Office Action 4: Final Rejection (2024-07-08)
Rejection types: 103 - Obviousness, 112 - Written Description/Enablement

CLAIMS:
Amendments to the Claims

This listing of claims will replace all prior versions, and listings, of claims in the application.

1\. (Currently Amended) A touch frame assembly, comprising:
a frame body comprises a first frame edge, and the first frame edge comprises an inward concave surface;
a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) assembly arranged in the frame body, wherein the PCB assembly comprises at least one infrared emission tube and at least one infrared receiving tube;
a touch screen glass cover plate, located on an inner side of the PCB assembly, wherein the touch screen glass cover plate is configured to receive a touch by a user, the at least one of the infrared emission tube is configured to emit an infrared ray to the infrared receiving tube, an infrared matrix is formed above the touch screen glass cover plate, and in response to receiving the touch, a position of a contact point on the touch screen glass cover plate is determined; and
a fixing structure configured to fix the touch screen glass cover plate to the frame body,
wherein an inward concave of the touch screen glass cover plate is maintained by a curvature of the inward concave surface.
2\. (Currently Amended) The touch frame assembly according to claim 1, wherein the inward concave surface cooperating with the touch screen glass cover plate, a part of a surface of the touch screen glass cover plate is attached to the inward concave surface, and when the fixing structure fixes the touch screen glass cover plate to the frame body, the touch screen glass cover plate is kept in an inward concave state.
3\. (Currently Amended) The touch frame assembly according to claim 2, wherein the inward concave surface is an arc-shaped concave surface, wherein the frame body further comprises a second frame edge, and the first frame edge is longer than the second frame edge.
4\. (Currently Amended) The touch frame assembly according to claim 3, wherein the arc- shaped concave surface has a symmetrical structure, and wherein a highest point of the arc-shaped concave surface is arranged corresponding to both ends of a first cover plate edge of the touch screen glass cover plate, and a lowest point of the arc-shaped

concave surface is arranged corresponding to a midpoint of the first cover plate edge of the touch screen glass cover plate; or the highest point of the arc-shaped concave surface is arranged corresponding to both ends of the first frame edge of the frame body, and the lowest point of the arc-shaped concave surface is arranged corresponding to a midpoint of the first frame edge of the frame body.
5\. (Original) The touch frame assembly according to claim 3, wherein a height difference between a highest point of the arc-shaped concave surface and a lowest point of the arc-shaped concave surface is H, and the H is between 0.5 mm and 5 mm.
6\. (Previously Presented) The touch frame assembly according to claim 2, wherein an outer contour of the touch screen glass cover plate is rectangular.
7\. (Currently Amended) The touch frame assembly according to claim 6, wherein a first cover plate edge of the touch screen glass cover plate is attached to the inward concave surface.
8\. (Previously Presented) The touch frame assembly according to claim 2, wherein the fixing structure comprises a fixing piece, one end of the fixing piece is pressed on the touch screen glass cover plate, the other end of the fixing piece is fixed on the frame body, so as to keep the touch screen glass cover plate fixed on the frame body; or wherein the fixing structure comprises an adhesive, and the touch screen glass cover plate is adhered to the inward concave surface through the adhesive.
9\. (Currently Amended) The touch frame assembly according to claim \[\[2\]\]3, wherein the frame body \[\[is \]\]comprises a curved frame body in each of the two first frame edges and is recessed inward so as to form the inward concave surface, and a thickness of the frame body is kept consistent; or wherein a thickness of a middle portion of each of the two first frame edges of the frame body is greater than that of both ends of each of the two first frame edges of the frame body, so as to form the inward concave surface.

10\. (Previously Presented) The touch frame assembly according to claim 2, wherein the frame body is provided with a first step supporting the touch screen glass cover plate, a part of the surface of the touch screen glass cover plate is abutted against a step surface of the first step, and an end of the touch screen glass cover plate is supported by the first step.

11\. (Original) The touch frame assembly according to claim 1, wherein the frame body comprises a first mounting groove, and the PCB assembly is arranged in the first mounting groove.

12\. (Original) The touch frame assembly according to claim 11, wherein a wall of the first mounting groove is provided with a slot and a second step, one end of the PCB assembly is clamped with the slot, and the other end of the PCB assembly is bonded with a step surface of the second step.

13\. (Original) The touch frame assembly according to claim 11, wherein the touch frame assembly further comprises a filter bar, and the filter bar is mounted on a notch of the first mounting groove.

14\. (Previously Presented) The touch frame assembly according to claim 1, wherein one or more support pad is provided between the touch screen glass cover plate and the frame body, and the one or more support pad generates a force that causes the touch screen glass cover plate to be recessed inward, so that the touch screen glass cover plate is recessed inward.

15\. (Currently Amended) The touch frame assembly according to claim 14, wherein an outer contour of the touch screen glass cover plate is rectangular, and wherein when the number of the one or more support pad is \[\[one\]\]two, each of the two support \[\[pad\]\]padsis arranged at a midpoint of \[\[a\]\]each of two first cover plate edges of the touch screen glass cover plate; and
when the number of the one or more support pad is more than two, the support pads are evenly arranged along the two first cover plate edges of the tough screen glass cover plate at intervals.

16\. (Currently Amended) The touch frame assembly according to claim 14, wherein the

one or more support pad is in a form of a block, and wherein a ratio of a length of the one or more support pad to a length of a \[\[long \]\]first cover plate edge of the touch screen glass cover plate is a, wherein a is between 1/8 to 1/12; or a ratio of a thickness of the support pad to a thickness of the touch screen glass cover plate is b, wherein b is between 1/3 to 1/4.

17\. (Previously Presented) The touch frame assembly according to claim 14, wherein the fixing structure comprises a fixing piece, one end of the fixing piece is pressed on the touch screen glass cover plate, the other end of the fixing piece is fixed on the frame body, so as to keep the touch screen glass cover plate fixed on the frame body.

18\. (Original) The touch frame assembly according to claim 14, wherein the support pad is adhered to the frame body.

19\. (Original) The touch frame assembly according to claim 14, wherein a material of the support pad is plastic or foam.
20\. (Currently Amended) An interactive white board, comprising:
a backlight module; and
a touch frame assembly, wherein the touch frame assembly comprises:a frame body comprises a first frame edge, and the first frame edge comprises an inward concave surface;
a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) assembly arranged in the frame body, wherein the PCB assembly comprises at least one infrared emission tube and at least one infrared receiving tube;
a touch screen glass cover plate, located on an inner side of the PCB assembly, wherein the touch screen glass cover plate is configured to receive a touch by a user, the at least one infrared emission tube is configured to emit an infrared ray to the infrared receiving tube, an infrared matrix is formed above the touch screen glass cover plate, and in response to receiving the touch, a position of a contact point on the touch screen glass cover plate is determined; and

a fixing structure configured to fix the touch screen glass cover plate to the frame body,
wherein an inward concave of the touch screen glass cover plate is maintained by a curvature of the inward concave surface,wherein the backlight module is arranged on an inner side of the touch frame assembly.

