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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
`
`16/906,993
`
`06/19/2020
`
`Che-Wei KUO
`
`735256.426
`
`3294
`
`Seed IP Law Group LLP/Panasonic (PIPCA)
`701 5th Avenue, Suite 5400
`Seattle, WA 98104
`
`CHANG, DANIEL
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`ART UNIT
`
`2487
`
`NOTIFICATION DATE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`12/08/2021
`
`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*
`1-89 is/are pending in the application.
`)
`Claim(s)
`5a) Of the above claim(s) ___ is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`C} Claim(s)
`is/are allowed.
`Claim(s) 1-89 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) The drawing(s) filed on 06/19/2020 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)Z) Acknowledgment is made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d) or (f).
`Certified copies:
`_—_c)L) None ofthe:
`b)L) Some**
`a)X) All
`1.2 Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`2.2) Certified copies of the priority documents have been received in Application No.
`3.2.) 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
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`
`3) (J Interview Summary (PTO-413)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date
`(Qj Other:
`
`4)
`
`PTOL-326 (Rev. 11-13)
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Part of Paper No./Mail Date 20211119
`
`Application No.
`Applicant(s)
`16/906,993
`KUO et al.
`
`Office Action Summary Art Unit|AIA (FITF) StatusExaminer
`DANIEL CHANG
`2487
`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 06/19/2020.
`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: 16/906,993
`Art Unit: 2487
`
`Page 2
`
`DETAILED ACTION
`
`Notice of Pre-AlA or AIA Status
`
`The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined
`
`under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA.
`
`Specification
`
`The abstract of the disclosure is objected to becauseit exceeds 150 wordsin
`
`length. Correction is required. See MPEP § 608.01 (b).
`
`Applicant is reminded of the proper language and format for an abstract of the
`
`disclosure.
`
`The abstract should be in narrative form and generally limited to a single
`
`paragraph on a separate sheet within the range of 50 to 150 words in length. The
`
`abstract should describe the disclosure sufficiently to assist readers in deciding whether
`
`there is a need for consulting the full patent text for details.
`
`The language should be clear and concise and should not repeat information
`
`givenin the title. It should avoid using phrases which can be implied, such as, “The
`
`disclosure concerns,” “The disclosure defined by this invention,” “The disclosure
`
`describes,” etc.
`
`In addition, the form and legal phraseology often used in patent claims,
`
`such as “means” and “said,” should be avoided.
`
`Claim Interpretation
`
`The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(f):
`
`(f) Element in Claim for a Combination. — An elementin a claim for a combination may be
`expressed as a meansor step for performing a specified function without the recital of
`structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/906,993
`Art Unit: 2487
`
`Page 3
`
`corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents
`thereof.
`
`The following is a quotation of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph:
`
`An elementin a claim for a combination may be expressed as a meansor step for performing
`a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and
`suchclaim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts
`described in the specification and equivalents thereof.
`
`The claims in this application are given their broadest reasonable interpretation
`
`using the plain meaning of the claim language in light of the specification as it would be
`
`understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The broadest reasonable interpretation of
`
`a claim element (also commonly referred to as a claim limitation) is limited by the
`
`description in the specification when 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth
`
`paragraph, is invoked.
`
`As explained in MPEP § 2181, subsection I, claim limitations that meet the
`
`following three-prong testwill be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35
`
`U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph:
`
`(A)
`
`the claim limitation uses the term “means”or “step” or a term used as a substitute
`
`for “means” that is a generic placeholder (also called a nonce term or a non-
`
`structural term having no specific structural meaning) for performing the claimed
`
`function;
`
`the term “means” or “step” or the generic placeholder is modified by functional
`
`language, typically, but not always linked by the transition word “for” (e.g.,
`
`“means for’) or anotherlinking word or phrase, such as “configured to” or “so
`
`that’: and
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/906,993
`Art Unit: 2487
`
`Page 4
`
`(C)
`
`the term “means”or“step” or the generic placeholder is not modified by sufficient
`
`structure, material, or acts for performing the claimed function.
`
`Use of the word “means”(or “step”) in a claim with functional language creates a
`
`rebuttable presumption that the claim limitation is to be treated in accordance with 35
`
`U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph. The presumption that the claim
`
`limitation is interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth
`
`paragraph, is rebutted when the claim limitation recites sufficient structure, material, or
`
`acts to entirely perform the recited function.
