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 .
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, anycorrection of the statutory basis for the rejection will not be considered a new ground ofrejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would bethe same under either status.
Double Patenting
The non-statutory double patenting rejection is based on a judicially created doctrine grounded in public policy (a policy reflected in the statute) so as to prevent the unjustified or improper timewise extension of the “right to exclude” granted by a patent and to prevent possible harassment by multiple assignees. A non-statutory obviousness-type double patenting rejection is appropriate where the conflicting claims are not identical, but at least one examined application claim is not patentably distinct from the reference claim(s) because the examined application claim is either anticipated by, or would have been obvious over, the reference claim(s). See, e.g., In re Berg, 140 F.3d 1428, 46 USPQ2d 1226 (Fed. Cir. 1998); In re Goodman, 11 F.3d 1046, 29 USPQ2d 2010 (Fed. Cir. 1993); In re Longi, 759 F.2d 887, 225 USPQ 645 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re Van Orne, 686 F.2d 937, 214 USPQ 761 (CCPA 1982); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); and In re Torrington, 418 F.2d 528, 163 USPQ 644 (CCPA 1969).
A timely filed terminal disclaimer in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(c) or 1.321(d) may be used to overcome an actual or provisional rejection based on a non-statutory double patenting ground provided the conflicting application or patent either is shown to be commonly owned with this application, or claims an invention made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement.
Effective January 1, 1994, a registered attorney or agent of record may sign a terminal disclaimer. A terminal disclaimer signed by the assignee must fully comply with 37 CFR 3.73(b).
Claims 1-3 are rejected on the ground of non-statutory obviousness-type double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-3 of issued application of Seo et al., U.S. Patent No. 12,137,248 B2 (Seo’248 hereinafter). Although the conflicting claims are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because the subject matter claimed in the instant application is covered by the issued patent Seo’248.
Regarding claims 1-3 the difference between the conflicting claims of the instant application and issued patent, Seo’248, are set forth in the discussion below.
Instant Application 18/906,808
Patent 12,137,248 B2
Claim 1. A method of decoding image, the method comprising:
performing entropy decoding of a bitstream to obtain entropy-decoded signals;
determining an intra prediction mode;
generating a prediction block based on the intra prediction mode;
determining a scanning method based on the intra prediction mode;
generating a residue signal block using the entropy-decoded signals and the scanning method;
and generating a reconstructed block using the prediction block and the residue signal block;
wherein the scanning method comprises:
performing a horizontal scan, which scans coefficients of a first row of the entropy-decoded signals in priority to other rows of the entropy-decoded signals,
in response to the intra prediction mode being a vertical intra prediction mode;
and performing a vertical scan, which scans coefficients of a first column of the entropy-decoded signals in priority to other columns of the entropy-decoded signals, in response to the intra prediction mode being a horizonal intra prediction mode.
Claim 1. A method of decoding image, the method comprising:
performing entropy decoding of a bitstream to obtain entropy-decoded signals;
determining an intra prediction mode;
determining a scanning method based on the intra prediction mode; and
reconstructing a block using the entropy-decoded signals and the scanning method,
wherein the scanning method comprises:
performing a horizontal scan, which scans coefficients of a first row of the entropy-decoded signals in priority to other rows of the entropy-decoded signals,
in response to the intra prediction mode being a vertical intra prediction mode;
and performing a vertical scan, which scans coefficients of a first column of the entropy-decoded signals in priority to other columns of the entropy-decoded signals, in response to the intra prediction mode being a horizontal intra prediction mode.
Claim 2. A method of encoding image, the method comprising:
determining an intra prediction mode;
generating a prediction block based on the intra prediction mode;
generating a residue signal block based on the prediction block;
generating a transformed and quantized residue signal block by transforming and quantizing the residue signal block;
performing an adaptive scan on the transformed and quantized residue signal block based on the intra prediction mode;
and generating a bitstream based on coefficients of the transformed and quantized residue signal block which are acquired and arrayed by the adaptive scan performed on the transformed and quantized residue signal block,
wherein the performing of the adaptive scan comprises:
performing a horizontal scan, which scans coefficients of a first row of the transformed and quantized residue signal block in priority to other rows of the transformed and quantized residue signal block,
in response to the intra prediction mode being a vertical intra prediction mode;
and performing a vertical scan, which scans coefficients of a first column of the transformed and quantized residue signal block in priority to other columns of the transformed and quantized residue signal block, in response to the intra prediction mode being a horizontal intra prediction mode.
