Office Action 1: Non-Final Rejection (2024-09-19)
Rejection types: 112 - Written Description/Enablement

CLAIMS:
CLAIMS
1\. A touch panel, comprising: a first substrate; a cover that is formed from glass and that is overlaid on the first substrate; and a first adhesive layer that adheres the first substrate to the cover, wherein the first substrate includes a base that is formed from glass and that includes a detection region and a surrounding region surrounding the detection region, a plurality of first electrodes that is disposed in the detection region of a first main surface of the base, and that extends in a first direction, and an organic thin film that is formed on the first main surface of the base, and that covers the plurality of first electrodes, and the first adhesive layer directly adheres the organic thin film to the cover, and the surrounding region of the first main surface of the base to the cover.
2\. The touch panel according to claim 1, wherein the first substrate includes a plurality of second electrodes that is disposed in the detection region of the first main surface of the base, and that extends in a second direction crossing the first direction, and the organic thin film covers the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes.
3\. The touch panel according to claim 1, wherein the first substrate includes a plurality of second electrodes that is disposed on a second main surface of a side, of the base, opposite the first main surface, and that extends in a second direction crossing the first direction.
4\. The touch panel according to claim 1, wherein the cover includes a decoration in a region, of a main surface opposing the first main surface of the base, corresponding to the surrounding region.
5\. The touch panel according to claim 1, wherein adhesion, of the first adhesive layer, adhering the surrounding region of the first main surface of the base to the cover is greater than adhesion, of the first adhesive layer, adhering the organic thin film to the cover.
6\. The touch panel according to claim 1, wherein the first adhesive layer extends from the surrounding region of the first main surface of the base to a side surface, continuous with the first main surface of the base, of the base.
7\. The touch panel according to claim 1, wherein the first adhesive layer is formed from a polyvinyl acetal resin.
8\. The touch panel according to claim 1, wherein the base includes, in the detection region, an exposure region in which the performing the first main surface is exposed from the organic thin film, and the first adhesive layer directly adheres the cover to the exposure region.
9\. A display device, comprising: the touch panel according to claim 1; and a display panel overlaid on the touch panel.
10\. The display device according to claim 9, wherein the touch panel is adhered to the display panel.
11\. A display device, comprising: the touch panel according to claim 1; a display panel that is overlaid on the touch panel, and that includes a display region that displays a display element and a periphery region adjacent to the display region; and a second adhesive layer that adheres the touch panel to the display panel, wherein the second adhesive layer directly adheres a second main surface of a side opposite the first main surface of the base to the periphery region of a main surface of a substrate formed from glass of the display panel.

OFFICE ACTION:
DETAILED ACTION
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Priority
Acknowledgment is made of applicant’s claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 (a)-(d).  The certified copy has been filed in parent Application No. 18/526,252, filed on December 1, 2023.
Oath/Declaration
Oath/Declaration as filed on December 1, 2023 is noted by the Examiner.
Claim Objections
Claim 1 is objected to because of the following informalities:
The claims recite limitation “the surrounding region of the first main surface of the base” in twelfth and thirteenth lines of the claim, but it is unclear at least because the claim uses term “the surrounding region of the first main surface of the base” for a first time without previously reciting the term in the claim.  Therefore, Examiner suggests the limitation “the surrounding region of the first main surface of the base” should be amended, without adding new matter, in a manner that resolves the antecedent basis issue.  Moreover, the claim recites limitation term “the surrounding region” in the twelfth and thirteenth lines of the claim, but it’s not exactly clear whether the limitation term is referring to same surrounding region recited in sixth and seventh lines of the claim, or to a different surrounding region.  Therefore, Examiner suggests the limitation term should be amended, without adding new matter, in a manner that clarifies exactly what the limitation term is referring to.  Accordingly, any claims dependent on claim 1 are objected to based on same above reasoning.