`
`Absenceof the word “means”(or “step”) in a claim creates a rebuttable
`
`presumption that the claim limitation is not to be treated in accordance with 35 U.S.C.
`
`112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph. The presumption that the claim
`
`limitation is not interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AlIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth
`
`paragraph, is rebutted when the claim limitation recites function without reciting
`
`sufficient structure, material or acts to entirely perform the recited function.
`
`Claim limitations in this application that use the word “means”(or “step”) are
`
`being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AlA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph,
`
`except as otherwise indicated in an Office action. Conversely, claim limitations in this
`
`application that do not use the word “means”(or “step”) are not being interpreted under
`
`35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, except as otherwise
`
`indicated in an Office action.
`
`This application includes one or more claim limitations that do not use the word
`
`“means,” but are nonetheless being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AlA 35
`
`U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, becausethe claim limitation(s) uses a generic placeholder
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/906,993
`Art Unit: 2487
`
`Page 5
`
`that is coupled with functional language without reciting sufficient structure to perform
`
`the recited function and the generic placeholder is not precededby a structural modifier.
`
`Suchclaim limitation(s) is/are:
`
`“a block splitter, which, in operation, splits [...],” in claim 20;
`
`“an intra predictor, which, in operation, predicts [...],” in claims 20 & 57;
`
`“an inter prediction, which, in operation, predicts [...],” in claims 20 & 57;
`
`“a loop filter, which, in operation, filters [...],” in claims 20 & 57;
`
`“a transformer, which, in operation, transforms [...],” in claim 20;
`
`“a quantizer, which, in operation, quantizes[...],” in claim 20;
`
`“an inverse quantizer, which, in operation, inverse quantizes[...],” in claim 57;
`
`“an inverse transformer, which, in operation, inverse transforms [...],” in claim 57;
`
`and
`
`“an output, which, in operation, outputs[...],” in claim 57.
`
`Becausethis/these claim limitation(s) is/are being interpreted under 35 U.S.C.
`
`112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, it/they is/are being interpreted to
`
`cover the corresponding structure described in the specification as performing the
`
`claimed function, and equivalents thereof.
`
`If applicant does not intend to have this/these limitation(s) interpreted under 35
`
`U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, applicant may:
`
`(1) amend the
`
`claim limitation(s) to avoid it/them being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AlA
`
`35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph (e.g., by reciting sufficient structure to perform the
`
`claimed function); or (2) present a sufficient showing that the claim limitation(s) recite(s)
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/906,993
`Art Unit: 2487
`
`Page 6
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`sufficient structure to perform the claimed function so as to avoid it/them being
`
`interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph.
`
`Double Patenting
`
`The nonstatutory double patenting rejection is based on a judicially created
`
`doctrine groundedin 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 double
`
`patenting rejection is 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 is 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 Longi, 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); In re Thorington, 418 F.2d 528, 163 USPQ 644 (CCPA 1969).
`
`A timelyfiled 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 nonstatutory
`
`double patenting provided the reference application or patent either is shown to be
`
`commonly owned with the examined application, or claims an invention made as a
`
`result of activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement. See
`
`MPEP § 717.02 for applications subject to examination under the first inventor to file
`
`provisions of the AIA as explained in MPEP § 2159. See MPEP §§ 706.02(I)(1) -
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/906,993
`Art Unit: 2487
`
`Page 7
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`706.02(l)(3) for applications not subject to examination under the first inventor tofile
`
`provisions of the AIA. A terminal disclaimer must be signed in compliance with 37 CFR
`
`1.321(b).
`
`The USPTOInternet website contains terminal disclaimer forms which may be
`
`used. Please visit www.uspto.gov/patent/patents-forms. The filing date of the application
`
`in which the form is filed determines what form (e.g., PTO/SB/25, PTO/SB/26,
`
`PTO/AIA/25, or PTO/AIA/26) should be used. A web-based eTerminal Disclaimer may
`
`befilled out completely online using web-screens. An eTerminal Disclaimer that meets
`
`all requirements is auto-processed and approved immediately upon submission. For
`
`more information about eTerminal Disclaimers, refer to
`
`www. usote aqov/patents/or
`
`
`Co-Pending Application 16/875,553
`
`Claims 1-89 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as
`
`being unpatentable over claims 1 & 6 of Co-Pending Application 16/875,553 in
`
`view of Chuanget al. (WO 2020/098786 A1, with provisional benefit to 62/768,205)
`
`(hereinafter Chuang).
