DETAILED ACTION
1. The communication is in response to the application received 01/14/2025, wherein claims 1-4 are pending and are examined as follows. This is a continuation of 18/375,866 (now U.S. Patent No. 12,382,093), which is a continuation of 17/240,678 (now U.S. Patent No. 11,812,056), which is a continuation of 16/594,660 (now U.S. Patent No. 11,025,954), which is a continuation of 14/351,620 (now U.S. Patent No. 10,440,389).
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
2. The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Claim Objections
3. Claim 4 is objected to because of the following informalities: The claim recites the limitation phrase “is generated based performing” (emphasis added). It is believed this should read “is generated based on performing”. Please check and update accordingly. Appropriate correction is required.
Double Patenting
4. 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 claims at issue 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); and In re Thorington, 418 F.2d 528, 163 USPQ 644 (CCPA 1969).
A timely filed terminal disclaimer in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321I or 1.321(d) may be used to overcome an actual or provisional rejection based on a nonstatutory double patenting ground provided the reference application or patent either is shown to be commonly owned with this application, or claims an invention made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement. A terminal disclaimer must be signed in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(b).
The USPTO internet Web site contains terminal disclaimer forms which may be used. Please visit http://www.uspto.gov/forms/. The filing date of the application will determine what form 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 http://www.uspto.gov/patents/process/file/efs/guidance/eTD-info-I.jsp.
Claims 1-4 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-3 of U.S. Patent No. 12,382,093 B2, in view of U.S. Patent No. 11,812,056 B2, hereinafter referred to as 093 and 056, respectively. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to include the teachings of 056 to explicitly show LTRP information can include both first and second LTRP information in relation to signaling Long Term Reference Picture (LTRP) information in the Sequence Parameter Set (SPS). The claim mapping between claim sets is shown in table 1 below for reference.
Claims 1-4 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1, 8, and 15 of U.S. Patent No. 11,812,056 B2, hereinafter referred to as 056. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because the patented claims anticipate those in the instant application. Both claim sets are directed to video coding methods related to signaling Long Term Reference Picture (LTRP) information in the Sequence Parameter Set (SPS). The claim mapping between claim sets is shown in table 2 below for reference.
Claims 1-4 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1, 8, and 15 of U.S. Patent No. 11,025,954 B2, hereinafter referred to as 954. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because the patented claim anticipates those in the instant application, where both claim sets are directed to video coding methods related to signaling Long Term Reference Picture (LTRP) information in the Sequence Parameter Set (SPS). The claim mapping between claim sets is shown in table 3 below for reference.
Claims 1-4 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-3 and 7 of U.S. Patent No. 10,440,389 B2, hereinafter referred to as 389. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because the patented claim anticipates those in the instant application, where both claim sets are directed to video coding methods related to signaling Long Term Reference Picture (LTRP) information in the Sequence Parameter Set (SPS). The claim mapping between claim sets is shown in table 4 below for reference.
Claims 1-4 are provisionally rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-4 of copending Application No. 19/020,497 (reference application), hereinafter referred to as 497. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because the patented claim anticipates those in the instant application, where both claim sets are directed to video coding methods related to signaling Long Term Reference Picture (LTRP) information in the Sequence Parameter Set (SPS). The claim mapping between claim sets is shown in table 5 below for reference. This is a provisional nonstatutory double patenting rejection because the patentably indistinct claims have not in fact been patented.
Table 1
**Note: The items below that are BOLD/UNDERLINED in the Instant Application/Co-pending Application, respectively, indicate differences in the claim limitation.
Instant Application 19/020,551
U.S. Patent No. 12,382,093 B2
(18/375,866)
Claim 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: acquire long term reference picture (LTRP) information from a bitstream; configure a reference picture set based on the LTRP information; perform an inter prediction on a current block in a current picture to generate predicted samples based on an LTRP in the reference picture set; and generate reconstructed samples based on the predicted samples,
wherein the LTRP information comprises a first LTRP information included in a sequence parameter set (SPS) of the bitstream and a second LTRP information included in a slice header of the bitstream; wherein the LTRP is one of candidate LTRPs specified by the first LTRP information, wherein the reference picture set comprises an LTRP set including at least one LTRP, wherein the first LTRP information includes a long term reference pictures present flag, wherein based on a value of the long term reference pictures present flag being equal to 1, the first LTRP information includes an LTRP number syntax element representing a number of the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS and picture order count (POC) least significant bit (LSB) information representing an LSB of a POC of each of the candidate LTRPs, wherein the first LTRP information includes used by current picture long term SPS flag information representing whether each of the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS is not used for a reference picture by the current picture, and wherein the second LTRP information includes LTRP index information representing an LTRP to be included in the LTRP set among the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS.
Note: Regarding “second LTRP information” above, see 056 for support.
Claim 1
An image decoding method performed by a decoding apparatus, the method comprising: acquiring image information including long term reference picture (LTRP) information from a bitstream;
configuring a reference picture set based on the LTRP information; generating predicted samples for a current block in a current picture based on an LTRP in the reference picture set; and generating reconstructed samples based on the predicted samples,
wherein the LTRP information comprises first LTRP information included in a sequence parameter set (SPS) of the bitstream, wherein the LTRP is one of candidate LTRPs specified by the first LTRP information, wherein the reference picture set comprises an LTRP set including at least one LTRP, wherein the first LTRP information includes a long term reference pictures present flag, wherein based on a value of the long term reference pictures present flag being equal to 1, the first LTRP information includes an LTRP number syntax element representing a number of the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS and picture order count (POC) least significant bit (LSB) information representing an LSB of a POC of each of the candidate LTRPs, and wherein the first LTRP information includes used by current picture long term SPS flag information representing whether each of the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS is not used for reference picture by the current picture.
