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
`
`05/12/2020
`
`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*
`1-38 is/are pending in the application.
`)
`Claim(s)
`5a) Of the above claim(s) ___ is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`CC) Claim(s)
`is/are allowed.
`Claim(s) 1-38 is/are rejected.
`S)
`) O Claim(s)___is/are objected to.
`C) 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)C The specification is objected to by the Examiner.
`11) The drawing(s) filed on 05/20/2019 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)(1) Acknowledgment is made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d)or (f).
`Certified copies:
`cc) None ofthe:
`b)LJ Some**
`a)L) 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.
`3.4) 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
`05/20/2019,08/30/2019,12/06/2019.
`
`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 20200507
`
`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 05/20/2019.
`LC} A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/werefiled on
`
`2a)(J 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\(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.
`
`
`
`[2] 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 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 Bery,
`
`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); 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
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/417,514
`Art Unit: 2488
`
`Page 3
`
`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).
`
`[3]
`
`Claims 1, 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, 20, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36 are provisionally rejected on the ground of
`
`nonstatutory double patenting over claims 1, 6-7, 12-13, 18-19, 24-25, 30-31, 36 of Co-pending
`
`Application 16/417517. This is a provisional double patenting rejection since the conflicting claims
`
`have not yet been patented.
`
`[4]
`
`Claims 2-4, 6-7, 9-10, 12-13, 15-16, 18-19, 21-23, 25-26, 28-29, 31-32, 34-35, 37-38 are
`
`provisionally reyected on the ground of nonstatutory obviousness-type double patenting as being
`
`unpatentable over claim 1 of co-pending Application No 16/417517, in view of US Publication
`
`PARKet al. (WO2015/012622Al) (hereinafter PARK) [Note: US publication US20160173904.A1,
`
`an equivalent of WO2015/012622Al,is used as English translation for WO2015/012622Al, and
`
`thereby US20160173904A11s used for claim mapping]. Although the conflicting claims are not
`
`identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because it 1s merely in the terminology
`
`used 1n 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:
`
`*Note: Bold indicates the common subject matter
`
`ing Application: 16/417,517
`Instant Application: 16/417514
`
`

`

`predictor, and a memory, wherein the
`
`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
`
`Application/Control Number: 16/417,514
`Art Unit: 2488
`
`1. An image encoder, comprising:
`circuitry; and a memory coupled to
`the circuitry, wherein the circuitry,
`in operation: when a parameter has a
`first value, splits a block of a
`picture into sub blocks having a
`first set of geometries; when the
`parameter has a value other than the
`first value, splits the block of the
`picture into sub blocks having a
`second set of geometries,
`the second
`set of geometries being different
`from the first set of geometries; and
`encodes the sub blocks of the block.
`
`5. The image encoder according to
`claim 1, wherein a geometry of a sub
`block indicates at least a shape, a
`height, or a width of the sub block.
`
`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
`
`Page 4
`
`1. An image encoder, comprising:
`circuitry; and a memory coupled to
`the circuitry, wherein the circuitry,
`in operation: when a geometry of a
`block of a picture satisfies a first
`condition, splits the block of the
`picture into sub blocks having a
`first set of geometries; when the
`geometry of the block does not
`satisfy the first condition, splits
`the block of the picture into sub
`blocks having a second set of
`geometries,
`the second set of
`geometries being different from the
`first set of geometries; and encodes
`the sub blocks of the block.
`
`6. The image encoder according
`to claim 1, wherein a geometry
`of a sub block indicates at
`least a shape, a height, ora
`width of the sub block.
`
`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
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/417,514
`Art Unit: 2488
`
`Page 5
`
`in operation,
`inter predictor,
`generates a prediction of a current
`block based on a reference block in
`
`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
`
`an encoded reference picture and the
`intra predictor,
`in operation,
`generates a prediction of a current
`block based on an encoded reference
`
`blocks having a second set of
`
`12. The image encoder according to
`claim 7, wherein a geometry of a sub
`block indicates at least a shape, a
`height, or a width of the sub block.
`13. An image encoding method,
`comprising: when a geometry of a
`block of a picture satisfies a first
`condition, splitting the block of the
`picture into sub blocks having a
`first set of geometries; when the
`geometry of the block does not
`satisfy the first condition,
`splitting the block of the picture
`into sub blocks having a second set
`of geometries,
`the second set of
`geometries being different from the
`first set of geometries; and encoding
`the sub blocks of the block.
`
`block in a current picture, wherein
`the prediction controller,
`in
`operation: when a geometry of a
`current block satisfies a first
`
`condition, splits the current block
`into sub blocks having a first set of
`geometries; when the geometry of the
`current block does not satisfy the
`first condition, splits the current
`block into sub blocks having a second
`set of geometries,
`the second set of
`geometries being different from the
`first set of geometries; and encodes
`the sub blocks of the block.
