The present application is being examined under the AIA first to invent provisions.
Detailed Action
Current Status of Claims
This action is issued in response to communication of August 11, 2025. Claims 1-20 are currently active in the application.
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on August 11, 2025 was filed before the mailing date of the first action on merits. The submission is in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement is being considered by the examiner.
Priority
Receipt is acknowledged of certified copies of papers required by 37 CFR 1.55.
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 may not be obtained though the invention is not identically disclosed or described as set forth in section 102 of this title, if the differences between the subject matter sought to be patented and the prior art are such that the subject matter as a whole would have been obvious at the time the invention was made to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which said subject matter pertains. Patentability shall not be negatived by the manner in which the invention was made.
The factual inquiries set forth in Graham v. John Deere Co., 383 U.S. 1, 148 USPQ 459 (1966), that are applied for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103are 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.
Claims 1-16 and 20 are rejected to the best examiner’s understanding under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable in view of Park et al. (WO2024/122857 also published as US Patent Publication Application 2025/0294087 A1 used for rejection) in view of Lee et al. (US Patent Publication Application 2024/0251599 A1).
In regard of claim 1, Park et al. disclose a display device (See Figure 2A illustrating a display device (200) as discussed in paragraph [0049]), comprising: a substrate; a plurality of display areas (See Figure 2C of Park et al. illustrating substrate (260) as discussed in paragraph [0067] and plurality of displays (230, 231, 232, 233, 235) shown in Figure 2A of Park et al. and discussed in paragraph [0054]); an area between the plurality of display areas, wherein the area is bendable (See Figure 2A illustrates bendable area (233) described in paragraph [0075]), wherein the display device includes: a first display area including a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, wherein the display device is configured to display an image on the first surface (See Figure 2A of Park et al. illustrating display device with a first display (231) with second surface opposite to the first surface); a second display area spaced apart from the first display area, and including a third surface and a fourth surface opposite the third surface (See Figure 2A of Park et al. illustrating second display area (232) spaced apart from the first display area (231) and including a third surface opposite the third display (235)), wherein the display device is configured to display an image on the third surface; a third display area overlapping with the second display area, and including a fifth surface and a sixth surface, wherein the display device is configured to display an image on the sixth surface (See Figure 2A of Park et al. illustrating third display area (235) configured to display image as discussed in paragraph [0054]); and a first bending area between the first display area and the second display area, wherein the first surface and the third surface are continuous surfaces, and the second surface and the fourth surface are continuous surfaces, and wherein the third display area overlaps with the second display area (See Figures 2A, 3A of Park et al. illustrating folding/bending region (301) between display areas (231, 232) wherein the third display area (235) overlaps with the second display area (232) as discussed in paragraph [0087]).
However, the reference to Park et al. does not specifically show a plurality of drivers disposed on the substrate and positioned in the plurality of display areas; a plurality of light emitting devices positioned on the plurality of drivers and overlapping with the plurality of drivers; a plurality of column lines electrically connected to a first electrode of each of the plurality of light emitting devices; and a plurality of row lines electrically connected to a second electrode of each of the plurality of light emitting devices.
In the same field of endeavor, Lee et al. discloses a display device (DP) as shown at least in Figure 3 wherein plurality of drivers (SDC, EDC) positioned on the display area (DA) as discussed in paragraph [0141], a plurality of light emitting devices (LD) shown at least as a part of the pixel (PX) in Figure 2B and plurality of column lines (DL) electrically connected to first electrode of light emitting device (LD) and plurality of row lines (GWL) connected to the second electrode of light emitting device (LD) shown in Figure 2B of Lee et al.
Therefore, it would be obvious to the person of ordinary skills in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to use the drivers shown by Lee et al. with the device shown by Park et al. in order to drive the light emitting elements and increase display area by reducing non-display areas.
In regard of claim 2, Park et al. and Lee et al. further disclose the display device of claim 1, further comprising: a first adhesive layer disposed under the substrate; a first bottom plate disposed under the first adhesive layer and overlapping with the first display area; a second bottom plate disposed under the first adhesive layer and overlapping with the second display area; a first hinge portion connecting the first bottom plate and the second bottom plate, and overlapping with the first bending area; a first frame disposed under the first bottom plate; and a second adhesive layer disposed under the second bottom plate and overlapping with the third display area (See Figures 2C and 3D of Park et al. illustrating a first adhesive layer (343) disposed under the substrate (342), a first bottom plate (353) disposed under the first adhesive layer (343) and second bottom plate (342) disposed under the adhesive layer (343) and second adhesive layer (355b) disposed under the first bottom plate (342) overlapping with the third display area (235) and illustrating first hinge portion (252) connecting the first bottom plate (212)).
In regard of claim 3, Park et al. and Lee et al. further disclose the display device of claim 2, wherein the first hinge portion is bent in a first rotational direction, wherein, after the first hinge portion is bent, a first distance from the second display area to the first display area is smaller than a second distance from the second display area to the third display area (See Figures 3B and 3C of Park et al. illustrating hinge in open and bent positions from which is clear that first distance from the second display (232) to the first display (232) is smaller in hinge bent situation).
