Prosecution Insights
Last updated: August 18, 2026
Application No. 18/999,088

INTRA SUB-PARTITIONS IN VIDEO CODING

Final Rejection §103§112
Filed
Dec 23, 2024
Priority
Mar 11, 2019 — provisional 62/816,548 +3 more
Examiner
JIANG, ZAIHAN
Art Unit
2488
Tech Center
2400 — Computer Networks
Assignee
InterDigital Inc.
OA Round
2 (Final)
84%
Grant Probability
Favorable
3-4
OA Rounds
8m
Est. Remaining
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 84% — above average
84%
Career Allowance Rate
541 granted / 648 resolved
+25.5% vs TC avg
Strong +24% interview lift
Without
With
+24.2%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 3m
Avg Prosecution
33 currently pending
Career history
666
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
5.5%
-34.5% vs TC avg
§103
58.1%
+18.1% vs TC avg
§102
10.5%
-29.5% vs TC avg
§112
21.3%
-18.7% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 648 resolved cases

Office Action

§103 §112
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 . 2. The Office Action is in response to amendment filed on 05/26/2026. Response to Amendment 3. The amendment filed on 05/27/2025, Claim 17, 20, 27, 31, 33, 34 and 36 have been amended; therefore, 17-36 are pending. 4. Response to Arguments Applicant’s arguments filed on 05/26/2026, pages 7-9 have been fully considered. Claim Rejections - 35 USC §112(b) Applicant has amended claims; therefore, the 112(b) rejection in the non-final office action 02/26/2026 is withdrawn. New ground of rejection is found and presented in this office action. Claim Rejections - 35 USC §103 Applicant’s arguments with respect to claim under 35 U.S.C. § 103 has been fully considered. Basically, applicant argued that the prior arts Zhao does not qualify as prior art against the pending claims, since: “Zhao was filed on February 6, 2020, which claims priority to provisional application No. 62/803,231, filed on February 8, 2019 (hereafter referred to as "Zhao provisional"). The priority date of this application predates February 6, 2020, Zhao's filing date, so, pursuant to MPEP 2154.01(b), Zhao provisional must describe the subject matter from Zhao relied upon in a rejection for Zhao to qualify as prior art against the pending claims". “However, multiple sections cited from Zhao were not found in Zhao provisional. For example, in rejecting claim 17, the Office Acton cites FIG. 20 and FIG. 20's corresponding description including column 23, lines 10-30 in Zhao (the Office Action, page 6). FIG. 20 of Zhao and, consequently, the corresponding description of FIG. 20 cannot be found in Zhao provisional”. Examiner’s Response: Although Zhao provisional, which filed on Feb 8, 2019, does not have fig. 20, however, the similar figures in page 11-page 14 as fig. 7 (there are multiple figures, instead of just one); and the similar concept is provided, for example, in page 10- 11, as: “ when ISP mode is on, the neighboring samples of the first partition can also be used for the 2m 3 and 4” partition” and “when current CU is vertically split, the bottom-left neighboring samples used for the intra prediction of the first partition can also be used as the bottom-left neighboring samples for the 2", 3, and 4" partition, and the bottom-left neighboring samples used for the intra prediction of 1“ partition is listed in the following picture….”. Therefore, since the similar concept is provided in Zhao provisional as Zhao’s fig. 20 and related cited parts, Zhao provisional is qualified as a prior arts. Examiner’s Note: applicant claims the application priority date is predates February 6, 2020, based on two provisional applications ( 62/816,548, filed on 03/11/2019, 62/860,122, filed on 06/11/2019). However, 62/816,548 does not have, for example, fig. 14 (c), fig. 17, fig. 18, fig. 19A-19D in the application; 62/860,122 does not have, for example, fig. 4, fig. 10a-fig. 10c in the application. Therefore, the priority date that applicant argued may not be accurate. Therefore, the 103 rejection maintained. Information Disclosure Statement 5. The information disclosure statements (IDS) submitted on 05/26/2026 is in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statements are being considered by the examiner. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112 6. The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b): (b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention. The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph: The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention. 7. Claim 17 and its dependent claims 18-26 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor, or for pre-AIA the applicant regards as the invention. For claim 17, it recites “predict a second sample of the second sub-partition the first sub-partition”. However, it is not clear what is the meaning of it. Does it means “predict a second sample of the second sub-partition in the first sub-partition” as other independent claims or something else? Even if it means “predict a second sample of the second sub-partition in the first sub-partition”, it is still not clear that what it means? Does that means “predict a second sample of the second sub-partition using a sample/samples in the first sub-partition” or “predict a second sample of the second sub-partition in the first sub-partition region”? How can a second sample of the second sub-partition be predicted in another sub-partition region? Thus the scope of the claim and its dependent claims 18-26 are unclear. 