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 .
Priority
Receipt is acknowledged of certified copies of papers required by 37 CFR 1.55.
Drawings
The drawings are objected to under 37 CFR 1.83(a). The drawings must show every feature of the invention specified in the claims.
Therefore, the feature(s) “the first display side and the second display side are arranged opposite to each other” must be shown or the feature(s) canceled from the claim(s). Although first and second images are understood to be displayed to viewers on opposite sides of a non-claimed vehicle midline, said images are not illustrated as being displayed on opposite sides of the recited display panel.
The feature(s) “double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory” must be shown or the feature(s) canceled from the claim(s).
No new matter should be entered.
The drawings are objected to because:
Views are not “grouped together and arranged on the sheet(s) without wasting space” as required by 37 CFR 1.84(h).
Shading does not conform to the standards set forth in 37 CFR 1.84(m), which recites “shading in views is encouraged if it aids in understanding the invention and if it does not reduce legibility. ... Spaced lines for shading are preferred. These lines must be thin, as few in number as practicable, and they must contrast with the rest of the drawings. ... Solid black shading areas are not permitted, except when used to represent bar graphs or color.”
Fewer than all lines are “sufficiently dense and dark, and uniformly thick and well-defined” as required by 37 CFR 1.84(l).
Fewer than all numbers, letters, and reference characters “measure at least .32 cm. (1/8 inch) in height” as required by 37 CFR 1.84(p)(3).
Drawing sheet numbers (1/9, 2/9, etc.) are not “larger than the numbers used as reference characters to avoid confusion” as required by 37 CFR 1.84(t).
The drawings are objected to as failing to comply with 37 CFR 1.84(p)(4) because reference character “17” has been used to designate both an FPGA and a dotted box around FPGA. Reference character “18” has been used to designate a Tcon Board and a Panel Driver and a dotted box around Panel Driver. Reference character “31” has been used to designate DDR3 and display port IP.
The drawings are objected to as failing to comply with 37 CFR 1.84(p)(4) because reference characters "31" and "32" appear to have both been used to designate DDR3. Reference characters “21” and “13” appear to have both been used to designate one light bar. Reference characters “22” and “14” appear to have both been used to designate the other light bar.
Some numbers, letters, and reference characters “cross or mingle with the lines” contrary to the requirements of 37 CFR 1.84(p)(3).
The Examiner reminds Applicant of the standards for black and white photographs set forth in 37 CFR 1.84(b)(1), which recites “Photographs, including photocopies of photographs, are not ordinarily permitted in utility and design patent applications. The Office will accept photographs in utility and design patent applications, however, if photographs are the only practicable medium for illustrating the claimed invention. For example, photographs or photomicrographs of: electrophoresis gels, blots (e.g., immunological, western, Southern, and northern), autoradiographs, cell cultures (stained and unstained), histological tissue cross sections (stained and unstained), animals, plants, in vivo imaging, thin layer chromatography plates, crystalline structures, and, in a design patent application, ornamental effects, are acceptable. If the subject matter of the application admits of illustration by a drawing, the examiner may require a drawing in place of the photograph. The photographs must be of sufficient quality so that all details in the photographs are reproducible in the printed patent.”
Separate views have not been separately labeled. See Fig. 10, for example. The Examiner suggests --Fig. 10A-- and --Fig. 10B--.
Corrected drawing sheets in compliance with 37 CFR 1.121(d) are required in reply to the Office action to avoid abandonment of the application. Any amended replacement drawing sheet should include all of the figures appearing on the immediate prior version of the sheet, even if only one figure is being amended. The figure or figure number of an amended drawing should not be labeled as “amended.” If a drawing figure is to be canceled, the appropriate figure must be removed from the replacement sheet, and where necessary, the remaining figures must be renumbered and appropriate changes made to the brief description of the several views of the drawings for consistency. Additional replacement sheets may be necessary to show the renumbering of the remaining figures. Each drawing sheet submitted after the filing date of an application must be labeled in the top margin as either “Replacement Sheet” or “New Sheet” pursuant to 37 CFR 1.121(d). If the changes are not accepted by the examiner, the applicant will be notified and informed of any required corrective action in the next Office action. The objection to the drawings will not be held in abeyance.