OFFICE ACTION:
DETAILED ACTION
Status of the Application
1.	Applicant’s Amendment to the Claims filed June 4, 2024 are received and entered.
2.	Claims 1, 3 – 4, 7, 9, 15 – 16, and 20 are amended.  Claims 1 – 20 are pending and are under examination in this action.
3.	The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Response to Arguments / Amendment
4.	The rejection of claims 15 under 35 USC 112(b) is WITHDRAWN in view of the Amendment.
5.	On page 8 of the Response, Applicant argues that “Eriksson merely discloses a curved display, not an inward concave surface of a first frame edge of the frame body”.
The Office finds Applicant’s argument unpersuasive for at least the following reasons.  As set forth in the embodiments of FIGS. 29 – 32 of Eriksson, frame 403 is illustrated as being curved in a manner similar to display 501.  As clearly illustrated in FIG. 31, the top and bottom edges of frame 403 have an inward concave surface.
Accordingly, Eriksson clearly teaches “an inward concave surface of a first frame edge of the frame body”.  For at least these reasons, Applicant’s argument is unpersuasive.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112(b)
6.	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.
7.	Claim 9 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
Regarding claim 9, the recitations in lines 2, 5, and 6 of “each of the two first frame edges” lacks sufficient antecedent basis.  It is unclear where the “two first frame edges” has come from since claims 1 and 3, from which claim 9 depend, only refer to a singular first frame edge.
Accordingly, this claim is indefinite as presently recited.  A clarifying amendment is required to overcome this rejection.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
8.	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.
9.	Claims 1 – 4, 6 – 11, and 20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Eriksson et al. (U.S. Pub. 2016/0154533).
Regarding claim 1, Eriksson teaches: a touch frame assembly (FIG. 20; paragraph [0075]; touch screen display having a frame), comprising:
a frame body (FIG. 25; paragraph [0081]; surrounding frame 403) comprising a first frame edge, and the first frame edge comprises an inward concave surface (FIGS. 29 – 32; surrounding frame 403 is illustrated as being curved in a manner similar to display 501.  As clearly illustrated in FIG. 31, the top and bottom edges of frame 403 have an inward concave surface.  Therefore, the top edge of frame 403 is interpreted as the “first frame edge”);
a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) assembly arranged in the frame body (FIGS. 24, 25; paragraph [0079]; PCB 502 is arranged in frame 403), wherein the PCB assembly comprises at least one of an infrared emission tube and at least one infrared receiving tube (FIGS. 24, 28; paragraph [0084], [0086]; PCB 502 includes emitters 103 and receivers 203 mounted thereon.  Each emitter 103 and receiver 203 have a lens 407 to facilitate the transmission of infrared light for touch detection.  The combination of infrared emitter 103 and lens 407 is interpreted as an “infrared emission tube”.  The combination of infrared receiver 203 and lens 407 is interpreted as an “infrared receiving tube”);
a touch screen, wherein the touch screen is configured to receive a touch by a user (FIG. 20; paragraph [0075]; display 501 is a touch screen that is therefore configured to receive a user’s touch), the at least one of the infrared emission tube is configured to emit an infrared ray to the infrared receiving tube, an infrared matrix is formed above the touch screen (FIGS. 29, 30; paragraphs [0090], [0091]; emitter 105 emits infrared light from top to bottom which is received by receivers 208 – 210.  Similarly, emitter 104 emits infrared light from left to right which is received by receivers 204 – 207.  Due to having emitters along a top and left surface, and receivers alone a bottom and right surface, an infrared matrix is formed above display 501), and in response to receiving the touch, a position of a contact point on the touch screen is determined (paragraphs [0053], [0054]; a position of a user’s contact point display 501 is determined in response to a user’s touch blocking the transmission of infrared light between emitters and receivers); and
a fixing structure (FIG. 25; paragraph [0079]; rear support 802 and floor 803 together form a “fixing structure”), wherein an inward concave of the touch screen is maintained by a curvature of the inward concave surface (FIGS. 23 – 24, 29 – 32; paragraphs [0079], [0088]; display 501 is a curved display having an inward concave which is inserted into frame 403.  In the embodiments of FIGS. 29 – 32, frame 403 is clearly illustrated as having an inward concave shape as well.  Since display 501 is inserted into frame 403, it is implied that the curved frame 403, and the edges / surfaces thereof, including the “first frame edge”, maintain the curvature of display 501.  This requires only a basic understanding of the main purpose of display frames such as frame 403, i.e., to secure a periphery of a display, such as display 501).
Eriksson fails to explicitly disclose: the touch screen located on an inner side of the PCB assembly; and the fixing structure configured to fix the touch screen to the frame body.
However, Eriksson discloses that frame 403 is divided into an upper cavity in which display 501 is housed and a lower cavity in which PCB 502 and lenses 407 are housed (FIG. 25; paragraph [0079]).  Additionally, Eriksson discloses that mechanical stiffeners may be disposed around a perimeter of a top surface of display 501 (paragraph [0079]).
Additionally, please see MPEP §2144.04(VI)(C) which refers to case law that has held that a particular placement of a claimed element may be an obvious matter of design choice.
In light of the above, it would have been obvious to merely reverse the cavities in which the display 501, PCB 502, and lenses 407 are housed.  In this modification, display 501 would be disposed in the lower cavity between floor 803 and rear support 802 while PCB 502 and lenses 407 would be disposed in the upper cavity between floor 803 and the mechanical stiffeners (see FIG. 25; paragraph [0079]).
As modified, Eriksson teaches: the touch screen located on an inner side of the PCB assembly (FIG. 25; paragraph [0079]; when the elements disposed in upper and lower cavities are reversed, as set forth above, display 501 would be located on an inner side of  PCB 502); and
the fixing structure configured to fix the touch screen to the frame body (FIG. 25; paragraph [0079]; when the elements disposed in upper and lower cavities are reversed, as set forth above, the “fixing structure”, i.e., rear support 802 and floor 803 together, would fix display 501 within frame 403).
It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of Applicant’s claimed invention to modify the explicit disclosure of Eriksson by merely rearranging the parts thereof to yield predictable results.  Such a modification requires nothing more than a mere rearrangement of parts and would have the added benefit of simplifying the design of frame 403 because it would no longer be required to reflect infrared light from emitters and to receivers.  Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of Applicant’s claimed invention to modify the explicit disclosure of Eriksson by merely rearranging the parts thereof to yield the aforementioned predictable results.
Eriksson fails to explicitly disclose: the touch screen is a touch screen glass cover plate.
However, the Examiner notes that it was well-known and conventional in the art before the effective filing date of Applicant’s claimed invention for a touch display assembly to include a glass cover layer on which a user applies a touch.  This glass cover layer is well-known to either be an upper substrate of the touch display assembly or a protective cover.
Accordingly, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of Applicant’s claimed invention to modify the explicit disclosure of Eriksson to include a glass cover layer as a top surface of the disclosed touch display assembly.  Such a modification of Eriksson requires nothing more than utilizing well-known and conventional teachings in the art to fill in the gaps of Eriksson as to the particular material on an outer surface of the disclosed touch display assembly.
Regarding claim 2, Eriksson teaches: wherein the inward concave surface cooperating with the touch screen glass cover plate (FIGS. 29, 30, 32; paragraphs [0079], [0088], [0090]; as set forth above with regard to claim 1, the “first frame edge” of frame 403 has an inward concave surface that maintains the shape of the curved display 501), a part of a surface of the touch screen glass cover plate is attached to the inward concave surface (FIG. 25; paragraph [0079]; as modified above with regard to claim 1, a rear surface of display 501 would be attached to the inward concave surface of the “first frame edge” on an inner side of the top edge of the frame 403), and when the fixing structure fixes the touch screen glass cover plate to the frame body, the touch screen glass cover plate is kept in an inward concave state (FIG. 25; paragraph [0079]; as modified above with regard to claim 1, the placement of display 501 being held in place by the “fixing structure” of rear support 802 and floor 803 would have the effect of supporting, and therefore “keeping” or “maintaining” the inward concave state of display 501, as illustrated).
Regarding claim 3, Eriksson teaches: wherein the inward concave surface is an arc-shaped concave surface (FIGS. 29, 30, 32; paragraph [0079]; the inward concave surface of rear support 802 would match the arc-shape of display 501), wherein the frame body further comprises a second frame edge, and the first frame edge is longer than the second frame edge (FIGS. 29 – 32; as set forth above with regard to claim 1, a top surface of the top edge of frame 403 is interpreted as the “first frame edge”.  With regard to this claim, a top surface of the left edge of frame 403 is interpreted as the “second frame edge”.  As clearly illustrated, the “first frame edge” is longer than the “second frame edge”).
Regarding claim 4, Eriksson teaches: wherein the arc-shaped concave surface has a symmetrical structure (FIGS. 29, 30, 32; paragraphs [0079], [0089]; the inward concave surface of the “first frame edge” would match the arc-shape of display 501 which is symmetrical by having a curved cross-section in the left-to-right direction and a straight cross-section in the top-to-bottom direction), and
