Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 18/972,419

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR HORIZON LEVELING VIDEOS

Non-Final OA §DP
Filed
Dec 06, 2024
Examiner
NAZRUL, SHAHBAZ
Art Unit
2638
Tech Center
2600 — Communications
Assignee
Gopro Inc.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
90%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
2y 1m
To Grant
95%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 90% — above average
90%
Career Allow Rate
569 granted / 634 resolved
+27.7% vs TC avg
Moderate +6% lift
Without
With
+5.5%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Fast prosecutor
2y 1m
Avg Prosecution
20 currently pending
Career history
654
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
2.7%
-37.3% vs TC avg
§103
39.8%
-0.2% vs TC avg
§102
34.0%
-6.0% vs TC avg
§112
10.2%
-29.8% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 634 resolved cases

Office Action

§DP
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 . Double Patenting The nonstatutory 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 nonstatutory 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 Ornum, 686 F.2d 937, 214 USPQ 761 (CCPA 1982); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); In re Thorington, 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 nonstatutory double patenting provided the reference application or patent either is shown to be commonly owned with the examined application, or claims an invention made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement. See MPEP § 717.02 for applications subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA as explained in MPEP § 2159. See MPEP §§ 706.02(l)(1) - 706.02(l)(3) for applications not subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . A terminal disclaimer must be signed in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(b). The USPTO Internet website contains terminal disclaimer forms which may be used. Please visit www.uspto.gov/patent/patents-forms. The filing date of the application in which the form is filed determines what form (e.g., PTO/SB/25, PTO/SB/26, PTO/AIA /25, or PTO/AIA /26) should be used. A web-based eTerminal Disclaimer may be filled out completely online using web-screens. An eTerminal Disclaimer that meets all requirements is auto-processed and approved immediately upon submission. For more information about eTerminal Disclaimers, refer to www.uspto.gov/patents/process/file/efs/guidance/eTD-info-I.jsp. Instant Application 18/972,419 Patent 12,167,161 1. A system for horizon leveling videos, the system comprising: one or more physical processors configured by machine-readable instructions to: obtain video information defining a video, the video including visual content having a progress length, the visual content having a source field of view; obtain viewing window placement information for the video, the viewing window placement information defining placement of a viewing window for the visual content as the function of progress through the progress length, the viewing window defining extents of the visual content to be included within horizon-leveled visual content as the function of progress through the progress length, the viewing window having a punchout field of view; obtain constraint model information for the video, the constraint model information defining a constraint model for the video, the constraint model limiting the placement of the viewing window to places in which entirety of the punchout field of view of the viewing window is contained within the source field of view of the visual content, the constraint model generated based on a roll-pitch-yaw axes representation of viewing window placement and the punchout field of view of the viewing window fitting within the source field of view of the visual content, the constraint model covering 180 degrees of roll angle for the viewing window and enabling full horizon leveling, the roll-pitch-yaw axes representation of viewing window placement including a three-dimensional vector with a roll angle component, a pitch angle component, and a yaw angle component; determine modified placement of the viewing window based on the placement of the viewing window failing to satisfy the constraint model for the video, wherein the placement of the viewing window failing to satisfy the constraint model for the video includes a first placement of the viewing window extending beyond a surface of the three-dimensional representation of feasible viewing window placement; and generate the horizon-leveled visual content based on the modified placement of the viewing window, the horizon-leveled visual content including a punchout of the extents of the visual content defined by the viewing window, wherein inclusion of the extents of the visual content defined by the viewing window within the horizon-leveled visual content effectuates horizon leveling of the visual content. 