8. Claim 27 and its dependent claims 28-30 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor, or for pre-AIA the applicant regards as the invention. For claim 27, it recites “predict a second sample of the second sub-partition in the first sub-partition”, however, it is not clear of its meaning. Is that means “predict a second sample of the second sub-partition using a sample/samples in the first sub-partition” or “predict a second sample of the second sub-partition in the first sub-partition region”? How can a second sample of the second sub-partition be predicted in another sub-partition region? Thus the scope of the claim and its dependent claims 28-30 are unclear. 9. Independent claims 31 and its dependent claims 32-33 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for the similar reason as for independent claim 27 and its dependent claims 28-30. 10. Independent claims 34 and its dependent claims 35-36 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for the similar reason as for independent claim 27 and its dependent claims 28-30. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103 11. 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 of this title, 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. 12. Claims 17-36 are rejected are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over CHEN et al. (WO 2020163535) and in view of Zhao et al. (US 11533506). Regarding claim 17, CHEN teaches a device for video decoding (fig. 2), comprising: a processor (fig. 2, component 202, entropy decoding) configured to: determine that a block is partitioned into a first and second sub-partitions (fig 8A/8B/8C); predict a first sample of the second sub-partition using a reference sample of the block (as shown in fig. 12, a first sample of second sub-partition is predicted using reference sample 1007); predict a second sample of the second sub-partition using a sample in the other sub-partition (fig. 12, second sample of the second sub-partition is predicted using sample in other reconstructed sample in other sub-partition 1003; paragraph 0100, this process may use the reconstructed samples of the previous sub-partition to generate the intra predictor samples for a non-first sub-partition (i.e., the second sub-partition 1002)); and decode the block based on at least the predicted first and second samples of the second sub- partition (as shown in fig. 2, after intra prediction 208, which based on at least the predicted first and second samples of the second sub- partition, it decodes the block). It is noticed that CHEN does not disclose explicitly predict a second sample of the second sub-partition in the first sub-partition. Zhao disclose of predict a second sample of the second sub-partition in the first sub-partition (as shown in fig. 20, second sub-partition is predicted using sample in the first sub-partition; column 23, line 10-30, the bottom-left neighboring samples 2050 of the first sub-partition are used as the bottom left neighboring samples for the second sub-partition, the third sub-partition and the fourth sub-partition; Examiner’s Note: In Zhao Provisional application, there are some similar figures as fig. 20 in Zhao in page 11-page 14 as fig. 7 (there are multiple figures, instead of just one); the similar concept is provided, for example, in page 10- 11, as: “ when ISP mode is on, the neighboring samples of the first partition can also be used for the 2m 3 and 4” partition” and “when current CU is vertically split, the bottom-left neighboring samples used for the intra prediction of the first partition can also be used as the bottom-left neighboring samples for the 2", 3, and 4" partition, and the bottom-left neighboring samples used for the intra prediction of 1“ partition is listed in the following picture….”.). It would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to one of ordinary skill in the art to incorporate the technology predict a second sample of the second sub-partition in the first sub-partition as a modification to the device for the benefit of using first partition sample to predict when some neighboring sample is not available (column 23, line 10-30). Regarding claim 27, CHEN teaches a device for video encoding (fig. 1), comprising: a processor (fig. 1, component 106, entropy coding) configured to: determine that a block is partitioned into a first and second sub-partitions (fig 8A/8B/8C); predict a first sample of the second sub-partition using a reference sample of the block (as shown in fig. 12, a first sample of second sub-partition is predicted using reference sample 1007); predict a second sample of the second sub-partition using a sample in the other sub-partition (fig. 12, second sample of the second sub-partition is predicted using sample in other reconstructed sample in other sub-partition 1003; paragraph 0100, this process