wherein a highest point of the arc-shaped concave surface is arranged corresponding to both ends of a first cover plate edge of the touch screen glass cover plate, and a lowest point of the arc-shaped concave surface is arranged corresponding to a midpoint of the first cover plate edge of the touch screen glass cover plate (FIGS. 29, 32; paragraph [0089]; the inward concave surface of rear support 802 would match the arc-shape of display 501 which has a highest point at the left and right ends and a lowest point at a midpoint of the long edges of display 501); or
the highest point of the arc-shaped concave surface is arranged corresponding to both ends of the first frame edge of the frame body, and the lowest point of the arc-shaped concave surface is arranged corresponding to a midpoint of the first frame edge of the frame body (This element is recited in the alternative and is therefore a non-required element of this claim).
Regarding claim 6, Eriksson teaches: wherein an outer contour of the touch screen glass cover plate is rectangular (FIG. 20; paragraphs [0043], [0075]; the outer contour of display 501 is rectangular).
Regarding claim 7, Eriksson teaches: wherein a first cover plate edge of the touch screen glass cover plate is attached to the inward concave surface (FIG. 25; paragraph [0079]; as modified above with regard to claim 1, both the long and short edges of display 501 would be attached to the “inward concave surface”, including that of the “first frame edge”, of frame 403 set forth above with regard to claim 1).
Regarding claim 8, Eriksson teaches: wherein the fixing structure comprises a fixing piece, one end of the fixing piece is pressed on the touch screen glass cover plate, the other end of the fixing piece is fixed on the frame body, so as to keep the touch screen glass cover plate fixed on the frame body (FIG. 25; paragraph [0079]; “fixing structure” includes rear support 802 and floor 803 [fixing piece].  As modified above with regard to claim 1, floor 803 [fixing piece] would include a first end pressed on a surface of display 501 and a second end attached to frame 403.  This would have the effect of keeping display 501 fixed relative to frame 403); or
wherein the fixing structure comprises an adhesive, and the touch screen glass cover plate is adhered to the inward concave surface through the adhesive (This element is recited in the alternative and is therefore a non-required element of this claim).
Regarding claim 9, Eriksson teaches: wherein the frame body comprises a curved frame body in each of the two first frame edges and is recessed inward so as to form the inward concave surface, and a thickness of the frame body is kept consistent (FIGS. 29, 30, 32; paragraph [0089]; frame 403, including the top and bottom [two first frame] edges is curved to match the curvature of display 501.  Based on the totality of the disclosure, including the illustrations, it is suggested that the frame 403 has a consistent thickness around each side of display 501); or
wherein a thickness of a middle portion of each of the two first frame edges of the frame body is greater than that of both ends of each of the two first frame edges of the frame body, so as to form the inward concave surface (This element is recited in the alternative and is therefore a non-required element of this claim).
Regarding claim 10, Eriksson teaches: wherein the frame body is provided with a first step supporting the touch screen glass cover plate, a part of the surface of the touch screen glass cover plate is abutted against a step surface of the first step, and an end of the touch screen glass cover plate is supported by the first step (FIG. 25; paragraph [0079]; as modified above with regard to claim 1, display 501 is disposed in a lower cavity of frame 403 between rear support 802 and floor 803.  The lower cavity of frame 403 is interpreted as a “first step” which supports display 501.  As modified above with regard to claim 1, a side of display 501 would be abutted against, and therefore supported by, the “first step”).
Regarding claim 11, Eriksson teaches: wherein the frame body comprises a first mounting groove, and the PCB assembly is arranged in the first mounting groove (FIG. 25; paragraph [0079]; as modified above with regard to claim 1, PCB 502 is disposed in the upper cavity [first mounting groove] of frame 403 between floor 803 and mechanical stiffeners).
Regarding claim 20, Eriksson teaches: a device (FIG. 20; paragraph [0075]; touch screen display).
Eriksson fails to explicitly disclose: the device is an interactive white board that comprises a backlight module arranged on an inner side of a touch frame assembly.
However, the Examiner notes that it was well-known and conventional in the art before the effective filing date of Applicant’s claimed invention for an infrared touch display assembly to be utilized as an interactive white board.
Additionally, the Examiner notes that it was well-known and conventional in the art before the effective filing date of Applicant’s claimed invention for a display assembly to include a backlight module.
When these well-known and conventional teachings are applied to Eriksson, the device would be an interactive white board that includes a backlight module as part of display 501 of Eriksson, which would therefore be disposed on an inner side of the “touch frame assembly” rejected above with regard to claim 1.
Accordingly, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of Applicant’s claimed invention to modify the explicit disclosure of Eriksson such that the device as a whole is used as an interactive white board and the display therefore includes a backlight.  Such a modification of Eriksson requires nothing more than utilizing well-known and conventional teachings in the art to fill in the gaps of Eriksson as to the particular usage of the disclosed device and the particular mechanism for illuminating the display thereof.
The remainder of this claim is identical to the subject matter rejected above with regard to claim 1.  Accordingly, the remainder of this claim is rejected for at least the same reasons set forth above with regard to claim 1.  A duplication of the above rejection is not included in this Office Action for the purpose of brevity.
10.	Claim 5 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over, as applied to claim 3 above, in view of Chi et al. (U.S. Pub. 2015/0324045).
Regarding claim 5, Eriksson fails to explicitly disclose: wherein a height difference between a highest point of the arc-shaped concave surface and a lowest point of the arc-shaped concave surface is H, and the H is between 0.5 mm and 5 mm.
However, Chi teaches: wherein a height difference between a highest point of the arc-shaped concave surface and a lowest point of the arc-shaped concave surface is H, and the H is between 0.5 mm and 5 mm (FIG. 1B; paragraphs [0028], [0029], [0036]; a protrusion height H, which is a difference between the highest point and lowest point of a convex or concave curved surface 112 which is a touch surface of a curved touch display device, may be between 2 – 10 mm).
Additionally, please see MPEP §2144.05(I) which refers to case law that has held that where claimed ranges “overlap or lie inside ranges disclosed by the prior art”, a prima facie case of obviousness exists.  See In re Wertheim, 541 F.2d 257, 191 USPQ 90 (CCPA 1976).
It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of Applicant’s claimed invention to combine the known teachings of Eriksson and Chi to yield predictable results.  More specifically, the teachings of a concave touch display, as taught by Eriksson, are known.  Additionally, the teachings of a concave touch display having a curvature height difference of between 2 – 10 mm, as taught by Chi, are known as well.  The combination of the known teachings of Eriksson and Chi would yield the predictable result of a concave touch display having a curvature height difference of between 2 – 10 mm.  In other words, it would have been obvious to merely utilize the particular parameters regarding the degree of curvature and resulting height difference, as taught by Chi, to make the disclosed device of Eriksson.  Such a combination merely requires applying a known height difference caused by curvature of one concave touch display, as taught by Chi, to another concave touch display of Eriksson to fill in the gaps in the disclosure thereof.  Therefore, it  would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of Applicant’s claimed invention to combine the known teachings of Eriksson and Chi to yield the aforementioned predictable results.
11.	Claim 12 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Eriksson, as applied to claim 11 above, in view of Yaakoby et al. (U.S. Pub. 2009/0322696).
Regarding claim 12, Eriksson teaches: wherein a wall of the first mounting groove is provided with a slot and a second step (FIG. 25; paragraph [0079]; as modified above with regard to claim 1, PCB 502 is disposed in the upper cavity [first mounting groove] of frame 403 between floor 803 and mechanical stiffeners.  The portion of “upper cavity” that corresponds to an interior surface of frame 403 and the mechanical stiffeners is interpreted as a “slot”.  The portion of “upper cavity” that corresponds to floor 803 is interpreted as a “second step”).
Eriksson fails to explicitly disclose: one end of the PCB assembly is clamped with the slot, and the other end of the PCB assembly is bonded with a step surface of the second step.
However, Yaakoby discloses that a PCB may be fixed / attached to another element using clamps or adhesives (paragraphs [0065], [0100]).
The combination of Eriksson and Yaakoby teaches: one end of the PCB assembly is clamped with the slot (the “slot” may secure the end of the PCB that is closest to or against an interior surface of frame 403 [Eriksson] using a clamp [Yaakoby]), and the other end of the PCB assembly is bonded with a step surface of the second step (the “second step” may secure the end of the PCB that is farthest from an interior surface of frame 403 [Eriksson] using an adhesive [Yaakoby] which would bond the “second step” to PCB 502).
