Detailed Action
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 .
Claims 1-5, 7, and 9-12 are pending for examination. Claims 1, and 11-12 are independent.
Response to Amendment
The office action is responsive to the amendments filed on 03/23/2026. As
directed by the amendments claims 1, and 11-12 are amended.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 03/23/2026 have been fully considered but they are not fully persuasive.
Applicant arguments regarding 35 U.S.C. § 101:
Even assuming, arguendo, that independent claim I recites a judicial exception,
Applicant respectfully submits that the claimed subject-matter is integrated into a practical application, at least in view of the following recitations: "acquire the action history of a user using the golf course reservation service, wherein the action history includes a plurality of specific actions associated with a webpage performed by the user, and wherein the specific actions include bookmarking the webpage and interacting with a specific field of one or more fields contained on the webpage, wherein the action history further includes a history of webpages visited, wherein each of the websites is assigned an attribute, wherein the attributes include conversion or no intention" and "predict the usage result of the user using the golf course reservation service based on the action history of the user using the golf course reservation service and the learning model ... acquire a latest action history of the user using the golf course reservation service" as well as "wherein the predicted status is determined by calculating a probability of conversion, no intention, and abandoned." Clearly, the system is not caused to merely perform an alleged abstract idea, but rather, to integrate the limitations into a practical application by providing a technical solution for an improved golf course reservation service and prediction system.
Additionally, due to the large variety of potential user actions, it is difficult to achieve sufficient prediction accuracy in the technology of reservation systems. However, the present application provides a clear improvement in the technology based at least on possessing elements directed to solving this issue that are not present in the prior art such as "predict the usage result of the user using the golf course reservation service based on the action history of the user using the golf course reservation service and the learning model ... acquire a latest action history of the user using the golf course reservation service."
Therefore, the combination of limitations, viewed as a whole, also amounts to
significantly more than the judicial exception, because claim 1 includes an improvement to the technology of golf course reservation services.
Examiner response: Examiner respectfully disagrees, the limitation describing acquiring action history is directed to receiving information, which is understood to be insignificant extra-solution activity and data gathering (See MPEP 2106.05(g)). The limitation describing predicting usage result is directed toward an abstract idea. The limitation describing acquiring latest action history is also directed to receiving information, which is understood to be insignificant extra-solution activity and data gathering (See MPEP 2106.05(g)). Overall, the claim limitations do not provide improvements to the functioning of a computer, or to any other technology or technical field as described in MPEP 2106.05(a). The claim limitations are a combination of an abstract idea under step 2A Prong 1, and additional elements under steps 2A Prong 2 & 2B as detailed in the 101 rejection below.
Examiner respectfully disagrees, under broadest reasonable interpretation the claims do not require a “large variety of potential user actions” and can be interpreted in its simplest form. The claims are reciting a process, that under their broadest reasonable interpretation, cover performance of the limitation(s) in commercial interactions (including agreements in the form of contracts; legal obligations; advertising, marketing or sales activities or behaviors; business relations). This is an abstract idea that relates to marketing/sales conversions for golf course reservations. The claims generally describe incentivizing golf course reservations and preventing losing user conversions with coupons. The claim falls within the “certain methods of organizing human activity” subject matter grouping of abstract ideas. Applicants claimed improvements are describing an improvement to an abstract idea and not to an improvement to a computer or technical field. MPEP 2106.05(a) says an improvement in the abstract idea itself is not an improvement in technology.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 101
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 1-5, 7, and 9-12 rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 because the claimed invention is directed to an abstract idea without significantly more.
Step 1
According to the first part of the analysis, in the instant case, claims 1-5, 7, 9-10 are directed to a system, claims 11 is directed to a method, and claim 12 is directed to a non-transitory computer-readable medium. Thus, each of the claims falls within one of the four statutory categories (i.e., process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter).
