DETAILED ACTION
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after final rejection. Since this application is eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on 12/31/2025 has been entered.
Following prior arts are considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
US 20220103857 A1 (hereinafter HUO)
US 20200195948 A1 (hereinafter Li)
WO 2020098808 A1 (hereinafter WIPO808)
Yoshitaka Kidani et al. "AHG12: Diagonal MMVD with ARMC" 1-1 Joint Video Experts Team (JVET) of ITU-T SG 16 WP 3 and ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 29, JVET- WO0112, 16 July 2021 (hereinafter Kidani)
US 20220078408 A1 (hereinafter Park)
US 20200389656 A1 (For claim 11; para 172-175; zero MVD or offset size “0” of Table 2-1 is used if block size meet a constraint {para 175}, otherwise other offset from the tables are used)
US 20200107017 A1 (para 176-184)
S. Jeong, M. W. Park, Y. Piao, M. Park, K. Choi, “J. Li, R.-L. Liao, C. S. Lim, “CE4-related: Improvement on ultimate motion vector expression”, JVET-L0408, October 2018 (uses two adaptive distance/offset approaches: (1) picture resolution adaptive distance table {If the picture resolution is not larger than 2K, i.e., 1920×1080, Table 9 is used as a base distance table. Otherwise, Table 10 is used as a base distance table.} and (2) occurrence-based distance table reordering)
Response to Remarks/Arguments
Applicant’s arguments with respect to claim prior art rejection have been fully considered they are not persuasive for following reason.
Re: Prior art rejection of independent claims
Li para 146, the direction table is selected on the fly (para 146), each table is associated with set number of directions, therefore teaches “information on the number of directions associated with the initial set of search points” is determined on the fly
Li direction index (para 151) indicates “information on the number of directions associated with the initial set of search points”. For instance, an index of 11 means at least 4 directions in the table. An index 01 means at least 2 direction. Therefore, it teaches “information on the number of directions associated with the initial set of search points” is indicated in the bitstream.
Huo teaches at least “information on the number of directions associated with the initial set of search points” either indicated in the bitstream or determined on-the-fly through
“N directions” (in para 7, 25) , total directions in para 49, 83-84, direction index in para 51.
Therefore, applicant’s arguments are not persuasive
Re: Prior art rejection of dependent claims
Applicant has presented no additional argument, other than arguments already presented with respect to independent claims. Therefore, the arguments are similarly not persuasive.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
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)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
(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.
Claims 1-4, 8-10, 13, 17-19, 21 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by HUO.
HUO teaches with respect to following claims
1. A method for video processing, comprising: determining, during a conversion between a current video block of a video and a bitstream of the video [(para 2-3, 57; encoding/decoding)] , a motion candidate for the current video block based on merge mode with motion vector differences (MMVD) with an initial set of search points [(para 21)] , a first direction of a first search point in the initial set of search points being non-vertical and non-horizontal: [(diagonal direction such as upper left {para 5}}. As per applicant’s published specification para 37, “first” is used to differentiate from other {such as second only};)] and performing the conversion based on the motion candidate [(para 5, 57)] .
wherein at least one of the following is indicated in the bitstream or determined on-the-fly: information on whether to add an additional direction to a predetermined set of directions associated with the initial set of search points, or information on the number of directions associated with the initial set of search points [(Huo teaches at least “information on the number of directions associated with the initial set of search points” either indicated in the bitstream or determined on-the-fly through “N directions” (in para 7, 25) , total directions in para 49, 83-84, direction index in para 51.
Please note because of the alternative language there are 4 options in the limitation. Teaching any one of the limitation would be suffice. Para 49-50 indicated that with the initial 4 directions additional 4 directions are added. The predetermined set of direction associated with the initial set of search points is 4. Please note this predetermined set of direction does not have to include all the directions of initial set of search points; it is any set that is associated with initial set of search points. Additionally, para 82 and 85/Table 4 indicates direction index in the bitsream that is “information on the number of directions…”; Para 5 indicates N directions, with N equal to or larger than 1, this N also indicates number of direction)]
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first direction is at an angle equal to a fraction of 180°, [(Fig. 4; diagonal/bold arrow; Note: one of claimed alternative is sufficient to teach the claim)]
or wherein the initial set of search points comprise search points with directions at angles equal to k×360°N+180°N, where N is an integer, and k ranges from 1 to N.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein distance offsets of the initial set of search points are asymmetric,
or wherein distance offsets of the initial set of search points are the same [(para 37, 42; step length=>distance offset)] ,
or wherein angles of directions of the initial set of search points are asymmetric.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the initial set of search points are associated with an initial set of directions, and the initial set of directions are determined by adding the first direction to a predetermined set of directions [(para 39, 49)] ,
or wherein the initial set of search points are associated with an initial set of directions, and the initial set of directions are determined by replacing a direction in a predetermined set of directions with the first direction,
or wherein distance offsets or directions of the initial set of search points are indicated by an index, the index being coded jointly or separately for the distance offsets and the directions [(para 51)] .
8. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the following is dependent on a picture resolution, a reference picture list, and/or a low-delay check flag of the current video block: information on whether to add an additional direction to a predetermined set of directions associated with the initial set of search points [(based on resolution more search direction {para 45, Fig.3})] , or an additional direction to be used for the current video block,
or wherein at least one of the following is indicated in the bitstream: information on whether to add an additional direction to a predetermined set of directions associated with the initial set of search points, or
an additional direction to be used for the current video block, or wherein the number of directions of the initial set of search points for the current video block is larger than a further video block, a temporal layer of the current video block is lower than the further video block.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the initial set of search points are associated with an initial set of distance offsets [(para 39, Table 2, step length)] , and the initial set of distance offsets are determined by adding at least one additional distance offset to a predetermined set of distance offsets [(para 39, 44)] or by removing at least one distance offset from the predetermined set of distance offsets
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the initial set of distance offsets are predetermined, or the initial set of distance offsets are indicated in the bitstream, or the initial set of distance offsets are determined on-the-fly [(para 39)] .
13. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the following is dependent on a direction and/or a magnitude of a base MV for the current video block: information on whether to apply an additional direction [(para 39, 49)], information on whether to apply an additional distance offset, an additional direction to be applied on the current video block, or an additional distance offset to be applied on the current video block, or wherein the initial set of search points are associated with an initial set of distance offsets, the initial set of distance offsets are determined based on a magnitude of a base MV for the current video block.
17. The method of claim 1, wherein the conversion includes encoding the current video block into the bitstream, or wherein the conversion includes decoding the current video block from the bitstream. [(para 2-3, 57; encoding/decoding)]
18. An apparatus for processing video data comprising a processor and a non-transitory memory with instructions thereon , wherein the instructions upon execution by the processor, cause the processor to perform [(para 158)] acts comprising: determining, during a conversion between a current video block of a video and a bitstream of the video, a motion candidate for the current video block based on merge mode with motion vector differences (MMVD) with an initial set of search points, a first direction of a first search point in the initial set of search points being non-vertical and non-horizontal: and performing the conversion based on the motion candidate. [(see analysis of claim 1)]
wherein at least one of the following is indicated in the bitstream or determined on-the-fly: information on whether to add an additional direction to a predetermined set of directions associated with the initial set of search points, or information on the number of directions associated with the initial set of search points [(Please note because of the alternative language there are 4 options in the limitation. Teaching any one of the limitation would be suffice. Para 49-50 indicated that with the initial 4 directions additional 4 directions are added. The predetermined set of direction associated with the initial set of search points is 4. Please note this predetermined set of direction does not have to include all the directions of initial set of search points; it is any set that is associated with initial set of search points. Additionally, para 82 and 85/Table 4 indicates direction index in the bitsream that is “information on the number of directions…”; Para 5 indicates N directions, with N equal to or larger than 1, this N also indicates number of direction)]
19. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that cause a processor to perform [(para 158)] acts comprising: determining, during a conversion between a current video block of a video and a bitstream of the video, a motion candidate for the current video block based on merge mode with motion vector differences (MMVD) with an initial set of search points, a first direction of a first search point in the initial set of search points being non-vertical and non-horizontal: and performing the conversion based on the motion candidate. [(see analysis of claim 1)]
wherein at least one of the following is indicated in the bitstream or determined on-the-fly: information on whether to add an additional direction to a predetermined set of directions associated with the initial set of search points, or information on the number of directions associated with the initial set of search points [(Please note because of the alternative language there are 4 options in the limitation. Teaching any one of the limitation would be suffice. Para 49-50 indicated that with the initial 4 directions additional 4 directions are added. The predetermined set of direction associated with the initial set of search points is 4. Please note this predetermined set of direction does not have to include all the directions of initial set of search points; it is any set that is associated with initial set of search points. Additionally, para 82 and 85/Table 4 indicates direction index in the bitsream that is “information on the number of directions…”; Para 5 indicates N directions, with N equal to or larger than 1, this N also indicates number of direction)]
Regarding Claim 21: See analysis of claim 1 and para 57
Claims 1-5, 9-10, 13-14, 17-19, 21 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) and (a)(2) as being anticipated by Li.
