DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
1. The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Response to Arguments
2. Applicants’ arguments with respect to claim(s) 1-2, 5-10 and 13-16 have been considered but are moot of a new ground(s) of rejection discussed below. The amendments to the claims necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection.
With respect to the last office action, Applicant amends the claims, discusses the office action and the prior arts of record (PARs) and further argues that the PARs do not meet the claims limitations (see Applicant’s Remarks).
In response, Examiner notes Applicant’s amendments/arguments, however, the PAR or ROSS et al (2022/0201366), generates (see figs.1-7, Server, [0020-0023] and [0025-0036]) a unified manifest (DASH/HLS or UMF “URL(s) time based templates” for generating segments for just-in-transcoding) containing a media presentation description (MPD) for a media content and preparing a media presentation of the media content accordingly (transcoding segments with varying bitrate and other media components: input source (e.g., a mezzanine feed)), wherein the unified manifest lists all media components and tracks in files related to the media content as an inventory list of all component materials and supports preselections (UMF or dynamic manifest or playlist of DASH/HLS are URL(s) time based templates to generates segments, caching or buffering as needed, Just-in-time packager for delivery accordingly, see [0025-0034] and [0040-0063]), wherein the unified manifest contains sufficient metadata and constructs for signaling an adaptation switching relationship and a preselection binding relationship of the media components and tracks in files, such that, when signaling the adaptation switching relationship and the preselection binding relationship (manifest formatter, receives source streams: linear content, VOD content, etc., via wired or/and wireless and performs adaptions switching and preselection binding relationship, transcoding, generating video and audio streams that are timecode aligned), the media components and tracks in files are left alone and untouched, and any modification of the preselection binding relationship does not involve any change to the corresponding media components and tracks in files; and transmitting the unified manifest to a streaming and playback client and transmitting the unified manifest to a streaming and playback client (first, second, etc., Control Device/computing Device “CDDn”) ([0025-0036], [0040-0066] and [0069-0086]), Server or Computing Device (SCD), generates a UMF or dynamic manifest or playlist of DASH/HLS, URL(s) time based templates to generates segments, caching or buffering as needed, Just-in-time packager for delivery accordingly; first CDD receives the UMF, dynamically modifying the UMF based on the specific CDD, using manifest formatter of the first origin computing Device or Server for content, the UMF contains URL specific to one or more segments of the source stream of the content, DASH/HLS includes timing data such PTS, unique session ID for tracking segments received and not available; further communicate messages to track portion of content processed and not available; Communicates templates: constructs URLs to segments and further support preselection of media components; further request specific URLs to request segments, store for rendering later; wherein the MPD comprises a series of periods that divide the media content into different time portions; each period including a number of preselections; each preselection containing a number of adaptation sets; each adaptation set containing a number of representations; and each representation containing a number of segments ([0025-0036], [0040-0066] and [0069-0086]), generates a UMF or dynamic manifest or playlist of DASH/HLS, URL(s) time based templates to generates segments, caching or buffering as needed, Just-in-time packager for delivery accordingly; first CDD receives the UMF, dynamically modifying the UMF based on the specific CDD, using manifest formatter of the first origin computing Device or Server for content, the UMF contains URL specific to one or more segments of the source stream of the content, DASH/HLS includes timing data such PTS, unique session ID for tracking segments received and not available; further communicate messages to track portion of content processed and not available; Communicates templates: constructs URLs to segments and further support preselection of media component, as discussed below. Hence the amendments do not overcome the PAR. The amendments to the claims necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection. This office action is made FINAL.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
3. In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
A person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
4. Claim(s) 1-2, 5, 6, 8-10, 13, 14 and 16 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by ROSS et al (2022/0201366).
