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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
`
`16/587,961
`
`09/30/2019
`
`Chong Soon LIM
`
`735256.414C1
`
`9936
`
`Seed IP Law Group LLP/Panasonic (PIPCA)
`701 5th Avenue, Suite 5400
`Seattle, WA 98104
`
`PEREZ FUENTES, LUIS M
`
`ART UNIT
`
`2481
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`NOTIFICATION DATE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`06/25/2020
`
`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*
`1-18 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`5a) Of the above claim(s) ___ is/are withdrawn from consideration.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) 1-18 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.
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`) )
`
`Application Papers
`10)C The specification is objected to by the Examiner.
`11) The drawing(s) filed on 09/30/2019 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) 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)Y) All
`1.4) 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 99/30/2019; 02/18/2020)
`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 20200619
`
`Application No.
`Applicant(s)
`16/587,961
`LIM etal.
`
`Office Action Summary Art Unit|AIA (FITF) StatusExaminer
`LUIS PEREZ-FUENTES
`2481
`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 09/30/2019.
`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: 16/587,961
`Art Unit: 2481
`
`Page 2
`
`DETAILED ACTION
`
`This communication is being filed in response to the submission having a mailing date
`7.
`of (09/30/2019) in which a (3) month Shortened Statutory Period for Response has been set.
`
`Upon entry, claims (1 -18) stand pending on this application, of which (1, 7 and 13) are
`Z.
`independent claims.
`
`Notice of Pre-AlA or AlA Status
`
`filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined underthe
`The present application,
`3.
`first inventor to file provisions of the AIA.
`
`Information Disclosure Statement
`
`The Information Disclosure Statement (IDS) that were submitted on (09/30/2019 and
`4.
`02/18/2020) is/are in compliance wth the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the
`information disclosure statement have been considered by the examiner.
`
`Specification
`
`The lengthy specification has not been checked to the extent necessary to determine
`5.
`the presenceof all possible minor errors. Applicant's cooperation is requested in correcting
`any errors of which applicant may become aware in the specification.
`
`The submitted Drawings on date (09/30/2019) have been accepted and considered
`6.
`under the 37 CFR 1.121 (d).
`
`Drawings
`
`Claim Rejections
`
`35 USC § 103 rejection
`
`In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35
`7.
`U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AlIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any
`correction of the statutory basis for the rejection wil not be considered anew ground of
`rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the
`same undereither status. The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis
`for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
`A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwthstanding 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 mannerin which the invention was made.
`
`The factual inquiries set forth in Graham v. John Deere Co., 383 U.S. 1, 148 USPQ
`7.1.
`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 claimsat issue.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/587,961
`Art Unit: 2481
`
`Page 3
`
`3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinentart.
`4. Considering objective evidence presentin the application indicating obviousness or non-obviousness.
`
`Claims (1 -18) are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Leannec;
`8.2.
`et al (“Asymmetric Coding Units in QTBT’. hereafter “Leannec”,
`in view of Chien; et al. (US
`9,532,058; hereafter “Chien’).
`
`Claim 7. An image decoder comprising: Leannec discloses the invention substantially as
`claimed. Leannec teaches the principles of quad-tree methodology, comprising (e.g. QTBT
`methodology for block spitting in accordance with JVET proposal, as shown in Fig.
`f. The
`capers further cresents an actcditional asymmetric binary partitioning of the CUs and an
`associaled syntax, specificaily directed fo block-partiioning for sizes higher and/or mullipie of
`3, either in any of the vertical or horizontal directions, as shown in Figs. (2 3}, in order to
`improve OTBT coding efficiency even further: [Leanmec; pag. T-2.f
`faking the teachings of Learinec as a whole, and considering the basics and scientific
`purpose of fis papers, iis note thai some ofthe components as claimed are missed and/or
`not fully disciosed.