Claim 2
An encoding apparatus for an image encoding, the encoding apparatus comprising: a memory; and at least one processor connected to the memory, the at least one processor configured to: perform an inter prediction on a current block in a current picture based on a long term reference picture (LTRP) in a reference picture set; generate LTRP information used for configuring the reference picture set; and encode image information including the LTRP information, wherein the LTRP information comprises a first LTRP information included in a sequence parameter set (SPS) of the image information and a second LTRP information included in a slice header of the image information; wherein the LTRP is one of candidate LTRPs specified by the first LTRP information, wherein the reference picture set comprises an LTRP set including at least one LTRP, wherein the first LTRP information includes a long term reference pictures present flag, wherein based on a value of the long term reference pictures present flag being equal to 1, the first LTRP information includes an LTRP number syntax element representing a number of the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS and picture order count (POC) least significant bit (LSB) information representing an LSB of a POC of each of the candidate LTRPs, wherein the first LTRP information includes used by current picture long term SPS flag information representing whether each of the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS is not used for a reference picture by the current picture, and wherein the second LTRP information includes LTRP index information representing an LTRP to be included in the LTRP set among the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS.
Note: Regarding “second LTRP information” above, see 056 for support.
Claim 2
An image encoding method performed by an encoding apparatus, the method comprising: generating predicted samples for a current block in a current picture based on a long term reference picture (LTRP) in a reference picture set; generating LTRP information used for configuring the reference picture set; and encoding image information including the LTRP information, wherein the LTRP information comprises first LTRP information included in a sequence parameter set (SPS) of the image information, wherein the LTRP is one of candidate LTRPs specified by the first LTRP information, wherein the reference picture set comprises an LTRP set including at least one LTRP, wherein the first LTRP information includes a long term reference pictures present flag, wherein based on a value of the long term reference pictures present flag being equal to 1, the first LTRP information includes an LTRP number syntax element representing a number of the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS and picture order count (POC) least significant bit (LSB) information representing an LSB of a POC of each of the candidate LTRPs, and wherein the first LTRP information includes used by current picture long term SPS flag information representing whether each of the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS is not used for reference picture by the current picture.
Claim 3
A non-transitory computer-readable digital storage medium storing a bitstream, wherein the bitstream is generated by the apparatus of claim 2. [See claim 3 of 093]
Claim 3
A non-transitory computer readable digital storage medium storing image information generated by a method, wherein the method comprising: generating predicted samples for a current block in a current picture based on a long term reference picture (LTRP) in a reference picture set; generating LTRP information used for configuring the reference picture set; and encoding the image information including the LTRP information, wherein the LTRP information comprises first LTRP information included in a sequence parameter set (SPS) of the image information, wherein the LTRP is one of candidate LTRPs specified by the first LTRP information, wherein the reference picture set comprises an LTRP set including at least one LTRP, wherein the first LTRP information includes a long term reference pictures present flag, wherein based on a value of the long term reference pictures present flag being equal to 1, the first LTRP information includes an LTRP number syntax element representing a number of the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS and picture order count (POC) least significant bit (LSB) information representing an LSB of a POC of each of the candidate LTRPs, and wherein the first LTRP information includes used by current picture long term SPS flag information representing whether each of the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS is not used for reference picture by the current picture.
Claim 4
An apparatus for transmitting data for an image, the apparatus comprising: at least one processor configured to obtain a bitstream for the image, wherein the bitstream is generated based performing an inter prediction on a current block in a current picture based on a long term reference picture (LTRP) in a reference picture set, generating LTRP information used for configuring the reference picture set, and encoding image information including the LTRP information; and a transmitter configured to transmit the data comprising the bitstream, wherein the LTRP information comprises a first LTRP information included in a sequence parameter set (SPS) of the image information and a second LTRP information included in a slice header of the image information; wherein the LTRP is one of candidate LTRPs specified by the first LTRP information, wherein the reference picture set comprises an LTRP set including at least one LTRP, wherein the first LTRP information includes a long term reference pictures present flag, wherein based on a value of the long term reference pictures present flag being equal to 1, the first LTRP information includes an LTRP number syntax element representing a number of the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS and picture order count (POC) least significant bit (LSB) information representing an LSB of a POC of each of the candidate LTRPs, wherein the first LTRP information includes used by current picture long term SPS flag information representing whether each of the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS is not used for a reference picture by the current picture, and wherein the second LTRP information includes LTRP index information representing an LTRP to be included in the LTRP set among the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS.
Note: Regarding “An apparatus for transmitting data for an image” and “a transmitter configured to transmit the data comprising the bitstream”, these are within the level of skill in the art, as data transmission is routinely performed in the field of video coding, for transmitting compressed bitstreams to a receiving device to be decompressed for viewing.
See Claims 1 and 2 of 093 above for support
Obviousness rationale:
Regarding claims 1-4, the patented claims of 093 disclose most of the featured limitations, with the exception of “second LTRP information”. However, claim 1 of 056 is shown to provide support for both first LTRP information and “second LTRP information”, as claimed, which includes LTRP index information representing an LTRP to be included in the LTRP set among the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS.
Table 2
**Note: The items below that are BOLD/UNDERLINED in the Instant Application/Co-pending Application, respectively, indicate differences in the claim limitation.
