UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`Address: COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, Virginia 2231371450
`www.uspto.gov
`
`13/993,230
`
`06/11/2013
`
`Toshiyasu SugiO
`
`2013-0857A
`
`2522
`
`52349
`
`759°
`
`”MW
`
`WENDEROTH, LIND & PONACK L.L.P.
`1025 Connecticut Avenue, NW
`Suite 500
`
`Washington DC 20036
`
`LEE” JIMMY S
`
`ART UNIT
`2483
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`NOTIFICATION DATE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`10/18/2019
`
`ELECTRONIC
`
`Please find below and/or attached an Office communication concerning this application or proceeding.
`
`The time period for reply, if any, is set in the attached communication.
`
`Notice of the Office communication was sent electronically on above—indicated "Notification Date" to the
`
`following e—mail address(es):
`eoa @ wenderoth. com
`kmiller @ wenderothcom
`
`PTOL-90A (Rev. 04/07)
`
`

`

`0/7709 A0170” Summary
`
`Application No.
`13/993,230
`Examiner
`JIMMY 8 LEE
`
`Applicant(s)
`Sugio et al.
`Art Unit
`2483
`
`AIA (FITF) Status
`No
`
`- The MAILING DA TE of this communication appears on the cover sheet wit/7 the correspondence address -
`Period for Reply
`
`A SHORTENED STATUTORY PERIOD FOR REPLY IS SET TO EXPIRE g MONTHS FROM THE MAILING
`DATE OF THIS COMMUNICATION.
`Extensions of time may be available under the provisions of 37 CFR 1.136(a). In no event, however, may a reply be timely filed after SIX (6) MONTHS from the mailing
`date of this communication.
`|f NO period for reply is specified above, the maximum statutory period will apply and will expire SIX (6) MONTHS from the mailing date of this communication.
`-
`- Failure to reply within the set or extended period for reply will, by statute, cause the application to become ABANDONED (35 U.S.C. § 133).
`Any reply received by the Office later than three months after the mailing date of this communication, even if timely filed, may reduce any earned patent term
`adjustment. See 37 CFR 1.704(b).
`
`Status
`
`1). Responsive to communication(s) filed on 15 July 2019.
`[:1 A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/were filed on
`
`2a). This action is FINAL.
`
`2b) C] This action is non-final.
`
`3)[:] An election was made by the applicant in response to a restriction requirement set forth during the interview on
`; the restriction requirement and election have been incorporated into this action.
`
`4)[:] Since this application is in condition for allowance except for formal matters, prosecution as to the merits is
`closed in accordance with the practice under Expat/7e Quay/e, 1935 CD. 11, 453 O.G. 213.
`
`Disposition of Claims*
`5)
`Claim(s)
`
`3,5,10,12 and 15—17is/are pending in the application.
`
`5a) Of the above claim(s)
`
`is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`
`E] Claim(s)
`
`is/are allowed.
`
`Claim(s) 3,5,10,12 and 15—17 is/are rejected.
`
`[:1 Claim(s)
`
`is/are objected to.
`
`) ) ) )
`
`6 7
`
`8
`
`
`
`are subject to restriction and/or election requirement
`[j Claim(s)
`9
`* If any claims have been determined aflowabie. you may be eligible to benefit from the Patent Prosecution Highway program at a
`
`participating intellectual property office for the corresponding application. For more information, please see
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`http://www.uspto.gov/patents/init events/pph/index.jsp or send an inquiry to PPeredback@uspto.gov.
`
`Application Papers
`10)[:] The specification is objected to by the Examiner.
`
`11)[:] The drawing(s) filed on
`
`is/are: a)D accepted or b)l:] objected to by the Examiner.
`
`Applicant may not request that any objection to the drawing(s) be held in abeyance. See 37 CFR 1.85(a).
`Replacement drawing sheet(s) including the correction is required if the drawing(s) is objected to. See 37 CFR 1.121 (d).
`
`Priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119
`12):] Acknowledgment is made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d) or (f).
`Certified copies:
`
`a)D All
`
`b)I:I Some**
`
`c)C] None of the:
`
`1.[:] Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`
`2.[:] Certified copies of the priority documents have been received in Application No.
`
`3.[:] Copies of the certified copies of the priority documents have been received in this National Stage
`application from the International Bureau (PCT Rule 17.2(a)).
`
`** See the attached detailed Office action for a list of the certified copies not received.
