Patent 9042448

Prior art

Earlier patents, publications, and products that may anticipate or render the claims unpatentable.

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Prior art

Earlier patents, publications, and products that may anticipate or render the claims unpatentable.

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Here is an analysis of the most relevant prior art for US Patent 9042448, based on the citations listed in its Google Patents record. While a definitive claim-by-claim anticipation analysis under 35 U.S.C. § 102 requires a detailed review of each prior art's full text and claims, this analysis provides a high-level assessment of potential relevance based on available information, primarily titles and publication/filing dates. The current date is April 26, 2026.

Cited Patent References for US9042448

US Patent Citations

  1. US20030091244A1

    • Full Citation: US20030091244A1 (Saitoh et al.) - "IMAGE ENLARGEMENT APPARATUS AND METHOD"
    • Publication Date: 2003-05-15
    • Brief Description: This patent application describes an apparatus and method for image enlargement, likely involving techniques to enhance resolution beyond simple interpolation.
    • Potential Anticipation: Potentially anticipates aspects of US9042448 related to the "super-resolution enlargement" process performed by the first and second super-resolution enlargers (e.g., elements 103, 105 in FIG. 1, and steps S202, S207 in FIG. 2), particularly concerning the underlying image enlargement algorithms. This could be relevant to claims involving the creation of super-resolution enlarged pictures.

  2. US6975765B2

    • Full Citation: US6975765B2 (Saitoh et al.) - "Video image signal processing system and video image signal processing method"
    • Publication Date: 2005-12-13
    • Filing Date: 2003-07-25
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a system and method for processing video image signals, likely including various operations on video data.
    • Potential Anticipation: Could potentially anticipate general video signal processing steps or components found within US9042448's encoding/decoding systems, such as basic prediction, transformation, or quantization steps, but is less specific to super-resolution or hierarchical encoding from its title.

  3. US20050180496A1

    • Full Citation: US20050180496A1 (Saitoh et al.) - "Image processing apparatus and image processing method"
    • Publication Date: 2005-08-18
    • Brief Description: This patent application relates to an apparatus and method for image processing.
    • Potential Anticipation: Similar to US6975765B2, this could broadly anticipate image processing steps in US9042448, especially those not directly related to the novel super-resolution or multi-layer prediction aspects. Given the common inventor with US20030091244A1, it might also touch upon resolution enhancement.

  4. US20060002462A1

    • Full Citation: US20060002462A1 (Nakahashi et al.) - "Video codec"
    • Publication Date: 2006-01-05
    • Brief Description: This patent application describes a video codec, implying systems and methods for video encoding and decoding.
    • Potential Anticipation: Potentially anticipates general video encoding and decoding principles, such as motion estimation, motion compensation, transform coding, and entropy coding, which are fundamental to the "first encoder" (102) and "second encoder" (107) in US9042448.

  5. US7068846B2

    • Full Citation: US7068846B2 (Lee et al.) - "Super-resolution imaging apparatus and method thereof"
    • Publication Date: 2006-06-27
    • Filing Date: 2004-01-20
    • Brief Description: This patent explicitly deals with super-resolution imaging, including an apparatus and method for achieving it.
    • Potential Anticipation: Highly relevant to US9042448's core inventive concept of super-resolution enlargement. It could potentially anticipate the methods and apparatus for generating super-resolution pictures, impacting claims related to the first and second super-resolution enlargers (103, 105) and their internal components (e.g., positioner 1031, interpolator 1032, estimated picture creator 1033, repetition determiner 1034).

  6. US7079703B2

    • Full Citation: US7079703B2 (Nakahashi et al.) - "Image processing apparatus and image processing method"
    • Publication Date: 2006-07-18
    • Filing Date: 2004-01-26
    • Brief Description: This patent describes an image processing apparatus and method.
    • Potential Anticipation: Could broadly anticipate image processing steps within US9042448, similar to other general image/video processing patents cited.

  7. US7203370B2

    • Full Citation: US7203370B2 (Sakazume et al.) - "Resolution conversion circuit and video signal processing apparatus"
    • Publication Date: 2007-04-10
    • Filing Date: 2004-03-24
    • Brief Description: This patent, co-invented by Satoru Sakazume (inventor of US9042448), describes a resolution conversion circuit and video signal processing apparatus.
    • Potential Anticipation: Highly relevant to US9042448's "first resolution converter" (104) and "second resolution converter" (106), as well as the "third resolution converter" (110) in later embodiments. It directly relates to the process of resolution conversion (e.g., down-converting super-resolution enlarged pictures to standard resolution, or up-converting decoded pictures to a higher resolution). This patent could potentially anticipate claims relating to the resolution conversion processes and apparatus (e.g., pixel inserter 1041, filtering processor 1042, pixel thinner 1043).