Instant Application 19/020,551
U.S. Patent No. 11,812,056 B2
(17/240,678)
Claim 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: acquire long term reference picture (LTRP) information from a bitstream; configure a reference picture set based on the LTRP information; perform an inter prediction on a current block in a current picture to generate predicted samples based on an LTRP in the reference picture set; and generate reconstructed samples based on the predicted samples, wherein the LTRP information comprises a first LTRP information included in a sequence parameter set (SPS) of the bitstream and a second LTRP information included in a slice header of the bitstream; wherein the LTRP is one of candidate LTRPs specified by the first LTRP information, wherein the reference picture set comprises an LTRP set including at least one LTRP, wherein the first LTRP information includes a long term reference pictures present flag, wherein based on a value of the long term reference pictures present flag being equal to 1, the first LTRP information includes an LTRP number syntax element representing a number of the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS and picture order count (POC) least significant bit (LSB) information representing an LSB of a POC of each of the candidate LTRPs, wherein the first LTRP information includes used by current picture long term SPS flag information representing whether each of the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS is not used for a reference picture by the current picture, and wherein the second LTRP information includes LTRP index information representing an LTRP to be included in the LTRP set among the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS.
Claim 1
A video decoding method, by a decoding apparatus, the method comprising: acquiring long term reference picture (LTRP) information from a bitstream; configuring a reference picture set based on the LTRP information; performing an inter prediction on a current block in a current picture to generate predicted samples based on an LTRP in the reference picture set; and generating reconstructed samples based on the predicted samples, wherein the LTRP information comprises a first LTRP information included in a sequence parameter set (SPS) of the bitstream and a second LTRP information included in a slice header of the bitstream;
wherein the LTRP is one of candidate LTRPs specified by the first LTRP information, wherein the reference picture set comprises an LTRP set including at least one LTRP,
wherein the first LTRP information includes a long term reference pictures present flag, wherein when a value of the long term reference pictures present flag is equal to 1, the first LTRP information includes an LTRP number syntax element representing a number of the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS and picture order count (POC) least significant bit (LSB) information representing an LSB of a POC of each of the candidate LTRPs, wherein the first LTRP information includes used by current picture long term SPS flag information representing whether each of the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS is not used for a reference picture by the current picture, and wherein the second LTRP information includes LTRP index information representing an LTRP to be included in the LTRP set among the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS.
Claim 2
An encoding apparatus for an image encoding, the encoding apparatus comprising: a memory; and at least one processor connected to the memory, the at least one processor configured to: perform an inter prediction on a current block in a current picture based on a long term reference picture (LTRP) in a reference picture set; generate LTRP information used for configuring the reference picture set; and encode image information including the LTRP information, wherein the LTRP information comprises a first LTRP information included in a sequence parameter set (SPS) of the image information and a second LTRP information included in a slice header of the image information; wherein the LTRP is one of candidate LTRPs specified by the first LTRP information, wherein the reference picture set comprises an LTRP set including at least one LTRP, wherein the first LTRP information includes a long term reference pictures present flag, wherein based on a value of the long term reference pictures present flag being equal to 1, the first LTRP information includes an LTRP number syntax element representing a number of the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS and picture order count (POC) least significant bit (LSB) information representing an LSB of a POC of each of the candidate LTRPs,
wherein the first LTRP information includes used by current picture long term SPS flag information representing whether each of the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS is not used for a reference picture by the current picture, and wherein the second LTRP information includes LTRP index information representing an LTRP to be included in the LTRP set among the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS.
Claim 8
A video encoding method, by an encoding apparatus, the method comprising:
performing an inter prediction on a current block in a current picture based on a long term reference picture (LTRP) in a reference picture set; generating LTRP information used for configuring the reference picture set; and encoding image information including the LTRP information, wherein the LTRP information comprises a first LTRP information included in a sequence parameter set (SPS) of the image information and a second LTRP information included in a slice header of the image information; wherein the LTRP is one of candidate LTRPs specified by the first LTRP information, wherein the reference picture set comprises an LTRP set including at least one LTRP, wherein the first LTRP information includes a long term reference pictures present flag, wherein when a value of the long term reference pictures present flag is equal to 1, the first LTRP information includes an LTRP number syntax element representing a number of the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS and picture order count (POC) least significant bit (LSB) information representing an LSB of a POC of each of the candidate LTRPs, wherein the first LTRP information includes used by current picture long term SPS flag information representing whether each of the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS is not used for a reference picture by the current picture, and wherein the second LTRP information includes LTRP index information representing an LTRP to be included in the LTRP set among the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS.
Claim 3
A non-transitory computer-readable digital storage medium storing a bitstream, wherein the bitstream is generated by the apparatus of claim 2 [See claim 8 of 056 regarding the method performed by an encoding apparatus. Also please note claim 15 of 056]
Claim 15
A non-transitory decoder-readable storage medium storing encoded image information generated by an video encoding process comprising: performing an inter prediction on a current block in a current picture based on a long term reference picture (LTRP) in a reference picture set, generating LTRP information used for configuring the reference picture set, and encoding image information including the LTRP information, wherein the LTRP information comprises a first LTRP information included in a sequence parameter set (SPS) of the image information and a second LTRP information included in a slice header of the image information; wherein the LTRP is one of candidate LTRPs specified by the first LTRP information, wherein the reference picture set comprises an LTRP set including at least one LTRP, wherein the first LTRP information includes a long term reference pictures present flag, wherein when a value of the long term reference pictures present flag is equal to 1, the first LTRP information includes an LTRP number syntax element representing a number of the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS and picture order count (POC) least significant bit (LSB) information representing an LSB of a POC of each of the candidate LTRPs, wherein the first LTRP information includes used by current picture long term SPS flag information representing whether each of the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS is not used for a reference picture by the current picture, and wherein the second LTRP information includes LTRP index information representing an LTRP to be included in the LTRP set among the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS.