`
`Instant - 16/906,993
`
`Co-Pending 16/875,553
`
`1. An encoder, comprising:
`
`1. (Currently Amended} An encoder,
`
`memory coupled io the circuitry;
`
`circuitry; and
`
`memory coupled ta the circuitry;
`
`CCHNIGFISING:
`
`circuitry; and
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/906,993
`Art Unit: 2487
`
`
`Page 8
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`wherein the circuitry, in operation,
`
`wherein the circullry, in operation,
`
`performs the following:
`
`performs the following:
`
`determining whether fo split a current
`
`decoding unit (VPDUD) is split into smaller
`
`lurria virtual oineline decoding unit
`
`blocks and whether a second VPDU is
`
`(VPDU) into smalier blocks
`
`Spill into smailer Blocks;
`
`in response to a determination the firsi
`
`in response to 4a determination nal to split
`
`YPDU is not splii inte smailer blocks and
`
`the current luma VPDU inte smaller
`
`4 determination the second VPDU is
`
`blocks, precicting a block of chroma
`
`spit inie smaller blocks, predicting a
`
`samples without using luma samples:
`
`determining whether a first virtual pipeline
`
`using lurna samples: and
`
`block af chroria samples without using
`
`uma samples;
`
`in response to a determination the first
`
`in response to a determination ta split ihe
`
`VPDU is split into smailer blocks and the
`
`uma VPDU into smaller Dlacks,
`
`determination the second VPDU is
`
`predicting the block of chroma samples
`
`spl into smaller blocks, predicting the
`
`block of chroma samples using luma
`
`samples;
`
`in response to the determination the
`
`first VPBU is not spit inte smailer
`
`blocks and a determination the second
`
`VPDU is not spill into smaller block,
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/906,993
`Art Unit: 2487
`
`
`Page 9
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`predicting the block of chroma
`
`samples using luma samples; and
`
`encoding the block using the predicted
`
`encoding the block using the predicted
`
`chroma samples,
`
`chroma samples.
`
`As noted above, although the claims are notidentical, they are not patentably
`
`distinct from each other becausethe instant application claims determination the first
`
`¥PDU is not split into smailer blocks and a determination the second VPDU is spit into
`
`ematier blocks and in response to the determination the first VPDUis not soit inta
`
`smalier blocks and a determination the second VPOU is not spillinto smatler block,
`
`predicting the block of chroma samples using iluma samples. However theselimitations
`
`are knownin the art as described in Chuang, wherein Paragraphs [0060]-[0069] and
`
`provisional 62/768,205 describe if luma CU and chroma CU of VPDU asfirst VPDU and
`
`second VPDU, respectively, are split using syntax flags luma_split_end and
`
`chroma_split_end being 0 or 1, and if they stop splitting at the same level. It 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 encoder of 16/875,553 to implement the linear mode
`
`techniques of Chuang, to infer chroma samples from luma samples powerful to
`
`compress chroma componentdata reducing data bandwidth and increasing coding
`
`efficiency as Chuang describes in Paragraph [0066] and supported in pg. 11 of
`
`62/768,205).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/906,993
`Art Unit: 2487
`
`Page 10
`
`Regarding claims 2-19, although the claims are notidentical, the further
`
`limitations would have been obvious for the same reasons of obviousness as set forth in
`
`the rejections outlined below with respect to Chuang.
