DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
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
Applicant's arguments filed April 23, 2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
The applicant argues that Jhu does not teach whether to apply the position dependent intra prediction based on at least one of (i) a size of a gradient for the plurality of intra prediction modes or (ii) a ratio between weights applied to the plurality of intra prediction modes. The examiner respectfully disagrees. Jhu discloses determining the size of a gradient by determining peaks associated with a gradient histogram. The examiner acknowledges that Jhu uses the peaks to determine a specific intra prediction mode and that subsequently based on the specific mode, PDPC is applied (Remarks of April 23, 2026). The examiner argues that this applies to the claim language. One of ordinary skill in the art would acknowledge that PDPC being a subset of intra prediction; a association where the dependency is based on gradient information would establish a PDPC selection rule (¶ 148).
Specification
The title of the invention is not descriptive. A new title is required that is clearly indicative of the invention to which the claims are directed.
The following title is suggested: Gradient Based Position Dependent Prediction Combination.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
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.
Claim(s) 1 - 14 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by JHU et al (US 2025/0016347, hereafter Jhu).
As per claim 1, Jhu discloses an image decoding method, the method comprising:
deriving a plurality of intra prediction mode of a current block based on a gradient between at least two samples belonging to a neighboring region adjacent to the current block (¶ 133; Next, we perform a gradient analysis on the pixels of the template);
configuring a reference sample of the current block (¶ 133; We choose, as shown in FIG. 7, a template surrounding the current block by T pixels to the left, and T pixels above.);
generating a plurality of temporary prediction blocks based on the plurality of intra prediction modes and reference sample (¶ 136);
applying a position dependent intra prediction to modify the plurality of temporary prediction blocks based on at least one of a size of a gradient corresponding to each of the plurality of intra prediction modes or ratio between weights applied to the plurality of intra prediction modes (¶ 172);
generating a prediction block of the current block by weighted summing the plurality of temporary prediction blocks and a planar temporary prediction block generated by a planar mode (¶ 137).
As per claim 4, Jhu discloses the method of claim 1, wherein:
the position dependent intra prediction is applied to each of the plurality of temporary prediction blocks according to whether each of the plurality of temporary prediction blocks is predicted by one of predefined intra prediction modes (Figure 11D).
As per claim 5, Jhu discloses the method of claim 1, wherein:
the position dependent intra prediction is individually applied to the plurality of temporary prediction blocks and the planar temporary prediction block (Figure 12A).
As per claim 6, the method of claim 1, wherein:
the position dependent intra prediction is applied only to the planar temporary prediction block among the plurality of temporary prediction blocks and the planar temporary prediction block (¶ 117; PDPC is applied to the following intra modes without signaling: planar; Jhu’s disclosure suggests that if the other temporary blocks do not meet the criteria for intra angles than PDPC will only be applied to the planar mode).
As per claim 8, Jhu discloses the method of claim 1, wherein:
the position dependent intra prediction is applied only to a temporary prediction block generated by a main intra prediction mode having a largest size of a gradient among the plurality of intra prediction modes (¶ 172; In another example, the IPMs corresponding to the tallest histogram bar is selected as the specific mode then PDPC with the specific mode is applied).
As per claim 9, the method of claim 1, wherein:
the position dependent intra prediction is applied to the prediction block of the current block that is a weighted sum of the plurality of temporary prediction blocks and the planar temporary prediction block (Figure 12B).
As per claim 10, Jhu discloses the method of claim 9, wherein:
whether to apply the position dependent intra prediction is determined according to whether a intra prediction mode having a largest size of a gradient among the plurality of intra prediction modes is one of predefined intra prediction modes (¶ 172; The examiner argues that all intra prediction modes are predefined in HEVC and VVC and thus as long as the method finds one with the largest size of a gradient then the claim limitation is met. The applicant use of a predefined intra prediction mode lacks clarity).
As per claim 11, Jhu discloses the method of claim 1, wherein:
when the gradient-based intra prediction mode derivation method is applied to the current block, a position dependent intra prediction is not applied to the current block (¶ 173; it is proposed to disable the PDPC operations in DIMD mode).
Regarding claim 12, arguments analogous to those presented for claim 1 are applicable for claim 12.
Regarding claim 14, arguments analogous to those presented for claim 1 are applicable for claim 14.
Conclusion
THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. 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.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to CHIKAODILI E ANYIKIRE whose telephone number is (571)270-1445. The examiner can normally be reached 8 am - 4:30 pm.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, David Czekaj can be reached at 571-272-7327. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/CHIKAODILI E ANYIKIRE/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2487
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