Claim 4
An apparatus for transmitting data for an image, the apparatus comprising: at least one processor configured to obtain a bitstream for the image, wherein the bitstream is generated based performing an inter prediction on a current block in a current picture based on a long term reference picture (LTRP) in a reference picture set, generating LTRP information used for configuring the reference picture set, and encoding image information including the LTRP information; and a transmitter configured to transmit the data comprising the bitstream, wherein the LTRP information comprises a first LTRP information included in a sequence parameter set (SPS) of the image information and a second LTRP information included in a slice header of the image information; wherein the LTRP is one of candidate LTRPs specified by the first LTRP information, wherein the reference picture set comprises an LTRP set including at least one LTRP, wherein the first LTRP information includes a long term reference pictures present flag, wherein based on a value of the long term reference pictures present flag being equal to 1, the first LTRP information includes an LTRP number syntax element representing a number of the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS and picture order count (POC) least significant bit (LSB) information representing an LSB of a POC of each of the candidate LTRPs, wherein the first LTRP information includes used by current picture long term SPS flag information representing whether each of the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS is not used for a reference picture by the current picture, and wherein the second LTRP information includes LTRP index information representing an LTRP to be included in the LTRP set among the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS.
Note: Regarding “An apparatus for transmitting data for an image” and “a transmitter configured to transmit the data comprising the bitstream”, these are within the level of skill in the art, as data transmission is routinely performed in the field of video coding, for transmitting compressed bitstreams to a receiving device to be decompressed for viewing.
See Claims 1 and 8 of 056
Table 3
**Note: The items below that are BOLD/UNDERLINED in the Instant Application/Co-pending Application, respectively, indicate differences in the claim limitation.
Instant Application 19/020,551
U.S. Patent No. 11,025,954 B2
(16/594,660)
Claim 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: acquire long term reference picture (LTRP) information from a bitstream; configure a reference picture set based on the LTRP information; perform an inter prediction on a current block in a current picture to generate predicted samples based on an LTRP in the reference picture set; and generate reconstructed samples based on the predicted samples, wherein the LTRP information comprises a first LTRP information included in a sequence parameter set (SPS) of the bitstream and a second LTRP information included in a slice header of the bitstream; wherein the LTRP is one of candidate LTRPs specified by the first LTRP information, wherein the reference picture set comprises an LTRP set including at least one LTRP, wherein the first LTRP information includes a long term reference pictures present flag, wherein based on a value of the long term reference pictures present flag being equal to 1, the first LTRP information includes an LTRP number syntax element representing a number of the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS and picture order count (POC) least significant bit (LSB) information representing an LSB of a POC of each of the candidate LTRPs, wherein the first LTRP information includes used by current picture long term SPS flag information representing whether each of the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS is not used for a reference picture by the current picture, and wherein the second LTRP information includes LTRP index information representing an LTRP to be included in the LTRP set among the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS.
Claim 1
A video decoding method, by a decoding apparatus, the method comprising: acquiring first long term reference picture (LTRP) information in a sequence parameter set (SPS) from a bitstream; acquiring second LTRP information in a slice header from the bitstream; configuring a reference picture set based on the first LTRP information and the second LTRP information; and performing an inter prediction on a current block in the current picture by using an LTRP in the reference picture set, wherein the LTRP is one of candidate LTRPs specified by the first LTRP information in the SPS, wherein the reference picture set comprises an LTRP set including at least one LTRP, wherein the first LTRP information in the SPS includes a long term reference pictures present flag, wherein when a value of the long term reference pictures present flag is equal to 1, the first LTRP information in the SPS further includes an LTRP number syntax element specifying a number of the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS and an LTRP picture order count (POC) least significant bit (LSB) information specifying an LSB of a POC of each of the candidate LTRPs, the first LTRP information in the SPS further includes used by current picture long term SPS flag information specifying whether each of the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS is not used for a reference picture by the current picture, and wherein the second LTRP information in the slice header includes LTRP index information specifying an LTRP to be included in the LTRP set among the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS.
Claim 2
An encoding apparatus for an image encoding, the encoding apparatus comprising: a memory; and at least one processor connected to the memory, the at least one processor configured to: perform an inter prediction on a current block in a current picture based on a long term reference picture (LTRP) in a reference picture set [See claim 1 of 954 for support]; generate LTRP information used for configuring the reference picture set; and encode image information including the LTRP information, wherein the LTRP information comprises a first LTRP information included in a sequence parameter set (SPS) of the image information and a second LTRP information included in a slice header of the image information; wherein the LTRP is one of candidate LTRPs specified by the first LTRP information [See claim 1 of 954 for support], wherein the reference picture set comprises an LTRP set including at least one LTRP, wherein the first LTRP information includes a long term reference pictures present flag, wherein based on a value of the long term reference pictures present flag being equal to 1, the first LTRP information includes an LTRP number syntax element representing a number of the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS and picture order count (POC) least significant bit (LSB) information representing an LSB of a POC of each of the candidate LTRPs, wherein the first LTRP information includes used by current picture long term SPS flag information representing whether each of the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS is not used for a reference picture by the current picture, and wherein the second LTRP information includes LTRP index information representing an LTRP to be included in the LTRP set among the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS.