As to claims 1-4, ROSS discloses systems, methods and apparatus for improved failover techniques and further discloses a method of preselections for media processing, streaming and playback, comprising:
generating (figs.1-7, Server, [0020-0023] and [0025-0036]) a unified manifest (DASH/HLS or UMF “URL(s) time based templates” for generating segments for just-in-transcoding) containing a media presentation description (MPD) for a media content and preparing a media presentation of the media content accordingly (transcoding segments with varying bitrate and other media components: input source (e.g., a mezzanine feed)), wherein the unified manifest lists all media components and tracks in files related to the media content as an inventory list of all component materials and supports preselections (UMF or dynamic manifest or playlist of DASH/HLS are URL(s) time based templates to generates segments, caching or buffering as needed, Just-in-time packager for delivery accordingly, see [0025-0034] and [0040-0063]), wherein the unified manifest contains sufficient metadata and constructs for signaling an adaptation switching relationship and a preselection binding relationship of the media components and tracks in files, such that, when signaling the adaptation switching relationship and the preselection binding relationship (manifest formatter, receives source streams: linear content, VOD content, etc., via wired or/and wireless and performs adaptions switching and preselection binding relationship, transcoding, generating video and audio streams that are timecode aligned), the media components and tracks in files are left alone and untouched, and any modification of the preselection binding relationship does not involve any change to the corresponding media components and tracks in files; and transmitting the unified manifest to a streaming and playback client and transmitting the unified manifest to a streaming and playback client (first, second, etc., Control Device/computing Device “CDDn”) ([0025-0036], [0040-0066] and [0069-0086]), Server or Computing Device (SCD), generates a UMF or dynamic manifest or playlist of DASH/HLS, URL(s) time based templates to generates segments, caching or buffering as needed, Just-in-time packager for delivery accordingly; first CDD receives the UMF, dynamically modifying the UMF based on the specific CDD, using manifest formatter of the first origin computing Device or Server for content, the UMF contains URL specific to one or more segments of the source stream of the content, DASH/HLS includes timing data such PTS, unique session ID for tracking segments received and not available; further communicate messages to track portion of content processed and not available; Communicates templates: constructs URLs to segments and further support preselection of media components; further request specific URLs to request segments, store for rendering later; wherein the MPD comprises a series of periods that divide the media content into different time portions; each period including a number of preselections; each preselection containing a number of adaptation sets; each adaptation set containing a number of representations; and each representation containing a number of segments ([0025-0036], [0040-0066] and [0069-0086]), generates a UMF or dynamic manifest or playlist of DASH/HLS, URL(s) time based templates to generates segments, caching or buffering as needed, Just-in-time packager for delivery accordingly; first CDD receives the UMF, dynamically modifying the UMF based on the specific CDD, using manifest formatter of the first origin computing Device or Server for content, the UMF contains URL specific to one or more segments of the source stream of the content, DASH/HLS includes timing data such PTS, unique session ID for tracking segments received and not available; further communicate messages to track portion of content processed and not available; Communicates templates: constructs URLs to segments and further support preselection of media component
As to claims 5-6, ROSS further discloses wherein the unified manifest is in one of: a standard form used to derive manifests for Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP (DASH) and HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) Live Streaming (HLS); a DASH form used to generate DASH manifests for streaming and playback clients; and an HLS form used to generate HLS playlists for HLS clients ([0025-0030], [0032-0043], [006-0051], [0062-0066] and [0069-0086]); and wherein the unified manifest is convertible or customizable into a DASH manifest or an HLS playlist for the streaming and playback client, based on client characteristics including capabilities, geolocations, and/or membership levels ([0025-0030], [0032-0043], [006-0051], [0062-0066] and [0069-0086]), target segments based on configuration file and capabilities using customized templates.
As to claims 8-10, the claimed “A method of preselections for media processing, streaming and playback, comprising,” is composed of the same structural elements that were discussed with respect to claims 1-2
Claims 13-14 are met as previously discussed in claims 5-6.
As to claim 16, the claimed “A system of preselections for media processing, streaming and playback, comprising,”, is composed of the same structural elements that were discussed with respect to claims 1-2
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
5. In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
The factual inquiries 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 pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness.
6. Claim(s) 7 and 15 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over ROSS et al (2022/0201366) in view of HU (2024/00880487).
As to claims 7 and 15, ROSS discloses all the claim limitations as discussed above with respect to claims 6 and 14 above, BUT appears silent as to and generating an ISO Base Media File Format (ISOBMFF) file according to the unified manifest to encapsulate all the media components related to the media content to be either streamed or downloaded as a single file to the streaming and playback client.
However, in the same field of endeavor, HU discloses method and apparatus for processing media data and further discloses and generating various file formats including an ISO Base Media File Format (ISOBMFF) file according to the unified manifest to encapsulate all the media components related to the media content to be either streamed or downloaded as a single file to the streaming and playback client (figs.1-8, Abstract, [0005-0007] and [0045-0072]).
Hence it would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to incorporate the teaching of HU into the system of ROSS for efficient data processing before streaming to clients.
Conclusion
7. Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.
8. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ANNAN Q SHANG whose telephone number is (571)272-7355. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday 7-4.
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/ANNAN Q SHANG/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2424
ANNAN Q. SHANG
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