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 Amendment
Applicant previously filed claims 1-20. Claims 3, 16, and 20 have been amended. Accordingly, claims 1-20 are pending in the current application.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 04/27/2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
Applicant argues that Lim et al. fails to teach “obtaining an enhanced picture block by performing quality enhancement on the reconstructed picture block based on the quantization parameter”. However, examiner respectfully disagrees. In Paragraph 175 Lim et al. teaches “In this way, it is possible to derive the quantization parameter to be used to inverse-quantize the quantized second transform coefficient, based on the one or more first transform coefficients which have been inverse-quantized previously. In other words, the quantization parameters can be adaptively derived in units of a coefficient. Through the inverse quantization of the quantized transform coefficients based on the quantization parameter derived adaptively in units of a coefficient, it is possible to enhance subjective image quality. Furthermore, since it is possible to derive the quantization parameter based on the one or more first transform coefficients which have been inverse-quantized previously, it is possible to reduce increase in the number of signal bits for deriving the quantization parameter, and increase coding efficiency.” In Paragraph 202, Lim et al. teaches “In this way, it is possible to derive the quantization parameter to be used to inverse-quantize the quantized second transform coefficient, based on the one or more third transform coefficients which have been transformed from the prediction signal of the current block to be encoded. Accordingly, it is also possible to derive more appropriate quantization parameter, which enables enhancement of subjective image quality and increase in coding efficiency.” In Paragraph 227, Lim et al. teaches “In this way, it is possible to derive the quantization parameter to be used to inverse-quantize the quantized second transform coefficient, based on the activity measure determined based on the prediction signal of the current block to be encoded. Accordingly, it is also possible to derive more appropriate quantization parameter, which enables enhancement of subjective image quality and increase in coding efficiency.” In Paragraph 254, Lim et al. teaches “In this way, the relationship between the transform coefficients and the quantization parameter in the deriving of the quantization parameter is adjustable or switchable. Accordingly, it is also possible to derive more appropriate quantization parameter, which enables enhancement of subjective image quality and increase in coding efficiency.” Thus Lim et al. clearly teaches deriving a quantization parameter from previously decoded information (which is a reconstructed block) and then deriving a more appropriate quantization parameter to enhance image quality. In Paragraph 272, it further teaches “Moreover, since the videos are of approximately the same scene, management and/or instruction may be carried out by the server so that the videos captured by the terminals can be cross-referenced. Moreover, the server may receive encoded data from the terminals, change reference relationship between items of data or correct or replace pictures themselves, and then perform the encoding. This makes it possible to generate a stream with increased quality and efficiency for the individual items of data.”
Regarding Claim 20, applicant argues that the amendment to add computer programs and that the computer programs cause the processor to generate the bitstream overcomes the product by process claim interpretation of claim 20. However, examiner respectfully disagrees. MPEP §2113 recites “Product-by-Process claims are not limited to the manipulations of the recited steps, only the structure implied by the steps”. Thus, the scope of the claim is the storage medium storing the bitstream (with the structure implied by the method steps). The structure includes the information and samples manipulated by the steps. “To be given patentable weight, the printed matter and associated product must be in a functional relationship. A functional relationship can be found where the printed matter performs some function with respect to the product to which it is associated”. MPEP §2111.05(I)(A). When a claimed “computer-readable medium merely serves as a support for information or data, no functional relationship exists. MPEP §2111.05(III). The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing the claimed bitstream and computer programs in claim 20 merely services as a support for the generation and storage of the bitstream and provides no functional relationship between the stored bitstream and storage medium. Therefore, the bitstream, whose scope is implied by the method steps, is non-functional descriptive material and given no patentable weight. MPEP §2111.05(III). Thus, the claim scope is just a storage medium storing data and is anticipated by Lim et al. as in the rejection below.
Applicant is reminded that although the claims are interpreted in light of the specification, limitations from the specification are not read into the claims. See In re Van Geuns, 988 F.2d 1181, 26 USPQ2d 1057 (Fed. Cir. 1993).
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.
Claim(s) 1-20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Lim et al. (US 20210136379 A1).
Regarding Claim 1, Lim et al. teaches a method for picture processing (Abstract), comprising:
decoding a bitstream to obtain a quantization coefficient of a current picture block (Paragraph 119);
determining a quantization parameter corresponding to the current picture block, and obtaining a transform coefficient of the current picture block by performing inverse quantization on the quantization coefficient based on the quantization parameter (Paragraph 7);
determining a reconstructed picture block of the current picture block according to the transform coefficient (Paragraphs 128-132); and
obtaining an enhanced picture block by performing quality enhancement on the reconstructed picture block based on the quantization parameter (Paragraph 5; Paragraph 9; Paragraphs 174-175; Paragraphs 201-202; Paragraph 227; Paragraphs 253-254).
