Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 04, 2026
Application No. 19/236,100

CONTROL DEVICE FOR ILLUMINATION DEVICE, AND ILLUMINATION SYSTEM

Non-Final OA §102
Filed
Jun 12, 2025
Priority
Dec 16, 2022 — JP 2022-201343 +1 more
Examiner
KIM, SEOKJIN
Art Unit
2844
Tech Center
2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems
Assignee
Japan Display Inc.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
78%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
11m
Est. Remaining
92%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 78% — above average
78%
Career Allowance Rate
439 granted / 562 resolved
+10.1% vs TC avg
Moderate +14% lift
Without
With
+13.6%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 3m
Avg Prosecution
21 currently pending
Career history
588
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
2.3%
-37.7% vs TC avg
§103
48.8%
+8.8% vs TC avg
§102
28.0%
-12.0% vs TC avg
§112
16.3%
-23.7% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 562 resolved cases

Office Action

§102
DETAILED ACTION The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . 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 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. Information Disclosure Statement The information disclosure statements (IDS) submitted on 06/12/2025 and 02/25/2026 are in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement is being considered by the examiner. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102 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)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention. (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 1-9 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Anthony (US 2015/0084513 A1). Regarding claim 1, Anthony teaches a control device (Figs. 1A, 1B, Controller 200, Computing Device 300) for an illumination device configured to control a plurality of illumination devices (Figs. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 100) each capable of setting a light distribution shape of light emitted from a light source in two directions of a first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction ([0031] beam direction, angle, distribution, diameter), the control device comprising: a touch sensor (Fig. 3A, [0035] a touch-based graphical user interface (GUI) 370) including a detection region in which a plurality of detection elements are provided ([0035] a touch-sensitive display 340); a display panel provided with a display region overlapping the detection region of the touch sensor in plan view (Fig. 3A, [0035] a touch-sensitive display 340); and a storage circuit (Figs. 1A, 1B, Memory 330) configured to store setting information at least including setting values of the light distribution shape ([0039] (1) input from a user (e.g., using a touch-sensitive display 340 and/or application 336 stored in memory 330); (2) input from an image capture device 400 (if optionally included); and/or (3) output to be received by luminaire 100. Other suitable configurations of the one or more processors 320 of device 300), wherein the setting information of the illumination devices is set as scene information in the storage circuit ([0039] (1) input from a user (e.g., using a touch-sensitive display 340 and/or application 336 stored in memory 330); (2) input from an image capture device 400 (if optionally included); and/or (3) output to be received by luminaire 100. Other suitable configurations of the one or more processors 320 of device 300), and the setting information set as the scene information for each of the illumination devices is transmitted to an illumination device associated with the setting information ([0039] For instance, a given processor 320 may be configured, in some embodiments, to process or otherwise interpret data that is (1) input from a user (e.g., using a touch-sensitive display 340 and/or application 336 stored in memory 330), [0041]). Regarding claim 2, all the limitations of claim 1 are taught by Anthony. Anthony further teaches the device, wherein the setting information is transmitted to one, some, or all of the illumination devices when the setting value is changed ([0051] As discussed herein, upon selection of a given node 374, the one or more solid-state lamps 130 of luminaire 100 corresponding with such selected node 374 may be turned ON/OFF, in accordance with some embodiments). Regarding claim 3, all the limitations of claim 2 are taught by Anthony. Anthony further teaches the device, wherein the same setting information is transmitted to some or all of the illumination devices when the setting value is changed ([0051] As discussed herein, upon selection of a given node 374, the one or more solid-state lamps 130 of luminaire 100 corresponding with such selected node 374 may be turned ON/OFF, in accordance with some embodiments). Regarding claim 4, all the limitations of claim 2 are taught by Anthony. Anthony further teaches the device, wherein the control device has a first mode in which one illumination device is selected from among the illumination devices, and a second mode in which more than one illumination device is selected from among the illumination devices, the setting information is transmitted to the one selected illumination device when the setting value is changed in the first mode, and the