DETAILED ACTION
This action is in response to the initial filing of application no. 19/023,373 on 06/17/2025.
Claims 1- 7 are still pending in this application, with claims 1 and 7 being independent.
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 .
Allowable Subject Matter
Aside from the non-prior art rejections and after search and consideration, it has been determined that the prior art fails to teach or suggest in reasonable combination the limitations recited by the independent claims 1 and 7.
The independent claims recite the following:
receiving at least a first quantized parameter; dequantizing the quantized first parameter according based on a first scalar quantization scheme having non-uniform step-sizes to obtain a dequantized first parameter; determining a scaling factor based on a scaling function which maps at least a value of the dequantized first parameter based on scaling factors which increase with the step- sizes corresponding to the values of the dequantized first parameter; and dequantizing a second quantized parameter based on the scaling factor and a second scalar quantization scheme having non-uniform step-sizes to obtain a dequantized second parameter.
In particular, the prior art fails to teach or suggest the following limitation: determining a scaling factor based on a scaling function which maps at least a value of the dequantized first parameter based on scaling factors which increase with the step- sizes corresponding to the values of the dequantized first parameter; and dequantizing a second quantized parameter based on the scaling factor. For example, Samarardizija et al. (US 2012/0207206) discloses a system and method for signal compression and decompression (Abstract), wherein a quantized parameter is dequantized based on a scaling factor ([0051]) which is adaptively determined before the parameter is quantized at a transmission end ([0011] [0015] [0041 – 0044]). The scaling factor is transmitted to receiving end where the dequantization occurs ([0044]). However, the independent claims 1 and 7 recite that the scaling factor is determined after dequantizing a parameter in a receiving end (decoder). Furthermore, independent claims 1 and 7 recite that the scaling factor is determined based on a scaling function which maps at least a value of the dequantized parameter based on scaling factors which increase with the step- sizes corresponding to the values of the a parameter.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
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.
Claims 4 – 6 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 applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
Claim 4 recites, “wherein the non-uniform step-sizes of the second scalar quantization scheme: are scaled by the scaling factor prior to dequantization of the second quantized parameter; and/or increases with the value of the second quantized parameter.” The use of “and/or” renders the claim indefinite. If claim 4 is directed to both the scaling and value increase, the claim should be amended to recite “and”. If claim 4 is directed to either scaling or value increase, the claim should be amended to recite “or”.
Claim 5 recites, “wherein the first scalar quantization scheme: comprises more quantization steps than the second scalar quantization scheme; and/or is constructed by offsetting, mirroring, and concatenating the second scalar quantization scheme.” ” The use of “and/or” renders the claim indefinite. If claim 5 is directed to both the quantization steps and offsetting, mirroring and construction, the claim should be amended to recite “and”. If claim 5 is directed to either the quantization steps or offsetting, mirroring and construction, the claim should be amended to recite “or”.
Claim 6 recites, “wherein the largest step-size of the first and/or second scalar quantization scheme is approximately four times larger than the smallest step-size of the first and/or second scalar quantization scheme.” The use of “and/or” renders the claim indefinite. If claim 6 is directed to both the first and second scalar quantization schemes, the claim should be amended to recite “and”. If claim 6 is directed to either the first of second scalar quantization scheme, the claim should be amended to recite “or”.
Double Patenting
The nonstatutory double patenting rejection is based on a judicially created doctrine grounded in public policy (a policy reflected in the statute) so as to prevent the unjustified or improper timewise extension of the “right to exclude” granted by a patent and to prevent possible harassment by multiple assignees. A nonstatutory double patenting rejection is appropriate where the conflicting claims are not identical, but at least one examined application claim is not patentably distinct from the reference claim(s) because the examined application claim is either anticipated by, or would have been obvious over, the reference claim(s). See, e.g., In re Berg, 140 F.3d 1428, 46 USPQ2d 1226 (Fed. Cir. 1998); In re Goodman, 11 F.3d 1046, 29 USPQ2d 2010 (Fed. Cir. 1993); In re Longi, 759 F.2d 887, 225 USPQ 645 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re Van Ornum, 686 F.2d 937, 214 USPQ 761 (CCPA 1982); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); In re Thorington, 418 F.2d 528, 163 USPQ 644 (CCPA 1969).
A timely filed terminal disclaimer in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(c) or 1.321(d) may be used to overcome an actual or provisional rejection based on nonstatutory double patenting provided the reference application or patent either is shown to be commonly owned with the examined application, or claims an invention made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement. See MPEP § 717.02 for applications subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA as explained in MPEP § 2159. See MPEP § 2146 et seq. for applications not subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . A terminal disclaimer must be signed in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(b).