1. A system for horizon leveling videos, the system comprising: one or more physical processors configured by machine-readable instructions to: obtain video information defining a video, the video including video content having a progress length, the video content including visual content having a source field of view, the source field of view having a vertical dimension and a horizontal dimension; obtain viewing window placement information for the video, the viewing window placement information defining placement of a viewing window for the visual content as the function of progress through the progress length, the viewing window defining extents of the visual content to be included within horizon-leveled visual content as the function of progress through the progress length, the viewing window having a punchout field of view, the punchout field of view having a diagonal dimension; obtain constraint model information for the video, the constraint model information defining a constraint model for the video, the constraint model for the video including a three-dimensional representation of feasible viewing window placement in which entirety of the punchout field of view of the viewing window is contained within the source field of view of the visual content, the three-dimensional representation of feasible viewing window placement generated based on a roll-pitch-yaw axes representation of viewing window placement and the diagonal dimension of the punchout field of view fitting within the vertical dimension and the horizontal dimension of the source field of view of the visual content to cover 180 degrees of roll angle for the viewing window and enable full horizon leveling, the roll-pitch-yaw axes representation of viewing window placement including a three-dimensional vector with a roll angle component, a pitch angle component, and a yaw angle component; determine modified placement of the viewing window based on the placement of the viewing window failing to satisfy the constraint model for the video, wherein the placement of the viewing window failing to satisfy the constraint model for the video includes a first placement of the viewing window extending beyond a surface of the three-dimensional representation of feasible viewing window placement; and generate the horizon-leveled visual content based on the modified placement of the viewing window, the horizon-leveled visual content including a punchout of the extents of the visual content defined by the viewing window, wherein inclusion of the extents of the visual content defined by the viewing window within the horizon-leveled visual content effectuates horizon leveling of the visual content. 2 2 3. A system for horizon leveling videos, the system comprising: one or more physical processors configured by machine-readable instructions to: obtain video information defining a video, the video including visual content having a progress length, the visual content having a source field of view; obtain viewing window placement information for the video, the viewing window placement information defining placement of a viewing window for the visual content as the function of progress through the progress length, the viewing window defining extents of the visual content to be included within horizon-leveled visual content as the function of progress through the progress length, the viewing window having a punchout field of view; obtain constraint model information for the video, the constraint model information defining a constraint model for the video, the constraint model limiting the placement of the viewing window to places in which entirety of the punchout field of view of the viewing window is contained within the source field of view of the visual content, the constraint model covering 180 degrees of roll angle for the viewing window and enabling full horizon leveling; determine modified placement of the viewing window based on the placement of the viewing window failing to satisfy the constraint model for the video; and generate the horizon-leveled visual content based on the modified placement of the viewing window, the horizon-leveled visual content including a punchout of the extents of the visual content defined by the viewing window, wherein inclusion of the extents of the visual content defined by the viewing window within the horizon-leveled visual content effectuates horizon leveling of the visual content. 3. A system for horizon leveling videos, the system comprising: one or more physical processors configured by machine-readable instructions to: obtain video information defining a video, the video including video content having a progress length, the video content including visual content having a source field of view, the source field of view having a vertical dimension and a horizontal dimension; obtain viewing window placement information for the video, the viewing window placement information defining placement of a viewing window for the visual content as the function of progress through the progress length, the viewing window defining extents of the visual content to be included within horizon-leveled visual content as the function of progress through the progress length, the viewing window having a punchout field of view, the punchout field of view having a diagonal dimension; obtain constraint model information for the video, the constraint model information defining a constraint model for the video, the constraint model for the video including a representation of feasible viewing window placement in which entirety of the punchout field of view of the viewing window is contained within the source field of view of the visual content, the representation of feasible viewing window placement generated based on a roll-pitch-yaw axes representation of viewing window placement and the diagonal dimension of the punchout field of view fitting within the vertical dimension and the horizontal dimension of the source field of view of the visual content to cover 180 degrees of roll angle for the viewing window and enable full horizon leveling; determine modified placement of the viewing window based on the placement of the viewing window failing to satisfy the constraint model for the video; and generate the horizon-leveled visual content based on the modified placement of the viewing window, the horizon-leveled visual content including a punchout of the extents of the visual content defined by the viewing window, wherein inclusion of the extents of the visual content defined by the viewing window within the horizon-leveled visual content effectuates horizon leveling of the visual content. 