`
`Instant - 16/906,993
`
`Co-Pending 16/875,553
`
`20. An encoder, comprising:
`
`6. (Currently Amended) An encoder,
`
`comprising
`
`original signal and 4 prediction signal
`
`a block splitter, which, in operation, splits
`
`a block splitter, which, in operation, splits
`
`a first image inic 4 plurality of blocks:
`
`a first image into a plurality of blocks;
`
`an intra predictor, which, in operation,
`
`an intra predictor, which, in operation,
`
`predicts blocks inclucied in the first image,
`
`predicts blocks included in the first made,
`
`using reference Blocks included in the
`
`using reference blocks inclucled in the
`
`first image:
`
`firsl image:
`
`an inter precicior, which, in operation,
`
`an inter predictor, which, in operation,
`
`gredicis blocks included in the first image,
`
`predicis blocks included in the firsi image,
`
`using reference Dlocks included in a
`
`using refererice blocks included in a
`
`second image different from the first
`
`second image diferent fram the first
`
`image:
`
`mage:
`
`a loop filter, which, in operation, fers
`
`a loop filer, which, in operation, filters
`
`Mocks included in the first image:
`
`blocks included in the first image:
`
`a transformer, which, in operation,
`
`a transformer, which, in operation,
`
`transforms a orediction error beiween an
`
`transforms a prediction error between an
`
`original signal and @ prediction signal
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/906,993
`Art Unit: 2487
`
`
`Page 11
`
`generated by the intra preciictor or the
`
`generated by the intra predictor or the
`
`inter predictor, to generate transform
`
`infer predictor, to generate transform
`
`coefficients:
`
`coefficients;
`
`a quantizer, which, in operation,
`
`& quantizer, which, in operation,
`
`quarntizes the transform coefiicients ta
`
`quaniizes the transform coellicierits to
`
`generate quantized coeflicienis; and
`
`generals quantized coetficients; and
`
`ar entropy encoder, which, in operation,
`
`an entropy encoder, which, in operation,
`
`samples wilhout using Juma samples; and
`
`variable encodes the quantized
`
`yariabie encodes the quantized
`
`coeficients to generate an encoded
`
`coefficients io generate an encoded
`
`bitstream including the encoded
`
`btistream including the encoded
`
`quantized coefficients and control
`
`quantized coetiicients and contro!
`
`information,
`
`information,
`
`wherein predicting a block includes:
`
`wherein Drecicting 4 olack includes:
`
`determining whether a first virtual pipeline
`
`determining whether to spht a current
`
`decoding unit (VPDU) is split into smailer
`
`luma virtual pipeline decoding unl
`
`blocks and whether a second VPDU is
`
`(VPDU) into smaiier blocks:
`
`pill inte smailer blocks:
`
`in response to a determination the first
`
`in response to a determination nat to split
`
`¥PDU is not spl into emailer blocks and
`
`the current luma VPDU into smailer
`
`a@ determination the second VPDU is
`
`blocks, predicting a block of chroma
`
`Split inia smaller blocks, orecicting the
`
`block of chroma samples without using
`
`luma samples:
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/906,993
`Art Unit: 2487
`
`
`Page 12
`
`in response to a determination the first
`
`in response to a determination te
`
`YPDU is split into smaller blocks and the|spht the luma VPDU into smaller blocks,
`
`determination the second VPDU is
`
`predicting the block of chroma samples
`
`SoHt into smaller blocks, predicting the|using luma samples.
`
`block of chroma samples using lua
`
`samples: and
`
`samples using luma samples.
`
`in response to the determination the
`
`first VPDBU is not splt inie smaller
`
`iocks and a determination the second
`
`YPDU is not spit into smailer block,
`
`predicting the block of chroma
`
`As noted above, although the claims are notidentical, they are not patentably
`
`distinct from each other becausethe instant application claims determining whether a
`
`first virtual pipeline decoding unit (VPDU) is split into smaller blocks and whether a
`
`second VPDU is spit into smaller blocks, in response to a determination the first VPDU
`
`is nat smlit into smaller blocks and a determination the second VPDUfs split into smalier
`
`locks, in response to 4 determination the first VPDU is split into smaiier blocks and the
`
`determination the second VPDU is split into smaller Giocks, and in response to the
`
`determination the first VPOUis not split into smater biocks and a delermination the
`
`second VPDU is nol split into smaller Block, predicting ine biock of chroma samples
`
`using uma samples. However these limitations are knownin the art as described in
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/906,993
`Art Unit: 2487
`
`Page 13
`
`Chuang, wherein Paragraphs [0060]-[0069] and provisional 62/768,205 describeif luma
`
`CU and chroma CU of VPDU asfirst VPDU and second VPDU, respectively, are split
`
`using syntax flags luma_split_end and chroma_split_end being 0 or 1, and if they stop
`
`splitting at the same level. It 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 encoder of
`
`16/875,553 to implement the linear mode techniques of Chuang, to infer chroma
`
`samples from luma samples powerful to compress chroma component data reducing
`
`data bandwidth and increasing coding efficiency as Chuang describes in Paragraph
`
`[0066] and supported in pg. 11 of 62/768,205).
`
`Regarding claims 21-35, although the claims are not identical, the further
`
`limitations would have been obvious for the same reasons of obviousness as set forth in
`
`the rejections outlined below with respect to Chuang.