Li teaches with respect to following claims
1. A method for video processing, comprising: determining, during a conversion between a current video block of a video and a bitstream of the video [(para 10-12, 145; encoding/decoding)] , a motion candidate for the current video block based on merge mode with motion vector differences (MMVD) with an initial set of search points [(para 132, 134; from multiple starting points search are performed in different directions {para 139-142})] , a first direction of a first search point in the initial set of search points being non-vertical and non-horizontal: [(with other than hor and ver direction i.e. diagonal direction {para 146, Fig.16} ; As per applicant’s published specification para 37, “first” is used to differentiate from other {such as second only};)] and performing the conversion based on the motion candidate [(para 145 encoding/decoding)] .
wherein at least one of the following is indicated in the bitstream or determined on-the-fly:
information on whether to add an additional direction to a predetermined set of directions associated with the initial set of search points, or information on the number of directions associated with the initial set of search points [(Li para 146, the direction table is selected on the fly (para 146), each table is associated with set number of directions, therefore teaches “information on the number of directions associated with the initial set of search points” is determined on the fly
Li direction index (para 151) indicates “information on the number of directions associated with the initial set of search points”. For instance, an index of 11 means at least 4 directions in the table. An index 01 means at least 2 direction. Therefore, it teaches “information on the number of directions associated with the initial set of search points” is indicated in the bitstream.
)]
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first direction is at an angle equal to a fraction of 180°, [(Fig. 16; diagonal 00 or 10; Note: one of claimed alternative is sufficient to teach the claim)]
or wherein the initial set of search points comprise search points with directions at angles equal to k×360°N+180°N, where N is an integer, and k ranges from 1 to N.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein distance offsets of the initial set of search points are asymmetric,
or wherein distance offsets of the initial set of search points are the same [(para 153, 150)] ,
or wherein angles of directions of the initial set of search points are asymmetric.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the initial set of search points are associated with an initial set of directions, and the initial set of directions are determined by adding the first direction to a predetermined set of directions [(para 141)] ,
or wherein the initial set of search points are associated with an initial set of directions, and the initial set of directions are determined by replacing a direction in a predetermined set of directions with the first direction,
or wherein distance offsets or directions of the initial set of search points are indicated by an index, the index being coded jointly or separately for the distance offsets and the directions [(para 150; signaled =. Coded; they are concatenated to form binary order code {para 157})] .
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the index is coded with binary code [(para 157)] or truncated binary code, or wherein the index is coded with truncated unary code, or wherein the index is coded with Rice code or exponential Golomb code of a predetermined order, or wherein the index is coded in a bypass mode, or wherein the index is coded in a context mode, or wherein at least one bin of the index is context coded, or wherein first M bins of the index are context coded based on the same context or independent contexts, where M is an integer.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the initial set of search points are associated with an initial set of distance offsets [(para 139 and note distance index is associated with index and distance offset in pel {para 150})] , and the initial set of distance offsets are determined by adding at least one additional distance offset to a predetermined set of distance offsets or by removing at least one distance offset from the predetermined set of distance offsets [(para 147 and Table 6 & 7; ½-pel is removed in Table 7)] .
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the initial set of distance offsets are predetermined, or the initial set of distance offsets are indicated in the bitstream, or the initial set of distance offsets are determined on-the-fly [(para 147, determined adaptively or on-the-fly)] .
13. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the following is dependent on a direction and/or a magnitude of a base MV for the current video block: information on whether to apply an additional direction [(par 146, Fig.16; additional diagonal direction are used based on according to the direction of base MV)] , information on whether to apply an additional distance offset, an additional direction to be applied on the current video block, or an additional distance offset to be applied on the current video block, or wherein the initial set of search points are associated with an initial set of distance offsets, the initial set of distance offsets are determined based on a magnitude of a base MV for the current video block.
