DETAILED ACTION
This action is in response to application 19/189,753 filed on 04/25/2025.
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
3. 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 obviousness-type 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); and 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 a nonstatutory double patenting ground provided the conflicting 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.
Effective January 1, 1994, a registered attorney or agent of record may sign a terminal disclaimer. A terminal disclaimer signed by the assignee must fully comply with 37 CFR 3.73(b).
4. Claims 1-4 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory obviousness-type double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-4 of U.S. Patent No. 12,058,374 B2 in view of Ikai (“Ikai”) (US Pub. No.: 2020/0213626 A1).
Furthermore, although the conflicting claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because U.S. Patent No.: 12,058,374 B2 claims:
Instant Application: 19/189,753
Note: bold and underlined fonts means same features between instant application and conflicting appl.
Conflicting Application: 17/962,077
→ now US Patent No.: 12,058,374 B2
Claim [1]: An image decoding method performed by a decoding apparatus, the method comprising: deriving transform coefficients based on residual information; deriving modified transform coefficients based on a non-separable secondary transform on the transform coefficients; deriving residual samples based on the modified transform coefficients, by a primary transform; and generating a reconstructed picture based on the residual samples, wherein the deriving the modified transform coefficients comprises: deriving (i) an input transform coefficient size related to a length of the transform coefficients input to a matrix operation for the non-separable secondary transform, (ii) an output transform coefficient size related to a length of the modified transform coefficients output by the matrix operation for the non-separable secondary transform, and (iii) a transform kernel matrix based on the output transform coefficient size, a transform set is derived based on an intra prediction mode, and a transform index; and deriving the modified transform coefficients based on the matrix operation of (i) the transform kernel matrix and (ii) the transform coefficients determined based on the input transform coefficient size, wherein based on the input transform coefficient size being 16 and the output transform coefficient size being 48, a preset 48 x 16 transform kernel matrix is used for the matrix operation, wherein based on the input transform coefficient size being 8 and the output transform coefficient size being 48, a matrix comprising eight columns extracted from the preset 48 x 16 transform kernel matrix is used for the matrix operation, and wherein the modified transform coefficients are arranged in a top-left 4 x 4 region, a top-right 4 x 4 region, and a bottom-left 4 x 4 region of an 8 x 8 region to which the non-separable secondary transform is applied in a target block.
Claim [1]: An image decoding method performed by a decoding apparatus, the method comprising: receiving residual information from a bitstream; deriving transform coefficients based on the residual information; deriving modified transform coefficients based on the transform coefficients by a non-separable secondary transform; deriving residual samples based on the modified transform coefficients by a primary transform; wherein deriving the modified transform coefficients comprises; deriving (i) an input transform coefficient size related to a length of the transform coefficients input to a matrix operation for the non-separable secondary transform and (ii) an output transform coefficient size related to a length of the modified transform coefficients output by the matrix operation for the non-separable secondary transform; deriving a transform kernel matrix based on the output transform coefficient size, a transform set that is derived based on an intra prediction mode, and a transform index; and deriving the modified transform coefficients based on the matrix operation of (i) the transform kernel matrix and (ii) the transform coefficients determined based on the input transform coefficient size, wherein, based on the input transform coefficient size being 8 and the output transform coefficient size being 16, a matrix comprising eight columns extracted from a preset 16×16 transform kernel matrix is used for the matrix operation, and wherein the modified transform coefficients are arranged in a 4×4 region to which the non-separable secondary transform is applied in a target block.
Claim [2]: An image encoding method performed by an encoding apparatus, the method comprising: deriving residual samples based on prediction samples; deriving transform coefficients by applying a primary transform on the residual samples; deriving modified transform coefficients based on a non-separable secondary transform on the transform coefficients; and encoding image information including residual information related to the modified transform coefficients; wherein the deriving the modified transform coefficients comprises: deriving (i) an input transform coefficient size related to a length of the transform coefficients input to a matrix operation for the non-separable secondary transform, (ii) an output transform coefficient size related to a length of modified transform coefficients output by the matrix operation for the non-separable secondary transform, and (iii) a transform kernel matrix based on the output transform coefficient size and a transform set is derived based on an intra prediction mode; and deriving the modified transform coefficients based on the matrix operation of (i) the transform kernel matrix and (ii) the transform coefficients determined based on the input transform coefficient size, wherein based on the input transform coefficient size being 48 and the output transform coefficient size being 16, a preset 16 x 48 transform kernel matrix is used for the matrix operation, wherein based on the input transform coefficient size being 48 and the output transform coefficient size being 8, a matrix comprising eight rows extracted from the preset 16 x 48 transform kernel matrix is used for the matrix operation, and wherein the modified transform coefficients are arranged in a 4 x 4 region to which the non-separable secondary transform is applied in a target block.
Claim [2]: An image encoding method performed by an image encoding apparatus, the method comprising: deriving prediction samples for a target block; deriving residual samples based on the prediction samples; deriving transform coefficients by applying a primary transform on the residual samples for the target block; and deriving modified transform coefficients based on a non-separable secondary transform; wherein deriving the modified transform coefficients comprises: deriving (i) an input transform coefficient size related to a length of the transform coefficients input to a matrix operation for the non-separable secondary transform and (ii) an output transform coefficient size related to a length of the modified transform coefficients output by the matrix operation for the non-separable secondary transform; deriving a transform kernel matrix based on the output transform coefficient size and a transform set that is derived based on an intra prediction mode; and deriving the modified transform coefficients based on the matrix operation of (i) the transform kernel matrix and (ii) the transform coefficients determined based on the input transform coefficient size, wherein, based on the input transform coefficient size being 16 and the output transform coefficient size being 8, a matrix comprising eight rows extracted from a preset 16×16 transform kernel matrix is used for the matrix operation, and wherein the modified transform coefficients are arranged in a 4×4 region to which the non-separable secondary transform is applied in the target block.
