Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
1. The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
2. A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after final rejection. Since this application is eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on 07/27/2026 has been entered.
Response to Arguments
3. Applicant's arguments filed 07/27/2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
In response to applicant's arguments against the references individually, one cannot show nonobviousness by attacking references individually where the rejections are based on combinations of references. See In re Keller, 642 F.2d 413, 208 USPQ 871 (CCPA 1981); In re Merck & Co., 800 F.2d 1091, 231 USPQ 375 (Fed. Cir. 1986).
On page 13 of the amendment, Applicant argued that in Park, only sps_amis_flag and sps_admvp_flag can be combined, where the indication information of the sps_amis_flag and sps_admvp_flag are different from that of the third flag.
While Applicant’s arguments are understood, Park is used only to show that combining multiple flags into a single combined flag is well known in the art and it would have been obvious for one having skill in the art to apply his flags combination teaching to sps_dimd_enabled_flag and MTS CU flag of KIM and DENG, so that bits can be reduced and the complexity of hardware of an encoder and a decoder can be decreased.
Specification
4. 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.
Allowable Subject Matter
5. Claims 1, 3-6, and 9-10 allowed.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. Claim(s) 11, 13-16, and 19-22 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over KIM et al. (US 2024/0373036) in view of DENG et al. (US 2024/0305824) in further view of Park et al. (US 2022/0217409) hereinafter “Park”.
As per claim 11, KIM discloses an encoding method, comprising:
predicting a current block based on a first intra prediction mode and a second intra prediction mode that are derived from a prediction mode derivation mode to obtain a prediction block of the current block (Paragraph 0058, The intra-prediction unit 152 performs intra prediction from reconstructed regions in the current picture; Paragraph 0132, In general, the encoder may determine a prediction mode for generating a prediction block and generate a bitstream including information about the determined prediction mode; paragraph 0149 teaches a syntax element (cu_dimd_flag) regarding whether a DIMD mode is used to generate a prediction block for a current block may be parsed when the encoding mode of the current block is an intra mode; see paragraph 190 regarding using at least two intra prediction modes including DIMD and TIMD);
obtaining a residual block of the current block based on the prediction block of the current block (residual signal taught in paragraph 0051; see Fig. 1);
performing third transform on the residual block of the current block to obtain a third transform coefficient of the current block (Fig. 1; paragraph 0051, The transformation unit 110 obtains a value of a transform coefficient by transforming a residual signal, which is a difference between the inputted video signal and the predicted signal generated by the prediction unit 150);
performing fourth transform on the third transform coefficient to obtain a fourth transform coefficient of the current block (paragraph 0054, The encoder may perform an additional transform before transform coefficients are quantized. The above-described transform method may be referred to as a primary transform, and the additional transform may be referred to as a secondary transform); and
encoding the fourth transform coefficient (Fig. 1; paragraph 0055, The quantization unit 115 quantizes the value of the transform coefficient value outputted from the transformation unit 110; paragraph 0062, The entropy coding unit 160 generates a video signal bitstream by entropy coding information indicating a quantized transform coefficient); wherein
the prediction mode derivation mode comprises a decoder side intra mode derivation mode or a template-based intra mode derivation mode (DIMD or TIMD as taught in paragraphs 0132-0131, 0149 and 0190);
encoding the fourth transform coefficient (Fig. 1; paragraph 0055, The quantization unit 115 quantizes the value of the transform coefficient value outputted from the transformation unit 110; paragraph 0062, The entropy coding unit 160 generates a video signal bitstream by entropy coding information indicating a quantized transform coefficient, intra encoding information, and inter encoding information), comprises: encoding a first flag (paragraph 0149, FIG. 12 illustrates a signaling method used to store a syntax element, which indicates whether DIMD mode is applied, in a bitstream and transmit the bitstream to a decoder. Referring to FIG. 12, a syntax element (cu_dimd_flag) regarding whether a DIMD mode is used to generate a prediction block for a current block may be parsed when the encoding mode of the current block is an intra mode, when a syntax element (sps_dimd_enabled_flag) regarding whether a DIMD mode which is set by SPS is enabled indicates that the DIMD mode is enabled (e.g., when sp_dimd_enabled_flag has a value of 1); paragraph 0249, The first syntax element may be signaled on a sequence parameter set (SPS) raw byte sequence payload (RBSP) syntax; paragraph 0239, The sps_dimd_enable_flag is a syntax element that is signaled/parsed in sequence parameter set syntax, and may indicate whether the DIMD mode is enabled/disabled on a per-sequence basis. For example, sps_dimd_enable_flag equal to a value of 1 may indicate that the DIMD mode is enabled, and sps_dimd_enable_flag equal to a value of 0 may indicate that the DIMD mode is disabled)…and the fourth transform coefficient (Fig. 1; paragraph 0055, The quantization unit 115 quantizes the value of the transform coefficient value outputted from the transformation unit 110; paragraph 0062, The entropy coding unit 160 generates a video signal bitstream by entropy coding information indicating a quantized transform coefficient, intra encoding information, and inter encoding information), wherein the first flag is used to indicate that the prediction mode derivation mode is allowed to be used for predicting blocks in a current sequence (paragraph 0239, The sps_dimd_enable_flag is a syntax element that is signaled/parsed in sequence parameter set syntax, and may indicate whether the DIMD mode is enabled/disabled on a per-sequence basis. For example, sps_dimd_enable_flag equal to a value of 1 may indicate that the DIMD mode is enabled, and sps_dimd_enable_flag equal to a value of 0 may indicate that the DIMD mode is disabled)...
