DETAILED ACTION
This action is in response to application 19/256,882 filed on 07/01/2025.
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 1-14 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory obviousness-type double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-14 of U.S. Patent No. 12,375,657 B2 in view of Nakagami et al. (US Pub. No.: 2017/0295369 A1).
Furthermore, although the conflicting claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because U.S. Patent No.: 12,375,657 B2 claims:
Instant Application: 19/256,882
Note: bold and underlined fonts means same features between instant application and conflicting appl.
Conflicting Application: 18/462,894
→ now US Patent No.: 12,375,657 B2
Claim [1]: An apparatus, comprising: a memory; and at least one processor connected to the memory, the at least one processor being configured to: obtain image information from a bitstream, the image information including information related to a deblocking filter, generate reconstructed samples for a current block, and perform in-loop filtering on the reconstructed samples, the in-loop filtering including deblocking filtering based on the information related to the deblocking filter, wherein a chroma tool offset present flag is included in a picture parameter set (PPS) of the bitstream, wherein the chroma tool offset present flag equal to 1 indicates that chroma tool offset related information is present in the PPS, and the chroma tool offset present flag equal to 0 indicates that the chroma tool offset related information is not present in the PPS, wherein the information related to the deblocking filter includes at least one of first chroma component filter parameter information, second chroma component filter parameter information, or third chroma component filter parameter information, wherein the first chroma component filter parameter information indicates deblocking parameter offsets being applied to chroma components of slices referring to the PPS, wherein the second chroma component filter parameter information indicates deblocking parameter offsets being applied to chroma components of slices in a current picture, wherein the third chroma component filter parameter information indicates deblocking parameter offsets being applied to chroma components of a current slice, wherein, based on the chroma tool offset present flag being equal to 1, the second chroma component filter parameter information is signaled from a picture header (PH) in the bitstream, and wherein, based on the chroma tool offset present flag being equal to 0, the second chroma component filter parameter information is not signaled from the PH in the bitstream.
Claim [1]: An image decoding method performed by a decoding apparatus, comprising: obtaining image information from a bitstream, the image information including information related to a deblocking filter; generating reconstructed samples for a current block; and performing in-loop filtering on the reconstructed samples, the in-loop filtering including deblocking filtering based on the information related to the deblocking filter, wherein a chroma tool offset present flag is included in a picture parameter set (PPS) of the bitstream, wherein the chroma tool offset present flag equal to 1 indicates that chroma tool offset related information is present in the PPS, and the chroma tool offset present flag equal to 0 indicates that the chroma tool offset related information is not present in the PPS, wherein the information related to the deblocking filter includes at least one of first chroma component filter parameter information, second chroma component filter parameter information, or third chroma component filter parameter information, wherein the first chroma component filter parameter information indicates deblocking parameter offsets being applied to chroma components of slices referring to the PPS, wherein the second chroma component filter parameter information indicates deblocking parameter offsets being applied to chroma components of slices in a current picture, wherein the third chroma component filter parameter information indicates deblocking parameter offsets being applied to chroma components of a current slice, wherein, based on the chroma tool offset present flag being equal to 1, the second chroma component filter parameter information is signaled from a picture header (PH) in the bitstream, and wherein, based on the chroma tool offset present flag being equal to 0, the second chroma component filter parameter information is not signaled from the PH in the bitstream.
Claim [2]: The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, based on the chroma tool offset present flag being equal to 1, the third chroma component filter parameter information is signaled from a slice header (SH) in the bitstream, and wherein, based on the chroma tool offset present flag being equal to 0, the third chroma component filter parameter information is not signaled from the SH in the bitstream.
Claim [2]: The image decoding method of claim 1, wherein, based on the chroma tool offset present flag being equal to 1, the third chroma component filter parameter information is signaled from a slice header (SH) in the bitstream, and wherein, based on the chroma tool offset present flag being equal to 0, the third chroma component filter parameter information is not signaled from the SH in the bitstream.
Claim [3]: The apparatus of claim 1, wherein performing the in-loop filtering comprises deriving a chroma array type that is a variable related to a sampling format of a chroma component, and wherein a value of the first chroma component filter parameter information is limited to 0 based on a case that a value of the chroma array type is 0.
Claim [3]: The image decoding method of claim 1, wherein performing the in-loop filtering comprises deriving a chroma array type that is a variable related to a sampling format of a chroma component, and wherein a value of the first chroma component filter parameter information is limited to 0 based on a case that a value of the chroma array type is 0.