`
`Attachment(s)
`
`1)
`
`Notice of References Cited (PTO-892)
`
`2) D Information Disclosure Statement(s) (PTO/SB/08a and/or PTO/SB/08b)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date_
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`
`3) C] Interview Summary (PTO-413)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date
`4) CI Other-
`
`PTOL-326 (Rev. 11-13)
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Part of Paper No./Mai| Date 20191011
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 13/993,230
`Art Unit: 2483
`
`Page 2
`
`DETAILED ACTION
`
`Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
`
`The present application is being examined under the pre-AIAfirst to invent provisions.
`
`Response to Arguments
`
`1.
`
`Applicant's arguments filed 15 July 2019 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
`
`In particular, the applicant arguesthat the claimed invention in claim 3 is not taught by the prior art of
`
`record since it is unclear to the applicant how Nakagamiteachesthe claimed invention.
`
`In particular, the
`
`applicant explains their understanding of the prior art, arguing that the sections of Na kaga mi direct to
`
`reducing the amount of motion vector used in bi-directional prediction, motion compensated image
`
`generated from one reference picture using a motion vector and will use a pa rt ofanother reference
`
`picture for another motion compensated image. However, to clarify, the examiner would like to explain
`
`how Na kaga mi was applied. When applying Na kaga mi, the sections of 11173-177 was important in
`
`establishing the teaching of how a prediction direction flags were generated, in that an ’identification
`
`flag' that is indicated can represent a ”filtering prediction mode”,11176, and is also capable of indicating
`
`that, ofthe indication flags possible, ”bidirectional prediction mode” can be indicated from that
`
`”identification flag”, 11177. When this bi-prediction mode is indicated, 11177, bidirectional prediction
`
`occurs as described in 1123, where motion compensation is directed to two motion compensation
`
`directions. Perhaps more supportive, 1112 will disclose that also the when using the ”indication flag”
`
`indicated ”bidirectional prediction mode”, the prediction will enter a ”bidirectional prediction" that
`
`directs to ”a plurality of frames arranged in two temporal directions as reference frames" when the
`
`”indication flag” does indicate a direct-able ”prediction mode”. When the ”identification flag” does not
`
`indicate filtered prediction mode, it will then move tojust choosing one of the ”unidirectional prediction
`
`or bidirectional prediction", 11176 and Fig. 12, but just not indicated previously and then follows the
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 13/993,230
`Art Unit: 2483
`
`Page 3
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`same type of prediction as described in 1111 and 20 and Fig. 12-s34. Because of this, the prior art does
`
`indeed disclose as claimed when a mode has been flagged, it can be bidirectional prediction, and when a
`
`mode is not particularly flagged, it can be either bidirectional or unidirectional and perform
`
`”unidirectional prediction or bidirectional prediction" simila rly as claimed. For this reason the examiner
`
`considers the prior art to teach the claimed prediction direction fixing flagging as claimed.
`
`Additionally, applicant argues Suzuki discloses a difference block from a macroblock ofa frame
`
`referred to in a forward direction and does not consider the relied upon ”decision flag” to teach the
`
`claim element of ”prediction direction fixing information”. It is not clear what is the disagreement
`
`regarding this citation ofthe decision flag and would like to restate that particular”decision flag” was
`
`cited since it is a flag which is ”appended to the frame header”, 11141, and indicates a direction which
`
`relates to the stored difference data for a frame ”B-VOP refers to in a backward direction". This all
`
`provides information from the decision flag appended to a frame header that a bidirectional predictive
`
`mode is in in a backward direction, 11139 63, 69. And maintains that this teaching of Suzuki is
`
`appropriate and teaches the claimed invention.
`
`Arguments towa rds claims 3, 5, 10, 12, 15, and 16 are similar and are disagreed with and
`
`maintained as previously responded to.
`
`Additionally, amendments to claims 3, 5, 10, 12, 15, and 16 have been fully considered and are
`
`addressed with a new prior art as will be disclosed below.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
`
`The following is a quotation of pre-AIA35 U.S.C. 103(a) which forms the basis for all obviousness
`
`rejections set forth in this Office action:
`
`(a) A pa tent may not be obtained though the i nvention is not identicallyd iscl osed or described as set
`forth in section 102 ofthis title, ifthe differences between the subject matter sought to be patented
`a nd the priora rt are such thatthe subject matter as a whole would have been obvious atthetime the
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 13/993,230
`Art Unit: 2483
`
`Page4
`
`invention wasmade to a person havingordinaryskill in the art to which said subject matter pertains.
