Prosecution Insights
Last updated: July 15, 2026
Application No. 19/320,777

IMAGE DATA ENCODING/DECODING METHOD AND APPARATUS

Final Rejection §103
Filed
Sep 05, 2025
Priority
Oct 04, 2016 — RE 10-2016-0127883 +6 more
Examiner
CATTUNGAL, ROWINA J
Art Unit
2425
Tech Center
2400 — Computer Networks
Assignee
B1 Institute of Image Technology Inc.
OA Round
2 (Final)
75%
Grant Probability
Favorable
3-4
OA Rounds
1y 7m
Est. Remaining
89%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 75% — above average
75%
Career Allowance Rate
401 granted / 532 resolved
+17.4% vs TC avg
Moderate +13% lift
Without
With
+13.4%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 5m
Avg Prosecution
26 currently pending
Career history
567
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.6%
-39.4% vs TC avg
§103
89.2%
+49.2% vs TC avg
§102
3.1%
-36.9% vs TC avg
§112
0.5%
-39.5% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 532 resolved cases

Office Action

§103
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 . This office action is in response to amendment filed 05/14/2026 in which the claims 1-7 are pending. Response to Arguments Applicant's arguments filed 05/14/2026 have been fully considered but are not persuasive. Applicant argues the rejections are respectfully traversed. Amended claim 1 recites the following specific features that the cited references fail to disclose or suggest: Feature 1) obtaining enablement information indicating whether to perform image resizing for the image from the received bitstream; and Feature 2) obtaining information on image resizing for the image from the bitstream based on the enablement information indicating to perform the image resizing for the image. Specifically, according to paragraph [0318] of Hannuksela, whether to perform resampling is determined based on whether both the horizontal scale factor (ScaleFactorHor) and the vertical scale factor (ScaleFactorVer) are equal to 1. If the scale factors are not equal to 1, resampling is performed; otherwise, it is not. Furthermore, paragraph [0363] of Hannuksela explains that these scale factors are derived as the ratio of the size of the reference region within the current picture to the size of the reference region in the source picture. In other words, under Hannuksela's approach, the decision to resize is implicitly made based on the calculated scale factors (i.e., whether the dimensional ratio equals 1). In stark contrast, amended claim 1 requires that "enablement information" be explicitly obtained from the bitstream to determine whether to perform image resizing. Furthermore, the subsequent step of obtaining image resizing information is conditional upon this specific enablement information. Since Hannuksela does not teach obtaining a separate syntax element (enablement information) from the bitstream to control the resizing decision, but rather relies on derived scale factors, it fails to disclose or suggest Features 1 and 2. Given such contrary and deficient teachings of Hannuksela, the disclosure of Joshi is found to be ineffectual to the present patentability analysis. The Office cited Joshi for purportedly disclosing wherein the bitstream comprises information on rotation of the image. Even assuming arguendo that the Office's assertion about Joshi is correct, which Applicant is not acquiescing in, Joshi still fails to remedy the noted deficiencies of Hannuksela. Applicant respectfully submits that the combination of Hannuksela and Joshi does not disclose or suggest a method of decoding a current image with a decoding apparatus obtaining enablement information indicating whether to perform image resizing for the image from the received bitstream; obtaining information on image resizing for the image from the bitstream based on the enablement information indicating to perform the image resizing for the image when taken in the context of claim 1. Yamamoto purportedly teaches a value obtained by multiplying a syntax value of the corresponding reference region offset information by 2 is set as a reference region offset. However, in view of the above remarks regarding the disclosures of Hannuksela, Joshi, and Yamamoto, it is respectfully submitted that neither Hannuksela, Joshi, Yamamoto, nor any combination of the same would disclose or suggest all respective features of each of claims 6 and Examiner respectfully disagrees and clarifies that Hannuksela et al. discloses in Para[0332] that In HEVC, reference layer location offsets may be included in the PPS by the encoder and decoded from the PPS by the decoder. Reference layer location offsets may be used for but are not limited to achieving ROI scalability. Reference layer location offsets may comprise one or more of scaled reference layer offsets, reference region offsets, and resampling phase sets. Scaled reference layer offsets may be considered to specify the horizontal and vertical offsets between the sample in the current picture that is collocated with the top-left luma sample of the reference region in a decoded picture in a reference layer and the horizontal and vertical offsets between the sample in the current picture that is collocated with the bottom-right luma sample of the reference region in a decoded picture in a reference layer. A resampling phase set may be considered to specify the phase offsets used in resampling process of a source picture for inter-layer prediction. Different phase offsets may be provided for luma and chroma components. Para [0356]-[0357] discloses resample_phase_set_present_flag[i] equal to 1 specifies that the i-th resampling phase set is present in the PPS. resample_phase_set_present_flag[i] equal to 0 specifies that the i-th resampling phase set is not present in the PPS. When not present, the value of resample_phase_set_present_flag[i] is inferred to be equal to 0. The i-th resampling phase set specifies the phase offsets used in resampling process of the direct reference layer picture with nuh_layer_id equal to ref_loc_offset_layer_id[i]. When the layer specified by ref_loc_offset_layer_id[i] is not a direct reference layer of the current layer, the values of the syntax elements phase_hor_luma[ref_loc_offset_layer_id[i]], phase_ver_luma[ref_loc_offset_layer_id[i]], phase_hor_chroma_plus8[ref_loc_offset_layer_id[i]] and phase_ver_chroma_plus8[ref_loc_offset_layer_id[i]] are unspecified and shall be ignored by decoders. Para[0379] teaches method of handling sample locations outside picture boundaries is in use for inter-layer resampling, the encoder indicates the method in the bitstream. The signaling may be specific to handling sample locations outside picture boundaries in inter-layer resampling or may be combined with handling sample locations outside picture boundaries for inter prediction Para[0388] teaches a decoder decodes from the bitstream one or more syntax elements whether sample locations outside a picture boundary are handled as described above or conventionally in inter-layer resampling. For example, the decoder may decode from the bitstream one or more syntax elements described above. The decoder uses the syntax elements to conclude which method of handling sample locations outside picture boundaries is in use for inter-layer resampling. The signaling may be specific to handling sample locations outside picture boundaries in inter-layer resampling or may be combined with handling sample locations outside picture boundaries for inter prediction. Further Para[0463] teaches resampled as determined by reference layer location offsets. The encoder may indicate the creation of the two occurrences in the bitstream through using reference picture list reordering syntax or similar. Thus Hannuksela relies on resample_phase_set_present_flag to make the resizing decision by obtaining syntax element (e.g., the claimed "image resizing enablement information" and/or "image resizing information") from the bitstream, and it clearly disclose the amended features of Claim 1. Claims 6 and 7 have been amended to recite the similar features of Claim 1, and hence same response applies to Claims 6 and 7. 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 1-7 are provisionally rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-7 of copending Application No. 19/317,147 (reference application). Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because instant claims are anticipated by the conflicting copending claims. The difference between the instant examined claim and the conflicting copending claim is that the conflicting copending claim is narrower in scope and falls within the scope of the examined claim This is a provisional nonstatutory double patenting rejection because the patentably indistinct claims have not in fact been patented. Claims 1-7 are provisionally rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-7 of copending Application No. 19/317,151 (reference application) in view of Joshi et al. (US 2014/0226721 A1) Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because the examined application claim is obvious over the conflicting copending claim The difference between the instant and conflicting copending claim is the addition of limitation “wherein the bitstream comprises information on rotation of the image” in the instant claim. However Joshi discloses wherein the bitstream comprises information on rotation of the image (Para[0071] teaches a rotation value for the residual block may be explicitly signaled in a bitstream between video encoder 20 and video decoder 30 , para[0112] teaches video decoder 30 may be configured to perform the techniques of this disclosure, including skipping an inverse transform for a residual block, and determining whether to rotate the residual block. Reposition unit 94 of video decoder 30 may determine whether or not to rotate the residual block. In some examples, reposition unit 94 determines whether to rotate the residual block based on syntax elements in the bitstream that indicate a rotation value for the residual block used at video encoder 20. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to utilize limitation in the method of the conflicting patent claim, since enabling residual data comprises one of rotating or flipping the residual data of the residual block. In order to provide a system to improve entropy coding efficiency. Claims 1-7 are provisionally rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-7 of copending Application No. 19/411,190 (reference application). in view of Joshi et al. (US 2014/0226721 A1) Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because the examined application claim is obvious over the conflicting copending claim The difference between the instant and conflicting copending claim is the addition of limitation “wherein the bitstream comprises information on rotation of the image” in the instant claim. However Joshi discloses wherein the bitstream comprises information on rotation of the image (Para[0071] teaches a rotation value for the residual block may be explicitly signaled in a bitstream between video encoder 20 and video decoder 30 , para[0112] teaches video decoder 30 may be configured to perform the techniques of this disclosure, including skipping an inverse transform for a residual block, and determining whether to rotate the residual block. Reposition unit 94 of video decoder 30 may determine whether or not to rotate the residual block. In some examples, reposition unit 94 determines whether to rotate the residual block based on syntax elements in the bitstream that indicate a rotation value for the residual block used at video encoder 20. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to utilize limitation in the method of the conflicting patent claim, since enabling residual data comprises one of rotating or flipping the residual data of the residual block. In order to provide a system to improve entropy coding efficiency. Claims 1-7 are provisionally rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-7 of copending Application No. 19/411,192 (reference application) in view of Joshi et al. (US 2014/0226721 A1) Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because the examined application claim is obvious over the conflicting copending claim The difference between the instant and conflicting copending claim is the addition of limitation “wherein the bitstream comprises information on rotation of the image” in the instant claim. However Joshi discloses wherein the bitstream comprises information on rotation of the image (Para[0071] teaches a rotation value for the residual block may be explicitly signaled in a bitstream between video encoder 20 and video decoder 30 , para[0112] teaches video decoder 30 may be configured to perform the techniques of this disclosure, including skipping an inverse transform for a residual block, and determining whether to rotate the residual block. Reposition unit 94 of video decoder 30 may determine whether or not to rotate the residual block. In some examples, reposition unit 94 determines whether to rotate the residual block based on syntax elements in the bitstream that indicate a rotation value for the residual block used at video encoder 20. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to utilize limitation in the method of the conflicting patent claim, since enabling residual data comprises one of rotating or flipping the residual data of the residual block. In order to provide a system to improve entropy coding efficiency. Claims 1-7 are provisionally rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-7 of copending Application No. 19/411,193 (reference application) in view of Joshi et al. (US 2014/0226721 A1) Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because the examined application claim is obvious over the conflicting copending claim The difference between the instant and conflicting copending claim is the addition of limitation “wherein the bitstream comprises information on rotation of the image” in the instant claim. However Joshi discloses wherein the bitstream comprises information on rotation of the image (Para[0071] teaches a rotation value for the residual block may be explicitly signaled in a bitstream between video encoder 20 and video decoder 30 , para[0112] teaches video decoder 30 may be configured to perform the techniques of this disclosure, including skipping an inverse transform for a residual block, and determining whether to rotate the residual block. Reposition unit 94 of video decoder 30 may determine whether or not to rotate the residual block. In some examples, reposition unit 94 determines whether to rotate the residual block based on syntax elements in the bitstream that indicate a rotation value for the residual block used at video encoder 20. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to utilize limitation in the method of the conflicting patent claim, since enabling residual data comprises one of rotating or flipping the residual data of the residual block. In order to provide a system to improve entropy coding efficiency. Claims 1-7 are provisionally rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-7 of copending Application No. 19/414,697 (reference application). in view of Joshi et al. (US 2014/0226721 A1) Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because the examined application claim is obvious over the conflicting copending claim The difference between the instant and conflicting copending claim is the addition of limitation “wherein the bitstream comprises information on rotation of the image” in the instant claim. However Joshi discloses wherein the bitstream comprises information on rotation of the image (Para[0071] teaches a rotation value for the residual block may be explicitly signaled in a bitstream between video encoder 20 and video decoder 30 , para[0112] teaches video decoder 30 may be configured to perform the techniques of this disclosure, including skipping an inverse transform for a residual block, and determining whether to rotate the residual block. Reposition unit 94 of video decoder 30 may determine whether or not to rotate the residual block. In some examples, reposition unit 94 determines whether to rotate the residual block based on syntax elements in the bitstream that indicate a rotation value for the residual block used at video encoder 20. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to utilize limitation in the method of the conflicting patent claim, since enabling residual data comprises one of rotating or flipping the residual data of the residual block. In order to provide a system to improve entropy coding efficiency. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103 In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status. The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action: A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole 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. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made. The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows: 1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art. 2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue. 3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art. 4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness. Claims 1-3, 5-7 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Hannuksela et al. (US 2017/0085917 A1) in view of Joshi et al. (US 2014/0226721 A1) Regarding claim 1, Hannuksela discloses a method for processing an image (Para[0422] & Fig. 14 teaches a method comprises coding or decoding samples of a border region of a 360-degree panoramic picture), the method comprising: receiving a bitstream for the image; ; obtaining enablement information indicating whether to perform image resizing for the image from the received bitstream; obtaining information on image resizing for the image from the bitstream based on the enablement information indicating to perform the image resizing for the image (Para [0356]-[0357] teaches resample_phase_set_present_flag[i] equal to 1 specifies that the i-th resampling phase set is present in the PPS. resample_phase_set_present_flag[i] equal to 0 specifies that the i-th resampling phase set is not present in the PPS. When not present, the value of resample_phase_set_present_flag[i] is inferred to be equal to 0. The i-th resampling phase set specifies the phase offsets used in resampling process of the direct reference layer picture with nuh_layer_id equal to ref_loc_offset_layer_id[i]. When the layer specified by ref_loc_offset_layer_id[i] is not a direct reference layer of the current layer, the values of the syntax elements phase_hor_luma[ref_loc_offset_layer_id[i]], phase_ver_luma[ref_loc_offset_layer_id[i]], phase_hor_chroma_plus8[ref_loc_offset_layer_id[i]] and phase_ver_chroma_plus8[ref_loc_offset_layer_id[i]] are unspecified and shall be ignored by decoders. Further Para[0463] teaches resampled as determined by reference layer location offsets. The encoder may indicate the creation of the two occurrences in the bitstream through using reference picture list reordering syntax or similar);); reconstructing the image by decoding the bitstream (Para0379] teaches it is indicated in the bitstream whether sample locations outside a picture boundary are handled in inter-layer resampling, Para [0444] teaches a decoder may decode the mapping from reference layer location offsets parsed from the bitstream, decoding the inter-layer predicted bitstream); and performing image resizing for the reconstructed image based on the information on image resizing (Fig. 10, illustrates enhancement layer 1030 having larger size than upsampled base layer 1010 and base layer 1020), wherein the information on image resizing comprises offset factors for each directions of the reconstructed image (para[0332] teaches scaled reference layer offsets may be considered to specify the horizontal and vertical offsets between the sample in the current picture that is collocated with the top-left luma sample of the reference region in a decoded picture in a reference layer and the horizontal and vertical offsets between the sample in the current picture that is collocated with the bottom-right luma sample of the reference region in a decoded picture in a reference layer & Fig. 10, enhancement layer 1030 being extended above, left, right, and below base layer by an offset scaling value. para[0394] teaches a decoder may decode scaled reference layer offset values instead of or in addition to reference region offset values, whereby the values indicate that an enhancement layer picture corresponds to a region in the reference-layer picture that crosses the picture boundary to the opposite side of the reference-layer picture). Hannuksela does not explicitly disclose and wherein the bitstream comprises information on rotation of the image. However Joshi discloses and wherein the bitstream comprises information on rotation of the image (Para[0071] teaches a rotation value for the residual block may be explicitly signaled in a bitstream between video encoder 20 and video decoder 30 , para[0112] teaches video decoder 30 may be configured to perform the techniques of this disclosure, including skipping an inverse transform for a residual block, and determining whether to rotate the residual block. Reposition unit 94 of video decoder 30 may determine whether or not to rotate the residual block. In some examples, reposition unit 94 determines whether to rotate the residual block based on syntax elements in the bitstream that indicate a rotation value for the residual block used at video encoder 20). It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to use the method in which the reference region is determined to cross a picture boundary of the 360-degree panoramic source picture, where reference region is included with the sample values of an opposite side border region, the variable values are