Claim [4]: The apparatus of claim 1, wherein performing the in-loop filtering comprises deriving a chroma array type that is a variable related to a sampling format of a chroma component, and wherein a value of the second chroma component filter parameter information is limited to 0 based on a case that a value of the chroma array type is 0.
Claim [4]: The image decoding method of claim 1, wherein performing the in-loop filtering comprises deriving a chroma array type that is a variable related to a sampling format of a chroma component, and wherein a value of the second chroma component filter parameter information is limited to 0 based on a case that a value of the chroma array type is 0.
Claim [5]: The apparatus of claim 1, wherein performing the in-loop filtering comprises deriving a chroma array type that is a variable related to a sampling format of a chroma component, and wherein the second chroma component filter parameter information is included in the PH based on a case that a value of the chroma array type is not 0.
Claim [5]: The image decoding method of claim 1, wherein performing the in-loop filtering comprises deriving a chroma array type that is a variable related to a sampling format of a chroma component, and wherein the second chroma component filter parameter information is included in the PH based on a case that a value of the chroma array type is not 0.
Claim [6]: The apparatus of claim 1, wherein performing the in-loop filtering comprises deriving a chroma array type that is a variable related to a sampling format of a chroma component, and wherein a value of the third chroma component filter parameter information is limited to 0 based on a case that a value of the chroma array type is 0.
Claim [6]: The image decoding method of claim 1, wherein performing the in-loop filtering comprises deriving a chroma array type that is a variable related to a sampling format of a chroma component, and wherein a value of the third chroma component filter parameter information is limited to 0 based on a case that a value of the chroma array type is 0.
Claim [7]: The apparatus of claim 1, wherein performing the in-loop filtering comprises deriving a chroma array type that is a variable related to a sampling format of a chroma component, and wherein the third chroma component filter parameter information is included in a slice header (SH) based on a case that a value of the chroma array type is not 0.
Claim [7]: The image decoding method of claim 1, wherein performing the in-loop filtering comprises deriving a chroma array type that is a variable related to a sampling format of a chroma component, and wherein the third chroma component filter parameter information is included in a slice header (SH) based on a case that a value of the chroma array type is not 0.
Claim [8]: The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the information related to the deblocking filter further comprises a chroma deblocking parameter present flag and a chroma deblocking filter override enabled flag, wherein the chroma deblocking parameter present flag is related to whether chroma deblocking related information is present in the PPS, and the chroma deblocking parameter present flag is included in the PPS, wherein the chroma deblocking filter override enabled flag is related to whether the chroma deblocking related information is present in the PH or a slice header (SH), and wherein the chroma deblocking filter override enabled flag is included in the PPS based on a case that a value of the chroma deblocking parameter present flag is 1.
Claim [8]: The image decoding method of claim 1, wherein the information related to the deblocking filter further comprises a chroma deblocking parameter present flag and a chroma deblocking filter override enabled flag, wherein the chroma deblocking parameter present flag is related to whether chroma deblocking related information is present in the PPS, and the chroma deblocking parameter present flag is included in the PPS, wherein the chroma deblocking filter override enabled flag is related to whether the chroma deblocking related information is present in the PH or a slice header (SH), and wherein the chroma deblocking filter override enabled flag is included in the PPS based on a case that a value of the chroma deblocking parameter present flag is 1.
Claim [9]: The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the information related to the deblocking filter further comprises a deblocking filter override enabled flag, wherein the deblocking filter override enabled flag is related to whether a deblocking operation for pictures referring to the PPS is redefined at a picture level or a slice level, and wherein the chroma deblocking filter override enabled flag is included in the PPS based on a case that a value of the deblocking filter override enabled flag is 1.
Claim [9]: The image decoding method of claim 8, wherein the information related to the deblocking filter further comprises a deblocking filter override enabled flag, wherein the deblocking filter override enabled flag is related to whether a deblocking operation for pictures referring to the PPS is redefined at a picture level or a slice level, and wherein the chroma deblocking filter override enabled flag is included in the PPS based on a case that a value of the deblocking filter override enabled flag is 1.
Claim [10]: The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the second chroma component filter parameter information is included in the PH based on a case that a value of the chroma deblocking parameter present flag is 1 and a value of the chroma deblocking filter override enabled flag is 1.
