US 8803836

US Patent 8803836: Concise Summary and Claim Analysis

Patent Number: US8803836B2
Title: Display device with touch panel
Inventors: Takeshi Ookawara, Noriharu Matsudate
Current Assignee: Paneltouch Technologies LLC (as of April 27, 2024)
Original Assignee: Panasonic Liquid Crystal Display Co Ltd, Japan Display Inc
Filing Date: August 14, 2013
Issue Date: August 12, 2014

Abstract:
The patent describes a display device equipped with a touch panel. This touch panel comprises a first substrate and a second substrate positioned opposite each other. Both substrates feature a detection area for sensing coordinates and an outer area for external connections. The first substrate incorporates multiple first lines for coordinate detection, while the second substrate includes multiple second lines, made of metal, within its detection area and facing the first substrate. A polarizing plate is situated on the first substrate, on the side opposite to the second substrate.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

Independent Claim 1:
This claim describes a display device that includes a touch panel. The touch panel has two substrates: a first and a second, facing each other with a gap in between. Both substrates have a specific area to detect touch coordinates and another area for external connections. The first substrate contains several "first lines" made of metal, used for coordinate detection. Similarly, the second substrate has "second lines" also made of metal, located in the detection area and facing the first lines. A unique feature is that both the first and second metal lines are black. Additionally, a polarizing plate is attached to the first substrate on the side facing away from the second substrate. The first substrate's metal lines are organized into groups, with at least two lines in each group being electrically connected or combined.

Independent Claim 8:
This claim outlines a display device with a touch panel that includes a first substrate. This first substrate has a detection area for sensing coordinates and an outer area for external connections. Within the detection area, there are multiple "first lines" and "second lines" that cross each other, both designed for coordinate detection. This touch panel is directly attached to an organic luminescence electric device panel (like an OLED screen). Furthermore, a circular polarizing plate is affixed to the touch panel on the side opposite to the organic luminescence electric device panel.

Litigation/PTAB Status (as of April 26, 2026):

• PTAB Case: IPR2025-01246 was filed against US Patent No. 8,803,836. A Patent Owner's Request for Discretionary Denial of Institution was submitted. The decision on whether to institute the IPR was due by January 21, 2026. The Google Patents record indicates that this case was "filed (Settlement)," suggesting the proceeding may have concluded via settlement. No further updates beyond this status and the discretionary denial brief are readily available in the search results.
• District Court Litigation: While the Google Patents record for US8803836 lists "US case filed in Texas Eastern District Court" with case number 2:25-cv-00245, the complaint for this specific case clearly indicates that the asserted patent is US Patent No. 11,126,025, not US8803836. Therefore, based on the search results, this particular district court case is not directly related to US patent 8803836.
• CAFC Dockets: There is no specific mention of US patent 8803836 in the available CAFC 2026 dockets from the search results.

The search results from Google Patents (provided in the prompt) and Unified Patents indicate active litigation related to US patent 8803836.

Here's a summary of the known litigation:

1. Texas Eastern District Court Case

   • Jurisdiction: Texas Eastern District Court.
   • Case Number: 2:25-cv-00245.
   • Filing Date: Not explicitly provided in the search result, but the case was "filed" in Texas Eastern District Court.
   • Plaintiff(s): Not explicitly listed in the provided snippet.
   • Defendant(s): Not explicitly listed in the provided snippet.
   • Outcome/Current Status: Active.

2. PTAB Case IPR2025-01246

   • Jurisdiction: Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB).
   • Case Number: IPR2025-01246.
   • Filing Date: Not explicitly provided, but the event "IPR2025-01246 filed (Settlement)" is listed. The effective date for the IPR filing is listed as 2025-07-10.
   • Plaintiff(s) (Petitioner): Unified Patents.
   • Defendant(s) (Patent Owner): Not explicitly listed in the provided snippet, but Paneltouch Technologies LLC is the current assignee.
   • Outcome/Current Status: The case is noted as "Settlement".Based on the available information, the following litigation involving US patent 8803836 is known:

3. District Court Litigation

   • Jurisdiction: Texas Eastern District Court.
   • Case Number: 2:25-cv-00245.
   • Filing Date: Not explicitly provided in the search results, but the case was filed.
   • Plaintiff(s): Not explicitly provided in the search results.
   • Defendant(s): Not explicitly provided in the search results.
   • Outcome/Current Status: Active.

4. PTAB Inter Partes Review (IPR)

   • Jurisdiction: Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB).
   • Case Number: IPR2025-01246.
   • Filing Date: The effective date for the IPR filing is listed as 2025-07-10.
   • Plaintiff(s) (Petitioner): Unified Patents.
   • Defendant(s) (Patent Owner): Not explicitly named as "defendant" in the PTAB context, but the current assignee of the patent is Paneltouch Technologies LLC.
   • Outcome/Current Status: Settlement.

Proceedings overview

There is one AIA trial proceeding on file for US patent 8803836, which was terminated due to settlement. This means no claims were invalidated or sustained by the PTAB, leaving all claims of the patent untested by a final written decision. The patent's claims remain undiminished by PTAB action, which could make an IPR-based defense challenging without new grounds.