Regarding Claim 1:
2A Prong 1:
a learning model, in which a relationship between an action history of each of a plurality of users who used a golf course reservation service in the past and a usage result of the golf course reservation service included in the action history of each of the plurality of users, is learned; and
predict the usage result of the user using the golf course reservation service based on the action history of the user using the golf course reservation service and the learning model, wherein the learning model is configured to classify, based on a weighted k-nearest neighbor algorithm, the action history of the user using the golf course reservation service, and to output the usage result, wherein the usage result is a predicted status of a golf course reservation;
rank a plurality of coupons based on a probability associated with each coupon of the plurality of coupons;
predict, when the latest action history of the user using the golf course reservation service has been acquired, the latest usage result of the user using the golf course reservation service,
wherein the predicted status is determined by calculating a probability of conversion, no intention, and abandoned;
select, based on the rank of the coupons and based on a difference in probability between the usage result and the latest usage result being greater than a threshold, a coupon from the plurality of coupons;
(These steps recite a process, that under their broadest reasonable interpretation, cover performance of the limitation(s) in commercial interactions (including agreements in the form of contracts; legal obligations; advertising, marketing or sales activities or behaviors; business relations), this is an abstract idea that relates to marketing/sales conversions for golf course reservations, the claims generally describe incentivizing golf course reservations and preventing losing user conversions with coupons. The claim falls within the “certain methods of organizing human activity”.)
2A Prong 2: This judicial exception is not integrated into a practical application.
Additional elements:
A prediction system, comprising: at least one processor, the at least one processor being configured to: (A processor is understood to be a generic computer element - See MPEP 2106.05(f). These steps are mere instructions to implement an abstract idea on a computer, or merely uses a computer as a tool to perform an abstract idea see MPEP 2106.05(f)):
golf course reservation service; (The specification of data to be stored is understood to be a field of use limitation. The limitation further specifies the service - See MPEP 2106.05(h).)
acquire the action history of a user using the golf course reservation service, wherein the action history includes a plurality of specific actions associated with a webpage performed by the user, and wherein the specific actions include bookmarking the webpage and interacting with a specific field of one or more fields contained on the webpage; (This step appears to be directed to receiving information, which is understood to be insignificant extra-solution activity and data gathering. See MPEP 2106.05(g).)
wherein the action history further includes a history of webpages visited, (The specification of data to be stored is understood to be a field of use limitation. The limitation further specifies the action history - See MPEP 2106.05(h).)
wherein each of the websites is assigned an attribute, (The specification of data to be stored is understood to be a field of use limitation. The limitation further specifies the websites - See MPEP 2106.05(h).)
wherein the attributes include conversion or no intention; (The specification of data to be stored is understood to be a field of use limitation. The limitation further specifies the attributes - See MPEP 2106.05(h).)
acquire a latest action history of the user using the golf course reservation service; (This step appears to be directed to receiving information, which is understood to be insignificant extra-solution activity and data gathering. See MPEP 2106.05(g).)
execute processing corresponding to the usage result predicted, wherein executing the processing includes outputting the selected coupon. (This step appears to be directed to transmitting information, which is understood to be insignificant extra-solution activity and data gathering. See MPEP 2106.05(g).)
wherein a coupon is output when there has been a change from a state in which the predicted status is conversion to a state in which the predicted status is abandoned. (This step appears to be directed to transmitting information, which is understood to be insignificant extra-solution activity and data gathering. See MPEP 2106.05(g).)
The additional elements as disclosed above alone or in combination do not integrate the judicial exception into practical application as they are insignificant extra solution activity in combination of generic computer functions and filed of use that are implemented to perform the disclosed abstract idea above.
2B: The claim does not include additional elements that are sufficient to amount to significantly more than the judicial exception.