may use the reconstructed samples of the previous sub-partition to generate the intra predictor samples for a non-first sub-partition (i.e., the second sub-partition 1002)); encode the block based on at least the predicted first and second samples of the second sub- partition (as shown in fig. 1, after intra prediction 112, which based on the predicted first and second samples of the second sub- partition, it encodes the block). It is noticed that CHEN does not disclose explicitly predict a second sample of the second sub-partition in the first sub-partition. Zhao disclose of predict a second sample of the second sub-partition in the first sub-partition (as shown in fig. 20, second sub-partition is predicted using sample in the first sub-partition; column 23, line 10-30, the bottom-left neighboring samples 2050 of the first sub-partition are used as the bottom left neighboring samples for the second sub-partition, the third sub-partition and the fourth sub-partition; Examiner’s Note: In Zhao Provisional application, there are some similar figures as fig. 20 in Zhao in page 11-page 14 as fig. 7 (there are multiple figures, instead of just one); the similar concept is provided, for example, in page 10- 11, as: “ when ISP mode is on, the neighboring samples of the first partition can also be used for the 2m 3 and 4” partition” and “when current CU is vertically split, the bottom-left neighboring samples used for the intra prediction of the first partition can also be used as the bottom-left neighboring samples for the 2", 3, and 4" partition, and the bottom-left neighboring samples used for the intra prediction of 1“ partition is listed in the following picture….”.). It would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to one of ordinary skill in the art to incorporate the technology predict a second sample of the second sub-partition in the first sub-partition as a modification to the device for the benefit of using first partition sample to predict when some neighboring sample is not available (column 23, line 10-30). Regarding claim 31, CHEN teaches a method for video decoding (fig. 2), comprising: determine that a block is partitioned into a first and second sub-partitions (fig 8A/8B/8C); predict a first sample of the second sub-partition using a reference sample of the block (as shown in fig. 12, a first sample of second sub-partition is predicted using reference sample 1007); predict a second sample of the second sub-partition using a sample in the other sub-partition (fig. 12, second sample of the second sub-partition is predicted using sample in other reconstructed sample in other sub-partition 1003; paragraph 0100, this process may use the reconstructed samples of the previous sub-partition to generate the intra predictor samples for a non-first sub-partition (i.e., the second sub-partition 1002)); and decode the block based on at least the predicted first and second samples of the second sub- partition (as shown in fig. 2, after intra prediction 208, which based on at least the predicted first and second samples of the second sub- partition, it decodes the block). It is noticed that CHEN does not disclose explicitly predict a second sample of the second sub-partition in the first sub-partition. Zhao disclose of predict a second sample of the second sub-partition in the first sub-partition (as shown in fig. 20, second sub-partition is predicted using sample in the first sub-partition; column 23, line 10-30, the bottom-left neighboring samples 2050 of the first sub-partition are used as the bottom left neighboring samples for the second sub-partition, the third sub-partition and the fourth sub-partition; Examiner’s Note: In Zhao Provisional application, there are some similar figures as fig. 20 in Zhao in page 11-page 14 as fig. 7 (there are multiple figures, instead of just one); the similar concept is provided, for example, in page 10- 11, as: “ when ISP mode is on, the neighboring samples of the first partition can also be used for the 2m 3 and 4” partition” and “when current CU is vertically split, the bottom-left neighboring samples used for the intra prediction of the first partition can also be used as the bottom-left neighboring samples for the 2", 3, and 4" partition, and the bottom-left neighboring samples used for the intra prediction of 1“ partition is listed in the following picture….”.). It would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to one of ordinary skill in the art to incorporate the technology predict a second sample of the second sub-partition in the first sub-partition as a modification to the method for the benefit of using first partition sample to predict when some neighboring sample is not available (column 23, line 10-30). Regarding claim 34, CHEN teaches a method for video encoding (fig. 1), comprising: determine that a block is partitioned into a first and second sub-partitions (fig 8A/8B/8C); predict a first sample of the second sub-partition using a reference sample of the block (as shown in fig. 12, a first sample of second sub-partition is predicted using reference sample 1007); predict a second sample of the second sub-partition using a sample