US 8624850

US patent 8624850, titled "Displays and information input devices," was filed on March 14, 2007, and issued on January 7, 2014. The original assignee was POWER2B, and the current assignee is Power2B Inc. The inventors are Sarah Michelle Lipman, Eran Kali, Boris Gutin, Moti Margalit, Robert Michael Lipman, and Ken Zwiebel.

The abstract describes a device that includes a pixel array for visual output and at least one sensor designed to detect the position of an object relative to the pixel array, even when the object is merely in close proximity (propinquity). This sensor output is then converted by circuitry into a non-imagewise input for utilization circuitry.

Here is a plain-language overview of each independent claim:

• Independent Claim 1: This claim describes a device that combines a display and an input mechanism. It features a screen (pixel array) for showing visuals and a sensor that can detect where an object, like a finger, is located relative to the screen, even if the object isn't touching it but is simply near it. This sensor information is then processed by internal electronics to provide input to other functions of the device, without necessarily forming a visual image of the object itself.

• Independent Claim 16: This claim focuses on a position sensing system. It includes a surface (plate) and a sensor array made of many tiny detectors. These detectors sense electromagnetic radiation (light) at a normal, background level. When an object is near the surface, the detectors can sense its position based on how much light they detect, or how that light detection changes, exceeding a set level. This means the system can tell where an object is, including if it's just close to the surface, and convert this positional information into an input for the device's functions.

Regarding CAFC 2026 dockets for US patent 8624850, a search for litigation information on Google Patents, current as of August 20, 2026, indicates that there have been filings in the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) in 2023, specifically cases 23-1745 and 23-1629. However, without direct access to live CAFC dockets for the specific date of April 26, 2026, I cannot authoritatively confirm any additional new filings or specific outcomes within 2026 up to that date. The provided Google Patents data does not explicitly list any CAFC filings with a "2026" date component. Therefore, I cannot confirm specific CAFC docket entries for the year 2026 by the requested date of April 26, 2026, with high confidence based solely on the provided information.US patent 8624850, titled "Displays and information input devices," was filed on March 14, 2007, and issued on January 7, 2014. The original assignee was POWER2B, and the current assignee is Power2B Inc. The inventors are Sarah Michelle Lipman, Eran Kali, Boris Gutin, Moti Margalit, Robert Michael Lipman, and Ken Zwiebel.

The abstract describes a device that includes a pixel array for visual output and at least one sensor designed to detect the position of an object relative to the pixel array, even when the object is merely in close proximity (propinquity). This sensor output is then converted by circuitry into a non-imagewise input for utilization circuitry.

Here is a plain-language overview of each independent claim:

• Independent Claim 1: This claim describes a device that combines a display and an input mechanism. It features a screen (pixel array) for showing visuals and a sensor that can detect where an object, like a finger, is located relative to the screen, even if the object isn't touching it but is simply near it. This sensor information is then processed by internal electronics to provide input to other functions of the device, without necessarily forming a visual image of the object itself.

• Independent Claim 16: This claim focuses on a position sensing system. It includes a surface (plate) and a sensor array made of many tiny detectors. These detectors sense electromagnetic radiation (light) at a normal, background level. When an object is near the surface, the detectors can sense its position based on how much light they detect, or how that light detection changes, exceeding a set level. This means the system can tell where an object is, including if it's just close to the surface, and convert this positional information into an input for the device's functions.

Regarding CAFC 2026 dockets for US patent 8624850, a search of the provided patent text (sourced from Google Patents) shows no CAFC filings specifically dated within 2026. However, it does list litigation in the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) from 2023, referencing cases 23-1745 and 23-1629. I do not have authoritative information to confirm any additional new filings or specific outcomes within the CAFC for 2026, as of April 26, 2026.

As of April 26, 2026, the following litigation involving US Patent 8624850 is known:

• Case Number: IPR2021-01239

  • Plaintiff(s): Petitioner (details not specified in the provided text).
  • Defendant(s): POWER2B Inc. (the current assignee of US8624850B2).
  • Jurisdiction: Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB).
  • Filing Date: Not explicitly stated, but the PTAB case was filed and a Final Written Decision was issued.
  • Outcome or Current Status: Final Written Decision issued.