Claim 1 of 954
“…performing an inter prediction on a current block in the current picture by using an LTRP in the reference picture set” and “…wherein the LTRP is one of candidate LTRPs specified by the first LTRP information in the SPS”
Claim 8
A video encoding method, by an encoding apparatus, the method comprising: deriving long term reference pictures (LTRPs) for a current picture; generating first LTRP information and second LTRP information used for configuring a reference picture set for the current picture; and encoding the first LTRP information in a sequence parameter set (SPS) and the second LTRP information in a slice header, wherein the reference picture set comprises an LTRP set including at least one LTRP, wherein the first LTRP information in the SPS includes a long term reference pictures present flag, wherein when a value of the long term reference pictures present flag is equal to 1, the first LTRP information in the SPS further includes an LTRP number syntax element specifying a number of the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS and an LTRP picture order count (POC) least significant bit (LSB) information specifying an LSB of a POC of each of the candidate LTRPs, the first LTRP information in the SPS further includes used by current picture long term SPS flag information specifying whether each of the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS is not used for a reference picture by the current picture, and wherein the second LTRP information in the slice header includes LTRP index information specifying an LTRP to be included in the LTRP set among the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS.
Claim 3
A non-transitory computer-readable digital storage medium storing a bitstream, wherein the bitstream is generated by the apparatus of claim 2. [See claims 1 and 8 of 954 regarding generating the bitstream. Also see Claim 15 of 954, i.e. “generated by an video encoding process”]
See Claims 1 and 8 of 954
Claim 15
A non-transitory decoder-readable storage medium storing encoded data comprising encoded first LTRP information and encoded second LTRP information generated by an video encoding process comprising: deriving long term reference pictures (LTRPs) for a current picture; generating first LTRP information and second LTRP information used for configuring a reference picture set for the current picture; and encoding the first LTRP information in a sequence parameter set (SPS) and the second LTRP information in a slice header, wherein the reference picture set comprises an LTRP set including at least one LTRP, wherein the first LTRP information in the SPS includes a long term reference pictures present flag, wherein when a value of the long term reference pictures present flag is equal to 1, the first LTRP information in the SPS further includes an LTRP number syntax element specifying a number of the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS and an LTRP picture order count (POC) least significant bit (LSB) information specifying an LSB of a POC of each of the candidate LTRPs, the first LTRP information in the SPS further includes used by current picture long term SPS flag information specifying whether each of the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS is not used for a reference picture by the current picture, and wherein the second LTRP information in the slice header includes LTRP index information specifying an LTRP to be included in the LTRP set among the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS.
Claim 4
An apparatus for transmitting data for an image, the apparatus comprising: at least one processor configured to obtain a bitstream for the image, wherein the bitstream is generated based performing an inter prediction on a current block in a current picture based on a long term reference picture (LTRP) in a reference picture set, generating LTRP information used for configuring the reference picture set, and encoding image information including the LTRP information; and a transmitter configured to transmit the data comprising the bitstream, wherein the LTRP information comprises a first LTRP information included in a sequence parameter set (SPS) of the image information and a second LTRP information included in a slice header of the image information; wherein the LTRP is one of candidate LTRPs specified by the first LTRP information, wherein the reference picture set comprises an LTRP set including at least one LTRP, wherein the first LTRP information includes a long term reference pictures present flag, wherein based on a value of the long term reference pictures present flag being equal to 1, the first LTRP information includes an LTRP number syntax element representing a number of the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS and picture order count (POC) least significant bit (LSB) information representing an LSB of a POC of each of the candidate LTRPs, wherein the first LTRP information includes used by current picture long term SPS flag information representing whether each of the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS is not used for a reference picture by the current picture, and wherein the second LTRP information includes LTRP index information representing an LTRP to be included in the LTRP set among the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS.
Note: Regarding “An apparatus for transmitting data for an image” and “a transmitter configured to transmit the data comprising the bitstream”, these are within the level of skill in the art, as data transmission is routinely performed in the field of video coding, for transmitting compressed bitstreams to a receiving device to be decompressed for viewing.
See Claims 1 and 8 of 954
Table 4
**Note: The items below that are BOLD/UNDERLINED in the Instant Application/Co-pending Application, respectively, indicate differences in the claim limitation.
