Office Action 2: Final Rejection (2023-01-09)
Rejection types: 103 - Obviousness

CLAIMS:
AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS

1\. (Original) An electronic device comprising:
a housing;
a cover substrate;
a touch sensor panel comprising a plurality of touch nodes that are configured to be driven with a first stimulation signal; and
one or more conductors disposed between the cover substrate and the housing and electrically insulated from the housing, wherein the one or more conductors are configured to be biased at a first potential in a first mode of touch operation and driven with a second stimulation signal in a second mode of touch operation.

2\. (Original) The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the second stimulation signal has a same frequency, a same phase, and a same amplitude as the first stimulation signal.

3\. (Original) The electronic device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the one or more conductors is disposed at an edge of the cover substrate.

4\. (Original) The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising:
one or more gaskets between the cover substrate and the housing;
wherein the one or more conductors are formed in the one or more gaskets.

5\. (Original) The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising:
sensing circuitry configured to sense the plurality of touch nodes driven with the first stimulation signal.

6\. (Currently amended) The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising:
processing circuitry configured to:
perform a first scan in the first mode of touch operation by driving the plurality of touch nodes of the touch sensor panel with \[\[a\]\] the first stimulation signal in one or more scan steps, the first scan including first touch signals grouped into first patches indicative of objects capacitively coupled to ground; and
perform a second scan in the second mode of touch operation by driving the plurality of touch nodes of the touch sensor panel with the first stimulation signal while shielding against capacitive coupling paths to ground through the housing, the second scan including second touch signals grouped into second patches indicative of objects capacitively coupled to ground through one or more objects contacting the cover substrate of the electronic device.

7\. (Previously Presented) The electronic device of claim 6, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to:
determine which of the first patches are indicative of objects capacitively coupled to ground through the electronic device using results of the first scan and results of the second scan; and
exclude the first patches indicative of objects capacitively coupled to ground through the electronic device from further touch processing.

8\. (Previously Presented) The electronic device of claim 6, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to:
determine which of the first patches are indicative of objects capacitively coupled to ground through the one or more objects using results of the first scan and results of the second scan; and
further processing the first patches indicative of objects capacitively coupled to ground through the one or more objects.

9\. (Currently amended) The electronic device of claim 1, , wherein the plurality of touch nodes and the one or more conductors are formed in a same layer.

10\. (Currently amended) The electronic device of claim 1, , wherein the plurality of touch nodes and the one or more conductors are formed on opposite sides of the cover substrate.

11\. (Previously Presented) The electronic device of claim 1, wherein a first conductor of the one or more conductors wraps around from a first surface of the cover substrate to a second surface of the cover substrate.

12\. (Currently amended) The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of touch nodes form an active touch area for the touch sensor panel and the cover substrate, and the one or more conductors are located at least partially outside the active touch area wherein the one or more conductors are an extension of one or more driven shield layers in proximity to the active touch area, the one or more conductors extending the one or more driven shield layers beyond the active touch area.

13\. (Previously Presented) A method comprising:
at an electronic device comprising a housing, a cover substrate, a touch sensor panel comprising a plurality of touch nodes that are configured to be driven with a first stimulation signal, and one or more conductors disposed between the cover substrate and the housing and electrically insulated from the housing:
biasing the one or more conductors at a first potential in a first mode of touch operation; and
driving the one or more conductors with a second stimulation signal in a second mode of touch operation to shield one or more objects contacting the cover substrate from capacitively coupling to ground through the housing.

14\. (Previously Presented) The method of claim 13, wherein the second stimulation signal has a same frequency, a same phase, and a same amplitude as the first stimulation signal.

15\. (Currently amended) The method of claim 13, further comprising:
performing a first scan in the first mode of touch operation by driving the plurality of touch nodes of the touch sensor panel with \[\[a\]\] the first stimulation signal in one or more scan steps, the first scan including first touch signals grouped into first patches indicative of objects capacitively coupled to ground; and performing a second scan in the second mode of touch operation by driving the plurality of touch nodes of the touch sensor panel with the first stimulation signal while shielding against capacitive coupling paths to ground through the housing, the second scan including second touch signals grouped into second patches indicative of objects capacitively coupled to ground through the one or more objects.

16\. (Previously Presented) The method of claim 15, further comprising:
determining which of the first patches are indicative of objects capacitively coupled to ground through the electronic device using results of the first scan and results of the second scan;
and excluding the first patches indicative of objects capacitively coupled to ground through the electronic device from further touch processing.

17\. (Previously Presented) A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructions that when executed by an electronic device comprising a housing, a cover substrate, a touch sensor panel comprising a plurality of touch nodes that are configured to be driven with a first stimulation signal, and one or more conductors disposed between the cover substrate and the housing and electrically insulated from the housing, cause the electronic device to:
bias the one or more conductors at a first potential in a first mode of touch operation; and
drive the one or more conductors with a second stimulation signal in a second mode of touch operation to shield one or more objects contacting the cover substrate from capacitively coupling to ground through the housing.

18\. (Previously Presented) The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein the second stimulation signal has a same frequency, a same phase, and a same amplitude as the first stimulation signal.

19\. (Currently amended) The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 17, the instructions, when executed by the electronic device, further cause the electronic device to:
perform a first scan in the first mode of touch operation by driving the plurality of touch nodes of the touch sensor panel with \[\[a\]\] the first stimulation signal in one or more scan steps, the first scan including first touch signals grouped into first patches indicative of objects capacitively coupled to ground; and
perform a second scan in the second mode of touch operation by driving the plurality of touch nodes of the touch sensor panel with the first stimulation signal while shielding against capacitive coupling paths to ground through the housing, the second scan including second touch signals grouped into second patches indicative of objects capacitively coupled to ground through the one or more objects.

