Appeal No. 1999-2713 Page 9
Application No. 08/801,805
examiner asserts that preventing adherence between the light
control element and the light guide plate is an inherent
characteristic of Endo. The examiner argues that "[s]ince the
use of roughened patterns formed on the emitting surface of
the light guide plate is clearly suggested by Endo et al . . .
it is not understood why one skilled in the art cannot apply
the Endo teaching".
Endo discloses that in the prior art (figure 8) a smooth
surface 4a is provided on the emission surface of the light
guide 4A. A light source 4B is provided at one end of the
light guide 4A. In Endo's invention, we find that Endo
discloses plural light sources 4B, located at the ends of the
light guiding element 4A (figure 1, and col. 2, lines 46 and
47). the light guiding element 4A is formed of transparent
material having a light transmissivity of 90% to 95% (col. 4,
lines 33-39). Endo discloses (col. 2, lines 11-13 and 21-54)
that the emitting surface of the light guiding element 4A is
formed as a curved surface. The center is concave, and the
sides are convex. A space is formed between the inclined and
curving surface, and the uniform diffusion layer. This
prevents interference fringes from being formed by the light
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