matched with the blocks of the opposite side border region of Hannuksela with the method of enables residual data comprises one of rotating or flipping the residual data of the residual block of Joshi in order to provide a system to improve entropy coding efficiency. Regarding claim 2, Hannuksela discloses the method of claim 1, wherein the image resizing is performed further considering scaling factors for both a lateral direction and a longitudinal direction, and the scaling factor for the lateral direction and the scaling factor for the longitudinal direction are obtained independently from each other (Para[0363] teaches The variables ScaledRefRegionWidthInSamplesY and ScaledRefRegionHeightInSamplesY may be set to the width and height, respectively, of the reference region within the current picture. The horizontal and vertical scale factors for the luma sample array may then be derived as the ratio of ScaledRefRegionWidthInSamplesY to the reference region width (in the luma sample array of the source picture for inter-layer prediction, here denoted ScaledRefRegionWidthInSamplesY) and the ratio of ScaledRefRegionHeightInSamplesY to the reference region height (in the luma sample array of the source picture for inter-layer prediction), respectively). Regarding claim 3, Hannuksela discloses the method of claim 1, wherein the image resizing is performed based on a resizing value, and the resizing value is obtained based on the offset factor included in the information on image resizing and a decoding setting (para[0364] teaches the reference layer sample location corresponding to or collocating with (xP, yP) may be derived for a luma sample array on the basis of reference layer location offsets for example using the following process, process generates a sample location (xRef16, yRef16) specifying the reference layer sample location in units of 1/16-th sample relative to the top-left sample of the luma component. xRef16 is set equal to (((xP−ScaledRefLayerLeftOffset)*ScaleFactorHor+addHor+(1<<11))>>12)+refOffsetLeft, where addHor is set on the basis of horizontal phase offset for luma and refOffSetLeft is the left offset of the reference region in units of 1/16-th sample relative to the top-left sample of the luma sample array of the source picture for inter-layer prediction. yRef16 is set equal to (((yP−ScaledRefLayerTopOffset)*ScaleFactorVer+addVer+(1<<11))>>12)+refOffsetTop, where addVer is set on the basis of vertical phase offset for luma and refOffSetTop is the top offset of the reference region in units of 1/16-th sample relative to the top-left sample of the luma sample array of the source picture for inter-layer prediction). Regarding claim 5, Hannuksela discloses the method of claim 1, wherein the image resizing for a chroma component is performed based on the image resizing for a luma component (Para[0306] teaches inter-component prediction takes place from the luma component (or sample array) to the chroma components (or sample arrays). Para [0327] an inter-layer resampling process for obtaining a resampled chroma sample value may be specified identically or similarly to the above-described process for a luma sample value, Para[0363] –[0364] For a particular direct reference layer with nuh_layer_id equal to rLId, the variables ScaledRefLayerLeftOffset, ScaledRefLayerTopOffset, ScaledRefLayerRightOffset and ScaledRefLayerBottomOffset may be set equal to scaled_ref_layer_left_offset[rLId], scaled_ref_layer_top_offset[rLId], scaled_ref_layer_right_offset[rLId] and scaled_ref_layer_bottom_offset[rLId], respectively, scaled (when needed) to be represented in units of luma samples of the current picture. The scale factors for chroma sample arrays may be derived similarly). Regarding claim 6, Hannuksela a method for processing an image (Para[0379] teaches method of handling sample locations outside picture boundaries is in use for inter-layer resampling, the encoder indicates the method in the bitstream), the method comprising: generating a bitstream by encoding the image (Para[0422] & Fig. 14 teaches a method comprises coding or decoding samples of a border region of a 360-degree panoramic picture); encoding enablement information indicating whether to perform image resizing for the image into the bitstream (Para [0356]-[0357] teaches resample_phase_set_present_flag[i] equal to 1 specifies that the i-th resampling phase set is present in the PPS. resample_phase_set_present_flag[i] equal to 0 specifies that the i-th resampling phase set is not present in the PPS. When not present, the value of resample_phase_set_present_flag[i] is inferred to be equal to 0. The i-th resampling phase set specifies the phase offsets used in resampling process of the direct reference layer picture with nuh_layer_id equal to ref_loc_offset_layer_id[i]. When the layer specified by ref_loc_offset_layer_id[i] is not a direct reference layer of the current layer, the values of the syntax elements phase_hor_luma[ref_loc_offset_layer_id[i]], phase_ver_luma[ref_loc_offset_layer_id[i]], phase_hor_chroma_plus8[ref_loc_offset_layer_id[i]] and phase_ver_chroma_plus8[ref_loc_offset_layer_id[i]] are unspecified and shall be ignored by decoders. Further Para[0463] teaches resampled as determined by reference layer location offsets. The encoder may indicate the creation of the two occurrences in the bitstream through using reference picture list reordering syntax or similar); and encoding information on image resizing for the image into