The filing of a terminal disclaimer by itself is not a complete reply to a nonstatutory double patenting (NSDP) rejection. A complete reply requires that the terminal disclaimer be accompanied by a reply requesting reconsideration of the prior Office action. Even where the NSDP rejection is provisional the reply must be complete. See MPEP § 804, subsection I.B.1. For a reply to a non-final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.111(a). For a reply to final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.113(c). A request for reconsideration while not provided for in 37 CFR 1.113(c) may be filed after final for consideration. See MPEP §§ 706.07(e) and 714.13.
The USPTO Internet website contains terminal disclaimer forms which may be used. Please visit www.uspto.gov/patent/patents-forms. The actual filing date of the application in which the form is filed determines what form (e.g., PTO/SB/25, PTO/SB/26, PTO/AIA /25, or PTO/AIA /26) should be used. A web-based eTerminal Disclaimer may be filled out completely online using web-screens. An eTerminal Disclaimer that meets all requirements is auto-processed and approved immediately upon submission. For more information about eTerminal Disclaimers, refer to www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/applying-online/eterminal-disclaimer.
The claim mapping for the current application and US 9,672,837 is as follows.
Current Application
1. (Currently Amended) A method in an audio decoder for dequantization of quantized parameters relating to parametric spatial coding of audio signals, comprising: receiving at least a first quantized parameter; dequantizing the quantized first parameter based on a first scalar quantization scheme having non-uniform step-sizes to obtain a dequantized first parameter, wherein the non- uniform step-sizes are selected; determining a scaling factor based on a scaling function which maps at least a value of the dequantized first parameter based on scaling factors which increase with the step- sizes corresponding to the values of the dequantized first parameter; and dequantizing at second quantized parameter based on the scaling factor and a second scalar quantization scheme having non-uniform step-sizes to obtain a dequantized second parameter.
2. (New) The method of claim 1, wherein the scaling function is a piecewise linear function.
3. (New) The method of claim 1, wherein the step of dequantizing the second parameter based on the scaling factor and the second scalar quantization scheme comprises dequantizing the second quantized parameter in accordance with the second scalar quantization scheme and
multiplying the result thereof by the scaling factor.
4. (New) The method of claim 1, wherein the non-uniform step-sizes of the second scalar quantization scheme: are scaled by the scaling factor prior to dequantization of the second quantized parameter; and/or increases with the value of the second quantized parameter.
5. (New) The method of claim 1, wherein the first scalar quantization scheme: comprises more quantization steps than the second scalar quantization scheme; and/or is constructed by offsetting, mirroring, and concatenating the second scalar quantization scheme.
6. (New) The method of claim 1, wherein the largest step-size of the first and/or second scalar quantization scheme is approximately four times larger than the smallest step-size of the first and/or second scalar quantization scheme.
7. (New) An audio decoder for dequantization of quantized parameters relating to parametric spatial coding of audio signals, comprising: a receiving component configured to receive at least a first quantized parameter; a first dequantizing component configured to dequantize the quantized first parameter based on a first scalar quantization scheme having non-uniform step-sizes to obtain a dequantized first parameter; a scaling factor determining component configured to receive the dequantized first parameter from the first dequantizing component, and to determine a scaling factor based on a scaling function which maps at least a value of the dequantized first parameter based on scaling factors which increase with the step-sizes corresponding to the values of the dequantized first parameter; and a second dequantizing component configured to dequantize a second quantized parameter based on the scaling factor and a second scalar quantization scheme having non-uniform step- sizes to obtain a dequantized second parameter.
US 9,672,837
11. A method in an audio decoder for dequantization of quantized parameters relating to parametric spatial coding of audio signals, comprising: receiving at least a first quantized parameter and a second quantized parameter; dequantizing the quantized first parameter according to a first scalar quantization scheme having non-uniform step-sizes to obtain a dequantized first parameter, wherein the non-uniform step-sizes are selected such that smaller step-sizes are used for ranges of the first parameter where the human sound perception is most sensitive, and larger step-sizes are used for ranges of the first parameter where the human sound perception is less sensitive; accessing a scaling function which maps values of the dequantized first parameter on scaling factors which increase with the step-sizes corresponding to the values of the dequantized first parameter, and determining a scaling factor by subjecting the dequantized first parameter to the scaling function; and dequantizing the second quantized parameter based on the scaling function and a second scalar quantization scheme having non-uniform step-sizes to obtain a dequantized second parameter.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the scaling function is a piecewise linear function.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of dequantizing the second parameter based on the scaling factor and the second scalar quantization scheme comprises dequantizing the second quantized parameter in accordance with the second scalar quantization scheme and multiplying the result thereof by the scaling factor.
14. The method of claim 11, wherein the non-uniform step-sizes of the second scalar quantization scheme are scaled by the scaling factor prior to dequantization of the second quantized parameter.
15. The method of claim 11, wherein the non-uniform step-size of the second scalar quantization scheme increases with a value of the second parameter.
