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
`
`16/801,797
`
`02/26/2020
`
`Virginie DRUGEON
`
`2020-0393A
`
`6087
`
`Cp
`Lind&
`Wenderoth,
`Wenderoth, Lind & Ponack, L.L.P.
`1025 Connecticut Avenue, NW
`Suite 500
`Washington, DC 20036
`
`DANG,PHILIP
`
`2488
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`NOTIFICATION DATE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`05/06/2021
`
`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):
`eoa@ wenderoth.com
`kmiller@wenderoth.com
`
`PTOL-90A (Rev. 04/07)
`
`

`

`Office Action Summary
`
`Application No.
`16/801 ,797
`Examiner
`Philip Dang
`
`Applicant(s)
`DRUGEON etal.
`Art Unit
`AIA (FITF) Status
`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 2/26/2020.
`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.
`
`Disposition of Claims*
`1-22 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) 1-22 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 2/26/2020 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 2/26/2020.
`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 20200921
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/801,797
`Art Unit: 2488
`
`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.
`
`Information Disclosure Statement
`
`2.
`
`The information disclosure statement (IDS), submitted on 2/26/2020, is being considered
`
`by the examiner.
`
`Objections
`
`3.
`
`Claims 1 and 11 are objected. The claim limitations “efreuitr”’ and “memory” should be
`
`read “a circuitry’ and “a memory’, respectively. Appropriate corrections are required.
`
`4.
`
`Claims 2 and 12 are objected. The claim limitations “the first side is? and “the second
`
`side is” should be read “the first site of the block is” and “the secand side of the block jis”,
`
`respectively. Appropriate corrections are required.
`
`Claim Rejection — 35 U.S.C. § 112
`
`5.
`
`The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
`
`(B) CONCLUSION.— The specification shall conclude with one or more claims
`particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a
`foint inventor regards as the invention.
`
`The following is a quotation of pre-AlA 35 U.S.C. 112, second paragraph:
`
`The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and
`distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
`
`6.
`
`Claims 1-22 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AlA), second
`
`paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/801,797
`Art Unit: 2488
`
`Page 3
`
`matter, which the inventor or a joint inventor, or for pre-AlA the applicant regards as the
`
`invention. Claims 1, 11, 21 and 22 recite “caiculates a first average pixei value which is an
`
`average pixel vaiiie of first reference samoles out of the first reference sarmoles and second
`
`
`
`
`reference samples’. First of all the meaning oflimitation “frst reference samples out of the first
`
`reference samples and second reference samples’ is unclear. It is not clear to reader how the
`
`“frst reference samples’ are taker out of themselves and the second reference samples.
`
`second, itis also unclear from the claim language whetherthe average pixel value is only the
`
`“average pixel value of first reference samptes’, or itis the “average pixel value of first reference
`
`samples ... and second reference sampies”. Therefore claims 1, 11, 21, 22 and their dependent
`
`claims are indefinite and are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AlA),
`
`second paragraph.
`
`7.
`
`Claims 2-5 and 12-15 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AlA),
`
`second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the
`
`subject matter, which the inventor or a joint inventor, or for pre-AlA the applicant regards as the
`
`invention. Claim 2 and 12 recite the limitation "fhe other of the upper side". Thereis insufficient
`
`antecedent basis for this limitation in the claims. Therefore, claims 2, 12 and their dependent
`
`claims are indefinite and are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AlA),
`
`second paragraph.
`
`8.
`
`Claims 2-5 and 12-15 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AlA),
`
`second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the
`
`subject matter, which the inventor or a joint inventor, or for pre-AlA the applicant regards as the
`
`invention. Claims 2 and 12 recite “ife second side is the other ef the upper side”.
`
`It is well
`
`knownin the arts that a video coding block only has four sides, namely, an upper side, a bottom
`
`side, a left side, and a right side. Since each video block only has one upperside, it is not clear
`
`from the claim language whatis “ife ofher of ine upper side’. Therefore, claims 2, 12 and their
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/801,797
`Art Unit: 2488
`
`Page 4
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`dependentclaims are indefinite and are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-
`
`AIA), second paragraph.
`
`9.
