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 .
DETAILED ACTION
Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
1. A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after final rejection. Since this application is eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on 03/09/2026 has been entered.
This office action is responsive to RCE filed on 03/09/2026. Claims 1, 8, and 15 are amended. Claims 1, 4-8, 11-15, and 18-20 are pending examination.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 101
2. 35 U.S.C. 101 reads as follows:
Whoever invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof, may obtain a patent therefor, subject to the conditions and requirements of this title.
Claims 1, 4-8, 11-15, and 18-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 because the claimed invention is directed to a judicial exception (i.e., a law of nature, a natural phenomenon, or an abstract idea) without significantly more.
Claim(s) 8 is/are drawn to method (i.e., a process), claim(s) 1 is/are drawn to a system (i.e., a machine/manufacture), and claim(s) 15 is/are drawn to non-transitory computer readable medium (i.e., a machine/manufacture). As such, claims 1, 8, and 15 is/are drawn to one of the statutory categories of invention.
Claims 1, 4-8, 11-15, and 18-20 are directed to creating dynamic incentives for a business of an automobile manufacturer and allow segments of purchasers to purchase and redeem a gift card at a participating business location. Specifically, claim(s) 1, 8, and 15 recite(s) receiving, a change request from a partner agent client of an automobile manufacturer, the change request comprising an item information, a promotional redemption value, and a length of time for the promotional redemption value, wherein the item information comprises an automobile make and model associated with the automobile manufacturer and a plurality of dealership locations that sell the automobile make and model, wherein the change request is a request to change an initial redemption value of existing gift cards to the promotional redemption value to be redeemed for the automobile make and model associated with the automobile manufacturer at one of the dealership locations; determining a plurality of affected gift cards that are affected by the change request by identifying from querying, storing data, a gift cards the card table to identify, from among a plurality of affected gift cards card entries stored in the gift card table, gift card entries corresponding to the plurality of affected gift cards, the plurality of affected gift cards being associated with the automobile manufacturer that comprise and comprising the initial redemption value to be increased to the promotional redemption value for the length of time, the gift card table storing, for each gift card entry, initial data comprising an initial prepaid value and the initial redemption value for each of the plurality of affected gift cards, the initial prepaid value being less than the initial redemption value; updating, based on the determining, the gift card table in real-time by updating the initial redemption value of modifying the gift card entries corresponding to the plurality of affected gift cards to the replace the initial redemption value with the promotional redemption value and associating to associate the promotional redemption value with the length of time, thereby producing a plurality of modified gift card entries; transmitting, to a plurality of user client devices of recipients of the affected gift cards, unique authorization numbers and personal identification numbers (PINs) retrieved from the plurality of modified gift card entries; providing, for display of a first notification on the plurality of user client of the recipients of the affected gift cards via a push notification transmitted, wherein the first notification notifies each recipient of the increase to the promotional redemption value for the length of time for the automobile make and model; automatically determining, based on the length of time associated with the promotional redemption value in the plurality of modified gift card entries, that the length of time has not yet expired; providing, prior to expiration of the length of time and based on determining that the length of time has not yet expired, for display of a second notification on at least one of the plurality of user client of the recipients of the affected gift cards, wherein the second notification reminds at least one recipient of the increase to the promotional redemption value for the length of time for the automobile make and model; requiring verification that the recipients present the affected gift cards along with the respective authorization numbers and PINs for redemption by receiving, from a gift card merchant, a verification request comprising a gift card number, an authorization number, and a PIN, and matching the verification request against the plurality of modified gift card entries in the gift card table; identifying redemptions of one or more of the affected gift cards made during the length of time based on the plurality of modified gift card entries in the gift card table; analyzing the identified redemptions to determine redemption statistics and suggested promotions or offers, the redemption statistics being associated with the plurality of affected gift cards and the change request; generating comparative gift card redemption information for other automobile manufacturers based on the data on existing gift cards card entries in the gift card table and partner entries in a partner table with respect to the redemption statistics, the partner table storing data identifying a plurality of automobile manufacturers including the automobile manufacturer; generating a report including at least one of the redemption statistics, the comparative gift card redemption information, or the suggested promotions or offers; and causing the report to be transmitted via the network and displayed by the partner agent client, which is grouped within the Methods Of Organizing Human Activity and is similar to the concept of (commercial or legal interactions including agreements in the form of contracts, legal obligations, advertising, marketing or sales activities or behaviors business relations) grouping of abstract ideas in prong one of step 2A of the Alice/Mayo test (See 2019 Revised Patent Subject Matter Eligibility Guidance, 84 Fed. Reg. 50, 52, 54 (January 7, 2019)). Accordingly, the claims recite an abstract idea (See pages 7, 10, Alice Corporation Pty. Ltd. v. CLS Bank International, et al., US Supreme Court, No. 13-298, June 19, 2014; 2019 Revised Patent Subject Matter Eligibility Guidance, 84 Fed. Reg. 50, 53-54 (January 7, 2019)).
