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`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`Address: COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450
`
`17/535,873
`
`11/26/2021
`
`Virginie DRUGEON
`
`2021-2415A
`
`1092
`
`Ce
`Lind&
`Wenderoth,
`Wenderoth, Lind & Ponack, L.L.P.
`1025 Connecticut Avenue, NW
`Suite 500
`Washington, DC 20036
`
`KALAPODAS, DRAMOS
`
`ART UNIT
`2487
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`NOTIFICATION DATE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`04/16/2024
`
`ELECTRONIC
`
`Please find below and/or attached an Office communication concerning this application or proceeding.
`
`The time period for reply, if any, is set in the attached communication.
`
`Notice of the Office communication was sent electronically on above-indicated "Notification Date" to the
`following e-mail address(es):
`eoa@ wenderoth.com
`kmiller@wenderoth.com
`
`PTOL-90A (Rev. 04/07)
`
`

`

`
`
`Disposition of Claims*
`1-2,4-6 and 8-9 is/are pending in the application.
`)
`Claim(s)
`5a) Of the above claim(s) _ is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`CL] Claim(s)__is/are allowed.
`Claim(s) 1-2,4-6 and 8-9 is/are rejected.
`(] Claim(s)__ is/are objectedto.
`C] 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) The drawing(s) filed on 11/26/2021 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)£) 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)Q) All
`1.1) Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`2.1.) Certified copies of the priority documents have been received in Application No. |
`3.2.) 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)
`
`2) (J Information Disclosure Statement(s) (PTO/SB/08a and/or PTO/SB/08b)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`
`3)
`
`4)
`
`(LJ Interview Summary (PTO-413)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date
`(Qj Other:
`
`PTOL-326 (Rev. 11-13)
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Part of Paper No./Mail Date 20240411
`
`Application No.
`Applicant(s)
`17/535,873
`DRUGEON etal.
`
`Office Action Summary Art Unit|AIA (FITF)StatusExaminer
`DRAMOS KALAPODAS
`2487
`Yes
`
`
`
`-- The MAILING DATEof this communication appears on the cover sheet with the correspondence address --
`Period for Reply
`
`A SHORTENED STATUTORYPERIOD FOR REPLYIS SET TO EXPIRE 3 MONTHS FROM THE MAILING
`DATE OF THIS COMMUNICATION.
`Extensionsof 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 04/04/2024.
`C} A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/werefiled on
`
`2a)() This action is FINAL. 2b)¥)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)(2) 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: 17/535,873
`Art Unit: 2487
`
`Page 2
`
`DETAILED ACTION
`
`Notice of Pre-AlA or AIA Status
`
`1.
`
`The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined
`
`underthe first inventor to file provisions of the AIA.
`
`Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
`
`2.
`
`A requestfor continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set
`
`forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), wasfiled in this application after final rejection. Since this
`
`application is eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set
`
`forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has beentimely paid, the finality of the previous Office action
`
`has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on
`
`04/04/2024 has been entered.
`
`3.
`
`Claims 1-2, 4-6 and 8-9 are currently pending.
`
`Claim Status
`
`Claims 3 and 7 stand cancelled.
`
`Reply to Arguments
`
`4.
`
`Applicant's arguments with respect to claims 1-2, 4-6 and 8-9, have been
`
`considered but are found unpersuasive.
`
`It has been determinedthat the original art of reference fully teach the matter of
`
`the explicitly amendedclaims asit is reiterated in the herein rejection and applied to the
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/535,873
`Art Unit: 2487
`
`Page 3
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`arguments raised according to subject matter similarly mapped, mutatis mutandis at the
`
`claims below.
`
`Applicant's Representative is encouraged to contact the Examiner for
`
`consultation and support with subject matter deemed to advancethe prosecution.
`
`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 groundof
`
`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 basisfor all
`
`obviousness rejections set forth 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, if the differences between the claimed
`invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention 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.
