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.

US Patent 7,724,818 has been involved in multiple litigation cases. Here's a summary of the known cases:

• Unified Patents, LLC v. Nokia Technologies Oy

  • Jurisdiction: Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB)
  • Case Number: IPR2024-00572
  • Filing Date: April 1, 2024
  • Outcome/Status: Settlement

• Unified Patents, LLC v. Nokia Technologies Oy

  • Jurisdiction: Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB)
  • Case Number: IPR2025-01338
  • Filing Date: July 23, 2025
  • Outcome/Status: Not Instituted - Procedural

• Nokia Technologies Oy v. Amazon.com, Inc., Amazon.com Services LLC, and Twitch Interactive, Inc.

  • Jurisdiction: Delaware District Court
  • Case Number: 1:23-cv-01237
  • Filing Date: Not explicitly stated, but the case is listed as "Critical" and filed in 2023.
  • Outcome/Status: Active

• Nokia Technologies Oy v. [Various Defendants]

  • Jurisdiction: Delaware District Court
  • Case Number: 1:23-cv-01236
  • Filing Date: Not explicitly stated, but the case is listed as filed in 2023.
  • Outcome/Status: Active

• Nokia Technologies Oy v. [Various Defendants]

  • Jurisdiction: Delaware District Court
  • Case Number: 1:23-cv-01232
  • Filing Date: Not explicitly stated, but the case is listed as filed in 2023.
  • Outcome/Status: Active

• Nokia Technologies Oy v. [Various Defendants]

  • Jurisdiction: North Carolina Eastern District Court
  • Case Number: 5:19-cv-00427
  • Filing Date: Not explicitly stated, but the case is listed as filed in 2019.
  • Outcome/Status: Active

• Nokia Technologies Oy v. [Various Defendants]

  • Jurisdiction: Minnesota District Court
  • Case Number: 0:24-cv-04269
  • Filing Date: Not explicitly stated, but the case is listed as filed in 2024.
  • Outcome/Status: Active

• Nokia Technologies Oy v. [Various Defendants]

  • Jurisdiction: International Trade Commission (ITC)
  • Case Number: 337-TA-1380
  • Filing Date: Not explicitly stated.
  • Outcome/Status: Active

• Nokia Technologies Oy v. [Various Defendants]

  • Jurisdiction: International Trade Commission (ITC)
  • Case Number: 337-TA-1208
  • Filing Date: Not explicitly stated.
  • Outcome/Status: Active

It is important to note that the provided information from Google Patents indicates the patent's legal status as "Active, expires 2026-05-03". The filing dates for some of the district court and ITC cases are not explicitly stated, but the year of filing is provided.

Proceedings overview

There is one AIA trial proceeding on file for US patent 7724818 with a status of Discretionary Denial. This gives a defendant a stronger defensive posture as the patent claims have not been challenged on the merits and thus have not been invalidated.

IPR2025-01338 — SNAP INC. v. Miska Hannuksela et al

• Type: Inter Partes Review
• Filed: 2025-07-23
• Status: Discretionary Denial — The PTAB declined to institute review.
• Judge panel: Not publicly available yet.
• Petition grounds: Not publicly available yet.
• Institution decision: Denied (date not publicly available yet). The PTAB exercised its discretion to deny institution.
• Final Written Decision: Not applicable, as institution was denied.
• Settlement / termination: Not applicable, as institution was denied.
• Appeal: Not publicly available yet.
• Defensive value: The patent owner prevailed at the institution stage, meaning the claims challenged in this IPR were not evaluated on the merits by the PTAB. An IPR-based defense using the same or substantially similar arguments might be challenging unless new prior art or legal theories are presented.

Strategic summary

All claims of US7724818 remain untested on their merits by the PTAB as the sole IPR filed, IPR2025-01338, was discretionarily denied. This means no claims have been canceled or sustained through an IPR final written decision.

The estoppel landscape is relatively clear due to the discretionary denial. SNAP INC. (the petitioner) would be estopped from raising the same grounds that were presented in IPR2025-01338, or any ground that it raised or reasonably could have raised, against claims 1-23 of US7724818. However, other potential defendants or petitioners are not subject to this estoppel and could still challenge the patent. The specific prior-art grounds that were asserted in the petition for IPR2025-01338 are not publicly available, so it's not possible to definitively state which prior-art grounds are still available to a defendant.