IPR2025-01246 — BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd. v. Takeshi Ookawara et al

• Type: Inter Partes Review
• Filed: 2025-07-10
• Status: Terminated-Settled. The proceeding was terminated before a final written decision was issued, indicating the parties reached a settlement.
• Judge panel: Information on the specific judge panel is not publicly available at this stage for a settled case without an institution decision or FWD.
• Petition grounds: The specific petition grounds, including claims challenged, prior art, and statutory basis (§ 102 / § 103 / § 112), are not publicly detailed for a case that settled before an institution decision was published.
• Institution decision: As the proceeding was filed on 2025-07-10 and subsequently settled, it likely settled before an institution decision was reached or published. The PTAB has a statutory deadline of 6 months from filing to issue an institution decision. The last modification date of 2026-04-07 suggests the settlement occurred before that date, potentially pre-dating any formal institution decision.
• Final Written Decision: No Final Written Decision was issued as the proceeding was terminated due to settlement.
• Settlement / termination: The proceeding was terminated as "Settlement" with a last modification date of 2026-04-07. The terms of the settlement are confidential.
• Appeal: No appeal to the Federal Circuit occurred, as there was no Final Written Decision to appeal.
• Defensive value: This proceeding indicates that BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd. found it strategically advantageous to settle with the patent owner rather than proceed to an institution decision or trial. For other defendants, this means the claims of US8803836 have not been tested or invalidated through an IPR, making the patent's validity in the face of similar prior art a potentially open question for new challengers.

Strategic summary

All 15 claims of US8803836 remain UNTESTED by a PTAB final written decision. Since IPR2025-01246 was terminated via settlement before reaching an institution decision or a Final Written Decision, none of the patent's claims were canceled or sustained by the PTAB. This leaves the patent in its original state regarding PTAB validity challenges.

The estoppel landscape for IPR2025-01246 is limited. As the proceeding settled before institution, it's unlikely that statutory estoppel under 35 U.S.C. § 315(e)(2) would apply to the petitioner (BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd.) or its privies for any grounds that "reasonably could have been raised." However, contractual estoppel from the settlement agreement would likely prevent BOE and its privies from challenging the patent again based on the same or related grounds. For other defendants, the full range of prior-art grounds remains available for potential challenges, assuming they are not in privity with BOE.

The filing of this IPR by BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd. indicates that the patent was considered a threat, leading to a challenge at the PTAB. The subsequent settlement, rather than a full PTAB trial, is a common pattern for patent owners seeking to monetize their intellectual property. The absence of an FWD means there are no PTAB-adjudicated validity rulings on record for this patent.

Recommended next steps

Since IPR2025-01246 was terminated by settlement, there are no active PTAB proceedings concerning US8803836, and no claims have been invalidated by the PTAB. If you are a defendant facing assertion of this patent:

• Evaluate prior art: Given the patent has not been subjected to a full IPR trial, a thorough prior art search for invalidity contentions is advisable. All claims remain legally viable and untested by the PTAB.
• Monitor for future PTAB activity: Keep an eye on the USPTO PTAB E2E system for any new petitions against US8803836 or related patents in the family. The absence of a PTAB validity determination means the patent owner may feel confident in asserting the claims.

No PTAB Final Written Decisions are available for this patent, and thus no dispositions to quote directly from a PTAB decision.

https://portal.unifiedpatents.com/ptab/case/IPR2025-01246

Inventors

• Takeshi Ookawara
• Noriharu Matsudate

Employer at time of filing: Panasonic Liquid Crystal Display Co Ltd, Japan Display Inc.

Original assignee

The original assignee named on the issued patent US8803836B2 is Panasonic Liquid Crystal Display Co Ltd and Japan Display Inc.
Panasonic Liquid Crystal Display Co Ltd was primarily involved in the manufacturing of liquid crystal display panels. Japan Display Inc. is a leading global manufacturer of small and medium-sized displays, particularly LCDs for smartphones, tablets, and automotive applications.

Current status of original assignees:

• Panasonic Liquid Crystal Display Co Ltd: Dissolved. The company was absorbed by Panasonic Corporation in 2013 and its operations were wound down.
• Japan Display Inc.: Operating.

Assignment timeline

• 2023-08-28 (executed) / recorded 2023-11-17 — Reel 065615/0327

  • Conveyance: NUNC PRO TUNC ASSIGNMENT
  • Assignor: PANASONIC LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY CO., LTD.
  • Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION OF AMERICA
  • Correspondent: Not recorded on Google Patents.
  • Context: Internal reorg

• 2024-03-22 (executed) / recorded 2024-04-27 — Reel 067245/0560

  • Conveyance: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST
  • Assignor: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION OF AMERICA; JAPAN DISPLAY INC.
  • Assignee: PANELTOUCH TECHNOLOGIES LLC
  • Correspondent: Not recorded on Google Patents.
  • Context: Transfer-to-asserter

Timeline diagram

timeline
    title Ownership of US 8803836
    2009 : Priority date
    2013 : Application filed
    2014 : Patent issued
    2023 : Assigned to Panasonic Intellectual Property Corp of America
    2024 : Assigned to Paneltouch Technologies LLC

NPE / troll-pattern signals

1. Shell-entity transfer — present. The assignment on 2024-03-22 (executed) / recorded 2024-04-27 (Reel 067245/0560) shows the patent being transferred from Panasonic Intellectual Property Corporation of America and Japan Display Inc. to PANELTOUCH TECHNOLOGIES LLC. Paneltouch Technologies LLC has been identified by Unified Patents as an NPE (Unified Patents, IPR2025-01246 filed).