The Claim limitations are listed under Methods Of Organizing Human Activity, and grouped as following:
receiving, a change request from a partner agent client of an automobile manufacturer, the change request comprising an item information, a promotional redemption value, and a length of time for the promotional redemption value, wherein the item information comprises an automobile make and model associated with the automobile manufacturer and a plurality of dealership locations that sell the automobile make and model, wherein the change request is a request to change an initial redemption value of existing gift cards to the promotional redemption value to be redeemed for the automobile make and model associated with the automobile manufacturer at one of the dealership locations; which is similar to the concept of (advertising, marketing or sales activities or behaviors business relations),
determining a plurality of affected gift cards that are affected by the change request by identifying from querying, storing data, a gift cards the card table to identify, from among a plurality of affected gift cards card entries stored in the gift card table, gift card entries corresponding to the plurality of affected gift cards, the plurality of affected gift cards being associated with the automobile manufacturer that comprise and comprising the initial redemption value to be increased to the promotional redemption value for the length of time, the gift card table storing, for each gift card entry, initial data comprising an initial prepaid value and the initial redemption value for each of the plurality of affected gift cards, the initial prepaid value being less than the initial redemption value; which is similar to the concept of (advertising, marketing or sales activities or behaviors business relations),
updating, based on the determining, the gift card table in real-time by updating the initial redemption value of modifying the gift card entries corresponding to the plurality of affected gift cards to the replace the initial redemption value with the promotional redemption value and associating to associate the promotional redemption value with the length of time, thereby producing a plurality of modified gift card entries; which is similar to the concept of (advertising, marketing or sales activities or behaviors business relations),
transmitting, to a plurality of user client devices of recipients of the affected gift cards, unique authorization numbers and personal identification numbers (PINs) retrieved from the plurality of modified gift card entries; which is similar to the concept of (advertising, marketing or sales activities or behaviors business relations),
providing, for display of a first notification on the plurality of user client of the recipients of the affected gift cards via a push notification transmitted, wherein the first notification notifies each recipient of the increase to the promotional redemption value for the length of time for the automobile make and model; which is similar to the concept of (advertising, marketing or sales activities or behaviors business relations),
automatically determining, based on the length of time associated with the promotional redemption value in the plurality of modified gift card entries, that the length of time has not yet expired; which is similar to the concept of (advertising, marketing or sales activities or behaviors business relations),
providing, prior to expiration of the length of time and based on determining that the length of time has not yet expired, for display of a second notification on at least one of the plurality of user client of the recipients of the affected gift cards, wherein the second notification reminds at least one recipient of the increase to the promotional redemption value for the length of time for the automobile make and model; which is similar to the concept of (advertising, marketing or sales activities or behaviors business relations),
requiring verification that the recipients present the affected gift cards along with the respective authorization numbers and PINs for redemption by receiving, from a gift card merchant, a verification request comprising a gift card number, an authorization number, and a PIN, and matching the verification request against the plurality of modified gift card entries in the gift card table; which is similar to the concept of (advertising, marketing or sales activities or behaviors business relations),
identifying redemptions of one or more of the affected gift cards made during the length of time based on the plurality of modified gift card entries in the gift card table; which is similar to the concept of (advertising, marketing or sales activities or behaviors business relations),
analyzing the identified redemptions to determine redemption statistics and suggested promotions or offers, the redemption statistics being associated with the plurality of affected gift cards and the change request; which is similar to the concept of (advertising, marketing or sales activities or behaviors business relations),
generating comparative gift card redemption information for other automobile manufacturers based on the data on existing gift cards card entries in the gift card table and partner entries in a partner table with respect to the redemption statistics, the partner table storing data identifying a plurality of automobile manufacturers including the automobile manufacturer; which is similar to the concept of (advertising, marketing or sales activities or behaviors business relations),
generating a report including at least one of the redemption statistics, the comparative gift card redemption information, or the suggested promotions or offers; and which is similar to the concept of (advertising, marketing or sales activities or behaviors business relations),
causing the report to be transmitted via the network and displayed by the partner agent client; which is similar to the concept of (advertising, marketing or sales activities or behaviors business relations).