20\. (Previously Presented) The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 19, the instructions, when executed by the electronic device, further cause the electronic device to:
determine which of the first patches are indicative of objects capacitively coupled to ground through the electronic device using results of the first scan and results of the second scan; and
exclude the first patches indicative of objects capacitively coupled to ground through the electronic device from further touch processing.
5 6 7 8 9 4874-6579-6654, v. 2

OFFICE 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 .
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA  35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA  35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
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.
Claims 1, 3, 5-13, 15-17 and 19-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Maharyta et al., US Patent 10,725,591 hereinafter referenced as Maharyta in view of Wuerstlein et al., US PGPUG 2019/0237963 hereinafter referenced as Wuerstlein.
As to claim 1, Maharyta discloses an electronic device comprising: a housing (e.g. housing 1105, fig. 11);
a cover substrate (e.g. transparent substrate in front of the display, fig. 11);
a touch sensor panel comprising a plurality of touch nodes that are configured to be driven with a first stimulation signal (e.g. sensor array 1125, fig. 11); and
one or more conductors disposed between the cover substrate and the housing and electrically insulated from the housing (e.g. external transmission electrode 1210, fig. 12),
wherein the one or more conductors are configured to be biased at a first potential in a first mode of touch operation (at block 1035 of fig. 10, processing logic selects a second mode of capacitive touch detection from a plurality of modes of capacitive touch detection) and driven with a second stimulation signal in a second mode of touch operation (at block 1025 of fig. 10, processing logic rejects signal measurements of the second mode of capacitive touch indicating the touch in view of signal measurements of the first mode of capacitance touch detection indicating a non-touch).
Maharyta does not specifically discloses the one or more conductors are configured to be biased at a first potential in a first mode of touch operation.
However, in the same endeavor, Wuerstlein discloses the one or more conductors are configured to be biased at a first potential in a first mode of touch operation (e.g. sensor electrodes 20, fig. 2 and [0054], wherein the control unit 18 is correspondingly configured to detect an electrical resistance that forms between the two sensor electrodes 20 or a variable derived therefrom, and to compare it to a stored normal value that is measured between the two sensor electrodes 20 in the absence of water).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to modify the disclosure of Maharyta to further include Wuerstlein’s water sensor electrodes in order to isolate unwanted signal with intention of activating desired functions effectively.
As to claim 13, Maharyta discloses a method comprising: at an electronic device comprising a housing (e.g. housing 1105, fig. 11),
a cover substrate (e.g. transparent substrate in front of the display, fig. 11),
a touch sensor panel comprising a plurality of touch nodes that are configured to be driven with a first stimulation signal (e.g. sensor array 1125, fig. 11), and
one or more conductors disposed between the cover substrate and the housing and electrically insulated from the housing: biasing the one or more conductors at a first potential in a first mode of touch operation (at block 1035 of fig. 10, processing logic selects a second mode of capacitive touch detection from a plurality of modes of capacitive touch detection); and
driving the one or more conductors with a second stimulation signal in a second mode of touch operation to shield one or more objects contacting the cover substrate from capacitively coupling to ground through the housing (at block 1025 of fig. 10, processing logic rejects signal measurements of the second mode of capacitive touch indicating the touch in view of signal measurements of the first mode of capacitance touch detection indicating a non-touch).
Maharyta does not specifically discloses the one or more conductors are configured to be biased at a first potential in a first mode of touch operation.
However, in the same endeavor, Wuerstlein discloses the one or more conductors are configured to be biased at a first potential in a first mode of touch operation (e.g. sensor electrodes 20, fig. 2 and [0054], wherein the control unit 18 is correspondingly configured to detect an electrical resistance that forms between the two sensor electrodes 20 or a variable derived therefrom, and to compare it to a stored normal value that is measured between the two sensor electrodes 20 in the absence of water).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to modify the disclosure of Maharyta to further include Wuerstlein’s water sensor electrodes in order to isolate unwanted signal with intention of activating desired functions effectively.
As to claim 17, Maharyta discloses a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructions that when executed by an electronic device comprising a housing (e.g. housing 1105, fig. 11),
a cover substrate (e.g. transparent substrate in front of the display, fig. 11),
a touch sensor panel comprising a plurality of touch nodes that are configured to be driven with a first stimulation signal (e.g. sensor array 1125, fig. 11), and
one or more conductors disposed between the cover substrate and the housing and electrically insulated from the housing, cause the electronic device to: bias the one or more conductors at a first potential in a first mode of touch operation (at block 1035 of fig. 10, processing logic selects a second mode of capacitive touch detection from a plurality of modes of capacitive touch detection); and
drive the one or more conductors with a second stimulation signal in a second mode of touch operation to shield one or more objects contacting the cover substrate from capacitively coupling to ground through the housing (at block 1025 of fig. 10, processing logic rejects signal measurements of the second mode of capacitive touch indicating the touch in view of signal measurements of the first mode of capacitance touch detection indicating a non-touch).
Maharyta does not specifically discloses the one or more conductors are configured to be biased at a first potential in a first mode of touch operation.
However, in the same endeavor, Wuerstlein discloses the one or more conductors are configured to be biased at a first potential in a first mode of touch operation (e.g. sensor electrodes 20, fig. 2 and [0054], wherein the control unit 18 is correspondingly configured to detect an electrical resistance that forms between the two sensor electrodes 20 or a variable derived therefrom, and to compare it to a stored normal value that is measured between the two sensor electrodes 20 in the absence of water).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to modify the disclosure of Maharyta to further include Wuerstlein’s water sensor electrodes in order to isolate unwanted signal with intention of activating desired functions effectively.
As to claim 3, the combination of Maharyta and Wuerstlein discloses the electronic device of claim 1. The combination further discloses at least a portion of the one or more conductors is disposed at an edge of the cover substrate (Maharyta, e.g. external transmission electrode 1210, fig. 12).