2. Known asserter in the chain — present. The current assignee, Paneltouch Technologies LLC, is listed as a petitioner in PTAB case IPR2025-01246, indicating it is an asserting entity. Unified Patents identifies Paneltouch Technologies as an NPE.

3. Repeat correspondent across the chain — unclear. The correspondent information is not readily available on Google Patents for the recorded assignments.

4. Cascading transfers — not present. There are two assignments recorded, with a gap of approximately 7 months between the executed dates, which does not indicate cascading transfers.

5. Pre-litigation transfer — present. An IPR case (IPR2025-01246) was filed on 2025-08-12, and a US case was filed in the Texas Eastern District Court (2:25-cv-00245) on 2025-02-14, which is less than 6 months after the 2024-03-22 executed assignment to Paneltouch Technologies LLC.

6. Bankruptcy fire-sale — not present. No evidence of bankruptcy proceedings for the original assignees leading to the transfer.

7. Privateering — unclear. While the patent was transferred from operating companies (Panasonic and Japan Display) to an NPE (Paneltouch Technologies LLC), there is no specific information available from SEC filings or other public sources to confirm that this is a privateering arrangement where the NPE asserts on the operating company's behalf against competitors.

8. Defensive aggregator (anti-NPE) — not present. The patent was assigned to Paneltouch Technologies LLC, which is an asserting entity, not a defensive aggregator.

Verdict

NPE — high confidence. The presence of a known asserter (Paneltouch Technologies LLC) in the chain, as identified by Unified Patents, combined with a pre-litigation transfer to this entity (executed 2024-03-22, recorded 2024-04-27, with litigation filed as early as February 2025), strongly indicates an NPE assertion pattern.

USPTO Assignment Center search page for verification: https://assignmentcenter.uspto.gov/

Here's an analysis of the prior art cited in US patent 8803836, focusing on potential anticipation under 35 U.S.C. § 102. The analysis is based on the provided patent text and external search for cited patent abstracts and descriptions.

The priority date for US patent 8803836 is 2009-01-13. Any prior art published or filed before this date is relevant for anticipation.

Cited Prior Art Analysis

1. US6078274A

• Full Citation: US6078274A - Touch panel.
• Publication Date: 2000-06-20 (Filing Date: 1996-12-27).
• Brief Description: This patent describes a touch panel with a touch sheet and a position detection electrode substrate. It focuses on preventing deformation of the touch sheet to improve durability and prevent erroneous operation. The touch sheet includes a transparent electrode and a transparent cover sheet, or a plurality of parallel transparent electrodes. The position detection electrode substrate includes a plurality of parallel transparent electrodes formed on a transparent substrate.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent primarily uses transparent electrodes, a characteristic that US8803836 aims to overcome by using metal lines for electrodes (Claim 1, Claim 9). It does not appear to disclose the black metal lines, the specific arrangement of a display panel, or the resin film acting as a polarizing plate, as claimed in US8803836. Therefore, it is unlikely to anticipate Claim 1 or Claim 8 in their entirety, but might disclose basic touch panel structures with substrates and electrodes.

2. US20010043291A1

• Full Citation: US20010043291A1 - Screen input type display device.
• Publication Date: 2001-11-22 (Filing Date: 2000-05-17).
• Brief Description: This application describes a screen input type display device where a touch panel is placed on the front face of a display panel. It mentions a resistive film type touch panel and a liquid crystal display device. It focuses on improving display visibility by addressing reflections. The touch panel has a transparent input electrode and a transparent sensor electrode.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Similar to US6078274A, this document describes touch panels primarily using transparent electrodes. While it concerns combining a touch panel with a display device, it lacks the specific features of metal lines (especially black metal lines), wiring groups, and the resin film/polarizing plate arrangement that define US8803836, particularly Claims 1 and 8.

3. US20020047969A1

• Full Citation: US20020047969A1 - Liquid crystal display device.
• Publication Date: 2002-04-25 (Filing Date: 2000-08-31).
• Brief Description: This patent application describes a liquid crystal display device and, in some embodiments, a touch panel integrated with it. It mentions transparent electrodes on substrates.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This again pertains to display devices with touch panels using transparent electrodes. The specific metal line electrodes, their black color, the wiring group structure, and the external polarizing plate configurations of US8803836 Claims 1 and 8 are not evident from the title and typical scope of such patents.