Claim [10]: The image decoding method of claim 9, wherein the second chroma component filter parameter information is included in the PH based on a case that a value of the chroma deblocking parameter present flag is 1 and a value of the chroma deblocking filter override enabled flag is 1.
Claim [11]: The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the third chroma component filter parameter information is included in the SH based on a case that a value of the chroma deblocking parameter present flag is 1 and a value of the chroma deblocking filter override enabled flag is 1.
Claim [11]: The image decoding method of claim 8, wherein the third chroma component filter parameter information is included in the SH based on a case that a value of the chroma deblocking parameter present flag is 1 and a value of the chroma deblocking filter override enabled flag is 1.
Claim [12]: The apparatus of claim 8, wherein performing the in-loop filtering comprises deriving a chroma array type that is a variable related to a sampling format of a chroma component, wherein a value of the chroma deblocking parameter present flag is limited to 0 based on a case that a value of the chroma array type is 0, and wherein a value of the chroma deblocking filter override enabled flag is limited to 0 based on a case that the value of the chroma array type is 0.
Claim [12]: The image decoding method of claim 8, wherein performing the in-loop filtering comprises deriving a chroma array type that is a variable related to a sampling format of a chroma component, wherein a value of the chroma deblocking parameter present flag is limited to 0 based on a case that a value of the chroma array type is 0, and wherein a value of the chroma deblocking filter override enabled flag is limited to 0 based on a case that the value of the chroma array type is 0.
Claim [13]: An apparatus, comprising: a memory; and at least one processor connected to the memory, the at least one processor being configured to: generate reconstructed samples for a current block, apply an in-loop filter including a deblocking filter to the reconstructed samples, generate information related to the deblocking filter, and encode image information including the information related to the deblocking filter, wherein a chroma tool offset present flag is encoded into a picture parameter set (PPS) in a bitstream, wherein the chroma tool offset present flag equal to 1 indicates that chroma tool offset related information is present in the PPS, and the chroma tool offset present flag equal to 0 indicates that the chroma tool offset related information is not present in the PPS, wherein the information related to the deblocking filter includes at least one of first chroma component filter parameter information, second chroma component filter parameter information, or third chroma component filter parameter information, wherein the first chroma component filter parameter information indicates deblocking parameter offsets being applied to chroma components of slices referring to the PPS, wherein the second chroma component filter parameter information indicates deblocking parameter offsets being applied to chroma components of slices in a current picture, wherein the third chroma component filter parameter information indicates deblocking parameter offsets being applied to chroma components of a current slice, wherein, based on the chroma tool offset present flag being equal to 1, the second chroma component filter parameter information is encoded into a picture header (PH) in the bitstream, and wherein, based on the chroma tool offset present flag being equal to 0, the second chroma component filter parameter information is not encoded into the PH in the bitstream.
Claim [13]: An image encoding method performed by an encoding apparatus, comprising: generating reconstructed samples for a current block; applying an in-loop filter including a deblocking filter to the reconstructed samples; generating information related to the deblocking filter; and encoding image information including the information related to the deblocking filter, wherein a chroma tool offset present flag is encoded into a picture parameter set (PPS) in a bitstream, wherein the chroma tool offset present flag equal to 1 indicates that chroma tool offset related information is present in the PPS, and the chroma tool offset present flag equal to 0 indicates that the chroma tool offset related information is not present in the PPS, wherein the information related to the deblocking filter includes at least one of first chroma component filter parameter information, second chroma component filter parameter information, or third chroma component filter parameter information, wherein the first chroma component filter parameter information indicates deblocking parameter offsets being applied to chroma components of slices referring to the PPS, wherein the second chroma component filter parameter information indicates deblocking parameter offsets being applied to chroma components of slices in a current picture, wherein the third chroma component filter parameter information indicates deblocking parameter offsets being applied to chroma components of a current slice, wherein, based on the chroma tool offset present flag being equal to 1, the second chroma component filter parameter information is encoded into a picture header (PH) in the bitstream, and wherein, based on the chroma tool offset present flag being equal to 0, the second chroma component filter parameter information is not encoded into the PH in the bitstream.