14. The method of claim 1, wherein the current video block is associated with a target set of base MV candidates [(para 133-134)] , and the target set of base MV candidates are determined by adding at least one additional base MV candidate to a predetermined set of base MV candidates [(para 133; (i) merge candidates employed in the merge mode {teaches predetermined set of base candidates}, (ii) merge candidates from a history buffer in the HMVP mode {teaches additional base candidate})] , or
wherein the current video block is associated with a target set of base MV candidates, and the target set of base MV candidates are determined by removing at least one existing base MV candidate from a predetermined set of base MV candidates.
17. The method of claim 1, wherein the conversion includes encoding the current video block into the bitstream, or wherein the conversion includes decoding the current video block from the bitstream. [(para 10-12, 145; encoding/decoding)]
18. An apparatus for processing video data comprising a processor and a non-transitory memory with instructions thereon , wherein the instructions upon execution by the processor, cause the processor to perform [(para 11-12, 36)] acts comprising: and see analysis of claim 1
19. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that cause a processor to perform [(para 11-12)] acts comprising: and see analysis of claim 1
Regarding Claim 21: See analysis of claim 1 and para 36
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
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 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 pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness.
Claims 6-7 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over HUO in view of WIPO808.
Regarding Claim 6: HUO does not explicitly show wherein the information on whether to add the additional direction is dependent on a size of the current video block
However, in the same/related field of endeavor, WIPO808 teaches wherein the information on whether to add the additional direction is dependent on a size of the current video block [(WIPO808 page 27, 12.e-f; please note UMVE=>MMVD {para 127})]
Therefore in light of above discussion it would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to combine the teaching of the prior arts because such combination would improve performance.
Regarding Claim 7: HUO does not explicitly show if an area of the current video block is larger than a threshold, the addition direction is added, or wherein if an area of the current video block is smaller than a threshold, the addition direction is added, or wherein if a width of the current video block is larger than a first threshold, the addition direction is added, if a height of the current video block is larger than a second threshold, the addition direction is added, or if the width of the current video block is larger than the first threshold and the height of the current video block is larger than the second threshold, the addition direction is added, or wherein if a width of the current video block is smaller than a first threshold, the addition direction is added, if a height of the current video block is smaller than a second threshold, the addition direction is added, or if the width of the current video block is smaller than the first threshold and the height of the current video block is smaller than the second threshold, the addition direction is added.
However, in the same/related field of endeavor, WIPO808 teaches if an area of the current video block is larger than a threshold, the addition direction is added [(WIPO808 page 27, 12.e-f; please note UMVE=>MMVD {para 127})] , or wherein if an area of the current video block is smaller than a threshold, the addition direction is added, or wherein if a width of the current video block is larger than a first threshold, the addition direction is added, if a height of the current video block is larger than a second threshold, the addition direction is added, or if the width of the current video block is larger than the first threshold and the height of the current video block is larger than the second threshold, the addition direction is added, or wherein if a width of the current video block is smaller than a first threshold, the addition direction is added, if a height of the current video block is smaller than a second threshold, the addition direction is added, or if the width of the current video block is smaller than the first threshold and the height of the current video block is smaller than the second threshold, the addition direction is added.
Therefore in light of above discussion it would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to combine the teaching of the prior arts because such combination would improve performance.
Claims 15-16 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over HUO in view of Kidani.
Regarding Claim 15: HUO does not explicitly show reordering a plurality of motion candidates for the current video block, the plurality of motion candidates being determined based on merge mode with motion vector differences (MMVD).
However, in the same/related field of endeavor, Kidani teaches reordering a plurality of motion candidates for the current video block, the plurality of motion candidates being determined based on merge mode with motion vector differences (MMVD). [(Kidani section 2.Proposal,)]
Therefore in light of above discussion it would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to combine the teaching of the prior arts because such combination would improve performance [(Kidani introduction)]
Regarding Claim 16: Kidani additionally teaches, The method of claim 15, wherein reordering the plurality of motion candidates comprises: reordering the plurality of motion candidates based on a template matching approach, [(Kidani section 2.Proposal, to improve performance)]
or wherein the reordering is early terminated.
Claims 11-12 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over HUO in view of Park.
Regarding Claim 11: HUO does not explicitly show wherein the initial set of distance offsets are determined based on a size of the current video block.
