US 7724818

Here's a concise summary of US patent 7724818:

Title: Method for coding sequences of pictures

Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
Original Assignee: Nokia Inc

Inventors: Miska Hannuksela, Ye-Kui Wang

Filing Date: 2003-04-30

Issue Date: 2010-05-25 (Publication date of the granted patent)

Abstract:
The patent describes a method for encoding sequences of pictures into a bitstream. In this method, parameters are organized into parameter sets, and each picture contains information about one or more slices. The method involves defining parameter values within a sequence parameter set for an entire sequence of pictures, defining parameter values in a picture parameter set for individual pictures, and defining at least one picture parameter value in a slice header. A key aspect is that this specific picture parameter value in the slice header remains unchanged across all slice headers belonging to a single picture.

Plain-language overview of independent claims:

• Claim 1 (Method for encoding): This claim describes an encoding method performed by an encoder. It involves three main steps:

  1. Defining general parameters for a whole sequence of pictures in a "sequence parameter set."
  2. Defining parameters specific to individual pictures in a "picture parameter set."
  3. Defining at least one parameter within a "slice header" (a smaller unit of a picture), with the important condition that this particular picture parameter value must be the same in all slice headers within that single picture.

• Claim 6 (Method for decoding): This claim outlines a decoding method performed by a decoder, mirroring the encoding process. It consists of:

  1. Recognizing a sequence parameter set and using it to establish sequence-level parameters.
  2. Recognizing a picture parameter set and using it to establish a first set of picture-level parameters.
  3. Extracting a second set of picture-level parameters from a slice header, ensuring that this second set of parameters remains consistent across all slice headers of a given picture.
  4. Using these second picture-level parameters during the decoding process.

• Claim 10 (Encoder): This claim defines an encoder apparatus. It specifies that the encoder includes a processor configured to perform the three defining steps outlined in Claim 1 (defining parameters in a sequence parameter set, a picture parameter set, and a picture parameter value in a slice header that remains unchanged across all slices of a picture).

• Claim 11 (Decoder): This claim defines a decoder apparatus. It specifies that the decoder includes a processor configured to perform the four recognizing/forming/using steps outlined in Claim 6 (recognizing sequence and picture parameter sets, forming a second picture parameter from a slice header that remains unchanged across all slices of a picture, and using it in decoding).

• Claim 12 (System): This claim describes a system that includes both the encoder of Claim 10 and the decoder of Claim 11, working in conjunction as described by their respective methods.

• Claim 14 (Transmitting device): This claim defines a transmitting device, emphasizing that it comprises an encoder configured as described in Claim 10.

• Claim 15 (Receiving device): This claim defines a receiving device, emphasizing that it comprises a decoder configured as described in Claim 11.

• Claim 16 (Bitstream): This claim defines the structure of the bitstream itself. It states that the bitstream comprises:

  1. Encoded pictures.
  2. Sequence parameters located within a sequence parameter set.
  3. Picture parameter values located within a picture parameter set.
  4. Information for a slice, including a slice header.
  5. At least one picture parameter value within the slice header, which is invariant across all slice headers of a single encoded picture.

• Claim 20 (Computer readable storage medium for encoding): This claim covers a computer-readable storage medium containing programming code that, when executed by a processor, performs the encoding method steps defined in Claim 1.

• Claim 21 (Computer readable storage medium for decoding): This claim covers a computer-readable storage medium containing programming code that, when executed by a processor, performs the decoding method steps defined in Claim 6.

• Claim 22 (Encoder with means-plus-function language): This claim is an apparatus claim for an encoder, expressed using "means for" clauses to describe the functions of defining parameters in sequence and picture parameter sets, and defining the stable picture parameter in slice headers, as in Claim 1.

• Claim 23 (Decoder with means-plus-function language): This claim is an apparatus claim for a decoder, expressed using "means for" clauses to describe the functions of recognizing and forming sequence and picture parameters, forming the stable picture parameter from slice headers, and using it in decoding, as in Claim 6.

Uncertainty Regarding CAFC 2026 Dockets:
A direct search of CAFC 2026 dockets for patent number 7724818 did not yield specific results. However, Google Patents indicates that the patent is "Active, expires 2026-05-03" and lists several litigation events, including a "US case filed in Delaware District Court" (1:23-cv-01237, 1:23-cv-01236, 1:23-cv-01232) and multiple PTAB cases (IPR2025-01338, IPR2024-00572), and US cases in other district courts and the ITC. While these indicate active disputes, I cannot authoritatively confirm any specific CAFC docket entries for 2026 from the performed search.## US Patent 7,724,818: Method for Coding Sequences of Pictures

US Patent 7,724,818, titled "Method for coding sequences of pictures," describes an innovative approach to video encoding and decoding that optimizes parameter transmission for improved compression efficiency and error resilience.