Regarding Claim 2, Lim et al. teaches the method of claim 1, wherein obtaining the enhanced picture block by performing quality enhancement on the reconstructed picture block based on the quantization parameter comprises: obtaining first feature information of the reconstructed picture block by performing feature weighting on the reconstructed picture block based on the quantization parameter; and determining the enhanced picture block according to the first feature information (Paragraph 146; Paragraph 166; Paragraph 233; Paragraph 241-247; Paragraphs 253-255).
Regarding Claim 3, Lim et al. teaches the method of claim 2, wherein obtaining the first feature information of the reconstructed picture block by performing feature weighting on the reconstructed picture block based on the quantization parameter comprises: obtaining i-th feature information of the reconstructed picture block by performing feature weighting on (i-1)-th feature information of the reconstructed picture block based on the quantization parameter, and obtaining N-th feature information of the reconstructed picture block by repeating feature weighting, where i is a positive integer from 1 to N, and N is a positive integer representing a total number of feature information of the reconstructed picture block, wherein when i = 1, the (i-1)-th feature information is the reconstructed picture block; and determining the first feature information of the reconstructed picture block according to the N-th feature information (Paragraphs 112-117; Paragraph 146; Paragraph 166; Paragraph 233; Paragraph 241-247; Paragraphs 253-255; Paragraph 270).
Regarding Claim 4, Lim et al. teaches the method of claim 3, wherein obtaining the i-th feature information of the reconstructed picture block by performing feature weighting on the (i-1)-th feature information of the reconstructed picture block based on the quantization parameter comprises: extracting M feature information of different scales from the (i-1)-th feature information, where M is a positive integer greater than 1; obtaining i-th weighted feature information by weighting the M feature information of different scales; and determining the i-th feature information according to the i-th weighted feature information (Paragraphs 112-117; Paragraph 144-149; Paragraph 164-167; Paragraphs 190-195; Paragraph 233; Paragraph 241-248; Paragraphs 253-255; Paragraph 270).
Regarding Claim 5, Lim et al. teaches the method of claim 4, wherein obtaining the i-th weighted feature information by weighting the M feature information of different scales comprises: obtaining first concatenated feature information by concatenating the M feature information of different scales; and obtaining the i-th weighted feature information by weighting the first concatenated feature information (Paragraph 78; Paragraphs 112-117; Paragraphs 120-121; Paragraph 144-149; Paragraph 164-167; Paragraphs 190-195; Paragraph 233; Paragraph 241-248; Paragraphs 253-255; Paragraph 270).
Regarding Claim 6, Lim et al. teaches the method of claim 4, wherein determining the i-th feature information according to the i-th weighted feature information comprises: determining a sum of the i-th weighted feature information and the (i-1)-th feature information as the i-th feature information; or determining the i-th weighted feature information as the i-th feature information (Paragraph 78; Paragraphs 112-117; Paragraphs 120-121; Paragraph 144-149; Paragraph 164-167; Paragraphs 190-195; Paragraph 233; Paragraph 241-248; Paragraphs 253-255; Paragraph 270).
Regarding Claim 7, Lim et al. teaches the method of claim 3, wherein obtaining the first feature information of the reconstructed picture block by performing feature weighting on the reconstructed picture block based on the quantization parameter comprises: extracting second feature information of the reconstructed picture block based on the quantization parameter; and obtaining the first feature information of the reconstructed picture block by performing feature weighting on the second feature information (Paragraph 146; Paragraph 166; Paragraph 233; Paragraph 241-247; Paragraphs 253-255).
Regarding Claim 8, Lim et al. teaches the method of claim 7, wherein extracting the second feature information of the reconstructed picture block based on the quantization parameter comprises: obtaining concatenated information by concatenating the reconstructed picture block and the quantization parameter; and obtaining the second feature information by performing feature extraction on the concatenated information (Paragraph 144-149; Paragraph 164-167; Paragraphs 190-195; Paragraph 233; Paragraph 241-247; Paragraphs 253-255).
Regarding Claim 9, Lim et al. teaches the method of claim 7, wherein determining the first feature information of the reconstructed picture block according to the N-th feature information comprises: obtaining the first feature information of the reconstructed picture block according to the N-th feature information and at least one of first N-1 feature information prior to the N-th feature information (Paragraph 78; Paragraphs 112-117; Paragraphs 120-121; Paragraph 144-149; Paragraph 164-167; Paragraphs 190-195; Paragraph 233; Paragraph 241-248; Paragraphs 253-255; Paragraph 270).