`
`Regarding claims 36-56, claims (36-56) are drawn to a decoder having
`
`limitations similar to the encoder of using the same as claimedin claim 1 treated in the
`
`below rejections, and therefore correspond to encoder claim 1. Furthermore, although
`
`the claims are not identical, the further limitations would have been obvious for the
`
`same reasons of obviousnessassetforth in the rejections outlined below with respect
`
`to Chuang.
`
`Regarding claims 57-71, claims (57-71) are drawn to a decoding device having
`
`limitations similar to the encoder of using the same as claimed in claim 20 treated in the
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/906,993
`Art Unit: 2487
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`Page 14
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`below rejections, and therefore correspond to encoder claim 20. Furthermore, although
`
`the claims are not identical, the further limitations would have been obvious for the
`
`same reasons of obviousnessassetforth in the rejections outlined below with respect
`
`to Chuang.
`
`Regarding claim 72-80, encoding method claims (72-80) correspond to encoder
`
`claims (1-5, 8, 12, 16 & 19), respectively, and therefore are also rejected for the same
`
`reasons of obviousnessaslisted below.
`
`Regarding claim 81-89, decoding method claims (81-89) correspond to decoder
`
`claims (36-40, 44, 49, 53 & 56), respectively, and therefore are also rejected for the
`
`same reasons of obviousness aslisted below.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
`
`In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35
`
`U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103)is incorrect, any
`
`correction of the statutory basis for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of
`
`rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be
`
`the same under either status.
`
`The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all
`
`obviousnessrejections setforth in this Office action:
`
`A patent for a claimed invention 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 andthe prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole
`would have been obvious before the effectivefiling date of the claimed invention to a person
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`

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`Art Unit: 2487
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`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.
`
`Claims 1-89 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Xu
`
`et al. (US 2020/0037002 A1) (hereinafter Xu) in view of Chuang et al. (WO
`
`2020/098786 A1, with provisional benefit to 62/768,205) (hereinafter Chuang).
`
`Regarding claim 1, Xu discloses an encoder, comprising:
`
`circuitry; and memory coupled to the circuitry [Paragraphs [0100] & [0122],
`
`Embodiments may be implemented by processing circuitry executing program
`
`stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium];
`
`wherein the circuitry, in operation, performs the following:
`
`determining a first virtual pipeline decoding unit (VPDU) [Paragraphs [0120]-
`
`[0129], Fig. 11, VPDUs signaled in a coded video bitstream such as an SPS or
`
`PPS];
`
`predicting the block of chroma samples using luma samples [Paragraphs
`
`[0128]-[0129], Fig. 11, Chroma CUs canbeinferred from Luma CUs]; and
`
`encoding the block using the predicted chroma samples [Paragraphs [094], Fig.
`
`11, Prediction operation in encoding is performedin the unit of a prediction
`
`block, including chroma CTBs].
`
`However, Xu does not explicitly disclose wherein the circuitry, in operation,
`
`performs the following:
`
`determining whether a first virtual pipeline decoding unit (VPDU) is split into
`
`smaller blocks and whether a second VPDU is split into smaller blocks;
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/906,993
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`Page 16
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`in response to a determination the first VPDU is not split into smaller blocks and
`
`a determination the second VPDU is split into smaller blocks, predicting a block of
`
`chroma samples without using luma samples;
`
`in response to a determination the first VPDU is split into smaller blocks and the
`
`determination the second VPDU is split into smaller blocks, predicting the block of
`
`chroma samples using luma samples; and
`
`in response to the determination the first VPDU is not split into smaller blocks
`
`and a determination the second VPDU is notsplit into smaller block, predicting the block
`
`of chroma samples using luma samples.