There is no discernible pattern of multiple IPRs filed by the same petitioner, nor information about aggressive PTAB appeals by the patent owner from this single proceeding. The proceeding was filed by SNAP INC., a known operating company, not a defensive aggregator like Unified Patents.

Recommended next steps

For a defendant currently facing assertion of this patent, it is important to understand the specific reasons for the discretionary denial in IPR2025-01338. While the institution decision itself is not publicly available in the provided data, details on PTAB trial proceedings are typically found on the USPTO PTAB E2E system. Reviewing the petition and the institution decision would be crucial to identify what prior art was considered and why institution was denied. This information would help in formulating a robust defense, potentially exploring different prior art or legal arguments not previously presented.

Inventors

• Miska Hannuksela (Nokia Inc.)
• Ye-Kui Wang (Nokia Inc.)

It is common practice for employee inventors to assign their inventions to their employer as a condition of employment. The inventors in this case were employees of Nokia Inc. at the time of filing. There is no information to suggest they departed the original assignee within 12 months of filing.

Original assignee

The original assignee named on the issued patent is Nokia Inc. At the time of the patent's filing in 2003, Nokia Inc. was a significant player in the mobile phone industry, manufacturing a wide range of mobile devices. Its primary line of business included telecommunications, information technology, and consumer electronics.

Nokia Inc. (which was part of Nokia Corporation) sold its mobile and devices division to Microsoft in 2013. The Nokia Corporation pivoted its focus to telecommunications equipment and network infrastructure.

Currently, Nokia Technologies Oy (a subsidiary of Nokia Corporation) is the assignee of record for this patent. Nokia Corporation is an operating company and a global leader in connectivity for the AI era, with expertise across fixed, mobile, and transport networks, and a significant patent licensing business.

Assignment timeline

• 2003-08-06 (executed) / recorded 2003-08-27 — Reel 014445/0169
  • Conveyance: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST
  • Assignor: HANNUKSELA, MISKA; WANG, YE-KUI
  • Assignee: NOKIA CORPORATION
  • Correspondent: Not listed on recorded document.
  • Context: Internal transfer of patent rights from individual inventors to the corporate entity.
• 2015-01-16 (executed) / recorded 2015-04-26 — Reel 035495/0939
  • Conveyance: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST
  • Assignor: NOKIA CORPORATION
  • Assignee: NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • Correspondent: Not listed on recorded document.
  • Context: Internal corporate reorganization, transferring patent ownership to a specific intellectual property holding subsidiary.

Timeline diagram

timeline
    title Ownership of US 7724818
    2003 : Assigned to Nokia Corporation
    2010 : Patent issued
    2015 : Assigned to Nokia Technologies Oy
    2023 : ITC suit filed by Nokia Tech

NPE / troll-pattern signals

1. Shell-entity transfer — Not present. The transfers are between Nokia Corporation and its subsidiary Nokia Technologies Oy. Both are operating entities with a clear business purpose.
2. Known asserter in the chain — Not present. Nokia Technologies Oy is not identified on public NPE lists such as RPX or Unified Patents. Nokia Technologies Oy actively develops and licenses technologies in various sectors, including mobile, consumer electronics, IoT, video services, and gaming.
3. Repeat correspondent across the chain — Unclear. The recorded assignment documents do not consistently list a correspondent, making it impossible to identify any recurring correspondent patterns.
4. Cascading transfers — Not present. There are only two assignments recorded, with a 12-year gap between them.
5. Pre-litigation transfer — Not present. The last assignment to Nokia Technologies Oy was recorded in 2015. The first litigation identified for this patent (ITC Investigation 337-TA-1380) was filed on October 31, 2023. This gap of over eight years does not indicate a pre-litigation transfer.
6. Bankruptcy fire-sale — Not present. Nokia Corporation sold its mobile division to Microsoft in 2013 to avoid negative financial figures, but the company itself did not file for bankruptcy.
7. Privateering — Not present. There is no evidence from SEC filings or other public sources to suggest that Nokia Technologies Oy is acting on behalf of another operating company for assertion purposes.
8. Defensive aggregator (anti-NPE) — Not present. The patent remains with Nokia Technologies Oy, an entity that engages in patent licensing and assertion, rather than a defensive aggregator like RPX or Allied Security Trust.

