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 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 06/11/26 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive. The applicant argues the cited prior art fails to teach "based on the top neighboring block of the current block being out of the current coding tree block row of the current block, the quantization parameter of the current block is derived based on a quantization parameter of a previous coded block of the current block." The cited prior art Lim discloses 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] Based on the broadest reasonable interpretation the previously encoded block is the residual block. The residual block is generated by the block being encoded and the previously encoded block. The quantizer derives quantization coefficients from quantizing the residual values. For the inter prediction mode the prediction information comes from the sample/pixel information from a previous or next picture of the current picture. For the intra prediction mode the sample/pixel information in the current picture. The cited prior art Lim further discloses inter and intra prediction mode usage. Lim discloses that the top block outside the coding tree block of the current block would determine an intra mode candidate. In intra prediction mode, as disclosed in the cited paragraphs 0089 and 0090, prediction is based on pixel information in the current picture generating a prediction block for the current block. Lim further discloses, in paragraph 0012, an intra prediction mode is determined when a upper block is outside the coding tree block to which the current block belongs. The cited prior fairly suggest and teaches the claim language as presented.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
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 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
Claim(s) 1-3 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Lim et al. US 2014/0226717 in view of Aono et al. US 2020/0177911.
As to claim 1, Lim teaches an image decoding method performed by a decoding apparatus, the method comprising: determining a first intra prediction mode candidate of a current block based on a left neighboring block of the current block; [abstract; figs. 1-4; ¶ 0089-0090; ¶ 0112-0113; ¶ 0121-0122] determining a second intra prediction mode candidate of the current block based on a top neighboring block of the current block; [abstract; ¶ 0089-0090; ¶ 0112-0113; ¶ 0121-0122] determining an intra prediction mode of the current block based on the first intra prediction mode candidate and the second intra prediction mode candidate; [¶ 0062-0064; ¶ 0077-0078; ¶ 0112-0113] deriving a prediction sample of the current block based on the intra prediction mode of the current block; [¶ 0063; ¶ 0078; ¶ 0089-0090] deriving a residual sample of the current block based on a quantization parameter of the current block; [¶ 0049-0051; ¶ 0056; ¶ 0062-0063; ¶ 0070-0072] and generating a reconstructed picture based on the prediction sample and the residual sample, [¶ 0056-0060; ¶ 0072-0074] wherein the second 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, [¶ 0089-0093; ¶ 0135-0149] wherein the current block belongs to the current coding tree block, [¶ 0080-0082]
Lim does not explicitly teach wherein based on the top neighboring block of the current block being out of the current coding tree block row of the current block, 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 based on the top neighboring block of the current block being out of a row boundary of a current slice or current tile, top reference samples of the current block are derived based on left neighboring samples of the current block.
Aono teaches wherein based on the top neighboring block of the current block being out of the current coding tree block row of the current block, the quantization parameter of the current block is derived based on a quantization parameter of a previous coded block of the current block, [¶ 0277-0278] and wherein based on the top neighboring block of the current block being out of a row boundary of a current slice or current tile, top reference samples of the current block are derived based on left neighboring samples of the current block. [¶ 0270; ¶ 0565]
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to incorporate the techniques of Aono with the teachings of Lim allowing for improved coding efficiency.
As to claim 2, Lim teaches an image encoding method performed by an encoding apparatus, the method comprising: determining a first intra prediction mode candidate of a current block based on a left neighboring block of the current block; [abstract; figs. 1-4; ¶ 0089-0090; ¶ 0112-0113; ¶ 0121-0122] determining a second intra prediction mode candidate of the current block based on a top neighboring block of the current block; [abstract; ¶ 0089-0090; ¶ 0112-0113; ¶ 0121-0122] determining an intra prediction mode of the current block based on the first intra prediction mode candidate and the second intra prediction mode candidate; [¶ 0062-0064; ¶ 0077-0078; ¶ 0112-0113] deriving a prediction sample of the current block based on the intra prediction mode of the current block; [¶ 0063; ¶ 0078; ¶ 0089-0090] deriving a residual sample of the current block based on the prediction sample; [figs. 1-2; ¶ 0047-0064] deriving a transform coefficient based on the residual sample and a quantization parameter of the current block; [figs. 1-2; ¶ 0047-0064] and encoding image information including residual information for the transform coefficient and intra prediction mode information of the current block, [figs. 1-2; ¶ 0047-0064] wherein the second 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, [¶ 0089-0093; ¶ 0135-0149] wherein the current block belongs to the current coding tree block, [¶ 0080-0082]
Lim does not explicitly teach wherein based on the top neighboring block of the current block being out of the current coding tree block row of the current block, 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 based on the top neighboring block of the current block being out of a row boundary of a current slice or current tile, top reference samples of the current block are derived based on left neighboring samples of the current block.
Aono teaches wherein based on the top neighboring block of the current block being out of the current coding tree block row of the current block, the quantization parameter of the current block is derived based on a quantization parameter of a previous coded block of the current block, [¶ 0277-0278] and wherein based on the top neighboring block of the current block being out of a row boundary of a current slice or current tile, top reference samples of the current block are derived based on left neighboring samples of the current block. [¶ 0270; ¶ 0565]
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to incorporate the techniques of Aono with the teachings of Lim allowing for improved coding efficiency.
As to claim 3, Lim teaches a transmission method for image data, the method comprising: obtaining a bitstream of encoded image information, wherein the encoded image information is generated based on determining a first intra prediction mode candidate of a current block based on a left neighboring block of the current block, [abstract; figs. 1-4; ¶ 0047-0064; ¶ 0089-0090; ¶ 0112-0113; ¶ 0121-0122] determining a second intra prediction mode candidate of the current block based on a top neighboring block of the current block, [abstract; ¶ 0089-0090; ¶ 0112-0113; ¶ 0121-0122] determining an intra prediction mode of the current block based on the first intra prediction mode candidate and the second intra prediction mode candidate, [¶ 0062-0064; ¶ 0077-0078; ¶ 0112-0113] deriving a prediction sample of the current block based on the intra prediction mode of the current block, [¶ 0063; ¶ 0078; ¶ 0089-0090] deriving a residual sample of the current block based on the prediction sample, [figs. 1-2; ¶ 0047-0064] deriving a transform coefficient based on the residual sample and a quantization parameter of the current block, [figs. 1-2; ¶ 0047-0064] and encoding the image information including intra prediction mode information of the current block; [figs. 1-2; ¶ 0047-0064] and transmitting the image data comprising the bitstream, [¶ 0053; ¶ 0083] wherein the second 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, [¶ 0089-0093; ¶ 0135-0149] wherein the current block belongs to the current coding tree block, [¶ 0080-0082]
Lim does not explicitly teach wherein based on the top neighboring block of the current block being out of the current coding tree block row of the current block, 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 based on the top neighboring block of the current block being out of a row boundary of a current slice or current tile, top reference samples of the current block are derived based on left neighboring samples of the current block.
Aono teaches wherein based on the top neighboring block of the current block being out of the current coding tree block row of the current block, the quantization parameter of the current block is derived based on a quantization parameter of a previous coded block of the current block, [¶ 0277-0278] and wherein based on the top neighboring block of the current block being out of a row boundary of a current slice or current tile, top reference samples of the current block are derived based on left neighboring samples of the current block. [¶ 0270; ¶ 0565]
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to incorporate the techniques of Aono with the teachings of Lim allowing for improved coding efficiency.
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.
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/ANNER HOLDER/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2483
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