16. The method of claim 11, wherein the first scalar quantization scheme comprises more quantization steps than the second scalar quantization scheme.
17. The method of claim 11, wherein the first scalar quantization scheme is constructed by offsetting, mirroring, and concatenating the second scalar quantization scheme.
18. The method of claim 11, wherein the largest step-size of the first and/or second scalar quantization scheme is approximately four times larger than the smallest step-size of the first and/or second scalar quantization scheme.
20. An audio decoder that dequantizes quantized parameters relating to parametric spatial coding of audio signals, comprising: a receiver that receives at least a first quantized parameter and a second quantized parameter; a first dequantizer arranged downstreams of the receiver and that dequantizes the quantized first parameter according to a first scalar quantization scheme having non-uniform step-sizes to obtain a dequantized first parameter, wherein the non-uniform step-sizes are selected such that smaller step-sizes are used for ranges of the first parameter where the human sound perception is most sensitive, and larger step-sizes are used for ranges of the first parameter where the human sound perception is less sensitive; a scaling factor determiner that receives the dequantized first parameter from the first dequantizer, accesses a scaling function which maps values of the dequantized first parameter on scaling factors which increase with the step-sizes corresponding to the values of the dequantized first parameter, and determines a scaling factor by subjecting the dequantized first parameter to the scaling function; and a second dequantizer that receives the scaling factor and the second quantized parameter, and that dequantizes the second quantized parameter based on the scaling factor and a second scalar quantization scheme having non-uniform step-sizes to obtain a dequantized second parameter.
Claims 1 - 3, 6 and 7 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 11 – 13, 18 and 20 of U.S. Patent No. 9,672,837. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other.
As shown above, claims 1 – 3, 6 and 7 of the current application are anticipated by claims 11 – 13, 18 and 20 of US 9,672,837, respectively. Thus, claims 1 – 3, 6 and 7 of the current application are obvious variants of claims 11 -13, 18 and 20 of US 9,672,837.
The claim mapping for the current application and US 10,057,808 is as follows.
Current Application
1. (Currently Amended) A method in an audio decoder for dequantization of quantized parameters relating to parametric spatial coding of audio signals, comprising: receiving at least a first quantized parameter; dequantizing the quantized first parameter based on a first scalar quantization scheme having non-uniform step-sizes to obtain a dequantized first parameter, wherein the non- uniform step-sizes are selected; determining a scaling factor based on a scaling function which maps at least a value of the dequantized first parameter based on scaling factors which increase with the step- sizes corresponding to the values of the dequantized first parameter; and dequantizing at second quantized parameter based on the scaling factor and a second scalar quantization scheme having non-uniform step-sizes to obtain a dequantized second parameter.
2. (New) The method of claim 1, wherein the scaling function is a piecewise linear function.
3. (New) The method of claim 1, wherein the step of dequantizing the second parameter based on the scaling factor and the second scalar quantization scheme comprises dequantizing the second quantized parameter in accordance with the second scalar quantization scheme and
multiplying the result thereof by the scaling factor.
4. (New) The method of claim 1, wherein the non-uniform step-sizes of the second scalar quantization scheme: are scaled by the scaling factor prior to dequantization of the second quantized parameter; and/or increases with the value of the second quantized parameter.
5. (New) The method of claim 1, wherein the first scalar quantization scheme: comprises more quantization steps than the second scalar quantization scheme; and/or is constructed by offsetting, mirroring, and concatenating the second scalar quantization scheme.
6. (New) The method of claim 1, wherein the largest step-size of the first and/or second scalar quantization scheme is approximately four times larger than the smallest step-size of the first and/or second scalar quantization scheme.
7. (New) An audio decoder for dequantization of quantized parameters relating to parametric spatial coding of audio signals, comprising: a receiving component configured to receive at least a first quantized parameter; a first dequantizing component configured to dequantize the quantized first parameter based on a first scalar quantization scheme having non-uniform step-sizes to obtain a dequantized first parameter; a scaling factor determining component configured to receive the dequantized first parameter from the first dequantizing component, and to determine a scaling factor based on a scaling function which maps at least a value of the dequantized first parameter based on scaling factors which increase with the step-sizes corresponding to the values of the dequantized first parameter; and a second dequantizing component configured to dequantize a second quantized parameter based on the scaling factor and a second scalar quantization scheme having non-uniform step- sizes to obtain a dequantized second parameter.