  8. US7298918B2

    • Full Citation: US7298918B2 (Sugano) - "Image coding and decoding device, and image coding and decoding method"
    • Publication Date: 2007-11-20
    • Filing Date: 2003-08-11
    • Brief Description: This patent describes devices and methods for image coding and decoding.
    • Potential Anticipation: Could anticipate general image coding/decoding techniques employed in the encoders and decoders of US9042448, such as those related to data compression and reconstruction.

  9. US7327893B2

    • Full Citation: US7327893B2 (Van Der Veen et al.) - "Image decoding method, image decoding apparatus, image encoding method, and image encoding apparatus"
    • Publication Date: 2008-02-05
    • Filing Date: 2004-12-09
    • Brief Description: This patent describes methods and apparatus for both image decoding and encoding.
    • Potential Anticipation: Similar to other general coding/decoding patents, this could potentially anticipate fundamental encoding/decoding operations in US9042448's first and second encoders/decoders.

  10. US7340003B2

    • Full Citation: US7340003B2 (Nakahashi et al.) - "Image processing method, image processing apparatus, and image processing program"
    • Publication Date: 2008-03-04
    • Filing Date: 2004-07-28
    • Brief Description: This patent covers image processing methods, apparatus, and programs.
    • Potential Anticipation: Broadly relevant to various image processing steps within US9042448's systems, but likely not specific to the unique combination of super-resolution and multi-layer encoding.

  11. US7519238B2

    • Full Citation: US7519238B2 (Maki) - "Image encoding apparatus, image decoding apparatus, image encoding method, and image decoding method"
    • Publication Date: 2009-04-14
    • Filing Date: 2005-12-21
    • Brief Description: This patent describes apparatus and methods for image encoding and decoding.
    • Potential Anticipation: Could anticipate general image encoding/decoding techniques and architectures.

  12. US20080031529A1

    • Full Citation: US20080031529A1 (Kwak et al.) - "Motion vector encoding and decoding method and apparatus"
    • Publication Date: 2008-02-07
    • Brief Description: This patent application focuses on methods and apparatus for encoding and decoding motion vectors, which are crucial in video compression.
    • Potential Anticipation: Potentially anticipates aspects of US9042448 related to motion estimation and compensation within the first and second encoders (e.g., motion estimator 408, motion compensator 409 in FIG. 10), and the encoding/decoding of motion vector information that is part of the multiplexed bit sequence (e.g., bit sequence 310 in FIG. 3).

  13. US20080123737A1

    • Full Citation: US20080123737A1 (Takahashi et al.) - "Image decoding apparatus, image decoding method, image encoding apparatus, image encoding method, and program"
    • Publication Date: 2008-05-29
    • Brief Description: This patent application describes apparatus, methods, and programs for image decoding and encoding.
    • Potential Anticipation: General video encoding and decoding principles, similar to other broad coding/decoding prior art.

  14. US7564906B2

    • Full Citation: US7564906B2 (Lee et al.) - "Coding/decoding device and coding/decoding method"
    • Publication Date: 2009-07-21
    • Filing Date: 2005-08-18
    • Brief Description: This patent describes general coding/decoding devices and methods.
    • Potential Anticipation: General video encoding and decoding principles, similar to other broad coding/decoding prior art.

  15. US20090285499A1

    • Full Citation: US20090285499A1 (Satoh et al.) - "IMAGE ENCODING APPARATUS AND IMAGE ENCODING METHOD"
    • Publication Date: 2009-11-19
    • Brief Description: This patent application covers an image encoding apparatus and method.
    • Potential Anticipation: General video encoding techniques and architectures.

  16. US7693356B2

    • Full Citation: US7693356B2 (Sakazume) - "Motion picture encoding system, motion picture encoding method, motion picture encoding program, motion picture decoding system, motion picture decoding method, motion picture decoding program, motion picture reencoding system, motion picture reencoding method, and motion picture reencoding program"
    • Publication Date: 2010-04-06
    • Filing Date: 2007-07-23
    • Brief Description: This patent has the same inventor (Satoru Sakazume) as US9042448 and a very similar title, indicating it covers related subject matter in motion picture encoding, decoding, and reencoding. It likely describes an earlier or related embodiment of the inventor's work in this field.
    • Potential Anticipation: Extremely relevant. Given the identical inventor and highly similar scope described in the title, this patent likely covers foundational aspects of the encoding/decoding/reencoding systems, methods, and programs in US9042448. It could potentially anticipate broad claims related to multi-resolution video processing, hierarchical encoding, and the overall system architecture, particularly the interaction between different encoding/decoding layers. Specific claims relating to the definition and interaction of the "first encoder," "second encoder," and their respective processes might be anticipated or rendered obvious.