`in a similar led of endeavor, Chien teaches a codec (encoder and decoder} device of
`figs. (7, 3, &) and melnod of Figs. (7, &), in cormplain wih the lalesViegacy codec slandards,
`empioying “quacd-tree” techniques, applicable to square and non-square suo-block shapes,
`as shown in Figs. 2; including both iuma and chroma sampies; alsa in vertical and horizontal
`directions, as also shown in Figs. 2; (Chien; Summary; Cal 9 -10))}
`a circuitry; and a memery coupled to ine circuttry; wherein the circuitry, in
`operation: (e.g. see structure of Figs. (3, 6); f[Chien; Col 12; 18])
`soliis a block of a picture into a plurality of sub blocks (e.g. see partition unit (o5)
`Figs. (3. 6}; [(Chien}) in a first direction using a first partition mode; and (e.g. direction of
`the iargel partition; Fig. 2; Chien; Col 10; 77))
`decodes the plurality of sub Blocks, (e.g. see decoder in Figs. (3. 6); [Chren}}
`wherein, when ihe block is sized N pixels by 2N pixeis and the first direction is along
`ihe 2N pixels, N being an integer, (e.g. see similar in Figs. 2; iChien; Col. 10; 11)
`the first partition mode includes splitting the Block into the plurality of sub
`Biocks including at least one sub block sized N/4 pixels by 2N pixels, (e.g. see sindar in
`Figs. 2: fChien; Col 1G; 17
`and exciudes splitting the block into two sub Glocks sized N/2 pixels By 2N
`pixels; fe.g. see simular in Figs. 2; iChien; Col. 10; 71}
`Therefore,
`it would fave been obvious to ane skilled in the art before the effective
`filing dale af the claimed invention,
`to modify the teachings of Leannec with the system of
`Chien in order to (e.g. more efficient codec techniques, improving the video quality; }Chien:
`summary].}
`
`Claim 2. Leannec/Chien discloses - The image decoder according to ciaim 1, wherein the
`first partition mode includes splitting the Glock info two sub blocks sized N/4 pixels by
`aN pixels and ene sub Block sized N/2 pixels by 2N pixels. (The same rationale and
`mativation apolies as given for the claim 7. in addition see Figs. 2 in both Leannec/Chien.}
`
`Claim 3. Leannec/Chien discloses - The image decoder according to claim 2, wherein the
`first partition mode includes splitting the Block into a first sub Block sized N/4 pixels
`by 2N pixels, a second sub block sized N/2 pixels By 2N pixels, and a third sub Block
`sized N/4 pixels by 2N pixels, wherein ihe second suO Block is interposed between the
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/587,961
`Art Unit: 2481
`
`Page 4
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`first sub block and the third sub Bioek. (The same rationale and motivation applies as
`given for the claim 7, in addilian see Figs. 2 in both Leannec/Chien}
`
`Claim 4, Leannec/Chien discloses - The image deceder according to claim 1, wherein the
`first direction is a vertical direction or a herizantal direction. (The same rationale and
`motivation applies as given for the claim |. in addiion see analogous vertical and horizontal
`direction soll techniques in at least Figs. 2 in boln Leannec/Chien}
`
`Cigim & Leannec/Chien discloses - The image deceder according to claim 1, wherein the
`first partition mode inciudes splitting the block inte one sub biecksized N/4 pixels By
`2M pixels and one sub block sized 3N/4 pixels by 2N pixels. (The same rationale and
`mativation apolies as given for the claim 7. in addition see Figs. 2 in both Leannec/Chien.}
`
`Ciain &. Leannec/Chien discloses - The image decoder according to claim 1, wherein the
`ciroullry, in operation: parses a parameter indicative of ihe firsi partition mode; (e.g.
`see analogous parser unl (35) in at least Figs. (3, 6); fChien})}
`
`Ciaim 7. Leannec/Chien discloses - An image decoder comprising:
`an entropy decoder which, in operation, receives and decodes an encoded
`bitstream (e.g. see encoded data IN, parser unit (35); Figs. (GS, 6}; [{Chien].) to obtain
`quantized transform coefficients (e.g. see quantizer uni (54); Figs. (3, 6); [(Chien]) anda
`parameter indicative of a partition mode; (e.g. see pariilion mode incicaior (182) in
`decoder (30), Figs. (3, 6); (Chien!)