Claim [3]: A non-transitory computer-readable digital storage medium storing a bitstream generated by the image encoding method of claim 2.
Claim [3]: A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a bitstream generated by the image encoding method of claim 2.
Claim [4]: A transmission method of data for an image, the method comprising: obtaining a bitstream for the image, wherein the bitstream is generated based on deriving residual samples based on prediction samples, deriving transform coefficients by applying a primary transform on the residual samples, deriving modified transform coefficients based on a non-separable secondary transform on the transform coefficients, and encoding image information including residual information related to the modified transform coefficients to generate the bitstream; and transmitting the data comprising the bitstream; wherein the deriving the modified transform coefficients comprises: deriving (i) an input transform coefficient size related to a length of the transform coefficients input to a matrix operation for the non-separable secondary transform, (ii) an output transform coefficient size related to a length of modified transform coefficients output by the matrix operation for the non-separable secondary transform, and (iii) a transform kernel matrix based on the output transform coefficient size and a transform set is derived based on an intra prediction mode; and deriving the modified transform coefficients based on the matrix operation of (i) the transform kernel matrix and (ii) the transform coefficients determined based on the input transform coefficient size, wherein based on the input transform coefficient size being 48 and the output transform coefficient size being 16, a preset 16 x 48 transform kernel matrix is used for the matrix operation, wherein based on the input transform coefficient size being 48 and the output transform coefficient size being 8, a matrix comprising eight rows extracted from the preset 16 x 48 transform kernel matrix is used for the matrix operation, and wherein the modified transform coefficients are arranged in a 4 x 4 region to which the non-separable secondary transform is applied in a target block.
Claim [4]: A transmission method of data for an image, the method comprising: obtaining a bitstream for the image, wherein the bitstream is generated based on deriving prediction samples for a target block; deriving residual samples based on the prediction samples; deriving transform coefficients by applying a primary transform on the residual samples for the target block; deriving modified transform coefficients based on a non-separable secondary transform; and encoding image information including residual information related to the modified transform coefficients to generate the bitstream; and transmitting the data comprising the bitstream; wherein deriving the modified transform coefficients comprises: deriving (i) an input transform coefficient size related to a length of the transform coefficients input to a matrix operation for the non-separable secondary transform and (ii) an output transform coefficient size related to a length of the modified transform coefficients output by the matrix operation for the non-separable secondary transform; deriving a transform kernel matrix based on the output transform coefficient size and a transform set that is derived based on an intra prediction mode; and deriving the modified transform coefficients based on the matrix operation of (i) the transform kernel matrix and (ii) the transform coefficients determined based on the input transform coefficient size, wherein, based on the input transform coefficient size being 16 and the output transform coefficient size being 8, a matrix comprising eight rows extracted from a preset 16×16 transform kernel matrix is used for the matrix operation, and wherein the modified transform coefficients are arranged in a 4×4 region to which the non-separable secondary transform is applied in the target block.
However, examiner notes that Ikai (US Pub. No.: 2020/0213626 A1) teaches the unique limitations in the instant application regarding Ikai discloses an image decoding method performed by a decoding apparatus (see title, fig. 2) and an image encoding method performed by an image encoding apparatus (see title, fig. 48) and a transmission method for data for image (see figs. 48 and/or fig. 49a, paragraph [0558]), the method (see fig. 1) comprising: deriving transform coefficients (see fig. 17, e.g. “transform coefficient”); a primary transform (see fig. 17 unit 15212); residual samples (see paragraphs [0546] and [0550]); deriving an input transform coefficient size related to a length (see paragraph [0263], e.g. “vertical transform x-column transform coefficient”) of the transform coefficients (see fig. 14, e.g. “quantization transform coefficient qd”) for the non-separable secondary transform (see fig. 14 and/or fig. 18 unit 1522, paragraph [0313]); an output transform coefficient size related to a length (see paragraph [0263], e.g. “horizontal transform y-row transform coefficient”) of modified transform coefficients (see fig. 18, e.g. “modified transform coefficient”) for the non-separable secondary transform (see fig. 18 unit 1522, paragraph [0313]); a transform set (see fig. 19 unit 152212) is derived based on an intra mode (see fig. 19, e.g. “IntraPredMode”); and a target block (see paragraphs [0099] and [0297]).
Therefore, it 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 could recognize the advantage of providing a video decoding, encoding, and transmission method based on secondary transform by modifying Koo’s teachings in the present US Patent No.: 12,058,374 B2 for the purpose of wherein, based on the input transform coefficient size being 8 and the output transform coefficient size being 16, a matrix comprising eight columns extracted from a preset 16×16 transform kernel matrix is used for the matrix operation, thereby improving compression efficiency.
Allowable Subject Matter
5. The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter:
Claims 1-4 of the instant application would be allowable provided obviousness type double patenting rejection above is overcome.
Conclusion
6. The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Chiang et al. (US Pub. No.: 2018/0302631 A1) discloses secondary transform kernel size.
Zhao et al. (US Pub. No.: 2019/0281321 A1) discloses method and apparatus for video coding.
7. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Richard Carter whose telephone number is (571)270-1220. The examiner can normally be reached on M-F 8:30 am - 5:00 pm.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Jay Patel can be reached on 571-272-2988. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/R.B.C/Examiner, Art Unit 2485
/JAYANTI K PATEL/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2485
August 20, 2026
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