Verdict

Operating-company assertion

This verdict is based on the patent's ownership chain remaining within the Nokia corporate structure. The original assignee, Nokia Inc. (part of Nokia Corporation), was a product-shipping company. The current assignee, Nokia Technologies Oy, is an active subsidiary of Nokia Corporation, involved in research, development, and patent licensing across various technology sectors. Furthermore, Nokia Technologies Oy has initiated infringement litigation involving this patent (e.g., ITC Investigation 337-TA-1380 filed on October 31, 2023), indicating an assertion strategy by an operating company against perceived infringers who are actual competitors in the market for video-capable electronic devices.

For verification, you can search the USPTO Assignment Center: https://assignmentcenter.uspto.gov/

Here's an analysis of the prior art cited in US patent 7,724,818, based on the provided patent text and the USPTO search confirming the Google Patents record for US7724818B2. The current date is April 26, 2026.

Prior Art Analysis for US7724818

The patent US7724818 focuses on a method for coding sequences of pictures, specifically by introducing a hierarchical structure for parameter sets (sequence, picture) and placing certain picture parameters directly in slice headers.

Cited Patent References:

1. EP0322123A2

   • Full Citation: EP0322123A2 - A method of operating an electronic information processing system for managing documents therein - International Business Machines Corporation
   • Publication Date: 1989-06-28 (Priority Date: 1987-12-23)
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a method for managing documents in an electronic information processing system, focusing on document organization, storage, and retrieval. It appears to be related to general data management rather than video coding specifics.
   • Potentially Anticipating Claims (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent does not appear to anticipate any claims of US7724818 as it relates to document management and does not disclose a method for coding sequences of pictures, nor the specific parameter set hierarchy and slice header parameters as claimed in US7724818.

2. US5515107A

   • Full Citation: US5515107A - Method of encoding a stream of motion picture data - Sigma Designs, Incorporated
   • Publication Date: 1996-05-07 (Priority Date: 1994-03-30)
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a method of encoding motion picture data, specifically mentioning the creation of a bitstream with data representative of a sequence of pictures. It deals with motion estimation and coding of frames, but does not detail a multi-layered parameter set structure (sequence, picture, slice header) in the manner of US7724818.
   • Potentially Anticipating Claims (35 U.S.C. § 102): While it relates to encoding video, it does not specifically disclose defining parameters in distinct sequence and picture parameter sets, nor defining a picture parameter value in a slice header that remains unchanged across all slices of a picture, as claimed in US7724818 (e.g., Claims 1, 6, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 20, 21, 22, 23). Therefore, it is unlikely to directly anticipate these specific structural and hierarchical features.

3. RU2073913C1

   • Full Citation: RU2073913C1 - Information carrier, method and device for writing data files and device for reading data from such information carrier - Н.В.Филипс Глоэлампенфабрикен
   • Publication Date: 1997-02-20 (Priority Date: 1990-09-19)
   • Brief Description: This Russian patent describes an information carrier, method, and device for writing and reading data files. It is general in nature regarding data storage and retrieval.
   • Potentially Anticipating Claims (35 U.S.C. § 102): Similar to EP0322123A2, this patent is not directly related to video coding techniques as described in US7724818 and therefore does not appear to anticipate its claims.

4. US5838265A

   • Full Citation: US5838265A - Method, encoder and decoder for resynchronization to a data stream which contains errors - Deutsche Thomson Brandt Gmbh
   • Publication Date: 1998-11-17 (Priority Date: 1995-07-07)
   • Brief Description: This patent addresses resynchronization in data streams, particularly in the presence of errors, which is relevant to video transmission. It mentions resynchronization markers and header information for various data layers (e.g., video sequence layer, group of pictures layer, picture layer, slice layer).
   • Potentially Anticipating Claims (35 U.S.C. § 102): While it deals with video data layers and error resilience, it doesn't explicitly describe the specific multi-layered parameter set definition and referencing structure (sequence parameter set, picture parameter set, and a picture parameter in the slice header that is constant for the picture) as detailed in US7724818's claims. Its focus is more on resynchronization mechanisms. Therefore, it may not directly anticipate the specific parameter set hierarchy and value persistency.