This judicial exception is not integrated into a practical application because, when analyzed under prong two of step 2A of the Alice/Mayo test (See 2019 Revised Patent Subject Matter Eligibility Guidance, 84 Fed. Reg. 50, 54-55 (January 7, 2019)), the additional element(s) of the claim(s) such as server system, processor, memory, network, client device, database, server, non transitory computer readable medium merely use(s) a computer as a tool to perform an abstract idea and/or generally link(s) the use of a judicial exception to a particular technological environment. Specifically, the server system, processor, memory, network, client device, database, server, non transitory computer readable medium perform(s) the steps or functions of receiving, a change request from a partner agent client of an automobile manufacturer, the change request comprising an item information, a promotional redemption value, and a length of time for the promotional redemption value, wherein the item information comprises an automobile make and model associated with the automobile manufacturer and a plurality of dealership locations that sell the automobile make and model, wherein the change request is a request to change an initial redemption value of existing gift cards to the promotional redemption value to be redeemed for the automobile make and model associated with the automobile manufacturer at one of the dealership locations; determining a plurality of affected gift cards that are affected by the change request by identifying from querying, storing data, a gift cards the card table to identify, from among a plurality of affected gift cards card entries stored in the gift card table, gift card entries corresponding to the plurality of affected gift cards, the plurality of affected gift cards being associated with the automobile manufacturer that comprise and comprising the initial redemption value to be increased to the promotional redemption value for the length of time, the gift card table storing, for each gift card entry, initial data comprising an initial prepaid value and the initial redemption value for each of the plurality of affected gift cards, the initial prepaid value being less than the initial redemption value; updating, based on the determining, the gift card table in real-time by updating the initial redemption value of modifying the gift card entries corresponding to the plurality of affected gift cards to the replace the initial redemption value with the promotional redemption value and associating to associate the promotional redemption value with the length of time, thereby producing a plurality of modified gift card entries; transmitting, to a plurality of user client devices of recipients of the affected gift cards, unique authorization numbers and personal identification numbers (PINs) retrieved from the plurality of modified gift card entries; providing, for display of a first notification on the plurality of user client of the recipients of the affected gift cards via a push notification transmitted, wherein the first notification notifies each recipient of the increase to the promotional redemption value for the length of time for the automobile make and model; automatically determining, based on the length of time associated with the promotional redemption value in the plurality of modified gift card entries, that the length of time has not yet expired; providing, prior to expiration of the length of time and based on determining that the length of time has not yet expired, for display of a second notification on at least one of the plurality of user client of the recipients of the affected gift cards, wherein the second notification reminds at least one recipient of the increase to the promotional redemption value for the length of time for the automobile make and model; requiring verification that the recipients present the affected gift cards along with the respective authorization numbers and PINs for redemption by receiving, from a gift card merchant, a verification request comprising a gift card number, an authorization number, and a PIN, and matching the verification request against the plurality of modified gift card entries in the gift card table; identifying redemptions of one or more of the affected gift cards made during the length of time based on the plurality of modified gift card entries in the gift card table; analyzing the identified redemptions to determine redemption statistics and suggested promotions or offers, the redemption statistics being associated with the plurality of affected gift cards and the change request; generating comparative gift card redemption information for other automobile manufacturers based on the data on existing gift cards card entries in the gift card table and partner entries in a partner table with respect to the redemption statistics, the partner table storing data identifying a plurality of automobile manufacturers including the automobile manufacturer; generating a report including at least one of the redemption statistics, the comparative gift card redemption information, or the suggested promotions or offers; and causing the report to be transmitted via the network and displayed by the partner agent client. The use of a processor/computer as a tool to implement the abstract idea and/or generally linking the use of the abstract idea to a particular technological environment does not integrate the abstract idea into a practical application because it requires no more than a computer performing functions that correspond to acts required to carry out the abstract idea. The additional elements do not involve improvements to the functioning of a computer, or to any other technology or technical field (MPEP 2106.05(a)), the claims do not apply or use the abstract idea to effect a particular treatment or prophylaxis for a disease or medical condition (Vanda Memo), the claims do not apply the abstract idea with, or by use of, a particular machine (MPEP 2106.05(b)), the claims do not effect a transformation or reduction of a particular article to a different state or thing (MPEP 2106.05(c)), and the claims do not apply or use the abstract idea in some other meaningful way beyond generally linking the use of the abstract idea to a particular technological environment, such that the claim as a whole is more than a drafting effort designed to monopolize the exception (MPEP 2106.05(e) and Vanda Memo). Therefore, the claims do not, for example, purport to improve the functioning of a computer. Nor do they effect an improvement in any other technology or technical field. Accordingly, the additional elements do not impose any meaningful limits on practicing the abstract idea, and the claims are directed to an abstract idea.
