Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 02, 2026
Application No. 19/023,065

IMAGE ENCODING/DECODING METHOD AND DEVICE, AND RECORDING MEDIUM IN WHICH BITSTREAM IS STORED

Final Rejection §102
Filed
Jan 15, 2025
Priority
Mar 21, 2018 — RE 10-2018-0032687 +4 more
Examiner
HOLDER, ANNER N
Art Unit
2483
Tech Center
2400 — Computer Networks
Assignee
LX Semicon Co., Ltd.
OA Round
2 (Final)
79%
Grant Probability
Favorable
3-4
OA Rounds
1y 5m
Est. Remaining
92%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 79% — above average
79%
Career Allowance Rate
601 granted / 761 resolved
+21.0% vs TC avg
Moderate +13% lift
Without
With
+13.4%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 1m
Avg Prosecution
15 currently pending
Career history
781
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
8.4%
-31.6% vs TC avg
§103
53.7%
+13.7% vs TC avg
§102
24.1%
-15.9% vs TC avg
§112
2.8%
-37.2% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 761 resolved cases

Office Action

§102
DETAILED ACTION Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . Information Disclosure Statement The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 07/09/26, 05/14/26, 03/10/26 and 02/19/26 are in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement is being considered by the examiner. Response to Arguments Applicant's arguments filed have been fully considered but they are not persuasive. The applicant argues the cited prior . Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102 In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status. The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action: A person shall be entitled to a patent unless – (a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention. Claim(s) 1-3 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Lim et al. US 2014/0226717. As to claim 1, Lim teaches an image decoding method performed by a decoding apparatus, the method comprising: obtaining image information including intra prediction mode information of a current block indicating an intra prediction mode of the current block; [fig. 2; fig. 4; fig. 7; ¶ 0049; ¶ 0063-0064; ¶ 0078; ¶ 0089-0093; ¶ 0106-0110] determining an intra prediction mode candidate of the current block based on a top neighboring block of the current block; [¶ 0012; ¶ 0089-0093; ¶ 0112-0122] determining an intra prediction mode of the current block based on the intra prediction mode candidate and the intra prediction mode information; [¶ 0063-0064; ¶ 0089-0093; ¶ 0106-0110] and deriving a prediction sample of the current block based on the intra prediction mode of the current block; [¶ 0078; ¶ 0089-0093] deriving a residual sample of the current block based on a quantization parameter of the current block; [fig. 1; fig. 3; ¶ 0047-0053; ¶ 0065-0078] and generating a reconstructed picture based on the prediction sample and the residual sample, [fig. 1; fig. 3; ¶ 0056-0059; ¶ 0068-0074; ¶ 0089] wherein the intra prediction mode candidate of the current block is determined based on whether the top neighboring block of the current block is out of a row boundary of a current coding tree block, [¶ 0012; ¶ 0089-0093; ¶ 0135-0149] wherein based on the top neighboring block of the current block being out of the current coding tree block row of the current block, [¶ 0012; ¶ 0089-0093; ¶ 0135-0149] the quantization parameter of the current block is derived based on a quantization parameter of a previous coded block of the current block, and wherein the current block belongs to the current coding tree block. [fig. 1; fig. 3; ¶ 0048-0052; ¶ 0070-0071; ¶ 0081-0084] As to claim 2, Lim teaches an image encoding method performed by an encoding apparatus, the method comprising: determining an intra prediction mode candidate of a current block based on a top neighboring block of the current block; [fig. 2; fig. 4; fig. 7; ¶ 0049; ¶ 0063-0064; ¶ 0078; ¶ 0089-0093; ¶ 0106-0110] determining an intra prediction mode of the current block based on the intra prediction mode candidate; [¶ 0063-0064; ¶ 0089-0093; ¶ 0106-0110] deriving a prediction sample of the current block based on the intra prediction mode of the current block; [¶ 0078; ¶ 0089-0093] deriving a residual sample of the current block based on the prediction sample; [fig. 1; fig. 3; ¶ 0056-0059; ¶ 0068-0074; ¶ 0089] deriving a transform coefficient based on the residual sample and a quantization parameter of the current block; [fig. 1; fig. 3; ¶ 0047-0056] and encoding image information including residual information for the transform coefficient