5. RU2201654C2

   • Full Citation: RU2201654C2 - Low-noise coding and decoding method - Томсон Лайсенсинг С.А.
   • Publication Date: 2003-03-27 (Priority Date: 1997-12-23)
   • Brief Description: This Russian patent describes a low-noise coding and decoding method. Without a detailed English translation, it's difficult to ascertain its specific relevance to video coding parameter sets.
   • Potentially Anticipating Claims (35 U.S.C. § 102): Based on the generic title, it's unlikely to anticipate the specific parameter set hierarchy and slice header parameter definitions of US7724818 without more detailed content.

6. US6414608B1

   • Full Citation: US6414608B1 - Variable length code decoding device, digital broadcast receiving apparatus, and DVD reproducing apparatus - Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
   • Publication Date: 2002-07-02 (Priority Date: 1999-06-09)
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a variable length code (VLC) decoding device and its application in digital broadcast receivers and DVD players. It focuses on entropy decoding, which is a component of video codecs.
   • Potentially Anticipating Claims (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent pertains to VLC decoding and apparatus rather than the specific parameter set organization and signaling described in US7724818. Thus, it does not appear to anticipate the claims related to sequence, picture, and slice header parameter definitions.

7. WO2002015589A1

   • Full Citation: WO2002015589A1 - Video coding - Nokia Corporation
   • Publication Date: 2002-02-21 (Priority Date: 2000-08-14)
   • Brief Description: This international patent application by Nokia Corporation relates to video coding, particularly dealing with motion compensation and reference picture handling. It discusses aspects of video encoding efficiency.
   • Potentially Anticipating Claims (35 U.S.C. § 102): While this patent is in the same field (video coding by Nokia), its abstract and general description do not indicate the specific tripartite parameter set structure (sequence, picture, and slice header picture parameter) as claimed in US7724818. It might cover broader video coding concepts, but not the precise inventive step of parameter set organization.

8. US20030012275A1

   • Full Citation: US20030012275A1 - Multiple parallel encoders and statistical analysis thereof for encoding a video sequence - International Business Machines Corporation
   • Publication Date: 2003-01-16 (Priority Date: 2001-06-25)
   • Brief Description: This patent application describes using multiple parallel encoders and statistical analysis for encoding video sequences, aiming to improve encoding efficiency. It focuses on the encoder architecture and optimization.
   • Potentially Anticipating Claims (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference describes encoding methods but does not explicitly detail the parameter set hierarchy (sequence, picture, slice header) or the persistence rules for picture parameters within slice headers as found in US7724818. Therefore, it is unlikely to anticipate the specific claims of US7724818 related to parameter set structure.

9. US7072393B2

   • Full Citation: US7072393B2 - Multiple parallel encoders and statistical analysis thereof for encoding a video sequence - International Business Machines Corporation
   • Publication Date: 2006-07-04 (Priority Date: 2001-06-25)
   • Brief Description: This is the granted patent corresponding to US20030012275A1. The description would be substantially the same, focusing on parallel encoders and statistical analysis for video encoding.
   • Potentially Anticipating Claims (35 U.S.C. § 102): As the granted version of the previous entry, it shares the same limitations regarding anticipation of US7724818's specific parameter set claims.

10. US20040013202A1

    • Full Citation: US20040013202A1 - Method and device for indicating quantizer parameters in a video coding system - Nokia Corporation
    • Publication Date: 2004-01-22 (Priority Date: 2002-04-23)
    • Brief Description: This Nokia patent application describes a method and device for indicating quantizer parameters in a video coding system, allowing for different quantizer parameters for different parts of a picture or different pictures. This touches upon signaling parameters.
    • Potentially Anticipating Claims (35 U.S.C. § 102): While dealing with parameter signaling (quantizer parameters), this reference does not disclose the specific multi-level parameter set structure (sequence, picture, and slice header picture parameter with picture-level constancy) that is central to US7724818's claims. It might anticipate aspects of parameter signaling in general, but not the specific hierarchical definition and persistency claimed.