same setting information is transmitted to the selected illumination devices when the setting value is changed in the second mode ([0051] As discussed herein, upon selection of a given node 374, the one or more solid-state lamps 130 of luminaire 100 corresponding with such selected node 374 may be turned ON/OFF, in accordance with some embodiments). Regarding claim 5, Anthony teaches a system comprising: a plurality of illumination devices (Fig. 2A, 2B, [0029] lamp 130) each including a light source and an optical element ([0029] Each lamp 130 may include one or more solid-state emitters 131 (e.g., light-emitting diodes, or LEDs) and tunable electro-optic componentry configured to provide that lamp 130 with its own electronically adjustable light beam, in accordance with some embodiments. Lamps 130 can be electronically controlled individually and/or in conjunction with one another, for example, to provide highly adjustable light emissions from the luminaire 100 (e.g., digitally addressable, pixelated control over light distribution)), the optical element being provided on an optical axis of the light source (Fig. 2A, optical axis) and capable of setting a light distribution state of light emitted from the light source in two directions of a first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction ([0031] beam direction, angle, distribution, diameter); a control device (Figs. 1A, 1B, Controller 200, Computing Device 300) for an illumination device configured to control a plurality of illumination devices (Figs. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 100) each capable of setting a light distribution shape of light emitted from a light source in two directions of a first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction ([0031] beam direction, angle, distribution, diameter), wherein the control device comprising: a touch sensor (Fig. 3A, [0035] a touch-based graphical user interface (GUI) 370) including a detection region in which a plurality of detection elements are provided ([0035] a touch-sensitive display 340); a display panel provided with a display region overlapping the detection region of the touch sensor in plan view (Fig. 3A, [0035] a touch-sensitive display 340); and a first storage circuit (Figs. 1A, 1B, Memory 330) configured to store setting information at least including setting values of the light distribution shape ([0039] (1) input from a user (e.g., using a touch-sensitive display 340 and/or application 336 stored in memory 330); (2) input from an image capture device 400 (if optionally included); and/or (3) output to be received by luminaire 100. Other suitable configurations of the one or more processors 320 of device 300), wherein the setting information of the illumination devices is set as scene information in the storage circuit ([0039] (1) input from a user (e.g., using a touch-sensitive display 340 and/or application 336 stored in memory 330); (2) input from an image capture device 400 (if optionally included); and/or (3) output to be received by luminaire 100. Other suitable configurations of the one or more processors 320 of device 300), and the setting information set as the scene information for each of the illumination devices is transmitted to an illumination device associated with the setting information ([0039] For instance, a given processor 320 may be configured, in some embodiments, to process or otherwise interpret data that is (1) input from a user (e.g., using a touch-sensitive display 340 and/or application 336 stored in memory 330), [0041]). Regarding claim 6, this claim has substantially the same subject matter as that in claim 2. Therefore, claim 6 is rejected under the same rationale as claim 2 above. Regarding claim 7, this claim has substantially the same subject matter as that in claim 3. Therefore, claim 7 is rejected under the same rationale as claim 3 above. Regarding claim 8, this claim has substantially the same subject matter as that in claim 4. Therefore, claim 8 is rejected under the same rationale as claim 4 above. Regarding claim 9, all the limitations of claim 5 are taught by Anthony. Anthony further teaches the system, wherein the illumination device is configured to transmit the setting information stored in the second storage circuit to the control device ([0040]), and the control device is configured to perform display control of the display panel based on the setting information transmitted from the illumination device (Figs. 1A, 1B, Display 430, [0046]). Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to SEOKJIN KIM whose telephone number is (571)272-1487. The examiner can normally be reached M-F: 8:30am-5:00pm. 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, Alexander Taningco can be reached at (571) 272-8048. 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. /SEOKJIN KIM/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2845
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Prosecution Timeline

Jun 12, 2025
Application Filed
Aug 26, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §102 (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
78%
Grant Probability
92%
With Interview (+13.6%)
2y 3m (~11m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 562 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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