`Pate ntabilityshall not be negatived bythe manner in which the invention was made.
`
`The factual inquiries set forth in Graham v. John Deere C0,, 383 U.S. 1, 148 USPQ 459 (1966), that are
`
`applied for establishing a background for determining obviousness under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a) are
`
`summarized as follows:
`
`1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
`
`2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
`
`3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
`
`4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or
`
`nonobviousness.
`
`2.
`
`Claims 3 and 10 are rejected under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as being taught by Suzuki et al. (US
`
`20070291131 A1) in view of Koto et al. (US 20030215014 A1) with Koo; Han Suh et al. (US
`
`20100266042 A1) in view of Nakagami; Ohji et al. (US 20110293195 A1)
`
`Regarding claim 3, Suzuki teaches,
`
`An image coding method for coding (”controlling image coding mod e")[title], using inter
`
`prediction, (”images are coded using a predictive mode containing the inter-frame
`
`unidirectional predictive coding mode and the inter-fra me bidirectional predictive coding
`
`modE")[1119] a current block included in a current picture, (”frames 313” contains a frame
`
`header 312 and "a piuraiity of macrobiocks 320”}Efi148j the image coding method comprising:
`
`adding, into header data, a prediction direction fixing information (”decision flag is
`
`appended to a frame header")[1ll41, Fig. 19] indicating that a prediction direction
`
`(decision flag appended for”each frame that B-VOP refers to a backward
`
`direction")[1l136] for coding all blocks using inter prediction in the entire current
`
`picture (image coded is ”B picture or B-VOP" with a determination if bidirectional
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 13/993,230
`Art Unit: 2483
`
`Page 5
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`coding is to be used as ”inter-fra me coding")[1]63, 69] in a predetermined coding mode
`
`is fixed to one of a uni-prediction and bi-prediction; (”coded by the inter-frame
`
`bidirectional predictive mod e")[1l139] and
`
`coding the entire current picture (”coded data sequence”generated by the image
`
`coding apparatus 18)[1]139] in the predetermined coding mode, (”when the coding ofa
`
`frame to be cod ed” was completed ”coding mode information outputted”)[1ll30]
`
`based on the prediction direction fixing information (a
`
`not_coded" flag 326" stored in
`
`llll
`
`a macroblock header 322, which is part ofa data structure ofcoded data sequence
`
`generated by image coding apparatus 18 [11139, Fig. 18-21], which stores of P-VOP
`
`which is, ”a frame that B-VOP refers to in a backward direction")[1l142]
`
`wherein predetermined coding mode is a direct mode, (reference mode selection
`
`circuit 38 will output frame predictive mode information to indicate "codingis
`
`performed using the forward predictive mode provided with the global motion
`
`vector")[11106]
`
`a prediction direction flag (”decision flag")[1]139] indicating the selected prediction
`
`direction (frame refers to ”a forward direction ordifference data”)[1ll39] isadded into
`
`a bitstrea m. (with coded data sequence ”contains a decision flag")[1ll39]
`
`But does not explicitly teach,
`
`coding, using the bi-prediction, all the blocks coded using inter prediction when the
`
`prediction direction fixing information indicates that the prediction is fixed to the bi-
`
`prediction;
`
`direct mode in which a motion vector ofthe current block is predicted from a motion
`
`vector used for a coded neighboring block,
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 13/993,230
`Art Unit: 2483
`
`Page 6
`
`when the prediction direction flag is ON in the direct mode, the prediction direction in
`
`the direct mode is set to bi-directional prediction for coding with reference to two or
`
`more reference pictures are referred; and
`
`when the prediction direction fixing flag is OFF in the direct mode, a selection is made
`
`between (i) the bi-directional prediction and (ii) uni-directional prediction for coding
`
`with reference to one reference picture as the prediction direction of the current block
`
`However, Na kaga mi teaches,
`
`coding, using the bi-prediction, (”execution of a bi-directional prediction by motion
`
`vector scaling")[1]171] all the blocks coded (”macroblock 61” is encoded)[1]171] using
`
`inter prediction (”motion compensation prediction" corresponding to the ”inter-frame
`
`distance" used for motion vectors of”forwa rd and backward predictions” that relate
`
`to the ”above prediction mode”)[11169,171, Fig. 30] when the prediction direction
`
`fixing information (”flag indicating the above prediction mode")[1]171] indicates that
`
`the prediction is fixed to the bi-prediction; (”i.e., the execution of a bi-directional
`
`prediction by motion vector scaling" flagged for encoding)[1]171]
`
`It would be obvious to one with ordinary skill in the art to combine the image code mode
`
`control of Suzuki with the motion vector encoding of Koto to apply a scaled prediction for bi-
`
`directional prediction. The reason for this would be to provide for reference frame skipping
`
`conditions which allow macroblock skipping to improve encoding efficiency.