However, KIM does not explicitly disclose encoding a second flag…the second flag is used to indicate that the fourth transform is allowed to be used for transforming the blocks in the current sequence.
In the same field of endeavor, DENG discloses encoding a second flag (paragraphs 0291-0294, MTS enabling flag, such as MTS CU flag)…the second flag is used to indicate that the fourth transform is allowed to be used for transforming the blocks in the current sequence (paragraph 0785-0788, Indication of usage/enable/disable of a kind of transform mode, or other related information (e.g., at which level/granularity), may be present in a coded bitstream. For example, the “transform mode” may represent a kind of transform kernel/core or its variance, multiple transform kernel set (e.g., MTS, enhanced MTS) or its variance, and/or subblock based transform (e.g., SBT), and/or non-separable transform or its variance, and/or separable transform or its variance, and/or secondary transform (e.g., LFNST) or its variance, etc.).
One of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, would have been motivated to combine the elements taught by KIM, with those of DENG, because both references are drawn to the same field of endeavor, because indeed both references are related to application of secondary transform (e.g., LFNST) based on intra mode information, and because such a combination represents a mere combination of prior art elements, according to known methods, to yield a predictable result.
However, KIM or DENG do not explicitly disclose encoding a third flag, wherein the third flag is used to indicate that both the prediction mode derivation mode and the fourth transform are allowed to be applied to the blocks in the current sequence.
From the above limitation the third flag is a single flag that combines the first flag and the second flag.
In an analogous art, Park teaches combining flags into a single flag and encoding said single flag (combined enable flag as taught in paragraph 0296; the first coding tool enable flag in which two flags are combined is part of the bitstream as taught in paragraph 0307).
Therefore, it would have been obvious for one having skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the teachings of KIM and DENG, by combining flags (such as sps_dimd_enabled_flag and MTS CU flag) into a single combined enable flag, as taught by Park. Thus, Through the combination of the flags, bits may be reduced and the complexity of hardware of an encoder and a decoder may be decreased (Park, paragraph 0296).
This rationale applies to all combinations of KIM, DENG and Park used in this Office Action unless otherwise noted.
As per claim 13, KIM and DENG discloses the method according to claim 11, wherein performing the fourth transform on the third transform coefficient to obtain the fourth transform coefficient of the current block (KIM: paragraph 0054, The encoder may perform an additional transform before transform coefficients are quantized. The above-described transform method may be referred to as a primary transform, and the additional transform may be referred to as a secondary transform), comprises: in a case where a height and/or a width of the current block is greater than or equal to a first threshold, performing the fourth transform on the third transform coefficient to obtain the fourth transform coefficient (DENG: paragraph 0297, 8×8 LFNST is applied for larger blocks (i.e., min (width, height)>4)).
As per claim 14, KIM and DENG disclose wherein before performing the fourth transform (i.e., primary transform as taught in paragraph 0214-0215 of KIM) on the third transform coefficient to obtain the fourth transform coefficient of the current block (DENG: Fig. 23; paragraph 0297, before applying inverse primary transform on the output of inverse LFNST), the method further comprises: determining a transform matrix group used in the fourth transform (paragraphs 0215-0214 of KIM teach the secondary transform, which is the first transform in the decoder side, may be calculated through matrix multiplication between the primarily transformed transform coefficient and a predefined matrix. The secondary transform may be described as a low frequency non-separable transform (LENST). A matrix transform set for the secondary transform may vary depending on intra-prediction modes of the current block); wherein the transform matrix group used in the fourth transform is same as a transform matrix group adapted for a planar mode or a direct current (DC) mode (KIM: paragraph 0215, When the secondary transform is applied to the current block to which the DIMD mode or the TIMD mode is applied, the transform set for the secondary transform may be determined based on intra-prediction modes derived by the DIMD mode or the TIMD mode, wherein the TIMD can be set to a planar mode as taught in paragraph 0208; also see paragraph 0176 which teaches that at least one of the planar mode and the DC mode may be selected as DIMD combination information).
