1% vs TC avg
§102
11.5%
-28.5% vs TC avg
§112
10.1%
-29.9% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 817 resolved cases

Office Action

§DP
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 The nonstatutory double patenting rejection is based on a judicially created doctrine grounded in public policy (a policy reflected in the statute) so as to prevent the unjustified or improper timewise extension of the “right to exclude” granted by a patent and to prevent possible harassment by multiple assignees. A nonstatutory double patenting rejection is appropriate where the claims at issue are not identical, but at least one examined application claim is not patentably distinct from the reference claim(s) because the examined application claim is either anticipated by, or would have been obvious over, the reference claim(s). See, e.g., In re Berg, 140 F.3d 1428, 46 USPQ2d 1226 (Fed. Cir. 1998); In re Goodman, 11 F.3d 1046, 29 USPQ2d 2010 (Fed. Cir. 1993); In re Longi, 759 F.2d 887, 225 USPQ 645 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re Van Ornum, 686 F.2d 937, 214 USPQ 761 (CCPA 1982); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); and In re Thorington, 418 F.2d 528, 163 USPQ 644 (CCPA 1969). A timely filed terminal disclaimer in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(c) or 1.321(d) may be used to overcome an actual or provisional rejection based on a nonstatutory double patenting ground provided the reference application or patent either is shown to be commonly owned with this application, or claims an invention made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement. A terminal disclaimer must be signed in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(b). The USPTO internet Web site contains terminal disclaimer forms which may be used. Please visit http://www.uspto.gov/forms/. The filing date of the application will determine what form should be used. A web-based eTerminal Disclaimer may be filled out completely online using web-screens. An eTerminal Disclaimer that meets all requirements is auto-processed and approved immediately upon submission. For more information about eTerminal Disclaimers, refer to http://www.uspto.gov/patents/process/file/efs/guidance/eTD-info-I.jsp. The patent claims include all of the limitations of the instant application claims, respectively. The patent claims also include additional limitations. Hence, the instant application claims are generic to the species of invention covered by the respective patent claims. As such, the instant application claims are anticipated by the patent claims and are therefore not patentably distinct therefrom. (See Eli Lilly and Co. v. Barr Laboratories Inc., 58 USPQ2D 1869, "a later genus claim limitation is anticipated by, and therefore not patentably distinct from, an earlier species claim", In re Goodman, 29 USPQ2d 2010, "Thus, the generic invention is 'anticipated' by the species of the patented invention" and the instant “application claims are generic to species of invention covered by the patent claim, and since without terminal disclaimer, extant species claims preclude issuance of generic application claims”). Claims 1-20 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory obviousness-type double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-20 of U.S. Patent No. 12,348,724. The present application claims the same subject matter of VIBRATION PANEL AND DRIVE METHOD THEREFOR, AND HAPTIC FEEDBACK DEVICE, which is same as the US patent 12,348,724. For example: 19/215737 12,348,724 1. A vibration panel, comprising: a substrate; a piezoelectric sensor on a side of the substrate, wherein the piezoelectric sensor driven by an excitation signal is configured to vibrate, and to drive the substrate to vibrate; the piezoelectric sensor comprises a plurality of piezoelectric devices distributed in an array; the piezoelectric device comprises a bottom electrode and a top electrode that are oppositely arranged, and a piezoelectric layer between the bottom electrode and the top electrode; and a regulation structure fixedly connected to the substrate and configured to regulate a characteristic frequency of the substrate, so as to make a resonant frequency of the substrate satisfy a preset range. 1. A vibration panel, comprising: a substrate; a piezoelectric sensor on a side of the substrate, wherein the piezoelectric sensor driven by an excitation signal is configured to vibrate, and to drive the substrate to vibrate; and a regulation structure configured to regulate a characteristic frequency of the substrate, so as to make a resonant frequency of the substrate satisfy a preset range; wherein the regulation structure comprises a support layer fixedly connected to the substrate; wherein the support layer and the piezoelectric sensor are located on a same side of the substrate; and the support layer comprises: a first support portion, located in a peripheral area of the substrate and arranged around the piezoelectric sensor. 2. The vibration panel according to claim 1, wherein the regulation structure comprises one or a combination of: a support layer, a weight layer, and a regulation film layer. 1. A vibration panel, comprising: a substrate; a piezoelectric sensor on a side of the substrate, wherein the piezoelectric sensor driven by an excitation signal is configured to vibrate, and to drive the substrate to vibrate; and a regulation structure configured to regulate a characteristic frequency of the substrate, so as to make a resonant frequency of the substrate satisfy a preset range; wherein the regulation structure comprises a support layer fixedly connected to the substrate; wherein the support layer and the piezoelectric sensor are located on a same side of the substrate; and the support layer comprises: a first support portion, located in a peripheral area of the substrate and arranged around the piezoelectric sensor. 