It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of Applicant’s claimed invention to combine the known teachings of Eriksson and Yaakoby to yield predictable results.  More specifically, the teachings of a concave touch display having a PCB assembly disposed in an upper cavity having a slot and a second step, as taught by Eriksson, are known.  Additionally, the teachings of a PCB that is fixed / attached to another element using clamps or adhesives, as taught by Yaakoby, are known as well.  The combination of the known teachings of Eriksson and Yaakoby would yield the predictable result of a concave touch display having a PCB assembly disposed in an upper cavity having a slot that is clamped to a first end of the PCB assembly and a second step that is bonded to a second end of the PCB assembly via an adhesive.  In other words, it would have been obvious to merely utilize well-known and conventional means of clamps and an adhesive, as taught by Yaakoby, for securing the PCB assembly within the upper cavity of Eriksson.  Such a combination merely requires applying known techniques of securing a PCB, as disclosed by Yaakoby, to the particular PCB assembly of Eriksson in its position as rendered obvious above with regard to claim 1.  Therefore, it  would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of Applicant’s claimed invention to combine the known teachings of Eriksson and Yaakoby to yield the aforementioned predictable results.
12.	Claim 13 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Eriksson, as applied to claim 11 above, in view of Huang (U.S. Pub. 2022/0113832).
Regarding claim 13, Eriksson fails to explicitly disclose: wherein the touch frame assembly further comprises a filter bar.
However, Huang teaches: wherein the touch frame assembly further comprises a filter bar (FIG. 2; paragraph [0043]; infrared filter strips 214 filter light waves outside the infrared band emitted by the infrared emitting tubes of infrared touch module 204 to reduce the interference of other electromagnetic spectrum bands to the infrared touch module 204).
It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of Applicant’s claimed invention to combine the known teachings of Eriksson and Huang to yield predictable results.  More specifically, the teachings of a touch display assembly having infrared emitters and receivers for detecting touch input, as taught by Eriksson, are known.  Additionally, the teachings of a touch display assembly having infrared filter strips that reduce interference of infrared emitters and receivers for detecting touch input, as taught by Huang, are known as well.  The combination of the known teachings of Eriksson and Huang would yield the predictable result of a touch display assembly having infrared filter strips that reduce interference of infrared emitters and receivers for detecting touch input.  In other words, it would have been obvious to merely incorporate the infrared filter strips of Huang into the device of Eriksson to improve performance of the infrared touch detection by reducing interference.  Therefore, it  would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of Applicant’s claimed invention to combine the known teachings of Eriksson and Huang to yield the aforementioned predictable results.
Neither Eriksson nor Huang explicitly disclose: the filter bar is mounted on a notch of the first mounting groove.
However, the Examiner notes that it was well-known and conventional in the art before the effective filing date of Applicant’s claimed invention for elements to be secured using a notch-type structure.
Accordingly, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of Applicant’s claimed invention to modify the combination of Eriksson and Huang such that the filter bar is secured in the touch frame assembly using a well-known notch-type structure.  Such a modification of the combination of Eriksson and Huang requires nothing more than utilizing well-known and conventional teachings in the art as to how the filter bar, as taught by Huang, would be physically incorporated and secured to Eriksson’s disclosed touch display assembly.
13.	Claims 14 – 15 and 17 – 19 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Eriksson, as applied to claim 11 above, in view of Lee et al. (U.S. Pub. 2017/0192596).
Regarding claim 14, Eriksson fails to explicitly disclose: wherein one or more support pad is provided between the touch screen glass cover plate and the frame body, and the one or more support pad generates a force that causes the touch screen glass cover plate to be recessed inward, so that the touch screen glass cover plate is recessed inward.
However, Lee discloses a module supporting member 250 that is disposed between a display 100 and a housing plate 510 (FIGS. 1, 19; paragraphs [0164], [0165]).
The combination of Eriksson and Lee teaches: wherein one or more support pad is provided between the touch screen glass cover plate and the frame body, and the one or more support pad generates a force that causes the touch screen glass cover plate to be recessed inward, so that the touch screen glass cover plate is recessed inward (Eriksson; FIGS. 25, 29, 30, 32; paragraph [0079]; when the elements disposed in upper and lower cavities are reversed, as set forth above, display 501 would be disposed between rear support 802 and floor 803 of frame 403.  Lee; FIGS. 1, 19; paragraphs [0164] – [0167]; a module supporting member 250 may optionally be disposed along the entirety of the long sides of the device between a display 100 and a housing plate 510.  Module supporting member 250 may be a double-sided adhesive foam pad which would attach display module 100 to housing plate 510 and provide elastic restoring force to display module 100 which allows display module 100 to curve inward as described.  When these teachings are combined, Eriksson would be modified to include the module supporting member 250 between display 501 and floor 803 along the long sides thereof [top and bottom].  Module supporting member 250 would therefore have the effect of further supporting the inward recess of display 501).
It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of Applicant’s claimed invention to combine the known teachings of Eriksson and Lee to yield predictable results.  More specifically, the teachings of a touch display assembly having a display disposed between a rear support and a floor of a frame, as taught by Eriksson as modified above with regard to claim 1, are known.  Additionally, the teachings of a display assembly that includes an adhesive foam pad that secures a display to a housing, as taught by Lee, are known as well.  The combination of the known teachings of Eriksson and Lee would yield the predictable result of a touch display assembly having a display disposed between a rear support and a floor of a frame and an adhesive foam pad disposed between the display and the floor of the frame along the long sides thereof [top and bottom].  Such a combination would result in the inward recess of display 501 being further supported by the adhesive foam pad in addition to the support provided by the curved frame.  In other words, it would have been obvious to include the adhesive foam pad of Lee in conjunction with the curved frame of Eriksson to improve and increase the support of the curvature of the display 501.  Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of Applicant’s claimed invention to combine the known teachings of Eriksson and Lee to yield the aforementioned predictable results.
Regarding claim 15, Eriksson teaches: wherein an outer contour of the touch screen glass cover plate is rectangular (FIG. 20; paragraphs [0043], [0075]; the outer contour of display 501 is rectangular).
Eriksson fails to explicitly disclose: wherein when the number of the one or more support pad is two, each of the two support pads is arranged at a midpoint of each of two first cover plate edges of the touch screen glass cover plate; and when the number of the one or more support pad is more than two, the support pads are evenly arranged along the two first cover plate edges of the touch screen glass cover plate at intervals.
However, Lee teaches: wherein when the number of the one or more support pad is two, each of the two support pads is arranged at a midpoint of each of two first cover plate edges of the touch screen glass cover plate (FIGS. 1, 19; paragraph [0164]; there is a module supporting member 250 disposed on both a left and right side [i.e., two module support members 250] along the midpoint of the long [cover plate] edges of the display device); and
when the number of the one or more support pad is more than two, the support pads are evenly arranged along the two first cover plate edges of the touch screen glass cover plate at intervals (This recitation is interpreted as being an optional element recited in the alternative because only one of this element and the previous element can exist in the touch frame assembly at a time).
It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of Applicant’s claimed invention to combine the known teachings of Eriksson and Lee to yield predictable results for at least the reasons set forth above with regard to claim 14.
Regarding claim 17, Eriksson teaches: wherein the fixing structure comprises a fixing piece, one end of the fixing piece is pressed on the touch screen glass cover plate, the other end of the fixing piece is fixed on the frame body, so as to keep the touch screen glass cover plate fixed on the frame body (FIG. 25; paragraph [0079]; “fixing structure” includes rear support 802 and floor 803 [fixing piece].  As modified above with regard to claim 1, floor 803 [fixing piece] would include a first end pressed on a surface of display 501 and a second end attached to frame 403.  This would have the effect of keeping display 501 fixed relative to frame 403).
Regarding claim 18, Eriksson fails to explicitly disclose: wherein the support pad is adhered to the frame body.
However, Lee teaches: wherein the support pad is adhered to the frame body (FIG. 19; paragraph [0167]; module supporting member 250 may be a double-sided adhesive foam pad which would attach display module 100 to housing plate 510.  Accordingly, module supporting member 250 is adhered to housing plate 510).
It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of Applicant’s claimed invention to combine the known teachings of Eriksson and Lee to yield predictable results for at least the reasons set forth above with regard to claim 14.
Regarding claim 19, Eriksson fails to explicitly disclose: wherein a material of the support pad is plastic or foam (FIG. 19; paragraph [0167]; module supporting member 250 may be a double-sided adhesive foam pad).
However, Lee teaches: wherein a material of the support pad is plastic or foam.
It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of Applicant’s claimed invention to combine the known teachings of Eriksson and Lee to yield predictable results for at least the reasons set forth above with regard to claim 14.
Allowable Subject Matter
14.	Claim 16 is objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
Conclusion
Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action.  Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL.  See MPEP § 706.07(a).  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 extension fee 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 date of this final action.

