Prior art

A search of the USPTO database confirms that US Patent 8319512 is currently "Active" and is set to expire on 2031-02-04. The patent document itself lists several "References Cited" which represent the prior art considered by the examiner.

Here's an analysis of the most relevant prior art cited in US patent 8319512, along with a brief description and potential anticipation under 35 U.S.C. § 102:

Prior Art References

1. US 5,483,173 A

   • Full Citation: US 5,483,173 A to Pellegrini
   • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: 1996-01-09 (Filing: 1992-09-30)
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a current measuring structure for testing integrated circuits. It focuses on facilitating current measurements in integrated circuits for testing purposes.
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): US 5,483,173 A could potentially anticipate aspects of Claim 1, Claim 8, Claim 9, and Claim 10 that relate to the concept of an inspection electrode for outputting a signal processed in an integrated circuit for testing. However, the claims of US 8,319,512 B2 specifically describe this on a flexible substrate and include a switching section for controlling the output or type of signal, which might differentiate it.

2. US 6,319,019 B1

   • Full Citation: US 6,319,019 B1 to Kwon et al.
   • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: 2001-11-20 (Filing: 1997-12-31)
   • Brief Description: This patent describes selectively reinforced flexible tape carrier packages for liquid crystal display modules. It focuses on the structural aspects of flexible substrates used in display devices.
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): US 6,319,019 B1 is relevant as it pertains to flexible substrates for display modules, which is a core component of US 8,319,512 B2. However, it does not appear to explicitly disclose the combination of an integrated circuit, an inspection electrode, and a switching section on the flexible substrate for monitoring internal signals, which are key features of the claims in US 8,319,512 B2.

3. JP 2004252331 A

   • Full Citation: JP 2004252331 A to Seiko Epson Corp
   • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: 2004-09-09 (Filing: 2003-02-21)
   • Brief Description: This Japanese patent application describes a light modulation device, a display device, and an electronic device.
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): While broadly related to display technology, without further details on its specific content, it's difficult to determine precise anticipation. If it discloses a flexible substrate with an integrated circuit and an inspection electrode for monitoring internal signals, it could potentially anticipate some claims of US 8,319,512 B2, particularly those related to the general concept of monitoring signals on an electro-optical device.

4. JP 2005043418 A

   • Full Citation: JP 2005043418 A to Seiko Epson Corp
   • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: 2005-02-17 (Filing: 2003-07-22)
   • Brief Description: This Japanese patent application describes an electro-optical device, a driving method for an electro-optical device, and an electronic apparatus. It is also mentioned in the background of US 8,319,512 B2 as related art, describing an integrated circuit formed on a flexible substrate to drive a liquid crystal panel.
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference is highly relevant as it describes an integrated circuit on a flexible substrate for driving a liquid crystal panel, which is a foundational aspect of US 8,319,512 B2. The background of US 8,319,512 B2 explicitly states a problem with this prior art: that "a terminal provided on the liquid crystal panel cannot monitor a signal (that is not output from the flexible substrate) used only for internal processing of the integrated circuit". This implies that JP 2005043418 A likely does not disclose an inspection electrode on the flexible substrate capable of outputting internal signals or the associated switching sections, which are the distinguishing features of claims 1, 8, 9, and 10 of US 8,319,512 B2.

5. US 2008/0158181 A1

   • Full Citation: US 2008/0158181 A1 to Hamblin et al.
   • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: 2008-07-03 (Filing: 2007-01-03)
   • Brief Description: This patent application describes a double-sided touch sensitive panel and flex circuit bonding.
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): While this reference deals with flexible circuits and touch panels, it would need to specifically disclose an inspection electrode on the flexible circuit for outputting internal IC signals, along with switching mechanisms, to anticipate claims 1, 8, 9, or 10 of US 8,319,512 B2. Its focus on touch-sensitive panels and flex circuit bonding suggests a different primary inventive direction.

6. US 7,432,451 B2

   • Full Citation: US 7,432,451 B2 to Yamada
   • Publication/Filing Date: Publication: 2008-10-07 (Filing: 2005-01-24)
   • Brief Description: This patent describes an electro-optical device, a circuit board, a mounting structure, and an electronic apparatus.
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Similar to JP 2004252331 A, without specific details on the disclosure of an inspection electrode on a flexible substrate with switching capabilities for internal IC signals, it is difficult to assess its anticipatory potential for the distinguishing features of claims 1, 8, 9, and 10 of US 8,319,512 B2.

The key novelty highlighted in US 8,319,512 B2 over the cited prior art, particularly JP 2005043418 A, appears to be the inclusion of an inspection electrode on the flexible substrate capable of outputting signals, including those used only for internal processing of the integrated circuit, and the presence of switching sections to control this output.