Additional elements:
A prediction system, comprising: at least one processor, the at least one processor being configured to: (A processor is understood to be a generic computer element - See MPEP 2106.05(f). These steps are mere instructions to implement an abstract idea on a computer, or merely uses a computer as a tool to perform an abstract idea see MPEP 2106.05(f)):
golf course reservation service; (The specification of data to be stored is understood to be a field of use limitation. The limitation further specifies the service - See MPEP 2106.05(h).)
acquire the action history of a user using the golf course reservation service, wherein the action history includes a plurality of specific actions associated with a webpage performed by the user, and wherein the specific actions include bookmarking the webpage and interacting with a specific field of one or more fields contained on the webpage; (This step is directed to transmitting or receiving information, which is understood to be insignificant extra-solution activity and is well understood, routine and conventional activity of transmitting and receiving data as identified by the court (MPEP2106.05(d)(ll)(i))))
wherein the action history further includes a history of webpages visited, (The specification of data to be stored is understood to be a field of use limitation. The limitation further specifies the action history - See MPEP 2106.05(h).)
wherein each of the websites is assigned an attribute, (The specification of data to be stored is understood to be a field of use limitation. The limitation further specifies the websites - See MPEP 2106.05(h).)
wherein the attributes include conversion or no intention; (The specification of data to be stored is understood to be a field of use limitation. The limitation further specifies the attributes - See MPEP 2106.05(h).)
acquire a latest action history of the user using the golf course reservation service; (This step is directed to transmitting or receiving information, which is understood to be insignificant extra-solution activity and is well understood, routine and conventional activity of transmitting and receiving data as identified by the court (MPEP2106.05(d)(ll)(i))))
execute processing corresponding to the usage result predicted, wherein executing the processing includes outputting the selected coupon. (This step is directed to transmitting or receiving information, which is understood to be insignificant extra-solution activity and is well understood, routine and conventional activity of transmitting and receiving data as identified by the court (MPEP2106.05(d)(ll)(i))))
wherein a coupon is output when there has been a change from a state in which the predicted status is conversion to a state in which the predicted status is abandoned. (This step is directed to transmitting or receiving information, which is understood to be insignificant extra-solution activity and is well understood, routine and conventional activity of transmitting and receiving data as identified by the court (MPEP2106.05(d)(ll)(i))))
The additional elements as disclosed above in combination of the abstract idea
are not sufficient to amount to significantly more than the judicial exception as they are
well, understood, routine and conventional activity as disclosed in combination
of generic computer functions and field of use that are implemented to perform the disclosed abstract idea above.
Regarding Claim 2
2A Prong 1:
executing a golf course reservation associated with the selected coupon based on the user performing a predetermined reservation operation. (This step recites a process, that under their broadest reasonable interpretation, cover performance of the limitation(s) in the commercial interactions (including agreements in the form of contracts; legal obligations; advertising, marketing or sales activities or behaviors; business relations), then it falls within the “certain methods of organizing human activity”, and is an abstract idea.)
2A Prong 2:
wherein the golf course reservation service is used by sequentially performing each of a plurality of steps, (Mere Instructions to Apply – see MPEP 2106.05(f) and 2106.05(d)(I).)
wherein the learning model has learned therein a relationship between the action history showing at least one step performed by each user in the past and the usage result included in the action history (learning/training a model is understood as mere instructions to implement an abstract idea (e.g., generate inferences) on a computer - see MPEP 2106.05(f).)), and
wherein the at least one processor is configured to acquire the at least one step performed by the user using the golf course reservation service as the action history of the user using the golf course reservation service; (Insignificant Extra-Solution Activity, Receiving and Transmitting Data – see MPEP 2106.05(d)(II) and 2106.05(I)(A).)
