Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 18/988,333

IMAGE/VIDEO CODING METHOD BASED ON INTRA PREDICTION INVOLVING PARSING OF MPM INDEX, AND APPARATUS THEREOF

Non-Final OA §102§103§112§DP
Filed
Dec 19, 2024
Examiner
GEROLEO, FRANCIS
Art Unit
3619
Tech Center
3600 — Transportation & Electronic Commerce
Assignee
Guangdong OPPO Mobile Telecommunications Corp., Ltd.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
73%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
2y 8m
To Grant
92%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 73% — above average
73%
Career Allow Rate
418 granted / 573 resolved
+20.9% vs TC avg
Strong +19% interview lift
Without
With
+19.3%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 8m
Avg Prosecution
49 currently pending
Career history
622
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
5.8%
-34.2% vs TC avg
§103
53.4%
+13.4% vs TC avg
§102
18.1%
-21.9% vs TC avg
§112
12.3%
-27.7% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 573 resolved cases

Office Action

§102 §103 §112 §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 . Priority Receipt is acknowledged of papers submitted under 35 U.S.C. 119(a)-(d), which papers have been placed of record in the file. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112 The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(d): (d) REFERENCE IN DEPENDENT FORMS.—Subject to subsection (e), a claim in dependent form shall contain a reference to a claim previously set forth and then specify a further limitation of the subject matter claimed. A claim in dependent form shall be construed to incorporate by reference all the limitations of the claim to which it refers. The following is a quotation of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, fourth paragraph: Subject to the following paragraph [i.e., the fifth paragraph of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112], a claim in dependent form shall contain a reference to a claim previously set forth and then specify a further limitation of the subject matter claimed. A claim in dependent form shall be construed to incorporate by reference all the limitations of the claim to which it refers. Claim 17 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(d) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, 4th paragraph, as being of improper dependent form for failing to further limit the subject matter of the claim upon which it depends, or for failing to include all the limitations of the claim upon which it depends. The claim includes a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that merely serves as support for the bitstream, see MPEP 2111.05, that gives no patentable weight to the bitstream effectively omitting its base claim. Applicant may cancel the claim(s), amend the claim(s) to place the claim(s) in proper dependent form, rewrite the claim(s) in independent form, or present a sufficient showing that the dependent claim(s) complies with the statutory requirements. 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, 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. Claim(s) 1-16 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over US 2021/0368205 A1 (“Chen”) in view of US 2019/0306494 A1 (“Chang”) (Note: it appears that support for the claims are not provided from 62/655773 nor KR 10-2018-0037749; therefore, the priority date given is 3/27/2019). Regarding claim 1, Chen discloses an image decoding method performed by a decoding apparatus comprising: receiving information about an intra prediction type (e.g. see bitstream inputted to decoder in Fig. 2 is entropy decoded to obtain prediction related info, e.g. see at least intra sub-partition (ISP) coding mode and multiple reference line (MRL) in Fig. 5, paragraphs [0048], [0076]) of a current block (e.g. see current block, e.g. see at least Fig. 5) from a bitstream (e.g. see bitstream input to decoder in Fig. 2); deriving the intra prediction type of the current block based on the information about the intra prediction type (e.g. see deriving whether ISP coding mode or MRL for performing intra prediction is used based on the signaled ISP enabling/disabling flag and/or MRL index, e.g. see at least paragraphs [0048], [0076]); receiving information about an intra prediction mode of the current block from the bitstream (e.g. see most probable mode (MPM) and MPM flag, MPM index, e.g. see at least paragraphs [0077], [0097]); configuring a most probable mode (MPM) list comprising candidate intra prediction modes of the current block based on neighboring blocks of the current block (e.g. see MPM list, e.g. see at least paragraphs [0077], [0097]); deriving the intra prediction mode of the current block based on the MPM list and the information about the intra prediction mode (e.g. see intra prediction 208 in Fig. 2 derives the intra prediction mode used based on the MPM list and MPM flag, MPM index derives the intra prediction mode, e.g. see at least paragraphs [0077], [0097]); generating a predicted block of the current block (e.g. see intra prediction 208 generating a prediction block which is added at the summer 214 in Fig. 2, e.g. see at least