Claims 5 and 6 are objected to because of the following informalities:
The claims recite limitations “the surrounding region of the first main surface of the base” in second line of each of the claims, but it is unclear at least because the claims each use term “the surrounding region of the first main surface of the base” for a first time without previously reciting the term in the claims, or in a claim from which each of the claims depend, respectively.  Therefore, Examiner suggests the limitations “the surrounding region of the first main surface of the base” should be amended, without adding new matter, in a manner that resolves the antecedent basis issue.  Moreover, the claims recites limitation term “the surrounding region” in the second line of each of the claims, but it’s not exactly clear whether the limitation term is referring to same surrounding region recited in sixth and seventh lines of claim 1, or to a different surrounding region.  Therefore, Examiner suggests the limitation term should be amended, without adding new matter, in a manner that clarifies exactly what the limitation term is referring to.
Claim 11 is objected to because of the following informalities:
The claim recite limitations “the periphery region of a main surface of a substrate” in seventh line the claim, but it is unclear at least because the claim uses term “the periphery region of a main surface of a substrate” for a first time without previously reciting the term, or in a claim from which the claim 11 depends.  Therefore, Examiner suggests the limitations “the periphery region of a main surface of a substrate” should be amended, without adding new matter, in a manner that resolves the antecedent basis issue.  Moreover, the claim 11 recites limitation term “the periphery region” in the seventh line of the claim, but it’s not exactly clear whether the limitation term is referring to same periphery region recited in fourth line of the claim 11, or to a different periphery region.  Therefore, Examiner suggests the limitation term should be amended, without adding new matter, in a manner that clarifies exactly what the limitation term is referring to.
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.
Claim 8 is 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 pre-AIA  the applicant regards as the invention.  In particular, claim 8 recites limitation “the performing” in second line of the claim, but the limitation is unclear at least because there is insufficient antecedent basis for the above limitation in the claim given that the claim uses the limitation term for a first time without previously reciting the limitation term in the claim or in a claim from which the claim 8 depends which even further creates lack of clarity in regard to exactly what the limitation term is referring to.  Therefore, Examiner suggests the limitation should be amended, without adding new matter, in a manner that resolves the antecedent basis issue.
Potentially Allowable Subject Matter
Claim 1 would be allowable if rewritten to overcome applicable objection(s) indicated above, because for claim 1 the prior art references of record do not teach the combination of all element limitations as presently claimed.  For example, in regard to claim 1, the prior art of record at least does not expressly teach concept of the first adhesive layer that adheres the first substrate to the cover, wherein the first substrate includes the base that is formed from the glass and that includes the detection region and the surrounding region surrounding the detection region, the plurality of first electrodes that is disposed in the detection region of the first main surface of the base, and that extends in the first direction, and an organic thin film that is formed on the first main surface of the base, and that covers the plurality of first electrodes, and the first adhesive layer directly adheres the organic thin film to the cover, and the surrounding region of the first main surface of the base to the cover.  In addition, claims 2-7 and 9-11 would be allowable if rewritten to overcome applicable objection(s) indicated above because for each of claims 2-7 and 9-11, at least in light of their dependency, the prior art references of record do not teach the combination of all element limitations as presently claimed.  In addition, claim 8 would be allowable if rewritten to overcome applicable rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ) 2nd paragraph and objection(s) indicated above because for claim 8, at least in light of its dependency, the prior art references of record do not teach the combination of all element limitations as presently claimed.
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant’s disclosure and include the following:
Yanagawa et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication 2014/0139761 A1 (hereinafter Yanagawa) teaches a display device including a touch panel that detects a position of a user’s finger or a pen when the finger or the pen touches or approaches a touch surface.
Conclusion


NEXT OFFICE ACTION: 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 .
REASONS FOR ALLOWANCE
Claims 1-11 are allowed.