in the other sub-partition (fig. 12, second sample of the second sub-partition is predicted using sample in other reconstructed sample in other sub-partition 1003; paragraph 0100, this process may use the reconstructed samples of the previous sub-partition to generate the intra predictor samples for a non-first sub-partition (i.e., the second sub-partition 1002)); encode the block based on at least the predicted first and second samples of the second sub- partition (as shown in fig. 1, after intra prediction 112, which based on at least the predicted first and second samples of the second sub- partition, it encodes the block). It is noticed that CHEN does not disclose explicitly predict a second sample of the second sub-partition in the first sub-partition. Zhao disclose of predict a second sample of the second sub-partition in the first sub-partition (as shown in fig. 20, second sub-partition is predicted using sample in the first sub-partition; column 23, line 10-30, the bottom-left neighboring samples 2050 of the first sub-partition are used as the bottom left neighboring samples for the second sub-partition, the third sub-partition and the fourth sub-partition; Examiner’s Note: In Zhao Provisional application, there are some similar figures as fig. 20 in Zhao in page 11-page 14 as fig. 7 (there are multiple figures, instead of just one); the similar concept is provided, for example, in page 10- 11, as: “ when ISP mode is on, the neighboring samples of the first partition can also be used for the 2m 3 and 4” partition” and “when current CU is vertically split, the bottom-left neighboring samples used for the intra prediction of the first partition can also be used as the bottom-left neighboring samples for the 2", 3, and 4" partition, and the bottom-left neighboring samples used for the intra prediction of 1“ partition is listed in the following picture….”.). It would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to one of ordinary skill in the art to incorporate the technology predict a second sample of the second sub-partition in the first sub-partition as a modification to the method for the benefit of using first partition sample to predict when some neighboring sample is not available (column 23, line 10-30). Regarding claim 18, the combination of CHEN and Zhao teaches the limitations of claim 17 as discussed above, In addition, CHEN further discloses that predict a plurality of samples of the second sub-partition using a line of samples adjacent to the block as reference samples (fig. 12, 1007 is the line of samples adjacent to the block as reference samples), where the plurality of samples comprises the first sample (as shown in fig. 12, 1002); Zhao further discloses that predict one or more remaining samples of the second sub-partition using the first sub-partition, wherein the one or more remaining samples comprise the second sample (as shown in fig. 20; column 23, line 10-30, the bottom-left neighboring samples 2050 of the first sub-partition are used as the bottom left neighboring samples for the second sub-partition). The motivation of combination is the same as in claim 17’s rejection. Regarding claim 19, the combination of CHEN and Zhao teaches the limitations of claim 18 as discussed above, In addition, CHEN further discloses that determine the line of samples adjacent to the block (fig. 11, 1007), wherein the line of samples comprises the reference sample of the block (as shown in fig. 11, reference samples for intra prediction 1007); and predict the first sub-partition using the line of samples adjacent to the block (fig. 11, sub-partition 1 1001 is predicted using the line of samples adjacent to the block). Regarding claim 20, the combination of CHEN and Zhao teaches the limitations of claim 17 as discussed above, In addition, CHEN further discloses that the block is partitioned in a vertical direction, the first sub- partition is to the left the second sub-partition (fig. 8C, vertical partition), Zhao further discloses that the processor is further configured to: predict a rightmost column of samples of the second sub-partition using a column of reference samples to the left of the block (fig. 20, rightmost column of samples of the second sub-partition is predicted using 2020, the column of reference samples to the left of the block), wherein the rightmost column of samples of the second sub-partition comprises the first sample (fig. 20), and wherein the column of reference samples to the left of the block comprises the reference sample of the block (fig. 20, 2020). The motivation of combination is the same as in claim 17’s rejection. Regarding claim 21, the combination of CHEN and Zhao teaches the limitations of claim 17 as discussed above, In addition, CHEN further discloses the block is partitioned in a horizontal direction, the first sub- partition is above the second sub-partition (fig. 8C, horizontal partition), Zhao further discloses that the processor is further configured to: predict a bottom row of samples of the second sub-partition using a row of reference samples above the block (fig. 21, bottom row of samples of the second sub-partition is predicted using 