`
`block in a current picture, wherein
`the prediction controller,
`in
`operation: when a parameter has a
`first value, splits a current block
`into sub blocks having a first set of
`geometries; when the parameter has a
`value other than the first value,
`splits the current block into sub
`blocks having a second set of
`geometries,
`the second set of
`geometries being different from the
`first set of geometries; and encodes
`the sub blocks of the current block.
`
`11. The image encoder according to
`claim 8, wherein a geometry of a sub
`block indicates at least a shape, a
`height, or a width of the sub block.
`14. An image encoding method,
`comprising: when a parameter has a
`first value, splitting a block of a
`picture into sub blocks having a
`first set of geometries; when the
`parameter has a value other than the
`first value, splitting the block of
`the picture into sub blocks having a
`second set of geometries,
`the second
`set of geometries being different
`from the first set of geometries; and
`encoding the sub blocks of the block
`of the picture.
`
`17. The image encoding method
`according to claim 14, wherein a
`geometry of a sub block indicates at
`least a shape, a height, or a width
`of the sub block.
`
`18. The image encoding method
`according to claim 13, wherein a
`geometry of a sub block indicates at
`least a shape, a height, or a width
`of the sub block.
`
`20. An image decoder, comprising:
`circuitry; and a memory coupled to
`the circuitry, wherein the circuitry,
`in operation: when a parameter has a
`first value, splits a block of a
`picture into sub blocks having a
`first set of geometries; when the
`parameter has a value other than the
`first value, splits the block of the
`picture into sub blocks having a
`second set of geometries,
`the second
`set of geometries being different
`
`19. An image decoder, comprising:
`circuitry; and a memory coupled to
`the circuitry, wherein the circuitry,
`in operation: when a geometry of a
`block of a picture satisfies a first
`condition, splits the block of the
`picture into sub blocks having a
`first set of geometries; when the
`geometry of the block does not
`satisfy the first condition, splits
`the block of the picture into sub
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/417,514
`Art Unit: 2488
`
`Page 6
`
`from the first set of geometries; and
`decodes the sub blocks of the block
`
`of the picture.
`
`the second set of
`geometries,
`geometries being different from the
`first set of geometries; and decodes
`the sub blocks of the block.
`
`24. The image decoder according to
`claim 20, wherein a geometry of a sub
`block indicates at least a shape, a
`height, or a width of the sub block.
`27. An image decoder, comprising: an
`entropy decoder which,
`in operation,
`receives and decodes an encoded
`
`24. The image decoder according to
`claim 19, wherein a geometry of a sub
`block indicates at least a shape, a
`height, or a width of the sub block.
`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
`
`condition, splitting the block of the
`
`reference block in a current picture,
`wherein the prediction controller,
`in
`operation: when a parameter has a
`first value, splits a current block
`into sub blocks having a first set of
`geometries; when the parameter has a
`value other than the first value,
`splits the current block into sub
`blocks having a second set of
`geometries,
`the second set of
`geometries being different from the
`first set of geometries; and decodes
`the sub blocks of the current block.
`
`reference block in a current picture,
`wherein the prediction controller,
`in
`operation: when a geometry of a
`current block satisfies a first
`
`condition, splits the current block
`into sub blocks having a first set of
`geometries; when the geometry of the
`current block does not satisfy the
`first condition, splits the current
`block into sub blocks having a second
`set of geometries,
`the second set of
`geometries being different from the
`first set of geometries; and decodes
`the sub blocks of the block.
`
`30. The image decoder according to
`claim 25, wherein a geometry of a sub
`block indicates at least a shape, a
`height, or a width of the sub block.
`31. An image decoding method,
`comprising: when a geometry of a
`block of a picture satisfies a first
`
`30. The image decoder according to
`claim 27, wherein a geometry of a sub
`block indicates at least a shape, a
`height, or a width of the sub block.
`33. An image decoding method,
`comprising: when a parameter has a
`first value, splitting a block of a
`picture into sub blocks having a
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/417,514
`Art Unit: 2488
`
`Page 7
`
`of the sub block.
`
`first set of geometries; when the
`parameter has a value other than the
`first value, splitting the block of
`the picture into sub blocks having a
`second set of geometries,
`the second
`set of geometries being different
`from the first set of geometries; and
`decoding the sub blocks of the block
`of the picture.
`
`36. The image decoding method
`according to claim 33, wherein a
`geometry of a sub block indicates at
`least a shape, a height, or a width
`
`picture into sub blocks having a
`first set of geometries; when the
`geometry of the block does not
`satisfy the first condition,
`splitting the block of the picture
`into sub blocks having a second set
`of geometries,
`the second set of
`geometries being different from the
`first set of geometries; and decoding
`the sub blocks of the block.