However, in the same/related field of endeavor, Park teaches wherein the initial set of distance offsets are determined based on a size of the current video block. [(Park , para 357)]
Therefore in light of above discussion it would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to combine the teaching of the prior arts because such combination would provide predictable result with no change of their respective functionalities.
Park additionally teaches, with respect to claim 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the initial set of distance offsets for the current video block is different from a further video block, an area of the current video block is larger than a threshold, and an area of the further video block is smaller than the threshold [(para 358, 359)]
Claims 6-7 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Li in view of WIPO808.
Regarding Claim 6: Li does not explicitly show wherein the information on whether to add the additional direction is dependent on a size of the current video block
However, in the same/related field of endeavor, WIPO808 teaches wherein the information on whether to add the additional direction is dependent on a size of the current video block [(WIPO808 page 27, 12.e-f; please note UMVE=>MMVD {para 127})]
Therefore in light of above discussion it would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to combine the teaching of the prior arts because such combination would improve performance.
Regarding Claim 7: Li does not explicitly show if an area of the current video block is larger than a threshold, the addition direction is added, or wherein if an area of the current video block is smaller than a threshold, the addition direction is added, or wherein if a width of the current video block is larger than a first threshold, the addition direction is added, if a height of the current video block is larger than a second threshold, the addition direction is added, or if the width of the current video block is larger than the first threshold and the height of the current video block is larger than the second threshold, the addition direction is added, or wherein if a width of the current video block is smaller than a first threshold, the addition direction is added, if a height of the current video block is smaller than a second threshold, the addition direction is added, or if the width of the current video block is smaller than the first threshold and the height of the current video block is smaller than the second threshold, the addition direction is added.
However, in the same/related field of endeavor, WIPO808 teaches if an area of the current video block is larger than a threshold, the addition direction is added [(WIPO808 page 27, 12.e-f; please note UMVE=>MMVD {para 127})] , or wherein if an area of the current video block is smaller than a threshold, the addition direction is added, or wherein if a width of the current video block is larger than a first threshold, the addition direction is added, if a height of the current video block is larger than a second threshold, the addition direction is added, or if the width of the current video block is larger than the first threshold and the height of the current video block is larger than the second threshold, the addition direction is added, or wherein if a width of the current video block is smaller than a first threshold, the addition direction is added, if a height of the current video block is smaller than a second threshold, the addition direction is added, or if the width of the current video block is smaller than the first threshold and the height of the current video block is smaller than the second threshold, the addition direction is added.
Therefore in light of above discussion it would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to combine the teaching of the prior arts because such combination would improve performance.
Claims 15-16 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Li in view of Kidani.
Regarding Claim 15: Li does not explicitly show reordering a plurality of motion candidates for the current video block, the plurality of motion candidates being determined based on merge mode with motion vector differences (MMVD).
However, in the same/related field of endeavor, Kidani teaches reordering a plurality of motion candidates for the current video block, the plurality of motion candidates being determined based on merge mode with motion vector differences (MMVD). [(Kidani section 2.Proposal,)]
Therefore in light of above discussion it would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to combine the teaching of the prior arts because such combination would improve performance [(Kidani introduction)]
Regarding Claim 16: Kidani additionally teaches, The method of claim 15, wherein reordering the plurality of motion candidates comprises: reordering the plurality of motion candidates based on a template matching approach, [(Kidani section 2.Proposal, to improve performance)]
or wherein the reordering is early terminated.
Claims 11-12 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Li in view of Park.
Regarding Claim 11: Li does not explicitly show wherein the initial set of distance offsets are determined based on a size of the current video block.
However, in the same/related field of endeavor, Park teaches wherein the initial set of distance offsets are determined based on a size of the current video block. [(Park , para 357)]
Therefore in light of above discussion it would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to combine the teaching of the prior arts because such combination would provide predictable result with no change of their respective functionalities.
Park additionally teaches, with respect to claim 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the initial set of distance offsets for the current video block is different from a further video block, an area of the current video block is larger than a threshold, and an area of the further video block is smaller than the threshold [(para 358, 359)]
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Shahan Rahaman whose telephone number is (571)270-1438. The examiner can normally be reached on 7am - 3:30pm.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Nasser Goodarzi can be reached at telephone number (571) 272-4195. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is (571) 273-8300.
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/SHAHAN UR RAHAMAN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2426