The claim(s) does/do not include additional elements that are sufficient to amount to significantly more than the judicial exception because, when analyzed under step 2B of the Alice/Mayo test (See 2019 Revised Patent Subject Matter Eligibility Guidance, 84 Fed. Reg. 50, 52, 56 (January 7, 2019)), the additional element(s) of using a server system, processor, memory, network, client device, database, server, non transitory computer readable medium to perform the steps amounts to no more than using a computer or processor to automate and/or implement the abstract idea of creating dynamic incentives for a business of an automobile manufacturer and allow segments of purchasers to purchase and redeem a gift card at a participating business location. As discussed above, taking the claim elements separately, the server system, processor, memory, network, client device, database, server, non transitory computer readable medium perform(s) the steps or functions of receiving, a change request from a partner agent client of an automobile manufacturer, the change request comprising an item information, a promotional redemption value, and a length of time for the promotional redemption value, wherein the item information comprises an automobile make and model associated with the automobile manufacturer and a plurality of dealership locations that sell the automobile make and model, wherein the change request is a request to change an initial redemption value of existing gift cards to the promotional redemption value to be redeemed for the automobile make and model associated with the automobile manufacturer at one of the dealership locations; determining a plurality of affected gift cards that are affected by the change request by identifying from querying, storing data, a gift cards the card table to identify, from among a plurality of affected gift cards card entries stored in the gift card table, gift card entries corresponding to the plurality of affected gift cards, the plurality of affected gift cards being associated with the automobile manufacturer that comprise and comprising the initial redemption value to be increased to the promotional redemption value for the length of time, the gift card table storing, for each gift card entry, initial data comprising an initial prepaid value and the initial redemption value for each of the plurality of affected gift cards, the initial prepaid value being less than the initial redemption value; updating, based on the determining, the gift card table in real-time by updating the initial redemption value of modifying the gift card entries corresponding to the plurality of affected gift cards to the replace the initial redemption value with the promotional redemption value and associating to associate the promotional redemption value with the length of time, thereby producing a plurality of modified gift card entries; transmitting, to a plurality of user client devices of recipients of the affected gift cards, unique authorization numbers and personal identification numbers (PINs) retrieved from the plurality of modified gift card entries; providing, for display of a first notification on the plurality of user client of the recipients of the affected gift cards via a push notification transmitted, wherein the first notification notifies each recipient of the increase to the promotional redemption value for the length of time for the automobile make and model; automatically determining, based on the length of time associated with the promotional redemption value in the plurality of modified gift card entries, that the length of time has not yet expired; providing, prior to expiration of the length of time and based on determining that the length of time has not yet expired, for display of a second notification on at least one of the plurality of user client of the recipients of the affected gift cards, wherein the second notification reminds at least one recipient of the increase to the promotional redemption value for the length of time for the automobile make and model; requiring verification that the recipients present the affected gift cards along with the respective authorization numbers and PINs for redemption by receiving, from a gift card merchant, a verification request comprising a gift card number, an authorization number, and a PIN, and matching the verification request against the plurality of modified gift card entries in the gift card table; identifying redemptions of one or more of the affected gift cards made during the length of time based on the plurality of modified gift card entries in the gift card table; analyzing the identified redemptions to determine redemption statistics and suggested promotions or offers, the redemption statistics being associated with the plurality of affected gift cards and the change request; generating comparative gift card redemption information for other automobile manufacturers based on the data on existing gift cards card entries in the gift card table and partner entries in a partner table with respect to the redemption statistics, the partner table storing data identifying a plurality of automobile manufacturers including the automobile manufacturer; generating a report including at least one of the redemption statistics, the comparative gift card redemption information, or the suggested promotions or offers; and causing the report to be transmitted via the network and displayed by the partner agent client. These functions correspond to the actions required to perform the abstract idea. Viewed as a whole, the combination of elements recited in the claims merely recite the concept of creating dynamic incentives for a business of an automobile manufacturer and allow segments of purchasers to purchase and redeem a gift card at a participating business location. Therefore, the use of these additional elements does no more than employ the computer as a tool to automate and/or implement the abstract idea. The use of a computer or processor to merely automate and/or implement the abstract idea cannot provide significantly more than the abstract idea itself (MPEP 2106.05(I)(A)(f) & (h)). Therefore, the claim is not patent eligible.