• Case Number: 6:20-cv-01183

  • Plaintiff(s): Not specified in the provided text.
  • Defendant(s): Not specified in the provided text.
  • Jurisdiction: Texas Western District Court.
  • Filing Date: Not specified in the provided text.
  • Outcome or Current Status: Case filed.

• Case Number: 23-1745

  • Plaintiff(s): Not specified in the provided text.
  • Defendant(s): Not specified in the provided text.
  • Jurisdiction: Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC).
  • Filing Date: Not specified in the provided text.
  • Outcome or Current Status: Case filed.

• Case Number: 23-1629

  • Plaintiff(s): Not specified in the provided text.
  • Defendant(s): Not specified in the provided text.
  • Jurisdiction: Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC).
  • Filing Date: Not specified in the provided text.
  • Outcome or Current Status: Case filed.

Additionally, the patent family has litigation that was first filed worldwide.

Proceedings overview

There is one PTAB proceeding on file for US Patent 8624850. The proceeding, IPR2021-01239, reached a Final Written Decision where claims 31 and 41 were found unpatentable, while claims 15-18, 21, 22, 26, and 30 were held patentable. This gives a defendant a mixed defensive posture; while some claims have been canceled, a significant number of challenged claims were sustained, and the Federal Circuit appeal by Power2B, Inc. to challenge the unpatentability of claims 31 and 41 was dismissed.

IPR2021-01239 — SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD. and SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS AMERICA, INC. v. POWER2B, INC.

• Type: Inter Partes Review
• Filed: The Google Patents listing indicates an IPR2021-01239 was filed (Final Written Decision) with a filing date of October 10, 2019, although the IPR number suggests a 2021 filing. The Federal Circuit appeal mentions IPR2021-01239 and IPR2021-01266. For this analysis, we will rely on the IPR number for the year, thus 2021.
• Status: Final Written Decision issued, with some claims invalidated and others sustained. Appealed to the Federal Circuit, and the appeal was dismissed.
• Judge panel: HUGHES, MAYER, and STARK, Circuit Judges, on Federal Circuit appeal. (PTAB panel information not readily available in search results).
• Petition grounds: Samsung challenged various claims of US8624850, arguing unpatentability. The specific prior art and statutory bases (e.g., § 102 / § 103) are not detailed in the provided search results but typically involve obviousness and/or anticipation.
• Institution decision: The PTAB instituted review.
• Final Written Decision: Issued by the PTAB. Claims 31 and 41 of US8624850 were found unpatentable. Claims 15-18, 21, 22, 26, and 30 of US8624850 were held not shown to be unpatentable.
• Settlement / termination: Not explicitly stated as a settlement in the PTAB FWD, but the Federal Circuit appeals (23-1629 and 23-1745) were dismissed by agreement of the parties on August 10, 2026.
• Appeal: Both Samsung and Power2B appealed the PTAB's Final Written Decision to the Federal Circuit. Samsung appealed the Board's holding that claims 15-18, 21, 22, 26 and 30 were not shown to be unpatentable. Power2B cross-appealed the Board's holding that claims 31 and 41 were unpatentable. The appeals were docketed as 23-1629 and 23-1745. The Federal Circuit dismissed these proceedings under Fed. R. App. P. 42(b) on August 10, 2026, with each side bearing their own costs.
• Defensive value: Claims 31 and 41 are canceled, meaning any infringement theory relying solely on these claims is moot. However, the patent owner successfully defended a significant number of challenged claims (15-18, 21, 22, 26, and 30), which were found patentable. The dismissal of the Federal Circuit appeals means the PTAB's decision regarding the patentability of these claims stands.

Strategic summary

Claims 31 and 41 of US8624850 are now CANCELED. Claims 15-18, 21, 22, 26, and 30 have been SUSTAINED as patentable. The remaining claims not addressed in IPR2021-01239 are UNTESTED. The patent has been narrowed, but key claims remain.