APPLICANT REBUTTAL: Remarks
Reconsideration of this Application is respectfully requested.
Claims 1-20 are currently pending in the application, with claims 1 and 20 being independent claims.
By these Amendments, claims 1-4, 7, 9, 15, 16, and 20 are amended. These amendments can find support from at least Paras. [0029] and [0042] of specification, and FIGs. 1-5 of the originally-filed application. No new matter has been introduced.
Based on the above amendments and the following remarks, Applicant respectfully requests that the Examiner reconsider all outstanding rejections and that they be withdrawn.
Allowable Sub
j
ect Matter
Applicant thanks the Examiner for indicating allowable subject matter recited in claim 16. By this Amendment, independent claims 1 and 20 are allowable over the prior art of record for at least the reasons set forth below. Accordingly, amended independent claims 1 and 20, as well as their dependent claims, are allowable over the prior art of record.
Rej
ections under 35 U.S.C.
§
112(b
)
Claim 15 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 112(b) as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention. See Office Action at 2.
In particular, the Examiner indicates that the recitation "when the number of the one or more support pad is one" is indefinite for failing to support only a single support pad.
Applicant respectfully submits that, to clarify the scope of the claims and without
acquiescing to the Examiner's position, claim 15 is amended. Applicant submits that the claim amendment moots the issue.
In particular, the amended claim 15 now recites "when the number of the one or more
support pad is two, each of the two support pads is arranged at a midpoint of each of two first cover plate edges of the touch screen glass cover plate; and when the number of the one or more support pad is more than two, the support pads are evenly arranged along the two first cover plate edges of
the tough screen glass cover plate at intervals." Accordingly, Applicant respectfully requests that the 112(b) rejection be withdrawn.
Rej
ections under 35 U.S.C.
@
Claims 1-4, 6-11, and 20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 103 as allegedly being unpatentable over Eriksson (US 2016/0154533). Office Action at 3.
Claims 1-4, 6-11, and 20
The Applicant respectfully submits that Eriksson does not render claims 1-4, 6-11, and 20 obvious because they do not disclose every element of these claims (as amended).
For example, Eriksson does not disclose or teach at least the following elements of amended claim 1:
a frame body comprises
a first frame edge,
and
the first frame edge
comprises an inward concave surface;
..., wherein an inward concave of the touch screen glass cover plate is
maintained by
a curvature of the inward concave surface.
(Emphasis added.)
Eriksson fails to disclose or teach that the frame body comprises a first frame edge and that the first frame edge comprises an inward concave surface. In rejecting claims 1 and 2, Examiner alleges that Eriksson discloses a curved display 501 attached to the inward concave surface of rear support 802. See Office Action at 5 and 7. Applicant respectfully disagrees. Eriksson merely discloses a curved display, not an inward concave surface of a first frame edge of the frame body. See paras. [0079], [0080], and [0090] of the specification, and FIGs. 29, 30, and 32 of Eriksson. The rear support 802 of Eriksson that Examiner maps to the claimed fixing structure and the frame 403 of Eriksson that Examiner maps to the claimed frame body do not comprise a first frame edge that comprises an inward concave surface. Nor does any of the structures in Eriksson (except display 501) have any inward concave surface. More importantly, either the rear support 802 or the frame 403 of Eriksson have a curvature of the inward concave surface that maintains the inward concave of the touch screen glass cover plate. As such, Eriksson fails to disclose or suggest the above recited elements in amended claim 1.
Accordingly, the amended independent claim 1 is allowable over the prior art of record.
Similarly, amended independent claim 20 is allowable over the prior art of record for at least the same reason. Dependent claims 2-4 and 6-11 are allowable over the prior art of record at least by virtue of their dependence from their respective base claims.
Claim 5
Claim 5 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 103 as allegedly being unpatentable over Eriksson (US
2016/0154533) in view of Chi (US 2015/0324045). Office Action at 11.
As discussed above, Eriksson does not disclose at least the following elements that are recited in claim 1 (and similarly in claim 20):
a frame body comprises
a first frame edge,
and
the first frame edge
comprises an inward concave surface;
..., wherein an inward concave of the touch screen glass cover plate is
maintained by
a curvature of the inward concave surface.
(Emphasis added.)
Applicant submits that Chi, relied upon by the Examiner to reject dependent claims, nevertheless fails to disclose the above-quoted elements, and therefore does not cure the deficiencies of Eriksson. In particular, Chi merely discloses a curved mold 210a and a curved touch display device 200. See FIGs. 2E and 2F of Chi. The curved mold 210a is removed after the curved touch display device 200 is formed. See para. [0044] of Chi. As such, Chi fails to disclose or teach the above recited elements.
Accordingly, dependent claim 5 is allowable over the prior art of record.
Claim 12
Claim 12 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 103 as allegedly being unpatentable over Eriksson (US
2016/0154533) in view of Yaakoby (US 2009/0322696). Office Action at 13.
As discussed above, Eriksson does not disclose at least the following elements that are recited in claim 1 (and similarly in claim 20):
a frame body comprises
a first frame edge,
and
the first frame edge
comprises an inward concave surface;
..., wherein an inward concave of the touch screen glass cover plate is
maintained by
a curvature of the inward concave surface.
(Emphasis added.)
Applicant submits that Yaakoby, relied upon by the Examiner to reject dependent claims, nevertheless fails to disclose the above-quoted elements, and therefore does not cure the deficiencies of Eriksson.
Accordingly, dependent claim 12 is allowable over the prior art of record.
Claim 13
Claim 13 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 103 as allegedly being unpatentable over Eriksson (US 2016/0154533) in view of Huang (US 2022/0113832). Office Action at 14.
As discussed above, Eriksson does not disclose at least the following elements that are recited in claim 1 (and similarly in claim 20):
a frame body comprises
a first frame edge,
and
the first frame edge
comprises an inward concave surface;
..., wherein an inward concave of the touch screen glass cover plate is
maintained by
a curvature of the inward concave surface.
(Emphasis added.)
Applicant submits that Huang, relied upon by the Examiner to reject dependent claims, nevertheless fails to disclose the above-quoted elements, and therefore does not cure the deficiencies of Eriksson. In particular, Huang merely discloses fixed clips 220 and fixed shell 218. See para. [0050] and FIG. 5 of Huang. The fixed clips 220 is not a frame, and the fixed shell 218 does not comprise a frame edge that comprises an inward concave surface. As such, Huang fails to disclose or teach the above recited elements.
Accordingly, dependent claim 13 is allowable over the prior art of record.
Claims 14-15 and 17-19
Claims 14-15 and 17-19 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 103 as allegedly being unpatentable over Eriksson (US 2016/0154533) in view of Lee (US 2017/0192596). Office Action at 16.
As discussed above, Eriksson does not disclose at least the following elements that are recited in claim 1 (and similarly in claim 20):
a frame body comprises
a first frame edge,
and
the first frame edge
comprises an inward concave surface;
..., wherein an inward concave of the touch screen glass cover plate is
maintained by
a curvature of the inward concave surface.
(Emphasis added.)
Applicant submits that Lee, relied upon by the Examiner to reject dependent claims, nevertheless fails to disclose the above-quoted elements, and therefore does not cure the deficiencies of Eriksson. As such, Lee fails to disclose or teach the above recited elements.
Accordingly, dependent claims 14-15 and 17-19 are allowable over the prior art of record.
Accordingly, Applicant respectfully requests that the 103 rejections be withdrawn.
Conclusion