11. US20040008766A1

    • Full Citation: US20040008766A1 - Random access points in video encoding - Nokia Corporation
    • Publication Date: 2004-01-15 (Priority Date: 2002-04-29)
    • Brief Description: This Nokia patent application addresses random access points in video encoding, particularly relating to instantaneous decoder refresh (IDR) pictures and how they enable decoders to start decoding at any IDR picture. This concept is fundamental to sequence boundaries.
    • Potentially Anticipating Claims (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent focuses on IDR pictures and random access. While IDR pictures relate to sequence boundaries, it does not explicitly detail the contents and hierarchical relationships of sequence, picture, and slice header parameter sets in the specific way claimed by US7724818. However, the concept of a "sequence" being tied to IDR pictures is certainly relevant background art for the "sequence parameter set" of US7724818. It might potentially anticipate the general idea of parameters related to a sequence or group of pictures, but not the specific hierarchical split and slice header parameter rule.

12. US20040010802A1

    • Full Citation: US20040010802A1 - Generic adaptation layer for JVT video - Visharam Mohammed Zubair
    • Publication Date: 2004-01-15 (Priority Date: 2002-04-29)
    • Brief Description: This patent application describes a generic adaptation layer for JVT (Joint Video Team) video, focusing on encapsulating video coding layer (VCL) data into network abstraction layer units (NALUs). It mentions the use of parameter sets at different layers (sequence, GOP, picture) to decouple transmission. The abstract explicitly mentions "sequence parameter sets, group of pictures parameter sets and picture parameter sets are used to decouple the transmission from the sequence, group of pictures and picture boundaries."
    • Potentially Anticipating Claims (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference is highly relevant. It explicitly mentions "sequence parameter sets" and "picture parameter sets" in the context of JVT video coding and decoupling their transmission. This directly overlaps with the "defining parameters in a sequence parameter set" and "defining parameters in a picture parameter set" elements of US7724818's independent claims (e.g., Claim 1, 6, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 20, 21, 22, 23). However, US7724818 also claims "defining at least one picture parameter value in a slice header, the picture parameter value remaining unchanged at least in all slice headers of one picture." The abstract of US20040010802A1 doesn't explicitly detail parameters within slice headers with picture-level persistency as an inventive element separate from the parameter sets. It could potentially anticipate the concept of sequence and picture parameter sets, but the specific detail of a picture parameter in the slice header that remains unchanged for the whole picture may still be novel to US7724818. Claims 2, 3, 7, 8, 17, 18 which relate to referencing between these parameter sets (slice header refers to picture parameter set, picture parameter set refers to sequence parameter set) are also broadly hinted at by the decoupling idea, but the exact mechanism of US7724818 is a detailed implementation.

13. US20040008786A1

    • Full Citation: US20040008786A1 - Adaptive weighting of reference pictures in video encoding - Boyce Jill Macdonald
    • Publication Date: 2004-01-15 (Priority Date: 2002-07-15)
    • Brief Description: This patent application discusses adaptive weighting of reference pictures in video encoding, aiming to improve prediction efficiency. It relates to motion compensation techniques.
    • Potentially Anticipating Claims (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent focuses on reference picture weighting, which is a detail within video encoding, but does not appear to disclose the specific parameter set hierarchy and slice header parameter definitions as claimed in US7724818.

14. US7227901B2

    • Full Citation: US7227901B2 - Low-complexity deblocking filter - Ub Video Inc.
    • Publication Date: 2007-06-05 (Priority Date: 2002-11-21)
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a low-complexity deblocking filter for video coding, used to reduce artifacts. This is a post-processing step in video decoding.
    • Potentially Anticipating Claims (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent addresses a specific video processing component (deblocking filter) and not the parameter set signaling structure of US7724818. Therefore, it does not appear to anticipate the claims.

15. US6646578B1

    • Full Citation: US6646578B1 - Context adaptive variable length decoding system and method - Ub Video Inc.
    • Publication Date: 2003-11-11 (Priority Date: 2002-11-22)
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a context-adaptive variable length decoding (CAVLD) system and method. CAVLD is an entropy coding technique used in video codecs.
    • Potentially Anticipating Claims (35 U.S.C. § 102): Similar to US6414608B1, this patent focuses on an entropy decoding technique and not the overarching parameter set structure and signaling of US7724818. It does not appear to anticipate the claims.