The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance:
In particular, the prior art references of record do not expressly teach the combination of all claim 1 element limitations as amended.  Specifically, in regard to claim 1 prior art of record at least does not expressly teach combined concept of a first adhesive layer that adheres the first substrate to the cover, wherein the first substrate includes a base that is formed from glass and that includes a first main surface including a detection region and a surrounding region surrounding the detection region, a plurality of first electrodes that is disposed in the detection region of the first main surface of the base, and that extends in a first direction, and an organic thin film that is formed on the first main surface of the base, and that covers the plurality of first electrodes, and the first adhesive layer directly adheres the organic thin film to the cover, and the surrounding region of the first main surface of the base to the cover.  Therefore, independent claim 1 contains allowable subject matter, and is allowable over the prior art of record.  In addition, the dependent claims are allowable based at least on their dependency to their respective independent claim.
Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably accompany the issue fee.  Such submissions should be clearly labeled “Comments on Statement of Reasons for Allowance.”
Conclusion

CITED REFERENCE SUMMARIES: Ref US20140139761A1: Claims:
- 12 . (canceled)
A display device comprising: a display panel including a plurality of pixels arranged in rows and columns; and a touch panel opposed to the display panel, wherein the display panel includes a non-display portion which is a region between neighboring pixels, the touch panel includes: a plurality of first electrode patterns which are formed along a first direction which is one of a row direction of the pixels and a column direction of the pixels; and a plurality of second electrode patterns which are formed along a second direction which is the other one of the row direction of the pixels and the column direction of the pixels, at least a part of the first electrode patterns and at least a part of the second electrode patterns being metal, the metal part of the first electrode patterns and the metal part of the second electrode patterns are present within the non-display portion of the display panel in plan view, each of the pixels includes a plurality of sub-pixels which are arranged along the first direction and have different colors, each of the sub-pixels includes: an upper electrode, a lower electrode, and an organic light-emitting layer formed between the upper electrode and the lower electrode and corresponding to the pixel, the display panel includes: a bank which defines the organic light-emitting layer and is formed corresponding to the non-display portion; and an auxiliary wire covered with the bank and electrically connected to the upper electrode, and at least one of (i) the first electrode patterns and (ii) the second electrode patterns is arranged above the auxiliary wire.
a display panel including a plurality of pixels arranged in rows and columns; and
a touch panel opposed to the display panel,
wherein the display panel includes a non-display portion which is a region between neighboring pixels,
the touch panel includes: a plurality of first electrode patterns which are formed along a first direction which is one of a row direction of the pixels and a column direction of the pixels; and a plurality of second electrode patterns which are formed along a second direction which is the other one of the row direction of the pixels and the column direction of the pixels, at least a part of the first electrode patterns and at least a part of the second electrode patterns being metal,
the metal part of the first electrode patterns and the metal part of the second electrode patterns are present within the non-display portion of the display panel in plan view,
each of the pixels includes a plurality of sub-pixels which are arranged along the first direction and have different colors,
each of the sub-pixels includes: an upper electrode, a lower electrode, and an organic light-emitting layer formed between the upper electrode and the lower electrode and corresponding to the pixel,
the display panel includes: a bank which defines the organic light-emitting layer and is formed corresponding to the non-display portion; and an auxiliary wire covered with the bank and electrically connected to the upper electrode, and
at least one of (i) the first electrode patterns and (ii) the second electrode patterns is arranged above the auxiliary wire.
The display device according to claim 13 , wherein each of the first electrode patterns is arranged between the sub-pixels neighboring in the second direction, and the auxiliary wire and each of the second electrode patterns are arranged between the pixels neighboring in the first direction.
wherein each of the first electrode patterns is arranged between the sub-pixels neighboring in the second direction, and
the auxiliary wire and each of the second electrode patterns are arranged between the pixels neighboring in the first direction.
The display device according to claim 14 , wherein a width between the pixels neighboring in the first direction is greater than a width between the sub-pixels neighboring in the first direction.
wherein a width between the pixels neighboring in the first direction is greater than a width between the sub-pixels neighboring in the first direction.
