DETAILED ACTION
This action is responsive to 07/06/2026.
Prior objection to claim 1 has been withdrawn.
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 .
Priority
Receipt is acknowledged of certified copies of papers required by 37 CFR 1.55.
Double Patenting
A rejection based on double patenting of the “same invention” type finds its support in the language of 35 U.S.C. 101 which states that “whoever invents or discovers any new and useful process... may obtain a patent therefor...” (Emphasis added). Thus, the term “same invention,” in this context, means an invention drawn to identical subject matter. See Miller v. Eagle Mfg. Co., 151 U.S. 186 (1894); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); In re Ockert, 245 F.2d 467, 114 USPQ 330 (CCPA 1957).
A statutory type (35 U.S.C. 101) double patenting rejection can be overcome by canceling or amending the claims that are directed to the same invention so they are no longer coextensive in scope. The filing of a terminal disclaimer cannot overcome a double patenting rejection based upon 35 U.S.C. 101.
Claims 1-12 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 as claiming the same invention as that of claims 1-12 of prior U.S. Patent No. 12,424,133 B2. This is a statutory double patenting rejection. The claims are compared with each other in the following:
Claim Set A: US Patent 12,424,133B2
Claim Set B: US App. #19/300,432
1. A display device comprising: a plurality of pixels arranged in a display area of a display panel;
1. An electronic device including a display device, wherein the display device comprises: a plurality of pixels arranged in a display area of a display panel;
a test switching element area formed in a non-display area or a sub-area of the display panel and including a plurality of test switching elements; and
a test switching element area formed in a non-display area or a sub-area of the display panel and including a plurality of test switching elements; and
a display driving circuit controlling supply timings of data voltages and driving control signals supplied to the plurality of pixels,
a display driving circuit controlling supply timings of data voltages and driving control signals supplied to the plurality of pixels,
wherein the display driving circuit controls turn-off switching operations of the plurality of test switching elements so that the plurality of test switching elements are maintained in a turn-off state during an image display period.
wherein the display driving circuit controls turn-off switching operations of the plurality of test switching elements so that the plurality of test switching elements are maintained in a turn-off state during an image display period.
2. The display device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of test switching elements are electrically connected to a plurality of data lines formed in the display area or a plurality of fan-out lines formed in the non-display area in a one-to-one manner in parallel structures with the plurality of data lines or the plurality of fan-out lines.
2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of test switching elements are electrically connected to a plurality of data lines formed in the display area or a plurality of fan-out lines formed in the non-display area in a one-to-one manner in parallel structures with the plurality of data lines or the plurality of fan-out lines.
3. The display device of claim 2, wherein the plurality of test switching elements are electrically connected to a plurality of gate lines formed in the display area or a plurality of power lines extending to the non-display area in a one-to-one manner in parallel structures with the plurality of gate lines or the plurality of power lines.
3. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein the plurality of test switching elements are electrically connected to a plurality of gate lines formed in the display area or a plurality of power lines extending to the non-display area in a one-to-one manner in parallel structures with the plurality of gate lines or the plurality of power lines.
4. The display device of claim 2, wherein respective first electrodes formed in the plurality of test switching elements are electrically connected to the plurality of data lines in a one-to-one manner, respective second electrodes formed in the plurality of test switching elements are electrically connected to at least one first line terminal to which a test direct current (DC) voltage or a first off control signal is supplied, and respective gate electrodes formed in the plurality of test switching elements are electrically connected to at least one second line terminal to which a gate-on signal or a second off control signal is supplied.
4. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein respective first electrodes formed in the plurality of test switching elements are electrically connected to the plurality of data lines in a one-to-one manner, respective second electrodes formed in the plurality of test switching elements are electrically connected to at least one first line terminal to which a test direct current (DC) voltage or a first off control signal is supplied, and respective gate electrodes formed in the plurality of test switching elements are electrically connected to at least one second line terminal to which a gate-on signal or a second off control signal is supplied.
5. The display device of claim 4, wherein the plurality of test switching elements receive the first off control signal supplied to the respective first electrodes during an image display period, and the plurality of test switching elements are maintained in a turn-off state in response to a second off control signal input to the respective gate electrodes.
5. The electronic device of claim 4, wherein the plurality of test switching elements receive the first off control signal supplied to the respective first electrodes during an image display period, and the plurality of test switching elements are maintained in a turn-off state in response to a second off control signal input to the respective gate electrodes.