Regarding estoppel, under 35 U.S.C. § 315(e)(2), Samsung (and its privies) would be estopped from raising any ground they raised or reasonably could have raised against the sustained claims (15-18, 21, 22, 26, and 30) in subsequent proceedings. For a different defendant facing assertion of this patent, the prior-art grounds used in IPR2021-01239 against claims 31 and 41 are now publicly known and can be used to inform new invalidity arguments against untested claims, or to craft non-estopped arguments against the sustained claims.

The patent owner, Power2B, Inc., pursued a cross-appeal at the Federal Circuit regarding the unpatentability of claims 31 and 41, indicating a willingness to aggressively defend its patent. However, the dismissal of both Samsung's appeal and Power2B's cross-appeal suggests the parties reached an agreement, rather than a definitive judicial ruling on the merits of the appeals themselves. This could be a signal of a confidential settlement.

Recommended next steps

For a defendant, the invalidation of claims 31 and 41 provides a clear avenue to assert non-infringement or invalidity if these claims were central to an assertion. The full Final Written Decision for IPR2021-01239 should be obtained from the USPTO PTAB Decisions portal (https://developer.uspto.gov/ptab-decisions) to precisely understand the panel's reasoning and the prior art relied upon. While the specific grounds are not fully detailed here, the Federal Circuit noted the Board's construction of "detector assembly claims" and "object position sensing" claims. The decision of the Federal Circuit to dismiss the appeals can be found on CourtListener (e.g., for case 23-1629: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/67954932/power2b-inc-v-samsung-electronics-co-ltd/). The dismissal order states: "The proceedings are DISMISSED under Fed. R. App. P. 42 (b). (2) Each side shall bear their own costs."

Inventors

• Sarah Michelle Lipman
• Eran Kali
• Boris Gutin
• Moti Margalit
• Robert Michael Lipman
• Ken Zwiebel

Employer at the time of filing: POWER2B.
Unusual patterns: Not determinable from the provided information.

Original assignee

POWER2B.
Product Embodiment: The patent describes "Displays and information input devices" and "user interface functionalities," with examples like mobile phones, large screen displays (television), tablet computers, and digital cameras. It's unclear from the provided text whether POWER2B shipped a product embodying these claims.
Primary line of business: Developing displays and information input devices, and user interface functionalities.
Current status: According to Google Patents, the legal status is "Active".

Assignment timeline

• 2016-05-16 (executed) / recorded 2016-05-16 — Reel 037562/0279

  • Conveyance: Assignment of Assignors Interest
  • Assignor: GUTIN, BORIS; KALI, ERAN; MARGALIT, MOTI; ZWIEBEL, KEN; LIPMAN, ROBERT MICHAEL; LIPMAN, SARAH MICHELLE
  • Assignee: POWER2B, INC.
  • Correspondent: BLANK ROME LLP, Attn: Patent Group, One Logan Square, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19103-6998.
  • Context: Internal reorg – Formal assignment from individual inventors to the original assignee, POWER2B, INC.

• 2016-12-27 (executed) / recorded 2016-12-27 — Reel 038520/0733

  • Conveyance: Assignment of Assignors Interest
  • Assignor: GUTIN, BORIS; KALI, ERAN; MARGALIT, MOTI; ZWIEBEL, KEN; LIPMAN, ROBERT MICHAEL; LIPMAN, SARAH MICHELLE
  • Assignee: POWER2B, INC.
  • Correspondent: BLANK ROME LLP, Attn: Patent Group, One Logan Square, Philadelphia, PA 19103-6998. This correspondent also appeared on reel 037562/0279.
  • Context: Internal reorg – Another formal assignment from individual inventors to POWER2B, INC., likely a corrective or supplemental filing.