The display device according to claim 14 , wherein each of the sub-pixels includes a transistor for driving the sub-pixel, and the first electrode patterns are each arranged to overlap a contact hole for connecting the lower electrode with a source electrode or a drain electrode of the transistor, in plan view.
wherein each of the sub-pixels includes a transistor for driving the sub-pixel, and
the first electrode patterns are each arranged to overlap a contact hole for connecting the lower electrode with a source electrode or a drain electrode of the transistor, in plan view.
The display device according to claim 14 , wherein each of the first electrode patterns is a first electrode line which is in a linear shape and has a constant line width, each of the second electrode patterns is a second electrode line which is in a linear shape and has a constant line width, and a relationship which is W1âW2â¦W3âW4 is satisfied where W1 represents a width between the sub-pixels neighboring in the second direction, W2 represents a width of the first electrode line, W3 represents a width between the pixels neighboring in the first direction, and W4 represents a width of the second electrode line.
wherein each of the first electrode patterns is a first electrode line which is in a linear shape and has a constant line width,
each of the second electrode patterns is a second electrode line which is in a linear shape and has a constant line width, and
a relationship which is W1âW2â¦W3âW4 is satisfied where W1 represents a width between the sub-pixels neighboring in the second direction, W2 represents a width of the first electrode line, W3 represents a width between the pixels neighboring in the first direction, and W4 represents a width of the second electrode line.
The display device according to claim 17 , wherein, where L1 represents a length of the first electrode line, and L2 represents a length of the second electrode line, a relationship which is W2>W4 is satisfied when L1>L2, and a relationship which is W2<W4 is satisfied when L1<L2.
wherein, where L1 represents a length of the first electrode line, and L2 represents a length of the second electrode line, a relationship which is W2>W4 is satisfied when L1>L2, and a relationship which is W2<W4 is satisfied when L1<L2.
The display device according to claim 13 , wherein at least one of the first electrode patterns and the second electrode patterns has a wave-like plan view shape.
wherein at least one of the first electrode patterns and the second electrode patterns has a wave-like plan view shape.
The display device according to claim 19 , wherein both of the first electrode patterns and the second electrode patterns have wave-like plan view shapes.
wherein both of the first electrode patterns and the second electrode patterns have wave-like plan view shapes.
The display device according to claim 13 , wherein at least one of the first electrode patterns and the second electrode patterns includes: a plurality of transparent electrode patterns each in a rectangular shape and having corners connected with each other; and a metal line, which is the metal part, layered on the transparent electrode patterns, and the transparent electrode patterns are formed to extend beyond the metal line.
wherein at least one of the first electrode patterns and the second electrode patterns includes: a plurality of transparent electrode patterns each in a rectangular shape and having corners connected with each other; and a metal line, which is the metal part, layered on the transparent electrode patterns, and
the transparent electrode patterns are formed to extend beyond the metal line.
The display device according to claim 13 , wherein at least one of the first electrode patterns and the second electrode patterns includes: a plurality of transparent electrode patterns each in a rectangular shape; and a metal line, which is the metal part, for connecting corners of the transparent electrode patterns with each other.
wherein at least one of the first electrode patterns and the second electrode patterns includes: a plurality of transparent electrode patterns each in a rectangular shape; and a metal line, which is the metal part, for connecting corners of the transparent electrode patterns with each other.
The display device according to claim 13 , wherein the display panel includes a light-blocking portion, and the non-display portion is the light-blocking portion.
wherein the display panel includes a light-blocking portion, and
the non-display portion is the light-blocking portion.
The display device according to claim 13 , wherein each of the first electrode patterns is a first electrode line which is in a linear shape and has a constant line width, each of the second electrode patterns is a second electrode line which is in a linear shape and has a constant line width, a line width of the first electrode line is smaller than a width of the non-display portion in the second direction, and a line width of the second electrode line is smaller than a width of the non-display portion in the first direction.
each of the second electrode patterns is a second electrode line which is in a linear shape and has a constant line width,
a line width of the first electrode line is smaller than a width of the non-display portion in the second direction, and
a line width of the second electrode line is smaller than a width of the non-display portion in the first direction.