  17. US7813589B2

    • Full Citation: US7813589B2 (Kobayashi et al.) - "Image coding method and apparatus for coding hierarchically-structured image data using an intra mode in an enhancement layer"
    • Publication Date: 2010-10-12
    • Filing Date: 2006-05-12
    • Brief Description: This patent describes hierarchical image coding, specifically using an intra mode in an enhancement layer.
    • Potential Anticipation: Highly relevant to the hierarchical encoding and inter-layer prediction aspects of US9042448. The concept of an "enhancement layer" (which the super-resolution stream in US9042448 can be considered) and using intra-mode coding within it could potentially anticipate claims relating to the structure of the encoded bitstreams and how prediction is handled between layers.

  18. US20100290547A1

    • Full Citation: US20100290547A1 (Minami et al.) - "Image coding device and image decoding device"
    • Publication Date: 2010-11-18
    • Brief Description: This patent application describes devices for image coding and decoding.
    • Potential Anticipation: General video encoding and decoding principles, similar to other broad coding/decoding prior art.

  19. US7940989B2

    • Full Citation: US7940989B2 (Satoh et al.) - "IMAGE ENCODING APPARATUS AND IMAGE ENCODING METHOD"
    • Publication Date: 2011-05-10
    • Filing Date: 2009-02-18
    • Brief Description: This patent describes an image encoding apparatus and method.
    • Potential Anticipation: General video encoding techniques and architectures.

  20. US8233718B2

    • Full Citation: US8233718B2 (Okubo et al.) - "Image encoding apparatus, image decoding apparatus, image encoding method, image decoding method, and program"
    • Publication Date: 2012-07-31
    • Filing Date: 2009-02-04
    • Brief Description: This patent describes apparatus, methods, and programs for image encoding and decoding.
    • Potential Anticipation: General video encoding and decoding principles.

  21. US8300703B2

    • Full Citation: US8300703B2 (Fukushima et al.) - "IMAGE ENCODING APPARATUS, IMAGE DECODING APPARATUS, IMAGE ENCODING METHOD, IMAGE DECODING METHOD, AND IMAGE ENCODING AND DECODING PROGRAM"
    • Publication Date: 2012-10-30
    • Filing Date: 2008-05-30
    • Brief Description: This patent describes apparatus, methods, and programs for image encoding and decoding. Notably, it shares the same priority date as US9042448 (2008-05-30).
    • Potential Anticipation: The shared priority date suggests concurrent development or a common inventive origin. This patent may cover fundamental encoding and decoding concepts that underpin aspects of US9042448. Without further details, it's difficult to pinpoint specific claims, but it could broadly anticipate elements of the encoding/decoding processes or system architectures, especially if related to scalable or multi-resolution coding, if described in its full text.

  22. US8565511B2

    • Full Citation: US8565511B2 (Takahata et al.) - "Image encoding method, image decoding method, image encoding apparatus, image decoding apparatus, and program"
    • Publication Date: 2013-10-22
    • Filing Date: 2008-05-30
    • Brief Description: This patent describes methods, apparatus, and programs for image encoding and decoding. It also shares the same priority date as US9042448 (2008-05-30).
    • Potential Anticipation: Similar to US8300703B2, the shared priority date suggests a closely related or parallel development. This patent likely addresses aspects of image encoding and decoding that could be foundational to US9042448, potentially anticipating general claims related to the overall coding scheme or specific components if they touch upon hierarchical or resolution-adaptive coding.

  23. US8761266B2

    • Full Citation: US8761266B2 (Ha et al.) - "Scalable image decoding apparatus and method"
    • Publication Date: 2014-06-24
    • Filing Date: 2008-12-16
    • Brief Description: This patent specifically focuses on scalable image decoding apparatus and methods.
    • Potential Anticipation: Highly relevant to the decoding system and method of US9042448, especially claims related to processing hierarchically encoded bitstreams (e.g., those from a first and second encoder) and generating decoded pictures at different resolutions. This could anticipate claims regarding the demultiplexer (1201), first decoder (1202), and subsequent processing in the decoding path of US9042448.