the bitstream based on the enablement information indicating to perform the image resizing for the image; (Para[0379] teaches method of handling sample locations outside picture boundaries is in use for inter-layer resampling, the encoder indicates the method in the bitstream. The signaling may be specific to handling sample locations outside picture boundaries in inter-layer resampling or may be combined with handling sample locations outside picture boundaries for inter prediction. For example, the encoder may include one or more of the following indications, or similar, into the bitstream); wherein the information on image resizing is used for performing image resizing for the image when being reconstructed, wherein the information on image resizing comprises offset factors for each directions of the image (Para[0318] teaches the encoder and/or the decoder may derive a horizontal scale factor (e.g. stored in variable ScaleFactorHor) and a vertical scale factor (e.g. stored in variable ScaleFactorVer) for a pair of an enhancement layer and its reference layer for example based on the reference layer location offsets for the pair. resampling may be pre-defined for example in a coding standard and/or indicated by the encoder in the bitstream (e.g. as an index among pre-defined resampling processes or filters) and/or decoded by the decoder from the bitstream). Hannuksela does not explicitly disclose and wherein the bitstream comprises information on rotation of the image. However Joshi discloses and wherein the bitstream comprises information on rotation of the image (Para[0071] teaches a rotation value for the residual block may be explicitly signaled in a bitstream between video encoder 20 and video decoder 30 , para[0112] teaches video decoder 30 may be configured to perform the techniques of this disclosure, including skipping an inverse transform for a residual block, and determining whether to rotate the residual block. Reposition unit 94 of video decoder 30 may determine whether or not to rotate the residual block. In some examples, reposition unit 94 determines whether to rotate the residual block based on syntax elements in the bitstream that indicate a rotation value for the residual block used at video encoder 20). would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to use the method in which the reference region is determined to cross a picture boundary of the 360-degree panoramic source picture, where reference region is included with the sample values of an opposite side border region, the variable values are matched with the blocks of the opposite side border region of Hannuksela with the method of enables residual data comprises one of rotating or flipping the residual data of the residual block of Joshi in order to provide a system to improve entropy coding efficiency. Regarding claim 7, Hannuksela discloses a method for transmitting a bitstream (Para[0280] teaches portions of the bitstream to be transmitted to the receiver Para[0379] teaches method of handling sample locations outside picture boundaries is in use for inter-layer resampling, the encoder indicates the method in the bitstream), the method comprising: generating a bitstream by encoding the image (Para[0311] teaches inter-layer prediction may for example depend on the coding profile according to which the bitstream or a particular layer within the bitstream is being encoded ); encoding enablement information indicating whether to perform image resizing for the image into the bitstream; encoding information on image resizing for the image into the bitstream based on the enablement information indicating to perform the image resizing for the image Para [0356]-[0357] teaches resample_phase_set_present_flag[i] equal to 1 specifies that the i-th resampling phase set is present in the PPS. resample_phase_set_present_flag[i] equal to 0 specifies that the i-th resampling phase set is not present in the PPS. When not present, the value of resample_phase_set_present_flag[i] is inferred to be equal to 0. The i-th resampling phase set specifies the phase offsets used in resampling process of the direct reference layer picture with nuh_layer_id equal to ref_loc_offset_layer_id[i]. When the layer specified by ref_loc_offset_layer_id[i] is not a direct reference layer of the current layer, the values of the syntax elements phase_hor_luma[ref_loc_offset_layer_id[i]], phase_ver_luma[ref_loc_offset_layer_id[i]], phase_hor_chroma_plus8[ref_loc_offset_layer_id[i]] and phase_ver_chroma_plus8[ref_loc_offset_layer_id[i]] are unspecified and shall be ignored by decoders. Further Para[0463] teaches resampled as determined by reference layer location offsets. The encoder may indicate the creation of the two occurrences in the bitstream through using reference picture list reordering syntax or similar); Para[0379] teaches method of handling sample locations outside picture boundaries is in use for inter-layer resampling, the encoder indicates the method in the bitstream. The signaling may be specific to handling sample locations outside picture boundaries in inter-layer resampling or may be combined with handling sample locations outside picture boundaries for inter prediction. For example, the encoder may include one or more of the following indications, or similar, into the bitstream);; and transmitting the bitstream, wherein the information on image resizing is used for performing image resizing for the image when being reconstructed (Para[0318] teaches