4. JP2002342014A

• Full Citation: JP2002342014A - Touch panel and data acquisition method therefor.
• Publication Date: 2002-11-29 (Filing Date: 2001-05-21).
• Brief Description: This Japanese patent document is explicitly mentioned in the background of US8803836 as a "patent document 1" that describes a method where a transparent electrode is formed into stripe-shaped electrodes that intersect. The US8803836 patent states that a drawback of this method is the need to decrease line width to increase detection accuracy, leading to high resistance and difficulty in decreasing gaps.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Given its explicit mention and discussion in US8803836 as prior art that led to the problems the current invention solves, JP2002342014A certainly discloses the concept of stripe-shaped electrodes for touch panels. However, it uses transparent electrodes, whereas US8803836 specifically claims metal lines, particularly black metal lines, to address the shortcomings of transparent electrodes (Claim 1, Claim 9). Thus, it does not anticipate the key distinguishing features of US8803836.

5. US6552718B2

• Full Citation: US6552718B2 - Contact structure of substrates of touch panel and method of bonding the same.
• Publication Date: 2003-04-22 (Filing Date: 2001-01-10).
• Brief Description: This patent describes a touch panel with first and second substrates having electrodes and spacers to maintain a gap. It focuses on the contact structure and bonding method to improve durability and prevent short circuits. It uses a transparent conductive film for electrodes.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent addresses structural aspects of touch panels, particularly the contact between substrates and the use of spacers. While relevant to the general construction of touch panels, it relies on transparent conductive films and does not appear to teach the use of metal lines, black color, wiring groups, or the specific polarizing plate arrangements as defining features of US8803836 Claims 1 and 8.

6. US20030090803A1

• Full Citation: US20030090803A1 - Touch-panel with light shielding peripheral part.
• Publication Date: 2003-05-15 (Filing Date: 2000-03-31).
• Brief Description: This application describes a touch panel combined with a display device, featuring a light shielding peripheral part to hide unwanted light or wiring. It concerns resistive-type touch panels.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference is directed towards light shielding in the peripheral part of a touch panel, which is a different aspect from the electrode material and structure in US8803836. It uses resistive-type touch panels which typically employ transparent electrodes. It does not appear to disclose the metal line electrodes (especially black metal lines), wiring groups, or the specific polarizing plate arrangements that characterize US8803836 Claims 1 and 8.

7. US20050046622A1

• Full Citation: US20050046622A1 - Touch panel and electronic device using the same.
• Publication Date: 2005-03-03 (Filing Date: 2003-08-26).
• Brief Description: This patent application describes a touch panel with electrodes formed on substrates, aiming to reduce damage during operation. It uses transparent electrodes.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent focuses on durability, a problem also mentioned in US8803836 (F: "transparent electrode is liable to be damaged"; G: "degradation of the transparent electrode which brings about the increase of resistance"). However, US20050046622A1 addresses this in the context of transparent electrodes, while US8803836 solves it by using robust metal lines (Description, Advantages (9)). Thus, it does not anticipate the metal line features of US8803836 Claims 1 and 9.

8. US20050139398A1

• Full Citation: US20050139398A1 - Touch panel and method for producing the same.
• Publication Date: 2005-06-30 (Filing Date: 2003-12-26).
• Brief Description: This application details a touch panel where a transparent conductive layer is formed on a transparent substrate, and aims to reduce costs and improve yield.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This relates to the manufacturing of touch panels with transparent conductive layers, which is distinct from the metal electrode and polarizing plate configuration of US8803836. It does not appear to anticipate Claims 1 or 8.

9. US20050190338A1

• Full Citation: US20050190338A1 - Liquid crystal display device and method of fabricating the same.
• Publication Date: 2005-09-01 (Filing Date: 2004-02-26).
• Brief Description: This patent application describes a liquid crystal display device and its fabrication method. While it may include display technologies, its primary focus is not on the specific touch panel structure with metal lines or external polarizing plates as described in US8803836.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent is broadly about LCD fabrication. It is unlikely to disclose the specific touch panel architecture, metal lines, and polarizing plate configurations of US8803836 Claims 1 and 8.

10. US20060274047A1

• Full Citation: US20060274047A1 - Touchscreen with one carbon nanotube conductive layer.
• Publication Date: 2006-12-07 (Filing Date: 2005-06-02).
• Brief Description: This patent application describes a touchscreen using a conductive layer of carbon nanotubes, which can be transparent. It aims to provide low resistance and transparency.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): While this patent addresses low resistance and conductivity, it uses carbon nanotubes which are typically transparent, in contrast to the opaque metal lines of US8803836 (Claim 1, Claim 9), especially "black in color." Therefore, it does not anticipate the specific material and color of the electrodes in US8803836.

11. US20060274049A1

• Full Citation: US20060274049A1 - Multi-layer conductor with carbon nanotubes.
• Publication Date: 2006-12-07 (Filing Date: 2005-06-02).
• Brief Description: This patent application describes a multi-layer conductor comprising carbon nanotubes, potentially for use in touchscreens. It focuses on the composition and fabrication of such conductive layers.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Similar to US20060274047A1, this patent uses carbon nanotubes for conductive layers. While it addresses conductivity, it differs from the metal line electrodes (and their black color) as specified in US8803836 Claims 1 and 9.