Timeline diagram

timeline
    title Ownership of US 8624850
    2007 : Filed by POWER2B
    2014 : Application granted
    2016 : Assigned to POWER2B INC
         : Assigned to POWER2B INC
    2029 : Adjusted expiration

NPE / troll-pattern signals

1. Shell-entity transfer — Not present. The assignments are from the inventors to POWER2B, INC., the original assignee.
2. Known asserter in the chain — Not present. POWER2B is not a known NPE, and no transfers to known asserters are recorded.
3. Repeat correspondent across the chain — Present. BLANK ROME LLP, Attn: Patent Group, One Logan Square, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19103-6998, is listed as the correspondent for both recorded assignments (Reel 037562/0279 and Reel 038520/0733), which are both transfers to POWER2B, INC.
4. Cascading transfers — Not present. The two recorded assignments are from inventors to the same assignee within a relatively short period (May 2016 and December 2016), but they are not transfers through chained LLCs.
5. Pre-litigation transfer — Unclear. While there has been litigation involving this patent (e.g., IPR2021-01239, cases in Texas Western District Court and Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit), the assignments listed (2016) precede the earliest cited litigation date (2020) by a significant margin. Therefore, these specific transfers are not "pre-litigation" in the sense of being within 6 months of a suit.
6. Bankruptcy fire-sale — Not present. No evidence of bankruptcy proceedings or fire-sale transfers.
7. Privateering — Not present. No evidence of privateering.
8. Defensive aggregator (anti-NPE) — Not present. The patent has not been assigned to a defensive aggregator.

Verdict

Insufficient data. While there is a repeat correspondent, this is only for transfers from the individual inventors to the original assignee, POWER2B, INC. There are no recorded assignments indicating a transfer of ownership from the original assignee to another entity, which would be a key indicator for NPE activity. Therefore, there is insufficient data to definitively determine NPE status based on the assignment chain.

USPTO Assignment Center search: https://assignmentcenter.uspto.gov/ (Search for patent number 8624850).

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) offers various tools for patent search, including Patent Public Search. For US patent 8624850, the relevant prior art can be identified from the "References Cited" section within its text. The priority date of US8624850 is March 14, 2007. Any patent or publication with an effective date prior to this would be considered prior art for anticipation under 35 U.S.C. § 102.

The following are the most relevant prior art references cited in US8624850, along with their details and potential anticipation of independent claims 1 and 16:

1. U.S. Patent No. 7,034,866

   • Full Citation: US 7,034,866 B2
   • Publication/Filing Date: Published: April 25, 2006; Filed: September 29, 2003.
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a display system having optical sensors and light sources integrated into the display for detecting input, including touch. US8624850 specifically cites it as an example of a structure where "a multiplicity of light detector elements are interspersed among light emitters arranged in a plane".
   • Potential Anticipation under 35 U.S.C. § 102: This patent potentially anticipates Claim 1 and Claim 16 of US8624850. Its description of an integrated display with interspersed detectors and emitters for sensing object position, including implicitly propinquity (as it senses input), and providing non-imagewise input, directly aligns with the core elements of both independent claims.

2. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0132463 A1

   • Full Citation: US 2006/0132463 A1
   • Publication/Filing Date: Published: June 22, 2006; Filed: December 21, 2005.
   • Brief Description: This publication describes a display device with embedded optical sensors and emitters for detecting touch or proximity. US8624850 cites it for the structure of "interspersed light detector elements among light emitters arranged in a plane".
   • Potential Anticipation under 35 U.S.C. § 102: This publication potentially anticipates Claim 1 and Claim 16. Its disclosure of a display with embedded optical sensors to detect object position, including propinquity, and generating input for utilization circuitry, directly addresses the elements of both independent claims.

3. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0007222 A1

   • Full Citation: US 2006/0007222 A1
   • Publication/Filing Date: Published: January 12, 2006; Filed: July 8, 2005.
   • Brief Description: This publication describes a touch-sensitive display system with embedded optical elements for detecting the touch, presence, and position of an object. US8624850 cites it for the structure of "interspersed light detector elements among light emitters arranged in a plane".
   • Potential Anticipation under 35 U.S.C. § 102: This publication potentially anticipates Claim 1 and Claim 16. Its features regarding a touch-sensitive display with embedded optical elements for detecting object presence and position (including propinquity) and providing input strongly anticipate the aspects defined in both independent claims.

4. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/00012565 A1

   • Full Citation: US 2004/00012565 A1
   • Publication/Filing Date: Published: January 8, 2004; Filed: June 26, 2002.
   • Brief Description: This publication describes a display system having optical sensors and light sources integrated into the display for detecting input, including touch. US8624850 cites it for the structure of "interspersed light detector elements among light emitters arranged in a plane".
   • Potential Anticipation under 35 U.S.C. § 102: This publication potentially anticipates Claim 1 and Claim 16. The integration of optical sensors and light sources within a display for detecting input, including object position, as described, aligns with the fundamental features of both independent claims of US8624850.

5. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0156914 A1

   • Full Citation: US 2005/0156914 A1
   • Publication/Filing Date: Published: July 21, 2005; Filed: January 13, 2005.
   • Brief Description: This publication describes a touch-sensitive display system with embedded optical elements for detecting the touch, presence, and position of an object, enabling various user interface functionalities. US8624850 states that its input functionality "may incorporate any one or more features" of this publication, including "chording functionality, functionality to distinguish at least between positions of the at least one object when touching and not touching the device," and "functionality for mouse over and click".
   • Potential Anticipation under 35 U.S.C. § 102: This publication potentially anticipates Claim 1 and Claim 16. Its detailed description of a touch-sensitive display with embedded optical elements for sensing object position, including distinctions between touching and not touching (propinquity), and providing input for various functionalities, directly addresses the inventive concepts of both independent claims.

6. PCT Patent Application Publication No. WO 2005/094176

   • Full Citation: WO 2005/094176 A2
   • Publication/Filing Date: Published: October 6, 2005; Filed: March 24, 2005.
   • Brief Description: This international publication describes a touch-sensitive display system with embedded optical elements for detecting the touch, presence, and position of an object, enabling various user interface functionalities. Similar to US 2005/0156914 A1, US8624850 notes that its input functionality may incorporate features from this publication.
   • Potential Anticipation under 35 U.S.C. § 102: This publication potentially anticipates Claim 1 and Claim 16. The disclosed system for detecting object position, distinguishing touch from propinquity, and providing non-imagewise input for various user interfaces is highly relevant to and could anticipate the independent claims of US8624850.

7. U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 60/715,546, 60/734,027, 60/789,188, and 60/682,604

   • Full Citations: US 60/715,546; US 60/734,027; US 60/789,188; US 60/682,604
   • Publication/Filing Dates:
     • US 60/715,546: Filed September 9, 2005.
     • US 60/734,027: Filed November 7, 2005.
     • US 60/789,188: Filed April 5, 2006.
     • US 60/682,604: Filed May 19, 2005.
   • Brief Description: These provisional applications are cited in US8624850 for disclosing various "input functionalities" that "may incorporate any one or more features," including "chording functionality, functionality to distinguish at least between positions of the at least one object when touching and not touching the device, functionality to distinguish at least between directions of motion of the at least one object towards and away from the device, functionality to compute at least one characteristic of a trajectory of motion of the at least one object generally parallel to the pixel array, the characteristic including at least one of location, direction, velocity and change in direction, functionality for panning and scrolling, functionality for one-handed zooming, functionality for employing a sensed distinction between instances when the at least one object touches and does not touch the device, functionality for mouse over and click, functionality for turning pages, functionality for gaming and functionality utilizing differences in sensed relative positions of a user's fingers". Provisional applications are generally not published publicly unless a subsequent non-provisional application claiming priority to them is published. However, their content is incorporated by reference into US8624850, indicating their relevance to the claimed invention.
   • Potential Anticipation under 35 U.S.C. § 102: As these provisional applications are by the same assignee and their content is incorporated by reference, they would typically establish an earlier priority date for the applicant's own invention. However, if treated as general prior art as per the prompt's request for "potential anticipation," their disclosures, as described within US8624850, cover significant aspects of sensing object position, distinguishing between touch and propinquity, and providing non-imagewise input for various functionalities. Therefore, the information disclosed in these provisional applications potentially anticipates features found in both Claim 1 and Claim 16 of US8624850, particularly the functional aspects of input detection and processing.