`
`Claims 4-5 and 14-15 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AlA),
`
`second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the
`
`subject matter, which the inventor or a joint inventor, or for pre-AlA the applicant regards as the
`
`invention. Claim 4 and 14 recite limitations "srutuaiy equal" and "mutually diferent". Neither the
`
`specification nor the claims provide metes and bounds to determine when the horizontal size
`
`and the vertical size are "*nuiuaily equal" or "mutually different". Therefore, claims 4, 14 and
`
`their dependent claims are indefinite and are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112
`
`(pre-AlA), second paragraph.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
`
`10.
`
`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, notwithstanding that the
`claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102 of this
`title, 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.103
`
`11.
`
`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-AlA 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 undereitherstatus.
`
`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 underpre-
`
`AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a) are summarized asfollows:
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/801,797
`Art Unit: 2488
`
`Page 5
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`1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
`
`2. Ascertaining the differences betweenthe prior art and the claims at issue.
`
`3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
`
`4. Considering objective evidence presentin the application indicating obviousness or
`
`nonobviousness.
`
`This application currently namesjoint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims
`
`underpre-AlA 35 U.S.C. 103(a), the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various
`
`claims was commonly ownedat the time any inventions covered therein were made absent any
`
`evidenceto the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56to point out
`
`the inventor and invention dates of each claim that was not commonly ownedat the timealater
`
`invention was madein orderfor the examiner to consider the applicability of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C.
`
`103(c) and potential pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(e), (f) or (g) prior art under pre-AlA 35 U.S.C.
`
`103(a).
`
`12.
`
`Claims 1-2, 6-12, and 16-22 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being
`
`unpatentable over Lee (US Patent 10,735,720 B2), (“Lee”), in view of Joshi et al. (US
`
`Patent Application Publication 2014/0286400 A1), (“Joshi”).
`
`Regarding claim 1, Lee meets the claim limitations, as follows:
`
`An encoder (Le. an erooder) flee: col 13, line 52; Fig. 1] that encodes a Block ina
`
`Dicture (Le, encoded in units of a coding tree unit or a coding unit) fLee: cal 74,
`
`line 9-70); (Le. encoded in unlis of a sequence, a picture, or a soe unt) flee: col
`
`74, line 35-36]} using a prediction image of the biock (8. one picture may be
`
`partitioned inte mullipie coding units. A recursive tree structure, such as a quad
`
`tres structure, may be used to partition a picture into coding units) fLee: col &, line
`
`1-2]; (Le. information inmtlioating ihe size of ihe coding block in the sequence or in
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/801,797
`Art Unit: 2488
`
`Page 6
`
`the picture may be signaled through a sequence header or a picture header. As a
`
`resuil of pariiioning based on a quad tres and a binary tree, a coding uni may be
`
`reoresented as square or rectangular shape of an arbitrary size. A coding block is
`
`encoded using af least one of a skip mode, intra prediction, inter prediction, or a
`
`skip method. Once a coding block is determined, a prediction block may be
`
`determined through predictive partitioning of ihe coding block.) [Lee: col 14, line
`
`&3-63)}, the encoder fie. an encoder) [Lee: col 13, line 32; Fig. 17 comprising:
`
`ercuilry ({Le. computer} flee: col 38, line 28]; (.e. a hardware device) flee: col 29,
`
`line 22-237); and
`
`memory (Le. ROM, H&AM, Hash memory, and the ike) fLee: cal 39, line 371, wherein
`
`using the memory (fe. ROM, RAM, fash memory, and the ike) flee: col 39, line
`
`37}; fie. The above-described embodiments may be implemented in the form of
`
`rogram instructions that may be executed through various computer
`
`componenis and recorded in a compuler-readabie recording medium) [Lee: col 38,
`
`fine 25-291), the circuitry (ie. computer) fLee: col 39, line 28): (Le. a hardware
`
`device) (Lee: col 39, line 22-231}:
`
`calculales a first average pixel vaiue ((.e. a calouiation of the average value of the
`
`reference samples) flee: col 31, line 24-28; Figs. 25-26]; (Le. deVai may be
`
`generaied based on an average value of sampies) (Lee: col 26, line 24-28]) which is
`
`an average pixel value offirst reference samples (Le. the average value of ihe
`
`reference samples) flee: col 37, line 24-25; Figs. 28-26] out of ihe first reference
`
`samples and second reference samples (1.8. That is, when a size of ihe current Block
`
`is MeN, a tolal of 4N reference samples such as 2N flop reference samples and 2N
`
`left reference samples may be used for calculation of ihe average vaiue of the first
`
`reference line} flee: col 32, line 1-4; Figs. 11, 14-76, 18-798, 27-28 ~ Note: Enfer
`
`ihe lop reference samples or ihe left reference samples can be the first reference
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/801,797
`Art Unit: 2488
`
`Page 7
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`samples. f one of them is the first reference samples, then the other would be the
`
`second reference samples], the first reference sarnples being referable and located
`
`ouiside ihe biock and adjacent tc a first side of the Glock, the second reference sarmiples
`
`being referable and jocated outside the Block and adjacent fo a second side of the block
`
`ffLe. That is, when a size of ihe current block is NxN, a total of 4N reference
`
`samples such as 2N lop reference samples and 2N iefl reference samples may be
`
`used for calculation of the average value of the first reference fine) [Lee: col 22,
`
`ine 7-4; Mote: Figs. 71, 14-76, 14-788, 21-28 show the reference samples are
`
`guiside and adiacent fo the current block. The first references samples could be
`
`on ihe top (Le. the upper side) of the current Block, and the second references
`
`samples are on ihe lel side of the current block: or vice versal: and
`
`generates the prediction image (.¢. The intra prediction module 125 may generate a
`
`prediction unft based on reference pixel information neighbaring to a current
`
`Biock which is piel information in the current picture} [Lee: cal 7, line 18-18; Figs.