`
`The factual 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 asfollows:
`
`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.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/535,873
`Art Unit: 2487
`
`Page 4
`
`4. Considering objective evidence presentin the application indicating obviousness or
`nonobviousness.
`
`This application does not currently name joint inventors.
`
`5.
`
`Claims 1-9 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over “High
`
`Efficiency Video Coding”; © ISO/IEC 23008-2:2013(E) (hereinafter ISO23008-2), and
`
`ITU-T H.265 “High Efficiency Video Coding”, Series H: Audiovisual and
`
`Multimedia Systems,(04/2015) (hereinafter H.265) in view of Lihua Zhu etal.,
`
`(hereinafter Zhu) (US 2010/0091837).
`
`Re Claim 1. (Currently Amended) IS023008-2 discloses, an encoder (encoder
`
`note for buffering period, Note 4, Sec. D.3.2) comprising:
`
`Memory (Digital storage medium Sec.0.3, 0.4, 0.6, 7.4.2.1); and
`
`circuitry coupled to the memory (processing circuitry connected to memory
`
`Sec.0.3, e.g., storage buffers, Sec.7.4.3.1),-andconfiguredte:
`
`wherein in operation, the circuitry:
`
`stores first information indicating (storing the RBSP containing the buffering
`
`period and picture timing SEI messageat Note 1, Sec.D.3.3) stere-a total numberof
`
`temporal sub-layers (and the total number of sub-layers, i.e., maximum numberof
`
`sub_layers in the bitstream into the buffering period of the SEI message as coded
`
`at Sec.D.2.1)-7-a-bitstreaninto eithera buffering period supplemental enhancement
`
`information (SEI) message _or a picture timing SEI message (signaling information
`
`setting the number of sub-layers per Sec.7.3.3 setting the maximum numberof
`
`sub-layers and/or signaling the SEI message payloadType, sei_message() at
`
`Sec.D2.1 by SEI message syntax sei_payload(payladType, payloadSize) code
`
`cited below for buffering period ,
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/535,873
`Art Unit: 2487
`
`D2.1 General SEI message syntax
`
`
`
`sei_pavload( payloadType. pavloadSize } {
`if( nalanittype == PREFSSELNUT)
`ui payloadType == 0}
`bufferingperiod( pavloadSize )
`
`Page 5
`
`,)_and:-anc-erncedethetotat
`
`numbereHhetemperatsub-tayers-
`
`generates a bitstream including the buffering period SEl message and the picture
`
`timing SEI message (generating the bitstream including buffering period SEI
`
`messageand the picture timing SEI message, Sec.D.3.2 and D.3.3.respectively),
`
`wherein the buffering period SEI message includesa first loop structure of the
`
`total numberof the temporal sub-layers indicated by the first information, and each of
`
`first loops includes aninitial delay of a timing to extract data from a coded picture buffer
`
`(CPB) (considering i.e., a first loop, the buffering period SEI message syntax of a
`
`first processing loop, indicating aninitial delay of data from CPB, revealed below
`
`including the explicit amended matter as below cited at code lines;
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/535,873
`Art Unit: 2487
`
`B22
`
`Buffering period SE] message syntax
`
`Page 6
`
`bufferineperiod( payloadSize ) {
`|bpseqparameterseidsts
`if( {subpic_brd_paramspresentDag )
`
`irap_cpbparamspresentflag
`if(irap_cpbparamspresentflag) ¢
`
`epb_delay_offset
`
`iipbdelay_offset
`
`_concatenationMag
`au_epbremoval_delay_delia_minust
`if( NallirdBpPresentFlag } {
`
`fori=O.i <= CpbCnt +) 4
`
`nalinitiaLepb_removaloffsefi}SS
`
`#f€ subpic_hrd_params_present_flag |} irap_cpbparamspresentflag) ¢
`nalinitialalt_cpb_removal_detay[ 1
`j
`
`concernVinitaalt_epbremovaloffsettynen), and