In regard of claim 4, Park et al. and Lee et al. further disclose the display device of claim 3, further comprising: a first display unit disposed on the first adhesive layer and including a plurality of light emitting devices; and a second display unit disposed under the second adhesive layer and including a plurality of light emitting devices, wherein, after the first hinge portion is bent, the first display unit is folded based on a first axis, and the second display unit is in a flat state (See Figures 2A and 3D of Park et al. illustrating display device (200) with first display (231) and second display (232) disposed under the second adhesive layer (430) including plurality of light emitting devices wherein after the first hinge portion (250) is bent the first display unit is folded based on a first axis (f)).
In regard of claim 5, Park et al. and Lee et al. further disclose the display device of claim 3, wherein, after the first hinge portion is bent, a light emitting device disposed in the first display area and the second display area do not emit light, and an image is displayed through a light emitting device disposed in the third display area (See Figure 2A and 2B of Park et al. illustrating when the hinge is bent the light emitting device on the first (231), and second (232) do not emit light and the third display (235) displaying).
In regard of claim 6, Park et al. and Lee et al. further disclose the display device of claim 3, wherein, after the first hinge portion is bent, the third display area overlaps with the first display area and the second display area (See Figure 2B of park et al. illustrating the display device with bent hinge portion (250)).
In regard of claim 7, Park et al. and Lee et al. further disclose the display device of claim 3, wherein, after the first hinge portion is bent, the third display area displays time information (See Figure 2B of Park et al. illustrating bent hinge portion (250) when the third display area (235) displays information).
In regard of claim 8, Park et al. and Lee et al. further disclose the display device of claim 3, wherein, after the first hinge portion is bent, a first driver included in the plurality of drivers detects a touch operation occurring in the third display area during a touch sensing period (See Figure 1 of Park et al. illustrating the display module (160) detecting touch operation as discussed in paragraph [0033]).
In regard of claim 9, Park et al. and Lee et al. further disclose the display device of claim 8, wherein, after the first hinge portion is bent, the first driver supplies a touch driving signal to a row line located in the third display area among the plurality of row lines during the touch sensing period (See Figure 1 of Park et al. illustrating the display module (160) supporting operation of the display device).
In regard of claim 10, Park et al. and Lee et al. further disclose the display device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of touch electrodes disposed on the substrate, wherein each of the plurality of touch electrodes couples with a portion of the plurality of row lines (See Figure 7 of Lee et al. illustrating plurality of touch sensing electrodes (MTL) couples with a portion of the plurality of row lines (CN) as discussed in paragraphs [0157-0158]).
In regard of claim 11, Park et al. and Lee et al. further disclose the display device of claim 1, wherein a part of the plurality of light emitting devices are located in the first bending area, wherein the first bending area is an area configured to display an image and detect a touch operation (See Figure 2A of Park et al. illustrating bending area (233) which is configured as display region as discussed in paragraph [0054]).
In regard of claim 12, Park et al. and Lee et al. further disclose the display device of claim 1, wherein no image is displayed in the third display area when an image is displayed through the first display area and the second display area, wherein no image is displayed through the first display area and the second display area when an image is displayed in the third display area (See Figures 2A and 2B of Park et al. illustrating displays (231, 232, 235) which can be folded/third display is operating and unfolded/first, second displays operating) .
In regard of claim 13, Park et al. and Lee et al. further disclose the display device of claim 1, further comprising: a first touch electrode disposed in the first display area; a second touch electrode disposed in the second display area; and a third touch electrode disposed in the third display area (See Figure 7 of Lee et al. illustrating touch electrodes (MTL) in the display areas).
In regard of claim 14, Park et al. and Lee et al. further disclose the display device of claim 13, wherein the second touch electrode overlaps with the third touch electrode, wherein the second touch electrode is configured to receive a touch driving signal, and the third touch electrode is configured to not receive a touch driving signal (See Figure 7 of Lee et al. illustrating second touch electrode (MTL1) overlaps with the third touch electrode (MTL2) receiving touch driving signal when specific display is operating).
In regard of claim 15, Park et al. and Lee et al. further disclose the display device of claim 13, further comprising a fourth touch electrode that does not overlap with the second touch electrode, wherein, when the second touch electrode receives a touch driving signal, the first touch electrode receives the touch driving signal (See Figure 7 of Lee et al. illustrating forth touch electrode (MTL2) which does not overlap with the second touch electrode for driving signal as discussed in paragraphs [0262-0264] of Lee et al.).
In regard of claim 16, Park et al. and Lee et al. further disclose the display device of claim 15, wherein first sensing data for the second touch electrode is integrated with second sensing data for the fourth touch electrode to create integrated sensing data, wherein the display device further includes a touch circuit configured to receive the integrated sensing data (See paragraph [0262-0265] of Lee et al. discussing sensing external input by the device driven by mutual-cap method or a self-cap method accumulating sensed data for detection of an input).