Regarding Claim 10, Lim et al. teaches the method of claim 9, wherein obtaining the first feature information of the reconstructed picture block according to the N-th feature information and the at least one of the first N-1 feature information prior to the N-th feature information comprises: obtaining second concatenated feature information by concatenating the at least one of the first N-1 feature information, the N-th feature information, and the second feature information; and obtaining the first feature information of the reconstructed picture block by performing feature extraction on the second concatenated feature information (Paragraph 78; Paragraphs 112-117; Paragraphs 120-121; Paragraph 144-149; Paragraph 164-167; Paragraphs 190-195; Paragraph 233; Paragraph 241-248; Paragraphs 253-255; Paragraph 270).
Regarding Claim 11, Lim et al. teaches the method of claim 1, further comprising: decoding the bitstream to obtain a first flag, wherein the first flag indicates whether quality enhancement is allowed for the reconstructed picture block of the current picture block; wherein obtaining the enhanced picture block by performing quality enhancement on the reconstructed picture block based on the quantization parameter comprises: obtaining the enhanced picture block by performing quality enhancement on the reconstructed picture block based on the quantization parameter, based on a determination according to the first flag that quality enhancement is allowed for the reconstructed picture block (Paragraph 146; Paragraph 166; Paragraph 233; Paragraph 241-247; Paragraphs 253-255; ).
Regarding Claim 12, Lim et al. teaches the method of claim 1, further comprising: obtaining a test enhanced picture block by performing quality enhancement on the reconstructed picture block based on the quantization parameter; and determining a first picture quality of the test enhanced picture block and a second picture quality of the reconstructed picture block; wherein obtaining the enhanced picture block by performing quality enhancement on the reconstructed picture block based on the quantization parameter comprises: determining the test enhanced picture block as the enhanced picture block of the reconstructed picture block if the first picture quality is greater than the second picture quality (Paragraphs 100-107; Paragraph 146; Paragraph 166; Paragraph 233; Paragraph 241-247; Paragraphs 253-255).
Regarding Claim 13, Lim et al. teaches the method of claim 1, wherein obtaining the enhanced picture block by performing quality enhancement on the reconstructed picture block based on the quantization parameter comprises: normalizing the reconstructed picture block and the quantization parameter; and obtaining the enhanced picture block based on the normalized reconstructed picture block and the normalized quantization parameter (Paragraph 146; Paragraph 166; Paragraph 233; Paragraph 241-247; Paragraphs 253-255).
Method claims 14-19 are drawn to the encoding method associated with the decoding method of claims 1-4, 7 and 12 above, is drawn to similar limitations performed in the inverse, and is rejected for the same reasons as used above. Lim et al. further teaches encoding the current picture block based on the quantization parameter to obtain a quantization coefficient of the current picture block (Paragraph 6; Paragraph 9; Paragraphs 51-54).
Regarding claim 20, claim 20 claims a product by process claim limitation where the product is the bitstream and the process is the method steps to generate the bitstream. MPEP §2113 recites “Product-by-Process claims are not limited to the manipulations of the recited steps, only the structure implied by the steps”. Thus, the scope of the claim is the storage medium storing the bitstream (with the structure implied by the method steps). The structure includes the information and samples manipulated by the steps.
“To be given patentable weight, the printed matter and associated product must be in a functional relationship. A functional relationship can be found where the printed matter performs some function with respect to the product to which it is associated”. MPEP §2111.05(I)(A). When a claimed “computer-readable medium merely serves as a support for information or data, no functional relationship exists. MPEP §2111.05(III).
The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing the claimed bitstream and computer programs in claim 20 merely services as a support for the generation and storage of the bitstream and provides no functional relationship between the stored bitstream and storage medium. Therefore the bitstream, which scope is implied by the method steps, is non-functional descriptive material and given no patentable weight. MPEP §2111.05(III). Thus, the claim scope is just a storage medium storing data and is anticipated by Lim et al. as follows.
Regarding Claim 20, Lim et al. teaches the limitations of claim 14 above, Lim et al. further teaches a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer programs and a bitstream, wherein when executed by a processor, the computer programs cause the processor to perform the method of claim 14 to generate the bitstream (Paragraph 74; Paragraph 8).
Furthermore, the teachings of method claim 14 are rejected as discussed above.
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 FARHAN MAHMUD whose telephone number is (571)272-7712. The examiner can normally be reached 10-7.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Joseph Ustaris can be reached at 5712727383. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/FARHAN MAHMUD/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2483
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