US 10,057,808
10. A method in an audio decoder for dequantization of quantized parameters relating to parametric spatial coding of audio signals, comprising: receiving at least a first quantized parameter and a second quantized parameter; dequantizing the quantized first parameter according to a first scalar quantization scheme having first non-uniform step-sizes to obtain a dequantized first parameter, wherein the first non-uniform step-sizes are selected such that smaller step-sizes are used for ranges of the first parameter where the human sound perception is most sensitive, and larger step-sizes are used for ranges of the first parameter where the human sound perception is less sensitive; determining a scaling factor based on the dequantized first parameter; and dequantizing the second quantized parameter based on the scaling factor and a second scalar quantization scheme having second non-uniform step-sizes to obtain a dequantized second parameter.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of dequantizing the second parameter based on the scaling factor and the second scalar quantization scheme comprises dequantizing the second quantized parameter in accordance with the second scalar quantization scheme and multiplying the result thereof by the scaling factor.
12. The method of claim 10, wherein the second non-uniform step-sizes of the second scalar quantization scheme are scaled by the scaling factor prior to dequantization of the second quantized parameter.
13. The method of claim 10, wherein the second non-uniform step-size of the second scalar quantization scheme increases with a value of the second parameter.
14. The method of claim 10, wherein the first scalar quantization scheme comprises more quantization steps than the second scalar quantization scheme.
15. The method of claim 10, wherein the first scalar quantization scheme is constructed by offsetting, mirroring, and concatenating the second scalar quantization scheme.
16. The method of claim 10, wherein the largest step-size of the first and/or second scalar quantization scheme is approximately four times larger than the smallest step-size of the first and/or second scalar quantization scheme.
Claims 1, 3 and 6 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 10, 11 and 16 of U.S. Patent No.10,057,808 in view of Samarardizija et al. (US 2012/0207206) (“Samarardizija”). Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other.
As shown above, claims 10, 11 and 16 of US 10,057,808 recite the limitations of claims 1, 3 and 6 of the current application, respectively, except for the following: determining a scaling factor based on a scaling function which maps at least a value of the dequantized first parameter based on scaling factors which increase with the step- sizes corresponding to the values of the dequantized first parameter.
However, Samarardizija et al. (US 2012/0207206) (“Samarardizija”) discloses a system and method for signal compression and decompression (Abstract), wherein a quantized parameter is dequantized based on a scaling factor ([0051]). Furthermore, a scaling factor is adaptively determined based on a function applied to a sample ([0011] [0070] [0071]).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of applicant’s filing to improve the invention disclosed by the limitations of claims 10, 11 and 16 of US 10,057,808 in the same way that Samarardizija’s invention has been improve to achieve the predictable results of further applying a scaling function to the dequantized parameter (sample) to adaptively determine a scaling factor (e.g. mapping at least a value of the dequantized first parameter based on scaling factors which increase with the step- sizes corresponding to the values of the dequantized first parameter) for the purpose of decoding audio which has been encoded to reduce resource costs.
Thus, claims 1, 3 and 6 of the current application are obvious variants of claims 10, 11 and 16 of US 10,057,808, respectively.
Claim 7 is rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claim 10 of U.S. Patent No.10,057,808 in view of Samarardizija et al. (US 2012/0207206) (“Samarardizija”). Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other.
As shown above, claim 10 of US 10,057,808 recites the limitations of claim 7 of the current application, except for the following: determining a scaling factor based on a scaling function which maps at least a value of the dequantized first parameter based on scaling factors which increase with the step- sizes corresponding to the values of the dequantized first parameter.
However, Samarardizija et al. (US 2012/0207206) (“Samarardizija”) discloses a system and method for signal compression and decompression (Abstract), wherein a quantized parameter is dequantized based on a scaling factor ([0051]). Furthermore, a scaling factor is adaptively determined based on a function applied to a sample ([0011] [0070] [0071]).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of applicant’s filing to improve the invention disclosed by the limitations of claims 10 of US 10,057,808 in the same way that Samarardizija’s invention has been improve to achieve the predictable results of further applying a scaling function to the dequantized parameter (sample) to adaptively determine a scaling factor (e.g. mapping at least a value of the dequantized first parameter based on scaling factors which increase with the step- sizes corresponding to the values of the dequantized first parameter) for the purpose of decoding audio which has been encoded to reduce resource costs.
Moreover, a device to perform a method is considered an obvious variant of the method. Thus, claim 7 of the current application is an obvious variant of claim 10 of US 10,057,808.
The claim mapping for the current application and US 10,383,003 is as follows.
Current Application
1. (Currently Amended) A method in an audio decoder for dequantization of quantized parameters relating to parametric spatial coding of audio signals, comprising: receiving at least a first quantized parameter; dequantizing the quantized first parameter based on a first scalar quantization scheme having non-uniform step-sizes to obtain a dequantized first parameter, wherein the non- uniform step-sizes are selected; determining a scaling factor based on a scaling function which maps at least a value of the dequantized first parameter based on scaling factors which increase with the step- sizes corresponding to the values of the dequantized first parameter; and dequantizing at second quantized parameter based on the scaling factor and a second scalar quantization scheme having non-uniform step-sizes to obtain a dequantized second parameter.