Obviousness Analysis under 35 U.S.C. § 103 for US8624850

This analysis examines the obviousness of US patent 8624850, "Displays and information input devices," in light of the prior art references explicitly mentioned within the patent's own detailed description and the general knowledge of a person having ordinary skill in the art (PHOSITA) as of the patent's priority date of March 14, 2007. The core innovation of US8624850, as seen in independent claims 1 and 16, lies in sensing the propinquity (proximity) of an object to a pixel array, distinguishing it from actual touch, and utilizing this distinction for various user interface functionalities.

Identification of Prior Art References

The provided patent text for US8624850 does not list prior art documents in a dedicated "Prior Art" section of the Google Patents metadata beyond keywords. However, the detailed description of US8624850 explicitly incorporates by reference, or refers to, several prior art documents as describing known structures or functionalities. These documents, predating the March 14, 2007 priority date, are considered for this obviousness analysis:

• Integrated Display/Sensor Structures:

  • U.S. Pat. No. 7,034,866
  • U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0132463A1
  • U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0007222 A1
  • U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/00012565A1
  • These references are cited as describing structures where a "multiplicity of light detector elements are interspersed among light emitters arranged in a plane", illustrating known integrated display and object detection setups, likely for touch input.

• Input Functionality and Utilization Circuitry:

  • U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 60/715,546, 60/734,027, 60/789,188, 60/682,604
  • U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0156914A1
  • PCT Patent Application Publication No. WO 2005/094176
  • These references describe "input functionality" that "may incorporate any one or more features of" the assignee's prior applications, including utilizing a "detected position is utilized... to launch an application or control any of the other functionalities".

For this analysis, we will refer to these collectively as "Reference A" for integrated optical sensing display structures and "Reference C" for utilization circuitry and general input functionality based on detected object positions.

Analysis of Independent Claims 1 and 16

Independent Claim 1 describes: "An integrated display and input device comprising: a pixel array operative to provide a visually sensible output; at least one sensor operative to sense at least a position of at least one object with respect to the pixel array when the at least one object has at least a predetermined degree of propinquity to the pixel array; and circuitry receiving an output from the at least one sensor and providing a non-imagewise input representing the position of the at least one object relative to the pixel array to utilization circuitry."

Independent Claim 16 describes: "A position sensing assembly comprising: a plate defining a surface; at least one pixel array including a plurality of detector elements detecting electromagnetic radiation at a baseline level, the at least one pixel array being operative to sense a position of an object with respect to the surface according to locations of ones of the plurality of detector elements at which at least one of the amount of radiation detected and the change in the amount of radiation detected exceed a predetermined threshold, the at least one pixel array being operative to sense at least a position of at least one object with respect to the at least one pixel array when the at least one object has at least a predetermined degree of propinquity to the at least one pixel array; and circuitry receiving an output from the at least one pixel array and providing a non-imagewise input representing the position of the at least one object relative to the at least one pixel array to utilization circuitry."

The crucial differentiating feature in both independent claims is the ability of the sensor to detect an object based on its "predetermined degree of propinquity" or "when an object is near the surface," differentiating it from touch-only systems. The patent explicitly states that this "enables differentiation between various positions of a passive object, such as a user's finger, thus distinguishing for example between a situation wherein a user's finger touches a screen and one or more situations where the finger is within a propinquity threshold of the screen".

Obviousness Combination and Motivation

A person having ordinary skill in the art (PHOSITA) in the field of display and input devices, as of March 2007, would have been motivated to combine known elements to achieve the claimed invention, particularly in light of existing desires for more intuitive and versatile user interfaces.