Specification
The disclosure is objected to because of the following informalities:
At [00183] the SPEC recites “as shown in FIG. 12, the memory 31 includes …”. This is inconsistent with the absence of 31 in Fig. 12.
Appropriate correction is required.
The use of the term(s) Quartus Prime Pro and NIOS II, which include trade name(s) or mark(s) used in commerce, have been noted in this application. The term(s) should be accompanied by the generic terminology; furthermore the term(s) should be capitalized wherever they appear or, where appropriate, include a proper symbol indicating use in commerce such as ™, SM , or ® following the term(s).
Although the use of trade names and marks used in commerce (i.e., trademarks, service marks, certification marks, and collective marks) are permissible in patent applications, the proprietary nature of the marks should be respected and every effort made to prevent their use in any manner which might adversely affect their validity as commercial marks.
The lengthy specification has not been checked to the extent necessary to determine the presence of all possible minor errors. Applicant’s cooperation is requested in correcting any errors of which applicant may become aware in the specification.
Claim Objections
Claim 19 is objected to because of the following informalities: Claim 19 recites “a storage capacity of the first sub-zone, the second sub-zone, the third sub-zone, and the fourth sub-zone is a display data volume for one frame period”. It is unclear whether said “storage capacity” is the sum of storage capacities for four recited sub-zones, or whether said “storage capacity” is the capacity for each recited sub-zone. The Examiner suggests -- a storage capacity of each of the first sub-zone, the second sub-zone, the third sub-zone, and the fourth sub-zone is a display data volume for one frame period --. Appropriate correction is required.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
Claims 1-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
Independent claim 1 recites the limitation “the first display side and the second display side are arranged opposite to each other” in line 7. This is misdescriptive. Although first and second images are understood to be displayed to viewers on opposite sides of a non-claimed vehicle midline, said images are not displayed on opposite sides of the recited display panel itself. The Examiner suggests -- at a first stage, providing first display data to the display panel to display a first image viewable by a first user seated proximate viewable by a second user seated proximate display panel … the first on opposite sides of a vehicle midline
A similar recitation in independent claim 13 is similarly indefinite.
Claim 20 recites the limitation “double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory” in line 2. The term “double” in claim 20 is a relative term which renders the claim indefinite. The term “double” is not defined by the claim, the specification does not provide a standard for ascertaining the requisite degree, and one of ordinary skill in the art would not be reasonably apprised of the scope of the invention. Double what?
Other pending claims are indefinite by virtue of dependency from at least one indefinite claim.
Regarding claim 20: In the absence of a reasonably definite interpretation of a claim, it is improper to rely on speculative assumptions regarding the meaning of a claim and then base a rejection under 35 U.S.C. 103 on these assumptions (In re Steele, 305 F.2d 859,134 USPQ 292 (CCPA 1962)). See MPEP 2143.03.
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.
Claim(s) 1-3, 6, 14-16, to the extent understood, is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Lee (US 20180176546 A1).
As recited in independent claim 13, Lee shows a display device 200, comprising: a display panel 200b; and a control module (including 240) connected to the display panel (insofar as backlights 221 and 222 constitute parts of display panel 200b), wherein the control module (including 240) is configured to: provide first display data (“first view image information” [0208]) to the display panel 200b in a first stage (“while controlling the ON operation of the first light source device… to allow the first image to be output in the first view direction” [0208]), and control a first image (“in a multi-mode, the liquid crystal panel 210 may display a first view image during a time period for outputting a single frame” [0095]) to be displayed on a first display side (to the extent understood) of the display panel 200b; provide second display data (“second view image information” [0208]) to the display panel 200b in a second stage (“while controlling the ON operation of the second light source device to allow … the second image to be output in the second view direction” [0208]), and control a second image (“then display a second view image during a time period for outputting a next frame” [0095]) to be displayed on a second display side (to the extent understood) of the display panel 200b; wherein the first display side (to the extent understood) and the second display side (to the extent understood) are arranged opposite to each other (to the extent understood), and the first stage (“while controlling the ON operation of the first light source device… to allow the first image to be output in the first view direction” [0208]) and the second stage (“while controlling the ON operation of the second light source device to allow … the second image to be output in the second view direction” [0208]) occur alternately (see alternating timing in Fig. 9).