paragraph [0042]) based on the intra prediction type (e.g. see deriving whether ISP coding mode or MRL for performing intra prediction is used based on the signaled ISP enabling/disabling flag and/or MRL index, e.g. see at least paragraphs [0048], [0076]) and the intra prediction mode (e.g. see the intra mode based on the MPM list and MPM flag, MPM index, e.g. see at least paragraphs [0077], [0097]); receiving residual information from the bitstream (e.g. see an incoming video bitstream 201 is first decoded through an Entropy Decoding 202 circuitry to derive quantized coefficient levels and prediction-related information. The quantized coefficient levels are processed through an Inverse Quantization 204 circuitry and an Inverse Transform 206 circuitry to obtain a reconstructed prediction residual, e.g. see at least paragraph [0042]); generating a residual block based on the residual information (e.g. see an incoming video bitstream 201 is first decoded through an Entropy Decoding 202 circuitry to derive quantized coefficient levels and prediction-related information. The quantized coefficient levels are processed through an Inverse Quantization 204 circuitry and an Inverse Transform 206 circuitry to obtain a reconstructed prediction residual, e.g. see at least paragraph [0042]); and generating a reconstructed block based on the predicted block and the residual block (e.g. see a set of unfiltered reconstructed pixels are obtained by summing up the reconstructed prediction residual from the Inverse Transform 206 circuitry and a predictive output generated by the block predictor mechanism, using a Summer 214, e.g. see at least paragraph [0042]), wherein if the intra prediction type of the current block is a specific intra prediction type (e.g. see deriving whether ISP coding mode or MRL for performing intra prediction is used based on the signaled ISP enabling/disabling flag and/or MRL index, e.g. see at least paragraphs [0048], [0076]), the intra prediction mode of the current block is limited to one of the candidate intra prediction modes within the MPM list (e.g. see MPM list, e.g. see at least paragraphs [0077], [0097]). Although Chen discloses wherein if the intra prediction type of the current block is a specific intra prediction type, the intra prediction mode of the current block is limited to one of the candidate intra prediction modes within the MPM list, it is noted Chen differs from the present invention in that it fails to particularly disclose an MPM flag is not present in the bitstream. Chang however, teaches wherein if the intra prediction type of the current block is a specific intra prediction type (e.g. see multiple reference line in Fig. 4, e.g. see at least paragraph [0048]), an MPM flag is not present in the bitstream (e.g. see the intra prediction unit 22221 may directly determine that the intra prediction mode is included in the most probable modes without parsing the mpm flag, when the intra prediction unit 22221 determines that the reference line index is different from the first predefined value, e.g. see at least paragraph [0051]). Therefore, given the teachings as a whole, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, having the references of Chen and Chang before him/her, to modify the video coding using intra sub-partition coding mode of Chen with Chang in order to efficiently determine whether the intra prediction mode is included in the most probable modes and to efficiently provide prediction. Regarding claim 2, Chen in view of Chang further teaches wherein: if the intra prediction type of the current block is the specific intra prediction type (Chang: e.g. see multiple reference line in Fig. 4, e.g. see at least paragraph [0048]), a value of the MPM flag is derived as 1 (Chang: e.g. see the intra prediction unit 22221 may directly determine that the intra prediction mode is included in the most probable modes without parsing the mpm flag, when the intra prediction unit 22221 determines that the reference line index is different from the first predefined value, e.g. see at least paragraph [0051]). The motivation above in the rejection of claim 1 applies here. Regarding claim 3, Chen further discloses wherein the intra prediction mode of the current block is limited to one of the candidate intra prediction modes within the MPM list comprises: the information about the intra prediction mode of the current block comprises an MPM index; and determining the intra prediction mode of the current block based on the MPM list and the MPM index (e.g. see MPM list and MPM index, e.g. see at least paragraphs [0077], [0097]). Regarding claim 4, Chen further discloses wherein: the specific intra prediction type comprises: a multi-reference line (MRL) intra prediction type (e.g. see multiple reference line (MRL) in Fig. 5, paragraphs [0051], [0076]), wherein the information about the intra prediction type comprises: intra_luma_ref_idx (e.g. see index of the selected reference row/column or MRL index, paragraphs [0051], [0076]), and wherein if a value of the intra_luma_ref_idx is larger than 0, the intra prediction type of the current block is derived as the MRL intra prediction