`
`But does not explicitly teach,
`
`direct mode in which a motion vector ofthe current block is predicted from a motion
`
`vector used for a coded neighboring block,
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 13/993,230
`Art Unit: 2483
`
`Page 7
`
`when the prediction direction flag is ON in the direct mode, the prediction direction in
`
`the direct mode is set to bi-directional prediction for coding with reference to two or
`
`more reference pictures are referred; and
`
`when the prediction direction fixing flag is OFF in the direct mode, a selection is made
`
`between one of (i) the bi-directional prediction and (ii) uni-directional prediction for
`
`coding with reference to one reference picture as the prediction direction of the current
`
`block
`
`However, Koo teaches additionally,
`
`direct mode (”direct prediction mode identifying unit 710 identifies a prediction
`
`modE”)[11114, Fig. 1-710] in which a motion vector ofthe current block is predicted
`
`from a motion vector used for a coded neighboring block, (”In case that the spatial
`
`direct mode is applied according to the direct prediction mode flag, it is able to obtain
`
`motion information ofblocks neighbor to a current block in the first place")[11114]
`
`It would be obvious to one with ordinary skill in the art to combine the image code mode
`
`control of Suzuki with the motion vector encoding of Koto with a direct mode like Koo which can
`
`indicate a direct mode even fir a B slice. This allows the use of neighbor blocks for direct
`
`prediction mode ofa current block and save bits required for improved compression efficiency.
`
`But does not explicitly teach,
`
`when the prediction direction flag is ON in the direct mode, the prediction direction in
`
`the direct mode is set to bi-directional prediction for coding with reference to two or
`
`more reference pictures are referred; and
`
`when the prediction direction fixing flag is OFF in the direct mode, a selection is made
`
`between one of (i) the bi-directional prediction and (ii) uni-directional prediction for
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 13/993,230
`Art Unit: 2483
`
`Page 8
`
`coding with reference to one reference picture as the prediction direction of the current
`
`block
`
`However, in the same field of endeavor, Nakagamiteaches,
`
`wherein predetermined coding mode (”filtering prediction mode")[1]152] is a direct
`
`mode, (”the image that is obtained by adding an image representinga high -frequency
`
`component to the motion compensation image MCO is generated as a prediction
`
`image")[11152]
`
`when the prediction direction flag (”identification flag")[1]173,176,177] is ON in the
`
`direct mode, (step of 531 which ”step 531 that the identification flag represents that a
`
`process is to be performed in the filtering prediction mode”)[1il73,176] the prediction
`
`direction in the direct mode is set to bi-directional prediction (”identification flag
`
`represents that a process is to be performed in the bidirectional prediction
`
`mode")[1]177] for coding with reference to two or more reference pictures are
`
`referred; (such that filtering prediction modes is based on "prediction circuit 44
`
`toward the filtering circuit 45 represents that two motion compensation images are
`
`supplied” which indicates two directional motion compensation and additionally
`
`exemplary, ”a plurality of frames arranged in two temporal directions as reference
`
`frames, and determines macroblocksin the reference frames correspondingto a
`
`prediction image on the basis of motion vectors”)[11123,112,173-177] a nd
`
`when the prediction direction fixing flag (”identification flag”)[1]173,176,177] is OFF in
`
`the direct mode, (step of 531 which ”step 531 that the identification flag does not
`
`represent that a process is to be performed in the filtering prediction
`
`modE")[1l173,176] a selection is made between one of (i) the bi-directional prediction
`
`and (ii) (”p rocess is to be performed in the bidirectional prediction")[1ll77] uni-
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 13/993,230
`Art Unit: 2483
`
`Page 9
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`directional prediction (”process is performed in the unidirectional prediction
`
`mode")[1]177] for coding with reference to one reference picture as the prediction
`
`direction of the current block (”generating a frame to be encoded B0 through
`
`bidirectional prediction ”u sing en coded fra mes at temporally past and future times
`
`with respect to the current time as reference frames" which explains the bidirectional
`
`prediction used)[1111, Fig. 2, Fig. 12] (”conventional unidirectional prediction,even
`
`when a plurality of reference frames can be selected")[1]20]
`
`It would be obvious to one with ordinary skill in the art to combine the image code mode
`
`control of Suzuki with the motion vector encoding of Koto with a direct mode like Koo with the
`
`image processing of Na kaga mi which evaluates the identification flag for a prediction type. The
`
`benefit this provides is a controlled filtered prediction in two directions can be considered in the
`
`same time as prediction in traditional unidirectional or bidirectional prediction, giving more
`
`prediction type choices.