The method of independent claim 1 is not patentably distinct from the device of independent claim 13 and is anticipated on the same grounds.
As recited in claim 2, Lee shows that the first stage (“while controlling the ON operation of the first light source device… to allow the first image to be output in the first view direction” [0208]) comprises M frame periods (wherein M=1), the first image (“first view image” [0095]) is refreshed once (“When outputting the image information, the liquid crystal panel may output a first frame (n11) among the first view image information during a single period of the reference clock signal” [0291]) within one frame period in the first stage (“in a multi-mode, the liquid crystal panel 210 may display a first view image during a time period for outputting a single frame” [0095]), and M is greater than or equal to 1 (1=1); the second stage (“while controlling the ON operation of the second light source device to allow … the second image to be output in the second view direction” [0208]) comprises N frame periods (wherein N = 1), the second image (“second view image” [0095]) is refreshed once (“output a first frame (n21) among the second view image information during a next single period of the reference clock signal” [0291]) within one frame period in the second stage (“then display a second view image during a time period for outputting a next frame” [0095]), and N is greater than or equal to 1 (1=1).
As recited in claim 3, Lee shows that M=N (1=1).
As recited in claim 14, Lee shows that the display panel 200b is a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel (“the display panel is a liquid crystal display panel” [0082]), and the display device 200 further comprises: a first backlight module 221, configured to provide backlight to the first display side (to the extent understood); and a second backlight module 222, configured to provide backlight to the second display side (to the extent understood); wherein the control module (including 240) is further configured to: control the first backlight module 221 to be turned on (“the second controller 240 may control the ON operation of the first light source device … based on the checked reference clock signal” [0207]) and control the second backlight module 222 to be turned off (“and the OFF operation of the second light source device based on the checked reference clock signal” [0207]) in the first stage (“while controlling the ON operation of the first light source device… to allow the first image to be output in the first view direction” [0208]); and control the second backlight module 222 to be turned on (“and when it is determined that a reference time is expired based on the reference clock signal, the second controller 240 may control … the ON operation of the second light source device” [0207]) and control the first backlight module 221 to be turned off (“and when it is determined that a reference time is expired based on the reference clock signal, the second controller 240 may control the OFF operation of the first light source device” [0207]) in the second stage (“while controlling the ON operation of the second light source device to allow … the second image to be output in the second view direction” [0208]).
The method of claim 6 is not patentably distinct from the device of claim 14 and is anticipated on the same grounds.
As recited in claim 15, Lee shows that the control module (including 240) comprises a first backlight chip 251, a second backlight chip 252, and a main control chip 240; wherein the first backlight chip 251 is respectively connected (see Fig. 7, for example) to the main control chip 240 and the first backlight module 221, and configured to: receive a first control signal (inherent to “second controller 240 may check a reference clock signal and synchronize an operation time of the first light source device and second light source device with an output time of the first view image information and second view image information based on the checked reference clock signal” [0206]) sent from the main control chip 240, and control the first backlight module 221 to be turned on or off (“the second controller 240 may control the ON operation of the first light source device … based on the checked reference clock signal, and when it is determined that a reference time is expired based on the reference clock signal, the second controller 240 may control the OFF operation of the first light source device” [0207]) in response to the first control signal (inherent to “second controller 240 may check a reference clock signal and synchronize an operation time of the first light source device and second light source device with an output time of the first view image information and second view image information based on the checked reference clock signal” [0206]); the second backlight chip 252 is respectively connected (see Fig. 7, for example) to the main control chip 240 and the second backlight module 222, and configured to: receive a second control signal (inherent to “second controller 240 may check a reference clock signal and synchronize an operation time of the first light source device and second light source device with an output time of the first view image information and second view image information based on the checked reference clock signal” [0206]) sent from the main control chip 240, and control the second backlight module 222 to be turned on or off (“the second controller 240 may control … the OFF operation of the second light source device based on the checked reference clock signal, and when it is determined that a reference time is expired based on the reference clock