2. (New) The method of claim 1, wherein the scaling function is a piecewise linear function.
3. (New) The method of claim 1, wherein the step of dequantizing the second parameter based on the scaling factor and the second scalar quantization scheme comprises dequantizing the second quantized parameter in accordance with the second scalar quantization scheme and
multiplying the result thereof by the scaling factor.
4. (New) The method of claim 1, wherein the non-uniform step-sizes of the second scalar quantization scheme: are scaled by the scaling factor prior to dequantization of the second quantized parameter; and/or increases with the value of the second quantized parameter.
5. (New) The method of claim 1, wherein the first scalar quantization scheme: comprises more quantization steps than the second scalar quantization scheme; and/or is constructed by offsetting, mirroring, and concatenating the second scalar quantization scheme.
6. (New) The method of claim 1, wherein the largest step-size of the first and/or second scalar quantization scheme is approximately four times larger than the smallest step-size of the first and/or second scalar quantization scheme.
7. (New) An audio decoder for dequantization of quantized parameters relating to parametric spatial coding of audio signals, comprising: a receiving component configured to receive at least a first quantized parameter; a first dequantizing component configured to dequantize the quantized first parameter based on a first scalar quantization scheme having non-uniform step-sizes to obtain a dequantized first parameter; a scaling factor determining component configured to receive the dequantized first parameter from the first dequantizing component, and to determine a scaling factor based on a scaling function which maps at least a value of the dequantized first parameter based on scaling factors which increase with the step-sizes corresponding to the values of the dequantized first parameter; and a second dequantizing component configured to dequantize a second quantized parameter based on the scaling factor and a second scalar quantization scheme having non-uniform step- sizes to obtain a dequantized second parameter.
US 10,383,003
1. A method in an audio decoder for dequantization of quantized parameters relating to decoding of audio signals, comprising: receiving at least a first quantized parameter and a second quantized parameter; dequantizing the quantized first parameter according to a first scalar quantization scheme having first non-uniform step-sizes to obtain a dequantized first parameter, wherein the first non-uniform step-sizes are selected such that smaller step-sizes are used for ranges of the first parameter where the human sound perception is most sensitive, and larger step-sizes are used for ranges of the first parameter where the human sound perception is less sensitive; determining a scaling factor based on the dequantized first parameter; and dequantizing the second quantized parameter based on a second scalar quantization scheme having second non-uniform step-sizes to obtain a dequantized second parameter.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the second non-uniform step-sizes of the second scalar quantization scheme are scaled by the scaling factor prior to dequantization of the second quantized parameter.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the second non-uniform step-size of the second scalar quantization scheme increases with a value of the second parameter.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first scalar quantization scheme is constructed by offsetting, mirroring, and concatenating the second scalar quantization scheme.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the largest step-size of the first and/or second scalar quantization scheme is approximately four times larger than the smallest step-size of the first and/or second scalar quantization scheme.
6. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising computer code instructions adapted to carry out the method of claim 1 when executed by a device having processing capability.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first non-uniform step-sizes or the second non-uniform step-sizes range from 0.0594 to 0.1906.
8. An apparatus for dequantization of quantized parameters relating to decoding of audio signals, comprising: a receiver for receiving at least a first quantized parameter and a second quantized parameter; a processor configured to dequantize the quantized first parameter according to a first scalar quantization scheme having first non-uniform step-sizes to obtain a dequantized first parameter, wherein the first non-uniform step-sizes are selected such that smaller step-sizes are used for ranges of the first parameter where the human sound perception is most sensitive, and larger step-sizes are used for ranges of the first parameter where the human sound perception is less sensitive, wherein the processor is configured to determine a scaling factor based on the dequantized first parameter, and wherein the processor is further configured to dequantize the second quantized parameter based on a second scalar quantization scheme having second non-uniform step-sizes to obtain a dequantized second parameter.
Claims 1, 6 and 7 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1, 5 and 8 of U.S. Patent No.10,383,033 in view of Samarardizija et al. (US 2012/0207206) (“Samarardizija”). Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other.
As shown above, claims 1, 5 and 8 of US 10,383,003 recite the limitations of claims 1, 6 and 7 of the current application, respectively, except for the following: except for the following: determining a scaling factor based on a scaling function which maps at least a value of the dequantized first parameter based on scaling factors which increase with the step- sizes corresponding to the values of the dequantized first parameter; and dequantizing the second quantized parameter based on the scaling factor.
