DETAILED ACTIONNotice 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 .
Applicant Response to Official Action
The response filed on 8/25/2026 has been entered and made of record.
Acknowledgment
Claims 3 and 8-9, canceled on 8/25/2026, are acknowledged by the examiner.
Claims 1-2 4-7 and 10, amended on 8/25/2026, are acknowledged by the examiner.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments with respect to claims 1, 4, 10 and their dependent claims have been considered but they are moot in view of the new grounds of rejection necessitated by amendments initiated by the applicant. Examiner addresses the main arguments of the Applicant as below.
Regarding the drawing objection, the amendment filed on 8/25/2026 addresses the issue. As a result, the drawing objection is withdrawn.
Objections
The drawings are objected to under 37 CFR 1.83(a). The drawings must show every feature of the invention specified in the claims. Therefore, “a cross-component linear model (CCLM) prediction parameter derivation circuit”, “a CCLM prediction filter circuit”, “a linear prediction circuit” must be shown or the feature(s) must be canceled from the claims 1-2, 4-7, and 10. No new matter should be entered.
Corrected drawing sheets in compliance with 37 CFR 1.121(d) are required in reply to the Office action to avoid abandonment of the application. Any amended replacement drawing sheet should include all of the figures appearing on the immediate prior version of the sheet, even if only one figure is being amended. The figure or figure number of an amended drawing should not be labeled as “amended.” If a drawing figure is to be canceled, the appropriate figure must be removed from the replacement sheet, and where necessary, the remaining figures must be renumbered and appropriate changes made to the brief description of the several views of the drawings for consistency. Additional replacement sheets may be necessary to show the renumbering of the remaining figures. Each drawing sheet submitted after the filing date of an application must be labeled in the top margin as either “Replacement Sheet” or “New Sheet” pursuant to 37 CFR 1.121(d). If the changes are not accepted by the examiner, the applicant will be notified and informed of any required corrective action in the next Office action. The objection to the drawings will not be held in abeyance.
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.
Claims 1-2, 4-5 and 10 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Park (US Patent Application Publication US 2024/0380884 A1), (“Park”).
Regarding claim 1, Park meets the claim limitations as follows:
A video decoding apparatus (a decoding unit (decoder)) [Park: para. 0084; Fig. 3] for generating a prediction image (method and apparatus for performing prediction on a block in an image) [Park: para. 0001] of a chroma image (FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a procedure for deriving a prediction sample for a chroma component) [Park: para. 0048; Fig. 13] by using a luma image (chroma prediction samples may be generated based on luma samples using a linear model. This case may be called an LM (linear model) mode) [Park: 0140; Fig. 13], the video decoding apparatus (a decoder) [Park: para. 0084; Fig. 3] comprising: a cross-component linear model (CCLM) prediction parameter derivation circuit (In the case of implementing the present disclosure by hardware, the present disclosure can be implemented with application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), Digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), general processors, controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, etc) [Park: para. 0416; Fig. 3] that derives a CCLM prediction parameter (Specifically, when the CCLM mode is applied to the current chroma block, parameters for the linear model may be derived based on neighboring samples used for intra prediction of the current chroma block and neighboring samples used for intra prediction of the current luma block.) [Park: para. 0195]; and a CCLM prediction filter circuit (In the case of implementing the present disclosure by hardware, the present disclosure can be implemented with application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), Digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), general processors, controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, etc) [Park: para. 0416; Fig. 3] that generates a chrominance prediction image by using a luminance target pixel corresponding to a chrominance pixel of a target block (a cross-component linear model (CCLM) mode may be applied to the current chroma block. The CCLM mode is an intra prediction mode using correlation between a luma block and a chroma block corresponding to the luma block, and may indicate a mode in which a linear model may be derived based on neighboring samples of the luma block and neighboring samples of the chroma block and prediction samples of the chroma block are derived based on the linear model and the reconstructed samples of the luma block.) [Park: para. 0195; Fig. 13], and by using the CCLM prediction parameter (CCLM parameters) [Park: para. 0187], wherein:
the CCLM prediction parameter derivation circuit (In the case of implementing the present disclosure by hardware, the present disclosure can be implemented with application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), Digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), general processors, controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, etc) [Park: para. 0416; Fig. 3] derives the CCLM prediction parameter (Specifically, when the CCLM mode is applied to the current chroma block, parameters for the linear model may be derived based on neighboring samples used for intra prediction of the current chroma block and neighboring samples used for intra prediction of the current luma block.) [Park: para. 0195], that includes a first weight, a second weight, and a first offset value (where, w1 may be a first weight, P1 may be a first prediction block, w2 may be a second weight, and P2 may be a second prediction block. The (final) prediction block P may be generated using prediction blocks based on weights. That is, prediction block P may be generated based on a (weighted) sum of prediction blocks Pn. Equation 3 above may be performed as follows by a shift operation: P = (w1 •P1 + w2 •P2 + offset)» rShift [Equation 4]; In Equation 4 above, offset=(w1 +w2)» 1, rShift=Log 2 (wl+w2)) [Park: para. 0311-0312], by using a luminance adjacent pixel of a reference region adjacent to the target block ((When generating a prediction block based on each intra prediction mode, reference samples adjacent to the current block may be filtered) [Park: para. 0381]; (Specifically, when the CCLM mode is applied to the current chroma block, parameters for the linear model may be derived based on neighboring samples used for intra prediction of the current chroma block and neighboring samples used for intra prediction of the current luma block) [Park: para. 0195]) , andthe CCLM prediction filter circuit (In the case of implementing the present disclosure by hardware, the present disclosure can be implemented with application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), Digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), general processors, controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, etc) [Park: para. 0416; Fig. 3] derives a pixel value of the chrominance prediction image from a sum of a product of the luminance target pixel and the first weight, a product of the luminance adjacent pixel and the second weight, and the first offset value (I(where, w1 may be a first weight, P1 may be a first prediction block, w2 may be a second weight, and P2 may be a second prediction block. The (final) prediction block P may be generated using prediction blocks based on weights. That is, prediction block P may be generated based on a (weighted) sum of prediction blocks Pn. Equation 3 above may be performed as follows by a shift operation: P = (w1 •P1 + w2 •P2 + offset)» rShift [Equation 4]; In Equation 4 above, offset=(w1 +w2)» 1, rShift=Log 2 (wl+w2)) [Park: para. 0311-0312]) [Park: para. 0311] – Note: In the above equation, P is the prediction pixel value of the chroma target pixel, w1 and w2 are the first weight and the second weight, P1 and P2 are luma target pixel. It is clear from the equation that P is a sum of products of these parameters).
Regarding claim 2, Wang meets the claim limitations as set forth in claim 1. Wang further meets the claim limitations as follow.
wherein a position of the luminance adjacent pixel, with respect to the luminance target pixel, is a pixel (x + 1, y) to a right of the luma target pixel (x, y) (In addition, the neighboring reference samples of the current block may include a total of nH
samples adjacent to a right boundary of the current block) [Park: para. 0136; Figs. 24-25] – Note: It is clear from Figs. 24-25 that the coordinate of the target pixel C is (x, y), then the coordinate of the adjacent right pixel is (x+1, y)).