`
`wherein the picture timing SEI message includes a second loop structure of the
`
`total number of the temporal sub-layers indicated by the first information, and each of
`
`second loopsincludes a parameterrelated to the timing to extract data from the CPB
`
`(considering i.e., a second loop, a second processing codeindicating the picture
`
`timing SEI message syntax at Sec.D2.3 including the explicit amended matter as
`
`below cited at codelines;
`
`

`

`Page 7
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`Application/Control Number: 17/535,873
`Art Unit: 2487
`
`D.2.3
`
`Picture timing SET message syntax
`
`| pic_tiraing( payloadSize ) {
`if( frame_field_mfo_present_flag } {
`pic_struct
`
`sourcescantype
`duplicateflag
`
`} i
`
`f( CpbDpbDelaysPresentFlag } [{
`
`au_cpb_removal_delay_minust
`pic_dphoutput_delay
`aff sub_pic_hrd_params _present_flag )
`
`picdpboutput_du_delay
`if( sub_pic_hrd_params_present_flag &&
`sub pic cpbparams inpictimingseiflag) £
`mumdecodiaganitsminus]
`tha_common_cpb_remoyval_delay_flag
`
`du_common_cphremoval_delayincrement_minusl
`fordi= 0.1 <= numdecodingwnils_minusi;i¢+ } {
`mumonihisin_duminusifi]
`if{ [da_common_cpb_removal_delay_flag && 1< num_decoding_units_minusi j
`du_eph_removal_delay_increment_minusl{ i]
`
`‘ea
`
`An explanatory rationale is identified in the analogous art, H.265 teaching about
`
`storing and coding a total number of temporal sub-layers as claimed to,
`
`stores first information indicating stere-a total number of temporal sub-layers
`
`(storing a first and a second SEI messageinformation for execution, indicative of
`
`the number of temporal sub-layers defined by the syntax
`
`sps_max_sub_layers_minus7 plus 1, Sec.F.7.4.3.2.1. and the total number as
`
`sub_layers_vps_max-minus1[i] plus 1, Sec. F.7.4.3.1.1, F.7.4.3.2.1) eithera
`
`buffering period supplemental enhancementinformation (SEI) message_or a picture
`
`timing SEI message (in the SEI message Sec.C.1, Sec.7.4.3.4 using a temporal sub-
`
`layer index SEI message at Note 1, Sec.7.4.7.1) or
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/535,873
`Art Unit: 2487
`
`Page 8
`
`a buffering period SEI message (or in the buffering period SEI message
`
`Sec.C.1 at point 4. and 6.), and
`
`A supplementary search directs to the art to Zhou, teaching the claimed
`
`limitations as,
`
`memory; and
`
`circuitry coupled to the memory,-ardcoenfiguredto:
`
`wherein in operation, the circuitry:
`
`storesfirst information indicating stere-a total numberof temporal sub-layers+n-a
`
`bitstreaminto eithera buffering period supplemental enhancementinformation (SE1)
`
`message _or a picture timing SEl message, (a memory and the encoderprocessing
`
`unit ...... have a buffering_period(payloadSize) signaled with a SPS
`
`seq_parameter_set_id at Table 5 and the number of temporal layers in bitstream,
`
`Par.[0028] Tab.3-6, buffering period SEI at Par.[0007, 0010, 0015, 0018, 0021, 0026]
`
`Table 2, Fig.5 Fig.2)and:
`
`The ordinary skilled in the art would haveidentified the subject matter in ISO23008-2
`
`disclosing specific syntax designed to increase the compression rate and the image quality
`
`(Sec.0.7) and seek the incentive to detail media signaled syntax by referencing to specific
`
`known standards, as the H.265 for digital coding, storage and distribution of moving pictures
`
`(Sec.0.3) and to further reference other relevant analogous art defining the spatial and
`
`temporal changesrelated to the HRD parameters use din scalable video coding defined in the
`
`art to Zhou, (Abstract) hence deeming such combination predictable.