As to claim 5, the combination of Maharyta and Wuerstlein discloses the electronic device of claim 1. The combination further discloses sensing circuitry configured to sense the plurality of touch nodes driven with the first stimulation signal (Maharyta, as shown in fig. 11, Capacitance sense array 1125 illustrates row electrodes (horizontal rows) and column electrodes (vertical rows). Water 1130 illustrates capacitance sense array 1125 submersed underwater).
As to claim 6, the combination of Maharyta and Wuerstlein discloses the electronic device of claim 1. The combination further discloses processing circuitry configured to: perform a first scan in the first mode of touch operation by driving the plurality of touch nodes of the touch sensor panel with the first stimulation signal in one or more scan steps, the first scan including first touch signals grouped into first patches indicative of objects capacitively coupled to ground (Maharyta, in one embodiment, using passive touch detection to detect a touch may include scanning a first plurality of electrodes of a capacitive sense array along a first axis (e.g., vertical columns) to generate a first plurality of signal measurements indicative of the capacitive coupling of the noise signal to the first plurality of electrodes through the passive touch object, col. 3, lines 55-61); and
perform a second scan in the second mode of touch operation by driving the plurality of touch nodes of the touch sensor panel with the first stimulation signal while shielding against capacitive coupling paths to ground through the housing, the second scan including second touch signals grouped into second patches indicative of objects capacitively coupled to ground through one or more objects contacting the cover substrate of the electronic device (Maharyta, passive touch detection to detect a touch may further include scanning a second plurality of electrodes along a second axis (e.g., horizontal columns) of the capacitive sense array to generate a second plurality signal measurements indicative of the capacitive coupling of the noise signal to the second plurality of electrodes through the passive touch object, col. 4, lines 31-35).
As to claim 7, the combination of Maharyta and Wuerstlein discloses the electronic device of claim 6. The combination further discloses the processing circuitry 1s further configured to: determine which of the first patches are indicative of objects capacitively coupled to ground through the electronic device using results of the first scan and results of the second scan; and exclude the first patches indicative of objects capacitively coupled to ground through the electronic device from further touch processing  signal measurements from the second mode of capacitance touch detection indicating a touch may be rejected if corresponding signal measurements (e.g., signal measurement of the same electrode of the capacitive sense array) from the first mode of capacitance touch detection indicate a non-touch, col.5, lines 9-14).
As to claim 8, the combination of Maharyta and Wuerstlein discloses the electronic device of claim 6. The combination further discloses the processing circuitry is further configured to: determine which of the first patches are indicative of objects capacitively coupled to ground through the one or more objects using results of the first scan and results of the second scan; and further processing the first patches indicative of objects capacitively coupled to ground through the one or more objects (Maharyta, each row electrodes R0-Rm may be connected to row multiplexer 130, which may control the application of signal 135 (also referred to as a transmission signal) and or connect one or more row electrodes to a ground potential, such as common ground 150 shared by components of capacitance sensing system 100, col. 5, lines 35-40).
As to claim 9, the combination of Maharyta and Wuerstlein discloses the electronic device of claim 1. The combination further discloses the plurality of touch nodes and the one or more conductors are formed in a same layer (capacitive sensor 1240 and electrode 1210, fig. 12).
As to claim 10, the combination of Maharyta and Wuerstlein discloses the electronic device of claim 1. The combination further discloses the plurality of touch nodes and the one or more conductors are formed on opposite sides of the cover substrate (as shown in fig. 11, The conductive nature of water may couple the external transmission signal 1111 received through the second part of passive touch object 1115 to multiple receiving electrodes outside of the touch location).
As to claim 11, the combination of Maharyta and Wuerstlein discloses the electronic device of claim 1. The combination further discloses a first conductor of the one or more conductors wraps around from a first surface of the cover substrate to a second surface of the cover substrate (Wuerstlein, [0057] the voltage divider circuit 30 includes, for example, three identical ohmic resistors 34 connected in series, the two sensor electrodes 20 being connected one on either side of the middle resistor 34).
As to claim 12, the combination of Maharyta and Wuerstlein discloses the electronic device of claim 1. The combination further discloses the plurality of touch nodes form an active touch area for the touch sensor panel and the cover substrate, and the one or more conductors are located at least partially outside the active touch area wherein the one or more conductors are an extension of one or more driven shield layers in proximity to the active touch area, the one or more conductors extending the one or more driven shield layers beyond the active touch area (Maharyta ,the processing device 1410 is a microcontroller that obtains a capacitance touch signal data set from application processor 1450, such as from capacitive sense array 1425, and finger detection firmware executing on the microcontroller identifies data set areas that indicate touches, detects and processes peaks, calculates the coordinates, or any combination therefore, fig. 14).
As to claim 15, the combination of Maharyta and Wuerstlein discloses the method of claim 13. The combination further discloses performing a first scan in the first mode of touch operation by driving the plurality of touch nodes of the touch sensor panel with the first stimulation signal in one or more scan steps, the first scan including first touch signals grouped into first patches indicative of objects capacitively coupled to ground; and
performing a second scan in the second mode of touch operation by driving the plurality of touch nodes of the touch sensor panel with the first stimulation signal while shielding against capacitive coupling paths to ground through the housing, the second scan including second touch signals grouped into second patches indicative of objects capacitively coupled to ground through the one or more objects (Maharyta, passive touch detection to detect a touch may further include scanning a second plurality of electrodes along a second axis (e.g., horizontal columns) of the capacitive sense array to generate a second plurality signal measurements indicative of the capacitive coupling of the noise signal to the second plurality of electrodes through the passive touch object, col. 4, lines 31-35).