and intra prediction mode information of the current block indicating the intra prediction mode of the current block, [fig. 1; fig. 3; ¶ 0047-0059; ¶ 0068-0074; ¶ 0089] wherein the intra prediction mode candidate of the current block is determined based on whether the top neighboring block of the current block is out of a row boundary of a current coding tree block, [¶ 0012; ¶ 0089-0093; ¶ 0135-0149] wherein based on the top neighboring block of the current block being out of the current coding tree block row of the current block, [¶ 0012; ¶ 0089-0093; ¶ 0135-0149] the quantization parameter of the current block is derived based on a quantization parameter of a previous coded block of the current block, [¶ 0012; ¶ 0089-0093; ¶ 0135-0149] an wherein the current block belongs to the current coding tree block. [fig. 1; fig. 3; ¶ 0048-0052; ¶ 0070-0071; ¶ 0081-0084] As to claim 3, Lim teaches a transmission method for image data, the method comprising: obtaining a bitstream of encoded image information, [fig. 1; ¶ 0047-0054] wherein the encoded image information is generated based on determining an intra prediction mode candidate of a current block based on a top neighboring block of the current block, [fig. 2; fig. 4; fig. 7; ¶ 0049; ¶ 0063-0064; ¶ 0078; ¶ 0089-0093; ¶ 0106-0110] determining an intra prediction mode of the current block based on the intra prediction mode candidate, [¶ 0063-0064; ¶ 0089-0093; ¶ 0106-0110] deriving a prediction sample of the current block based on the intra prediction mode of the current block, [¶ 0078; ¶ 0089-0093] deriving a residual sample of the current block based on the prediction sample, [fig. 1; fig. 3; ¶ 0056-0059; ¶ 0068-0074; ¶ 0089] deriving a transform coefficient based on the residual sample and a quantization parameter of the current block, [fig. 1; fig. 3; ¶ 0047-0056] and encoding the image information including residual information for the transform coefficient and intra prediction mode information of the current block indicating the intra prediction mode of the current block; [fig. 1; fig. 3; ¶ 0047-0059; ¶ 0068-0074; ¶ 0089] and transmitting the image data comprising the bitstream, [¶ 0052-0053] wherein the intra prediction mode candidate of the current block is determined based on whether the top neighboring block of the current block is out of a row boundary of a current coding tree block, [¶ 0012; ¶ 0089-0093; ¶ 0135-0149] wherein based on the top neighboring block of the current block being out of the current coding tree block row of the current block, [¶ 0012; ¶ 0089-0093; ¶ 0135-0149] the quantization parameter of the current block is derived based on a quantization parameter of a previous coded block of the current block, [¶ 0012; ¶ 0089-0093; ¶ 0135-0149] and wherein the current block belongs to the current coding tree block. [fig. 1; fig. 3; ¶ 0048-0052; ¶ 0070-0071; ¶ 0081-0084] Conclusion THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. 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 nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) 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 mailing date of this final action. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ANNER HOLDER whose telephone number is (571)270-1549. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 7:30-4. 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, Joseph Ustaris can be reached at 571.272.7383. 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. /ANNER HOLDER/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2483
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Jan 15, 2025
Application Filed
Feb 20, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §102
May 20, 2026
Response Filed
Aug 10, 2026
Final Rejection mailed — §102 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

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IMAGE ENCODING/DECODING METHOD AND DEVICE, AND RECORDING MEDIUM IN WHICH BITSTREAM IS STORED
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IMAGE ENCODING/DECODING METHOD AND DEVICE, AND RECORDING MEDIUM IN WHICH BITSTREAM IS STORED
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Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

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Prosecution Projections

3-4
Expected OA Rounds
79%
Grant Probability
92%
With Interview (+13.4%)
3y 1m (~1y 5m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Moderate
PTA Risk
Based on 761 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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