Prosecution Insights
Last updated: August 16, 2026
Application No. 19/213,664

HRD Parameters For Layer Based Conformance Testing

Non-Final OA §DP
Filed
May 20, 2025
Priority
Sep 24, 2019 — provisional 62/905,244 +2 more
Examiner
EDWARDS, TYLER B
Art Unit
Tech Center
Assignee
Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
76%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
1y 3m
Est. Remaining
92%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 76% — above average
76%
Career Allowance Rate
362 granted / 474 resolved
+16.4% vs TC avg
Strong +15% interview lift
Without
With
+15.3%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 6m
Avg Prosecution
24 currently pending
Career history
489
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
4.6%
-35.4% vs TC avg
§103
45.2%
+5.2% vs TC avg
§102
22.0%
-18.0% vs TC avg
§112
15.2%
-24.8% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 474 resolved cases

Office Action

§DP
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 statements (IDS) submitted on 07/24/2025, 08/06/2025, 10/01/2025, and 11/07/2025 are in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statements are being considered by the examiner. 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. Claims 1-18 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-17 of U.S. Patent No. 12,323,609. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other: Application No. 19,213,664 U.S Patent No. 12,323,609 Claim 1 Claim 1 A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause a video processing apparatus to: A method implemented by a decoder, the method comprising: receive a bitstream comprising a plurality of sublayer representations, hypothetical reference decoder (HRD) parameters, and a sublayer coding picture buffer (CPB) parameters present flag (sublayer_cpb_params_present_flag); receiving a bitstream comprising a plurality of sublayer representations, hypothetical reference decoder (HRD) parameters, and a sublayer coding picture buffer (CPB) parameters present flag (sublayer_cpb_params_present_flag); infer that the HRD parameters for all sublayer representations with temporal identifiers (TemporalIds) less than a maximum Temporalld are equal to the HRD parameters for a maximum sublayer representation with the maximum Temporalld when the sublayer_cpb_params_present_flag is set to zero, wherein each sublayer representation is a subset of the bitstream containing network abstraction layer (NAL) units of a particular sublayer and lower sublayers, wherein all sublayers are associated with a same number of CPB delivery schedules, and wherein the maximum Temporalld of the maximum sublayer representation is included in the bitstream as a HRD maximum TemporalId (hrd_max_tid[ i ]) syntax element where i indicates an ith HRD parameter syntax structure; and inferring that the HRD parameters for all sublayer representations with temporal identifiers (TemporalIds) less than a maximum TemporalId are equal to the HRD parameters for a maximum sublayer representation with the maximum TemporalId when the sublayer_cpb_params_present_flag is set to zero, wherein each sublayer representation is a subset of the bitstream containing network abstraction layer (NAL) units of a particular sublayer and lower sublayers, wherein all sublayers are associated with a same number of CPB delivery schedules, and wherein the maximum TemporalId of the maximum sublayer representation is included in the bitstream as a HRD maximum TemporalId (hrd_max_tid[i]) syntax element where i indicates an ith HRD parameter syntax structure; and decode a picture from the sublayer representations. decoding a picture from the sublayer representations. Claim 2 Claim 2 wherein the sublayer_cpb_params_present_flag is contained in a video parameter set (VPS) in the bitstream. wherein the sublayer_cpb_params_present_flag is contained in a video parameter set (VPS) in the bitstream. Claim 3 Claim 3 wherein the TemporalIds is less than the maximum TemporalId, which ranges from zero to hrd_max_tid[ i] minus one. wherein the TemporalIds less than the maximum TemporalId range from zero to hrd_max_tid[i] minus one. Claim 4 Claim 4 wherein the HRD parameters include a fixed picture rate general flag (fixed_pic_rate_general_flag[i]) that indicates whether a temporal distance between HRD output times of consecutive pictures in output order is constrained. wherein the HRD parameters include a fixed picture rate general flag (fixed_pic_rate_general_flag[i]) that indicates whether a temporal distance between HRD output times of consecutive pictures in output order is constrained. Claim 5 Claim 5 wherein the HRD parameters include a sublayer HRD parameters (sublayer_hrd_parameters( i)) syntax structure that contains HRD parameters for one or more sublayers. wherein the HRD parameters include a sublayer HRD parameters (sublayer_hrd_parameters(i)) syntax structure that contains HRD parameters for one or more sublayers. Claim 6 Claim 6 wherein the HRD parameters include a general video coding layer (VCL) HRD parameters present flag (general_vcl_hrd_params_present_flag) that indicates whether VCL HRD parameters pertaining to a conformance point are present in a general HRD parameters syntax structure. wherein the HRD parameters include a general video coding layer (VCL) HRD parameters present flag (general_vcl_hrd_params_present_flag) that indicates whether VCL HRD parameters pertaining to a conformance point are present in a general HRD parameters syntax structure. Claim 7 Claim 7 An encoder comprising: one or more processors configured to: A method implemented by an encoder, the method comprising: encode a plurality of sublayer representations into a bitstream; encoding a plurality of sublayer representations into a bitstream; encode hypothetical reference decoder (HRD) parameters and a sublayer coding picture buffer (CPB) parameters present flag (sublayer_cpb_params_present_flag) into the bitstream; encoding hypothetical reference decoder (HRD) parameters and a sublayer coding picture buffer (CPB) parameters present flag (sublayer_cpb_params_present_flag) into the bitstream; infer that the HRD parameters for all sublayer representations with temporal identifiers (TemporalIds) less than a maximum Temporalld are equal to the HRD parameters for a maximum sublayer representation with the maximum Temporalld when the sublayer_cpb_params_present_flag is set to zero, wherein each sublayer representation is a subset of the bitstream containing network abstraction layer (NAL) units of a particular sublayer and lower sublayers, wherein all sublayers are associated with a same number of CPB delivery schedules, and wherein the maximum Temporalld of the maximum sublayer representation is included in the bitstream as a HRD maximum Temporalld (hrd_max_tid[ i ]) syntax element where i indicates an ith HRD parameter syntax structure; and inferring that the HRD parameters for all sublayer representations with temporal identifiers (TemporalIds) less than a maximum TemporalId are equal to the HRD parameters for a maximum sublayer representation with the maximum TemporalId when the sublayer_cpb_params_present_flag is set to zero, wherein each sublayer representation is a subset of the bitstream containing network abstraction layer (NAL) units of a particular sublayer and lower sublayers, wherein all sublayers are associated with a same number of CPB delivery schedules, and wherein the maximum TemporalId of the maximum sublayer representation is included in the bitstream as a HRD maximum TemporalId (hrd_max_tid[i]) syntax element where i indicates an ith HRD parameter syntax structure; and perform a set of bitstream conformance tests on the bitstream based on the HRD parameters. performing a set of bitstream conformance tests on the bitstream based on the HRD parameters. Claim 8 Claim 8 wherein the sublayer_cpb_params_present_flag is encoded into a video parameter set (VPS) in the bitstream. wherein the sublayer_cpb_params_present_flag is encoded into a video parameter set (VPS) in the bitstream. Claim 9 Claim 9 wherein the TemporalIds is less than the maximum Temporalld, which ranges from zero to hrd_max_tid[ i ] minus one. wherein the TemporalIds less than the maximum TemporalId range from zero to hrd_max_tid[i] minus one. Claim 10 Claim 10 wherein the HRD parameters include a fixed picture rate general flag (fixed_pic_rate_general_flag[ i ]) that indicates whether a temporal distance between HRD output times of consecutive pictures in output order is constrained. wherein the HRD parameters include a fixed picture rate general flag (fixed_pic_rate_general_flag[i]) that indicates whether a temporal distance between HRD output times of consecutive pictures in output order is constrained. Claim 11 Claim 11 wherein the HRD parameters include a sublayer HRD parameters (sublayer_hrd_parameters( i )) syntax structure that contains HRD parameters for one or more sublayers. wherein the HRD parameters include a sublayer HRD parameters (sublayer_hrd_parameters(i)) syntax structure that contains HRD parameters for one or more sublayers. Claim 12 Claim 12 wherein the HRD parameters include a general video coding layer (VCL) HRD parameters present flag (general_vcl_hrd_params_present_flag) that indicates whether VCL HRD parameters pertaining to a conformance point are present in a general HRD parameters syntax structure. wherein the HRD parameters include a general video coding layer (VCL) HRD parameters present flag (general_vcl_hrd_params_present_flag) that indicates whether VCL HRD parameters pertaining to a conformance point are present in a general HRD parameters syntax structure. Claim 13 Claim 7 A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing an encoded bitstream and one or more instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause a decoding device to generate a video based on the bitstream, the bitstream comprising: A method implemented by an encoder, the method comprising: a plurality of sublayer representations; encoding a plurality of sublayer representations into a bitstream; hypothetical reference decoder (HRD) parameters and a sublayer coding picture buffer (CPB) parameters present flag (sublayer_cpb_params_prescnt_flag); encoding hypothetical reference decoder (HRD) parameters and a sublayer coding picture buffer (CPB) parameters present flag (sublayer_cpb_params_present_flag) into the bitstream; wherein the HRD parameters are inferred for all sublayer representations with temporal identifiers (TemporalIds) less than a maximum Temporalld are equal to the HRD parameters for a maximum sublayer representation with the maximum Temporalld when the sublayer_cpb_params_present_flag is set to zero, wherein each sublayer representation is a subset of the bitstream containing network abstraction layer (NAL) units of a particular sublayer and lower sublayers, wherein all sublayers are associated with a same number of CPB delivery schedules, and wherein the maximum Temporalld of the maximum sublayer representation is included in the bitstream as a HRD maximum Temporalld (hrd_max_tid[ i D syntax element where i indicates an ith HRD parameter syntax structure; and inferring that the HRD parameters for all sublayer representations with temporal identifiers (TemporalIds) less