12. US20080030483A1

• Full Citation: US20080030483A1 - Touch screen panel, method of manufacturing the same, and display having the same.
• Publication Date: 2008-02-07 (Filing Date: 2006-08-03).
• Brief Description: This application describes a touch screen panel and its manufacturing method, aiming to reduce manufacturing time and cost. It can be a resistive or capacitive type, often involving transparent electrodes.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This broad description of touch screen manufacturing typically involves transparent electrodes. Without specific disclosure of metal lines, black color, wiring groups, or the particular polarizing plate arrangements, it is unlikely to anticipate Claims 1 or 8 of US8803836.

13. US20090046077A1

• Full Citation: US20090046077A1 - Display device.
• Publication Date: 2009-02-19 (Filing Date: 2006-03-08).
• Brief Description: This patent application describes a display device, potentially incorporating a touch panel, with a focus on improving optical properties or manufacturing processes. Its abstract mentions a display device having a touch input function and an optical member for protecting the display.
• Potential Anticipation (335 U.S.C. § 102): The publication date (2009-02-19) is after the priority date of US8803836 (2009-01-13). Therefore, this document cannot be prior art for anticipation under 35 U.S.C. § 102, unless it has an earlier priority date itself that predates US8803836. Assuming its effective filing date is the stated filing date (2006-03-08), which is prior to 2009-01-13, it could be prior art. However, based on its generic description, it is unclear if it specifically discloses the metal line electrodes (especially black metal lines), wiring groups, or the specific polarizing plate arrangements claimed in US8803836 Claims 1 and 8.

14. US20090086318A1

• Full Citation: US20090086318A1 - Polarizing plate, manufacturing method therefor, optical film and image display.
• Publication Date: 2009-04-02 (Filing Date: 2007-09-28).
• Brief Description: This patent application describes a polarizing plate and its manufacturing method for use in image displays.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): The publication date (2009-04-02) is after the priority date of US8803836 (2009-01-13). As with US20090046077A1, if its effective filing date (2007-09-28) is the relevant date, it could be prior art. This patent is highly relevant to the "polarizing plate" aspect of US8803836 (Claim 1, Claim 3, Claim 8). However, it focuses on the polarizing plate itself, not necessarily its integration into a touch panel with metal line electrodes as described in US8803836. It would not anticipate the entire combination of elements in Claims 1 or 8, particularly the electrode structure.

15. US20090096763A1

• Full Citation: US20090096763A1 - Touch panel, display device with input function, and electronic apparatus.
• Publication Date: 2009-04-16 (Filing Date: 2007-10-16).
• Brief Description: This application describes a touch panel, display device, and electronic apparatus aiming to provide a highly transparent and durable touch panel with improved display quality. It mentions transparent electrodes.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): The publication date (2009-04-16) is after the priority date of US8803836 (2009-01-13). If its effective filing date (2007-10-16) is the relevant date, it could be prior art. This patent uses transparent electrodes, and while it addresses durability and display quality, it does not appear to disclose the metal line electrodes (especially black metal lines), wiring groups, or specific polarizing plate arrangements that define US8803836 Claims 1 and 8.

16. US20090128518A1

• Full Citation: US20090128518A1 - Screen-input image display device.
• Publication Date: 2009-05-21 (Filing Date: 2007-11-15).
• Brief Description: This patent application describes an image display device with a screen input function, aiming to improve input accuracy and reduce erroneous operations. It discusses touch panels with transparent electrodes.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): The publication date (2009-05-21) is after the priority date of US8803836 (2009-01-13). If its effective filing date (2007-11-15) is the relevant date, it could be prior art. This patent generally describes screen-input devices using transparent electrodes and does not appear to disclose the metal line electrodes (especially black metal lines), wiring groups, or polarizing plate configurations of US8803836 Claims 1 and 8.

17. US20090143141A1

• Full Citation: US20090143141A1 - Intelligent Multiplayer Gaming System With Multi-Touch Display.
• Publication Date: 2009-06-04 (Filing Date: 2002-08-06).
• Brief Description: This patent application describes a gaming system with a multi-touch display. It focuses on the application and functionality of multi-touch, rather than the specific physical construction of the touch panel's electrodes or optical layers. It typically relies on conventional touch screen technologies.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): The publication date (2009-06-04) is after the priority date of US8803836 (2009-01-13). If its effective filing date (2002-08-06) is the relevant date, it could be prior art. This patent focuses on the multi-touch functionality of a display for gaming. While US8803836 mentions multipoint inputting, the core claims are directed to the physical structure of the touch panel itself, particularly the metal lines and polarizing plate. This patent is unlikely to disclose those specific structural elements.

18. US20090167721A1

• Full Citation: US20090167721A1 - Screen with capacitive touch zones.
• Publication Date: 2009-07-02 (Filing Date: 2007-12-19).
• Brief Description: This patent application describes a screen with capacitive touch zones for detecting input, and focuses on the design of these zones for effective sensing.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): The publication date (2009-07-02) is after the priority date of US8803836 (2009-01-13). If its effective filing date (2007-12-19) is the relevant date, it could be prior art. This patent deals with capacitive touch screens, which commonly use transparent conductive layers. It does not appear to disclose the metal line electrodes (especially black metal lines), wiring groups, or polarizing plate arrangements as claimed in US8803836 Claims 1 and 8.

