www.uspto.gov
`
`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
`
`10/14/2020
`
`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`5a) Of the above claim(s) ___ is/are withdrawn from consideration.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.
`OO Claim(s)__is/are objectedto.
`CC) Claim(s)
`are subjectto restriction and/or election requirement
`* 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)) 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)0) Acknowledgment is made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d)or (f).
`Certified copies:
`c)X None ofthe:
`b)L) Some**
`a)L) All
`1... 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 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)
`
`Information Disclosure Statement(s) (PTO/SB/08a and/or PTO/SB/08b)
`2)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date 07/30/2020.
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`
`3)
`
`Interview Summary (PTO-413)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date 10/01/2020.
`4) ( Other:
`
`PTOL-326 (Rev. 11-13)
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Part of Paper No./Mail Date 20201008
`
`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 07/30/2020.
`LC} A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/werefiled on
`2a)l¥) This action is FINAL.
`2b) (J This action is non-final.
`3) 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\(Z 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 07/30/2020 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).
`
`
`
`[4] The non-statutory double patenting rejection is based onajudicially created doctrine
`
`Double Patenting
`
`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 notidentical, 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,
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/417,514
`Art Unit: 2488
`
`Page 3
`
`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 maysign a terminal
`
`disclaimer. A terminal disclaimer signed by the assignee must fully comply with 37 CFR 3.73(b).
`
`[5]
`
`Claims 1, 8, 14, 20, 27, 33 are provisionally rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double
`
`patenting overclaims 1, 7, 3, 19, 25, 31 of Co-pending Application 16/417517. This is a provisional
`
`double patenting rejection since the conflicting claims have not yet been patented.
`
`[6]
`
`Claims 39-46 are provisionally rejected 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 Chuanget al. (US20180070110A1) (hereinafter Chuang).
`
`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 in 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:
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/417,514
`Art Unit: 2488
`
`Page 4
`
`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
`
`response to the size of the current
`
`*Note: Bold indicates the common subject matter
`
`Co-pending Application: 16/417514
`8. 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
`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, 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 parameters to a first set of
`values;
`in response to splitting the
`block into four sub blocks using a
`first partition, each of the sub
`
`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
`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, wherein
`the prediction controller,
`in
`operation:
`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
`
`

`

`Page 5
`
`block satisfying a second condition,
`the splitting along the single
`direction includes splitting the
`current block along a shorter side of
`the current block into an even number
`
`Application/Control Number: 16/417,514
`Art Unit: 2488
`
`blocks having a same size, sets the
`one or more parameters to a second
`set of values different from the
`
`in response to
`first set of values,
`splitting the block into three sub
`blocks using a second partition,
`ratios of sizes of the sub blocks
`
`the second partition not
`being 1:2:1,
`partition splitting the
`including a
`block into four same-sized sub
`
`blocks, sets the one or more
`parameters to a third set of values
`different from the first and second
`
`sets of values; encodes the sub
`blocks of the block, and writes the
`one or more parameters into the bit
`stream.
`
`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.
`
`direction includes splitting the
`
`27. An image decoder, comprising: an
`entropy decoder which,
`in operation,
`receives and decodes an encoded
`
`25. An image decoder, comprising: an
`entropy decoder which,
`in operation,
`receives and decodes an encoded
`
`bitstream to obtain quantized
`transform coefficients; an inverse
`quantizer and transformer which,
`in
`operation,
`inverse quantizes the
`quantized transform coefficients to
`obtain transform coefficients and
`inverse transforms the transform
`
`bitstream to obtain quantized
`transform coefficients; an inverse
`quantizer and transformer which,
`in
`operation,
`inverse quantizes the
`quantized transform coefficients to
`obtain transform coefficients and
`inverse transforms the transform
`
`coefficients to obtain residuals; an
`adder which,
`in operation, adds the
`residuals outputted from the inverse
`quantizer and transformer and
`predictions outputted from a
`prediction controller to reconstruct
`blocks; and 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
`
`coefficients to obtain residuals; an
`adder which,
`in operation, adds the
`residuals outputted from the inverse
`quantizer and transformer and
`predictions outputted from a
`prediction controller to reconstruct
`blocks; and 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
`
`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: parses one or more
`parameters from a bitstream;
`response to the one or more
`parameters having a first set of
`values, splits a block of a picture
`into sub blocks along a single
`direction; in response to the one or
`more parameters having a second set
`of values, different from the first
`
`in
`
`reference block in a current picture,
`wherein the prediction controller,
`in
`operation:
`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,
`response to the size of the current
`block satisfying a second condition,
`the splitting along the single
`
`in
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/417,514
`Art Unit: 2488
`
`set of values, splits the block into
`four sub blocks using a first
`partition, each of the sub blocks
`having a same size; in response to
`the one or more parameters having a
`third set of values, different from
`the first and second sets of values,
`splits the block into three sub
`blocks using a second partition,
`ratios of sizes of the sub blocks
`
`the second partition not
`being 1:2:1,
`including a partition splitting the
`block into four same-sized sub
`
`blocks; and decodes the sub blocks of
`
`the block.