type (e.g. see non-zero MRL index (i.e. referring to non-nearest neighboring samples), paragraphs [0051], [0076]). Regarding claim 5, Chen further discloses wherein: if the intra prediction type of the current block is derived as the MRL intra prediction type, an intra prediction performed on the current block is based on neighboring reference samples of a neighboring reference sample line indicated by the intra_luma_ref_idx (e.g. see neighboring samples shown in Fig. 5, e.g. see Line 1, paragraphs [0051], [0076]). Regarding claim 6, Chen further discloses wherein: if the intra prediction type of the current block is a normal intra prediction type (e.g. see regular intra mode, paragraph [0097]), the MPM flag is parsed from the bitstream (e.g. see signaling methods of the MPM flag and MPM index, paragraph [0097]). Regarding claim 7, although Chen discloses the MPM flag and MPM index, it is noted Chen differs from the present invention in that it fails to particularly disclose wherein: if the value of the MPM flag is equal to 1, an MPM index is parsed from the bitstream. Chang however, teaches wherein: if the value of the MPM flag is equal to 1, an MPM index is parsed from the bitstream (e.g. see if mpm flag is equal to a second predefined value, e.g. one, intra prediction mode is selected based on mpm index, paragraphs [0051], [0056]-[0057]). The motivation above in the rejection of claim 1 applies here. Regarding claim 8, Chen in view of Chang further teaches wherein: if the value of the MPM flag is equal to 0, a remaining intra mode information is parsed from the bitstream, and deriving the intra prediction mode of the current block based on the remaining intra mode information (Chang: e.g. see mpm flag is not equal to the second predefined value, e.g. zero, select one of the remaining mode candidates as the intra prediction mode based on non-mpm index, paragraphs [0060]-[0061]). The motivation above in the rejection of claim 1 applies here. Regarding claims 9-16, the claims recite analogous limitations to the claims above and are therefore rejected on the same premise. 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. (a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention. Claim(s) 17 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by US 2015/0016537 A1 (“Karczewicz”). Regarding claim 17, Karczewicz discloses a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a bitstream, the bitstream being generated according to the method of claim 9 (e.g. see at least 34 in Fig. 1, paragraphs [0033], [0038]; note: the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium merely serves as support for the bitstream, see MPEP 2111.05. No patentable weight is given to the bitstream). As a backup and for compact prosecution, claim(s) 1-3, 6-11, 14-17 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by US 2020/0195920 A1 (“Racape”) (with Foreign application priority from EP 3422716 A1, application number 17305795.1 filed on 6/26/2017). Regarding claim 1, Racape discloses an image decoding method performed by a decoding apparatus comprising: receiving information about an intra prediction type (e.g. see bitstream inputted to decoder in Fig. 2 is entropy decoded to obtain transform coefficients, motion vectors, and other coded information, e.g. see at least paragraph [0040], and see first_MPM flag in 810 in Fig. 8, e.g. see at least paragraphs [0090]-[0091]) of a current block (e.g. see current block, e.g. see at least paragraphs [0090]-[0091]) from a bitstream (e.g. see bitstream input to decoder in Fig. 2, e.g. see at least paragraphs [0090]-[0091]); deriving the intra prediction type of the current block based on the information about the intra prediction type (e.g. see a decoded value of 1 or 0 (i.e. first MPM flag = 1 or 0) indicates whether the selected intra prediction mode is the first entry in the MPM list or not, respectively, paragraphs [0091]-[0092]; thus, the first_MPM flag = 1 indicates that the selected intra prediction mode is the most frequent type, paragraph [0069]); receiving information about an intra prediction mode of the current block from the bitstream (e.g. see decode first_MPM flag 810 in Fig. 8, e.g. see at least paragraphs [0090]-[0091]); configuring a most probable mode (MPM) list (e.g. see MPM list, e.g. see at least paragraph [0057]) comprising candidate intra prediction modes of the current block based on neighboring blocks of the current block (e.g. see forming MPM list based on neighbor intra prediction modes, e.g. see at least paragraphs [0055]-[0056]); deriving the intra prediction mode of the current block based on the MPM list and the information about the intra prediction mode (e.g. see derive intra pred mode 825, 855, 885 based on MPM list and first_MPM flag as shown in Fig. 8); generating a predicted block of the current block based on the intra prediction type and the intra prediction mode (e.g. see derive intra pred mode 825, 855, 885 in Fig. 8; thus, once the intra prediction mode has been derived, an intra prediction block is generated, e.g. in the intra prediction 260 in Fig. 2, using the derived mode); receiving residual information from the bitstream (e.g. see bitstream inputted to decoder in Fig. 2 is entropy decoded to obtain transform coefficients, motion vectors, and other coded information and see the transform coefficients are de-quantized (240) and inverse transformed (250) to decode the prediction residuals in Fig. 2, e.g. see at least paragraph [0040]); generating a residual block based on the residual information (e.g. see the transform coefficients are de-quantized (240) and inverse transformed (250) to decode the prediction residuals in Fig. 2, e.g. see at least paragraph [0040]); and generating a reconstructed block based on the predicted block and the residual block (e.g. see combining (255) the decoded prediction residuals and the predicted block (e.g. obtained from intra prediction (260)), an image block is reconstructed, paragraphs [0040]-[0041]), wherein if the intra prediction type of the current block is a specific intra prediction type (e.g. see if a decoded value of 1 (i.e. if first_MPM flag = 1), the selected intra prediction mode is the first entry in the MPM list, e.g. see at least paragraph [0091]; thus, the first_MPM flag = 1 indicates that the selected intra prediction mode is the most frequent type, paragraph [0069]), an MPM flag is not present in the bitstream (e.g. see derive intra pred mode 825 in Fig. 8 illustrate to derive the intra prediction mode from the obtained MPM list in 822 as the first MPM, e.g. see paragraphs [0091], [0084], i.e., the lowest index in the MPM list, corresponding to the first entry in the MPM list, is parsed without parsing at least a rest_MPM flag in 820 in Fig. 8), and the intra prediction mode of the current block is limited to one of the candidate intra prediction modes within the MPM list (e.g. see MPM list, paragraphs [0090]-[0091]). Regarding claim 2, Racape further discloses wherein: if the intra prediction type of the current block is the specific intra prediction type (e.g. see if a decoded value of 1 (i.e. if first_MPM flag = 1), the selected intra prediction mode is the first entry in the MPM list, e.g. see at least paragraph [0091]; thus, the first_MPM flag = 1 indicates that the selected intra prediction mode is the most frequent type, paragraph [0069]), a value of the MPM flag is derived as 1 (e.g. see prev_intra_luma_pred_flag is parsed only if syntax element intra_first_mpm_luma_flag is false, paragraphs [0084], [0087]; thus, the value of rest_MPM flag, aka prev_intra_luma_pred_flag is derived as 1 without parsing it if the first_MPM flag, aka intra_first_mpm_luma_flag, is true or equal to 1 because prev_intra_luma_pred_flag represents whether the current mode is contained in the MPM list, e.g. see at least paragraphs [0033], [0083]-[0084]). Regarding claim 3, Racape further discloses wherein the intra prediction mode of the current block is limited to one of the candidate intra prediction modes within the MPM list comprises: the information about the intra prediction mode of the current block comprises an MPM index; and determining the intra prediction mode of the current block based on the MPM list and the MPM index (e.g. see derive intra pred mode 825 in Fig. 8 illustrate to derive the intra prediction mode from the obtained MPM list in 822 as the first MPM, e.g. see paragraphs [0091], [0084], i.e., the lowest index in the MPM list, corresponding to the first entry in the MPM list, is parsed without parsing at least a rest_MPM flag in 820 in Fig. 8). Regarding claim 6, Racape further discloses wherein: if the intra prediction type of the current block is a normal intra prediction type (e.g. see if the first_MPM flag is 0, the selected intra prediction mode is not the first entry in the MPM list, e.g. see at least paragraphs [0091]-[0092]; thus, the first_MPM flag = 0 indicates that the selected intra prediction mode is not the most frequent type, paragraph [0069]), the MPM flag is parsed from the bitstream (e.g. see prev_intra_luma_pred_flag is parsed only if syntax element intra_first_mpm_luma_flag is false, paragraphs [0084], [0087]). Regarding claim 7, Racape further discloses wherein: if the value of the MPM flag is equal to 1, an MPM index is parsed from the bitstream (e.g. see decode rest_MPM flag (aka prev_intra_luma_pred_flag) 820 in Fig. 8 and see that if intra pred mode is in the rest of the MPM list, i.e. yes in 830, then index is decoded 845 to derive intra pred mode in 855 from the obtained MPM list in 852). Regarding claim 8, Racape further discloses wherein: if the value of the MPM flag is equal to 0 (e.g. see rest_MPM flag = 0 or no in 830 in Fig. 8), a remaining intra mode information is parsed from the bitstream (e.g. see remaining modes (excluding the modes in the MPM list), paragraph [0093]), and deriving the intra prediction mode of the current block based on the remaining intra mode information (e.g. see derive intra pred mode 885, 890 in Fig. 8). Regarding claims 9-11, 14-17, the claims recite analogous limitations to the claims above and are therefore rejected on the same premise. 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 § 2146 et seq. 