19. US7593004B2

• Full Citation: US7593004B2 - Touchscreen with conductive layer comprising carbon nanotubes.
• Publication Date: 2009-09-22 (Filing Date: 2005-06-02).
• Brief Description: This patent describes a touchscreen with a conductive layer made of carbon nanotubes, aiming for high transparency and conductivity.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): The publication date (2009-09-22) is after the priority date of US8803836 (2009-01-13). If its effective filing date (2005-06-02) is the relevant date, it could be prior art. This patent, similar to US20060274047A1 and US20060274049A1, uses carbon nanotubes for conductive layers, which are typically transparent. This differs from the opaque metal lines, especially those "black in color," as claimed in US8803836 (Claim 1, Claim 9). Thus, it does not anticipate the specific material and color of the electrodes in US8803836.

20. US20100033443A1

• Full Citation: US20100033443A1 - Display device.
• Publication Date: 2010-02-11 (Filing Date: 2008-08-06).
• Brief Description: This patent application describes a display device, potentially integrated with a touch panel, focusing on manufacturing efficiency and display quality.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): The publication date (2010-02-11) is after the priority date of US8803836 (2009-01-13). Therefore, this document cannot be prior art for anticipation under 35 U.S.C. § 102.

21. US20100085322A1

• Full Citation: US20100085322A1 - Coordinate input device and display device with the same.
• Publication Date: 2010-04-08 (Filing Date: 2008-10-06).
• Brief Description: This patent application describes a coordinate input device (touch panel) and a display device incorporating it, aiming to improve reliability and reduce production costs. It discusses an input device that uses a plurality of metal lines.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): The publication date (2010-04-08) is after the priority date of US8803836 (2009-01-13). Therefore, this document cannot be prior art for anticipation under 35 U.S.C. § 102.

22. US20100085326A1

• Full Citation: US20100085326A1 - Display device.
• Publication Date: 2010-04-08 (Filing Date: 2008-10-03).
• Brief Description: This patent application describes a display device, possibly with a touch panel, focusing on improving the display quality and integration.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): The publication date (2010-04-08) is after the priority date of US8803836 (2009-01-13). Therefore, this document cannot be prior art for anticipation under 35 U.S.C. § 102.

23. US7868957B2

• Full Citation: US7868957B2 - Thin film transistor, display device and liquid crystal display device and method for manufacturing the same.
• Publication Date: 2011-01-11 (Filing Date: 2003-12-02).
• Brief Description: This patent describes a thin film transistor and its application in display devices, particularly liquid crystal displays. It does not primarily focus on touch panel structures.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): The publication date (2011-01-11) is after the priority date of US8803836 (2009-01-13). Therefore, this document cannot be prior art for anticipation under 35 U.S.C. § 102.

24. US20110069036A1

• Full Citation: US20110069036A1 - Display device.
• Publication Date: 2011-03-24 (Filing Date: 2009-09-18).
• Brief Description: This patent application describes a display device, potentially with a touch input function.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): The publication date (2011-03-24) is after the priority date of US8803836 (2009-01-13). Therefore, this document cannot be prior art for anticipation under 35 U.S.C. § 102.

25. US8072436B2

• Full Citation: US8072436B2 - Screen input-type image display system.
• Publication Date: 2011-12-06 (Filing Date: 2008-07-09).
• Brief Description: This patent describes a screen input-type image display system with a touch panel and a display panel, focusing on improving optical performance and preventing interference.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): The publication date (2011-12-06) is after the priority date of US8803836 (2009-01-13). Therefore, this document cannot be prior art for anticipation under 35 U.S.C. § 102.

Summary of Prior Art Relevance:

Most of the cited prior art, especially those published before the 2009-01-13 priority date of US8803836, broadly cover touch panels and display devices, often using transparent electrodes. The US8803836 patent explicitly distinguishes itself by using metal lines (especially black metal lines) for electrodes to overcome the drawbacks of transparent electrodes, such as high resistance, low transmissivity, and degradation.

Therefore, the most relevant prior art for anticipation under 35 U.S.C. § 102 would be those that specifically disclose the use of metal lines as electrodes in a touch panel, particularly with the features of being black in color, arranged in wiring groups, and combined with a display panel and an external polarizing plate as claimed in US8803836.

Based on the titles and brief descriptions available, the following seem to be the most relevant (and chronologically valid) in terms of general touch panel concepts, even if they don't fully anticipate the invention:

• JP2002342014A: Directly cited in US8803836 as a conventional method using stripe-shaped transparent electrodes. While it doesn't anticipate the metal lines, it establishes the background of patterned electrodes.
• US6552718B2: Describes contact structure and bonding methods for touch panels with electrodes and spacers, which are fundamental components.
• US20050046622A1: Addresses durability issues in touch panels, an improvement area for US8803836.
• US20060274047A1 and US20060274049A1: Introduce carbon nanotubes as conductive layers in touchscreens. While transparent, they deal with aspects of conductivity and electrode material, which are points of departure for US8803836.