However, Samarardizija et al. (US 2012/0207206) (“Samarardizija”) discloses a system and method for signal compression and decompression (Abstract), wherein a quantized parameter is dequantized based on a scaling factor ([0051]). Furthermore, a scaling factor is adaptively determined based on a function applied to a sample ([0011] [0070] [0071]).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of applicant’s filing to improve the invention disclosed by the limitations of claims claims 1, 6 and 8 of US 10,383,003 in the same way that Samarardizija’s invention has been improved to achieve the predictable results of further applying a scaling function to the dequantized parameter (sample) to adaptively determine a scaling factor (e.g. mapping at least a value of the dequantized first parameter based on scaling factors which increase with the step- sizes corresponding to the values of the dequantized first parameter) for the purpose of decoding audio which has been encoded to reduce resource costs. Furthermore, a scaling factor is further applied to the second quantized parameter to dequantize the parameter.
Thus, claims 1, 6 and 7 of the current application are obvious variants of claims 1, 5 and 8 of US 10,383,003.
The claim mapping for the current application and US 10,694,424 is as follows.
Current Application
1. (Currently Amended) A method in an audio decoder for dequantization of quantized parameters relating to parametric spatial coding of audio signals, comprising: receiving at least a first quantized parameter; dequantizing the quantized first parameter based on a first scalar quantization scheme having non-uniform step-sizes to obtain a dequantized first parameter, wherein the non- uniform step-sizes are selected; determining a scaling factor based on a scaling function which maps at least a value of the dequantized first parameter based on scaling factors which increase with the step- sizes corresponding to the values of the dequantized first parameter; and dequantizing at second quantized parameter based on the scaling factor and a second scalar quantization scheme having non-uniform step-sizes to obtain a dequantized second parameter.
2. (New) The method of claim 1, wherein the scaling function is a piecewise linear function.
3. (New) The method of claim 1, wherein the step of dequantizing the second parameter based on the scaling factor and the second scalar quantization scheme comprises dequantizing the second quantized parameter in accordance with the second scalar quantization scheme and
multiplying the result thereof by the scaling factor.
4. (New) The method of claim 1, wherein the non-uniform step-sizes of the second scalar quantization scheme: are scaled by the scaling factor prior to dequantization of the second quantized parameter; and/or increases with the value of the second quantized parameter.
5. (New) The method of claim 1, wherein the first scalar quantization scheme: comprises more quantization steps than the second scalar quantization scheme; and/or is constructed by offsetting, mirroring, and concatenating the second scalar quantization scheme.
6. (New) The method of claim 1, wherein the largest step-size of the first and/or second scalar quantization scheme is approximately four times larger than the smallest step-size of the first and/or second scalar quantization scheme.
7. (New) An audio decoder for dequantization of quantized parameters relating to parametric spatial coding of audio signals, comprising: a receiving component configured to receive at least a first quantized parameter; a first dequantizing component configured to dequantize the quantized first parameter based on a first scalar quantization scheme having non-uniform step-sizes to obtain a dequantized first parameter; a scaling factor determining component configured to receive the dequantized first parameter from the first dequantizing component, and to determine a scaling factor based on a scaling function which maps at least a value of the dequantized first parameter based on scaling factors which increase with the step-sizes corresponding to the values of the dequantized first parameter; and a second dequantizing component configured to dequantize a second quantized parameter based on the scaling factor and a second scalar quantization scheme having non-uniform step- sizes to obtain a dequantized second parameter.
US 10,694,424
1. A method in an audio decoder for dequantization of quantized parameters relating to decoding of audio signals, comprising: receiving at least a quantized first parameter and a quantized second parameter; dequantizing the quantized first parameter according to a first scalar quantization scheme having first non-uniform step-sizes to obtain a dequantized first parameter, wherein the first non-uniform step-sizes are selected such that smaller step-sizes are used for ranges of the first parameter where human sound perception is most sensitive, and larger step-sizes are used for ranges of the first parameter where human sound perception is less sensitive; determining a scaling factor based on the dequantized first parameter; and dequantizing the quantized second parameter based on a second quantization scheme having second non-uniform step-sizes to obtain a dequantized second parameter.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the second quantization scheme is one of a scalar quantization scheme or a vector quantization scheme.
3. An apparatus for dequantization of quantized parameters relating to decoding of audio signals, comprising: a receiver for receiving at least a quantized first parameter and a quantized second parameter; and a processor configured to dequantize the quantized first parameter according to a first scalar quantization scheme having first non-uniform step-sizes to obtain a dequantized first parameter, wherein the first non-uniform step-sizes are selected such that smaller step-sizes are used for ranges of the first parameter where human sound perception is most sensitive, and larger step-sizes are used for ranges of the first parameter where human sound perception is less sensitive, wherein the processor is configured to determine a scaling factor based on the dequantized first parameter, and wherein the processor is further configured to dequantize the quantized second parameter based on a second quantization scheme having second non-uniform step-sizes to obtain a dequantized second parameter.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the second quantization scheme is one of a scalar quantization scheme or a vector quantization scheme.
