Obviousness

The obviousness analysis for US Patent 7300194 under 35 U.S.C. § 103 hinges on the fact that it is a divisional application, claiming priority from a chain of earlier patents: US7160015B2, US6712481B2, US6079838A, and US5613751A. These parent applications, therefore, constitute the most relevant prior art. The disclosure of these prior art references, particularly the detailed embodiments described, would render the claims of US7300194 obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art (PHOSITA).

General Motivation for Combination:

The entire patent family, including US7300194, shares the common objective of developing "light emitting panel assemblies each including a transparent panel member for efficiently conducting light, and controlling the light conducted by the panel member to be emitted from one or more light output areas along the length thereof." A PHOSITA in the field of light-emitting displays or illumination, seeking to improve efficiency, uniformity, and application-specific performance of such panels, would naturally consult the cumulative teachings within this related patent family. The overarching motivation for combining elements from these prior art documents would be to achieve "better control of the light output from the panel assemblies and for more efficient utilization of light, which results in greater light output from the panel assemblies." This intrinsic motivation would drive a PHOSITA to combine or select various disclosed features to refine or optimize the light-emitting panel assemblies for specific uses.

Obviousness Analysis of Independent Claims:

1. Independent Claim 1:
This claim describes a light-emitting assembly including a light-emitting panel, at least one light source, a film/sheet/plate/substrate positioned near the panel's light-emitting surface with an air gap, where the film/sheet/plate/substrate has reflective or refractive surfaces with deformities for controlling emitted light to pass through a liquid crystal display (LCD) with low loss.

• Combination: US7160015B2 (or any of the earlier parent patents, such as US6712481B2, US6079838A, or US5613751A) provides direct and comprehensive disclosure.
• Analysis: The detailed description of US7300194B2, which is derived from its parent applications, explicitly teaches all elements of this claim. It describes a "transparent film, sheet or plate 27... attached or positioned against the side or sides of the panel member from which light is emitted". It also teaches the presence of "air gaps 30... formed between the respective panel surfaces and the back reflector 26 and/or film 27 when only adhered along the peripheral edges". Furthermore, the specification states that "the deformities 21 may also be used to control the output ray angle distribution of the emitted light to suit a particular application. For example, if the panel assemblies are used to provide a liquid crystal display backlight, the light output will be more efficient if the deformities 21 cause the light rays to emit from the panels at predetermined ray angles such that they will pass through the liquid crystal display with low loss."
• Motivation: A PHOSITA, reviewing the detailed disclosure of US7160015B2 (or its parents), would readily identify the components of a separate film/sheet/plate (27), the use of an air gap (30), and the application of light-extracting deformities (21) for efficient light control. The explicit teaching to use these deformities for redirecting light to pass through an LCD with low loss directly provides the motivation for this combination, as it addresses a known technical challenge in display backlighting.

2. Independent Claim 16:
This claim focuses on a light-emitting assembly with a tray forming a cavity, at least one light source within the cavity, and a film/sheet/plate/substrate positioned over the cavity with deformities for controlling emitted light for low-loss transmission through an LCD.

• Combination: US7160015B2 (or earlier parent patents).
• Analysis: The patent's detailed description, common across the family, explicitly illustrates and describes a "tray 35 having a cavity or recess 36 in which the panel assembly 32 is received." It further notes that "The tray 35 may act as a back reflector as well as end edge and/or side edge reflectors for the panel 33 and side and/or back reflectors 37 for the light sources 3." The concept of a film/sheet/plate with deformities designed for low-loss light transmission through an LCD is also thoroughly described within the same patent family's disclosure, as noted for Claim 1. The placement of such a film/sheet/plate over a cavity containing a light source is an inherent structural implication for light extraction from the cavity.
• Motivation: A PHOSITA, seeking to create integrated and efficient light-emitting assemblies, would be motivated to combine the disclosed tray structure (e.g., elements 35, 36 of FIG. 6) with the light control features of a film/sheet/plate having deformities. The explicit teaching of controlling light for LCD applications with low loss provides a clear reason to integrate these elements into a tray-based design, offering structural advantages and targeted light performance.

3. Independent Claim 28:
This claim describes a light-emitting assembly with a light source and a transparent film/sheet/plate/substrate having top and bottom surfaces, with deformities on or in both surfaces that have reflective or refractive surfaces for controlling emitted light for low-loss transmission through an LCD.

• Combination: US7160015B2 (or earlier parent patents).
• Analysis: The patent's detailed description explicitly states that "A pattern of light extracting deformities or disruptions may be provided on one or both sides of the panel members or on one or more selected areas on one or both sides of the panel members, as desired." This directly teaches the application of deformities on both top and bottom surfaces. As established previously, the application of these deformities for controlling light to pass through an LCD with low loss is also a clearly disclosed purpose within the patent family.
• Motivation: A PHOSITA, aiming for enhanced light output control, uniformity, or specific ray angle distribution (especially for an LCD application), would find it obvious to apply deformities to both sides of a transparent film/sheet/plate/substrate. The patent itself highlights that varying parameters like "density, opaqueness or translucence, shape, depth, color, area, index of refraction, or type of deformities 21 on an area or areas of the panels, the light output of the panels can be controlled." Employing deformities on both surfaces would be an obvious extension to achieve more precise or versatile light manipulation for the stated purpose of low-loss LCD transmission.

4. Independent Claim 31:
This claim describes a light-emitting assembly with a tray forming a cavity, a light source within it, and a film/sheet/plate/substrate over the cavity with deformities for controlling the light output ray angle distribution for a particular application.

• Combination: US7160015B2 (or earlier parent patents).
• Analysis: Similar to Claim 16, the "tray that forms a cavity or recess" with a light source positioned within is explicitly described and illustrated (FIG. 6) in the common disclosure of the patent family. The concept of a film/sheet/plate/substrate positioned over this cavity is a logical structural arrangement. Furthermore, the detailed description clearly states that "The deformities 21 may also be used to control the output ray angle distribution of the emitted light to suit a particular application."
• Motivation: A PHOSITA would be motivated to combine the disclosed tray and light source configuration with the light-controlling deformities on a film/sheet/plate. This combination is aimed at achieving specific light output characteristics, with the explicit teaching that deformities can be used to control "output ray angle distribution... to suit a particular application." This general motivation to tailor light output for diverse applications makes the claimed combination obvious.

Conclusion:

Given that US7300194B2 is a divisional application, the subject matter of its claims is directly disclosed within its parent applications (US7160015B2, US6712481B2, US6079838A, US5613751A). The specific combinations of elements and their functions, as claimed in US7300194B2, are either explicitly taught or would have been readily apparent to a PHOSITA from the detailed descriptions in these prior patents. The consistent motivation across the patent family to improve light output efficiency, uniformity, and adaptability for various applications, including LCD backlighting, further supports the obviousness of these combinations. Therefore, the claims of US7300194B2 would likely be considered obvious under 35 U.S.C. § 103 in light of the disclosures of its own parent applications.