Prosecution Insights
Last updated: May 29, 2026
Application No. 19/050,555

VIDEO COMPRESSION APPARATUS, ELECTRONIC APPARATUS, AND VIDEO COMPRESSION PROGRAM

Non-Final OA §101
Filed
Feb 11, 2025
Priority
Sep 29, 2017 — JP 2017-192102 +5 more
Examiner
BRANIFF, CHRISTOPHER
Art Unit
2484
Tech Center
2400 — Computer Networks
Assignee
Nikon Corporation
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
85%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
9m
Est. Remaining
96%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 85% — above average
85%
Career Allowance Rate
551 granted / 645 resolved
+27.4% vs TC avg
Moderate +10% lift
Without
With
+10.4%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Fast prosecutor
2y 1m
Avg Prosecution
26 currently pending
Career history
668
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
3.0%
-37.0% vs TC avg
§103
74.2%
+34.2% vs TC avg
§102
5.9%
-34.1% vs TC avg
§112
1.2%
-38.8% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 645 resolved cases

Office Action

§101
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 . Double Patenting A rejection based on double patenting of the “same invention” type finds its support in the language of 35 U.S.C. 101 which states that “whoever invents or discovers any new and useful process... may obtain a patent therefor...” (Emphasis added). Thus, the term “same invention,” in this context, means an invention drawn to identical subject matter. See Miller v. Eagle Mfg. Co., 151 U.S. 186 (1894); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); In re Ockert, 245 F.2d 467, 114 USPQ 330 (CCPA 1957). A statutory type (35 U.S.C. 101) double patenting rejection can be overcome by canceling or amending the claims that are directed to the same invention so they are no longer coextensive in scope. The filing of a terminal disclaimer cannot overcome a double patenting rejection based upon 35 U.S.C. 101. Claim 1 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 as claiming the same invention as that of claim 1 of prior U.S. Patent No. 11,589,059. This is a statutory double patenting rejection. Claim 1 of Instant Application An image processing apparatus configured to execute image processing on a plurality of frames generated based on output from an imaging element, which has a first imaging region to image a subject and a second imaging region to image a subject and for which a first frame rate can be set for the first imaging region and a second frame rate higher than the first frame rate can be set for the second imaging region, the apparatus comprising: an identification unit configured to identify, as a non-image region, a range (i) corresponding to the second imaging region in a first frame among a plurality of the frames generated based on outputs from the first imaging region and the second imaging region and (ii) corresponding to the first imaging region in a second frame among a plurality of the frames generated based on the output from the second imaging region, the identification of the range being performed based on the first frame and the second frame; and a synthesis unit configured to synthesize (i) the second frame, (ii) image data of the first imaging region corresponding to the first imaging region at the first frame, and (iii) identified image data of the identified range, which is image data of an imaging region other than the first imaging region at the first frame and the second frame. Claim 1 of U.S. Patent No. 11,589,059 An image processing apparatus configured to execute image processing on a plurality of frames generated based on output from an imaging element, which has a first imaging region to image a subject and a second imaging region to image a subject and for which a first frame rate can be set for the first imaging region and a second frame rate higher than the first frame rate can be set for the second imaging region, the apparatus comprising: an identification unit configured to identify, as a non-image region, a range (i) corresponding to the second imaging region in a first frame among a plurality of the frames generated based on outputs from the first imaging region and the second imaging region and (ii) corresponding to the first imaging region in a second frame among a plurality of the frames generated based on the output from the second imaging region, the identification of the range being performed based on the first frame and the second frame; and a synthesis unit configured to synthesize (i) the second frame, (ii) image data of the first imaging region corresponding to the first imaging region at the first frame, and (iii) identified image data of the identified range, which is image data of an imaging region other than the first imaging region at the first frame and the second frame. Table 1. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Christopher Braniff whose telephone number is (571) 270-5009. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 7AM to 4PM. 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, Thai Tran can be reached at (571) 272-7382. 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. CHRISTOPHER T. BRANIFF Primary Examiner Art Unit 2484 /CHRISTOPHER BRANIFF/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2484
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Prosecution Timeline

Feb 11, 2025
Application Filed
Feb 06, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §101 (current)

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Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

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Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
85%
Grant Probability
96%
With Interview (+10.4%)
2y 1m (~9m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 645 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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