signal, the second controller 240 may control … the ON operation of the second light source device” [0207]) in response to the second control signal (inherent to “second controller 240 may check a reference clock signal and synchronize an operation time of the first light source device and second light source device with an output time of the first view image information and second view image information based on the checked reference clock signal” [0206]); the main control chip 240 is configured to send the first control signal (see arrow from 240 to 251 in Fig. 7, for example) to the first backlight chip 251 and send the second control signal (see arrow from 240 to 252 in Fig. 7, for example) to the second backlight chip 252, based on the first control signal (see arrow from 240 to 251 in Fig. 7) and the second control signal (see arrow from 240 to 252 in Fig. 7), the first backlight module 221 is controlled to be turned on (“the second controller 240 may control the ON operation of the first light source device … based on the checked reference clock signal” [0207]) and the second backlight module 222 to be turned off (“and the OFF operation of the second light source device based on the checked reference clock signal” [0207]) in the first stage (“while controlling the ON operation of the first light source device… to allow the first image to be output in the first view direction” [0208]), and the second backlight module 222 is controlled to be turned on (“and when it is determined that a reference time is expired based on the reference clock signal, the second controller 240 may control … the ON operation of the second light source device” [0207]) and the first backlight module 221 to be turned off (“and when it is determined that a reference time is expired based on the reference clock signal, the second controller 240 may control the OFF operation of the first light source device” [0207]) in the second stage (“while controlling the ON operation of the second light source device to allow … the second image to be output in the second view direction” [0208]).
As recited in claim 16, Lee shows that the control module (including 240) further comprises: a driver chip (251, for example) connected to the main control chip 240 and the display panel (insofar as backlight 221 constitutes a part of the display panel 200b), wherein the driver chip 251 is configured to: receive the first display data (“first view image information” [0208]) or the second display data (It is noted by the Examiner that the limitations “receive the first display data or the second display data” are recited in the alternative, such that the claim is met by a prior art teaching of one alternative, even in the absence of the other) output from the main control chip 240, and output the first display data (“first view image information” [0208]) or the second display data (It is noted by the Examiner that the limitations “output the first display data or the second display data” are recited in the alternative, such that the claim is met by a prior art teaching of one alternative, even in the absence of the other) to the display panel (insofar as backlight 221 constitutes a part of the display panel 20b) according to a preset timing (see timing in Fig. 9); and a memory 242, connected to the main control chip 240, and configured to store (“storage 242 may store the image information to output the first view image and the image information to output the second view image when performing the portrait mode as the multi-mode” [0241]) the first display data (“the image information to output the first view image” [0241]) and the second display data (“and the image information to output the second view image” [0241]).
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 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.
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) 4-5 and 17 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Lee (US 20180176546 A1) in view of Ohtoshi et al (EP 1988538 A1).
Lee shows a method and device as described above.
As recited in claim 4, Lee shows that the display panel is a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel (“the display panel is a liquid crystal display panel” [0082]).
As recited in claim 4, Lee is silent regarding whether between the first stage and the second stage that are adjacent to each other, the method further comprises: at a third stage, providing third display data to the display panel to display a black screen on an LCD panel in a normally black mode, or display a white screen on an LCD panel in a normally white mode.
As recited in claim 4, Ohtoshi et al show that between a first stage (see “D-SEAT-SIDE VIEWING FIELD OPEN” in Fig. 7, for example) and a second stage (see adjacent “P-SEAT-SIDE VIEWING FIELD OPEN” in Fig. 7, for example) that are adjacent to each other, the method further comprises: at a third stage (see “BL BLACK IMAGE” in Fig. 7), providing third display data (“data of a buffer image to be inserted when switching is performed between the D-seat image IM1 and the P-seat image IM2” [0040]) to a display panel 100 to display a black screen (“this buffer image is an achromatic image such as a black image” [0040]) on an LCD panel in a normally black mode (insofar as the black screen between stages may be arbitrarily labeled as normal). Regarding the limitation “or display a white screen on an LCD panel in a normally white mode”, it is noted by the Examiner that limitations are recited in the alternative (“display a black screen … or display a white screen”) such that the claim is satisfied by a teaching of one alternative even in the absence of the other.