`
`7-2] using ihe first average pixel value {f_e. when an intra-prediction mode of a
`
`current Block is a DC mods, a prediction signal may be generaled using an
`
`average and weighted prediction of reference samples} [Lee: col 26, ling 12-15];
`
`fie. when an intra prediction mode of a current block is OC mode, a prediction
`
`sample of the current black may be generated based on an average value (dcVal}
`
`of all or @ pari of reference samples included in the determined reference line}
`
`fLee: col 31, line 20-24; Figs. 24-25)), and
`
`when generating the prediction image (Le. The inira prediction module 125 may
`
`generate a prediction unll based on reference pixel information neighboring fo a
`
`current Diock which is pixel information in ine current picture) [Lee: cel 7, line 75-
`
`18; Figs. t-2f, ihe crcutiry (Le. computer) {Lee: col 39, line 281; fe. a hardware
`
`device} [Lee: col 39, line 22-23]) apolies a same prediction pixel value to inner sarmples
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/801,797
`Art Unit: 2488
`
`Page 8
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`{Le an average vaiue (fdcVal) of reference samples) [Lee: col 31, tine 41-42- Nate:
`
`# is well known in the video coding thal in DC mode, the sample values of antire
`
`gixels of current 444 Block are predicied by computing average of the sample
`
`values of pixels from upper and lef neighbors] among current sampies to be
`
`processed that are included in the block (Le. when an intra prediction mode of a
`
`current Biock is OC mode, a prediction sample of ihe current block may be
`
`generaied based on an average value (deVal) af all or a part of reference samples
`
`included in the determined reference) {Lee: col 31, line 20-24; Figs. 24-25}; (Le. The
`
`above-described embodiments may be implemented in the form of program
`
`instructions that may be executed through various computer camponents and
`
`recorded in a computler-readable recarding medium) [Lee: col 29, line 25-29)), the
`
`inner samples constituting a quadrilateral region ((Le. a current Block has a square
`
`shape} flee: col 32, line 30-37; Figs. 14-198, 27-26]; f_e. 4 prediction unit may be
`
`one of partitions partitioned info a square or a rectanguiar shape) [Lee: cof 32, line
`
`30-37; Figs, 14-198, 21-28]) including at feast two current samples in each of a
`
`horizontal direction and a vertical direction ({Le. in general, a prediction block may
`
`have a size from 64x64 to 4x4) [Lee: col 18, line 20-21; Nete: the smallest
`
`prediction biock has 4x4 size, which means i has af least 4 samples per each
`
`vertical and horizontal direction}; (Le. a current block has a@ square shape, But
`
`ever if ihe current block has a non-square shape, ihe above embodiment can be
`
`applied as His. For example, when the current is a non-square block having Wx
`
`size, a reference sample average value of each reference line may 34 be calculated
`
`using @ folal of 2(0V+H}) reference samples, such as 2W iop reference sampies and
`
`2H left reference samples) flee: col 32, ine 30-37; Note: Figs. 714-198, 21-26 show
`
`that ihe current Block has more than 2 samples in each direction|}}.