Regarding claim 4, Park meets the claim limitations as follows:
A video coding apparatus (an encoding unit (encoder)) [Park: para. 0084; Fig. 3] for generating a prediction image (method and apparatus for performing prediction on a block in an image) [Park: para. 0001] of a chroma image (FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a procedure for deriving a prediction sample for a chroma component) [Park: para. 0048; Fig. 13] by using a luma image (chroma prediction samples may be generated based on luma samples using a linear model. This case may be called an LM (linear model) mode) [Park: 0140; Fig. 13], the video decoding apparatus (a decoder) [Park: para. 0084; Fig. 3] comprising: a cross-component linear model (CCLM) prediction parameter derivation circuit (In the case of implementing the present disclosure by hardware, the present disclosure can be implemented with application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), Digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), general processors, controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, etc) [Park: para. 0416; Fig. 3] that derives a CCLM prediction parameter (Specifically, when the CCLM mode is applied to the current chroma block, parameters for the linear model may be derived based on neighboring samples used for intra prediction of the current chroma block and neighboring samples used for intra prediction of the current luma block) [Park: para. 0195]; and a CCLM prediction filter circuit (In the case of implementing the present disclosure by hardware, the present disclosure can be implemented with application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), Digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), general processors, controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, etc) [Park: para. 0416; Fig. 3] that generates a chrominance prediction image by using a luminance target pixel corresponding to a chrominance pixel of a target block (a cross-component linear model (CCLM) mode may be applied to the current chroma block. The CCLM mode is an intra prediction mode using correlation between a luma block and a chroma block corresponding to the luma block, and may indicate a mode in which a linear model may be derived based on neighboring samples of the luma block and neighboring samples of the chroma block and prediction samples of the chroma block are derived based on the linear model and the reconstructed samples of the luma block.) [Park: para. 0195; Fig. 13], and by using the CCLM prediction parameter (CCLM parameters) [Park: para. 0187], wherein:
the CCLM prediction parameter derivation circuit (In the case of implementing the present disclosure by hardware, the present disclosure can be implemented with application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), Digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), general processors, controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, etc) [Park: para. 0416; Fig. 3] derives the CCLM prediction parameter (Specifically, when the CCLM mode is applied to the current chroma block, parameters for the linear model may be derived based on neighboring samples used for intra prediction of the current chroma block and neighboring samples used for intra prediction of the current luma block.) [Park: para. 0195], that includes a first weight, a second weight, and a first offset value (where, w1 may be a first weight, P1 may be a first prediction block, w2 may be a second weight, and P2 may be a second prediction block. The (final) prediction block P may be generated using prediction blocks based on weights. That is, prediction block P may be generated based on a (weighted) sum of prediction blocks Pn. Equation 3 above may be performed as follows by a shift operation: P = (w1 •P1 + w2 •P2 + offset)» rShift [Equation 4]; In Equation 4 above, offset=(w1 +w2)» 1, rShift=Log 2 (w1+w2)) [Park: para. 0311-0312], by using a luminance adjacent pixel of a reference region adjacent to the target block ((When generating a prediction block based on each intra prediction mode, reference samples adjacent to the current block may be filtered) [Park: para. 0381]; (Specifically, when the CCLM mode is applied to the current chroma block, parameters for the linear model may be derived based on neighboring samples used for intra prediction of the current chroma block and neighboring samples used for intra prediction of the current luma block) [Park: para. 0195]) , andthe CCLM prediction filter circuit (In the case of implementing the present disclosure by hardware, the present disclosure can be implemented with application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), Digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), general processors, controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, etc) [Park: para. 0416; Fig. 3] derives a pixel value of the chrominance prediction image from a sum of a product of the luminance target pixel and the first weight, a product of the luminance adjacent pixel and the second weight, and the first offset value ((where, w1 may be a first weight, P1 may be a first prediction block, w2 may be a second weight, and P2 may be a second prediction block. The (final) prediction block P may be generated using prediction blocks based on weights. That is, prediction block P may be generated based on a (weighted) sum of prediction blocks Pn. Equation 3 above may be performed as follows by a shift operation: P = (w1 •P1 + w2 •P2 + offset)» rShift [Equation 4]; In Equation 4 above, offset=(w1 +w2)» 1, rShift=Log 2 (w1+w2)) [Park: para. 0311-0312]) [Park: para. 0311] – Note: In the above equation, P is the prediction pixel value of the chroma target pixel, w1 and w2 are the first weight and the second weight, P1 and P2 are luma target pixel. It is clear from the equation that P is a sum of products of these parameters).
Regarding claim 5, Wang meets the claim limitations as set forth in claim 1. Wang further meets the claim limitations as follow.