2020, the row of reference samples above the block), wherein the bottom row of samples of the second sub-partition comprises the first sample (fig. 21), and wherein the row of reference samples above the block comprises the reference sample of the block (fig. 21, 2120). The motivation of combination is the same as in claim 17’s rejection. Regarding claim 22, the combination of CHEN and Zhao teaches the limitations of claim 21 as discussed above, In addition, Zhao further discloses the bottom row of samples of the second sub-partition is predicted further using a column of adjacent samples to the left of the block (fig. 21, bottom row of samples of the second sub-partition is predicted using a column of adjacent samples to the left of the block 2140). The motivation of combination is the same as in claim 17’s rejection. Regarding claim 23, the combination of CHEN and Zhao teaches the limitations of claim 17 as discussed above, In addition, CHEN further discloses determine an intra-prediction mode associated with the block (fig. 4; paragraph 0037, prediction mode, are also fed through the Entropy Coding) wherein the first sample of the second sub-partition is predicted using the intra-prediction mode associated with the block (fig. 10). Regarding claim 24, the combination of CHEN and Zhao teaches the limitations of claim 17 as discussed above, In addition, CHEN further discloses predict a plurality of sub-partitions of the block (fig. 10, sub-partition 1-4), wherein the plurality of sub-partitions comprises the first and second sub-partitions (as shown in fig. 10); and obtain a residual associated with the block (as shown in fig. 2, output of 214 is residual; paragraph 0037, … A prediction residual, representing the difference between a current video block and its predictor, is sent to a Transform 102 circuitry) , wherein the block is decoded based on the plurality of sub-partitions and the residual (fig. 2). Regarding claim 25, the combination of CHEN and Zhao teaches the limitations of claim 17 as discussed above, In addition, CHEN further discloses predict a plurality of sub-partitions of the block (fig. 10, sub-partition 1-4), wherein the plurality of sub-partitions comprises the first and second sub-partitions (as shown in fig. 10); and obtain a residual associated with the first sub-partition (as shown in fig. 2, output of 200 is residual; since the first sub-partition belongs to the block, it is associated with the residual; paragraph 0037, A prediction residual, representing the difference between a current video block and its predictor, is sent to a Transform 102 circuitry) , reconstruct the first sub-partition based on the residual and the first sub-partition (fig. 2); wherein the block is decoded based on the reconstructed first sub-partition (fig. 10; when the sub-partition 1 and other sub-partitions are predicted and reconstructed, the block is decoded). Regarding claim 26, the combination of CHEN and Zhao teaches the limitations of claim 17 as discussed above, In addition, CHEN further discloses the block is partitioned using intra sub-partitions (ISP) (paragraph 0002, … performing video coding using intra sub-partition coding mode). Regarding claim 28, the combination of CHEN and Zhao teaches the limitations of claim 27 as discussed above, In addition, CHEN further discloses that predict a plurality of samples of the second sub-partition using a line of samples adjacent to the block as reference samples (fig. 12, 1007 is the line of samples adjacent to the block as reference samples), where the plurality of samples comprises the first sample (as shown in fig. 12, 1002); Zhao further discloses that predict one or more remaining samples of the second sub-partition using the first sub-partition, wherein the one or more remaining samples comprise the second sample (as shown in fig. 20; column 23, line 10-30, the bottom-left neighboring samples 2050 of the first sub-partition are used as the bottom left neighboring samples for the second sub-partition). The motivation of combination is the same as in claim 27’s rejection. Regarding claim 29, the combination of CHEN and Zhao teaches the limitations of claim 28 as discussed above, In addition, CHEN further discloses that determine the line of samples adjacent to the block (fig. 11, 1007), wherein the line of samples comprises the reference sample of the block (as shown in fig. 11, reference samples for intra prediction 1007); and predict the first sub-partition using the line of samples adjacent to the block (fig. 11, sub-partition 1 1001 is predicted using the line of samples adjacent to the block). Regarding claim 30, the combination of CHEN and Zhao teaches the limitations of claim 27 as discussed above, In addition, CHEN further discloses that the block is partitioned in a vertical direction, the first sub- partition is to the left the second sub-partition (fig. 8C, vertical partition), Zhao further discloses that the processor is further configured to: predict a rightmost column of samples of the second sub-partition using a column of reference samples to the left of the block (fig. 20, rightmost column of samples of the second sub-partition