NEXT OFFICE ACTION: DETAILED ACTION
Status of the Application
1.	Applicant’s AFCP request and Amendment to the Claims filed September 5, 2024 is received and entered.
2.	Claims 1, 9, 15, and 17 – 20 are amended.  Claims 14 and 16 are cancelled.  Claims 1 – 13, 15, and 17 – 20 are pending and are under examination in this action.
3.	The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
4.	As a result of this Action, claims 1 – 13, 15, and 17 – 20 are allowed over the prior art.
Response to Arguments / Amendment
5.	The rejection of claim 9 under 35 USC 112(b) are WITHDRAWN in view of the Amendment.
Reasons for Allowance
6.	Claims 1 – 13, 15, and 17 – 20 are allowed over the prior art.  The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter.
The closest prior art during a search of the claimed invention includes: Eriksson et al. (U.S. Pub. 2016/0154533), Kwon et al. (U.S. Pub. 2021/0103186), Huang (U.S. Pub. 2022/0113832), Yaakoby et al. (U.S. Pub. 2009/0322696), Globerman (U.S. Pub. 2021/0263603), Holmgren et al. (U.S. Pub. 2015/0277636), Lee et al. (U.S. Pub. 2019/0179192), Kuwata (U.S. Pub. 2014/0354600), Lee 2 et al. (U.S. Pub. 2017/0192596), and Chi et al. (U.S. Pub. 2015/0324045).
Regarding claim 1, neither Eriksson nor Kwon nor Huang nor Yaakoby nor Globerman nor Holmgren nor Lee nor Kuwata nor Lee 2 nor Chi teach or suggest, whether taken alone or in combination with one another, nor can they be properly combined, absent impermissible hindsight, to teach or suggest:
“one or more support pad provided between the touch screen glass cover plate and the frame body, and generating a force that causes the touch screen glass cover plate to be recessed inward, so that the touch screen glass cover plate is recessed inward,
wherein the one or more support pad is in a form of a block, and wherein
a ratio of a length of the one or more support pad to a length of a first cover plate edge of the touch screen glass cover plate is a, wherein a is between 1/8 to 1/12; or
a ratio of a thickness of the support pad to a thickness of the touch screen glass cover plate is b, wherein b is between 1/3 to 1/4.”
Regarding claim 20, this claims is allowed for at least the same reasons as those set forth above with regard to claim 1.
Regarding claims 2 – 13, 15, and 18 – 19, these claims are allowed based on their dependence from claim 1.
Conclusion