`
`Lee does not explicitly disclose the following claim limitations (Emphasis added).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/801,797
`Art Unit: 2488
`
`Page 9
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`An encoder that encodes a blockin a picture using a prediction image af the Block, the
`
`encoder comprising:
`
`cireuitry; and
`
`memory, wherein
`
`using the memory, ihe circutiry:
`
`calculales a first average pixel value which is an average pixel value of first reference
`
`samples out of the first reference samples and second reference samples, the first
`
`relerence samipies being referable and iocaied outside the block and adjacent to a first
`
`side of the block, the second reference samples being referable and located outside the
`
`Glock and adjacent to a second side of the Black: and
`
`generaies the preciction image using the first average pixel value, and
`
`when generating the prediction image, the circuitry applies a samme prediction pixel value
`
`ig inner samples amang current samples to be processed that are inciuded in the black.
`
`ihe inner samples constituting a quadrilateral region including at ieast two current
`
`samples in each of a horizontal direction and a vertical direction.
`
`However, in the same field of endeavor Joshi further discloses the claim limitations and the
`
`deficient claim limitations, as follows:
`
`fey applies a same prediction pixel value
`
`io inner samples (.e, when the video coder uses OC intra prediction io generaie a
`
`oredictive Block, all samples of the predictive block have the same value) fJoshi:
`
`para, O074]
`
`2
`
`
`
`It would have been obvious to one with an ordinary skill in the art before the effectivefiling date
`
`of the claimed invention to modify the teachings of Lee with Joshi to program the computerto
`
`implement the DC intra prediction modein the system.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/801,797
`Art Unit: 2488
`
`Page 10
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`Therefore, the combination of Lee with Joshi will enable the coding system to supportall intra
`
`prediction modes and to be compliant with the international video coding standards suchas the
`
`AVC/H.264 and HEVC [Joshi: para. 0074].
`
`Regarding claim 2, Lee meets the claim limitations as set forth in claim 1.
`
`Lee further meets the claim limitations as follow.
`
`The encoder accorcing to ciain 7 fie, an encoder) flee: col 13, line &2; Fig. Tf,
`
`Wherein
`
`ihe first side is one of an unper side and 2 jeff side of the biock fe. That is, when a
`
`size of the current block is NxN, a tolal of 4N reference samples such as 2N leg
`
`reference samples and 2N iett relerence samples may be used for calculation of
`
`the average vatue of the first reference fine} [Lee: col 32, ine 1-4; Figs. 117, 74-16,
`
`18-79B, 21-26 ~ Note: Either ihe top reference samples or the feff reference
`
`samples can be the first reference samples. 7 one of them is the first reference
`
`samples, then the other would be the second reference samples}, and
`
`ihe second side is the other of the upper side and the left side of the block (18, That is,
`
`when @ size of ihe current Block is NxN, a total of 4N reference samples such as
`
`2M top reference samples and 2N lett reference samples may be used for
`
`ealeulation of the average value of ihe first reference ine) [Lee: cal 32, line 1-4;
`
`Figs, 17, 14-16, 18-998, 21-26 ~ Note: Either the top reference sampies or the left
`
`reference samples can be the first reference samples. f one of them is the first
`
`reference samples, then the other would be the second reference samples].
`
`Regarding claim 6, Lee meets the claim limitations as set forth in claim 1.
`
`Lee further meets the claim limitations as follow.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/801,797
`Art Unit: 2488
`
`Page 11
`
`fhe encoder according to claim | (Le. an encoder} [Lee: cof 13, line 82; Fig. Tf,
`
`Wherein
`
`fhe circulry (Le. computer) [Lee: col 3G, ine 28]; (Le. a hardware device) fLee: cal
`
`28, fine 22.231) further calculates a second average pixel value (Ge. a calculation of
`
`the average value of ihe reference samples} [Lee: cal 37, line 24-25; Figs. 25-26];
`
`fie. caleulating an average value of the first reference line) fLee: col 32, ine 40-
`
`$7} which is an average pixel vaiue of the second reference samples (1.8. a
`
`ealeulation of the average value of ine reference samples} flee: cal 37, line 24-25;
`
`Pigs, 28-281; fe. dcVal may be generated based on an average value of samples}
`
`iLee: cot 28, line 24-26)), and
`
`when generating the prediction image (Le. The inira prediction module 125 may
`
`generaie a prediction unit based on reference pixel information neighboring to @
`
`current Diock which is pixel information in ine current picture) [Lee: cel 7, line 75-
`
`18; Figs. ¥-2], the circuliry (Le. computer) [Lee: col 39, line 281; (Le. a hardware
`
`device} fLee: col 39, line 22-231} generates the prediction image {1e. The intra
`
`prediction module 125 may generate a prediction unit based on reference pixel
`
`information neighboring to a current block which is pixel information in the
`
`current pieture) fLee: col 7, tine 18-18; Figs. 1-2] by cambining the first average pixe!