As to claim 16, the combination of Maharyta and Wuerstlein discloses the method of claim 15. The combination further discloses determining which of the first patches are indicative of objects capacitively coupled to ground through the electronic device using results of the first scan and results of the second scan; and excluding the first patches indicative of objects capacitively coupled to ground through the electronic device from further touch processing (Maharyta, e.g., signal measurement of the same electrode of the capacitive sense array) from the first mode of capacitance touch detection indicate a non-touch, col.5, lines 9-14).
As to claim 19, the combination of Maharyta and Wuerstlein discloses the non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 17. The combination further discloses the instructions, when executed by the electronic device, further cause the electronic device to: perform a first scan in the first mode of touch operation by driving the plurality of touch nodes of the touch sensor panel with the first stimulation signal in one or more scan steps, the first scan including first touch signals grouped into first patches indicative of objects capacitively coupled to ground (Maharyta, in one embodiment, using passive touch detection to detect a touch may include scanning a first plurality of electrodes of a capacitive sense array along a first axis (e.g., vertical columns) to generate a first plurality of signal measurements indicative of the capacitive coupling of the noise signal to the first plurality of electrodes through the passive touch object, col. 3, lines 55-61); and
perform a second scan in the second mode of touch operation by driving the plurality of touch nodes of the touch sensor panel with the first stimulation signal while shielding against capacitive coupling paths to ground through the housing, the second scan including second touch signals grouped into second patches indicative of objects capacitively coupled to ground through the one or more objects (Maharyta, passive touch detection to detect a touch may further include scanning a second plurality of electrodes along a second axis (e.g., horizontal columns) of the capacitive sense array to generate a second plurality signal measurements indicative of the capacitive coupling of the noise signal to the second plurality of electrodes through the passive touch object, col. 4, lines 31-35).
As to claim 20, the combination of Maharyta and Wuerstlein discloses the non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 19. The combination further discloses the instructions, when executed by the electronic device, further cause the electronic device to: determine which of the first patches are indicative of objects capacitively coupled to ground through the electronic device using results of the first scan and results of the second scan; and exclude the first patches indicative of objects capacitively coupled to ground through the electronic device from further touch processing (Maharyta, e.g., signal measurement of the same electrode of the capacitive sense array) from the first mode of capacitance touch detection indicate a non-touch, col.5, lines 9-14).
Claims 2, 14 and 18 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Maharyta and Wuerstlein as applied to claims 1, 13 and 17 respectively above, and further in view of Mo et al., US Patent 10,073,562 hereinafter referenced as Mo.
As to claims 2, 14 and 18, the combination of Maharyta and Wuerstlein does not specifically disclose the second stimulation signal has a same frequency, a same phase, and a same amplitude as the first stimulation signal.
However, in the same endeavor, Mo discloses two signals having a same frequency, a same phase, and a same amplitude as the first stimulation signal (as shown in fig. 2 for example, the second signal may be a pulse signal with a same frequency, a same phase and a same amplitude as the first signal).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to modify the disclosure of Maharyta and Wuerstlein to further include Mo’s method of electrodes driving in order to isolate unwanted signal with intention of activating desired functions effectively.
Claim 4 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Maharyta and Wuerstlein as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Kuboyama et al., US PGPUB 2017/0090599 hereinafter referenced as Kuboyama.
As to claim 4, Maharyta and Wuerstlein does not disclose the electronic device of claim 1, further comprising: one or more gaskets between the cover substrate and the housing; wherein the one or more conductors are formed in the one or more gaskets.
However, in the same endeavor, Kuboyama discloses one or more gaskets between the cover substrate and the housing; wherein the one or more conductors are formed in the one or more gaskets (gasket 6106, fig. 61).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to modify the disclosure of Maharyta and Wuerstlein to further include Kuboyama’s gaskets in order to increase the durability of the device.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed on 10/24/2022 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
Applicant argues on pages 11-12 of REMARKS that ‘On page 4 of the Office Action, the above emphasized features of claim 1 were mapped to Maharyta's external transmission electrode 1210 of FIG. 12. External transmission electrode 1210 is described by Maharyta to be similar to external transmission electrode 1112 of FIG. 11 in both structure and function. In terms of structure, Maharyta teaches external transmission electrode 1210 is shown coupled to a conductive housing of electronic device 1200 (lines 20-22, column 18). In terms of function, Maharyta explains that the principle of operation for electronic device 1200 relies on the user (or passive touch object) to be coupled to the external transmission electrode 1210 by gripping the housing of the electronic device 1200 (lines 28-32, column 18), which is only possible when electrode 1210 is conductively coupled to the housing of device 1200. In view of the foregoing, Applicant respectfully submits that Maharyta fails to show or suggest one or more conductors disposed between the cover substrate and the housing and electrically insulated from the housing (emphasis added), as recited by claim 1’.
In accordance with MPEP, “USPTO personnel to give claims their broadest reasonable interpretation in light of the supporting disclosure.
For instant case, applicant does not claim a specific condition the one or more conductors are electrically insulated from the housing. Examiner pointed out the breadth of the claim and suggested to further limit the function of the one or more detectors and the claimed modes to pinpoint applicant’s invention during the interview.
Maharyta discloses a multimodal capacitance touch detection technique which are first mode of capacitance touch detection (e.g., passive touch detection) and second mode of capacitance touch detection (e.g., mutual capacitance touch detection) maybe selected in view of the presence or absence of noise signal. As shown in fig. 12, the transmission electrode 1210 is outside of the touch sensor area and not directly connected to the housing 1200 so electrical insulation between 1210 and 1200 is depending on the operating situation of the touchscreen.
Even if there is an electrical transmission between the two, it just one embodiment. In other embodiment, the housing may not be conductive, as shown in fig. 13. Therefore, the current 103 rejection will be sustained.
Conclusion
THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL.  Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action.  In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any 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 mailing date of this final action.