As per claim 15, KIM and DENG disclose wherein before performing the fourth transform (i.e., primary transform as taught in paragraph 0214-0215 of KIM) on the third transform coefficient to obtain the fourth transform coefficient of the current block (DENG: Fig. 23; paragraph 0297, before applying inverse primary transform on the output of inverse LFNST), the method further comprises:
determining a transform matrix group used in the fourth transform (paragraphs 0215-0214 of KIM teach the secondary transform, which is the first transform in the decoder side, may be calculated through matrix multiplication between the primarily transformed transform coefficient and a predefined matrix. The secondary transform may be described as a low frequency non-separable transform (LENST). A matrix transform set for the secondary transform may vary depending on intra-prediction modes of the current block);
wherein determining the transform matrix group used in the fourth transform, comprises: determining a third intra prediction mode based on the first intra prediction mode and the second intra prediction mode, wherein the transform matrix group used in the fourth transform is same as a transform matrix group adapted for the third intra prediction mode (KIM: paragraph 0215, When the secondary transform is applied to the current block to which the DIMD mode or the TIMD mode is applied, the transform set for the secondary transform may be determined based on intra-prediction modes derived by the DIMD mode or the TIMD mode…By comparing weights of the two intra-prediction modes, the intra-prediction directional mode having the highest weight may be used to select the primary transform or secondary transform set);
determining the third intra prediction mode based on the first intra prediction mode and the second intra prediction mode, comprises (since “or” is used between the following four limitations, under BRI, only one of the four limitations is considered):
determining a default prediction mode in the first intra prediction mode and the second intra prediction mode as the third intra prediction mode; or
determining the third intra prediction mode based on a weight of the first intra prediction mode and/or a weight of the second intra prediction mode (KIM: paragraph 0215, When the secondary transform is applied to the current block to which the DIMD mode or the TIMD mode is applied, the transform set for the secondary transform may be determined based on intra-prediction modes derived by the DIMD mode or the TIMD mode…By comparing weights of the two intra-prediction modes, the intra-prediction directional mode having the highest weight may be used to select the primary transform or secondary transform set); or
in response to the first intra prediction mode and the second intra prediction mode including an angular prediction mode and a non-angular prediction mode, determining the angular prediction mode as the third intra prediction mode (paragraphs 0142-0143, 0172 and 0215); or
in response to an absolute value of a difference between the prediction angle of the first intra prediction mode and the prediction angle of the second intra prediction mode being less than or equal to a second threshold, determining an intra prediction mode corresponding to a first prediction angle as the third intra prediction mode, wherein the first prediction angle is determined based on the prediction angle of the first intra prediction mode and the prediction angle of the second intra prediction mode; or
in response to the absolute value of the difference between the prediction angle of the first intra prediction mode and the prediction angle of the second intra prediction mode being greater than the second threshold, determining a planar mode or a direct current (DC) mode as the third intra prediction mode (paragraphs 0142-0143 and 0172).
As per claim 16, KIM discloses wherein determining the third intra prediction mode based on the weight of the first intra prediction mode and/or the weight of the second intra prediction mode, comprises: determining an intra prediction mode with a largest weight in the first intra prediction mode and the second intra prediction mode as the third intra prediction mode (paragraph 0215, When the secondary transform is applied to the current block to which the DIMD mode or the TIMD mode is applied, the transform set for the secondary transform may be determined based on intra-prediction modes derived by the DIMD mode or the TIMD mode…By comparing weights of the two intra-prediction modes, the intra-prediction directional mode having the highest weight may be used to select the primary transform or secondary transform set).
As per claim 19, arguments analogous to those applied for the first four limitations of claim 15 are applicable for claim 19.
As per claim 20, arguments analogous to those applied for the first four limitations of claim 15 are applicable for claim 20; in addition, KIM teaches wherein the fourth transform is used to process textures in the current block along oblique directions (paragraph 0054, a secondary transform may be additionally performed for blocks where residual values appear large in directions other than the horizontal or vertical direction of a residual block. Unlike a primary transform, a secondary transform may not be performed separately as a vertical transform and a horizontal transform. Such a secondary transform may be referred to as a low frequency non-separable transform (LFNST)), and the third transform is used to process textures in the current block along a horizontal direction and a vertical direction (paragraph 0054, unlike a primary transform, a secondary transform may not be performed separately as a vertical transform and a horizontal transform, which means that the primary transform can be performed as a vertical transform and a horizontal transform; paragraph 0214).
As per claims 21-22, arguments analogous to those applied for claims 11 and 13 are applicable for claims 21-22; in addition, KIM teaches a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, wherein the computer-readable storage medium has stored a computer program and a bitstream, wherein when the computer program executed by a processor, a method is implemented to generate the bitstream (paragraphs 0255 and 0259-0260).
9. The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. (US 20240259560, US 20250008101, US 20240380879, US 20250039403)
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to MOHAMMED JEBARI whose telephone number is (571)270-7945. The examiner can normally be reached M-F: 09:00am-06:00pm.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Chris Kelley can be reached at 571-272-7331. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/MOHAMMED JEBARI/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2482
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