`
`Regarding claim 10, Suzuki teaches,
`
`An image decoding method for decoding (”image decoding apparatus 350”)[1]145, Fig. 22],
`
`using inter prediction, (”images are coded using a predictive mode containingthe inter-frame
`
`unidirectional predictive coding mode and the inter-fra me bidirectional predictive coding
`
`modE")[1119]a current block included in a current picture, (”frames 318” contains a frame
`
`header 312 and “a piuraiity of macrobiocks 32G“}Efii149} the image decoding method
`
`comprising:
`
`decoding, from a bitstrea m, £“coding decision circuit 385} amuires"}fii14?ia prediction
`
`direction fixing information (”decision flag is appended to a frame header")[1ll41, Fig.
`
`19] indicating that a prediction direction (”flag information 316 indicating” whether
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 13/993,230
`Art Unit: 2483
`
`Page 10
`
`this VOP has difference data or not in a frame header 312 of B-VOP ora ”frame header
`
`312 of a frame B-VOP refers to a backward direction")[1]141] for decoding all blocks
`
`using inter prediction in the entire current picture (”decision flag may be appended for
`
`each B-VOP" where image coded is ”B picture or B-VOP" with a determination if
`
`bidirectional coding is to be used as ”inter-fra me coding”)[1]136,63, 69] in a
`
`predetermined decoding mode is fixed to one oia tini~predictien and a bi—prediction
`
`(”coded by the inter-fra me bidirectional predictive modE")[11139]
`
`decoding the entire current picture {whether a first code biock coded by the inten
`
`frame bidirectienei predictive modei‘ii‘iifili in the predetermined decoding mode,
`
`("image decoding apparatus 3583 decodes trames coded in an intenframe hidirectienai
`
`predictive anodE”iifi‘i1ii§, Fig, 24} based on the prediction direction fixing information (a
`
`”"not_coded" flag 326"” stored in a macroblock header 322, which is part of a d ata
`
`structu re ofcoded data sequence generated by image coding apparatus 18 [11139, Fig.
`
`18-21], which stores of P-VOP which is, ”a frame that B-VOP refers to in a backward
`
`direction")[11142]
`
`wherein predetermined decoding mode is a direct mode, (reference mode selection
`
`circuit 38 will output frame predictive mode information to indicate "codingis
`
`performed using the forward predictive mode provided with the global motion
`
`vector")[11106]
`
`a prediction direction flag (”decision flag")[1]149] in the direct mode (decision flag
`
`refers to ”a forward direction ordifference data")[11139] is decoded form the bitstream
`
`(”d ecoding method decision circuity 380 acquires a decision flag”)[1]149] and the
`
`current block (”macroblock")[11149] is decoded based on the decoded prediction
`
`direction flag, (”if the decision flag is of a value indicating” ”the decoding method
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 13/993,230
`Art Unit: 2483
`
`Page 11
`
`decision circuit 380 instructs" that the ”difference data to be decoded to generate and
`
`image of the macroblock")[1ll49]
`
`But does not explicitly teach,
`
`decoding, using the til—prediction, ail the biockg decoded using inter prediction when the
`
`prediction direction fixing information indicates that the prediction direction is fixed to
`
`the hi~predictiong
`
`direct mode in which a motion vector ofthe current block is predicted from a motion
`
`vector used for a coded neighboring block,
`
`when the prediction direction flag is ON in the direct mode, the prediction direction in
`
`the direct mode is set to bi-directional prediction for coding with reference to two or
`
`more reference pictures; and
`
`when the prediction direction fixing flag is OFF in the direct mode, a selection is made
`
`between one of (i) the bi-directional prediction and (ii) uni-directional prediction for
`
`coding with reference to one reference picture as the prediction direction of the current
`
`block
`
`However, Koto teaches,
`
`decoding, (”decoding the frame f3")[1]172] using the bi-prediction, (”performing bi-
`
`directional predictive decoding”)[1]172] a II the blocks coded (”motion vector of
`
`respective macroblocks ofthe decod ed frame F3”)[1]172] using inter prediction
`
`(”motion compensation prediction" corresponding to the ”inter-fra me distance" used
`
`for motion vectors of”forward and backward predictions” that relate to the
`
`”prediction mode" with respect to the "macrob|ock”)[11169,172, Fig. 30] when the
`
`prediction direction fixing information (”which the flag indicating the above prediction
`
`modeis set")[1]172] indicates that the prediction is fixed to the bi-prediction; (”motion
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 13/993,230
`Art Unit: 2483
`
`Page 12
`
`vectors forforward and backward predictionsat the macroblock 60 are calculated" for
`
`performing ”bi-directional predictive decoding" based on ”flag indicating the above
`
`prediction mode is set")[1ll72]
`
`It would be obvious to one with ordinary skill in the art to combine the image code mode
`
`control of Suzuki with the motion vector encoding of Koto to apply a scaled prediction for bi-
`
`directional prediction. The reason for this would be to provide for reference frame skipping
`
`conditions which allow macroblock skipping to improve encoding efficiency.