`
`36. The image decoding method
`according to claim 31, wherein a
`geometry of a sub block indicates at
`least a shape, a height, or a width
`of the sub block.
`
`[5]
`
`Regarding dependentclaims 2-4, 6-7, 9-10, 12-13, 15-16, 18-19, 21-23, 25-26, 28-29, 31-32,
`
`34-35, 37-38, Claims 2-4, 6-7, 9-10, 12-13, 15-16, 18-19, 21-23, 25-26, 28-29, 31-32, 34-35, 37-38
`
`correspondto claim 1, 7, 13, 19, 25, 31, of conflicting Co-pending Application 16/417517 and
`
`obvious over PARK.
`
`Notcere prior art available under both pre-AIA and AIA
`
`In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to ALA 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 priorart
`
`relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same undereitherstatus.
`
`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:
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/417,514
`Art Unit: 2488
`
`Page 8
`
`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 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.
`
`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 in 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.
`
`[6
`
`Claim 1-38 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over PARKetal.
`
`(WO2015/012622Al) (hereinafter PARK).
`
`Note: US publication US20160173904.A1, an equivalent of WO2015/012622Al, is used as English
`
`translation for WO2015/012622Al, and thereby US20160173904A1is used for claim mapping.
`
`Regarding Claim 8, PARK meets the limitations as follows:
`
`An image encoder /Fig. 8, 11, and associated text, Para 0415, discloses an image
`
`encoder] comprising:
`
`a splitter which, in operation, receives and splits an original picture into
`
`blocks; /Fig. 1A, 1B, 8, 11, and associated text, Para 0350, discloses splittingpicture in LICU]
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/417,514
`Art Unit: 2488
`
`Page 9
`
`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; /Fig. 11, and associated text, Para 0415-0417]
`
`a transformer which, tn operation, performs a transform on the residuals
`
`outputted from the adder to output transform coefficients; /Fzg. 17, and associated text,
`
`Para 0415-0417]
`
`a quantizer which, in operation, quantizes the transform coefficients to
`
`generate quantized transform coefficients; /Fig. 11, and associated text, Para 0415-0417]
`
`an entropy encoder which, in operation, encodes the quantized transform
`
`coefficients to generate a bitstream; /Fig. 17, and associated text, Para 0415-0417)
`
`an inverse quantizer and transformer which, in operation, inverse quantizes
`
`the quantized transform coefficients to obtain the transform coefficients and inverse
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`transforms the transform coefficients to obtain the residuals; /Fig. 17, and associated
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`text, Para 0415-0417]
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`a second adder which, in operation, adds the residuals outputted from the
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`inverse quantizer and transformer and the predictions outputted from the prediction
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`controller to reconstruct the blocks; /Fig. 17, and associated text, Para 0415-0417] and
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`the prediction controller coupled to an inter predictor, an intra predictor, and
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`a memory, wherein the inter predictor, in operation, generates a prediction of a
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`current block based on a reference block 1n an encoded reference picture and the
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`intra predictor, 1n operation, generates a prediction of a current block based on an
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`encoded reference block in a current picture, /Fig. 8, 11, and associated text, Para 0415-
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`0417] wherein the prediction controller, in operation:
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`Application/Control Number: 16/417,514
`Art Unit: 2488
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`Page 10
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`when a parameter hasafirst value (.¢. énformation/value ofapartition mode),
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`splits a current block into sub blocks havingafirst set of geometries; /Fug. 8, 13, 15-
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`16, 20, Table-1 and associated text, Para 0363-0364, 0369, 0420, 0439, 0445-0446, 0469,
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`0480, discloses determining apartition mode in aprediction unit and encoder transmitting the
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`partition mode information| value to the decoder, where thepartition mode value may indicate
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`different split sizes, discloses when thepartition mode value (i.e. first value) indicates the vertical
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`split.)
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`when the parameter has a value other thanthefirst value, splits the current
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`block into sub blocks having a second set of geometries, the second set of
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`geometries being different from the first set of geometries; /Fig. 8, 13, 15-16, 20,
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`Table-1 and associated text, Para 0363-0364, 0369, 0420, 0439, 0445-0446, 0469, 0480,
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`discloses determining apartition mode in aprediction unit and encoder transmitting thepartition
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`mode information| value to the decoder, where thepartition mode value may indicate different split
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`sixes and direction, discloses when thepartition mode value (i.e. second value) indicates the
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`horizontal split.) and encodes the sub blocks of the current block. /Fig. 17, and associated
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`text, Para 0073, 0134)
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`PARKdescribes their invention in terms of several embodiments, further discloses that it
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`should be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the steps and features disclosed
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`in the method, may be modified or rearranged. Therefore, different steps and features
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`disclosed in different embodiments may be combined, and modified that would result in the
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`claim invention.