APPLICANT REBUTTAL: REMARKS
Claims 1-20 are pending in the application.
Claims 9 and 10 were rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 112 as allegedly being indefinite.
Claims 1, 3, 5-13, 15-17, 19, and 20 were rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 103 as allegedly being unpatentable over U.S. Patent No. 10,725,591 (Maharyta) and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2019/0237963 (Wuerstlein). Claims 2, 4, and 18 were rejected 35 U.S.C. § 103 as allegedly being unpatentable over Maharyta, Wuerstlein, and U.S. Patent No. 10,073,562 (Mo).
October 4, 2022, Telephone Interview
Applicant thanks Examiner Okebato for the courtesies and thoughtful treatment afforded to the undersigned, Applicant's representative, during the October 4, 2022, telephone interview. During the interview, differences between the claimed arrangement and the cited references were discussed with the Examiner. Additionally, the undersigned discussed portions of Applicant's specification, including features of conductor 708/808 as shown by FIGS. 7A-8A, as well as disclosure relating to the biasing of said conductor in [0068]-[0075] in connection with at least FIG. 9C. Examiner Okebato indicated that amendments that further specify the claimed modes of touch operation based on disclosure in Applicant's specification could help to further distinguish the claims over the cited references, although no agreement about patentability was reached.
Examiner Okebato agreed to consider Applicant's arguments in full detail when presented in writing. Arguments for the amended independent claims are presented below for the Examiner's reference. Applicant respectfully invites the Examiner to contact the undersigned with any suggestions for placing this application in condition for allowance.
35 U.S.C.
Q
112 Rejection of Claims 9 and 10
On pages 2 and 3 of the Office Action, claims 9 and 10 were both rejected for reciting a limitation without sufficient antecedent basis. As presently amended, claims 9 and 10 no longer recite said limitation, and now has sufficient antecedent basis for each currently-recited feature. In view of the amendments to claims 9 and 10, Applicant respectfully requests that the rejections under § 112 be withdrawn.
35 U.S.C.
Q
103 Rejection of Claims 1, 13, and 17
On pages 3-5 of the Office Action, claim 1 was rejected as allegedly unpatentable in view of the teachings of Maharyta and Wuerstlein. Claim 1 recites, in part (emphasis added):
a touch sensor panel comprising a plurality of touch nodes that are configured to be
driven with a first stimulation signal; and
one or more conductors disposed between the cover substrate and the housing and
electrically insulated from the housing, wherein the one or more conductors are configured
to be biased at a first potential in a first mode of touch operation and driven with a second
stimulation signal in a second mode of touch operation.
Applicant respectfully submits that the proposed combination of Maharyta and Wuerstlein fails to disclose the features of claim 1.
Maharyta relates to a capacitive sense array 1125 capable of determining whether water is on the screen or not (referred to as "a characteristic of a presence of water," in the paragraph bridging columns 17 and 18). To make this determination, Maharyta's processing device 1150 is taught to first perform "a mutual capacitance touch detection scan" by driving "transmission signals using a first plurality of electrodes (e.g., row electrodes)," and designating "another plurality of electrodes" as receiving electrodes (Ibid.). Maharyta explains that if presence of water is detected, processing device 1150 can detect a touch "using a third mode of capacitance touch detection (e.g., active finger touch detection) that uses a capacitive coupling of external transmission signal 1111 to capacitive sense array 1126 through passive touch object 1115" (lines 32-41, column 17). Maharyta is able to couple external transmission signal 1111 to passive touch object 1115, particularly when passive touch object 1115 "grips or otherwise contacts housing 1105" (lines 49-52, column 17), because "external transmission signal 1111 may be coupled to conductive housing 1105" (lines 47- 49, column 17).
Elsewhere, Maharyta mentions that external transmission signal 1111 (provided by driver
1110) "may be coupled to the entire housing and the entire housing may be an external transmission electrode 1112" (lines 3-6, column 17). In other words, the principle of operation for Maharyta's touch detection relies on conductive coupling of external transmission electrode 1112 to housing 1105.
On page 4 of the Office Action, the above emphasized features of claim 1 were mapped to Maharyta's external transmission electrode 1210 of FIG. 12. External transmission electrode 1210 is described by Maharyta to be similar to external transmission electrode 1112 of FIG. 11 in both
structure and function. In terms of structure, Maharyta teaches "external transmission electrode 1210 is shown coupled to a conductive housing of electronic device 1200" (lines 20-22, column 18). In terms of function, Maharyta explains that the principle of operation for electronic device 1200 relies on the user (or "passive touch object") to be coupled to the external transmission electrode 1210 by "gripping the housing of the electronic device 1200" (lines 28-32, column 18), which is only possible when electrode 1210 is conductively coupled to the housing of device 1200.
In view of the foregoing, Applicant respectfully submits that Maharyta fails to show or suggest "one or more conductors disposed between the cover substrate and the housing and electrically insulated from the housing" (emphasis added), as recited by claim 1.
Wuerstlein is similarly deficient. Wuerstlein, cited to show "a first mode of touch
operation," discloses that sensor electrodes 20 of resistance sensor 16 "may not be electrically insulated, at least not completely, with respect to the housing interior 4" in order for an electrical contact closure to be possible (  55). In other words, Wuerstlein also suggests that sensor electrodes 20 are conductively coupled to the housing interior 4. Thus, Wuerstlein also fails to show conductors that are "electrically insulated from the housing," as required by claim 1.
To the extent that the Office Action asserts that a person of ordinary skill in the art would modify Maharyta with Wuerstlein's water sensor electrodes in order to isolate unwanted signal, the combination does not disclose "one or more conductors disposed between the cover substrate and the housing and electrically insulated from the housing." Indeed, even assuming arguendo that Wuerstlein disclosed conductors that are "electrically insulated from the housing" (and Wuerstlein does not), a person of ordinary skill in the art would not modify the external transmission electrode 1210 of Maharyta to be electrically isolated from housing of the electronic device 1200, as such a modification would render Maharyta inoperable for the above-mentioned mode of capacitive touch detection, and represents a change of the principle of operation described by Maharyta (e.g., the conductive coupling of external transmission electrode 1210 to the housing).
For at least these reasons, Maharyta and Wuerstlein fail to show or suggest the above- emphasized features of claim 1, whether taken individually or combined as proposed in the Office Action. Claim 1 is therefore patentable over Maharyta and Wuerstlein. Independent claims 13 and 17 recite similar features to claim 1, and are patentable for similar reasons.
CONCLUSION