However, none of the cited patents, based solely on their titles and abstracts, definitively appear to disclose all the distinguishing features of the independent claims of US8803836, such as the black metal lines for both first and second electrodes, the wiring groups combining first lines, or the specific arrangement of the polarizing plate on the first substrate at a side opposite to the second substrate (Claim 1), or the organic EL panel combined with a circular polarizing plate (Claim 8). Many cited patents that refer to "display device with touch panel" or "touch panel" use transparent electrodes, which US8803836 explicitly seeks to improve upon.

It is important to note that a full anticipation analysis would require a detailed review of the entire specification and drawings of each cited patent. The above assessment is limited by the available snippets and general understanding of their subject matter.

The obviousness of US patent 8803836 under 35 U.S.C. § 103 can be analyzed by identifying combinations of prior art references that would render the claims obvious, along with the motivation a person having ordinary skill in the art (PHOSITA) would have to combine them. The present patent, US8803836, aims to improve upon an existing touch panel technology developed by the applicants, specifically Japanese Patent Application 2007-149884, by addressing the issue of perceived surface unevenness from the metal lines and improving optical properties.

For the purpose of this analysis, "Japanese Patent Application 2007-149884" (or its U.S. counterpart, US8519969B2, which is the parent of US8803836 and shares the same priority date and inventor information) will be considered a primary prior art reference. This reference describes a touch panel based on metal lines. The problem US8803836 seeks to solve over this prior art is the "feeling of unevenness" that a user perceives when sliding a finger or pen across the touch surface due to the embedded metal lines. The solution proposed is the addition of a resin film, which can be a polarizing plate, to the outer surface of the touch panel.

Obviousness Analysis of Claim 1

Claim 1 of US8803836 describes a display device with a touch panel comprising:

• A touch panel with a first and second substrate, each having a detection area and an outside area with external terminals.
• Pluralities of first and second lines, made of metal, for coordinate detection, with the first lines being black in color.
• A polarizing plate arranged on the first substrate at a side opposite to the second substrate.
• The first substrate includes wiring groups, each combining at least two first lines.

Prior Art Combination:

1. Primary Reference: US8519969B2 (or Japanese Patent Application 2007-149884)
   This reference, as described in the background of US8803836 under "[Wiring Layout Mode 1]" and "[Wiring Layout Mode 4]", would teach:

   • A touch panel including a first substrate (SUB 1) and a second substrate (SUB 2) arranged to face each other with a gap.
   • First and second substrates each including a detection area and an outside area where external terminals (SC 1, SC 2) are formed.
   • The first substrate includes a plurality of first lines (MLINE) for coordinate detection, and the second substrate includes a plurality of second lines (MLINE) facing the first substrate in the detection area.
   • These first and second lines are constituted of metal.
   • The metal lines can be made black to increase the contrast of a display.
   • The first substrate includes wiring groups where at least two first lines are combined (e.g., using a terminal PAD) to enhance recognition rate when high accuracy is not needed, as described in "Wiring Layout Mode 4" and FIG. 14.

2. Secondary Reference(s): General knowledge of display device manufacturing and optical components, or specific references like US20020047969A1 or US20090086318A1.

   • US20020047969A1 describes a "Liquid crystal display device" that incorporates polarizing plates.
   • US20090086318A1 specifically relates to "Polarizing plate, manufacturing method therefor, optical film and image display".

Motivation to Combine:
A PHOSITA, intending to integrate the metal-line touch panel disclosed in US8519969B2 into a functional display device, would be motivated to include conventional display components. Liquid crystal display (LCD) devices, a common type of display panel, inherently require polarizing plates for their operation and to improve optical quality, such as contrast and glare reduction. The placement of a polarizing plate on the outermost surface of a display module (which, when integrated with the touch panel, would be on the first substrate at a side opposite to the second substrate) is a standard design choice to achieve these known benefits.

Furthermore, the patent US8803836 itself explicitly identifies a problem with the underlying metal-line touch panel: "when a user moves a pen on an operation surface in a sliding manner, the user feels the surface unevenness". The proposed solution is adhering a resin film, which "can be absorbed whereby the user can enjoy excellent touch feeling". The patent then states that "the resin film 26 constitutes a second polarizing plate (linear polarizing plate)". This directly shows that the use of a polarizing plate in this position serves a dual purpose: providing polarization for the display and mitigating the tactile unevenness of the touch panel. Therefore, a PHOSITA would be motivated to integrate a polarizing plate with the touch panel of US8519969B2 to create a functional display device, especially if they wished to improve user touch experience, which is an identified problem in the art.

Obviousness Analysis of Claim 8

Claim 8 of US8803836 describes a display device with a touch panel comprising:

• A touch panel including a first substrate, a plurality of first lines, and a plurality of second lines for coordinate detection, with the first lines traversing the second lines.
• An organic luminescence electric device panel (organic EL display panel) adhered to the touch panel.
• A circular polarizing plate adhered to the touch panel at a side opposite to the organic luminescence electric device panel.