Claims 1 and 7 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1 and 3 of U.S. Patent No.10,694,424 in view of Samarardizija et al. (US 2012/0207206) (“Samarardizija”). Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other.
As shown above, claims 1 and 3 of US 10,694,424 recite the limitations of claims 1 and 7 of the current application of the current application, respectively, except for the following: determining a scaling factor based on a scaling function which maps at least a value of the dequantized first parameter based on scaling factors which increase with the step- sizes corresponding to the values of the dequantized first parameter; and dequantizing the second quantized parameter based on the scaling factor.
However, Samarardizija et al. (US 2012/0207206) (“Samarardizija”) discloses a system and method for signal compression and decompression (Abstract), wherein a quantized parameter is dequantized based on a scaling factor ([0051]). Furthermore, a scaling factor is adaptively determined based on a function applied to a sample ([0011] [0070] [0071]).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of applicant’s filing to improve the invention disclosed by the limitations of claims claims 1 and 3 of US 10,694,424 in the same way that Samarardizija’s invention has been improved to achieve the predictable results of further applying a scaling function to the dequantized parameter (sample) to adaptively determine a scaling factor (e.g. mapping at least a value of the dequantized first parameter based on scaling factors which increase with the step- sizes corresponding to the values of the dequantized first parameter) for the purpose of decoding audio which has been encoded to reduce resource costs. Furthermore, a scaling factor is further applied to the second quantized parameter to dequantize the parameter.
Thus, claims 1 and 7 of the current application are obvious variants of claims 1 and 3 of US 10,694,424.
The claim mapping for the current application and US 12,213,004 is as follows.
Current Application
1. (Currently Amended) A method in an audio decoder for dequantization of quantized parameters relating to parametric spatial coding of audio signals, comprising: receiving at least a first quantized parameter; dequantizing the quantized first parameter according based on a first scalar quantization scheme having non-uniform step-sizes to obtain a dequantized first parameter, wherein the non- uniform step-sizes are selected; determining a scaling factor based on a scaling function which maps at least a value of the dequantized first parameter based on scaling factors which increase with the step- sizes corresponding to the values of the dequantized first parameter; and dequantizing at second quantized parameter based on the scaling factor and a second scalar quantization scheme having non-uniform step-sizes to obtain a dequantized second parameter.
2. (New) The method of claim 1, wherein the scaling function is a piecewise linear function.
3. (New) The method of claim 1, wherein the step of dequantizing the second parameter based on the scaling factor and the second scalar quantization scheme comprises dequantizing the second quantized parameter in accordance with the second scalar quantization scheme and
multiplying the result thereof by the scaling factor.
4. (New) The method of claim 1, wherein the non-uniform step-sizes of the second scalar quantization scheme: are scaled by the scaling factor prior to dequantization of the second quantized parameter; and/or increases with the value of the second quantized parameter.
5. (New) The method of claim 1, wherein the first scalar quantization scheme: comprises more quantization steps than the second scalar quantization scheme; and/or is constructed by offsetting, mirroring, and concatenating the second scalar quantization scheme.
6. (New) The method of claim 1, wherein the largest step-size of the first and/or second scalar quantization scheme is approximately four times larger than the smallest step-size of the first and/or second scalar quantization scheme.
7. (New) An audio decoder for dequantization of quantized parameters relating to parametric spatial coding of audio signals, comprising: a receiving component configured to receive at least a first quantized parameter; a first dequantizing component configured to dequantize the quantized first parameter based on a first scalar quantization scheme having non-uniform step-sizes to obtain a dequantized first parameter; a scaling factor determining component configured to receive the dequantized first parameter from the first dequantizing component, and to determine a scaling factor based on a scaling function which maps at least a value of the dequantized first parameter based on scaling factors which increase with the step-sizes corresponding to the values of the dequantized first parameter; and a second dequantizing component configured to dequantize a second quantized parameter based on the scaling factor and a second scalar quantization scheme having non-uniform step- sizes to obtain a dequantized second parameter.
US 12,213,004
1. A method in an audio decoder for dequantization of quantized parameters relating to parametric spatial coding of audio signals, comprising: receiving at least a first quantized parameter and a second quantized parameter; dequantizing the quantized first parameter according to a first scalar quantization scheme having non-uniform step-sizes to obtain a dequantized first parameter, wherein the non-uniform step-sizes are selected; accessing a scaling function which maps at least a value of the dequantized first parameter on scaling factors which increase with the step-sizes corresponding to the values of the dequantized first parameter, and determining a scaling factor by subjecting the dequantized first parameter to the scaling function; and dequantizing the second quantized parameter based on the scaling factor and a second scalar quantization scheme having non-uniform step-sizes to obtain a dequantized second parameter.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the scaling function is a piecewise linear function.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of dequantizing the second parameter based on the scaling factor and the second scalar quantization scheme comprises dequantizing the second quantized parameter in accordance with the second scalar quantization scheme and multiplying the result thereof by the scaling factor.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the non-uniform step-sizes of the second scalar quantization scheme: are scaled by the scaling factor prior to dequantization of the second quantized parameter; and/or increases with the value of the second parameter.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first scalar quantization scheme: comprises more quantization steps than the second scalar quantization scheme; and/or is constructed by offsetting, mirroring, and concatenating the second scalar quantization scheme.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the largest step-size of the first and/or second scalar quantization scheme is approximately four times larger than the smallest step-size of the first and/or second scalar quantization scheme.