11. The vibration panel according to claim 1, wherein the regulation structure further comprises a weight layer fixedly connected to the substrate. 16. The vibration panel according to claim 1, wherein the regulation structure further comprises a regulation film layer fixedly connected to the substrate. 3. The vibration panel according to claim 2, wherein based on that the regulation structure comprises the support layer, the support layer and the piezoelectric sensor are located on a same side of the substrate. 1. A vibration panel, comprising: a substrate; a piezoelectric sensor on a side of the substrate, wherein the piezoelectric sensor driven by an excitation signal is configured to vibrate, and to drive the substrate to vibrate; and a regulation structure configured to regulate a characteristic frequency of the substrate, so as to make a resonant frequency of the substrate satisfy a preset range; wherein the regulation structure comprises a support layer fixedly connected to the substrate; wherein the support layer and the piezoelectric sensor are located on a same side of the substrate; and the support layer comprises: a first support portion, located in a peripheral area of the substrate and arranged around the piezoelectric sensor. 4. The vibration panel according to claim 3, wherein the support layer comprises: a first support portion, located in a peripheral area of the substrate and arranged around the piezoelectric sensor. 1. A vibration panel, comprising: a substrate; a piezoelectric sensor on a side of the substrate, wherein the piezoelectric sensor driven by an excitation signal is configured to vibrate, and to drive the substrate to vibrate; and a regulation structure configured to regulate a characteristic frequency of the substrate, so as to make a resonant frequency of the substrate satisfy a preset range; wherein the regulation structure comprises a support layer fixedly connected to the substrate; wherein the support layer and the piezoelectric sensor are located on a same side of the substrate; and the support layer comprises: a first support portion, located in a peripheral area of the substrate and arranged around the piezoelectric sensor. 5. The vibration panel according to claim 4, wherein a plurality of first support portions are provided, and a shape of an orthographic projection of each of the first support portions on the substrate comprises a rectangle, a triangle, a circle, a trapezoid, or a polygon. 2. The vibration panel according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of first support portions are provided, and a shape of an orthographic projection of each of the first support portions on the substrate comprises a rectangle, a triangle, a circle, a trapezoid, or a polygon. 6. The vibration panel according to claim 4, wherein a plurality of first support portions are provided; a shape of an orthographic projection of each of first support portions at four corners of the substrate on the substrate is an L shape; and a shape of an orthographic projection of each of remaining first support portions on the substrate comprises a rectangle, a triangle, a circle, a trapezoid, or a polygon. 3. The vibration panel according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of first support portions are provided; a shape of an orthographic projection of each of first support portions at four corners of the substrate on the substrate is an L shape; and a shape of an orthographic projection of each of remaining first support portions on the substrate comprises a rectangle, a triangle, a circle, a trapezoid, or a polygon. 7. The vibration panel according to claim 4, wherein the first support portion is of a closed annular structure arranged around the piezoelectric sensor. 4. The vibration panel according to claim 1, wherein the first support portion is of a closed annular structure arranged around the piezoelectric sensor. 8. The vibration panel according to claim 3, wherein the support layer further comprises: a second support portion at a gap between adjacent piezoelectric devices 5. The vibration panel according to claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric sensor comprises a plurality of piezoelectric devices distributed in an array, and the support layer further comprises: a second support portion at a gap between adjacent piezoelectric devices. 9. The vibration panel according to claim 8, wherein a shape of an orthographic projection of the second support portion on the substrate comprises a rectangle, a triangle, a circle, a trapezoid, or a polygon. 6. The vibration panel according to claim 5, wherein a shape of an orthographic projection of the second support portion on the substrate comprises a rectangle, a triangle, a circle, a trapezoid, or a polygon. 10. The vibration panel according to claim 8, wherein a plurality of the second support portions are provided between every two adjacent columns of piezoelectric devices, and the second support portion is provided at a central position of every two adjacent rows and two adjacent columns of piezoelectric devices. 7. The vibration panel according to claim 5, wherein a plurality of the second support portions are provided between every two adjacent columns of piezoelectric devices, and the second support portion is provided at a central position of every two adjacent rows and two adjacent columns of piezoelectric devices. 11. The vibration panel according to claim 2, wherein a material of the support layer comprises at least one of rubber, polyfoam, foam, and polydimethylsiloxane. 