As for dependent claims 4-7, 11-14, and 18-20 further describe the abstract idea of creating dynamic incentives for a business of an automobile manufacturer and allow segments of purchasers to purchase and redeem a gift card at a participating business location. Claim(s) 4-7, 11-14, and 18-20 does/do not include additional elements that are sufficient to amount to significantly more than the judicial exception because, when analyzed under step 2B of the Alice/Mayo test (See 2019 Revised Patent Subject Matter Eligibility Guidance, 84 Fed. Reg. 50, 52, 56 (January 7, 2019)), the additional element(s) of using a server, non-transitory computer-readable medium, database, client device to perform the steps amounts to no more than using a computer or processor to automate and/or implement the abstract idea of creating dynamic incentives for a business of an automobile manufacturer and allow segments of purchasers to purchase and redeem a gift card at a participating business location. As discussed above, taking the claim elements separately, the server, non-transitory computer-readable medium, database, client device perform(s) the steps or functions of wherein the initial data comprises an initial prepaid value and the initial redemption value, wherein the initial prepaid value is less than the initial redemption value, and storing the initial data; updating by updating the initial redemption value of the plurality of affected gift cards to the promotional redemption value, and associating the promotional redemption value with the length of time; wherein the promotional redemption value is greater than the initial redemption value; determining that the length of time is expired; and in response to determining that the length of time is expired, updating by replacing the promotional redemption value with the initial redemption value; determining that a first gift card of the plurality of affected gift cards has been redeemed for a value redeemed that is less than the promotional redemption value or the initial redemption value, and updating by reducing the value redeemed from the promotional redemption value or the initial redemption value associated with the first gift card; receiving from the partner agent a post redemption survey and an associated promotional information; and causing a post redemption notification to be displayed by a first user associated with the first gift card, the post redemption notification including the post redemption survey and the associated promotional information. These functions correspond to the actions required to perform the abstract idea. Viewed as a whole, the combination of elements recited in the claims merely recite the concept of creating dynamic incentives for a business of an automobile manufacturer and allow segments of purchasers to purchase and redeem a gift card at a participating business locations. These functions correspond to the actions required to perform the abstract idea. Viewed as a whole, the combination of elements recited in the claims merely recite the concept of creating dynamic incentives for a business of an automobile manufacturer and allow segments of purchasers to purchase and redeem a gift card at a participating business location. Therefore, the use of these additional elements does no more than employ the computer as a tool to automate and/or implement the abstract idea. The use of a computer or processor to merely automate and/or implement the abstract idea cannot provide significantly more than the abstract idea itself (MPEP 2106.05(I)(A)(f) & (h)). Therefore, the claim is not patent eligible.
Prior Art
3. As for the amendment submitted on 09/19/2025, the Office is unaware of any references that teach the combination of limitations found in the claims of: updating, based on the determining, the database gift card table in real-time by updating the initial redemption value of modifying the gift card entries corresponding to the plurality of affected gift cards to the replace the initial redemption value with the promotional redemption value and associating to associate the promotional redemption value with the length of time, thereby producing a plurality of modified gift card entries; transmitting, via the network, to a plurality of user client devices of recipients of the affected gift cards, unique authorization numbers and personal identification numbers (PINs) retrieved from the plurality of modified gift card entries; providing, based on updating the database gift card table in real-time, for display of a first notification on the plurality of user client devices of the recipients of the affected gift cards via a push notification transmitted over the network, wherein the first notification notifies each recipient of the increase to the promotional redemption value for the length of time for the automobile make and model; automatically determining, by the processor, based on the length of time associated with the promotional redemption value in the plurality of modified gift card entries, that the length of time has not yet expired; providing, prior to expiration of the length of time and based on determining that the length of time has not yet expired, for display of a second notification on at least one of the plurality of user client devices of the recipients of the affected gift cards via the network, wherein the second notification reminds at least one recipient of the increase to the promotional redemption value for the length of time for the automobile make and model; identifying redemptions of one or more of the affected gift cards made during the length of time based on the plurality of modified gift card entries in the gift card table; generating comparative gift card redemption information for other automobile manufacturers based on the data on existing gift cards card entries in the gift card table and partner entries in a partner table of the database with respect to the redemption statistics, the partner table storing data identifying a plurality of automobile manufacturers including the automobile manufacturer.