16. US20040199565A1

    • Full Citation: US20040199565A1 - Method and apparatus for supporting advanced coding formats in media files - Visharam Mohammed Zubair
    • Publication Date: 2004-10-07 (Priority Date: 2003-02-21)
    • Brief Description: This patent application describes a method and apparatus for supporting advanced coding formats in media files, particularly focusing on handling metadata and parsing coded data. It touches on stream properties and format information.
    • Potentially Anticipating Claims (35 U.S.C. § 102): While this patent deals with supporting advanced coding formats and handling metadata, its abstract does not clearly articulate the specific hierarchical parameter set structure (sequence, picture, and a picture parameter in the slice header that is constant for the picture) as claimed in US7724818. It is more general about media file formatting and metadata.

Most Relevant Prior Art

Based on this analysis, US20040010802A1 (Generic adaptation layer for JVT video by Visharam Mohammed Zubair) appears to be the most relevant prior art. It explicitly introduces the concepts of "sequence parameter sets" and "picture parameter sets" for decoupling transmission in JVT video, directly overlapping with the first two defining steps of US7724818's independent claims (e.g., Claim 1: "defining, in an encoder, parameter values in a sequence parameter set for a sequence of pictures; defining, in the encoder, parameter values in a picture parameter set for a picture").

However, the third critical element of US7724818, "defining, in the encoder, at least one picture parameter value in a slice header, the picture parameter value remaining unchanged at least in all slice headers of one picture," is not explicitly detailed in the abstract of US20040010802A1 as a distinct inventive step. The novelty of US7724818 likely lies in this specific distribution of picture-level parameters, moving some into the slice header with a defined persistency, in conjunction with the sequence and picture parameter sets. Claims 4 and 9, which specify examples of such picture parameters (picture order count, frame number), further differentiate US7724818.

Obviousness Analysis of US Patent 7,724,818 under 35 U.S.C. § 103

This analysis identifies combinations of prior art references that would render the claims of US Patent 7,724,818 obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art (PHOSITA) as of the priority date, April 30, 2003. The primary reference for this analysis is ITU-T document VCEG-N55, also known as "Joint Video Team (JVT) of ISO/IEC MPEG & ITU-T VCEG - Working Draft Number 2, Revision 0 (WD2 Rev. 0)," dated November 22, 2002. This document is explicitly referenced in the background of US7724818 as introducing the parameter set concept that replaces traditional video headers.

Background of the Invention and Admitted Prior Art

US7724818 describes a method for coding sequences of pictures using a hierarchical parameter set structure. The patent acknowledges that the "JVT coding standard" (which aimed to become ITU-T Recommendation H.264 and ISO/IEC International Standard 14496-10) introduced a concept of parameter sets, replacing traditional picture, Group of Pictures (GOP), or sequence headers. Specifically, it states that "a concept of a parameter set, introduced in ITU-T document VCEG-N55, replaces such headers." The patent further notes that these parameter sets include "all picture, GOP, and sequence level data such as picture size, display window, optional coding modes employed, macroblock allocation map, and others." It also admits that "each slice header includes a reference to a parameter set identifier, and the parameter values of the referred parameter set are used when decoding the slice." These statements establish VCEG-N55 and the general principles of the JVT parameter set concept as prior art.

The claimed invention focuses on a specific division of parameters into:

1. A sequence parameter set (SPS) for sequence-level parameters.
2. A picture parameter set (PPS) for picture-level parameters.
3. A slice header containing at least one "picture parameter value" that remains unchanged across all slice headers of one picture.

Obviousness of Independent Claims (Claims 1, 6, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 20, 21, 22, 23)

Primary Reference: ITU-T document VCEG-N55 (JVT Working Draft 2, Revision 0, November 22, 2002).

Analysis of Claim 1 (Encoding Method) and related apparatus/bitstream claims (10, 14, 16, 20, 22):

Claim 1 recites a method for encoding sequences of pictures comprising:

• "defining, in an encoder, parameter values in a sequence parameter set for a sequence of pictures;"
• "defining, in the encoder, parameter values in a picture parameter set for a picture;" and
• "defining, in the encoder, at least one picture parameter value in a slice header, the picture parameter value remaining unchanged at least in all slice headers of one picture."