Ref US20140139761: Claims:
1-12. (canceled)
13. A display device comprising:
a display panel including a plurality of pixels arranged in rows and columns; and a touch panel opposed to the display panel, wherein the display panel includes a non-display portion which is a region between neighboring pixels, the touch panel includes: a plurality of first electrode patterns which are formed along a first direction which is one of a row direction of the pixels and a column direction of the pixels; and a plurality of second electrode patterns which are formed along a second direction which is the other one of the row direction of the pixels and the column direction of the pixels, at least a part of the first electrode patterns and at least a part of the second electrode patterns being metal, the metal part of the first electrode patterns and the metal part of the second electrode patterns are present within the non-display portion of the display panel in plan view, each of the pixels includes a plurality of sub-pixels which are arranged along the first direction and have different colors, each of the sub-pixels includes: an upper electrode, a lower electrode, and an organic light-emitting layer formed between the upper electrode and the lower electrode and corresponding to the pixel, the display panel includes: a bank which defines the organic light-emitting layer and is formed corresponding to the non-display portion; and an auxiliary wire covered with the bank and electrically connected to the upper electrode, and at least one of (i) the first electrode patterns and (ii) the second electrode patterns is arranged above the auxiliary wire.
14. The display device according to claim 13,
wherein each of the first electrode patterns is arranged between the sub-pixels neighboring in the second direction, and the auxiliary wire and each of the second electrode patterns are arranged between the pixels neighboring in the first direction.
15. The display device according to claim 14,
wherein a width between the pixels neighboring in the first direction is greater than a width between the sub-pixels neighboring in the first direction.
16. The display device according to claim 14,
wherein each of the sub-pixels includes a transistor for driving the sub-pixel, and the first electrode patterns are each arranged to overlap a contact hole for connecting the lower electrode with a source electrode or a drain electrode of the transistor, in plan view.
17. The display device according to claim 14,
wherein each of the first electrode patterns is a first electrode line which is in a linear shape and has a constant line width, each of the second electrode patterns is a second electrode line which is in a linear shape and has a constant line width, and a relationship which is W1−W2≦W3−W4 is satisfied where W1 represents a width between the sub-pixels neighboring in the second direction, W2 represents a width of the first electrode line, W3 represents a width between the pixels neighboring in the first direction, and W4 represents a width of the second electrode line.
18. The display device according to claim 17,
wherein, where L1 represents a length of the first electrode line, and L2 represents a length of the second electrode line, a relationship which is W2>W4 is satisfied when L1>L2, and a relationship which is W2<W4 is satisfied when L1<L2.
19. The display device according to claim 13,
wherein at least one of the first electrode patterns and the second electrode patterns has a wave-like plan view shape.
20. The display device according to claim 19,
wherein both of the first electrode patterns and the second electrode patterns have wave-like plan view shapes.
21. The display device according to claim 13,
wherein at least one of the first electrode patterns and the second electrode patterns includes: a plurality of transparent electrode patterns each in a rectangular shape and having corners connected with each other; and a metal line, which is the metal part, layered on the transparent electrode patterns, and the transparent electrode patterns are formed to extend beyond the metal line.
22. The display device according to claim 13,
wherein at least one of the first electrode patterns and the second electrode patterns includes: a plurality of transparent electrode patterns each in a rectangular shape; and a metal line, which is the metal part, for connecting corners of the transparent electrode patterns with each other.
23. The display device according to claim 13,
wherein the display panel includes a light-blocking portion, and the non-display portion is the light-blocking portion.