Examiner note: none of the references or combined references teach the combination of limitations of claim 1, 8, and 15 or no reference found that would teaches the combination of limitations of claim 1, 8, and 15, especially the idea of dynamic system for gift cards or certificates allowing business partners to create dynamic incentives for products/services and allow only segments of purchasers to purchase and redeem a gift card at participating business locations. Dynamic system allows for business partners to authorize the number of gift cards to be sold, products and services eligible for additional incentives at the time gift card is redeemed, to identify eligibility of purchasers, geographic locations where gift card can be redeemed and duration of incentive offers which provides significant specificity and segmentation of incentive offers to business partners. Dynamic gift card system can be utilized to direct gift card purchasers or registered holders to various websites or physical business locations to redeem gift cards and their associated incentive offers. Dynamic gift card system allows business partners to dynamically alter products and services that can be purchased with gift card as well as incentive offers.
Reference 1: US20110106698A1 describes systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for enabling gift card recipients to redeem gift card amounts using existing accounts such as a credit/debit card. A system practicing the method identifies a giver and recipient of a gift card amount and associated accounts. A policy is established which governs how the gift card is redeemed, such as a specific merchant or item. When the recipient makes a purchase using an existing credit/debit card according to the policy, the gift card amount is applied to the transaction. No special codes, separate physical gift cards, or printable coupons are necessary for redemption. The recipient makes purchases using their normal purchasing credit/debit card via a qualifying purchase according to the policy, and the gift card is applied automatically. The recipient credit/debit card becomes a combination of an open-looped card and a closed-loop card. However it lacks the combination of claimed elements of the pending independent claims.
Reference 2: US20120209673A1 describes a system and method for merchant's benefit-focused electronic coupon distribution business. The invention provides an online platform connecting merchants to targeted consumers without sales people. The online platform provides merchants with profile pages where the merchants can manage and sell coupon offerings. Consumers can search and purchase one-time use coupons based on the coupon offerings. Each one-time use coupon carries unique identification number and code, and the coupon is tracked to provide information back to registered merchants. This invention minimizes the risk and marketing promotion cost by shifting the burden of marketing cost to the consumers' side. Instead of paving for marketing costs upfront, merchants receive micropayments from consumers through coupon offerings and selling one-time use coupons. This invention creates a get-paid-to-participate-marketing for merchants, and ways to access more discounts from more local businesses for consumers. However it lacks the combination of claimed elements of the pending independent claims.
Reference 3: US20140204423A1 describes a system can include a print type classifier to receive a print message that indicates that a file has been selected to be printed. The print type classifier can also determine a print type of the file. The system can also include a print content analyzer to assign a category to the file characterizing a topic of the file based on the content of the file. The print type analyzer can also generate a content representation of the file that characterizes a summary of content of the file. The system can further include a recommendation engine to provide supplemental content based on at least one of the print type, the category and the content representation of the file, wherein the supplemental content is in a printable format. However it lacks the combination of claimed elements of the pending independent claims.
Reference 4: US20130137464A1 describes providing mobile alerts to members of a social network upon the occurrence of certain trigger events related to the social network, including member-trigger events, venue-trigger events, and other-trigger events. A member may select and edit their own mobile-alert settings that determine which events are trigger events. The member may enable or disable all their mobile alerts using a single action, such as toggling a digital button on their phone screen. A data processor receives indication of, or determines occurrence of, a trigger event. The data processor then determines whether to communicate a mobile alert to the member based on the member's mobile-alert settings. The alert may be communicated to the member's mobile communication device, such as a mobile phone, using a variety of convenient means, such as a text message or Push Notification. However it lacks the combination of claimed elements of the pending independent claims.
Reference 5: US6205374A1 describes a vehicle characteristic change system includes a characteristic information forming device for forming characteristic information with which characteristics of an object vehicle are changed: information entry device is used for entering the characteristic information into the object vehicle, and a characteristic change device is used for changing the characteristics of the object vehicle in accordance with the characteristic information formed by the characteristic information forming device. Characteristics of a vehicle can be readily changed to meet preference of driver, a driver's taste, driving condition, driving circumstances and the like with a compact system and at low cost. However it lacks the combination of claimed elements of the pending independent claims.