NEXT OFFICE 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 .
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-20 are allowed.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Yoshida, US PGPUB 20220058355 discloses a plurality of electrodes detected by a change in a physical quantity detected by a touch panel by bringing it into contact with or by substantially into contact with the touch panel connected to a first information processing apparatus is arranged on a bottom surface of a housing, and the apparatus comprises a communication processing unit that is equipped with a housing formed of a conductive member connected to the plurality of electrodes and that enters a connected state based on at least a part of an electrode code with the first information processing apparatus that recognizes the electrode code formed based on electrodes detected by the touch panel among the plurality of electrodes.

CITED REFERENCE SUMMARIES: Ref US10725591: Claims:
1. A method comprising:
scanning a capacitive sense array to determine a characteristic of a noise signal; and
detecting, by a processing device, a location of a touch proximate to the capacitive sense array by a passive touch object using a first mode of capacitance touch detection that uses a capacitive coupling of the noise signal to the capacitive sense array through the passive touch object to detect the touch;
wherein detecting the touch proximate to the capacitive sense array by the passive touch object using the first mode of capacitance touch detection further comprises:
comparing a first plurality of signal measurements to a touch threshold, the first plurality of signal measurements being indicative of the capacitive coupling of the noise signal to a first plurality of electrodes through the passive touch object; and
determining, for signal measurements of the first plurality of signal measurements of mixed polarity that exceed the touch threshold, if a majority of the signal measurements have a same polarity.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
selecting the first mode of capacitance touch detection from a plurality of modes of capacitance touch detection if the characteristic of the noise signal indicates a presence of the noise signal;
selecting a second mode of capacitance touch detection from the plurality of modes of capacitance touch detection if the characteristic of the noise signal indicates an absence of the noise signal; and
detecting, by the processing device in view of the characteristic of the noise signal, a touch proximate to the capacitive sense array by a passive touch object using the first mode of capacitance touch detection or the second mode of capacitance touch detection.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein detecting the touch proximate to the capacitive sense array by a passive touch object using the second mode of capacitance scanning, during a third operation, a first plurality of electrodes along a first axis of the capacitive sense array to determine a third plurality of signal measurements corresponding to a mutual capacitance at electrode intersections of the capacitive sense array;
scanning, during a fourth operation, a second plurality of electrodes along a second axis of the capacitive sense array to determine a fourth plurality of signal measurements corresponding to the mutual capacitance at electrode intersections of the capacitive sense array, wherein the third operation and the fourth operation occur at a different window of time;
identifying a touch position equation from a plurality of touch position equations for use in determining a third coordinate and a fourth coordinate of the touch by the passive touch object proximate to the capacitive sense array; and
determining the third coordinate in view of the third plurality of signal measurements and the fourth coordinate in view of the fourth plurality of signal measurements.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
selecting the first mode and a second mode of capacitance touch detection from a plurality of modes of capacitance touch detection if the characteristic of the noise signal indicates a presence of the noise signal;
rejecting signal measurements of the second mode of capacitance touch detection indicating the touch, in view of signal measurements of the first mode of capacitance touch detection indicating a non-touch; and
detecting the touch proximate to the capacitive sense array by the passive touch object using the second mode of capacitance touch detection.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the passive touch object is a part of a human body.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting the touch proximate to the capacitive sense array by the passive touch object using the first mode of capacitance touch detection, further comprises:
scanning, during a first operation, a first plurality of electrodes along a first axis of the capacitive sense array to determine a first plurality of signal measurements indicative of the capacitive coupling of the noise signal to the first plurality of electrodes through the passive touch object; and
determining a first coordinate of the touch by the passive touch object proximate to the capacitive sense array in view of the first plurality of signal measurements.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein scanning the first plurality of electrodes comprises:
configuring a second plurality of electrodes along a second axis to a ground potential; and determining, at the first plurality of electrodes along the first axis, the first plurality of signal measurements corresponding to the capacitive coupling of the noise signal to the first plurality of electrodes through the passive touch object.
8. The method of claim 6, wherein detecting the touch proximate to the capacitive sense array by the passive touch object using the first mode of capacitance touch detection, further comprises:
scanning, during a second operation, a second plurality of electrodes along a second axis of the capacitive sense array to determine a second plurality of signal measurements indicative of the capacitive coupling of the noise signal to the second plurality of electrodes through the passive touch object;
comparing the second plurality of signal measurements to a touch threshold;
determining, for signal measurements of the second plurality of signal measurements exceeding the touch threshold, if the signal measurements are a same polarity; and
determining a second coordinate of the touch by the passive touch object proximate to the capacitive sense array in view of the second plurality of signal measurements.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein scanning the second plurality of electrodes comprises:
configuring the first plurality of electrodes along the first axis to a ground potential; and
determining, at the second plurality of electrodes along the second axis, the second plurality of signal measurements corresponding to the capacitive coupling of the noise signal to the second plurality of electrodes through the passive touch object.