Moreover, the Examiner finds that a black screen between adjacent stages was predictable before the effective filing date.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art prior to the effective filing date to insert a black screen between the stages of Lee as taught by Ohtoshi et al. The rationale is as follows: one of ordinary skill in the art would have had reason to prevent the driver’s image from being viewed by the passenger, and to prevent the passenger’s image from being viewed by the driver, while preventing flicker as taught by Ohtoshi et al (“even if there are some differences in the switching timing in the liquid shutter 110B, it is possible to prevent an image of the D-seat image IM1 from leaking into the field of view on the P-seat side, and prevent an image of the P-seat image IM2 from leaking into the field of view on the D-seat side. It is also possible to prevent the flicker in images due to rapid changes in images” [0065]).
As recited in claim 5, Lee is silent regarding whether the third stage comprises L frame periods, L being greater than 0, and less than or equal to 1.
As recited in claim 5, Ohtoshi et al show that the third stage comprises L frame periods, wherein L is greater than 0 and less than or equal to 1 (see timing in Fig. 7).
Moreover, the Examiner finds that a number of frame periods ranging from zero (exclusive) to 1 (inclusive) was predictable before the effective filing date.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art prior to the effective filing date to arrive at the recited number of frame periods in the course of routine design choice. The rationale is as follows: one of ordinary skill in the art would have had reason to optimize a black period, in the absence of criticality, in order to reduce flicker as taught by Ohtoshi et al (“prevent the flicker in images due to rapid changes in images” [0065]).
As recited in claim 17, Lee is silent regarding whether the memory comprises a first storage zone for storing the first display data and a second storage zone for storing the second display data.
As recited in claim 17, Ohtoshi et al disclose five storage zones (see Fig. 10), including first storage zone 71A for storing first display data (see “FIRST IMAGE DATADT1” in Fig. 10) and a second storage zone 71B for storing second display data (see “SECOND IMAGE DATADT2” in Fig. 10).
There is no invention in changing a number of known parts, when the claimed number falls within the range found in the prior art. See Iron Grip Barbell Co., Inc. v. USA Sports, Inc., 392 F.3d 1317, 1322, 73 USPQ2d 1225, 1228 (Fed. Cir. 2004). The patent claim at issue was directed to a weight plate having 3 elongated openings that served as handles for transporting the weight plate. Multiple prior art patents each disclosed weight plates having 1, 2 or 4 elongated openings. 392 F.3d at 1319, 73 USPQ2d at 1226. The court stated that the claimed weight plate having 3 elongated openings fell within the "range" of the prior art and was thus presumed obvious. 392 F.3d at 1322, 73 USPQ2d at 1228. In this case, first and second storage zones (i.e., two zones) fall within the prior art range of the number of zones.
Moreover, the Examiner finds that two storage zones were predictable before the effective filing date.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art prior to the effective filing date to arrive at the recited number of storage zones in the course of routine design choice. The rationale is as follows: one of ordinary skill in the art would have had reason to provide the device of Lee with two storage zones in order to store first display data and to store second display data as taught by Ohtoshi et al (“As shown in Fig. 10, the image output unit 70 includes: frame memories 71A and 71B that store the first and second image data DT1 and DT2” [0069]).
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 7-12 and 18-19 would be allowable if rewritten to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action and to include all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
Reasons for indicating allowable subject matter will be stated after the claims become clear and definite.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
TransWall (Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), “TransWall: A Transparent Double-sided Touch Display Facilitating Co-located Face-to-face Interactions”, 27 March 2014 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5z52GfN83DU)) shows a transparent double-sided touch display empowering users on opposite sides to play a competitive flip and spell game on first and second display sides arranged opposite to each other.
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.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Julie Anne Watko whose telephone number is (571)272-7597. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Tuesday 9AM-5PM, Wednesday 10:30AM-5PM, Thursday-Friday 9AM-5PM, and occasional Saturdays.
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.
JULIE ANNE WATKO
Primary Examiner
Art Unit 2627
/Julie Anne Watko/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2627
07/21/2026
Prosecution Insights