6. The display device of claim 4, wherein the display driving circuit maintains the respective second electrodes of the plurality of test switching elements in a floating state through the at least one first line terminal or supplies the first off control signal to the at least one first line terminal, and the display driving circuit turns off the plurality of test switching elements by supplying a second off control signal to the respective gate electrodes of the plurality of test switching elements through the at least one second line terminal.
6. The electronic device of claim 4, wherein the display driving circuit maintains the respective second electrodes of the plurality of test switching elements in a floating state through the at least one first line terminal or supplies the first off control signal to the at least one first line terminal, and the display driving circuit turns off the plurality of test switching elements by supplying a second off control signal to the respective gate electrodes of the plurality of test switching elements through the at least one second line terminal.
7. The display device of claim 6, wherein the display driving circuit turns off the plurality of test switching elements by supplying the second off control signal having a lower voltage magnitude than the first off control signal to the respective gate electrodes of the plurality of test switching elements.
7. The electronic device of claim 6, wherein the display driving circuit turns off the plurality of test switching elements by supplying the second off control signal having a lower voltage magnitude than the first off control signal to the respective gate electrodes of the plurality of test switching elements.
8. The display device of claim 2, wherein
respective first electrodes formed in the plurality of test switching elements are electrically connected to the plurality of data lines in a one-to-one manner, respective second electrodes formed in the plurality of test switching elements are electrically connected to at least one first line terminal to which a test DC voltage or a first off control signal is supplied, first gate electrodes of respective gate electrodes formed as double layers in the plurality of test switching elements are electrically connected to at least one second line terminal to which a gate-on signal or a second off control signal is supplied, and second gate electrodes of the respective gate electrodes formed as the double layers in the plurality of test switching elements are electrically connected to a DC voltage line terminal to which a third off control signal having a preset DC voltage magnitude is supplied.
8. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein respective first electrodes formed in the plurality of test switching elements are electrically connected to the plurality of data lines in a one-to-one manner, respective second electrodes formed in the plurality of test switching elements are electrically connected to at least one first line terminal to which a test DC voltage or a first off control signal is supplied, first gate electrodes of respective gate electrodes formed as double layers in the plurality of test switching elements are electrically connected to at least one second line terminal to which a gate-on signal or a second off control signal is supplied, and second gate electrodes of the respective gate electrodes formed as the double layers in the plurality of test switching elements are electrically connected to a DC voltage line terminal to which a third off control signal having a preset DC voltage magnitude is supplied.
9. The display device of claim 8, wherein the display driving circuit maintains the respective second electrodes of the plurality of test switching elements in a floating state through the at least one first line terminal or supplies the first off control signal to the at least one first line terminal, the display driving circuit turns off the plurality of test switching elements by supplying the second off control signal to the first respective gate electrodes of the plurality of test switching elements through the at least one second line terminal, and the display driving circuit supplies the third off control signal having the preset DC voltage magnitude to the respective second gate electrodes through the DC voltage line terminal.
9. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the display driving circuit maintains the respective second electrodes of the plurality of test switching elements in a floating state through the at least one first line terminal or supplies the first off control signal to the at least one first line terminal, the display driving circuit turns off the plurality of test switching elements by supplying the second off control signal to the first respective gate electrodes of the plurality of test switching elements through the at least one second line terminal, and the display driving circuit supplies the third off control signal having the preset DC voltage magnitude to the respective second gate electrodes through the DC voltage line terminal.
10. The display device of claim 9, wherein the display driving circuit turns off the plurality of test switching elements by supplying the second off control signal having a lower voltage magnitude than the first off control signal to the respective first gate electrodes of the plurality of test switching elements.
10. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the display driving circuit turns off the plurality of test switching elements by supplying the second off control signal having a lower voltage magnitude than the first off control signal to the respective first gate electrodes of the plurality of test switching elements.
11. The display device of claim 2, wherein
respective first electrodes formed in the plurality of test switching elements are electrically connected to the plurality of data lines in a one-to-one manner, respective second electrodes formed in the plurality of test switching elements are electrically connected to at least one first line terminal to which a test DC voltage or a first off control signal is supplied, first gate electrodes of respective gate electrodes formed as double layers in the plurality of test switching elements are electrically connected to at least one second line terminal to which a gate-on signal or a second off control signal is supplied, and second gate electrodes of the respective gate electrodes formed as the double layers in the plurality of test switching elements are electrically connected to an alternating current (AC) voltage line terminal to which a third off control signal swinging within a preset voltage range and having an AC voltage magnitude is supplied.
11. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein respective first electrodes formed in the plurality of test switching elements are electrically connected to the plurality of data lines in a one-to-one manner, respective second electrodes formed in the plurality of test switching elements are electrically connected to at least one first line terminal to which a test DC voltage or a first off control signal is supplied, first gate electrodes of respective gate electrodes formed as double layers in the plurality of test switching elements are electrically connected to at least one second line terminal to which a gate-on signal or a second off control signal is supplied, and second gate electrodes of the respective gate electrodes formed as the double layers in the plurality of test switching elements are electrically connected to an alternating current (AC) voltage line terminal to which a third off control signal swinging within a preset voltage range and having an AC voltage magnitude is supplied.
12. The display device of claim 11, wherein the display driving circuit maintains the respective second electrodes formed in the plurality of test switching elements in a floating state through the at least one first line terminal or supplies the first off control signal to the at least one first line terminal, the display driving circuit turns off the plurality of test switching elements by supplying the second off control signal to the first respective gate electrodes formed in the plurality of test switching elements through the at least one second line terminal, and the display driving circuit supplies the third off control signal swinging within the preset voltage range and having the AC voltage magnitude to the respective second gate electrodes through the AC voltage line terminal.
12. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the display driving circuit maintains the respective second electrodes formed in the plurality of test switching elements in a floating state through the at least one first line terminal or supplies the first off control signal to the at least one first line terminal, the display driving circuit turns off the plurality of test switching elements by supplying the second off control signal to the first respective gate electrodes formed in the plurality of test switching elements through the at least one second line terminal, and the display driving circuit supplies the third off control signal swinging within the preset voltage range and having the AC voltage magnitude to the respective second gate electrodes through the AC voltage line terminal.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 07/06/2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive. Applicant argued (see remarks, pg. 6-7) that “claims 1-12 of the present Application are not identical to that of claims 1-12 of prior U.S. Patent No. 12,424,133 B2. Specifically, claim 1 recites "An electronic device including a display device" whereas claim 1 of U.S. Patent No. 12,424,133 B2 only recites "A display device." Thus, the claims of the present Application are not identical to those of U.S. Patent No. 12,424,133 B2. In application of the test set forth in MPEP 804(A) claims of U.S. Patent No. 12,424,133 B2 may be literally infringed by a display device that does not include an electronic device while the present application would not be literally infringed by only a display device without a supporting electronic device. This is similar to the Halogen and Chlorine example explained in MPEP 804(II)(A) in that the scope of Halogens include Chlorine and in the present case a display device may include an electronic device including a display device but the as with the Halogen and Chlorine Example, the claims are not identical such that they recite an identical invention. Thus, the claims of the present application are not identical to the claims of U.S. Patent No. 12,424,133 B2 and therefore the Statutory Double Patenting rejection here is inappropriate.”
The examiner disagrees. Independent claim 1 in the instant application recites, inter alia, “An electronic device including a display device”, and, independent claim 1 of US Patent 12,424,133, hereinafter 133 patent, recites “A display device comprising: a plurality of pixels… a display driving circuit controlling supply timings of data voltages and driving control signals supplied to the plurality of pixels”. An electronic device, according to Merriam-Webster is “an apparatus or equipment that operates by controlling the flow of electrons through components like microchips, transistors, or integrated circuits.” The display device of the 133 patent is a display device having a “plurality of pixels” and a display driving circuit controlling supply timings of data voltages and driving control signals supplied to the plurality of pixels (i.e., said display device necessarily has microchips, transistors, and/or integrated circuits). Simply put, the display device recited in the 133 patent is inherently and electronic device with a display, and, therefore, the examiner maintains that the claims in the instant application are identical to the claims in the 133 patent. If applicant disagrees with the position of the examiner, then applicant is welcomed to give any known example of a display device having a plurality of pixels and a display driving circuit controlling supply of timings of data voltages and driving control signals to the plurality of pixels that is not an electronic device. The examiner contends that the statutory double patenting rejection is proper.
Conclusion
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 SARDIS F AZONGHA whose telephone number is (571)270-7706. The examiner can normally be reached 10AM-7:00PM.
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, Ke Xiao can be reached at (571)272-7776. 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.
/SARDIS F AZONGHA/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2627
Prosecution Insights