`
`Page 6
`
`current block along a shorter side of
`the 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 current block into four
`sub blocks along vertical and
`horizontal directions,
`the four sub
`blocks having a same size; and
`decodes the sub blocks of the current
`block.
`
`[7]
`
`Claim 1 and 14 are analogues the device claim 8, therefore, at least for this reason claim 1
`
`and 14 are rejected similarly to claim 8.
`
`[8]
`
`Claim 20 and 33 are analogues the device claim 27, therefore, at least for this reason claim 20
`
`and 33 are rejected similarly to claim 27.
`
`[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.
`
`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 7
`
`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 at issue.
`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.
`Applicantis 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).
`
`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 8
`
`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 9
`
`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 parametersto a first set of values; in response to splitting
`
`the block into four sub blocks using a first partition, each of the sub blocks having a
`
`same size, sets the one or more parameters to a secondset of values different from
`
`the first set of values, in response to splitting the block into three sub blocks using a
`
`second partition, ratios of sizes of the sub blocks being 1:2:1, the second partition
`
`not including a partition splitting the block into four same-sized sub blocks,sets the
`
`one or more parameters to a third set of values different from thefirst and second
`
`sets of values; encodes the sub blocks of the block, and writes the one or more
`
`parameters into the bit stream.
`
`/Fig. 2, 6A-B, 7A-B, 8 and associated text, Para 0045,
`
`0054-0055, 0080, 0088-0101, 0135-0138, discloses video encoder and video decoder may
`
`implementQuad tree basedpartitioning, binary tree-basedpartitioning and center-side triple tree-
`
`basedpartitioning multiple time, and in any order, in the PT-basedportion ofa multi-type tree-
`
`based splitting scheme. A mutti-type block partitions where blocks are split in tofour sub-blocks
`
`along vertical and horizontal directions using quad splitting, and blocks are split in to two sub-
`
`blocks along single direction horizontal or vertical direction using the binary splitting and blocks are
`
`split in to three sub-blocks being 1:2:1 along single direction horizontal or vertical direction using the
`
`center-side triple partitioning. Therefore, it would have been obvious to theperson of ordinary skill in
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/417,514
`Art Unit: 2488
`
`Page 10
`
`the art before the effectivefiling date ofthe claimed invention to understandthat the block may be
`
`jirst split into tivo sub-blocks, partition 1 and 2, using binary tree-basedpartitioning, next the
`
`partition 1 may befurther split in tofour equal sub-blocks using Quad tree basedpartitioning,
`
`Partitions 3, 4, 5 and 6, and spht thepartition 2 in three blocks being 1:2:1 using center-side triple
`
`tree-basedpartitioning, partitions 7, 8 and 9 and mayfurther sphtpartition 3 intofour sub-blocks
`
`using Quad tree basedpartitioning, partitions 10,11, 12 and 13. Further discloses encoding sub-
`
`blockssignaling splitting information to decoder in the bitstream, where oneparameter would
`
`represent splitflag, oneparameter would represent the split direction and oneparameter would
`
`represent the split mode.]
`
`Chuang describes their invention in terms of several examples and techniques, further
`
`discloses that 1t should be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that different
`
`techniques may be performed 1n different sequence may be added, mergedorleft out.
`
`Therefore, different example and techniques disclosed in may be combined, and modified
`
`that would result in the claim invention.
`
`Therefore, tt would have been obvious to the person of ordinary skill in the art before the
`
`effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system disclosed by Chuang, in
`
`order to provide better coding efficiency. /Chuang: Para 0098]
`
`Regarding claim 1, the claim(s) recites analogouslimitations to claim 8 above andis/are
`
`therefore rejected on the same premise. Therefore, regarding claim 1, Chuang meets the
`
`claim limitations as set forth in claim 8. /Please, refer to mapping, explanation andpertinence 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 ofcurrent claim. However,
`
`explanation andpertinence ofprior art ofreferenceprovided in the referred claim(s) would address any
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/417,514
`Art Unit: 2488
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`Page 11
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`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 45, Chuang meetthe claim limitationsas set forth in claim 1 and 8.