In regard of claim 20, Park et al. and Lee et al. further disclose a display device, comprising: a substrate; a plurality of display areas; an area between the plurality of display areas, wherein the area is bendable; a plurality of light emitting devices positioned on a plurality of drivers disposed on the substrate; a plurality of column lines electrically connected to a first electrode of each of the plurality of light emitting devices; and a plurality of row lines electrically connected to a second electrode of each of the plurality of light emitting devices, wherein at least some of the plurality of row lines are configured to receive a touch driving signal during a touch sensing period, wherein the display device includes: a first display area including a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, wherein the display device is configured to display an image on the first surface; a second display area spaced apart from the first display area, and including a third surface and a fourth surface opposite the third surface, wherein the display device is configured to display an image on the third surface; a third display area overlapping with the second display area, and including a fifth surface and a sixth surface, wherein the display device is configured to display an image on the sixth surface; and a first bending area between the first display area and the second display area, wherein the first surface and the third surface are continuous surfaces, and the second surface and the fourth surface are continuous surfaces, and wherein the third display area overlaps with the second display area (See Rejection of claim 1 provided above).
Claims 17-19 are rejected to the best examiner’s understanding under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable in view of Park et al. (WO2024/122857 also published as US Patent Publication Application 2025/0294087 A1 used for rejection) in view of Lee et al. (US Patent Publication Application 2024/0251599 A1) and further in view of Kang et al. (US Patent Publication Application 2019/0384452 A1).
In regard of claim 17, Park et al. and Lee et al. further disclose the display device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of touch electrodes (See Figure 7 of Lee et al. illustrating the plurality of touch electrodes (MTL)).
However, the combination of Park et al. and Lee et al. does not specifically discuss the details of touch sensing of the display device wherein the plurality of touch electrodes include: a first type touch electrode configured to receive a hover touch driving signal; a second type touch electrode configured to determine an occurrence of a touch; and a third type touch electrode configured to not receive the hover touch driving signal and configured to not determine an occurrence of a touch.
In the same field of endeavor, Kang et al. discloses a display device (DISP) shown in Figures 1-2 including touch electrodes (TE) of different type when different type of the driving signals is applied as shown at least in Figure 7A to sense hover, paragraph [0169], determine the touch, paragraph [ 0125, 0150] case 1, paragraph [0164] , second type(case 3 according Kang et al.), paragraph [0177] and third type, case 2 not receive driving signal, paragraph [0125, 0150, 0171].
Therefore, it would be obvious to the person of ordinary skills in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to use sensing electrodes shown by Kang et al. with the device shown by Park et al. and Lee et al. in order to avoid unnecessary parasitic capacitance which may degrade touch sensing performance,
In regard of claim 18, Park et al., Lee et al. and Kang et al. further disclose the display device of claim 17, wherein the first type touch electrode is located in a first row of the second display area, a last row of the second display area, a first row of the third display area, and a last row of the third display area, wherein the second type touch electrode is located between the first row and the last row of the second display area, and between the first row and the last row of the third display area (See Figure 10 of Kang et al. illustrating applying different driving signals (TDS) to the different areas of the display (DISP) ).
In regard of claim 19, Park et al., Lee et al. and Kang et al. further disclose the display device of claim 17, wherein a period during which the plurality of touch electrodes are driven includes a first period during which a touch driving signal is supplied and a second period during which the hover touch driving signal is supplied, wherein an occurrence of a touch of an object contacting the display device is determined during the first period, and wherein an occurrence of an operation of an object adjacent to the display device is determined during the second period 9See Figures 7A and 9 of Kang et al. illustrating different periods during which the plurality of touch electrodes are driven depending on the detection of the object adjacent to the display device) .
Conclusion
The prior art made of record on form PTO-892 and not relied upon is considered pertinent to Applicant’s disclosure. Applicant is required under 37 C.F.R. 1.111 (c ) to consider these references fully when responding to this action.
US Patent Publication Application 2025/0374782 A1 to Kang et al. discloses scan drivers (SD1, SD2) disposed on the display region (DA) on the substrate (100) as illustrated in Figure 2.
US Patent Publication Application 2024/0315105 A1 to Park et al. illustrates drivers located on the display area.
US Patent Publication Application 2023/0209964 to Park et al. discussed in paragraph [0056] alternative of placing drivers directly on the display area.
Examiner’s Note: Examiner has cited particular columns, line numbers, and figures in the references as applied to the claims above for the convenience of the Applicant. Although the specified citations are representative of the teaching of the art and are applied to the specific limitations within the individual claim, other passages and figures may apply as well.
Contact Information
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Olga Aronovich whose telephone number is (571)270-7796. The examiner can normally be reached on Mon-Fri. from 7:30-5:00.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner's Supervisor, Benjamin C. Lee can be reached on (571) 272-2963. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 703-872-9306. Information regarding the status of an application may be obtained from the Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system. Status information for published applications may be obtained from either Private PAIR or Public PAIR. Status information for unpublished applications is available through Private PAIR only. For more information about the PAIR system, see http://pair-direct.uspto.gov. Should you have questions on access to the Private PAIR system, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free).
/OLGA V MERKOULOVA/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2629
Prosecution Insights