CITED REFERENCE SUMMARIES: Ref US20150324045A1: Claims:
A curved touch display device, comprising: a display panel having a display area and a non-display area; a touch panel disposed on the display panel, wherein the touch panel has a touch area over the display area and a peripheral area over the non-display area, and a light shielding layer is disposed in the peripheral area to shield the non-display area; a curved light-transmissive cover plate disposed on the touch panel and having a curved surface; and an optically clear adhesive layer disposed between the light shielding layer of the touch panel and the curved light-transmissive cover plate.
a display panel having a display area and a non-display area;
a touch panel disposed on the display panel, wherein the touch panel has a touch area over the display area and a peripheral area over the non-display area, and a light shielding layer is disposed in the peripheral area to shield the non-display area;
a curved light-transmissive cover plate disposed on the touch panel and having a curved surface; and
an optically clear adhesive layer disposed between the light shielding layer of the touch panel and the curved light-transmissive cover plate.
The curved touch display device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the touch panel comprises a substrate and a touch electrode layer, the touch electrode layer is located on the substrate and in the touch area, and the light shielding layer is located on the substrate.
The curved touch display device as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the light shielding layer and the touch electrode layer are both located on a first surface of the substrate.
The curved touch display device as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the substrate has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and the light shielding layer and the touch electrode layer are located on the first surface and the second surface, respectively.
The curved touch display device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the touch panel electrode layer is located on the first substrate and in the touch area, and the light shielding layer is located on the second substrate.
The curved touch display device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the touch panel comprises a first substrate, a second substrate, a third substrate, a first touch electrode layer, and a second touch electrode layer, the first touch electrode layer is located on the first substrate and in the touch area, the second touch electrode layer is located on the second substrate and in the touch area, and the light shielding layer is located on the third substrate.
The curved touch display device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the curved surface has a radius of curvature ranging from 300 mm to 700 mm substantially.
The curved touch display device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the curved surface has a recess depth or a protrusion height ranging from 2 mm to 10 mm substantially.
A method for forming a curved touch display device, comprising: providing a curved light-transmissive cover plate having a curved surface; providing a touch panel having a touch area, a peripheral area surrounding the touch area, and a light shielding layer located in the peripheral area; performing a rolling press process to bond the touch panel onto the curved surface; and bonding a display panel to the touch panel.
providing a curved light-transmissive cover plate having a curved surface;
providing a touch panel having a touch area, a peripheral area surrounding the touch area, and a light shielding layer located in the peripheral area;
performing a rolling press process to bond the touch panel onto the curved surface; and
bonding a display panel to the touch panel.
The method for forming a curved touch display device as claimed in claim 9 , further comprising: forming an optically clear adhesive layer between the light shielding layer of the touch panel and the curved light-transmissive cover plate.
forming an optically clear adhesive layer between the light shielding layer of the touch panel and the curved light-transmissive cover plate.
Ref US20160154533A1: Claims:
A touch screen assembly comprising: a display screen; a plurality of infra-red light emitters operative to emit light when activated; a plurality of photo diodes operative to detect amounts of light received when activated; a transparent plastic frame comprising: an exposed upper edge along the entire frame perimeter; vertically straight inner walls, extending from below said display screen to said exposed upper edge of the frame, along the entire frame perimeter; and internally reflective facets for directing light, emitted by said infra-red light emitters, along light paths that travel upward through one side of the frame along the height of said inner walls, over said display screen, downward through the opposite side of the frame along the height of said inner walls, and onto said photo diodes; and a processor coupled with said infra-red light emitters and said photo diodes, operative to selectively activate said infra-red light emitters and said photo diodes, to identify a location of an object touching said display screen from above, based on amounts of light detected by activated photo diodes when light emitted by activated infra-red light emitters is blocked along its light path by the object, and to recognize the object touching an outer wall of said frame facing away from said display screen, based on amounts of light detected by activated photo diodes when light emitted by activated infra-red light emitters is absorbed along its light path by the object at the outer wall, thereby providing touch sensitivity to said frame itself.
a display screen;
a plurality of infra-red light emitters operative to emit light when activated;
a plurality of photo diodes operative to detect amounts of light received when activated;
a transparent plastic frame comprising: an exposed upper edge along the entire frame perimeter; vertically straight inner walls, extending from below said display screen to said exposed upper edge of the frame, along the entire frame perimeter; and internally reflective facets for directing light, emitted by said infra-red light emitters, along light paths that travel upward through one side of the frame along the height of said inner walls, over said display screen, downward through the opposite side of the frame along the height of said inner walls, and onto said photo diodes; and
an exposed upper edge along the entire frame perimeter;
vertically straight inner walls, extending from below said display screen to said exposed upper edge of the frame, along the entire frame perimeter; and
internally reflective facets for directing light, emitted by said infra-red light emitters, along light paths that travel upward through one side of the frame along the height of said inner walls, over said display screen, downward through the opposite side of the frame along the height of said inner walls, and onto said photo diodes; and
a processor coupled with said infra-red light emitters and said photo diodes, operative to selectively activate said infra-red light emitters and said photo diodes, to identify a location of an object touching said display screen from above, based on amounts of light detected by activated photo diodes when light emitted by activated infra-red light emitters is blocked along its light path by the object, and to recognize the object touching an outer wall of said frame facing away from said display screen, based on amounts of light detected by activated photo diodes when light emitted by activated infra-red light emitters is absorbed along its light path by the object at the outer wall, thereby providing touch sensitivity to said frame itself.
The touch screen assembly of claim 1 whereby said display screen has neither stiffeners nor support elements at its upper surface.
The touch screen assembly of claim 1 further comprising: a floor dividing said frame into an upper cavity that houses said display screen, and a lower cavity; and PCB strips, housed in the lower cavity, on which said infra-red light emitters and said photo diodes are mounted.
a floor dividing said frame into an upper cavity that houses said display screen, and a lower cavity; and
PCB strips, housed in the lower cavity, on which said infra-red light emitters and said photo diodes are mounted.
The touch screen assembly of claim 1 further comprising visible-light emitters mounted underneath said frame, which are illuminated by said processor to match the illumination of said display screen at its outer edges, thereby giving an appearance that the image displayed on said display screen extends to said frame.
The touch screen assembly of claim 1 further comprising visible-light emitters mounted underneath said frame, wherein said processor changes an illumination of said visible-light emitters, thereby producing a visible change in illumination of said frame, in response to recognizing the object touching the outer wall of said frame.
The touch screen assembly of claim 1 wherein said processor opens a user interface bar in response to recognizing the object touching the outer wall of said frame.
The touch screen assembly of claim 1 further comprising: a network adaptor connected to said processor; and visible-light emitters mounted underneath said frame, wherein said processor changes an illumination of said visible-light emitters, thereby producing a visible change in illumination of said frame, in response to said network adaptor receiving a communication.
a network adaptor connected to said processor; and
visible-light emitters mounted underneath said frame, wherein said processor changes an illumination of said visible-light emitters, thereby producing a visible change in illumination of said frame, in response to said network adaptor receiving a communication.
The touch screen assembly of claim 8 wherein said processor opens the received communication in response to recognizing the object touching the outer wall of said frame.
