Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 01, 2026
Application No. 18/825,934

CONFIGURABLE DOWNSAMPLING FILTERS FOR FOVEATED DOWNSAMPLING

Non-Final OA §103
Filed
Sep 05, 2024
Examiner
CADEAU, WEDNEL
Art Unit
2632
Tech Center
2600 — Communications
Assignee
Apple Inc.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
72%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
8m
Est. Remaining
91%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 72% — above average
72%
Career Allowance Rate
394 granted / 549 resolved
+9.8% vs TC avg
Strong +19% interview lift
Without
With
+19.2%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 9m
Avg Prosecution
35 currently pending
Career history
591
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
2.0%
-38.0% vs TC avg
§103
77.2%
+37.2% vs TC avg
§102
4.5%
-35.5% vs TC avg
§112
15.1%
-24.9% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 549 resolved cases

Office Action

§103
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 . Prior art cited in this office action: Wu et al. (US 20240031540 A1, hereinafter “Wu”) 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 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 1-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Wu et al. (US 20240031540 A1, hereinafter “Wu”). Regarding claims 1, 8 and 15: Wu teaches a method, comprising: determining a number of downsampling phases between pixels of an image (Wu [0102], [0105], where Wu discloses determining a plurality of vertical and horizontal phases for pixels in an image); configuring, based on the number of downsampling phases, a data structure that associates one or more interpolation coefficients with a downsampling filter type image (Wu [0005]-[0006], [0099], [0102], [0104]-[0105], where Wu look up tables (LUTs) are used to relate the downsampling phases with the interpolation coefficient); determining a downsampling factor for downsampling pixel values in a region of the image (Wu [0005]-[0006], [0099], [0102], [0104]-[0105], where Wu downsampling factor is determined for pixel values in a region or area); determining, based on the downsampling factor, a downsampling filter type from the data structure (Wu [0005]-[0006], [0099], [0102], [0104]-[0105], [0116], where Wu teaches selecting a corresponding filter from the look up tables (LUTs); and downsampling pixel values in the region of the image based on the one or more interpolation coefficients associated with the determined downsampling filter type (Wu [0005]-[0006], [0099], [0102], [0104]-[0105], [0116], fig. 6 where Wu teaching performing downsampling using the selected downsampling filter type (each filter type has corresponding coefficients). Wu fails to teach explicitly teach a data structure. However, Wu teaches Vertical phase LUT 622 identifies first interpolation coefficients 626 that are associated with first offset values 618 for a specific color channel and provides first interpolation coefficients 626 to vertical foveated down sampling and correction circuit 630. Similarly, horizontal phase LUT 624 identifies second interpolation coefficients 628 that are associated with second offset values 620 for the specific color channel and provides second interpolation coefficients 628 to horizontal correction circuit 634. Therefore, one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the application to have a data structure form the association or call it a data structure since associating one or more interpolation coefficients with a downsampling filter type, in order to increase the efficiency and/or performance of the system. Regarding claims 2, 9 and 16: Wu teaches wherein downsampling the pixel values comprises: determining a downsampled pixel location for at least one of the pixel values based on the downsampling factor; determining a downsampling phase based on the downsampled pixel location; determining the one or more interpolation coefficients associated with the determined downsampling filter type based on the determined downsampling phase and the data structure; and generating an interpolated pixel value based on the one or more interpolation coefficients, the interpolated pixel value being based on an interpolation of a first pixel value and a second pixel value, wherein the first pixel value is associated with a first pixel adjacent to the downsampled pixel location, and wherein the second pixel value is associated with a second pixel adjacent to the downsampled pixel location (Wu [0005]-[0006], [0099], [0102], [0104]-[0105], [0116], figs. 6, 8 and 9). Regarding claims 3, 10 and 17: Wu teaches wherein each interpolation coefficient in the one or more interpolation coefficients is associated with a weight value, and wherein a level of contribution of each of the first pixel value and the second pixel value to the interpolated pixel value is based on the weight value associated with each interpolation coefficient in the one or more interpolation coefficients (Wu [0005]-[0006], [0099], [0102], [0104]-[0105], [0116], figs. 6, 8 and 9). Regarding claims 4, 11 and 18: Wu teaches further comprising: bypassing downsampling of another region of the image based on a determination that no downsampling is to occur for the other region of the image (Wu [0005]-[0006], [0099], [0102], [0104]-[0105], [0116], figs. 6, 8 and 9). Regarding claims 5, 12 and 19: Wu teaches wherein bypassing downsampling the other region of the image comprises: determining that a downsampling factor for the other region of the image is a 1:1 downsampling factor (Wu [0005]-[0006], [0081]-[0082], [0099], [0102], [0104]-[0105], [0116], figs. 6, 8 and 9). Regarding claims 6, 13 and 20: Wu teaches wherein bypassing downsampling of the other region of the image comprises: applying an identity filter to pixel values of the other region (Wu [0005]-[0006], [0081]-[0082], [0099], [0102], [0104]-[0105], [0116], figs. 6, 8 and 9). Regarding claims 7 and 14: Wu teaches wherein each of the downsampling factor, the downsampling filter type, and the one or more interpolation coefficients is associated with a first downsampling direction or a second downsampling direction that is orthogonal to the first downsampling direction (Wu [0005]-[0006], [0081]-[0082], [0099], [0102], [0104]-[0105], [0116], figs. 6, 8 and 9). Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to WEDNEL CADEAU whose telephone number is (571)270-7843. The examiner can normally be reached Mon-Fri 9:00-5:00. Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice. If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Chieh Fan can be reached at 571-272-3042. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. /WEDNEL CADEAU/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2632 July 16, 2026
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Prosecution Timeline

Sep 05, 2024
Application Filed
Jul 21, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103
Sep 03, 2026
Applicant Interview (Telephonic)
Sep 03, 2026
Examiner Interview Summary

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Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
72%
Grant Probability
91%
With Interview (+19.2%)
2y 9m (~8m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 549 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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