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`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and TrademarkOffice
`Address; COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450
`
`16/417,514
`
`05/20/2019
`
`Chong Soon LIM
`
`735256.409C1
`
`9210
`
`Seed IP Law Group LLP/Panasonic (PIPCA)
`701 5th Avenue, Suite 5400
`Seattle, WA 98104
`
`PARIKH, DAKSHESH D
`
`ART UNIT
`
`2488
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`NOTIFICATION DATE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`05/26/2021
`
`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):
`USPTOeAction @ SeedIP.com
`
`pairlinkdktg @seedip.com
`
`PTOL-90A (Rev. 04/07)
`
`

`

`
`
`Disposition of Claims*
`1,8,14,20,27,33 and 39-46 is/are pending in the application.
`)
`Claim(s)
`5a) Of the above claim(s) ___ is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`Cj] Claim(s)
`is/are allowed.
`Claim(s) 1,8,14,20,27,33 and 39-46 is/are rejected.
`S)
`) © Claim(s)____is/are objected to.
`Cj) Claim(s
`are subjectto restriction and/or election requirement
`)
`S)
`* If any claims have been determined allowable, you maybeeligible to benefit from the Patent Prosecution Highway program at a
`participating intellectual property office for the corresponding application. For more information, please see
`http://www.uspto.gov/patents/init_events/pph/index.jsp or send an inquiry to PPHfeedback@uspto.gov.
`
`) )
`
`Application Papers
`10) The specification is objected to by the Examiner.
`11)0) The drawing(s) filedon__ is/are: a)(J accepted or b)() 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)1) Acknowledgment is made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d)or (f).
`Certified copies:
`c)Z None ofthe:
`b)() Some**
`a)C All
`1.2 Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`2.1.) Certified copies of the priority documents have been received in Application No.
`3.1.) Copies of the certified copies of the priority documents have been receivedin 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)
`
`Information Disclosure Statement(s) (PTO/SB/08a and/or PTO/SB/08b)
`2)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date 02/16/2021.
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`
`3)
`
`Interview Summary (PTO-413)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date 95/19/2021,
`4) ( Other:
`
`PTOL-326 (Rev. 11-13)
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Part of Paper No./Mail Date 20210521
`
`Application No.
`Applicant(s)
`16/417,514
`LIM etal.
`
`Office Action Summary Art Unit|AIA (FITF) StatusExaminer
`DAKSHESH D PARIKH
`2488
`Yes
`
`
`
`-- The MAILING DATEofthis communication appears on the cover sheet with the correspondence address --
`Period for Reply
`
`A SHORTENED STATUTORY PERIOD FOR REPLYIS SET TO EXPIRE 3 MONTHS FROM THE MAILING
`DATE OF THIS COMMUNICATION.
`Extensions of time may be available underthe provisions of 37 CFR 1.136(a). In no event, however, may a reply betimely filed after SIX (6) MONTHSfrom the mailing
`date of this communication.
`If NO period for reply is specified above, the maximum statutory period will apply and will expire SIX (6) MONTHSfrom 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, evenif timely filed, may reduce any earned patent term
`adjustment. See 37 CFR 1.704(b).
`
`Status
`
`1) Responsive to communication(s) filed on 02/16/2021.
`C} A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/werefiled on
`
`2a)L) This action is FINAL. 2b)¥)This action is non-final.
`3)02 An election was madeby the applicant in responseto a restriction requirement set forth during the interview
`on
`; the restriction requirement and election have been incorporated into this action.
`4\0) 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 Exparte Quayle, 1935 C.D. 11, 453 O.G. 213.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/417,514
`Art Unit: 2488
`
`Page 2
`
`DETAIL
`
`Notice ofPre-AIA or AIA Status
`
`[1]
`
`The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, 1s being examined underthe first
`
`inventor to file provisions of the AIA.
`
`Applicant(s) Response to OfficialAction
`
`[2]
`
`The responsefiled on 02/16/2021 has been entered and madeofrecord.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102 and 35 USC § 103
`
`[3]
`
`Presented arguments have been fully considered, but are rendered mootin view of the new
`
`ground(s) of rejection necessitated by amendment(s) initiated by the applicant(s).