No cited references found that would teach or suggest at least theses of amended independent claims 1, 8, and 15.
Pertinent Art
4. The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Reference#US6205374B1 teaches similar invention which describes A vehicle characteristic change system includes a characteristic information forming device for forming characteristic information with which characteristics of an object vehicle are changed: information entry device is used for entering the characteristic information into the object vehicle, and a characteristic change device is used for changing the characteristics of the object vehicle in accordance with the characteristic information formed by the characteristic information forming device. Characteristics of a vehicle can be readily changed to meet preference of driver, a driver's taste, driving condition, driving circumstances and the like with a compact system and at low cost.
NPL Reference
5. The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. The NPL “Gift cards” describes “The Gift Card is a dynamic marketing tool that gives publishers access to the purse of the consumer. The most coveted place for product marketers!. Each sold gift card usually affects 2 customers include: the buyer and the recipient. This is why some see gift cards as a great advertising tools which can be compared to “mini – billboards” for your business. Given the importance of gift cards, it is crucial for the publisher to keep aware of industry trends and understand how consumers experience the use of gift cards. This is where Cards Unlimited can help.”.
Response to Arguments
6. Applicant's arguments filed 03/09/2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
A. Applicant argues that the claims are not directed to a judicial exception under Step 2A Prong One. Examiner respectfully disagrees. As for Step 2A Prong One, of the Abstract idea is directed towards the abstract idea of creating dynamic incentives for a business of an automobile manufacturer and allow segments of purchasers to purchase and redeem a gift card at a participating business location which is grouped within the Methods Of Organizing Human Activity and is similar to the concept of (commercial or legal interactions including agreements in the form of contracts, legal obligations, advertising, marketing or sales activities or behaviors business relations) grouping of abstract ideas in prong one of step 2A of the Alice/Mayo test (See 2019 Revised Patent Subject Matter Eligibility Guidance, 84 Fed. Reg. 50, 52, 54 (January 7, 2019)). Accordingly, the claims recite an abstract idea (See pages 7, 10, Alice Corporation Pty. Ltd. v. CLS Bank International, et al., US Supreme Court, No. 13-298, June 19, 2014; 2019 Revised Patent Subject Matter Eligibility Guidance, 84 Fed. Reg. 50, 53-54 (January 7, 2019)), (MPEP § 2106.04).
B. Applicant argues that the claims are not directed to a judicial exception under Step 2A Prong Two. Examiner respectfully disagrees. As for Step 2A Prong Two, the claim limitations do not include additional elements in the claim that apply, rely on, or use the judicial exception in a manner that imposes a meaningful limit on the judicial exception, and the claim is not more than a drafting effort designed to monopolize the judicial exception and the claim limitation simply describe the abstract idea. The limitation directed to creating dynamic incentives for a business of an automobile manufacturer and allow segments of purchasers to purchase and redeem a gift card at a participating business location does not add technical improvement to the abstract idea. The recitations to “server system, processor, memory, network, client device, database, server, non transitory computer readable medium” perform(s) the steps or functions of receiving, a change request from a partner agent client of an automobile manufacturer, the change request comprising an item information, a promotional redemption value, and a length of time for the promotional redemption value, wherein the item information comprises an automobile make and model associated with the automobile manufacturer and a plurality of dealership locations that sell the automobile make and model, wherein the change request is a request to change an initial redemption value of existing gift cards to the promotional redemption value to be redeemed for the automobile make and model associated with the automobile manufacturer at one of the dealership locations; determining a plurality of affected gift cards that are affected by the change request by identifying from querying, storing data, a gift cards the card table to identify, from among a plurality of affected gift cards card entries stored in the gift card table, gift card entries corresponding to the plurality of affected gift cards, the plurality of affected gift cards being associated with the automobile manufacturer that comprise and comprising the initial redemption value to be increased to the promotional redemption value for the length of time, the gift card table storing, for each gift card entry, initial data comprising an initial prepaid value and the initial redemption value for each of the plurality of affected gift cards, the initial prepaid value being less than the initial redemption value; updating, based on the determining, the gift card table in real-time by updating the initial redemption value of modifying the gift card entries corresponding to the plurality of affected gift cards to the replace the initial redemption value with the promotional redemption value and associating to associate the promotional redemption value with the length of time, thereby producing a plurality of modified gift card entries; transmitting, to a plurality of user client devices of recipients of the affected gift cards, unique authorization numbers and personal identification