Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 02, 2026
Application No. 19/303,107

USE-CASE DRIVEN CONTEXT MODEL SELECTION FOR HYBRID VIDEO CODING TOOLS

Non-Final OA §DP
Filed
Aug 18, 2025
Priority
Mar 05, 2019 — EU 19160705.0 +3 more
Examiner
HILAIRE, CLIFFORD
Art Unit
2488
Tech Center
2400 — Computer Networks
Assignee
Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
72%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
1y 5m
Est. Remaining
87%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 72% — above average
72%
Career Allowance Rate
321 granted / 447 resolved
+13.8% vs TC avg
Moderate +15% lift
Without
With
+14.9%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 7m
Avg Prosecution
24 currently pending
Career history
500
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
3.5%
-36.5% vs TC avg
§103
52.2%
+12.2% vs TC avg
§102
14.3%
-25.7% vs TC avg
§112
29.4%
-10.6% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 447 resolved cases

Office Action

§DP
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 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, 8, 15 and 22-24 rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1, 8, 15 and 21-23 of U.S. Patent No. US 12,418,654 B2. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other as shown in Table I below. Table I Current Application 19/303,107 U.S. Patent No. 12,418,654 B2 1. A decoder for decoding a picture, the decoder comprising at least one processor configured to: 1. A decoder for decoding a picture, the decoder comprising at least one processor configured to: receive a bitstream comprising encoded data representing the picture; receive a bitstream comprising encoded data representing the picture; for a block of the picture, determine whether a first dimension of the block is larger than two times a second dimension of the block; for a block of the picture, determine whether a first dimension of the block is larger than two times a second dimension of the block; select a context based on a result of the determination; select a context based on the determination, wherein: the context is a first context when the first dimension of the block is larger than two times the second dimension of the block, or the context is a second context, different than the first context, when the first dimension of the block is not larger than two times the second dimension of the block; using the selected context, decode a flag associated with the block from the bitstream, the flag indicating whether to use a linear weighted intra prediction (LWIP) coding tool to decode the block; and using the selected context, decode a flag associated with the block from the bitstream, the flag indicating whether to use a linear weighted intra prediction (LWIP) coding tool to decode the block; and decode the block based in part on the flag. decode the block based in part on the flag 8. A method for decoding a picture, the method comprising: 8. A method for decoding a picture, the method comprising: receiving a bitstream comprising encoded data representing the picture; receiving a bitstream comprising encoded data representing the picture; for a block of the picture, determining whether a first dimension of the block is larger than two times a second dimension of the block; for a block of the picture, determining whether a first dimension of the block is larger than two times a second dimension of the block; selecting a context based on a result of the determination; selecting a context based on the determination, wherein: the context is a first context when the first dimension of the block is larger than two times the second dimension of the block, or the context is a second context, different than the first context, when the first dimension of the block is not larger than two times the second dimension of the block; using the selected context, decoding a flag associated with the block from the bitstream, the flag indicating whether to use a linear weighted intra prediction (LWIP) coding tool to decode the block; and using the selected context, decoding a flag associated with the block from the bitstream, the flag indicating whether to use a linear weighted intra prediction (LWIP) coding tool to decode the block; and decoding the block based in part on the flag. decoding the block based in part on the flag. 15. A non-transitory computer readable medium containing instructions that when executed cause at least one processor to: 15. A non-transitory computer readable medium containing instructions that when executed cause at least one processor to: receive a bitstream comprising encoded data representing a picture; receive a bitstream comprising encoded data representing a picture; for a block of the picture, determine whether a first dimension of the block is larger than two times a second dimension of the block; for a block of the picture, determine whether a first dimension of the block is larger than two times a second dimension of the block; select a context based on a result of the determination; select a context based on the determination, wherein: the context is a first context when the first dimension of the block is larger than two times the second dimension of the block, or the context is a second context, different than the first context, when the first dimension of the block is not larger than two times the second dimension of the block; use the selected context, decode a flag associated with the block from the bitstream, the flag indicating whether to use a linear weighted intra prediction (LWIP) coding tool to decode the block; and use the selected context, decode a flag associated with the block from the bitstream, the flag indicating whether to use a linear weighted intra prediction (LWIP) coding