`
`Claims Objected to, Minor Informalities
`
`[4]
`
`Claim 45 objected to because of the following informalities:
`
`In claim 45, line 4, phrase “portioning ,information”, a symbol ",” is present, which may be
`
`a typo error.
`
`Appropriate correction 1s required.
`
`Double Patenting
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/417,514
`Art Unit: 2488
`
`Page 3
`
`
`
`[5] The non-statutory double patenting rejection is based onajudicially created doctrine
`
`grounded in public policy (a policy reflected in the statute) so as to prevent the unjustified or
`
`improper timewise extension of the “right to exclude” granted by a patent and to prevent possible
`
`harassment by multiple assignees. A nonstatutory obviousness-type double patenting rejection 1s
`
`appropriate where the conflicting claims are not identical, but at least one examined application
`
`claim is not patentably distinct from the reference claim(s) because the examined application claim 1s
`
`either anticipated by, or would have been obvious over, the reference claim(s). See, e.g., In re Berg,
`
`140 F.3d 1428, 46 USPQ2d 1226 (Fed. Cir. 1998); In re Goodman, 11 F.3d 1046, 29 USPQ2d 2010
`
`(Fed. Cir. 1993); In re Long?, 759 F.2d 887, 225 USPQ 645 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re Van Ornum, 686
`
`F.2d 937, 214 USPQ 761 (CCPA 1982); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); and
`
`In re Thorington, 418 F.2d 528, 163 USPQ 644 (CCPA 1969).
`
`A timely filed terminal disclaimer in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(c) or 1.321(d) may be
`
`used to overcome an actual or provisional rejection based on a nonstatutory double patenting
`
`ground provided the conflicting application or patent either is shown to be commonly owned with
`
`this application, or claims an invention madeasaresult of activities undertaken within the scope of a
`
`joint research agreement.
`
`Effective January 1, 1994, a registered attorney or agent of record may sign a terminal
`
`disclaimer. A terminal disclaimer signed by the assignee must fully comply with 37 CFR 3.73(b).
`
`[6]
`
`Claims1, 8, 14, 20, 27, 33 and 39-46 are provisionally reyected on the ground of nonstatutory
`
`obviousness-type double patenting as being unpatentable over claim 1, 7, 3, 19, 25, 31 of co-pending
`
`Application No 16/417517, in view of US Publication Chuangetal. (US20180070110A1)
`
`(hereinafter Chuang) and further in view of PIAO etal. (US20170353721A1)
`
`(hereinafter PLAO).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/417,514
`Art Unit: 2488
`
`Page 4
`
`Although the conflicting claims are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other
`
`because it is merely 1n the terminology used in both sets of claims.
`
`The subject matter claimed tn the instant application 1s fully disclosed 1n the referenced
`
`patent and would be covered by any patent granted on that patents since the referenced patents and
`
`the instant application are claiming commonsubject matter, as follows:
`
`predictor, and a memory, wherein the
`
`Instant Application: 16/417,517
`7. An image encoder comprising:
`a splitter which,
`in operation,
`receives and splits an original
`picture into blocks; a first adder
`which,
`in operation, receives the
`blocks from the splitter and
`predictions from a prediction
`controller, and subtracts each
`prediction from its corresponding
`block to output a residual; a
`transformer which,
`in operation,
`performs a transform on the residuals
`outputted from the adder to output
`transform coefficients; a quantizer
`which,
`in operation, quantizes the
`transform coefficients to generate
`quantized transform coefficients;
`an entropy encoder which,
`in
`operation, encodes the quantized
`transform coefficients to generate a
`bitstream; an inverse quantizer and
`transformer which,
`in operation,
`inverse quantizes the quantized
`transform coefficients to obtain the
`transform coefficients and inverse
`transforms the transform coefficients
`
`to obtain the residuals; a second
`adder which,
`in operation, adds the
`residuals outputted from the inverse
`quantizer and transformer and the
`predictions outputted from the
`prediction controller to reconstruct
`the blocks; and
`the prediction controller coupled to
`an inter predictor, an intra
`
`*Note: Bold indicates the common subject matter
`
`Co-pending Application: 16/417514
`8.