numbers (PINs) retrieved from the plurality of modified gift card entries; providing, for display of a first notification on the plurality of user client of the recipients of the affected gift cards via a push notification transmitted, wherein the first notification notifies each recipient of the increase to the promotional redemption value for the length of time for the automobile make and model; automatically determining, based on the length of time associated with the promotional redemption value in the plurality of modified gift card entries, that the length of time has not yet expired; providing, prior to expiration of the length of time and based on determining that the length of time has not yet expired, for display of a second notification on at least one of the plurality of user client of the recipients of the affected gift cards, wherein the second notification reminds at least one recipient of the increase to the promotional redemption value for the length of time for the automobile make and model; requiring verification that the recipients present the affected gift cards along with the respective authorization numbers and PINs for redemption by receiving, from a gift card merchant, a verification request comprising a gift card number, an authorization number, and a PIN, and matching the verification request against the plurality of modified gift card entries in the gift card table; identifying redemptions of one or more of the affected gift cards made during the length of time based on the plurality of modified gift card entries in the gift card table; analyzing the identified redemptions to determine redemption statistics and suggested promotions or offers, the redemption statistics being associated with the plurality of affected gift cards and the change request; generating comparative gift card redemption information for other automobile manufacturers based on the data on existing gift cards card entries in the gift card table and partner entries in a partner table with respect to the redemption statistics, the partner table storing data identifying a plurality of automobile manufacturers including the automobile manufacturer; generating a report including at least one of the redemption statistics, the comparative gift card redemption information, or the suggested promotions or offers; and causing the report to be transmitted via the network and displayed by the partner agent client. The use of a processor/computer as a tool to implement the abstract idea and/or generally linking the use of the abstract idea to a particular technological environment does not integrate the abstract idea into a practical application because it requires no more than a computer performing functions that correspond to acts required to carry out the abstract idea. The additional elements do not involve improvements to the functioning of a computer, or to any other technology or technical field (MPEP 2106.05(a)), the claims do not apply or use the abstract idea to effect a particular treatment or prophylaxis for a disease or medical condition (Vanda Memo), the claims do not apply the abstract idea with, or by use of, a particular machine (MPEP 2106.05(b)), the claims do not effect a transformation or reduction of a particular article to a different state or thing (MPEP 2106.05(c)), and the claims do not apply or use the abstract idea in some other meaningful way beyond generally linking the use of the abstract idea to a particular technological environment, such that the claim as a whole is more than a drafting effort designed to monopolize the exception (MPEP 2106.05(e) and Vanda Memo). Therefore, the claims do not, for example, purport to improve the functioning of a computer. Nor do they effect an improvement in any other technology or technical field. Accordingly, the additional elements do not impose any meaningful limits on practicing the abstract idea, and the claims are directed to an abstract idea.
C. Applicant argues that the claims are not directed to a judicial exception under Step 2B.
Examiner respectfully disagrees. As for Step 2B, The claim(s) does/do not include additional elements that are sufficient to amount to significantly more than the judicial exception because, when analyzed under step 2B of the Alice/Mayo test (See 2019 Revised Patent Subject Matter Eligibility Guidance, 84 Fed. Reg. 50, 52, 56 (January 7, 2019)), the limitation directed to creating dynamic incentives for a business of an automobile manufacturer and allow segments of purchasers to purchase and redeem a gift card at a participating business location does not add significantly more to the abstract idea. Furthermore, using well-known computer functions to execute an abstract idea does not constitute significantly more. The recitations to “server system, processor, memory, network, client device, database, server, non transitory computer readable medium” are generically recited computer structure. These functions correspond to the actions required to perform the abstract idea. Viewed as a whole, the combination of elements recited in the claims merely recite the concept of creating dynamic incentives for a business of an automobile manufacturer and allow segments of purchasers to purchase and redeem a gift card at a participating business location. Therefore, the use of these additional elements does no more than employ the computer as a tool to automate and/or implement the abstract idea. The use of a computer or processor to merely automate and/or implement the abstract idea cannot provide significantly more than the abstract idea itself (MPEP 2106.05(I)(A)(f) & (h)). Therefore, the claim is not patent eligible.
Conclusion
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/TAREK ELCHANTI/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3621B
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