`
`value and the second average pixel vaiue (Le. The compuier-readabie recarding
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`medium may include one of or combinalion of program commands, daia fies,
`
`data structures, and the ike} [Lee: col 39, ine 29-31]; (Le when an intra-prediction
`
`mode of a current Block is a OC mode, a prediction signal may be generated using
`
`an average and weighted prediction of reference samples included in the
`
`reference line) fLee: col 28, tine 12-747; (Le. calculate the average vaiue of the x-th
`
`reference line may correspond to ihe location of the reference sample used to
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`calculate the reference sample average value of the first reference line.) flee: col
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`92, line 42-45}.
`
`Regarding claim 7, Lee meets the claim limitations as set forth in claim 1.
`
`Lee further meets the claim limitations as follow.
`
`fhe encoder according to claim 7 (Le an encoder) Lee: col 13, line &2; Fig. 1h,
`
`wherein
`
`when calculating ihe firsi average pixel value (1.8. caleuiating an average value of ihe
`
`first reference line} [Lee: col 32, line 40-49}, the circuliry (f_e. computer) flee: col
`
`29, line 28); (18, a hardware Gevice) flee: col 38, line 22-23]} calculaies Hie. a
`
`calculation of the average value of ihe reference samples) [Lee: col 21, line 24-28;
`
`Figs. 25-26]; fie, deVal may be generated based on an average value of samples}
`
`flee: col 26, line 24-25]), for each of ranges at the first side (1.8. for each of lines may
`
`be used) [Lee: col 22, line 17], an average pixel value of reference samples located
`
`adjacent to the range (1.e. calculating an average vatue of the first reference fine}
`
`fLee: cal 32, line 40-41) to calculate average pixel values as first average pixel values
`
`fie. caleulate the average value of the kif reference line may correspond to the
`
`iocation of ine reference sample used to cafoulate the reference sample average
`
`value of ihe first reference line.) flee: col 32, ine 42-45; Figs. 26-26],
`
`fhe first reference samples are the reference samples adjacent to ane of the ranges a
`
`ihe first side (Le. caleulate the average value of the k-th reference line may
`
`correspond fo the location of the reference sample used to calculate the reference
`
`sampie average value of the first reference line) [Lee: col 32, ine 4248; Note:
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`Pisase see adjacent lines of samples on one of the upper side or the left side in
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`Figs, 20-26],
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`fhe first average pixel value of the first reference samples (.e. caloulaling an average
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`value of the first reference line) [Lee: cal 32, lirre 40-49} is inclucied in the first
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`average pixel values (Le, The number of reference sampies used fo calculaie a
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`reference sample average value of k-th reference line may be same as the number
`
`of reference samples used io calculate a reference sample average value of the
`
`first reference line) {Lee: col 32, line 5-8), and
`
`when generating the prediction image (Le. The intra prediction module 125 may
`
`generale a prediction unit based on reference pixel informatian neighboring to a
`
`current Block which is pixel information in the current picture) [Lee: cal 7, ine 15-
`
`18; Figs. 1-21, the circuttry (Le. computer) flee: col 39, line 28]; fe. a hardware
`
`device) [Lee: col 39, line 22-231) generates the prediction image using the first average
`
`pixel vaiues (Le. when an intra-prediction mode of a current Biock is a OC mods, a
`
`prediction signal may be generated using an average and weighted prediction of
`
`reference samples) [Lee: cof 26, line 12-731; (Le. when an intra prediction mode of
`
`a@ current block is DC made, a prediction sample of the current block may be
`
`generaied based on an average value (deVal) of all or a part of reference samples
`
`included in the determined reference line) [Lee: cal 31, line 20-24; Figs. 24-251).
`
`Regarding claim 8, Lee meets the claim limitations as set forth in claim 7.
`
`Lee further meets the claim limitations as follow.