than a maximum TemporalId are equal to the HRD parameters for a maximum sublayer representation with the maximum TemporalId when the sublayer_cpb_params_present_flag is set to zero, wherein each sublayer representation is a subset of the bitstream containing network abstraction layer (NAL) units of a particular sublayer and lower sublayers, wherein all sublayers are associated with a same number of CPB delivery schedules, and wherein the maximum TemporalId of the maximum sublayer representation is included in the bitstream as a HRD maximum TemporalId (hrd_max_tid[i]) syntax element where i indicates an ith HRD parameter syntax structure; and wherein a set of bitstream conformance tests is performed on the bitstream based on the HRD parameters performing a set of bitstream conformance tests on the bitstream based on the HRD parameters. Claim 14 Claim 8 wherein the bitstream further comprises a sublayer_cpb_params_present_flag in a video parameter set (VPS) wherein the sublayer_cpb_params_present_flag is encoded into a video parameter set (VPS) in the bitstream. Claim 15 Claim 9 wherein the TemporalIds is less than the maximum TemporalId, which ranges from zero to hrd_max_tid[ i ] minus one. wherein the TemporalIds less than the maximum TemporalId range from zero to hrd_max_tid[i] minus one. Claim 16 Claim 10 wherein the HRD parameters include a fixed picture rate general flag (fixed_pic_rate_general_flag[ i ]) that indicates whether a temporal distance between HRD output times of consecutive pictures in output order is constrained. wherein the HRD parameters include a fixed picture rate general flag (fixed_pic_rate_general_flag[i]) that indicates whether a temporal distance between HRD output times of consecutive pictures in output order is constrained. Claim 17 Claim 11 wherein the HRD parameters include a sublayer HRD parameters (sublayer_hrd_parameters( i)) syntax structure that contains HRD parameters for one or more sublayers. wherein the HRD parameters include a sublayer HRD parameters (sublayer_hrd_parameters(i)) syntax structure that contains HRD parameters for one or more sublayers. Claim 18 Claim 12 wherein the HRD parameters include a general video coding layer (VCL) HRD parameters present flag (general_vcl_hrd_params_present_flag) that indicates whether VCL HRD parameters pertaining to a conformance point are present in a general HRD parameters syntax structure. wherein the HRD parameters include a general video coding layer (VCL) HRD parameters present flag (general_vcl_hrd_params_present_flag) that indicates whether VCL HRD parameters pertaining to a conformance point are present in a general HRD parameters syntax structure. Allowable Subject Matter Claims 1-18 are objected to as being rejected on the grounds of non-statutory double patenting, but would be in condition for allowance if the double patenting rejections were to be overcome, such as through the filing of a Terminal Disclaimer in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(c) or 1.321(d). The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter: The prior art does not teach or suggest the combination of limitations presented in the independent claims, with specific regard to inferring that the HRD parameters for all sublayer representations with temporal identifiers (Temporallds) less than a maximum Temporalld are equal to the HRD parameters for a maximum sublayer representation with the maximum Temporalld when the sublayer_cpb params present flag is set to zero, wherein each sublayer representation is a subset of the bitstream containing network abstraction layer (NAL) units of a particular sublayer and lower sublayers, wherein all sublayers are associated with a same number of CPB delivery schedules, and wherein the maximum Temporalld of the maximum sublayer representation is included in the bitstream as a HRD maximum Temporalld (hrd_max_tid[i]] syntax element where i indicates an ith HRD parameter syntax structure. The closest prior art of reference, Deshpande (U.S. Publication No. 2022/0264153), discloses a bitstream data structure comprising temporal sub-layers with identifiers in the range of 0 to a maximum number of temporal sub-layers minus one, and noting that the reference decoder parameters syntax structure includes parameters for temporal sublayers. However, Deshpande does not expressly disclose the maximum Temporalld of the maximum sublayer representation is included in the bitstream as a hrd_max_tid[i] syntax element, and instead discloses that HighestTid is a calculated variable that is not included in the bitstream. Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably accompany the issue fee. Such submissions should be clearly labeled "Comments on Statement of Reasons for Allowance." Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to TYLER B EDWARDS whose telephone number is (571)272-2738. The examiner can normally be reached 9:00 am - 5:00 pm. 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, Sathyanarayanan Perungavoor can be reached at (571)272-7455. 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. /TYLER B. EDWARDS/ Examiner Art Unit 2488 /SATH V PERUNGAVOOR/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2488
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

May 20, 2025
Application Filed
Jul 15, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §DP (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
76%
Grant Probability
92%
With Interview (+15.3%)
2y 6m (~1y 3m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 474 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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