The touch screen assembly of claim 1 wherein said processor wakes up the display from sleep mode in response to recognizing the object touching the outer wall of said frame.
- 21 . (canceled)
A touch screen assembly comprising: a display screen; a plurality of infra-red light emitters operative to emit light when activated; a plurality of photo diodes operative to detect amounts of light received when activated; a transparent plastic frame surrounding said display screen on four sides that guides light emitted by said infra-red light emitters to said photo diodes along light paths that travel into said frame on one side, over said display screen, and into said frame on the opposite side; and a processor coupled with said infra-red light emitters and said photo diodes, operative to selectively activate said infra-red light emitters and said photo diodes, to identify a location of an object touching said display screen from above, based on amounts of light detected by activated photo diodes when light emitted by activated infra-red light emitters is blocked along its light path by the object, and to recognize the object touching an outer wall of said frame facing away from said display, based on amounts of light detected by activated photo diodes when light emitted by activated infra-red light emitters is absorbed along its light path by the object, thereby providing light-based touch sensitivity to said display screen and to said frame itself.
a transparent plastic frame surrounding said display screen on four sides that guides light emitted by said infra-red light emitters to said photo diodes along light paths that travel into said frame on one side, over said display screen, and into said frame on the opposite side; and
a processor coupled with said infra-red light emitters and said photo diodes, operative to selectively activate said infra-red light emitters and said photo diodes, to identify a location of an object touching said display screen from above, based on amounts of light detected by activated photo diodes when light emitted by activated infra-red light emitters is blocked along its light path by the object, and to recognize the object touching an outer wall of said frame facing away from said display, based on amounts of light detected by activated photo diodes when light emitted by activated infra-red light emitters is absorbed along its light path by the object, thereby providing light-based touch sensitivity to said display screen and to said frame itself.
The touch screen assembly of claim 22 further comprising: a floor dividing said frame into an upper cavity that houses said display screen, and a lower cavity; and PCB strips, housed in the lower cavity, on which said infra-red light emitters and said photo diodes are mounted.
The touch screen assembly of claim 22 further comprising visible-light emitters mounted underneath said frame, which are illuminated by said processor to match the illumination of said display screen at its outer edges, thereby giving an appearance that the image displayed on said display screen extends to said frame.
The touch screen assembly of claim 22 further comprising visible-light emitters mounted underneath said frame, wherein said processor changes an illumination of said visible-light emitters, thereby producing a visible change in illumination of said frame, in response to recognizing the object touching the outer wall of said frame.
The touch screen assembly of claim 22 wherein said processor opens a user interface bar in response to recognizing the object touching the outer wall of said frame.
The touch screen assembly of claim 22 further comprising: a network adaptor connected to said processor; and visible-light emitters mounted underneath said frame, wherein said processor changes an illumination of said visible-light emitters, thereby producing a visible change in illumination of said frame, in response to said network adaptor receiving a communication.
The touch screen assembly of claim 27 wherein said processor opens the received communication in response to recognizing the object touching the outer wall of said frame.
The touch screen assembly of claim 22 wherein said processor wakes up the display from sleep mode in response to recognizing the object touching the outer wall of said frame.
Ref US20170192596A1: Claims:
An electronic device comprising: a display module including a plurality of touch electrodes; a cover window covering a front surface of the display module; a housing including an electrically conductive housing plate, disposed below a rear surface of the display module, and a housing side wall surrounding at least a portion of a side surface of the display module or supporting the display module; and a driving circuit sensing variation in capacitance between one or more of the touch electrodes and the housing plate, caused by a change in distance between said one or more of the touch electrodes and the housing plate.
a display module including a plurality of touch electrodes;
a cover window covering a front surface of the display module;
a housing including an electrically conductive housing plate, disposed below a rear surface of the display module, and a housing side wall surrounding at least a portion of a side surface of the display module or supporting the display module; and
a driving circuit sensing variation in capacitance between one or more of the touch electrodes and the housing plate, caused by a change in distance between said one or more of the touch electrodes and the housing plate.
The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the display module comprises: a lower substrate including gate lines, data lines, and the touch electrodes, the touch electrodes used as common electrodes during a display mode; an upper substrate bonded to the lower substrate; and a liquid crystal layer between the lower substrate and the upper substrate.
a lower substrate including gate lines, data lines, and the touch electrodes, the touch electrodes used as common electrodes during a display mode;
an upper substrate bonded to the lower substrate; and
a liquid crystal layer between the lower substrate and the upper substrate.
The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the driving circuit comprises: a touch driver circuit to apply a touch driving signal to said one or more of the touch electrodes, and to sense variation in capacitance between said one or more of the touch electrodes and the housing plate to generate touch raw data during a touch sensing mode; and a host controller circuit to calculate a touch position based on the touch raw data less than reference raw data and a touch force level based on the touch raw data exceeding the reference raw data.
a touch driver circuit to apply a touch driving signal to said one or more of the touch electrodes, and to sense variation in capacitance between said one or more of the touch electrodes and the housing plate to generate touch raw data during a touch sensing mode; and
a host controller circuit to calculate a touch position based on the touch raw data less than reference raw data and a touch force level based on the touch raw data exceeding the reference raw data.
The electronic device of claim 2 , wherein the display panel further comprises a transparent conductive layer provided on a rear surface of the lower substrate.
The electronic device of claim 4 , wherein the transparent conductive layer is electrically floated.
The electronic device of claim 4 , wherein the driving circuit comprises: a touch driver circuit to apply a touch driving signal to said one or more of the touch electrodes and to sense variation in self-capacitance of said one or more of the touch electrodes to generate touch raw data during a first touch sensing period of a touch sensing mode; a force touch driver circuit to apply a force touch driving signal to the transparent conductive layer and to sense variation in capacitance between the transparent conductive layer and the housing plate to generate force touch raw data during a second touch sensing period of a touch sensing mode; and a host controller circuit to calculate a touch position based on the touch raw data and to calculate a touch force level based on the force touch raw data.
a touch driver circuit to apply a touch driving signal to said one or more of the touch electrodes and to sense variation in self-capacitance of said one or more of the touch electrodes to generate touch raw data during a first touch sensing period of a touch sensing mode;
a force touch driver circuit to apply a force touch driving signal to the transparent conductive layer and to sense variation in capacitance between the transparent conductive layer and the housing plate to generate force touch raw data during a second touch sensing period of a touch sensing mode; and
a host controller circuit to calculate a touch position based on the touch raw data and to calculate a touch force level based on the force touch raw data.
The electronic device of claim 6 , wherein during the display mode, the touch electrodes are supplied with a common voltage, and the transparent conductive layer is electrically floated.
The electronic device of claim 6 , wherein the touch electrodes are supplied with a common voltage during the display mode and are electrically floated during the second touch sensing period, and wherein the transparent conductive layer is electrically floated during the display mode and is electrically floated during the first touch sensing period.
wherein the transparent conductive layer is electrically floated during the display mode and is electrically floated during the first touch sensing period.
The electronic device of claim 1 , further comprising a buffering member disposed on the housing plate and spaced apart from the rear surface of the display module, the buffering member positioned so as not to overlap with a rear edge of the dis
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