`
`The image encoderof claim 1, wherein the circuitry, 1n operation: in
`
`response to splitting the block into four partitions having a samesize using a third
`
`partition, sets the one or more parameters to a fourth set of values indicating the
`
`block ts to be split along two directions. /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 claim(s) would address any differing claim limitations. Therefore,
`
`explanation andpertinence ofprior art ofreference are not duplicated, and applicant is requested to
`
`refer to explanation andpertinence ofprior art referenceprovided in the referred claim(s).]
`
`Regarding claim 46, Chuang meetthe claim limitations as set forth tn claim 1 and 8.
`
`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 of reference
`
`provided in the referred claimm(s) would address any differing claim limitations. Therefore,
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/417,514
`Art Unit: 2488
`
`Page 12
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`explanation andpertinence ofprior art ofreference are not duplicated, and applicant is 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 the same premise. Therefore, regarding
`
`claim 14 and 43-44, Chuang meets the claim limitations as set forth 1n claim 1 and 45-46,
`
`respectively. /Please, refer to mapping, explanation andpertinence ofprior art reference given in claim 1
`
`and 45-46, respectively; 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 ofreferenceprovided 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 referenceprovided in the referred
`
`claim(s).]
`
`Regarding claim 27, the clatm(s) recites the claims limitations for decoder, for decoding the
`
`encoded image data, it is well-known to the person of ordinary skill in the art before the
`
`effective filing date of the claimed invention that decoding performs an inverse operation of
`
`the encoder for decoding the encoded image data, thereby decoder1s an analogousto the
`
`encoder. Chuang discloses a decoder /Chuang: Fig. 3 and associated text, Para 0069-0070] that
`
`includes a entropy decoder, a de-quantizer, an inverse transformer, an inter predictor, a intra
`
`predictor, buffer memory, that performs a decoding pass generally reciprocal to the
`
`encoding pass described with respect to video encoder. Therefore, claim 25 recites analogous
`
`limitations to claim 8 above, and is/are therefore rejected on the same premise. Therefore,
`
`regarding claim 27, Chuang meets the claim limitations as set forth in claim 8. /Please, refer to
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/417,514
`Art Unit: 2488
`
`Page 13
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`mapping, explanation andpertinence 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 ofcurrent claim. However, explanation andpertinence ofprior art ofreferenceprovided in
`
`the referred claim(s) would address any differing claim limitations. Therefore, exsplanation andpertinence of
`
`prior art ofreference are not duplicated, and applicant 1s requested to refer to explanation andpertinence of
`
`prior art referenceprovided in the referred claim(s).]
`
`Regarding claim 20 and 41-42, the claim(s) recites the claims limitations for decoder, for
`
`decoding the encoded image data,it 1s well-known to the person of ordinary skill 1n the art
`
`before the effectivefiling date of the claimed invention that decoding performs an inverse
`
`operation of the encoder for decoding the encoded image data, thereby decoder1s an
`
`analogous to the encoder. Chuang discloses a decoder /Chuang: Fig. 3 and associated text, Para
`
`0069-0070] that includes a entropy decoder, a de-quantizer, an inverse transformer, an inter
`
`predictor, a intra predictor, buffer memory, that performs a decoding pass generally
`
`reciprocal to the encoding pass described with respect to video encoder. Therefore, claim 20
`
`and 41-42 recites analogouslimitations to claim 1 and 45-46 above, respectively, andis/are
`
`therefore rejected on the same premise. Therefore, regarding claim 20 and 41-42, Chuang
`
`meets the claim limitations as set forth in claim 1 and 45-46, respectively. /Please, refer to
`
`mapping, explanation andpertinence ofprior art reference given in claim 1 and 45-46, respectively; 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 ofreferenceprovided in the referred claim(s) would address any differing cdaim limitations. Therefore,
`
`explanation andpertinence ofprior art ofreference are not duphcated, and applcantts requested to refer to
`
`explanation andpertinence ofprior art referenceprovided in the referred claim/(s).]
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/417,514
`Art Unit: 2488
`
`Page 14
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`Regarding claim 33 and 39-40, the claim(s) recites analogous limitations to claim 20 and 41-
`
`42 above, respectively, and is/are therefore rejected on the same premise. Therefore,
`
`regarding claim 33 and 39-40, Chuang meets the claim limitations as set forth in claim 20 and
`
`41-42, respectively. /Please, refer to mapping, explanation andpertinence ofprior art reference given in
`
`claim 20 and 4142, respectively; 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