`& Blockpartition determiner which, in operation, derives a partition mode using
`the parameter; (e.g. see partition mode indicator (182) in decoder (30), Figs. (3, 6); [Cmen]}
`an inverse quantizer and transformer which, in operation, inverse quantizes the
`quantized transtorm coefficients to obtain transform coetticients and inverse
`transforms the transform coetlicients io obtain residuais; (e.g. see inverse quantizer
`(86). Figs. (3, 6) [Chien]}
`an adder which, in operation, adds the residuais outputied from the linverse
`quantizer and transformer and predictions outputied from a prediction controller io
`recenstruct Blocks; and (e.g. see adder (90), Figs. (3, 6): [Chien].}
`the predictien 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 (e.g. prediction mociule (81) including spatioiemp Glocks (82, 84), Figs. (3, 6); [Chien]
`based on a reference biock in a decoded reference picture; (e.g. see reference
`memory (92), Figs. (3, 6); (Chien)}
`and the intra predictor, in operation, generates a prediction of a current black
`based on an encoded reference Block in a current picture, wherein the block pariitien
`deierminer, in operation:
`(2.9. prediction module (81) including spatiatemp blocks (2,
`84}, Figs. (3, Gi; [Chien}}
`soliis a block of a picture into a plurality of sub blocks in a first direction using
`a first partition mode; and (e.g. see Figs. 2 in both Leannec/Chien.}
`decodes the plurality of sub Blocks, wherein, when the Block is sized Ni pixels
`by 2M pivels and the first direction is along the 2N pixels, N being an infeger, (e.g. see
`Figs. 2 in both Leannec/Chien.}
`the first partition mode includes splitting the black inte the plurality of sub
`blocks including at least one sub Block sized N/4 pixels by 2N pixels, and excludes
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/587,961
`Art Unit: 2481
`
`Page 5
`
`splitting the Block into two sub blocks sized N/2 pixels by 2N pixels; (e.g. see Figs. 2 in
`both Leannec/Ghien. The same motivation apolies as given to claim 1 above.)
`
`Claim & Leannec/Chien discloses - The image deceder according to claim 7, wherein the
`first partition mode includes splitting the block inte two sub blocks sized N/4 pixels by
`aN pixels and one sub block sized N/2 pixels by 2N pixels. (The samerationaie and
`motivation applies as given for the claims (1 and 2) See also Pigs. 2 in both Leannec/Ciien.}
`
`Cigim 9 Leannec/Chien discloses - The image deceder according to claim & wherein the
`first partion mode includes splitting the block inte a first sub block sized N/4 pixels
`by 42N pixels, a second sub block sized Nie pixels by 2N pixels, and a third sub Block
`sized N/é pixels by 2N pixels, wherein the second sub block is interposed between the
`first sub block and the third sub bloce.
`(The same rationaie and motivation anoles as
`given for the claims (7 and 3). See aise Figs. 2 in both Leannec/Chien}
`
`Claim 70. Leannec/Chien discloses - The image decoder according to claim 7, wherein
`the first direction is a vertical direction or a herizontal direction. (The same rationale
`and motivation aoniies as given tor the claims 7 and 4. in addition see also Figs. 2 in Both
`Leannec/Chien.}
`
`Claim 77. Leannec/Chien discloses - The image decoder according to claim 7, wherein
`the first partition mode includes apliiling the Biock into one sub block sized N/4 pixeis
`by 2N pixels and one sub block sized 3N/4 pixels by 2N pixels. (The same rationale and
`motivation apoles as given for the claims 1 and 5. See also Figs. 2 in bath Leannec/Chien.}
`
`Claim iz. Leannec/Chien discloses - The image decoder according te claim 7, wherein
`ine entropy decoder, in operation: parses a parameter indicative of the first partition
`mrode.
`(The same rationale and motivation anplies as given for the ciaims f and 6 See also
`Figs. Zin both Leannec/Chien.}
`
`Claim 13. Leannec/Ghien discloses - A deceding method comprising:
`splitting @ block of a picture into a plurality of sub blocks in a first direction
`using a rst partition mode; and
`decoding the glurality of sub Blocks, Lowherein, when the block is sized N pixels
`by 2N pixels and ihe lirst direction is along the 2N pixels, N being an integer,
`ihe lirst pariiion mode includes splitting the block into the plurality of sub
`blocks including al least one sub Glock sized N/4 pixels by 2N pixels,
`and excludes splitting the block inte two iSsub blocks sized NV2 pixels by 2N
`pixels. (Current lists all ihe same elements as described in claim 7 and & above, bul in
`“decoder-method’ form, and is/are therelore rejected on the same premise.)