`(Currently Amended) An image
`encoder comprising:
`a splitter which,
`in operation,
`receives and splits an original
`picture into blocks; a first adder
`which,
`in operation, receives the
`blocks from the splitter and
`predictions from a prediction
`controller, and subtracts each
`prediction from its corresponding
`block to output a residual;
`a transformer which,
`in operation,
`performs a transform on the residuals
`outputted from the adder to output
`transform coefficients;
`a quantizer which,
`in operation,
`quantizes the transform coefficients
`to generate quantized transform
`coefficients;
`in
`an entropy encoder which,
`operation, encodes the quantized
`transform coefficients to generate a
`bitstream;
`an inverse quantizer and transformer
`which,
`in operation,
`inverse
`quantizes the quantized transform
`coefficients to obtain the transform
`coefficients and inverse transforms
`the transform coefficients to obtain
`
`the residuals;
`in operation,
`a second adder which,
`adds the residuals outputted from the
`inverse quantizer and transformer and
`the predictions outputted from the
`prediction controller to reconstruct
`the blocks; and
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/417,514
`Art Unit: 2488
`
`
`Page 5
`
`the prediction controller coupled to
`an inter predictor, an intra
`predictor, and a memory, wherein the
`inter predictor,
`in operation,
`generates a prediction of a current
`block based on a reference block in
`
`an encoded reference picture and the
`intra predictor,
`in operation,
`generates a prediction of a current
`block based on an encoded reference
`
`in operation,
`inter predictor,
`generates a prediction of a current
`block based on a reference block in
`
`an encoded reference picture and the
`intra predictor,
`in operation,
`generates a prediction of a current
`block based on an encoded reference
`
`block in a current picture, wherein
`the prediction controller,
`in
`operation:
`
`block in a current picture, wherein
`the prediction controller,
`in
`operation:
`in response to splitting a block of a
`picture into sub blocks along a
`
`single direction, sets one or more
`partition-selection parameters toa
`set of values, wherein:
`in response to splitting the block
`into four sub blocks along the single
`direction using first block
`partitioning information, each of the
`sub blocks having a same size, sets
`the one or more partition-selection
`parameters to a first set of values,
`
`
`the first set of including a value
`indicating the block partitioning
`information is from a first set of
`
` BKKct
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`BRReH
`
`block partitioning information
`
`including the first block
`and
`partitioning information;
`
`in response to splitting the block
`into three sub blocks along the
`single direction using second block
`partitioning information,
`ratios of
`
`sizes of the sub blocks being 1
`:2:
`sets
`
`the one or more partition-
`selection parameters to a second set
`of values different from the first
`
`the second set of
`set of values,
`values including a value indicating
`the block partitioning information is
`from a second set of block
`
`in response to a size of the current
`block of the picture satisfying a
`first condition, splits the current
`block into sub blocks along a single
`direction, wherein,
`in response to
`the size of the current block
`
`the
`satisfying a second condition,
`splitting along the single direction
`includes splitting the current block
`along a shorter side of the current
`block into an even number of sub
`
`blocks having a same size; and in
`response to the size of the current
`block not satisfying the second
`condition,
`the splitting along the
`single direction includes splitting
`the current block into sub blocks
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`having different sizes;
`in response to the size of the
`current block not satisfying the
`first condition, splits the block
`into four sub blocks along vertical
`and horizontal directions,
`the four
`sub blocks having a same size; and
`encodes the sub blocks of the current
`block.