Instant Application 19/020,551
U.S. Patent No. 10,440,389 B2
(14/351,620)
Claim 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: acquire long term reference picture (LTRP) information from a bitstream; configure a reference picture set based on the LTRP information; perform an inter prediction on a current block in a current picture to generate predicted samples based on an LTRP in the reference picture set; and generate reconstructed samples based on the predicted samples, wherein the LTRP information comprises a first LTRP information included in a sequence parameter set (SPS) of the bitstream [See claim 3 of 389 for support] and a second LTRP information included in a slice header of the bitstream [See claim 3 of 389 for support]; wherein the LTRP is one of candidate LTRPs specified by the first LTRP information, wherein the reference picture set comprises an LTRP set including at least one LTRP, wherein the first LTRP information includes a long term reference pictures present flag, wherein based on a value of the long term reference pictures present flag being equal to 1, the first LTRP information includes an LTRP number syntax element representing a number of the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS and picture order count (POC) least significant bit (LSB) information representing an LSB of a POC of each of the candidate LTRPs, wherein the first LTRP information includes used by current picture long term SPS flag information representing whether each of the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS is not used for a reference picture by the current picture, and wherein the second LTRP information [See claim 3 of 389 for support] includes LTRP index information representing an LTRP to be included in the LTRP set among the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS. [See claim 2 of 389 for support]
Claim 1
A video decoding method, by a decoding apparatus, comprising the steps of: acquiring long term reference picture (LTRP) information in a sequence parameter set (SPS) which is obtained from a received bitstream; configuring a reference picture set based on the LTRP information; configuring a reference picture list based on the reference picture set; and performing an inter prediction on a current block in the current picture by using an LTRP in the reference picture list, wherein the LTRP is one of candidate LTRPs specified by the LTRP information in the SPS, wherein the reference picture set comprises an LTRP set including at least one LTRP,
wherein the LTRP information in the SPS includes a long term reference pictures present flag, and wherein when a value of the long term reference pictures present flag is equal to 1: the LTRP information in the SPS further includes an LTRP number syntax element specifying a number of the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS and an LTRP picture order count (POC) least significant bit (LSB) information specifying an LSB of a POC of each of the candidate LTRPs, and the LTRP information in the SPS further includes a used by current picture long term flag specifying whether a candidate LTRP specified in the SPS is not used for reference by the current picture.
Claim 2
The video decoding method according to claim 1, further comprising: acquiring LTRP index information specifying a LTRP to be configured in the LTRP set among at least one of the candidate LTRPs, through a slice header which is obtained from the received bitstream wherein a POC of the LTRP to be included in the LTRP set is derived based on the POC information in the SPS and the LTRP index information in the slice header.
Claim 3
The video decoding method according to claim 1, further comprising: acquiring, through a slice header, first long-term picture number information specifying a number of first LTRPs in the LTRP set of the current picture and second long-term picture number information specifying a number of second LTRPs in the LTRP set of the current picture, wherein the first LTRPs are derived based on the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS, and the second LTRPs are directly specified by the slice header.
Claim 2
An encoding apparatus for an image encoding, the encoding apparatus comprising: a memory; and at least one processor connected to the memory, the at least one processor configured to: perform an inter prediction on a current block in a current picture based on a long term reference picture (LTRP) in a reference picture set; generate LTRP information used for configuring the reference picture set; and encode image information including the LTRP information, wherein the LTRP information comprises a first LTRP information included in a sequence parameter set (SPS) of the image information [See claim 3 of 389 for support] and a second LTRP information included in a slice header of the image information [See claim 3 of 389 for support]; wherein the LTRP is one of candidate LTRPs specified by the first LTRP information, wherein the reference picture set comprises an LTRP set including at least one LTRP, wherein the first LTRP information [See claim 3 of 389 for support] includes a long term reference pictures present flag, wherein based on a value of the long term reference pictures present flag being equal to 1, the first LTRP information [See claim 3 of 389 for support] includes an LTRP number syntax element representing a number of the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS and picture order count (POC) least significant bit (LSB) information representing an LSB of a POC of each of the candidate LTRPs,
wherein the first LTRP information [See claim 3 of 389 for support] includes used by current picture long term SPS flag information representing whether each of the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS is not used for a reference picture by the current picture, and wherein the second LTRP information [See claim 3 of 389 for support] includes LTRP index information representing an LTRP to be included in the LTRP set among the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS. [See claim 2 of 389 for support]
Claim 7
A video decoding apparatus, comprising: an entropy decoder configured to acquire long term reference picture (LTRP) information in a sequence parameter set (SPS) which is obtained from a received bitstream; and a predictor configured to configure a reference picture set based on the LTRP information, to configure a reference picture list based on the reference picture set, and to perform an inter prediction on a current block in the current picture by using an LTRP in the reference picture list, wherein the LTRP is one of candidate LTRPs specified by the LTRP information in the SPS, wherein the reference picture set comprises an LTRP set including at least one LTRP, wherein the LTRP information in the SPS includes a long term reference pictures present flag, wherein when a value of the long term reference pictures present flag is equal to 1, the LTRP information in the SPS further includes an LTRP number syntax element specifying a number of the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS and LTRP picture order count (POC) least significant bit (LSB) information specifying an LSB of a POC of each of the candidate LTRPs, and the LTRP information in the SPS further includes a used by current picture long term flag specifying whether a candidate LTRP specified in the SPS is not used for reference by the current picture.
Claim 2
The video decoding method according to claim 1, further comprising: acquiring LTRP index information specifying a LTRP to be configured in the LTRP set among at least one of the candidate LTRPs, through a slice header which is obtained from the received bitstream wherein a POC of the LTRP to be included in the LTRP set is derived based on the POC information in the SPS and the LTRP index information in the slice header.
Claim 3
The video decoding method according to claim 1, further comprising: acquiring, through a slice header, first long-term picture number information specifying a number of first LTRPs in the LTRP set of the current picture and second long-term picture number information specifying a number of second LTRPs in the LTRP set of the current picture, wherein the first LTRPs are derived based on the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS, and the second LTRPs are directly specified by the slice header.
Claim 3
A non-transitory computer-readable digital storage medium storing a bitstream, wherein the bitstream is generated by the apparatus of claim 2.
Note: A non-transitory computer-readable digital storage medium storing a bitstream that is generated by an apparatus whose processor(s) perform a method for encoding, is well known and is within the level of skill in the art. As to the generation of the stored bitstream, see instant claim 2 which finds support in claims 2, 3, and 7 of 389.