`
`fhe encoder according io claim ¢ {Le an encoder) flee: col 13, ine 2; Fig. 1},
`
`wherein
`
`when generating the prediction image (Le. The inira prediction module 125 may
`
`generate a prediction unll based on reference pixel information neighboring fo a
`
`current Diock which is pixel information in ine current picture) [Lee: cel 7, line 75-
`
`18; Figs. t-2f, ihe crcutiry (Le. computer) {Lee: col 39, line 281; fe. a hardware
`
`device} [Lee: col 39, line 22-231):
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`derives, for each of the current samples, a prediction pixel value, using at least one of
`
`ihe first average pixel values (6. when an intra prediction mode of a current Biock is
`
`OC mode, a prediction sample of the current block may be generaied based on an
`
`average value fdeVal) of aif or a part of reference samples included in the
`
`delermined reference) [Lee: cal 31, line 20-24; Figs. 24-28] according io a position of
`
`ihe current sample in the block (Le. calculate the average value of the k-th reference
`
`line may correspond fo the location of the reference sample used to calculate the
`
`reference sample average value of the first reference Hine.) [Lee: col 32, line 42-45};
`
`{.e@. if the current block has a square shape, the reference sample average value
`
`may be calculated by assigning ihe same weight to lop reference samples and ieft
`
`reference samples. On the other hand, when the current block has a non-square
`
`shape, the reference sample average value may be caloulated by assigning a
`
`larger weight to one of top reference sampies and left reference samples) [Lee:
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`col 32, line 61-~ col, 33, fine Ub and
`
`generates the prediction image prediction pixel values derived for ihe current samples
`
`fie. The intra prediction module 125 may generate a prediction unil based on
`
`reference pixel information neighboring to a current Block which is pixel
`
`information in the current pieture) fLee: col 7, tine 14-18; Figs. 1-31.
`
`Regarding claim 9, Lee meets the claim limitations as set forth in claim 7.
`
`Lee further meets the claim limitations as follow.
`
`The encoder according to claim 7 (Le. an encoder) flee: col 13, line &2; Fig. 1],
`
`WHE
`
`the circuitry Le. computer) flee: col 39, line 28]; (Le. a hardware device) fLee: cal
`
`29, line 22-23]) further caiculales (Le. a calculation of ihe average value of the
`
`reference samples) flee: cof 31, line 24-25; Figs. 25-26); (.e. deVal may Be
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`genersied based on an average value of samples) flee: cal 26, line 24-237), for
`
`each of ane or more ranges al ihe second sids (Le. for each of lines may be used)
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`fLee: col 22, line 177, an average pixel yaiue of reference sarnples located adjacent to
`
`ihe range (1.9, calculating an average value of the first reference line) fLee: col 32,
`
`line 40-47; Figs. 20-246], to calculale at least one average pixel value as al least ane
`
`second average pixel value (Le. when an intra prediction mode of a current Block is
`
`OC mode, a prediction sample of the current block may be generaled based on an
`
`average value (deVal) of al or a part of reference samples included in the
`
`determined reference) flee: cof 31, ine 20-24; Figs. 24-25}; G.e. when an intra-
`
`prediction mode of a current Block is a DC mods, a prediction signal may be
`
`generated using an average and weighied prediction of reference samples
`
`included in the reference line) [Lee: col 26, tine 12-741; (Le. the prediction sample
`
`of ihe current block may be generaied based on a weighted sum (weighted
`
`orediction) of a first relerence sample and a second reference sampie) flee: col
`
`Ot, fine 34-371}, and
`
`when generating the prediction image (_.e. The intra prediction moduie 125 may
`
`generate a prediction unll based on reference pixel information neighboring fo a
`
`current block which is pixel information in ine current picture) flee: cel 7, fine 715-
`
`18; Figs. t-2f, ihe crcutiry (Le. computer) {Lee: col 39, line 281; fe. a hardware
`
`device} [Lee: col 39, line 22-23]) generates the prediction image te. The intra
`
`prediction module 125 may generate a prediction unit based on reference pixel
`
`information neighboring io a current block which is pixel information in the
`
`current picture) fLee: cal 7, line 15-18; Figs. t-2 using the first average pixel vaiues
`
`and the atleast one second average pixel value {fie. when an intra prediction mode
`
`of a current Block is DC mode, a prediction sampie of the current block may be
`
`generaied based on an average value (deVal} of all or a part of reference samples
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`included in the determined reference} [Lee: cof 31, line 20-24; Figs. 34-25]; (Le.
`
`when an intra-prediction mode of a current block is a DC mode, a prediction signal
`
`may be generated using an average and weighted predict