`
`
`
`1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`partitioning information including
`the second block partitioning
`information and not including block
`partitioning information which
`corresponds to a split into four
`equal-sized sub blocks along the
`single direction;
`encodes the sub blocks of the block;
`and writes the one or more parameters
`into the bit stream.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/417,514
`Art Unit: 2488
`
`Page 6
`
`[7]
`
`Referring to claims 8, although conflicting application 16/417,517 do not explicitly disclose
`
`what’s claimed in instant application 16/417514, “... sets one or more partition-selection parameters
`
`to a set of values, wherein: 1n response to splitting the block into four sub blocks along the single
`
`direction using first block partitioning information, each of the sub blocks having a samesize, sets
`
`the one or more partition-selection parametersto a first set of values,the first set of including a
`
`value indicating the block partitioning information 1s from a first set of block partitioning
`
`information including thefirst block partitioning information; and in response to splitting the block
`
`into three sub blocks along the single direction using second block partitioning information, ratios
`
`of sizes of the sub blocks being 1 :2: 1 sets the one or more partition-selection parameters to a
`
`secondset of values different from the first set of values, the secondset of values including a value
`
`indicating the block partitioning information 1s from a secondset of block partitioning information
`
`including the second block partitioning information and notincluding block partitioning
`
`information which correspondsto a split into four equal-sized sub blocks along the single direction;
`
`... and writes the one or more parameters into the bit stream..”
`
`However, in the same field of endeavor Chuang and PIAO combined discloses “... sets one
`
`or more partition-selection parameters to a set of values, wherein: 1n response to splitting the block
`
`into four sub blocks along the single direction usingfirst block partitioning information, each of the
`
`sub blocks having a samesize, sets the one or more partition-selection parameters to a first set of
`
`values, thefirst set of including a value indicating the block partitioning information is from a first
`
`set of block partitioning information including thefirst block partitioning information; and in
`
`response to splitting the block into three sub blocks along the single direction using second block
`
`partitioning information, ratios of sizes of the sub blocks being 1 :2: 1 sets the one or more
`
`partition-selection parameters to a secondset of values different from thefirst set of values, the
`
`secondset of values including a value indicating the block partitoning information 1s from a second
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/417,514
`Art Unit: 2488
`
`Page 7
`
`set of block partitioning information including the second block partitioning information and not
`
`including block partitioning information which correspondsto a split into four equal-sized sub
`
`blocks along the single direction; ... and writes the one or more parameters into the bit stream..”
`
`[Chuang: Fig. 8, Para 0099, 0100, and PLAO: Fig. 8, Para 0054-0055, 0081, 0138]
`
`Therefore, tt would have been obvious to the person of ordinary skill in the art at the time of
`
`the invention to modify the system disclosed by conflicting application 16/417,517 add the
`
`teachings of Chuang and PIAOas above,in order to in order to provide maximum tmage quality
`
`with increased compression. /PLAO: Para 0003]
`
`[8]
`
`Claim 1, 14, 20, 27 and 33 are analogues the device claim 8, therefore, at least for this reason
`
`claim 1, 14, 20, 27 and 33 are rejected similarly to claim 8.
`
`[9]
`
`Regarding dependentclaims 39-46, Claims 39-46 correspondto claim 1, 7, 3, 19, 25, 31 of
`
`conflicting Co-pending Application 16/417517 and obvious over Chuang and PLAO.
`
`Notcere prior art available under both pre-AIA and AIA
`
`In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to ATA 35 U.S.C.
`
`102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) 1s incorrect, any correction of the
`
`statutory basis for the rejection will not be considered a new groundof rejection if the priorart
`
`relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same undereitherstatus.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/417,514
`Art Unit: 2488
`
`Page 8
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
`
`The following 1s a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness
`rejections set forth in this Office action:
`
`A patent for a claimed mvention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not
`identically disclosed as set forth in section 102 of thistitle, if the differences between the claimed invention
`and the prior art are such that the claimed mvention as a whole would have been obvious before the
`effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the
`claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was
`made.
`
`Thefactual inquiries set forth in Graham v. John Deere Co., 383 U.S. 1, 148 USPQ 459 (1966),
`that are applied for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C.
`103 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 atissue.
`3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinentart.
`4. Considering objective evidence present tn the application indicating obviousness or
`nonobviousness.
`
`This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims
`the examiner presumesthat the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned
`as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any evidence to the contrary.
`Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and
`effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly owned as of the effective filing
`date of the later invention 1n order for the examiner to consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C.