Prior Art Combination:

1. Primary Reference: US8519969B2 (or Japanese Patent Application 2007-149884)
   This reference teaches the fundamental structure of the touch panel with first and second substrates and intersecting first and second lines for coordinate detection.

2. Secondary Reference(s): JP5103944B2 and general knowledge of organic EL display technology.

   • JP5103944B2 (Seiko Epson) teaches an "Organic electroluminescence device with input function and electronic device," directly showing the combination of an organic EL device with an input (touch) function.
   • General knowledge in the art at the time would teach that organic EL displays are prone to reflections from ambient light, and circular polarizing plates are commonly employed with such displays to effectively reduce these reflections and enhance visibility.

Motivation to Combine:
A PHOSITA would be motivated to integrate the metal-line touch panel (from US8519969B2) with an organic EL display panel. Given that organic EL displays are known to benefit from reflection reduction for improved visibility, it would be an obvious design choice to incorporate a circular polarizing plate on the outermost surface of the display assembly (adhered to the touch panel at a side opposite the organic EL display panel). The patent US8803836 itself, in its "Modification 3" (FIG. 5 & 6), explicitly details this combination, stating that "the resin film 126 is a circular polarizing plate and hence, the resin film 126 can enhance the visibility by preventing the reflection of light" when used with an organic EL display panel. This clearly articulates a known benefit and motivation for a PHOSITA to combine these elements. The specific arrangement is a straightforward application of known solutions for addressing a known problem (reflections) in organic EL displays, integrated with a touch panel structure.

To provide the most accurate details regarding patent term adjustments (PTA), patent term extensions (PTE), continuation/divisional applications, related family members, and the projected expiration date for US patent 8803836, I need to access the official USPTO patent database directly. While Google Patents provides some of this information, for definitive legal and patent term data, the USPTO's own systems (such as Patent Center or Patent Public Search) are the authoritative sources.

However, based on the provided Google Patents data and general knowledge of patent term calculations:

Patent Term Adjustments (PTA) and Patent Term Extensions (PTE)

The Google Patents record for US8803836 states "Anticipated expiration 2029-12-30." It also shows a filing date of "2013-08-14" and a priority date of "2009-01-13."

Generally, the term of a U.S. utility patent is 20 years from its earliest effective filing date. This "earliest effective filing date" can be influenced by priority claims to earlier-filed applications. Patent Term Adjustment (PTA) compensates for certain delays incurred by the USPTO during prosecution, extending the patent's term beyond the 20-year mark. Patent Term Extension (PTE) is separate and is typically granted for delays in regulatory review for certain products (e.g., pharmaceuticals).

The Google Patents page for US8803836 does not explicitly detail the PTA applied, but the projected expiration date of "2029-12-30" suggests that some PTA has likely been granted, as 20 years from the filing date of August 14, 2013, would be August 14, 2033, while 20 years from the priority date of January 13, 2009, would be January 13, 2029. The listed expiration date falls after the 20-year term from the priority date, indicating a potential adjustment. For an exact PTA calculation, accessing the Patent Center or Public PAIR system would be necessary. The Google Patents platform itself notes that its "Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)".

There is no indication of Patent Term Extension (PTE) for US8803836, which is usually applicable to drug, biologic, animal drug, and medical device patents.

Continuation and Divisional Applications

The Google Patents record for US8803836 lists the following "Priority Applications" and "Related Parent Applications" which indicate its family tree:

• Parent Application: US12/649,414 (US8519969B2), filed December 30, 2009. US8803836 is explicitly stated to be a "continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/649,414, filed Dec. 30, 2009".
• Continuation Applications (Children):
  • US14/451,769 (US9250758B2), filed August 5, 2014. US8803836 claims priority to this application.
  • US14/982,947 (US9639229B2), filed December 29, 2015. US8803836 claims priority to this application.

Related Family Members

The patent family for US8803836 (Family ID=42318708) includes the following applications, all sharing the same priority date of 2009-01-13:

• US12/649,414 (US8519969B2): The direct parent application.
• US13/966,857 (US8803836B2): The patent in question.
• US14/451,769 (US9250758B2): A continuation application.
• US14/982,947 (US9639229B2): Another continuation application.
• JP2009-004874: The original Japanese priority application, filed January 13, 2009.
• JP2010165032A: Japanese publication stemming from the 2009-01-13 priority.

Projected Expiration Date

The Google Patents record explicitly states the "Anticipated expiration" date as 2029-12-30.

This date is calculated based on the earliest effective filing date (which, for a continuation, divisional, or continuation-in-part application, is generally 20 years from the filing date of the earliest application to which a benefit is claimed under 35 U.S.C. 120, 121, or 365(c)) plus any applicable Patent Term Adjustment (PTA). In this case, the earliest priority date is January 13, 2009, from the Japanese application. Twenty years from this date would be January 13, 2029. The projected expiration date of December 30, 2029, implies a PTA of approximately 11 months and 17 days.