Claim 2. A method of encoding image, the method comprising:
generating a prediction block based on an intra prediction mode;
generating a residue signal block based on the prediction block;
generating a transformed and quantized residue signal block by transforming and quantizing the residue signal block;
performing an adaptive scan on the transformed and quantized residue signal block based on the intra prediction mode;
and generating a bitstream based on coefficients of the transformed and quantized residue signal block which are acquired and arrayed by the adaptive scan performed on the transformed and quantized residue signal block,
wherein the performing of the adaptive scan comprises:
performing a horizontal scan, which scans coefficients of a first row of the transformed and quantized residue signal block in priority to other rows of the transformed and quantized residue signal block,
in response to the intra prediction mode being a vertical intra prediction mode;
and performing a vertical scan, which scans coefficients of a first column of the transformed and quantized residue signal block in priority to other columns of the transformed and quantized residue signal block, in response to the intra prediction mode being a horizontal intra prediction mode.
Claim 3. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a bitstream which is generated by an encoding method, the encoding method comprising:
determining an intra prediction mode;
generating a prediction block based on the intra prediction mode;
generating a residue signal block based on the prediction block;
generating a transformed and quantized residue signal block by transforming and quantizing the residue signal block;
performing an adaptive scan on the transformed and quantized residue signal block based on the intra prediction mode;
and generating a bitstream based on coefficients of the transformed and quantized residue signal block which are acquired and arrayed by the adaptive scan performed on the transformed and quantized residue signal block,
wherein the performing of the adaptive scan comprises:
performing a horizontal scan, which scans coefficients of a first row of the transformed and quantized residue signal block in priority to other rows of the transformed and quantized residue signal block,
in response to the intra prediction mode being a vertical intra prediction mode;
and performing a vertical scan, which scans coefficients of a first column of the transformed and quantized residue signal block in priority to other columns of the transformed and quantized residue signal block, in response to the intra prediction mode being a horizontal intra prediction mode.
Claim 3. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a bitstream which is generated by an encoding method, the encoding method comprising:
generating a prediction block based on an intra prediction mode;
generating a residue signal block based on the prediction block;
generating a transformed and quantized residue signal block by transforming and quantizing the residue signal block;
performing an adaptive scan on the transformed and quantized residue signal block based on the intra prediction mode;
and generating a bitstream based on coefficients of the transformed and quantized residue signal block which are acquired and arrayed by the adaptive scan performed on the transformed and quantized residue signal block,
wherein the performing of the adaptive scan comprises:
performing a horizontal scan, which scans coefficients of a first row of the transformed and quantized residue signal block in priority to other rows of the transformed and quantized residue signal block,
in response to the intra prediction mode being a vertical intra prediction mode;
and performing a vertical scan, which scans coefficients of a first column of the transformed and quantized residue signal block in priority to other columns of the transformed and quantized residue signal block, in response to the intra prediction mode being a horizontal intra prediction mode.
Seo’248 discloses that a moving picture encoding/decoding apparatus can increase a compression rate by performing intra prediction onto blocks of a predetermined size.
Regarding claim 1, Seo’248 discloses a method of decoding image, the method comprising: performing entropy decoding of a bitstream to obtain entropy-decoded signals; determining an intra prediction mode; generating a prediction block based on the intra prediction mode; determining a scanning method based on the intra prediction mode; generating a residue signal block using the entropy-decoded signals and the scanning method; and generating a reconstructed block using the prediction block and the residue signal block; wherein the scanning method comprises: performing a horizontal scan, which scans coefficients of a first row of the entropy-decoded signals in priority to other rows of the entropy-decoded signals, in response to the intra prediction mode being a vertical intra prediction mode; and performing a vertical scan, which scans coefficients of a first column of the entropy-decoded signals in priority to other columns of the entropy-decoded signals, in response to the intra prediction mode being a horizonal intra prediction mode (see Seo’248, claim 1).
Regarding claim 2, Seo’248 discloses a method of encoding image, the method comprising: determining an intra prediction mode; generating a prediction block based on the intra prediction mode; generating a residue signal block based on the prediction block; generating a transformed and quantized residue signal block by transforming and quantizing the residue signal block; performing an adaptive scan on the transformed and quantized residue signal block based on the intra prediction mode; and generating a bitstream based on coefficients of the transformed and quantized residue signal block which are acquired and arrayed by the adaptive scan performed on the transformed and quantized residue signal block, wherein the performing of the adaptive scan comprises: performing a horizontal scan, which scans coefficients of a first row of the transformed and quantized residue signal block in priority to other rows of the transformed and quantized residue signal block, in response to the intra prediction mode being a vertical intra prediction mode; and performing a vertical scan, which scans coefficients of a first column of the transformed and quantized residue signal block in priority to other columns of the transformed and quantized residue signal block, in response to the intra prediction mode being a horizontal intra prediction mode (see Seo’248, claim 2).