`102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) prior art against the later invention.
`
`[10]
`
`Claim 1, 8, 14, 20, 27, 33, 39-46 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable
`
`over Chuang et al. (US20180070110A1) (hereinafter Chuang) and further in view of PIAO etal.
`
`(US20170353721A1)
`
`(hereinafter PLAC).
`
`Regarding Claim 8, Chuang meets the limitations as follows:
`
`An image encoder /Fig. 2, and associated text, Para 0052-0053, 0177, discloses an
`
`image encoder] comprising:
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/417,514
`Art Unit: 2488
`
`Page 9
`
`a splitter which, tn operation, receives and splits an original picture into
`
`blocks; /48 Fig. 2, and associated text, Para 0055, discloses splittingpicture in LOU]
`
`a first adder which, in operation, receives the blocks from the splitter and
`
`predictions from a prediction controller, and subtracts each prediction from its
`
`corresponding block to output a residual; [50 Pig. 2, and associated text, Para 0056,
`
`0059)
`
`a transformer which, tn operation, performs a transform on the residuals
`
`outputted from the adder to output transform coefficients; 92 Fag. 2, and assocated
`
`text, Para 0053, 0065-0066]
`
`a quantizer which, in operation, quantizes the transform coefficients to
`
`generate quantized transform coefficients; [54 Fug. 2, and associated text, Para 0053,
`
`0066]
`
`an entropy encoder which, in operation, encodes the quantized transform
`
`coefficients to generate a bitstream; /56 Pig. 2, and associated text, Para 0053, 0056,
`
`0058, 0064, 0066-0067]
`
`an inverse quantizer and transformer which, in operation, inverse quantizes
`
`the quantized transform coefficients to obtain the transform coefficients and inverse
`
`transforms the transform coefficients to obtain the residuals; [58 Fig. 2, and associated
`
`text, Para 0053, 0068)
`
`a second adder which, in operation, adds the residuals outputted from the
`
`inverse quantizer and transformer and the predictions outputted from the prediction
`
`controller to reconstruct the blocks; /62 Fig. 2, and associated text, Para 053, 0056,
`
`0068] and
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/417,514
`Art Unit: 2488
`
`Page 10
`
`the prediction controller coupled to an inter predictor, an intra predictor, and
`
`a memory, wherein the inter predictor, in operation, generates a prediction of a
`
`current block based on a reference block in an encoded reference picture and the
`
`intra predictor, in operation, generates a prediction of a current block based on an
`
`encoded reference block in a current picture, /Fig. 2, and associated text, Para 0052-
`
`0058, 0068-0072] wherein the prediction controller, in operation:
`
`in response to splitting a block of a picture into sub blocks along a single
`
`direction, sets one or more partition-selection parameters to a set of values, /7.2. vdeo
`
`encoder 20 may signal information that indicates the tree structure (binary or center-side triple tree)
`
`as well as the orientation ofthepartitioning (horizontal or vertical)... and video encoder 20 may
`
`signalfor each type ofpartitioning that ispossible within the PTportion ofa mutti-type tree
`
`partitioning structure.; Para OO99, Fig. 8 is a conceptual diagram illustrating examples of
`
`codewords, expressed in binaryformat, that video encoder 20 may signalfor the variouspartitioning
`
`schemes that arepossible in the PT-portion ofa mutti-type tree-partitioned block partitions.... and
`
`Thefirst (leftmost) bin represents the value ofa PT splitflag (indicating whether the CU is split or
`
`not), the second bin represents the PT split direction (¢.g., horizontalor vertical), and the third bin
`
`represents the PT split mode (e.g., binary tree or center-side triple tree).; Fig. 8, Para 0100]
`
`wherein: ...
`
`... encodes the sub blocks of the block, and writes the one or more
`
`parameters into the bit stream.