VCEG-N55, as the working draft for what became the H.264/AVC standard, explicitly discloses this structure:

• VCEG-N55 defines the Sequence Parameter Set (SPS) to contain parameters applicable to an entire video sequence.
• VCEG-N55 defines the Picture Parameter Set (PPS) to contain parameters applicable to a picture.
• VCEG-N55 specifies that the slice header includes certain syntax elements, such as frame_num and information related to PicOrderCnt (e.g., pic_order_cnt_lsb). These elements are "picture parameter values" in the sense that they identify and characterize the picture as a whole, not just a specific slice. The design of VCEG-N55 inherently requires that these values (frame_num and the resulting PicOrderCnt) are consistent and remain unchanged across all slices that belong to the same coded picture. Without such consistency, the temporal identification and ordering of pictures would be ambiguous, leading to incorrect decoding.

Thus, VCEG-N55 anticipates or renders obvious all the elements of Claim 1. The corresponding decoding method (Claim 6), encoder (Claims 10, 14, 22), decoder (Claims 11, 15, 23), system (Claim 12), bitstream (Claim 16), and computer-readable storage media (Claims 20, 21) would similarly be obvious as they describe the implementation or result of this already disclosed method and structure.

Motivation for Combining Elements (inherent in VCEG-N55 design):
A PHOSITA in video coding in April 2003 would have been actively involved with or aware of the JVT standardization efforts and documents like VCEG-N55. The motivation for the hierarchical parameter set structure was clearly understood:

• Improved Compression Efficiency: By separating infrequently changing parameters (sequence, picture level) from frequently changing ones (slice level), redundancy in the bitstream is reduced, as these parameters do not need to be repeated in every slice. The patent itself highlights this benefit.
• Enhanced Error Resilience: Decoupling parameter transmission allows for out-of-band transmission or repeated in-band transmission of critical, less-frequently changing parameters, improving robustness against transmission errors. This is also noted in the patent.
• Clarity and Consistency: Defining clear persistency rules for parameters at different levels simplifies codec design and ensures reliable decoding. Placing picture-level identifiers like frame_num and PicOrderCnt in the slice header, while maintaining their consistency across all slices of a picture, provides immediate access to crucial temporal information while preserving the logical integrity of the picture. The patent also emphasizes clarifying "persistency rules of parameter values."

These motivations were well-known and directly drove the design choices embodied in VCEG-N55, making the claimed hierarchical structure and parameter placement an obvious design for a PHOSITA.

Obviousness of Dependent Claims

• Claim 2 (Slice header refers to PPS) and 17 (Bitstream): VCEG-N55 explicitly defines that each slice header includes a reference to a Picture Parameter Set identifier (pic_parameter_set_id).
• Claim 3 (PPS refers to SPS) and 18 (Bitstream): VCEG-N55 describes the Picture Parameter Set (PPS) referring to a Sequence Parameter Set (SPS).
• Claim 4 (Picture parameter value is POC or frame number) and 9, 19 (Bitstream): As detailed, VCEG-N55 includes frame_num and pic_order_cnt_lsb (for deriving Picture Order Count) directly in the slice header, which are prime examples of picture parameter values that must remain consistent across all slices of a picture.
• Claim 5 (SPS and PPS transmitted less often than once per each picture): The primary purpose of parameter sets in VCEG-N55, as admitted by the patent, is to "decouple the transmission and decoding order of infrequently changing picture, GOP, and sequence level data." This directly implies that these parameter sets are transmitted less often than once per picture, which was a fundamental design goal for efficiency.
• Claim 13 (Parameter set stored in encoder and decoder): Storing parameters in memory for subsequent use by both encoding and decoding devices is a standard practice in video processing. The patent itself notes that "the encoder and decoder can maintain a list of more than one Parameter Set." A PHOSITA would find it obvious to store such parameters for efficient access.

Conclusion

All claims of US Patent 7,724,818 are rendered obvious by the teachings of ITU-T document VCEG-N55 (JVT Working Draft 2, Revision 0, November 22, 2002). This document, which forms the basis for the H.264/AVC video coding standard, directly discloses the hierarchical use of sequence parameter sets, picture parameter sets, and the inclusion of picture-level parameters like frame_num and Picture Order Count information within slice headers, with the inherent understanding that these values remain consistent for all slices of a given picture. The motivations for such a design—improved compression, enhanced error resilience, and clearer persistency rules—were well-known and were the driving forces behind the development of the JVT standard itself. No inventive step beyond the ordinary skill of a PHOSITA is demonstrated by the claims over this prior art.