7. An audio decoder for dequantization of quantized parameters relating to parametric spatial coding of audio signals, comprising: a receiving component configured to receive at least a first quantized parameter and a second quantized parameter; a first dequantizing component arranged downstream of the receiving component and configured to dequantize the quantized first parameter according to a first scalar quantization scheme having non-uniform step-sizes to obtain a dequantized first parameter; a scaling factor determining component configured to receive the dequantized first parameter from the first dequantizing component, access a scaling function which maps values of the dequantized first parameter on scaling factors which increase with the step-sizes corresponding to the values of the dequantized first parameter, and determine a scaling factor by subjecting the dequantized first parameter to the scaling function; and a second dequantizing component configured to receive the scaling factor and the second quantized parameter, and dequantize the second quantized parameter based on the scaling factor and a second scalar quantization scheme having non-uniform step-sizes to obtain a dequantized second parameter.
Claims 1 - 7 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1 – 7 of U.S. Patent No. 12, 213, 004. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other.
As shown above, the limitations of claims 1- 7 of the US 12,213,004 anticipate the limitations of claims 1 – 7 of the current application, respectively. Thus, claims 1 – 7 of the current application and claims 1 – 7 of US 12,213,004 are obvious variants.
Claim Interpretation
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(f):
(f) Element in Claim for a Combination. – An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof.
The claims in this application are given their broadest reasonable interpretation using the plain meaning of the claim language in light of the specification as it would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The broadest reasonable interpretation of a claim element (also commonly referred to as a claim limitation) is limited by the description in the specification when 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is invoked.
As explained in MPEP § 2181, subsection I, claim limitations that meet the following three-prong test will be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph:
(A) the claim limitation uses the term “means” or “step” or a term used as a substitute for “means” that is a generic placeholder (also called a nonce term or a non-structural term having no specific structural meaning) for performing the claimed function;
(B) the term “means” or “step” or the generic placeholder is modified by functional language, typically, but not always linked by the transition word “for” (e.g., “means for”) or another linking word or phrase, such as “configured to” or “so that”; and
(C) the term “means” or “step” or the generic placeholder is not modified by sufficient structure, material, or acts for performing the claimed function.
Use of the word “means” (or “step”) in a claim with functional language creates a rebuttable presumption that the claim limitation is to be treated in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph. The presumption that the claim limitation is interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is rebutted when the claim limitation recites sufficient structure, material, or acts to entirely perform the recited function.
Absence of the word “means” (or “step”) in a claim creates a rebuttable presumption that the claim limitation is not to be treated in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph. The presumption that the claim limitation is not interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is rebutted when the claim limitation recites function without reciting sufficient structure, material or acts to entirely perform the recited function.
Claim limitations in this application that use the word “means” (or “step”) are being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, except as otherwise indicated in an Office action. Conversely, claim limitations in this application that do not use the word “means” (or “step”) are not being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, except as otherwise indicated in an Office action.
This application includes one or more claim limitations that do not use the word “means,” but are nonetheless being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, because the claim limitation(s) uses a generic placeholder that is coupled with functional language without reciting sufficient structure to perform the recited function and the generic placeholder is not preceded by a structural modifier. Such claim limitation(s) recited in claim 11 is/are: a receiving component configured to …; a first dequantizing component arranged downstream of the receiving component and configured to …; a scaling factor determining component configured to …; and a second dequantizing component configured to …
Because this/these claim limitation(s) is/are being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, it/they is/are being interpreted to cover the corresponding structure described in the specification as performing the claimed function, and equivalents thereof- software executed by a digital signal processor or microprocessor (pg. 16 – 29 of originally filed specification) to perform the functions recited in claim 11 and discussed in the specification (pg. 9 lines 5 - 15 and pg. 11 lines 12 – pg. 13 line 12).
If applicant does not intend to have this/these limitation(s) interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, applicant may: (1) amend the claim limitation(s) to avoid it/them being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph (e.g., by reciting sufficient structure to perform the claimed function); or (2) present a sufficient showing that the claim limitation(s) recite(s) sufficient structure to perform the claimed function so as to avoid it/them being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to SONIA L GAY whose telephone number is (571)270-1951. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday 9-5 ET.
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/SONIA L GAY/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2657
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