`
`/7.e. video encoder 20 receives a current video block nithin a
`
`udeoframe to be encoded.; Fig. 2 and associated text, Para 0053, and bottom-right sub-block of
`
`block 90 is spht horizontally according to the binary treepartitioning structure, and the resulting left
`
`sub-block ofthis split tsfurther split vertically according to the center-side tréple treepartitioning
`
`structure; Fig. 7A-B, Para 0097, and video encoder 20 may signalfor each type ofpartitioning
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/417,514
`Art Unit: 2488
`
`Page 11
`
`that is possible within the PT-portion ofa multi-type treepartitioning structure.; Para 0099, and
`
`video encoder 20 may split the CTU adaptively, and video encoder 20 may signal a one-bitflag, or
`
`an index, or multipleflags to enable video decoder 30 to decide or determine which ofthe above-
`
`mentioned splitting schemes should be implemented.; Para 0137, and video encoder 20 and/or video
`
`decoder 30 may implementthe above-described techniques individually, or in any combination where
`
`tvo or more ofthe techniques can be logically combined.; Para 0138, andIt ts to be recognized that
`
`. certain acts or events ofany ofthe techniques described herein can beperformedin a different
`
`sequence, may be added, merged, or left out altogether; Para 0177]
`
`Chuang does notexplicitly disclose the following claim limitations:
`
`... In response to splitting the block into four sub blocks along the
`
`single direction using first block partittoning information, each of the sub
`
`blocks having a same size, sets the one or more partition-selection
`
`parameters to a first set of values,thefirst set of including a value indicating
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`the block partitioning information 1s fromafirst set of block partitioning
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`information including the first block partitioning information; and
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`in response to splitting the block into three sub blocks along the
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`single direction using second block partitioning information, ratios of sizes
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`of the sub blocks being 1 :2: 1 sets the one or more partition-selection
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`parameters to a secondset of values different from the first set of values, the
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`secondset of values including a value indicating the block partitioning
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`information is from a secondset of block partitioning information including
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`the second block partitioning information and not including block
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`partitioning information which correspondsto a split into four equal-sized
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`sub blocks along the single direction;...
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`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/417,514
`Art Unit: 2488
`
`Page 12
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`However, in the same field of endeavor PIAO discloses the deficient claim limitations, as
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`follows:
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`... In response to splitting the block into four sub blocks along the
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`single direction using first block partitioning information, each of the sub
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`blocks having a samesize, sets the one or more partition-selection
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`parameters (2.¢. split shape information) to a first set of values,thefirst set of
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`including a value indicating the block partitioning information 1s fromafirst
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`set of block partitioning information includingthefirst block partittoning
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`information; /2.e. The split information may be expressed in aform one or moreflags.;
`
`Para 0054 and coding unit determiner 120 may generate both split information and split
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`shape information that indicates a split method.; Para 0081, andfirst coding unit 800
`
`having a square shape may be split intofour coding units having square shapes or non-
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`square shapes... and split shape information indicates that thefirst coding unit 800 ts
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`split into a horizontal or vertical direction; Fig. 8, Para 0138] and
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`in response to splitting the block into three sub blocks along the
`
`single direction using second block partitioning information, ratios of sizes
`
`of the sub blocks being 1 :2: 1 sets the one or more partition-selection
`
`parameters to a secondset of values different from the first set of values, the
`
`secondset of values including a value indicating the block partitioning
`
`information is from a secondset of block partitioning information including
`
`the second block partittoning information and not including block
`
`partitioning information which correspondsto a split into four equal-sized
`
`sub blocks along the single direction; /e. The spit information may be expressed in
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`aform one or moreflags.; Para 0054 and The square coding unit may be split into three
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`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/417,514
`Art Unit: 2488
`
`Page 13
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`coding units in a manner that a mdth or height thereofis spht by 1:2:1 or other ratio.;
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`Para 0055, coding unit determiner 120 may generate both split information and split
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`shape information that indicates a split method.; Para 0081, andfirst coding unit 800
`
`having a square shape into, as the odd numberof coding units, second coding units 10a,
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`810b, and 510¢ determined when thefirst coding unit 800 is spht in the vertical direction,
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`or second coding units 820a, 820b, and 820c determined when thefirst coding unit 800 ts
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`split in the horizontal direction.; Para 0138, indicating the different set of valuesfor
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`splitting tofour sub-blocks and splitting to triple 1:2:1 sub-blocks.] ...