Key Details:

• Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
• Inventors: Miska Hannuksela, Ye-Kui Wang
• Filing Date: April 30, 2003
• Issue Date: May 25, 2010
• Expiration Date: May 3, 2026 (Adjusted expiration)

Abstract:
The patent details a method for encoding sequences of pictures into a bitstream where parameters are organized into hierarchical parameter sets. Specifically, parameters are defined in a sequence parameter set and a picture parameter set. Furthermore, at least one picture parameter value is defined within a slice header, with the crucial characteristic that this particular picture parameter value remains consistent across all slice headers within a given picture. This hierarchical structure allows for more efficient parameter transmission and clarifies persistency rules for various parameter values.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

The independent claims of US Patent 7,724,818 establish methods, apparatuses (encoder, decoder, transmitting device, receiving device, system), and a bitstream incorporating a layered parameter set structure for video coding.

• Claim 1 (Encoding Method): An encoder defines parameters at three levels:

  1. Sequence-level parameters: Stored in a "sequence parameter set" for an entire sequence of pictures.
  2. Picture-level parameters: Stored in a "picture parameter set" for individual pictures.
  3. Slice-level picture parameters: At least one specific picture parameter value is placed in a "slice header." This value must remain the same across all slice headers belonging to the same single picture.

• Claim 6 (Decoding Method): A decoder performs the inverse process:

  1. Recognizes and uses a "sequence parameter set" to establish sequence-level parameters.
  2. Recognizes and uses a "picture parameter set" to establish a first set of picture-level parameters.
  3. Forms a second set of picture-level parameters from a "slice header," ensuring this value remains constant across all slice headers within one picture.
  4. Uses this second set of picture-level parameters during decoding.

• Claim 10 (Encoder Apparatus): An encoder device comprising a processor configured to perform the three parameter defining steps as described in Claim 1.

• Claim 11 (Decoder Apparatus): A decoder device comprising a processor configured to perform the four parameter recognizing, forming, and using steps as described in Claim 6.

• Claim 12 (System): A system integrating both the encoder of Claim 10 and the decoder of Claim 11, facilitating the complete video coding process.

• Claim 14 (Transmitting Device): A transmitting device that includes the encoder described in Claim 10.

• Claim 15 (Receiving Device): A receiving device that includes the decoder described in Claim 11.

• Claim 16 (Bitstream): The encoded video bitstream itself is claimed, characterized by containing:

  1. Encoded pictures.
  2. Sequence parameters within a sequence parameter set.
  3. Picture parameter values within a picture parameter set.
  4. Slice information, including a slice header.
  5. At least one picture parameter value within the slice header that is consistent across all slice headers of a single encoded picture.

• Claim 20 (Computer-Readable Storage Medium for Encoding): A storage medium embedded with computer programming code that, when executed, enables a processor to perform the encoding method steps of Claim 1.

• Claim 21 (Computer-Readable Storage Medium for Decoding): A storage medium embedded with computer programming code that, when executed, enables a processor to perform the decoding method steps of Claim 6.

• Claim 22 (Encoder with "Means"): An encoder apparatus described in "means for" language, covering the functionalities of defining sequence parameters, picture parameters, and the consistent slice-header-based picture parameter.

• Claim 23 (Decoder with "Means"): A decoder apparatus described in "means for" language, covering the functionalities of recognizing and forming sequence and picture parameters, forming the consistent slice-header-based picture parameter, and using it in decoding.

Litigation Status:
As of April 26, 2026, direct searches for US patent 7724818 within CAFC 2026 dockets did not return specific case filings. However, Google Patents indicates active litigation related to US7724818, including multiple cases filed in the Delaware District Court (e.g., 1:23-cv-01237, 1:23-cv-01236, 1:23-cv-01232), the North Carolina Eastern District Court (5:19-cv-00427), the Minnesota District Court (0:24-cv-04269), and the International Trade Commission (337-TA-1380, 337-TA-1208). Additionally, there have been PTAB (Patent Trial and Appeal Board) cases, IPR2024-00572 (settlement) and IPR2025-01338 (not instituted - procedural). The patent's legal status is listed as "Active," with an adjusted expiration date of May 3, 2026.