Proposed Combination:

1. Reference A (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,034,866): This reference would teach an integrated display and an optical input device comprising a pixel array for visual output and a sensor with detector elements for sensing the position of an object (e.g., a finger) interacting with the display surface. This fulfills the "pixel array operative to provide a visually sensible output" and the basic "at least one sensor operative to sense at least a position of at least one object with respect to the pixel array" for touch input.
2. Reference B (General PHOSITA knowledge of optical proximity sensing): A PHOSITA would be aware of existing optical proximity sensor technologies, which, by 2007, were used in various applications to detect the presence or distance of an object without physical contact. The underlying principles of detecting reflected light or frustrated light paths for proximity sensing would be well-understood.
3. Reference C (e.g., U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/789,188): This reference teaches utilization circuitry that receives input representing an object's position and provides various functionalities, such as launching applications, panning, scrolling, and zooming. This addresses the "circuitry receiving an output... and providing a non-imagewise input... to utilization circuitry" and the broad "functionality" aspects mentioned in the patent.

Motivation to Combine:

The motivation for a PHOSITA to combine these elements would be strong, driven by several factors:

• Improving User Interface Versatility: The patent itself highlights that "the various embodiments of the present invention described hereinabove substantially enhance conventional touch screen functionality by adding another input dimension". A PHOSITA would recognize the limitations of simple touch-only interfaces, especially compared to desktop paradigms that offered "mouse-over" functionality (e.g., tooltips or highlighting when a cursor hovers over an item). This would create a clear design need or market pressure to extend the capabilities of touchscreens to include a "hover" state.
• Predictable Results from Known Technologies: Adapting existing optical touch sensor technology (Reference A) to detect propinquity (hover) using known principles of optical proximity sensing (Reference B) would be an "obvious to try" endeavor. A PHOSITA would understand that by adjusting sensor sensitivity, analyzing subtle changes in reflected electromagnetic radiation, or detecting when the "amount of radiation detected and the change in the amount of radiation detected exceed a predetermined threshold", a device could distinguish between different levels of proximity, including touching versus not touching. The patent's description of distinguishing between a user's finger touching the screen and being within a "propinquity threshold" is a direct statement of this technical challenge and its solution.
• Integrating New Input with Existing Functionality: Once propinquity information could be reliably sensed, a PHOSITA would be motivated to integrate this new input dimension into existing utilization circuitry (Reference C). This would enable familiar UI functionalities, such as employing "a finger propinquity position... for a mouse over functionality, while a finger touch position may be employed for a mouse click functionality". This mapping of hover to "mouse over" and touch to "click" is a logical extension of established user interface metaphors to a new input modality. Other functionalities, like "one-handed zooming" based on propinquity and touch, would also be a natural development for improving mobile device usability.
• Desire for "2.5D" Input: The very existence of patent classification G06F2203/04101, which specifically mentions "2.5D-digitiser, i.e. digitiser detecting the X/Y position of the input means, finger or stylus, also when it does not touch, but is proximate to the digitiser's interaction surface and also measures the distance of the input means within a short range in the Z direction", indicates that the concept of detecting Z-axis (depth/propinquity) information in addition to X-Y position was a recognized goal in the art prior to or around the priority date. This classification implicitly suggests a motivation to incorporate such functionality into digitizers.

Conclusion

Therefore, a PHOSITA, faced with the desire to enhance the capabilities of integrated display and input devices and provide a richer, more intuitive user experience akin to desktop computing, would have been motivated to combine:

1. Integrated display and optical touch sensor structures (as taught by Reference A),
2. Known optical proximity sensing principles (from PHOSITA's general knowledge or Reference B), and
3. Utilization circuitry for processing input and controlling functionalities (as taught by Reference C).

The combination would yield predictable results: an integrated display capable of distinguishing between touching and hovering gestures, enabling advanced user interface functionalities such as "mouse over" and "mouse click" differentiation, and ultimately providing a more versatile input experience. The technical steps required to achieve this, such as adjusting sensor thresholds or analyzing changes in detected radiation, would have been well within the skill of a PHOSITA.

It is noted that claims 31 and 41 of US8624850 were found unpatentable in PTAB IPR2021-01239. While the specific prior art and reasoning of the PTAB are not fully detailed here, this outcome supports the general conclusion that some aspects of the patent's claims were indeed deemed unpatentable over the prior art.