Claim [14]: An apparatus, comprising: at least one processor configured to obtain a bitstream of the image information, wherein the bitstream is generated by generating reconstructed samples for a current block, applying an in-loop filter including a deblocking filter to the reconstructed samples, generating information related to the deblocking filter, and encoding the image information including the information related to the deblocking filter; and a transmitter configured to transmit the data including the bitstream of the image information, wherein a chroma tool offset present flag is encoded into a picture parameter set (PPS) in the bitstream, wherein the chroma tool offset present flag equal to 1 indicates that chroma tool offset related information is present in the PPS, and the chroma tool offset present flag equal to 0 indicates that the chroma tool offset related information is not present in the PPS, wherein the information related to the deblocking filter includes at least one of first chroma component filter parameter information, second chroma component filter parameter information, or third chroma component filter parameter information, wherein the first chroma component filter parameter information indicates deblocking parameter offsets being applied to chroma components of slices referring to the PPS, wherein the second chroma component filter parameter information indicates deblocking parameter offsets being applied to chroma components of slices in a current picture, wherein the third chroma component filter parameter information indicates deblocking parameter offsets being applied to chroma components of a current slice, wherein, based on the chroma tool offset present flag being equal to 1, the second chroma component filter parameter information is encoded into a picture header (PH) in the bitstream, and wherein, based on the chroma tool offset present flag being equal to 0, the second chroma component filter parameter information is not encoded into the PH in the bitstream.
Claim [14]: A transmission method of data for image information, comprising: obtaining a bitstream of the image information, wherein the bitstream is generated by generating reconstructed samples for a current block, applying an in-loop filter including a deblocking filter to the reconstructed samples, generating information related to the deblocking filter, and encoding the image information including the information related to the deblocking filter; and transmitting the data including the bitstream of the image information, wherein a chroma tool offset present flag is encoded into a picture parameter set (PPS) in the bitstream, wherein the chroma tool offset present flag equal to 1 indicates that chroma tool offset related information is present in the PPS, and the chroma tool offset present flag equal to 0 indicates that the chroma tool offset related information is not present in the PPS, wherein the information related to the deblocking filter includes at least one of first chroma component filter parameter information, second chroma component filter parameter information, or third chroma component filter parameter information, wherein the first chroma component filter parameter information indicates deblocking parameter offsets being applied to chroma components of slices referring to the PPS, wherein the second chroma component filter parameter information indicates deblocking parameter offsets being applied to chroma components of slices in a current picture, wherein the third chroma component filter parameter information indicates deblocking parameter offsets being applied to chroma components of a current slice, wherein, based on the chroma tool offset present flag being equal to 1, the second chroma component filter parameter information is encoded into a picture header (PH) in the bitstream, and wherein, based on the chroma tool offset present flag being equal to 0, the second chroma component filter parameter information is not encoded into the PH in the bitstream.
However, examiner notes that Nakagami et al. (US Pub. No.: 2017/0295369 A1) teaches the unique limitations in the instant application regarding Nakagami discloses an apparatus (see fig. 79), comprising: at least one processor (see fig. 79 unit 1332) connected to the memory (see fig. 79 unit 1515), the at least one processor (see fig. 79 unit 1332) being configured to: obtain image information through a bitstream (see paragraph [0777]), the image information including information related to a deblocking filter (see paragraphs [0162] and [0490); wherein the information related to the deblocking filter (see fig. 10 unit 182) includes at least one of first chroma component filter (see fig. 44 unit 273 and/or fig. 56 unit S647, e.g. “deblocking filter process for chroma performed → Yes”) parameter information (see fig. 44 unit 283 and/or fig. 56 unit S648, e.g. “parameter β” paragraphs [0426] and [0603]) indicating deblocking parameter offsets (see paragraphs [0843-0844]) being applied to chroma components of slices (see fig. 44 units 283-284 and/or fig. 56 unit S648 and unit S649, e.g. “slice_chroma”) referring to the (PPS) (see fig. 44 unit 152 and/or fig. 56 unit S648 and unit S649, e.g. “pps”).
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 an image coding method based chroma deblock parameter information for monochrome color format in video or image coding system by modifying Choi’s teachings in the present US Patent No.: 12,375,657 B2 for the purpose of wherein, based on the chroma tool offset present flag being equal to 1, the second chroma component filter parameter information is signaled from a picture header (PH) in the bitstream, thereby improving compression efficiency.
Allowable Subject Matter
5. The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter:
Claims 1-14 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.
Park et al. (US Pub. No.: 2022/0368909 A1) discloses video decoding method and apparatus for obtaining quantization parameter, and video encoding method and apparatus for transmitting quantization parameter.
Wang et al. (US Pub. No.: 2023/0007253 A1) discloses low frequency non-separable transform signaling in 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
September 2, 2026
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