  24. US8774279B2

    • Full Citation: US8774279B2 (Takagi et al.) - "Image encoding/decoding device and image encoding/decoding method"
    • Publication Date: 2014-07-08
    • Filing Date: 2009-05-28
    • Brief Description: This patent describes an image encoding/decoding device and method, sharing the same filing date as US9042448.
    • Potential Anticipation: The shared filing date could indicate related work or a divisional application. This patent likely covers general image encoding/decoding techniques that are present in US9042448, potentially anticipating general architectural or methodological claims that are common to video codecs.

Non-Patent Citations

  1. MPEG-4, ISO/IEC 14496-10 Advanced Video Coding (AVC), (2003)

    • Full Citation: MPEG-4, ISO/IEC 14496-10 Advanced Video Coding (AVC), (2003)
    • Publication Date: 2003
    • Brief Description: This is a widely adopted video compression standard (H.264/AVC) that defines methods for encoding and decoding video.
    • Potential Anticipation: This standard defines many fundamental video encoding and decoding techniques, including inter-picture prediction, intra-picture prediction, transform coding, quantization, and entropy coding. US9042448's "first encoder" (102) and "second encoder" (107) are described as performing "prescribed encoding" and "prescribed decoding," which often build upon or conform to such established standards. Therefore, many general video coding operations and components within US9042448's claims could be considered anticipated or rendered obvious by AVC.

  2. MPEG-4, ISO/IEC 14496-10:2005/Amd 1:2007 Scalable Video Coding (SVC), (2007)

    • Full Citation: MPEG-4, ISO/IEC 14496-10:2005/Amd 1:2007 Scalable Video Coding (SVC), (2007)
    • Publication Date: 2007
    • Brief Description: This is an amendment to the H.264/AVC standard that adds scalable video coding functionalities, allowing for efficient encoding of video at multiple resolutions, frame rates, and qualities.
    • Potential Anticipation: US9042448 explicitly mentions "MPEG-4 SVC" in its background and describes "inter-layer prediction" and encoding at different spatial resolutions. The core concept of SVC, particularly spatial scalability, where a lower resolution layer is encoded and a higher resolution layer can predict from it, directly anticipates a central aspect of US9042448's claims regarding the "second encoder" (107) using reference pictures from the "first encoder" (102) (representing a base layer) to encode an enhanced layer. Claims related to hierarchical encoding, the use of decoded pictures from a standard resolution encoder as reference for another encoder working on a different resolution (or a resolution-converted version), and the overall architecture for scalable video coding are strongly implicated by SVC. The patent text itself refers to the "second encoder 107" executing an encoding in the CGS (Coarse Grain Scalability) layer under MPEG-4 SVC.

Most Relevant Prior Art Summary

Based on this review, the following are considered the most relevant prior art for US Patent 9042448:

  • MPEG-4, ISO/IEC 14496-10:2005/Amd 1:2007 Scalable Video Coding (SVC), (2007): This non-patent citation is foundational as US9042448 explicitly builds upon and references SVC's concepts of inter-layer prediction and spatial scalability for different resolutions. It directly anticipates the hierarchical encoding structure.
  • US7693356B2 (Sakazume): Being from the same inventor and having a nearly identical title and scope, this patent is highly likely to be a direct predecessor or a closely related family member. It would anticipate many of the overarching system and method claims for motion picture encoding/decoding/reencoding that involve multi-resolution processing.
  • US7068846B2 (Lee et al.) - "Super-resolution imaging apparatus and method thereof": This patent specifically addresses super-resolution imaging, a core component of US9042448. It could anticipate the specific techniques and internal workings of the super-resolution enlargers.
  • US7203370B2 (Sakazume et al.) - "Resolution conversion circuit and video signal processing apparatus": Also from the same inventor, this patent directly relates to resolution conversion, a critical step in preparing the super-resolution enlarged pictures for the second encoder in US9042448.
  • US7813589B2 (Kobayashi et al.) - "Image coding method and apparatus for coding hierarchically-structured image data using an intra mode in an enhancement layer": This patent's focus on hierarchical coding with an enhancement layer is directly relevant to the multi-layer encoding scheme of US9042448.
  • US8300703B2 (Fukushima et al.) and US8565511B2 (Takahata et al.): The shared priority date with US9042448 makes these patents very significant, indicating they might cover closely related or foundational aspects that were developed concurrently. Further investigation into their full texts would be crucial to determine precise anticipation.

These references collectively touch upon the core inventive aspects of US9042448: super-resolution, resolution conversion, and hierarchical/scalable video encoding with inter-layer prediction.

Generated 5/20/2026, 12:47:21 AM