4-6,8-11 1,4,1,1,1,7,8 12. A method for horizon leveling videos, the method performed by a computing system including one or more processors, the method comprising: obtaining, by the computing system, video information defining a video, the video including visual content having a progress length, the visual content having a source field of view; obtaining, by the computing system, viewing window placement information for the video, the viewing window placement information defining placement of a viewing window for the visual content as the function of progress through the progress length, the viewing window defining extents of the visual content to be included within horizon-leveled visual content as the function of progress through the progress length, the viewing window having a punchout field of view; obtaining, by the computing system, constraint model information for the video, the constraint model information defining a constraint model for the video, the constraint model limiting the placement of the viewing window to places in which entirety of the punchout field of view of the viewing window is contained within the source field of view of the visual content, the constraint model covering 180 degrees of roll angle for the viewing window and enabling full horizon leveling; determining, by the computing system, modified placement of the viewing window based on the placement of the viewing window failing to satisfy the constraint model for the video; and generating, by the computing system, the horizon-leveled visual content based on the modified placement of the viewing window, the horizon-leveled visual content including a punchout of the extents of the visual content defined by the viewing window, wherein inclusion of the extents of the visual content defined by the viewing window within the horizon-leveled visual content effectuates horizon leveling of the visual content. 12. A method for horizon leveling videos, the method performed by a computing system including one or more processors, the method comprising: obtaining, by the computing system, video information defining a video, the video including video content having a progress length, the video content including visual content having a source field of view, the source field of view having a vertical dimension and a horizontal dimension; obtaining, by the computing system, viewing window placement information for the video, the viewing window placement information defining placement of a viewing window for the visual content as the function of progress through the progress length, the viewing window defining extents of the visual content to be included within horizon-leveled visual content as the function of progress through the progress length, the viewing window having a punchout field of view, the punchout field of view having a diagonal dimension; obtaining, by the computing system, constraint model information for the video, the constraint model information defining a constraint model for the video, the constraint model for the video including a representation of feasible viewing window placement in which entirety of the punchout field of view of the viewing window is contained within the source field of view of the visual content, the representation of feasible viewing window placement generated based on a roll-pitch-yaw axes representation of viewing window placement and the diagonal dimension of the punchout field of view fitting within the vertical dimension and the horizontal dimension of the source field of view of the visual content to cover 180 degrees of roll angle for the viewing window and enable full horizon leveling; determining, by the computing system, modified placement of the viewing window based on the placement of the viewing window failing to satisfy the constraint model for the video; and generating, by the computing system, the horizon-leveled visual content based on the modified placement of the viewing window, the horizon-leveled visual content including a punchout of the extents of the visual content defined by the viewing window, wherein inclusion of the extents of the visual content defined by the viewing window within the horizon-leveled visual content effectuates horizon leveling of the visual content. 13-15, 17-20 12,12,20,16,16,16,17 Claims 1-6, 8-15, and 17-20 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-3, 1, 4, 1, 1, 1, 7, 8, 12, 12, 12, 20, 16, 16, 16, and 17 of U.S. Patent No. 12,167,161. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because, the claims of the instant application are obvious variant of the corresponding ones of the US Patent No. 12,167,161. Furthermore, the scopes of the claims on the instant application are also met and encompassed by the corresponding ones of the Patent No. 12,167,161. The apparent difference between the conflicting claims mainly arise from the style of limitation recitation and relative placement of conflicting elements within the claims’ body. Allowable Subject Matter Claim 1-20 are allowed over reference. [Terminal Disclaimer is required before a Notice of Allowance is issued] The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance: Prior arts of record taken alone or in combination fails to reasonably disclose or suggest, Regarding claim 1, a system for horizon leveling videos, the system comprising: obtain constraint model information for the video, the constraint model information defining a constraint model for the video, the constraint model limiting the placement of the viewing window to places in which entirety of the punchout field of view of the viewing window is contained