8. The vibration panel according to claim 1, wherein a material of the support layer comprises at least one of rubber, polyfoam, foam, and polydimethylsiloxane. 12. The vibration panel according to claim 2, wherein based on that the regulation structure comprises the weight layer, the weight layer and the piezoelectric sensor are located on a same side of the substrate. 12. The vibration panel according to claim 11, wherein the weight layer and the piezoelectric sensor are located on a same side of the substrate. 13. The vibration panel according to claim 12, wherein the weight layer comprises a mass block located at a gap between adjacent piezoelectric devices. 13. The vibration panel according to claim 12, wherein the piezoelectric sensor comprises a plurality of piezoelectric devices distributed in an array, and the weight layer comprises a mass block located at a gap between adjacent piezoelectric devices. 14. The vibration panel according to claim 13, wherein a plurality of the mass blocks are provided between every two adjacent columns of piezoelectric devices, and the mass block is provided at a central position of every two adjacent rows and two adjacent columns of piezoelectric devices. 14. The vibration panel according to claim 13, wherein a plurality of the mass blocks are provided between every two adjacent columns of piezoelectric devices, and the mass block is provided at a central position of every two adjacent rows and two adjacent columns of piezoelectric devices. 15. The vibration panel according to claim 14, wherein a shape of an orthographic projection of each of the mass blocks on the substrate comprises at least one of a rectangle, a circle, and a polygon; and/or a material of the mass blocks is same as a material of the substrate. 2. The vibration panel according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of first support portions are provided, and a shape of an orthographic projection of each of the first support portions on the substrate comprises a rectangle, a triangle, a circle, a trapezoid, or a polygon. 16. The vibration panel according to claim 2, wherein based on that the regulation structure comprises the regulation film layer, the regulation film layer is located on a side of the substrate facing away from the piezoelectric sensor. 17. The vibration panel according to claim 16, wherein the regulation film layer is located on a side of the substrate facing away from the piezoelectric sensor. 17. The vibration panel according to claim 16, further comprising: a touch layer on the side of the substrate facing away from the piezoelectric sensor; wherein the regulation film layer is on a side of the touch layer facing away from the substrate, or the regulation film layer is between the substrate and the touch layer. 18. The vibration panel according to claim 17, further comprising: a touch layer on a side of the substrate facing away from the piezoelectric sensor; wherein the regulation film layer is on a side of the touch layer facing away from the substrate, or the regulation film layer is between the substrate and the touch layer. 18. The vibration panel according to claim 2, wherein a material of the regulation film layer comprises polyethylene terephthalate, polymethyl methacrylate or polyimide. 19. The vibration panel according to claim 17, wherein a material of the regulation film layer comprises polyethylene terephthalate, polymethyl methacrylate or polyimide. 19. A haptic feedback device, comprising the vibration panel according to claim 1. 9. A haptic feedback device, comprising the vibration panel according to claim 1. 20. A drive method for driving the vibration panel according to claim 1, comprising: varying a parameter of the regulation structure, to regulate the characteristic frequency of the substrate, so as to make the resonant frequency of the substrate satisfy the preset range; and loading the excitation signal onto the piezoelectric sensor, wherein the piezoelectric sensor deforms to drive the substrate to vibrate. 10. A drive method for driving the vibration panel according to claim 1, comprising: varying a parameter of the regulation structure, to regulate a characteristic frequency of the substrate, so as to make the resonant frequency of the substrate satisfy the preset range; and loading the excitation signal onto the piezoelectric sensor, wherein the piezoelectric sensor deforms to drive the substrate to vibrate. Claims 1-20 are allowable over the prior art of record. The rejection(s) under the obvious double patenting rejection, set forth in this Office action, would need to be overcome. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to INSA SADIO whose telephone number is (571)270-5580. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday 9:00 am-6:00 am. 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, NITIN K PATEL can be reached at 571-272-7677. 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. INSA . SADIO Primary Examiner Art Unit 2628 /INSA SADIO/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2628
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Prosecution Timeline

May 22, 2025
Application Filed
Mar 05, 2026
Non-Final Rejection — §DP (current)

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Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

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Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
81%
Grant Probability
89%
With Interview (+7.8%)
2y 7m
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 817 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allow rate.

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