`
`Re Claim 2. (Previously Presented) IS023008-2, H.265 and Zhou disclose, the
`
`encoder according to claim 1,
`
`1S023008-2, teaches, wherein for each of the temporal sub-layers, the circuitry
`
`stores a total number of schedulesinto either the picture timing SEI message or the
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/535,873
`Art Unit: 2487
`
`Page 9
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`buffering period SEI message (see ISO23008-2 at claim 1 and mapped similar
`
`limitations under H.265 and Zhou), and
`
`encodesthe total numberof the schedules, the schedules corresponding to the
`
`temporal sub-layer in the bitstream (encoding the total number of schedules,
`
`Sec.C.1 Pg. 212, Sec.C.5.1 Pg.219-220 according to the hRD being initialized by
`
`the buffering period SEI Sec.D2.2, D3.2).
`
`3. (Cancelled)
`
`Re Claim 4. (Previously Presented) IS023008-2, H.265 and Zhou disclose, the
`
`encoder according to claim 3,
`
`1S$023008-2, teaches, wherein the total numberof the temporal sub-layers which
`
`is encoded into the buffering period SEI message is equal to a total numberof the
`
`temporal sub-layers which is encoded into a sequence parameter set (one of ordinary
`
`skill would have found obvious to consider that the total number of the temporal
`
`sub-layers which is encodedinto the buffering period SEI message,is the same
`
`with the temporal sub-layers in the signaled SPS syntax, per
`
`sps_max_dec_pic_buffering_minus1 [HighestTid] + 1, as derived from SPS,is
`
`defined at Sec.C.5.1, C.5.2, or in a SPS determining the total number represented
`
`by the maximum number of temporal sub-layers presentin a bitstream,
`
`sps_max_sub_layers_minus? +1, Sec.7.4.3.2 and storing the RBSP containing
`
`the picture timing SEI message, Sec. D.3.3).
`
`Zhou teachesthis limitation at (Table 2, Par.[0015]).
`
`Re Claim 5. (Currently Amended) This claim represents the decoderside of the
`
`coding apparatus, where ISO23008-2 discloses the “encoding engine is essentially
`
`symmetric with the decoding engine”, according to claim 1, henceit is rejected on the
`
`same evidentiary probe mapped mutatis mutandis.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/535,873
`Art Unit: 2487
`
`Page 10
`
`Re Claim 6. (Previously Presented) This claim represents the decodersideof the
`
`coding apparatus, where ISO23008-2 discloses the “encoding engine is essentially
`
`symmetric with the decoding engine”, according to claim 2, henceit is rejected on the
`
`same evidentiary probe mapped mutatis mutandis.
`
`7. (Cancelled)
`
`Re Claim 8. (Previously Presented) This claim represents the decodersideof the
`
`coding apparatus, where ISO23008-2 discloses the “encoding engine is essentially
`
`symmetric with the decoding engine”, according to claim 4, henceit is rejected on the
`
`same evidentiary probe mapped mutatis mutandis.
`
`Re Claim 9. (Currently Amended) This claim represents the non-transitory
`
`computer readable medium storing a bitstream, storing data for encoding according to
`
`the encoder claim 1 and decoding according to the decoder claim 6, henceit is rejected
`
`on the same evidentiary probe mapped mutatis mutandis.
`
`Conclusion
`
`6.
`
`The prior art madeof record and notrelied upon, is considered pertinent to applicant's
`
`disclosure. See PTO-892 form. Applicant is required under 37 C.F.R. 1.111(c) to consider
`
`these references when respondingto this action.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/535,873
`Art Unit: 2487
`
`Page 11
`
`Anyinquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the
`
`examiner should be directed to DRAMOS KALAPODASwhosetelephone numberis
`
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`
`DRAMOS . KALAPODAS
`
`Primary Examiner
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/535,873
`Art Unit: 2487
`
`Page 12
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`Art Unit 2487
`
`/DRAMOS KALAPODAS/
`
`