`
`Claim 14, Leannec/Chien discioses - The decoding method according toe claim 73,
`wherein the tirst partition mode includes solitting the block into two sub Blocks sized
`AV? pixels by 2N pixels and one sub blocx sized N/2 pixels by 2N pixels. (The same
`rationale and motivation apnites as given for the claims (7 and 2). in addition see Figs. 2 in
`both Leannec/Chien.}
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/587,961
`Art Unit: 2481
`
`Page 6
`
`Claim 1& Leannec/Chien discioses - The decoding method according to claim 74,
`wherein the frst pariilion mode includes solitting the block inte 2 first sub block sized
`N‘4 pixels by 2N pixels, a second sub block sized N/2 pixels by 2N pixels, and a third
`suo Block sized N/4 pixels by 2N pixels, wherein the second sub block is interposed
`28 between the first sub Block and the third sub Block. (The same rationaie and
`motivation applies as given for ihe claims (1 and 3). in addilion see Figs. 2 in both
`Leannec/Chien.}
`
`Claim 16. Leannec/Ghien discloses - The decoding methed according te claim 13,
`wherein the first direction is a vertical direction or a horizontal direction. (The same
`rationale and mativation anphes as given for the claims (71 and 4). In addition see Figs. 2 in
`both Leannec/Chien.}
`
`Ciain 17. Leannec/Chien discioses - The decoding method according to claim 13,
`wherein the first partilfon mode includes splitting the biock info one sub block sized
`(4 pixels Soy 2N pixeis and one sul Block sized 3N/4 pixela by 2N pixels. (The same
`rationale and mativation anphes as given for the claims (7 and 3). In addition see Figs. 2 in
`both Leannec/Chien.}
`
`Claim 18 Leannec/Chien discloses - The decoding methed according te claim 13,
`comprising: parsing @ parameter indicative of the first partition mode. (The same
`rationale and motivation apolies as given for ihe claims ( and 6) in addition see Figs. 2 in
`both Leannec/Chien}
`
`Prior Art citation
`
`The followng List of PA, made of record and not relied upon, is considered pertinent
`70.
`to Applicant's disclosure:
`
`10.1. Patent documentation:
`
`US 9532058 B2
`US 20190222841
`US 20170347128
`US 20170347096
`US 20170272750
`US 20150043641
`
`Chien;etal.
`Panusopone,;etal.
`Panusopone;et al.
`Hong;etal.
`An;et al.
`Gamei;,et al.
`
`HO4N19/1 76; HO4N19/71;
`HO4N19/119; HO4N19/70; HO4N19/96
`HO4N19/1 74; HO4N19/70; HO4N19/96
`HO4N19/1 19; HO4N19/1 72; HO4N19/70;
`HO04N19/147; HO4N19/96; HO4N19/119;
`H04N19/50; HO4N19/103; HO4N19/649;
`
`10.2. Non Patent Literature;
`
`_ Asymmetric coding unit in QTBT; Leannec; Oct-2016;
`_ Local-constrained quadtree plus binary tree block partition structure; Wang; 2016;
`_ Effective Quaadtree Plus Binary Tree Block Partition Decision; Wang; et al; May-11-2017;
`
`CONCLUSIONS
`
`Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from Examiner
`171.
`should be directed to LUIS PEREZ-FUENTES(luis.perez-fuentes@uspto.gov) whose phone
`numberis (571) 270 -1168. The examiner can normally be reached on Monday-Friday 8am-
`5pm. If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccesstul, the examiner's
`supervisor, WILLIAM VAUGHNcan be reached on (571) 272-3922. The fax and phone
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/587,961
`Art Unit: 2481
`
`Page 7
`
`numberfor the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is (571) 272 -
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`
`/LUIS PEREZ-FUENTES/
`Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2481.
`
`