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 filing of a terminal disclaimer by itself is not a complete reply to a nonstatutory double patenting (NSDP) rejection. A complete reply requires that the terminal disclaimer be accompanied by a reply requesting reconsideration of the prior Office action. Even where the NSDP rejection is provisional the reply must be complete. See MPEP § 804, subsection I.B.1. For a reply to a non-final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.111(a). For a reply to final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.113(c). A request for reconsideration while not provided for in 37 CFR 1.113(c) may be filed after final for consideration. See MPEP §§ 706.07(e) and 714.13. The USPTO Internet website contains terminal disclaimer forms which may be used. Please visit www.uspto.gov/patent/patents-forms. The actual 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/apply/applying-online/eterminal-disclaimer. Claims 1-17 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-16 of U.S. Patent No. 11,706,405. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because the claims in the application are broader than the Patent. For example: U.S. Patent No. 11,706,405 Instant Application: 18/988333 1. An image decoding method performed by a decoding apparatus comprising: 1. An image decoding method performed by a decoding apparatus comprising: receiving information about an intra prediction type of a current block through a bitstream; receiving information about an intra prediction type of a current block from a bitstream; deriving the intra prediction type of the current block as a specific intra prediction type based on the information about the intra prediction type; deriving the intra prediction type of the current block based on the information about the intra prediction type; acquiring information about an intra prediction mode of the current block from the bitstream; receiving information about an intra prediction mode of the current block from the bitstream; configuring a most probable mode (MPM) list comprising candidate intra prediction modes of the current block based on neighboring blocks of the current block; configuring a most probable mode (MPM) list comprising candidate intra prediction modes of the current block based on neighboring blocks of the current block; deriving the intra prediction mode of the current block based on the MPM list and the information about the intra prediction mode; deriving the intra prediction mode of the current block based on the MPM list and the information about the intra prediction mode; generating a predicted block of the current block by performing intra prediction based on the specific intra prediction type and the derived intra prediction mode; acquiring residual information from the bitstream; generating a residual block based on the residual information; and generating a predicted block of the current block based on the intra prediction type and the intra prediction mode; receiving residual information from the bitstream; generating a residual block based on the residual information; and generating a reconstructed block configuring a reconstructed picture based on the residual block and the predicted block derived based on the specific intra prediction type and the derived intra prediction mode, generating a reconstructed block based on the predicted block and the residual block, wherein for the specific intra prediction type, the intra prediction is performed based on neighboring reference samples in a specific sample line which is not adjacent to a top boundary and a left boundary of the current block, wherein, based on the intra prediction type representing the specific intra prediction type, the information about the intra prediction mode comprises MPM index information, wherein based on the intra prediction type representing the specific intra prediction type, the MPM index information is parsed without parsing an MPM flag information from the bitstream, and wherein, for generating the predicted block based on the specific intra prediction type and the derived intra prediction mode, neighboring reference samples used based on a height of the current block being greater than a width of the current block are different from neighboring reference samples used based on the width of the current block being greater than the height of the current block. 7. The image decoding method of claim 1, wherein based on the intra prediction type representing the specific intra prediction type, the intra prediction mode of the current block is limited to one of candidate intra prediction modes within the MPM list. wherein if the intra prediction type of the current block is a specific intra prediction type, an MPM flag is not present in the bitstream, and the intra prediction mode of the current block is limited to one of the candidate intra prediction modes within the MPM list. Claims 1-17 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-3 of U.S. Patent No. 12,219,130 in view of the prior art cited above. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because the claims in the application and the patent are substantially similar and obvious variants of one another. For example: U.S. Patent No. 12,219,130 Instant Application: 18/988333 Note: underlined fonts mean differences in instant application 1. A decoding apparatus for an image decoding, the decoding apparatus comprising: a memory; and at least one processor connected to the memory, the at least one processor configured to: 1. An image decoding method performed by a decoding apparatus comprising: acquire information about an intra prediction type of a current block from a bitstream; receiving information about an intra prediction type of a current block from a bitstream; derive an intra prediction type of the current block as a specific intra prediction type based on the information about the intra prediction type; deriving the intra prediction type of the current block based on the information about the intra prediction type; acquire information about an intra prediction mode of the current block from the bitstream; receiving information about an intra prediction mode of the current block from the bitstream; configure a most probable mode (MPM) list comprising candidate intra prediction modes for the current block based on neighboring blocks of the current block; configuring a most probable mode (MPM) list comprising candidate intra prediction modes of the current block based on neighboring blocks of the current block; derive an intra prediction mode of the current block based on the MPM list and the information about the intra prediction mode; deriving the intra prediction mode of the current block based on the MPM list and the information about the intra prediction mode; generate a predicted block of the current block by performing intra prediction based on the specific intra prediction type and the derived intra prediction mode; generating a predicted block of the current block based on the intra prediction type and the intra prediction mode; receiving residual information from the bitstream; generating a residual block based on the residual information; and generate a reconstructed picture based on the predicted block derived based on the specific intra prediction type and the derived intra prediction mode; and generating a reconstructed block based on the predicted block and the residual block, generate a modified reconstructed picture by performing filtering on the reconstructed picture, wherein for the specific intra prediction type, the intra prediction is performed based on neighboring reference samples in a specific sample line which is not adjacent to a top boundary and a left boundary of the current block, wherein based on the intra prediction type representing the specific intra prediction type, the information about the intra prediction mode comprises: an MPM index information, wherein based on the intra prediction type representing the specific intra prediction type, the MPM index information is parsed without parsing an MPM flag information from the bitstream, and wherein for generating the predicted block based on the specific intra prediction type and the derived intra prediction mode, neighboring reference samples used for a case that a height of the current block is greater than a width of the current block and neighboring reference samples used for a case that the width of the current block is greater than the height of the current block are different. wherein if the intra prediction type of the current block is a specific intra prediction type, an MPM flag is not present in the bitstream, and the intra prediction mode of the current block is limited to one of the candidate intra prediction modes within the MPM list. Although the Patent claims “generate a predicted block of the current block by performing intra prediction based on the specific intra prediction type and the derived intra prediction mode; generate a reconstructed picture based on the predicted block derived based on the specific intra prediction type and the derived intra prediction mode”, it does not specifically claim “receiving residual information from the bitstream; generating a residual block based on the residual information; and generating a reconstructed block based on the residual block”. Chen however, teaches receiving residual information from the bitstream (e.g. see bitstream inputted to decoder in Fig. 2 is entropy decoded to obtain transform coefficients, motion vectors, and other coded information and see the transform coefficients are de-quantized (240) and inverse transformed (250) to decode the prediction residuals in Fig. 2, e.g. see at least paragraph [0040]); generating a residual block based on the residual information (e.g. see the transform coefficients are de-quantized (240) and inverse transformed (250) to decode the prediction residuals in Fig. 2, e.g. see at least paragraph [0040]); and generating a reconstructed block based the residual block (e.g. see a set of unfiltered reconstructed pixels are obtained by summing up the reconstructed prediction residual from the Inverse Transform 206 circuitry and a predictive output generated by the block predictor mechanism, using a Summer 214, e.g. see at least paragraph [0042]). Further, although the Patent claims “wherein based on the intra prediction type representing the specific intra prediction type, the information about the intra prediction mode comprises: an MPM index information, wherein based on the intra prediction type representing the specific intra prediction type, the MPM index information is parsed without parsing an MPM flag information from the bitstream”, it does not specifically claim “the intra prediction mode of the current block is limited to one of the candidate intra prediction modes within the MPM list”. Chen however, teaches the intra prediction mode of the current block is limited to one of the candidate intra prediction modes within the MPM list (e.g. see MPM list, e.g. see at least paragraphs [0077], [0097]). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one with ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the claims of the Patent with Chen in order to improve coding efficiency and visual quality, as well as, improve existing ISP design. For similar reasons as above, claims 1-17 are provisionally rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-17of copending Application No. 18/988233 in view of the prior art cited above. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because the claims in the application and the patent are substantially similar and obvious variants of one another. This is a provisional nonstatutory double patenting rejection. For similar reasons as above, claims 1-17 are provisionally rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-15 of copending Application No. 19/413388 in view of the prior art cited above. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because the claims in the application and the patent are substantially similar and obvious variants of one another. This is a provisional nonstatutory double patenting rejection. For similar reasons as above, at least claims 1-17 are provisionally rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-16 of copending Application No. 19/413361 in view of the prior art cited above. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because the claims in the application and the patent are substantially similar and obvious variants of one another. This is a provisional nonstatutory double patenting rejection. For similar reasons as above, claims 1-17 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-20 of U.S. Patent No. 11,317,086 in view of the prior art cited above. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because the claims in the application and the patent are substantially similar and obvious variants of one another. For similar reasons as above, claims 1-17 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-12 of U.S. Patent No. 11,632,544 in view of the prior art cited above. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because the claims in the application and the patent are substantially similar and obvious variants of one another. For similar reasons as above, claims 1-17 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-4 of U.S. Patent No. 12,058,318 in view of the prior art cited above. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because the claims in the application and the patent are substantially similar and obvious variants of one another. Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Ramasubramonian et al., US 2020/0252608 A1, Sub-partition intra prediction Rath et al., US 2020/0169752 A1, discloses a method and apparatus for most probable mode (MPM) reordering for intra prediction Racape et al., US 2020/0120336 A1, discloses a method and apparatus for most probable mode (MPM) sorting and signaling in video encoding and decoding Lee et al., US 2019/0222837 A1, Image encoding/decoding method and device, and recording medium in which bitstream is stored Chang et al., US 2019/0208195 A1, discloses a device and method for coding video data based on mode list including different mode groups Liu et al., US 2018/0332284 A1, Intra-prediction with multiple reference lines Heo et al., US 2018/0234679 A1, discloses an intra prediction mode-based image processing method and apparatus therefor Jeon et al., US 2013/0272405 A1, Intra prediction method and apparatus using the method Ikai et al., US 2019/0327466 A1, Intra prediction image generation apparatus, image decoding apparatus, and image coding apparatus Racape et al., US 2022/0021871 A1, Intra prediction mode extension Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to FRANCIS G GEROLEO whose telephone number is (571)270-7206. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 7:00 am - 3:30 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, Anna M Momper can be reached at (571) 270-5788. 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. /Francis Geroleo/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3619
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Prosecution Timeline

Dec 19, 2024
Application Filed
Mar 09, 2026
Non-Final Rejection — §102, §103, §112 (current)

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

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1-2
Expected OA Rounds
73%
Grant Probability
92%
With Interview (+19.3%)
2y 8m
Median Time to Grant
Low
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