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`Therefore, 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 PARK,in
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`orderto effectively determining a motion vector while performing inter prediction or inter-
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/417,514
`Art Unit: 2488
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`Page 11
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`layer prediction with respect to performing video encoding and decoding. /PARK: Para
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`0006)
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`Regarding Claim 9, Note the Rejection for claim 8, wherein PARKfurther discloses
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`The image encoder according to claim 8, wherein the parameter indicates
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`block partitioning information and the prediction controller, in operation: splits the
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`block into sub blocks by partitioning the block alongafirst direction when the
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`parameter has the first value; and splits the block into sub blocks by partitioning the
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`block along at least a second direction when the parameter has a value other than the
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`first value, the second direction being different from the first direction. /Fug. 8, 73,
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`15-16, 20, Table-1 and associated text, Para 0363-0364, 0369, 0420, 0439, 0445-0446,
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`0469, 0480, discloses differentpartition mode value may indicate different split sizes and split
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`directions, where apartition mode values, afirst value that would indicate a vertical split and a
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`second value that would indicate a horizontal split direction.]
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`Regarding Claim 10, Note the Rejection for claim 8-9, wherein PARKfurther discloses
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`The image encoder according to claim 9, wherein the first direction1s a
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`vertical direction and the second direction 1s a horizontal direction. /Fig. 8, 13, 15-16,
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`20, Table-1 and associated text, Para 0363-0364, 0369, 0420, 0439, 0445-0446, 0469,
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`0480, discloses the partition mode values, afirst value that would indicate a vertical split and a
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`second value that would indicate a horizontal split direction.]
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`Regarding Claim 11, Note the Rejection for claim 8, wherein PARKfurther discloses
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/417,514
`Art Unit: 2488
`
`Page 12
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`The image encoder according to claim 8, wherein a geometry of a sub block
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`indicates at least a shape, a height, or a width of the sub block. /Fug. 13, 15-16, 20,
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`Table-1 and associated text, Para 0363-0364, 0369, 0420, 0439, 0445-0446, 0469, 0480,
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`discloses splitting conditions on the block midth and height and on its shape being square or
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`rectangular.|
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`Regarding Claim 12, Note the Rejection for claim 8, wherein PARKfurther discloses
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`The image encoder according to claim 8, wherein the parameter indicates a
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`partitioning depth. /Fug. 8, 13, 15-16, 20, Table-1 and associated text, Para 0363-0364,
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`0369, 0420, 0439, 0445-0446, 0469, 0480, discloses differentpartition mode value may
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`indicate different split sizes and splitdirections, where apartition mode values, indicates the
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`portioning depth.|
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`Regarding Claim 13, Note the Rejection for claim 8, wherein PARKfurther discloses
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`The image encoder according to claim 8, wherein the entropy encoder,in
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`operation, writes the parameter into the bit stream. /Fig. 8, 13, 15-16, 20, Table-1 and
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`associated text, Para 0349, 0361, 0363-0364, 0369, 0418, 04.20, 0439, 0445-0446, 0469,
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`0480, discloses encoder having a entropy encoder including the apartition mode information| value
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`in the transnutted bit stream.]
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`Regarding claim 1-3, 5-7, the claim(s) recites analogouslimitations to claim 8-13 above,
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`respectively, and is/are therefore rejected on the same premise. Therefore, regarding claim 1-
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`3, 5-7, PARK meets the claim limitations as set forth in claim 8-13, respectively. /Please, refer
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`to mapping, explanation andpertinence ofprior art reference given in claim 8-13, respectively; Note: current
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/417,514
`Art Unit: 2488
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`Page 13
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`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
`
`reference provided in the referred claim(s) would address any differing claim limitations. Therefore,
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`explanation andpertinence ofprior art ofreference are not duphcated, and applicantts requested to refer to
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`explanation andpertinence ofprior art referenceprovided in the referred claim/(s).]
`
`Regarding Claim 4, Note the Rejection for claim 8-9, wherein PARK further discloses
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`The image encoder according to claim 2, wherein the first direction1s a
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`horizontal direction and the second direction 1s a vertical direction. /Fig. 8, 13, 15-16,
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`20, Table-1 and associated text, Para 0363-0364, 0369, 0420, 0439, 0445-0446, 0469,
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`O480, discloses the partition mode values, afirst value that would indicate a horizontal split and a
`
`second value that would indicate a vertical split direction.]
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`Regarding claim 14-19, the claim(s) recites analogous limitations to claim 8-13 above,
`
`respectively, and is/are therefore rejected on the same premise. Therefore, regarding claim
`
`14-19, PARK meets the claim limitations as set forth in claim 8-13, respectively. /Please, refer
`
`to mapping, explanation andpertinence ofprior art reference given in claim 8-13, 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 of
`
`re