10. An apparatus comprising:
a processing device configured to:
scan a capacitive sense array to determine a characteristic of a noise signal; and
detect a location of a touch proximate to the capacitive sense array by a passive touch object using a first mode of capacitance touch detection that uses a capacitive coupling of the noise signal to the capacitive sense array through the passive touch object to detect the touch;
wherein to detect the touch proximate to the capacitive sense array by the passive touch object using the first mode of capacitance touch detection, the processing device is further configured to:
compare a first plurality of signal measurements to a touch threshold, the first plurality of signal measurements being indicative of the capacitive coupling of the noise signal to a first plurality of electrodes through the passive touch object; and
determine, for signal measurements of the first plurality of signal measurements of mixed polarity that exceed the touch threshold, if a majority of the signal measurements have a same polarity.
11. The apparatus of claim 10, the processing device further configured to:
select the first mode of capacitance touch detection from a plurality of modes of capacitance touch detection if the characteristic of the noise signal indicates a presence of the noise signal;
select a second mode of capacitance touch detection from the plurality of modes of capacitance touch detection if the characteristic of the noise signal indicates an absence of the noise signal; and
detect, in view of the characteristic of the noise signal, a touch proximate to the capacitive sense array by a passive touch object using the first mode of capacitance touch detection or the second mode of capacitance touch detection.
12. The apparatus of claim 10, the processing device further configured to:
select the first mode and a second mode of capacitance touch detection from a plurality of modes of capacitance touch detection if the characteristic of the noise signal indicates a presence of the noise signal;
reject signal measurements of the second mode of capacitance touch detection indicating the touch, in view of signal measurements of the first mode of capacitance touch detection indicating a non-touch; and
detect the touch proximate to the capacitive sense array by the passive touch object using the second mode of capacitance touch detection.
13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein to detect the touch proximate to the capacitive sense array by the passive touch object using the first mode of capacitance touch detection, the processing device further configured to:
scan, during a first operation, a first plurality of electrodes along a first axis of the capacitive sense array to determine a first plurality of signal measurements indicative of the capacitive coupling of the noise signal to the first plurality of electrodes through the passive touch object; and
determine a first coordinate of the touch by the passive touch object proximate to the capacitive sense array in view of the first plurality of signal measurements.
14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein to scan the first plurality of electrodes, the processing device further configured to:
configure a second plurality of electrodes along a second axis to a ground potential; and
determine, at the first plurality of electrodes along the first axis, the first plurality of signal measurements corresponding to the capacitive coupling of the noise signal to the first plurality of electrodes through the passive touch object.
15. A system comprising:
a capacitive sense array;
a memory device; and
a processing device coupled to the memory device and the capacitive sense array, the processing device configured to:
scan a capacitive sense array to determine a characteristic of a noise signal; and
detect a touch proximate to the capacitive sense array by a passive touch object using a first mode of capacitance touch detection that uses a capacitive coupling of the noise signal to the capacitive sense array through the passive touch object to detect the touch,
wherein to detect the touch proximate to the capacitive sense array by the passive touch object using the first mode of capacitance touch detection, the processing device is further configured to:
compare a first plurality of signal measurements to a touch threshold, the first plurality of signal measurements being indicative of the capacitive coupling of the noise signal to a first plurality of electrodes through the passive touch object; and
determine, for signal measurements of the first plurality of signal measurements of mixed polarity that exceed the touch threshold, if a majority of the signal measurements have a same polarity.
16. The system of claim 15, the processing device further configured to:
select the first mode of capacitance touch detection from a plurality of modes of capacitance touch detection if the characteristic of the noise signal indicates a presence of the noise signal; select a second mode of capacitance touch detection from the plurality of modes of capacitance touch detection if the characteristic of the noise signal indicates an absence of the noise signal; and
detect, in view of the characteristic of the noise signal, a touch proximate to the capacitive sense array by a passive touch object using the first mode of capacitance touch detection or the second mode of capacitance touch detection.
17. The system of claim 15, the processing device further configured to:
select the first mode and a second mode of capacitance touch detection from a plurality of modes of capacitance touch detection if the characteristic of the noise signal indicates a presence of the noise signal;
reject signal measurements of the second mode of capacitance touch detection indicating the touch, in view of signal measurements of the first mode of capacitance touch detection indicating a non-touch; and
detect the touch proximate to the capacitive sense array by the passive touch object using the second mode of capacitance touch detection.
18. The system of claim 15, wherein to detect the touch proximate to the capacitive sense array by the passive touch object using the first mode of capacitance touch detection, the processing device further configured to:
scan, during a first operation, a first plurality of electrodes along a first axis of the capacitive sense array to determine a first plurality of signal measurements indicative of the capacitive coupling of the noise signal to the first plurality of electrodes through the passive touch object; and
determine a first coordinate of the touch by the passive touch object proximate to the capacitive sense array in view of the first plurality of signal measurements.
19. The system of claim 18, wherein to scan the first plurality of electrodes, the processing device further configured to:
configure a second plurality of electrodes along a second axis to a ground potential; and