Regarding claim 3, Seo’248 discloses a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a bitstream which is generated by an encoding method, the encoding method comprising: determining an intra prediction mode; generating a prediction block based on the intra prediction mode; generating a residue signal block based on the prediction block; generating a transformed and quantized residue signal block by transforming and quantizing the residue signal block; performing an adaptive scan on the transformed and quantized residue signal block based on the intra prediction mode; and generating a bitstream based on coefficients of the transformed and quantized residue signal block which are acquired and arrayed by the adaptive scan performed on the transformed and quantized residue signal block, wherein the performing of the adaptive scan comprises: performing a horizontal scan, which scans coefficients of a first row of the transformed and quantized residue signal block in priority to other rows of the transformed and quantized residue signal block, in response to the intra prediction mode being a vertical intra prediction mode; and performing a vertical scan, which scans coefficients of a first column of the transformed and quantized residue signal block in priority to other columns of the transformed and quantized residue signal block, in response to the intra prediction mode being a horizontal intra prediction mode (see Seo’248, claim 3).
Seo’248 does not expressly disclose the following feature: regarding claim 1, generating a prediction block based on the intra prediction mode, and generating a reconstructed block using the prediction block and the residue signal block; regarding claim 2, determining an intra prediction mode; regarding claim 3, determining an intra prediction mode.
Regarding claim 1, Sakai (US 2006/0067403 A1) teaches generating a prediction block based on the intra prediction mode, and generating a reconstructed block using the prediction block and the residue signal block (Figs. 1 and 6A-6C, [0018-0019, 0021], a bit stream is input to a CABAC decoder 110. The CABAC decoder 110 outputs a value obtained by performing discrete cosine transform and quantization of a residual error signal in unit of macro block, and a mode whether intra prediction or inter prediction. Further, the CABAC decoder 110 outputs values such as motion vectors in the case of inter prediction. From the intra prediction unit 120 or the inter prediction unit 125, either of the prediction signals is output to the adder 130 according to the prediction mode by means of a mode determining unit 127. The adder 130 adds the output value from the inverse discrete cosine transform unit 114 and the prediction signal from the mode determining unit 127, and outputs a local decode image. Decoder 100 that enables intra prediction. In order to enhance the resolution of decode images after decoding processing by the decoder, information of the intra prediction direction that the prediction mode of intra prediction shows (intra prediction mode), and differential (residual signal) information from original images at intra prediction are stored into a main memory (not shown)).
Regarding claim 2, Sakai (US 2006/0067403 A1) teaches determining an intra prediction mode (Fig. 1, [0018], a bit stream is input to a CABAC decoder 110. The CABAC decoder 110 outputs a value obtained by performing discrete cosine transform and quantization of a residual error signal in unit of macro block, and a mode whether intra prediction or inter prediction. Further, the CABAC decoder 110 outputs values such as motion vectors in the case of inter prediction. The dispersion cosine transformed and quantized value among the output signals from the CABAC decoder 110 is inverse quantized and reserve dispersion cosine transformed by an inverse quantization unit 112 and an inverse discrete cosine transform unit 114, respectively, and is input into an adder 130. On the other hand, an intra prediction mode is output from the CABAC decoder 110 to an intra prediction unit 120 according to prediction modes, and an inter prediction mode and a motion vector are output to an inter prediction unit 125).
Regarding claim 3, Sakai (US 2006/0067403 A1) teaches determining an intra prediction mode (Fig. 1, [0018], a bit stream is input to a CABAC decoder 110. The CABAC decoder 110 outputs a value obtained by performing discrete cosine transform and quantization of a residual error signal in unit of macro block, and a mode whether intra prediction or inter prediction. Further, the CABAC decoder 110 outputs values such as motion vectors in the case of inter prediction. The dispersion cosine transformed and quantized value among the output signals from the CABAC decoder 110 is inverse quantized and reserve dispersion cosine transformed by an inverse quantization unit 112 and an inverse discrete cosine transform unit 114, respectively, and is input into an adder 130. On the other hand, an intra prediction mode is output from the CABAC decoder 110 to an intra prediction unit 120 according to prediction modes, and an inter prediction mode and a motion vector are output to an inter prediction unit 125).
It would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Seo’248 by incorporating the features as taught by Sakai in order to provide a more effective and efficient system that is capable of generating a prediction block based on the intra prediction mode, and generating a reconstructed block using the prediction block and the residue signal block, and determining an intra prediction mode. The motivation is to support an improved method by quantifying intra prediction precision and adding it to parameters, a high-definition image can be generated (see [0009]).
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Sakai (US 2006/0067403 A1), Morimoto et al. (US 2006/0215763 A1) and Etoh et al. (US 2005/0063466 A1).
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to SYED M BOKHARI whose telephone number is (571)270-3115. The examiner can normally be reached Monday through Friday.
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/SYED M BOKHARI/Examiner, Art Unit 2473 8/24/2026
/KWANG B YAO/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2473