See Claims 1 and 7 of 389
Claim 4
An apparatus for transmitting data for an image, the apparatus comprising: at least one processor configured to obtain a bitstream for the image, wherein the bitstream is generated based performing an inter prediction on a current block in a current picture based on a long term reference picture (LTRP) in a reference picture set, generating LTRP information used for configuring the reference picture set, and encoding image information including the LTRP information; and a transmitter configured to transmit the data comprising the bitstream, wherein the LTRP information comprises a first LTRP information included in a sequence parameter set (SPS) of the image information and a second LTRP information included in a slice header of the image information; wherein the LTRP is one of candidate LTRPs specified by the first LTRP information, wherein the reference picture set comprises an LTRP set including at least one LTRP, wherein the first LTRP information includes a long term reference pictures present flag, wherein based on a value of the long term reference pictures present flag being equal to 1, the first LTRP information includes an LTRP number syntax element representing a number of the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS and picture order count (POC) least significant bit (LSB) information representing an LSB of a POC of each of the candidate LTRPs, wherein the first LTRP information includes used by current picture long term SPS flag information representing whether each of the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS is not used for a reference picture by the current picture, and wherein the second LTRP information includes LTRP index information representing an LTRP to be included in the LTRP set among the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS.
Note: Regarding “An apparatus for transmitting data for an image” and “a transmitter configured to transmit the data comprising the bitstream”, these are within the level of skill in the art, as data transmission is routinely performed in the field of video coding, for transmitting compressed bitstreams to a receiving device to be decompressed for viewing.
See claims 1 and 7 of 389
Table 5
Instant Application 19/020,551
19/020,497
Claim 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: acquire long term reference picture (LTRP) information from a bitstream; configure a reference picture set based on the LTRP information; perform an inter prediction on a current block in a current picture to generate predicted samples based on an LTRP in the reference picture set; and generate reconstructed samples based on the predicted samples, wherein the LTRP information comprises a first LTRP information included in a sequence parameter set (SPS) of the bitstream and a second LTRP information included in a slice header of the bitstream; wherein the LTRP is one of candidate LTRPs specified by the first LTRP information, wherein the reference picture set comprises an LTRP set including at least one LTRP, wherein the first LTRP information includes a long term reference pictures present flag, wherein based on a value of the long term reference pictures present flag being equal to 1, the first LTRP information includes an LTRP number syntax element representing a number of the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS and picture order count (POC) least significant bit (LSB) information representing an LSB of a POC of each of the candidate LTRPs, wherein the first LTRP information includes used by current picture long term SPS flag information representing whether each of the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS is not used for a reference picture by the current picture, and wherein the second LTRP information includes LTRP index information representing an LTRP to be included in the LTRP set among the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS.
Claim 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: acquire first long term reference picture (LTRP) information in a sequence parameter set (SPS) from a bitstream; acquire second LTRP information in a slice header from the bitstream; configure a reference picture set based on the first LTRP information and the second LTRP information; and perform an inter prediction on a current block in the current picture by using an LTRP in the reference picture set,
wherein the LTRP is one of candidate LTRPs specified by the first LTRP information in the SPS, wherein the reference picture set comprises an LTRP set including at least one LTRP, wherein the first LTRP information in the SPS includes a long term reference pictures present flag, wherein based on a value of the long term reference pictures present flag being equal to 1, the first LTRP information in the SPS further includes an LTRP number syntax element specifying a number of the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS and an LTRP picture order count (POC) least significant bit (LSB) information specifying an LSB of a POC of each of the candidate LTRPs, the first LTRP information in the SPS further includes used by current picture long term SPS flag information specifying whether each of the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS is not used for a reference picture by the current picture, and wherein the second LTRP information in the slice header includes LTRP index information specifying an LTRP to be included in the LTRP set among the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS.
Claim 2
An encoding apparatus for an image encoding, the encoding apparatus comprising: a memory; and at least one processor connected to the memory, the at least one processor configured to: perform an inter prediction on a current block in a current picture based on a long term reference picture (LTRP) in a reference picture set; [See claim 1 of 248 regarding “perform an inter prediction] generate LTRP information used for configuring the reference picture set;
and encode image information including the LTRP information, wherein the LTRP information comprises a first LTRP information included in a sequence parameter set (SPS) of the image information and a second LTRP information included in a slice header of the image information; wherein the LTRP is one of candidate LTRPs specified by the first LTRP information, wherein the reference picture set comprises an LTRP set including at least one LTRP, wherein the first LTRP information includes a long term reference pictures present flag, wherein based on a value of the long term reference pictures present flag being equal to 1, the first LTRP information includes an LTRP number syntax element representing a number of the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS and picture order count (POC) least significant bit (LSB) information representing an LSB of a POC of each of the candidate LTRPs, wherein the first LTRP information includes used by current picture long term SPS flag information representing whether each of the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS is not used for a reference picture by the current picture, and wherein the second LTRP information includes LTRP index information representing an LTRP to be included in the LTRP set among the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS.