a parameter decoder decodes an index (the image decoding apparatus may derive a
candidate indicated by the mpm index in the MPM list) [Park: para. 0184] indicating a position of an adjacent pixel (More specifically, the left mode (Left) or the above mode (Above) may be used, and when expressed by Left and Above, respectively, the MPM list for the CIP mode is composed of {Left, Above, Min-1, Max+1, Min-2}. Here, Min means a value with a smaller index value of the intra mode between Left and Above. and Max means a value with a larger index value of the intra mode between Left and Above) [Park: para. 0282], and a flag indicating whether to perform a CCLM prediction (the intra prediction mode for the chroma component may be indicated based on intra chroma prediction mode information, and the intra chroma prediction mode information may be signaled in the form of an intra_chroma_pred_mode syntax element. As an example, the intra chroma prediction mode information may indicate one of candidate modes including at least one of a planar mode, a DC mode, a vertical mode, a horizontal mode, a derived mode (DM), L_CCLM, T_CCLM, or LT_CCLM modes. DM may also be called direct mode CCLM may be called LM. CCLM may be called LM) [Park: para. 0186],
wherein the index and the flag are decoded from coded data of a sequence header (The video/image information may further include information on various parameter sets such as an adaptation parameter set (APS), a picture parameter set (PPS), a sequence parameter set (SPS), or a video parameter set (VPS)) [Park: para. 0101], a slice header, or a CTU header.
Regarding claim 10, Park meets the claim limitations as follows:
A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing one or more instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to (a
non-transitory computer-readable medium having such software or commands stored thereon and executable on the apparatus or the computer) [Park: para. 0426; Fig. 2]:derive a cross-component linear model (CCLM) prediction parameter (Specifically, when the CCLM mode is applied to the current chroma block, parameters for the linear model may be derived based on neighboring samples used for intra prediction of the current chroma block and neighboring samples used for intra prediction of the current luma block.) [Park: para. 0195]; and generate a chrominance prediction image by using a luminance target pixel corresponding to a chrominance pixel of a target block (a cross-component linear model (CCLM) mode may be applied to the current chroma block. The CCLM mode is an intra prediction mode using correlation between a luma block and a chroma block corresponding to the luma block, and may indicate a mode in which a linear model may be derived based on neighboring samples of the luma block and neighboring samples of the chroma block and prediction samples of the chroma block are derived based on the linear model and the reconstructed samples of the luma block.) [Park: para. 0195; Fig. 13], and by using the CCLM prediction parameter (CCLM parameters) [Park: para. 0187], wherein:
the CCLM prediction parameter (Specifically, when the CCLM mode is applied to the current chroma block, parameters for the linear model may be derived based on neighboring samples used for intra prediction of the current chroma block and neighboring samples used for intra prediction of the current luma block.) [Park: para. 0195], that includes a first weight, a second weight, and a first offset value (where, w1 may be a first weight, P1 may be a first prediction block, w2 may be a second weight, and P2 may be a second prediction block. The (final) prediction block P may be generated using prediction blocks based on weights. That is, prediction block P may be generated based on a (weighted) sum of prediction blocks Pn. Equation 3 above may be performed as follows by a shift operation: P = (w1 •P1 + w2 •P2 + offset)» rShift [Equation 4]; In Equation 4 above, offset=(w1 +w2)» 1, rShift=Log 2 (wl+w2)) [Park: para. 0311-0312], is derived by using a luminance adjacent pixel of a reference region adjacent to the target block ((When generating a prediction block based on each intra prediction mode, reference samples adjacent to the current block may be filtered) [Park: para. 0381]; (Specifically, when the CCLM mode is applied to the current chroma block, parameters for the linear model may be derived based on neighboring samples used for intra prediction of the current chroma block and neighboring samples used for intra prediction of the current luma block) [Park: para. 0195]) , anda pixel value of the chrominance prediction image is derived from a sum of a product of the luminance target pixel and the first weight, a product of the luminance adjacent pixel and the second weight, and the first offset value (I(where, w1 may be a first weight, P1 may be a first prediction block, w2 may be a second weight, and P2 may be a second prediction block. The (final) prediction block P may be generated using prediction blocks based on weights. That is, prediction block P may be generated based on a (weighted) sum of prediction blocks Pn. Equation 3 above may be performed as follows by a shift operation: P = (w1 •P1 + w2 •P2 + offset)» rShift [Equation 4]; In Equation 4 above, offset=(w1 +w2)» 1, rShift=Log 2 (wl+w2)) [Park: para. 0311-0312]) [Park: para. 0311] – Note: In the above equation, P is the prediction pixel value of the chroma target pixel, w1 and w2 are the first weight and the second weight, P1 and P2 are luma target pixel. It is clear from the equation that P is a sum of products of these parameters).
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 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 manner in which the invention was made.
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 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 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 pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a) 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.