tool to decode the block; and decode the block based in part on the flag. decode the block based in part on the flag. 22. An encoder for encoding a picture into a bitstream, the encoder comprising at least one processor configured to: 21. An encoder for encoding a picture into a bitstream, the encoder comprising at least one processor configured to: for a block of the picture, determine whether a first dimension of the block is larger than two times a second dimension of the block; for a block of the picture, determine whether a first dimension of the block is larger than two times a second dimension of the block; select a context based on a result the determination; select a context based on the determination, wherein: the context is a first context when the first dimension of the block is larger than two times the second dimension of the block, or the context is a second context, different than the first context, when the first dimension of the block is not larger than two times the second dimension of the block; using the selected context, encode a flag associated with the block to the bitstream, the flag indicating whether to use a linear weighted intra prediction (LWIP) coding tool to decode the block; and using the selected context, encode a flag associated with the block to the bitstream, the flag indicating whether to use a linear weighted intra prediction (LWIP) coding tool to decode the block; and encode the block based in part on the flag. encode the block based in part on the flag. 23. A method for encoding a picture to a bitstream, the method comprising: 22. A method for encoding a picture to a bitstream, the method comprising: for a block of the picture, determining whether a first dimension of the block is larger than two times a second dimension of the block; for a block of the picture, determining whether a first dimension of the block is larger than two times a second dimension of the block; selecting a context based on a result of the determination; selecting a context based on the determination, wherein: the context is a first context when the first dimension of the block is larger than two times the second dimension of the block, or the context is a second context, different than the first context, when the first dimension of the block is not larger than two times the second dimension of the block; using the selected context, decoding a flag associated with the block to the bitstream,the flag indicating whether to use a linear weighted intra prediction (LWIP) coding tool to decode the block; and using the selected context, decoding a flag associated with the block to the bitstream, the flag indicating whether to use a linear weighted intra prediction (LWIP) coding tool to decode the block; and decoding the block based in part on the flag. decoding the block based in part on the flag. 24. A non-transitory computer readable medium containing instructions that when executed cause at least one processor to: 23. A non-transitory computer readable medium containing instructions that when executed cause at least one processor to: for a block of a picture, determine whether a first dimension of the block is larger than two times a second dimension of the block; for a block of a picture, determine whether a first dimension of the block is larger than two times a second dimension of the block; select a context based on a result of the determination; select a context based on the determination, wherein: the context is a first context when the first dimension of the block is larger than two times the second dimension of the block, or the context is a second context, different than the first context, when the first dimension of the block is not larger than two times the second dimension of the block; use the selected context, encode a flag associated with the block from a bitstream, the flag indicating whether to use a linear weighted intra prediction (LWIP) coding tool to decode the block; and use the selected context, encode a flag associated with the block from a bitstream, the flag indicating whether to use a linear weighted intra prediction (LWIP) coding tool to decode the block; and encode the block based in part on the flag. encode the block based in part on the flag. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to CLIFFORD HILAIRE whose telephone number is (571)272-8397. The examiner can normally be reached 5:30-1400. 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, SATH V 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. CLIFFORD HILAIRE Primary Examiner Art Unit 2488 /CLIFFORD HILAIRE/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2488
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Prosecution Timeline

Aug 18, 2025
Application Filed
Jul 31, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §DP (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12750481
Sub-Picture Motion Vectors In Video Coding
1y 4m to grant Granted Sep 29, 2026
Patent 12744943
HIGH-LEVEL SYNTAX CONTROL FLAGS FOR TEMPLATE MATCHING-RELATED CODING TOOLS IN VIDEO CODING
1y 4m to grant Granted Sep 22, 2026
Patent 12737910
IMAGE RECOGNITION DEVICE
1y 11m to grant Granted Sep 15, 2026
Patent 12720122
IMPLEMENTING HIGH DYNAMIC RANGE DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY IN A REMOTE DESKTOP ENVIRONMENT
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IMAGE ENCODING/DECODING METHOD AND APPARATUS, AND RECORDING MEDIUM STORING BITSTREAM
1y 8m to grant Granted Aug 18, 2026
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
72%
Grant Probability
87%
With Interview (+14.9%)
2y 7m (~1y 5m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 447 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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