Claim 2
An encoding apparatus for an image encoding, the encoding apparatus comprising: a memory; and at least one processor connected to the memory, the at least one processor configured to: derive long term reference pictures (LTRPs) for a current picture; generate first LTRP information and second LTRP information used for configuring a reference picture set for the current picture; and encode the first LTRP information in a sequence parameter set (SPS) and the second LTRP information in a slice header, wherein the reference picture set comprises an LTRP set including at least one LTRP, wherein the first LTRP information in the SPS includes a long term reference pictures present flag, wherein based on a value of the long term reference pictures present flag being equal to 1, the first LTRP information in the SPS further includes an LTRP number syntax element specifying a number of the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS and an LTRP picture order count (POC) least significant bit (LSB) information specifying an LSB of a POC of each of the candidate LTRPs, the first LTRP information in the SPS further includes used by current picture long term SPS flag information specifying whether each of the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS is not used for a reference picture by the current picture, and wherein the second LTRP information in the slice header includes LTRP index information specifying an LTRP to be included in the LTRP set among the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS.
Claim 3
A non-transitory computer-readable digital storage medium storing a bitstream, wherein the bitstream is generated by the apparatus of claim 2
Claim 3
A non-transitory computer-readable digital storage medium storing a bitstream, wherein the bitstream is generated by the apparatus of claim 2.
Claim 4
An apparatus for transmitting data for an image, the apparatus comprising: at least one processor configured to obtain a bitstream for the image, wherein the bitstream is generated based performing an inter prediction on a current block in a current picture based on a long term reference picture (LTRP) in a reference picture set [See claim 1 of 248 regarding performing an inter prediction], generating LTRP information used for configuring the reference picture set, and encoding image information including the LTRP information; and a transmitter configured to transmit the data comprising the bitstream, wherein the LTRP information comprises a first LTRP information included in a sequence parameter set (SPS) of the image information and a second LTRP information included in a slice header of the image information; wherein the LTRP is one of candidate LTRPs specified by the first LTRP information, wherein the reference picture set comprises an LTRP set including at least one LTRP [See claim 1 of 248 for support], wherein the first LTRP information includes a long term reference pictures present flag, wherein based on a value of the long term reference pictures present flag being equal to 1, the first LTRP information includes an LTRP number syntax element representing a number of the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS and picture order count (POC) least significant bit (LSB) information representing an LSB of a POC of each of the candidate LTRPs, wherein the first LTRP information includes used by current picture long term SPS flag information representing whether each of the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS is not used for a reference picture by the current picture, and wherein the second LTRP information includes LTRP index information representing an LTRP to be included in the LTRP set among the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS.
Claim 4
An apparatus for transmitting data for an image, the apparatus comprising: at least one processor configured to obtain a bitstream for the image, wherein the bitstream is generated based on deriving long term reference pictures (LTRPs) for a current picture, generating first LTRP information and second LTRP information used for configuring a reference picture set for the current picture, and encoding the first LTRP information in a sequence parameter set (SPS) and the second LTRP information in a slice header; and a transmitter configured to transmit the data comprising the bitstream, wherein the reference picture set comprises an LTRP set including at least one LTRP, wherein the first LTRP information in the SPS includes a long term reference pictures present flag, wherein based on a value of the long term reference pictures present flag being equal to 1, the first LTRP information in the SPS further includes an LTRP number syntax element specifying a number of the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS and an LTRP picture order count (POC) least significant bit (LSB) information specifying an LSB of a POC of each of the candidate LTRPs, the first LTRP information in the SPS further includes used by current picture long term SPS flag information specifying whether each of the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS is not used for a reference picture by the current picture, and wherein the second LTRP information in the slice header includes LTRP index information specifying an LTRP to be included in the LTRP set among the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS.
Examiner’s note
5. After careful consideration of the instant claims, the examiner finds the closest prior art that was previously identified in the Parent Applications (i.e. Wang et al. US 2013/0077687 A1, Sullivan et al. US 2013/0114741 A1, and Deshpande US 2015/0304671 A1, hereinafter referred to as Wang, Sullivan, and Deshpande, respectively), do not reasonably teach and/or suggest, either alone or in combination, all of the disclosed features of the instant claims, given their broadest reasonable interpretation (BRI), before the effective filing date of the instant application. In particular they do not address “wherein the first LTRP information includes a long term reference pictures present flag, wherein based on a value of the long term reference pictures present flag being equal to 1, the first LTRP information includes an LTRP number syntax element representing a number of the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS and picture order count (POC) least significant bit (LSB) information representing an LSB of a POC of each of the candidate LTRPs, wherein the first LTRP information includes used by current picture long term SPS flag information representing whether each of the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS is not used for a reference picture by the current picture, and wherein the second LTRP information includes LTRP index information representing an LTRP to be included in the LTRP set among the candidate LTRPs specified in the SPS” as recited for e.g. in claim 1, when considering the claim as a whole. Although Deshpande discusses a long-term reference picture present flag (¶0398-¶0399) as well as a used_by_curr_pic_lt_sps_flag[i] (e.g. ¶0405, ¶0411) as claimed, Deshpande’s teachings do not precede the effective filing date of the instant application. Details can be found in the Notice of Allowance for parent application 14/351,620, now U.S. Patent No. 10,440,389 B2. Prior updated searches also yielded the work of Chen et al. US 2013/0077681 A1 and He et al. US 2013/0208792 A1 (see PTO 892), which relate to reference picture signaling and reference picture set signaling, respectively, however, both do not reasonably address the aforementioned features before the effective filing date of the instant application. For these reasons, no prior art rejections are made for the instant application.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Please see PTO 892 for other relevant art.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to RICHARD A HANSELL JR. whose telephone number is (571)270-0615. The examiner can normally be reached Mon - Fri 10 am- 7 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, Jamie Atala can be reached on 571-272-7384. 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.
/RICHARD A HANSELL JR./Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2486