`
`But does not explicitly teach,
`
`direct mode in which a motion vector ofthe current block is predicted from a motion
`
`vector used for a coded neighboring block,
`
`when the prediction direction flag is ON in the direct mode, the prediction direction in
`
`the direct mode is set to bi-directional prediction for coding with reference to two or
`
`more reference pictures; and
`
`when the prediction direction fixing flag is OFF in the direct mode, a selection is made
`
`between one of (i) the bi-directional prediction and (ii) uni-directional prediction for
`
`coding with reference to one reference picture as the prediction direction of the current
`
`block
`
`However, Koo teaches additionally,
`
`direct mode (”direct prediction mode identifying unit 710 identifies a prediction
`
`modE”)[11114, Fig. 1-710] in which a motion vector ofthe current block is predicted
`
`from a motion vector used for a coded neighboring block, (”In case that the spatial
`
`direct mode is applied according to the direct prediction mode flag, it is able to obtain
`
`motion information ofblocks neighbor to a current block in the first p|ace")[11114]
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 13/993,230
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`It would be obvious to one with ordinary skill in the art to combine the image code mode
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`control of Suzuki with the motion vector encoding of Koto with a direct mode like Koo which can
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`indicate a direct mode even fir a B slice. This allows the use of neighbor blocks for direct
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`prediction mode ofa current block and save bits required for improved compression efficiency.
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`But does not explicitly teach,
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`when the prediction direction flag is ON in the direct mode, the prediction direction in
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`the direct mode is set to bi-directional prediction for coding with reference to two or
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`more reference pictures; and
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`when the prediction direction fixing flag is OFF in the direct mode, a selection is made
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`between one of (i) the bi-directional prediction and (ii) uni-directional prediction for
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`coding with reference to one reference picture as the prediction direction of the current
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`block
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`However, in the same field of endeavor, Na kaga mi teaches,
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`wherein predetermined coding mode (”filtering prediction mode")[1]152] is a direct
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`mode, (”the image that is obtained by addingan image representinga high -frequency
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`component to the motion compensation image MCO is generated as a prediction
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`image")[11152]
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`when the prediction direction flag (”identification flag")[1]173,176,177] is ON in the
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`direct mode, (step of 531 which ”step 531 that the identification flag represents that a
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`process is to be performed in the filtering prediction mode")[1il73,176] the prediction
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`direction in the direct mode is set to bi-directional prediction for coding with reference
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`to two or more reference pictures; (such that filtering prediction modes is based on
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`”prediction circuit 44 toward the filtering circuit 45 represents that two motion
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`compensation images are su pplied")[11123,173-177] a nd
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`when the prediction direction fixing flag (”identification flag”)[1]173,176,177] is OFF in
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`the direct mode, (step of 531 which ”step 531 that the identification flag does not
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`represent that a process is to be performed in the filtering prediction
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`modE")[1l173,176] a selection is made between one of (i) the bi-directional prediction
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`and (ii) (”process is to be performed in the bidirectional prediction”)[1ll77] uni-
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`directional prediction ("process is performed in the unidirectional prediction
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`mode")[1]177] for coding with reference to one reference picture as the prediction
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`direction of the current block (”generating a frame to be encoded B0 through
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`bidirectional prediction ”u singen coded frames at temporally past and future times
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`with respect to the current time as reference frames” which explains the bidirectional
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`prediction used)[1111, Fig. 2, Fig. 12] (”conventional unidirectional prediction,even
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`when a plurality of reference frames can be selected”)[1]20]
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`It would be obvious to one with ordinary skill in the art to combine the image code mode
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`control of Suzuki with the motion vector encoding of Koto with a direct mode like Koo with the
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`image processing of Na kagamiwhich evaluates the identification flagfor a prediction type. The
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`benefit this provides is a controlled filtered prediction in two directions can be considered in the
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`same time as prediction in traditional unidirectional or bidirectional prediction, giving more
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`prediction type choices.