the encoder and/or the decoder may derive a horizontal scale factor (e.g. stored in variable ScaleFactorHor) and a vertical scale factor (e.g. stored in variable ScaleFactorVer) for a pair of an enhancement layer and its reference layer for example based on the reference layer location offsets for the pair. resampling may be pre-defined for example in a coding standard and/or indicated by the encoder in the bitstream (e.g. as an index among pre-defined resampling processes or filters) and/or decoded by the decoder from the bitstream), wherein the information on image resizing comprises offset factors for each directions of the image, and wherein the bitstream comprises information on rotation of the image (para[0332] teaches scaled reference layer offsets may be considered to specify the horizontal and vertical offsets between the sample in the current picture that is collocated with the top-left luma sample of the reference region in a decoded picture in a reference layer and the horizontal and vertical offsets between the sample in the current picture that is collocated with the bottom-right luma sample of the reference region in a decoded picture in a reference layer & Fig. 10, para[0394] teaches a decoder may decode scaled reference layer offset values instead of or in addition to reference region offset values, whereby the values indicate that an enhancement layer picture corresponds to a region in the reference-layer picture that crosses the picture boundary to the opposite side of the reference-layer picture). Hannuksela does not expclity disclose and wherein the bitstream comprises information on rotation of the image. However Joshi discloses and wherein the bitstream comprises information on rotation of the image (Para[0071] teaches a rotation value for the residual block may be explicitly signaled in a bitstream between video encoder 20 and video decoder 30, para[0112] teaches video decoder 30 may be configured to perform the techniques of this disclosure, including skipping an inverse transform for a residual block, and determining whether to rotate the residual block. Reposition unit 94 of video decoder 30 may determine whether or not to rotate the residual block. In some examples, reposition unit 94 determines whether to rotate the residual block based on syntax elements in the bitstream that indicate a rotation value for the residual block used at video encoder 20). It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to use the method in which the reference region is determined to cross a picture boundary of the 360-degree panoramic source picture, where reference region is included with the sample values of an opposite side border region, the variable values are matched with the blocks of the opposite side border region of Hannuksela with the method of enables residual data comprises one of rotating or flipping the residual data of the residual block of Joshi in order to provide a system to improve entropy coding efficiency. Claim 4 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Hannuksela et al. (US 2017/0085917 A1) in view of Joshi et al. (US 2014/0226721 A1) and Yamamoto et al. (US 2017/0034532 A1). Regarding claim 4, Hannuksela in view of Joshi discloses the method of claim 3, Hannuksela in view of Joshi does not explicitly disclose wherein the resizing value is calculated as equal to the offset factor multiplied by 2 according to a decoding setting. However Yamamoto discloses wherein the resizing value is calculated as equal to the offset factor multiplied by 2 according to a decoding setting (Para[0273] teaches a value obtained by multiplying a syntax value of the corresponding reference region offset information by 2 is set as a reference region offset). It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to use the method in which the reference region is determined to cross a picture boundary of the 360-degree panoramic source picture, rotating the residual data of the residual block where reference region is included with the sample values of an opposite side border region, the variable values are matched with the blocks of the opposite side border region of Hannuksela in view of Joshi with the method of expansion reference layer offset syntax related with reference layer, reference layer offset syntax, and phase offset syntax between layers are used of Yamamoto in order to provide a system with hierarchy image decoding which decodes the coding data encoded hierarchically. Conclusion THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a). A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ROWINA J CATTUNGAL whose telephone number is (571)270-5922. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Thursday 7:30-6pm. 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, Brian Pendleton can be reached at (571) 272-7527. 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. /ROWINA J CATTUNGAL/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2425
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Prosecution Timeline

Sep 05, 2025
Application Filed
Apr 02, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103
May 14, 2026
Response Filed
Jun 08, 2026
Final Rejection mailed — §103
Jul 10, 2026
Response after Non-Final Action

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3-4
Expected OA Rounds
75%
Grant Probability
89%
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2y 5m (~1y 7m remaining)
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