Description
To identify relevant patents, comprehensive searches were conducted across multiple patent databases using a combination of search strings, IPC/CPC classifications, and HEVC–specific keywords.
To determine the essentiality of a patent, each claim is compared to the H.265 standard to identify whether the patented claim’s elements are present in the standard. Essentiality is checked with respect to all versions of HEVC, respectively, as improvements have been gradually implemented to address evolving technological demands in HEVC.
Patented claim is compared to the standard, and if every element of the claim aligns with the H.265 specifications, the patent is considered essential. On the other hand, if any element is not present or there is a contradiction between the claim and the standard (e.g., conflicting requirements or descriptions), the patent is considered non-essential. This manual evaluation process ensures that only patents fully aligned with the H.265 standard’s requirements are classified as essential.
Frequently asked questions
What does this assessment of Canon’s HEVC patents cover?
The report presents an essentiality analysis of Canon’s patent portfolio with respect to the HEVC and H.265 standard. It covers key technological areas, namely block based coding, predictive coding, transformation and quantization, multi-layer and filtering. In total, 47 active granted patents related to HEVC technology were identified for Canon. Each one was evaluated by manually mapping its independent claim elements to the relevant sections of the standard.
How is essentiality determined against H.265?
Each claim is compared with the H.265 standard to identify whether the elements of the claim are present in it. If every element of the claim aligns with the specifications, the patent is considered essential. If any element is missing, or the claim and the standard contradict each other through conflicting requirements or descriptions, the patent is considered non essential. This comparison is carried out manually rather than automatically.
Which versions of HEVC are checked?
Essentiality is checked with respect to all versions of HEVC. Improvements to the standard have been implemented gradually to address evolving technological demands, so a claim may align with a later edition rather than the first one, and checking every version avoids missing that alignment. Relevant patents were found through searches of multiple patent databases using search strings, IPC and CPC classifications, and HEVC specific keywords.
Who is this assessment for?
The assessment suits licensing teams, video technology vendors and anyone reviewing positions around H.265. It shows where one portfolio maps onto the standard and in which technical areas, which supports negotiation and portfolio review. The report is supplied on request through the contact page on the website. Scope can be adjusted, for example to other technical areas within HEVC or to a different portfolio for comparison.