is predicted using 2020, the column of reference samples to the left of the block), wherein the rightmost column of samples of the second sub-partition comprises the first sample (fig. 20), and wherein the column of reference samples to the left of the block comprises the reference sample of the block (fig. 20, 2020). The motivation of combination is the same as in claim 27’s rejection. Regarding claim 32, the combination of CHEN and Zhao teaches the limitations of claim 31 as discussed above, In addition, CHEN further discloses that predict a plurality of samples of the second sub-partition using a line of samples adjacent to the block as reference samples (fig. 12, 1007 is the line of samples adjacent to the block as reference samples), where the plurality of samples comprises the first sample (as shown in fig. 12, 1002); Zhao further discloses that predict one or more remaining samples of the second sub-partition using the first sub-partition, wherein the one or more remaining samples comprise the second sample (as shown in fig. 20; column 23, line 10-30, the bottom-left neighboring samples 2050 of the first sub-partition are used as the bottom left neighboring samples for the second sub-partition). The motivation of combination is the same as in claim 31’s rejection. Regarding claim 33, the combination of CHEN and Zhao teaches the limitations of claim 31 as discussed above, In addition, CHEN further discloses that determine the line of samples adjacent to the block (fig. 11, 1007), wherein the line of samples comprises the reference sample of the block (as shown in fig. 11, reference samples for intra prediction 1007); and predict the first sub-partition using the line of samples adjacent to the block (fig. 11, sub-partition 1 1001 is predicted using the line of samples adjacent to the block). Regarding claim 35, the combination of CHEN and Zhao teaches the limitations of claim 34 as discussed above, In addition, CHEN further discloses that predict a plurality of samples of the second sub-partition using a line of samples adjacent to the block as reference samples (fig. 12, 1007 is the line of samples adjacent to the block as reference samples), where the plurality of samples comprises the first sample (as shown in fig. 12, 1002); Zhao further discloses that predict one or more remaining samples of the second sub-partition using the first sub-partition, wherein the one or more remaining samples comprise the second sample (as shown in fig. 20; column 23, line 10-30, the bottom-left neighboring samples 2050 of the first sub-partition are used as the bottom left neighboring samples for the second sub-partition). The motivation of combination is the same as in claim 34’s rejection. Regarding claim 36, the combination of CHEN and Zhao teaches the limitations of claim 34 as discussed above, In addition, CHEN further discloses that determine the line of samples adjacent to the block (fig. 11, 1007), wherein the line of samples comprises the reference sample of the block (as shown in fig. 11, reference samples for intra prediction 1007); and predict the first sub-partition using the line of samples adjacent to the block (fig. 11, sub-partition 1 1001 is predicted using the line of samples adjacent to the block). 13. Conclusion . Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a). A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any extension fee pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the date of this final action. 14. Contact Information Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ZAIHAN JIANG whose telephone number is (571)272-1399. The examiner can normally be reached on flexible. If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Sath Perungavoor can be reached on (571)272-7455. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-270-0655. Information regarding the status of an application may be obtained from the Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system. Status information for published applications may be obtained from either Private PAIR or Public PAIR. Status information for unpublished applications is available through Private PAIR only. For more information about the PAIR system, see http://pair-direct.uspto.gov. Should you have questions on access to the Private PAIR system, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative or access to the automated information system, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. /ZAIHAN JIANG/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2488
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Prosecution Timeline

Dec 23, 2024
Application Filed
Feb 19, 2025
Response after Non-Final Action
Feb 26, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103, §112
May 21, 2026
Applicant Interview (Telephonic)
May 26, 2026
Response Filed
May 29, 2026
Examiner Interview Summary
Jul 17, 2026
Final Rejection mailed — §103, §112 (current)

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3-4
Expected OA Rounds
84%
Grant Probability
99%
With Interview (+24.2%)
2y 3m (~8m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Moderate
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