24. The display device according to claim 13,
wherein each of the first electrode patterns is a first electrode line which is in a linear shape and has a constant line width, each of the second electrode patterns is a second electrode line which is in a linear shape and has a constant line width, a line width of the first electrode line is smaller than a width of the non-display portion in the second direction, and a line width of the second electrode line is smaller than a width of the non-display portion in the first direction.
Ref APP-18_526252: Claims:
A touch panel, comprising: a first substrate; a cover that is formed from glass and that is overlaid on the first substrate; and a first adhesive layer that adheres the first substrate to the cover, wherein the first substrate includes a base that is formed from glass and that includes a first main surface including a detection region and a surrounding region surrounding the detection region, a plurality of first electrodes that is disposed in the detection region of the first main surface of the base, and that extends in a first direction, and an organic thin film that is formed on the first main surface of the base, and that covers the plurality of first electrodes, and the first adhesive layer directly adheres the organic thin film to the cover, and the surrounding region of the first main surface of the base to the cover.
a cover that is formed from glass and that is overlaid on the first substrate; and
a first adhesive layer that adheres the first substrate to the cover, wherein
the first substrate includes a base that is formed from glass and that includes a first main surface including a detection region and a surrounding region surrounding the detection region, a plurality of first electrodes that is disposed in the detection region of the first main surface of the base, and that extends in a first direction, and an organic thin film that is formed on the first main surface of the base, and that covers the plurality of first electrodes, and
a base that is formed from glass and that includes a first main surface including a detection region and a surrounding region surrounding the detection region,
a plurality of first electrodes that is disposed in the detection region of the first main surface of the base, and that extends in a first direction, and
an organic thin film that is formed on the first main surface of the base, and that covers the plurality of first electrodes, and
the first adhesive layer directly adheres the organic thin film to the cover, and the surrounding region of the first main surface of the base to the cover.
The touch panel according to claim 1, wherein the first substrate includes a plurality of second electrodes that is disposed in the detection region of the first main surface of the base, and that extends in a second direction crossing the first direction, and the organic thin film covers the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes.
the first substrate includes a plurality of second electrodes that is disposed in the detection region of the first main surface of the base, and that extends in a second direction crossing the first direction, and
the organic thin film covers the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes.
The touch panel according to claim 1, wherein the first substrate includes a plurality of second electrodes that is disposed on a second main surface of a side, of the base, opposite the first main surface, and that extends in a second direction crossing the first direction.
The touch panel according to claim 1, wherein the cover includes a decoration in a region, of a main surface opposing the first main surface of the base, corresponding to the surrounding region.
The touch panel according to claim 1, wherein adhesion, of the first adhesive layer, adhering the surrounding region of the first main surface of the base to the cover is greater than adhesion, of the first adhesive layer, adhering the organic thin film to the cover.
The touch panel according to claim 1, wherein the first adhesive layer extends from the surrounding region of the first main surface of the base to a side surface, continuous with the first main surface of the base, of the base.
The touch panel according to claim 1, wherein the first adhesive layer is formed from a polyvinyl acetal resin.
The touch panel according to claim 1, wherein the first main surface of the base includes, in the detection region, an exposure region in which the first main surface is exposed from the organic thin film, and the first adhesive layer directly adheres the cover to the exposure region.
the first main surface of the base includes, in the detection region, an exposure region in which the first main surface is exposed from the organic thin film, and
the first adhesive layer directly adheres the cover to the exposure region.
A display device, comprising: the touch panel according to claim 1; and a display panel overlaid on the touch panel.
the touch panel according to claim 1; and
a display panel overlaid on the touch panel.
The display device according to claim 9, wherein the touch panel is adhered to the display panel.
A display device, comprising: the touch panel according to claim 1; a display panel that is overlaid on the touch panel, and that includes a display region that displays a display element and a periphery region adjacent to the display region; and a second adhesive layer that adheres the touch panel to the display panel, wherein the display panel includes a substrate formed from glass, the substrate of the display panel includes a main surface opposing a second main surface of the base and includin
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