within the source field of view of the visual content, the constraint model generated based on a roll-pitch-yaw axes representation of viewing window placement and the punchout field of view of the viewing window fitting within the source field of view of the visual content, the constraint model covering 180 degrees of roll angle for the viewing window and enabling full horizon leveling, the roll-pitch-yaw axes representation of viewing window placement including a three-dimensional vector with a roll angle component, a pitch angle component, and a yaw angle component; determine modified placement of the viewing window based on the placement of the viewing window failing to satisfy the constraint model for the video, wherein the placement of the viewing window failing to satisfy the constraint model for the video includes a first placement of the viewing window extending beyond a surface of the three-dimensional representation of feasible viewing window placement; and generate the horizon-leveled visual content based on the modified placement of the viewing window, the horizon-leveled visual content including a punchout of the extents of the visual content defined by the viewing window, wherein inclusion of the extents of the visual content defined by the viewing window within the horizon-leveled visual content effectuates horizon leveling of the visual content. Regarding claim 3, a system for horizon leveling videos, the system comprising: obtain constraint model information for the video, the constraint model information defining a constraint model for the video, the constraint model limiting the placement of the viewing window to places in which entirety of the punchout field of view of the viewing window is contained within the source field of view of the visual content, the constraint model covering 180 degrees of roll angle for the viewing window and enabling full horizon leveling; determine modified placement of the viewing window based on the placement of the viewing window failing to satisfy the constraint model for the video; and generate the horizon-leveled visual content based on the modified placement of the viewing window, the horizon-leveled visual content including a punchout of the extents of the visual content defined by the viewing window, wherein inclusion of the extents of the visual content defined by the viewing window within the horizon-leveled visual content effectuates horizon leveling of the visual content. Regarding claim 12, a method for horizon leveling videos, the method performed by a computing system including one or more processors, the method comprising: obtaining, by the computing system, constraint model information for the video, the constraint model information defining a constraint model for the video, the constraint model limiting the placement of the viewing window to places in which entirety of the punchout field of view of the viewing window is contained within the source field of view of the visual content, the constraint model covering 180 degrees of roll angle for the viewing window and enabling full horizon leveling; determining, by the computing system, modified placement of the viewing window based on the placement of the viewing window failing to satisfy the constraint model for the video; and generating, by the computing system, the horizon-leveled visual content based on the modified placement of the viewing window, the horizon-leveled visual content including a punchout of the extents of the visual content defined by the viewing window, wherein inclusion of the extents of the visual content defined by the viewing window within the horizon-leveled visual content effectuates horizon leveling of the visual content. Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably accompany the issue fee. Such submissions should be clearly labeled “Comments on Statement of Reasons for Allowance.” Claim 7, and 16 are objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims. If rolled up to base claims and all other claims are dependent on these rolled up claims, Terminal Disclaimer is not required, since these claims does not have Double Patenting rejections. Conclusion The prior and/or pertinent art(s) made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure, are – Huang (US 20190189160 A1), Bayliss et al. (US 20180160194 A1), Kokaram et al. (US 20170142337 A1), BALDWIN et al. (US 20170118458 A1), Voss (US 20160283097 A1), Sadi et al. (US 20160088287 A1), MacMillan et al. (US 20150254871 A1), Douady et al. (US 11528430 B2), and Stimm et al. (US 11336832 B1) - who disclose different image stabilization and cropping of images from initial captured source to provide the stabilized image. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to SHAHBAZ NAZRUL whose telephone number is (571)270-1467. The examiner can normally be reached M-Th: 9.30 am-3 pm, 6.30 pm-9 pm, F: 9.30 am-1.30 pm, 4 pm-8 pm. 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, Lin Ye can be reached on 571-272-7372. 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. /SHAHBAZ NAZRUL/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2638
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Prosecution Timeline

Dec 06, 2024
Application Filed
Mar 07, 2026
Non-Final Rejection — §DP (current)

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Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

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Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
90%
Grant Probability
95%
With Interview (+5.5%)
2y 1m
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 634 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allow rate.

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