determine, at the first plurality of electrodes along the first axis, the first plurality of signal measurements corresponding to the capacitive coupling of the noise signal to the first plurality of electrodes through the passive touch object.
Ref US10073562: Claims:
1. A touch display apparatus for realizing touch sensing and displaying, comprising:
a first substrate;
a second substrate arranged opposite to the first substrate, wherein gate lines, data lines and thin film transistors are arranged on a surface of the second substrate facing towards the first substrate;
a liquid crystal layer arranged between the first substrate and the second substrate;
a common electrode arranged between the first substrate and the second substrate and used as a touch sensing electrode during a touch sensing stage; and
a driving circuit configured to provide a first signal to the common electrode for realizing touch detection during the touch sensing stage,
wherein the driving circuit is further configured to provide a second signal to the gate line during the touch sensing stage, wherein the second signal is used to control the thin film transistor to be switched off and is used to decrease charge and discharge capacity of a capacitor formed by the common electrode and the gate line;
wherein the driving circuit is further configured to provide a third signal during the touch sensing stage, wherein the third signal is used to decrease charge and discharge capacity of a capacitor formed by the common electrode and the data line;
wherein the second signal is a pulse signal with a same frequency and a same phase as the first signal, but has a different voltage level from the first signal, or the second signal is a pulse signal with a same frequency, a same phase, and a same amplitude as the first signal, but has a different voltage level from the first signal;
wherein the driving circuit provides the third signal to the data line, and the third signal is a pulse signal with a same frequency, a same phase, and a same voltage level as the first signal, or the third signal is a pulse signal with a same frequency, a same phase, a same voltage level, and a same amplitude as the first signal; and
wherein the first signal, the second signal or the third signal is a square signal, a sine wave signal or a stair-step signal.
2. The touch display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the driving circuit is further configured to: provide a driving signal to the gate line, provide a display signal to the data line, and provide a common voltage signal to the common electrode, during a display stage.
3. The touch display apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the driving circuit comprises:
a common electrode driving unit configured to generate the common voltage signal and the first signal;
a gate driving unit connected to a plurality of gate lines, wherein the gate driving unit is configured to generate the driving signal, and is further configured to generate the second signal;
a data line driving unit connected to a plurality of data lines, and configured to generate the display signal; and
a timing control unit connected to the common electrode driving unit, the gate driving unit and the data line driving unit,
wherein the timing control unit is configured to, during the display stage, control the gate driving unit to provide the driving signal to the plurality of gate lines sequentially, control the data line driving unit to provide the display signal to the data line, and control the common electrode driving unit to provide the common voltage signal to the common electrode; and
wherein the timing control unit is further configured to, during the touch sensing stage, control the common electrode driving unit to provide the first signal to the common electrode for realizing touch detection, and control the gate driving unit to provide the second signal to the plurality of gate lines.
4. The touch display apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the data line driving unit is further configured to generate the third signal; and
the timing control unit is further configured to control the data line driving unit to provide the third signal to the plurality of data lines during the touch sensing stage.
5. The touch display apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the driving circuit comprises:
a common electrode driving unit configured to generate the common voltage signal and the first signal;
a gate driving unit connected to a plurality of gate lines, and configured to generate the driving signal;
a data line driving unit connected to a plurality of data lines, wherein the data line driving unit is configured to generate a display signal, and is further configured to generate the third signal; and
a timing control unit connected to the common electrode driving unit, the gate driving unit and the data line driving unit,
wherein the timing control unit is configured to, during the display stage, control the gate driving unit to provide the driving signal to the plurality of gate lines sequentially, control the data line driving unit to provide the display signal to the data line, and control the common electrode driving unit to provide the common voltage signal to the common electrode; and
wherein the timing control unit is further configured to, during the touch sensing stage, control the common electrode driving unit to provide the first signal to the common electrode for realizing touch detection, and control the data line driving unit to provide the third signal to the plurality of data lines.
6. The touch display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
the driving circuit is directly connected to the gate line; or
the driving circuit is connected to the gate line in a capacitive coupling manner.
7. A driving circuit for driving a touch display apparatus, wherein the touch display apparatus comprises: a first substrate; a second substrate arranged opposite to the first substrate, wherein gate lines, data lines and thin film transistors are arranged on a surface of the second substrate facing towards the first substrate; a liquid crystal layer arranged between the first substrate and the second substrate; and a common electrode arranged between the first substrate and the second substrate and used as a touch sensing electrode during a touch sensing stage;
wherein the driving circuit comprises:
a first driving module configured to provide a first signal to the common electrode for realizing touch detection during the touch sensing stage;
a second driving module configured to provide a second signal to the gate line during the touch sensing stage, wherein the second signal is used to control the thin film transistor to be switched off and is used to decrease charge and discharge capacity of a capacitor formed by the common electrode and the gate line; and
a third driving module configured to provide a third signal during the
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