`
`Chuang teaches wherein the circuitry, in operation, performs the following:
`
`determining whether a first virtual pipeline decoding unit (VPDU) is split into
`
`smaller blocks and whether a second VPDU is split into smaller blocks [Paragraphs
`
`[0060]-[0061] & [0066]-[0069], supported in 62/768,205, Determining if luma CU
`
`and chroma CU of VPDU asfirst VPDU and second VPDU, respectively, are split
`
`using syntax flags luma_split_end and chroma_split_end being 0 or 1];
`
`in response to a determination the first VPDU is not split into smaller blocks and
`
`a determination the second VPDU is split into smaller blocks, predicting a block of
`
`chroma samples without using luma samples [Paragraphs [0060]-[0069], supported
`
`in pg. 11 of 62/768,205, LM mode is disabled if syntax flags luma_split_end and
`
`chroma_split_end are 1 and 0, respectively];
`
`in response to a determination the first VPDU is split into smaller blocks and the
`
`determination the second VPDU is split into smaller blocks, predicting the block of
`
`chroma samples using luma samples [Paragraphs [0060]-[0069], supported in pg. 11
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/906,993
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`Page 17
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`of 62/768,205, LM modeis enabledif syntax flags luma_split_end and
`
`chroma_split_end are each 0, or that they stop splitting at the same level]; and
`
`in response to the determination the first VPDU is not split into smaller blocks
`
`and a determination the second VPDU is notsplit into smaller block, predicting the block
`
`of chroma samples using luma samples [Paragraphs [0060]-[0069], supported in pg.
`
`11 of 62/768,205, LM mode is enabled if syntax flags luma_split_end and
`
`chroma_split_end are each 1, or that they stop splitting at the same level].
`
`It 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 encoder disclosed by Xu to
`
`integrate and implementthe linear mode techniques of Chuang as above, to infer
`
`chroma samples from luma samples powerful to compress chroma component data
`
`reducing data bandwidth and increasing coding efficiency (Chuang, Paragraph [0066],
`
`supported in pg. 11 of 62/768,205).
`
`Regarding claim 2, Xu and Chuang disclose the encoder of claim 1, and are
`
`analyzed as previously discussed with respectto the claim.
`
`Furthermore, Xu discloses wherein a current blockis in the first VPDU
`
`[Paragraphs [0120]-[0129], Fig. 11, luma/chroma CUsas current blocks sharing
`
`same VPDUs].
`
`Additionally, Chuang teaches wherein a current blockis in the first VPDU
`
`[Paragraphs [0060]-[0069], supported in pg. 8 of 62/768,205, luma CU component
`
`is split within predefined block area or VPDU area]. It would have been obvious to
`
`the person of ordinary skill in the art before the effectivefiling date of the claimed
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/906,993
`Art Unit: 2487
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`Page 18
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`invention to modify the encoder disclosed by Xu to integrate and implement the linear
`
`mode techniques of Chuang as above, to infer chroma samples from luma samples
`
`powerful to compress chroma component data reducing data bandwidth and increasing
`
`coding efficiency (Chuang, Paragraph [0066], supported in pg. 11 of 62/768,205).
`
`Regarding claim 3, Xu and Chuang disclose the encoder of claim 1, and are
`
`analyzed as previously discussed with respectto the claim.
`
`Furthermore, Xu discloses wherein a current blockis in the second VPDU
`
`[Paragraphs [0120]-[0129], Fig. 11, luma/chroma CUsas current blocks sharing
`
`same VPDUs].
`
`Additionally, Chuang teaches wherein a current blockis in the second VPDU
`
`[Paragraphs [0060]-[0069], supported in pg. 8 of 62/768,205, chroma CU
`
`component is split within predefined block area or VPDU area]. It 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 encoder disclosed by Xu to integrate and implement the
`
`linear mode techniques of Chuang as above, to infer chroma samples from luma
`
`samples powerful to compress chroma component data reducing data bandwidth and
`
`increasing coding efficiency (Chuang, Paragraph [0066], supported in pg. 11 of
`
`62/768,205).
`
`Regarding claim 4, Xu and Chuang disclose the encoder of claim 1, and are
`
`analyzed as previously discussed with respectto the claim.
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/906,993
`Art Unit: 2487
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`Furthermore, Chuang teaches wherein thefirst VPDU is a luma VPDU
`
`[Paragraphs [0060]-[0069], supported in pg. 11 in 62/768,205, luma CU of VPDU as
`
`first VPDU].
`
`It 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 encoder disclosed by Xu to
`
`integrate and implementthe linear mode techniques of Chuang as above, to infer
`
`chroma samples from luma samples powerful to compress chroma component data
`
`reducing data bandwidth and increasing coding efficiency (Chuang, Paragraph [0066],
`
`supported in pg. 11 of 62/768,205).
`
`Regarding claim 5, Xu and Chuang disclose the encoder of claim 1, and are
`
`analyzed as previously discussed with respectto the claim.
`
`Furthermore, Chuang teaches wherein t