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`Chuang discloses video encodersplits the block into sub-blocks into different partitioning
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`structure and signals the splitting scheme/methodto a decoder using flags or index along
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`with other sub-block encoding information, where the splitting scheme/method may be
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`modified by person of ordinary skill in the art. PLAO discloses a different partitioning
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`structure that includes four non-square splitting in single direction and triple splitting 1:2:1 1n
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`single direction and corresponding splitting shape information is recetved by decoder from
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`the encoder, which 1s pertinent to the problem with which the applicant was concerned.
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`Therefore, combining the teachings of Chuang and PIAO would provide an expected result
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`thereby resulting in the claimed invention.
`
`Therefore,
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`tt would have been obvious to the person of ordinary skill in the art before the
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`effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system disclosed by Chuang add
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`the teachings of PIAO as above, in order to provide maximum image quality with increased
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`compression. /PLAO;: Para 0003]
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`Regarding claim 1, the claim(s) recites analogouslimitations to claim 8 above andis/are
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`therefore rejected on the same premise. Therefore, regarding claim 1, Chuang and PIAO
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/417,514
`Art Unit: 2488
`
`Page 14
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`meetthe claim limitations as set forth in claim 8. /Please, refer to mapping, explanation and
`
`pertinence ofprior art reference given in claim 8; Note: current claim may contain different terminology or
`
`additional claim terms compared to the claim(s) that are referred claim(s) to meet the claim limitations of
`
`current claim. However, explanation andpertinence ofprior art of referenceprovided in the referred claim(s)
`
`would address any differing claim limitations. Therefore, explanation andpertinence ofprior art ofreference
`
`are not duplicated, and applicant ts requested to refer to explanation andpertinence ofprior art reference
`
`provided in the referred claim(s).]
`
`Regarding Claim 45, Note the Rejection for claim 1 and 8, wherein PIAO further discloses
`
`The image encoderof claim 1, wherein the circuitry, 1n operation: in
`
`response to splitting the block into four partitions having a samesize using third
`
`block partitioning ,information sets the one or more parameters to a fourth set of
`
`values indicating the block 1s to be split along two directions. /Ze. spitting the current
`
`coding unit 200 in a vertical direction based on spht shape information indicating spht in a vertical
`
`direction, ... splitting the current coding unit 200 in a horizontal direction based on split shape
`
`information indicating split in a horizontal direction. The image decoding apparatus 150 may
`
`determine thefour coding units 210d obtained by splitting the current coding unit 200 in vertical
`
`and horizontal directions based on split shape information indicating split in vertical and horizontal
`
`directions. However, a split shapefor sphitting a square coding unit may not be Limited to the above
`
`shapes, and may include various shapes that may be indicated by spht shape information.; indicating
`
`the split shape information would be differentfor splitting the block in to splitting the block intofour
`
`partitions along two direction compared to splitting the block in single direction in tofour equal sub-
`
`blocks and trople sub-blocks 1:2:1]
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/417,514
`Art Unit: 2488
`
`Page 15
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`Regarding claim 46, Chuang meetthe claim limitations as set forth tn claim 1 and 8.
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`The image encoder of claim 1, wherein the one or more parameters 1s one
`
`parameter and a set of values 1s a single value. /Please, refer to mapping, explanation and
`
`pertinence ofprior art reference given in claim 1 and 8; Note: current claim may contain different
`
`terminology or additional claim terms compared to the claim(s) that are referred claim(s) to meet the
`
`claim limitations ofcurrent claim. However, explanation andpertinence ofprior art ofreference
`
`provided in the referred claimm(s) would address any differing claim limitations. Therefore,
`
`explanation andpertinence ofprior art ofreference are not duplicated, and applicant ts requested to
`
`refer to explanation andpertinence ofprior art referenceprovided in the referred claim/(s).]
`
`Regarding claim 14 and 43-44, the claim(s) recites analogous limitations to claim 1 and 45-46
`
`above, respectively, and is/are therefore rejected on