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`3.
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`Claims 5, 12, 15, and 16 are rejected under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C.102(b) as being taught by Suzuki et
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`al. (US 20070291131 A1) in view of Koto et al. (US 20030215014 A1) in view of Chen et al. (US
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`20090116558 A1) with Koo; Han Suh et al. (US 20100266042 A1) in view of Nakagami; Ohji et al. (US
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`20110293195 A1)
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`Regarding claim 5, Suzuki teaches,
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`An image coding method for coding (”controlling image coding mod e")[title], using inter
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`prediction, (”images are coded using a predictive mode containing the inter-frame
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`unidirectional predictive coding mode and the inter-fra me bidirectional predictive coding
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`modE")[1l19] a current block included in a current picture, ("frames 31%” contains a frame
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`header 312 and "a piuraiitv of macroblocks 32fi"lifiii4fii the image coding method comprising:
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`(i) adding, into header data, (”frame header”)[1]141] a prediction direction fixing
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`information (”decision flag is appended to a frame header”)[1ll41, Fig. 19] indicating
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`that a prediction direction (decision flag appended for ”each frame that B-VOP refers
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`to a backward direction")[1l136] for coding all blocks using inter prediction in the entire
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`current picture (image coded is ”B picture or B-VOP" with a determination if
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`bidirectional coding is to be used as ”inter-fra me coding”)[1]63, 69] in a predetermined
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`coding mode is fixed to one of a uni-prediction and bi-prediction (”coded by theinter-
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`frame bidirectional predictive mode")[1l139] and
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`coding the entire current picture sequence (”coded data sequence"generated by the
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`image coding apparatus 18)[1]139] in the predetermined coding mode, (”when the
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`coding ofa frame to be cod ed" was completed ”coding mode information
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`outputted”)[1]130] based on the prediction direction fixing information (”indicating
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`whether a first block coded by the inter-frame bidirectional predictive mod e")[1l139]
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`and the first prediction direction flag, (a ”"not_coded" flag 326" stored in a macroblock
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`header 322, which is part of a data structure ofcoded data sequence generated by
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`image coding apparatus 18 [11139], which stores of P-VOP which is, ”a frame that B-
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`VOP refers to in a backward direction")[1l142]
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`wherein predetermined coding mode is a direct mode, (reference mode selection
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`circuit 38 will output frame predictive mode information to indicate "cod ingis
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`performed using the forward predictive mode provided with the global motion
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`vector")[11106]
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`prediction direction identified (frame refers to ”a forward direction or difference
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`data")[1l139] by the first prediction direction f|ag (”decision flag”)[1]139] is set to the
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`prediction direction ofthe current block, (with coded data sequence ”containsa
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`decision flag”)[1]139]
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`a second prediction direction flag (”decision flag" such as for a second macroblock
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`when a decision flag is acquired for each macroblock)[1]139,138] indicating the
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`selected prediction direction (frame refers to ”a forward direction ordifference
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`data”)[1ll39] is added into a bitstrea m. (with coded data sequence ”containsa
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`decision flag”)[1]139]
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`But does not explicitly teach,
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`codihg, wing the bi~predictioh, ali the blocks, coded using inter prediction when the
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`prediction direction fixing infermation indicates that the predictien direction is fixed to
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`the hi~prediction, and (ii) adding, into the header data, a first prediction direction flag
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`indicating the fixed prediction direction; and
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`direct mode in which a motion vector ofthe current block is predicted from a motion
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`vector used for a coded neighboring block,
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`when the prediction direction flag is ON in the direct mode, the prediction direction in
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`the direct mode is set to bi-