This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a), the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned at the time any inventions covered therein were made absent any evidence to the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and invention dates of each claim that was not commonly owned at the time a later invention was made in order for 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-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a).
Claims 6 and 7 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over US Patent Application Publication US 2024/0380884 A1, in view of Youvalari et al. (US Patent Application Publication US 2023/0262223 A1), (“Youvalari”).
Regarding claim 6, Park meets the claim limitations as set forth in claim 1. Park further meets the claim limitations as follow.
a linear prediction circuit (In the case of implementing the present disclosure by hardware, the present disclosure can be implemented with application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), Digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), general processors, controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, etc) [Park: para. 0416; Fig. 3] that derives a parameter as a multiplication coefficient and a bias coefficient ((where, w1 may be a first weight, P1 may be a first prediction block, w2 may be a second weight, and P2 may be a second prediction block. The (final) prediction block P may be generated using prediction blocks based on weights. That is, prediction block P may be generated based on a (weighted) sum of prediction blocks Pn. Equation 3 above may be performed as follows by a shift operation: P = (w1 •P1 + w2 •P2 + offset)» rShift [Equation 4]; In Equation 4 above, offset=(w1 +w2)» 1, rShift=Log 2 (wl+w2)) [Park: para. 0311-0312]) – Note: In the above equation, w1 and w2 are multiplication coefficients, and offset=(w1 +w2)» 1 is the bias coefficient), wherein:a model is determined to be (a linear model) [Park: para. 0195]:a multi-model that classifies a luma signal into a group according to a magnitude of the pixel value, and that derives a plurality of types of CCLM prediction parameters, including CCLM prediction parameter, according to the classification (a cross-component linear model (CCLM) mode may be applied to the current chroma block. The CCLM mode is an intra prediction mode using correlation between a luma block and a chroma block corresponding to the luma block, and may indicate a mode in which a linear model may be derived based on neighboring samples of the luma block and neighboring samples of the chroma block and prediction samples of the chroma block are derived based on the linear model and the reconstructed samples of the luma block.) [Park: para. 0195; Fig. 13], or
and a single model that derives one type of the CCLM prediction parameter (chroma prediction samples may be generated based on luma samples using a linear model. This case may be called an LM (linear model) mode) [Park: 0140; Fig. 13], and
in a case that the model is the multi-model, three or more parameters are not derived.
Park does not explicitly disclose the following claim limitations (Emphasis added).
in a case that the model is the multi-model, three or more parameters are not derived.
However in the same field of endeavor, Youvalari explicitly discloses deficient claim limitations as follows:
in a case that the model is the multi-model, three or more parameters are not derived (To reduce cross-component redundancy, a cross-component linear model (CCLM) prediction mode is used in the VVC, for which the chroma samples are predicted based on the reconstructed luma samples of the same CU by using
a linear model as follows:
predc(i,j)= α.recL'(i,j) + β
where predc(i,j) represents the predicted chroma samples in a CU and recL'(i,j) represents the downsampled reconstructed luma samples of the same CU) [Youvalari: para. 0135] – Note: In compare with Park’s equation in [Park: para. 0311-0312], Youvalari’s equation does not require to compute parameters w2, offset, rShift).
It would have been obvious to one with an ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the teachings of Park with Youvalari to program the system to implement of Youvalari’s method.
Therefore, the combination of Park with Youvalari will enable the system to may discard some information in the original video sequence in order to represent the video in a more compact form, for example, to enable the storage/transmission of the video information at a lower bitrate than otherwise might be needed [Youvalari: para. 0003].
Regarding claim 7, Wang meets the claim limitations as set forth in claim 6. Wang further meets the claim limitations as follow.
a parameter decoder that decodes (the image decoding apparatus may derive) [Park: para. 0184]
a first syntax element indicating whether to perform the classification (a syntax element (e.g., MPT_split_type) including information on how many blocks the leaf node of the QT structure is partitioned into) [Park: para. 0133] of the luma signal into two groups (the image decoding process may further include determining a dividing line dividing the current block into two or more regions, and the first weight or the second weight may be determined differently based on the dividing line) [Park: para. 0398].
Reference Notice
Additional prior arts, included in the Notice of Reference Cited, made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Conclusion
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 extension fee 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 date of this final action.
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