2B:
wherein the golf course reservation service is used by sequentially performing each of a plurality of steps, (Mere Instructions to Apply – see MPEP 2106.05(f) and 2106.05(d)(I).)
wherein the learning model has learned therein a relationship between the action history showing at least one step performed by each user in the past and the usage result included in the action history (learning/training a model is understood as mere instructions to implement an abstract idea (e.g., generate inferences) on a computer - see MPEP 2106.05(f).)), and
wherein the at least one processor is configured to acquire the at least one step performed by the user using the golf course reservation service as the action history of the user using the golf course reservation service. (This step is directed to transmitting or receiving information, which is understood to be insignificant extra-solution activity and is well understood, routine and conventional activity of transmitting and receiving data as identified by the court (MPEP2106.05(d)(ll)(i))))
Regarding Claim 3
2A Prong 1:
select, from among the plurality of sub-model corresponding to a step currently being performed by the user using the golf course reservation service
predict the usage result based on the selected sub-model. (These steps recite a process, that under their broadest reasonable interpretation, cover performance of the limitation(s) in the commercial interactions (including agreements in the form of contracts; legal obligations; advertising, marketing or sales activities or behaviors; business relations), then it falls within the “certain methods of organizing human activity”, and is an abstract idea.)
2A Prong 2 & 2B:
wherein the learning model comprises a plurality of sub-models (The specification of data to be stored is understood to be a field of use limitation. See MPEP 2106.05(h). The limitation further specifies the learning model.), and
wherein the at least one processor is configured to: (Mere Instructions to Apply – see MPEP 2106.05(f) and MPEP 2106.05(I)(A).)
Regarding Claim 4
2A Prong 1: The claim does not recite any Abstract idea.
2A Prong 2 & 2B:
wherein the at least one processor is configured to cause (Mere Instructions to Apply – see MPEP 2106.05(f) and MPEP 2106.05(I)(A).)
each of the plurality of sub-models to learn a relationship between an action history showing that a corresponding step has been progressed to and the usage result included in the action history. (Mere Instructions to Apply – see MPEP 2106.05(f) and MPEP 2106.05(I)(A).)
Regarding Claim 5
2A Prong 1:
select, from among the plurality of learning models, a sub-model corresponding to the order of the page currently displayed by the user using the golf course reservation service. (This step recites a process, that under their broadest reasonable interpretation, cover performance of the limitation(s) in the commercial interactions (including agreements in the form of contracts; legal obligations; advertising, marketing or sales activities or behaviors; business relations), then it falls within the “certain methods of organizing human activity”, and is an abstract idea.)
2A Prong 2:
wherein a page for using the golf course reservation service is displayed at each step (Insignificant Extra-Solution Activity – see MPEP 2106.05(g) and 2106.05(d)(I).),
wherein the sub-models are ordered in an order in which the pages are displayed (Mere Instructions to Apply – see MPEP 2106.05(f) and 2106.05(d)(I).), and
wherein the at least one processor is configured to (Mere Instructions to Apply – see MPEP 2106.05(f) and 2106.05(d)(I).)
2B:
wherein a page for using the golf course reservation service is displayed at each step (Insignificant Extra-Solution Activity – see MPEP 2106.05(g) and 2106.05(d)(I).),
wherein the sub-models are ordered in an order in which the pages are displayed (Mere Instructions to Apply – see MPEP 2106.05(f) and 2106.05(d)(I).), and
wherein the at least one processor is configured to (Mere Instructions to Apply – see MPEP 2106.05(f) and 2106.05(d)(I).)
Regarding Claim 7
2A Prong 1: The claim does not recite any Abstract idea.
2A Prong 2:
wherein the learning model is configured to output a probability of the usage result, (This step is directed to transmitting or receiving information, which is understood to be insignificant extra-solution activity and data gathering. See MPEP 2106.05(g).)
wherein the at least one processor is configured to execute the processing corresponding to the probability of the usage result predicted. (This step is mere instructions to implement an abstract idea on a computer, or merely uses a computer as a tool to perform an abstract idea- see MPEP 2106.05(f))
2B:
wherein the learning model is configured to output a probability of the usage result, (This step is directed to transmitting or receiving information, which is understood to be insignificant extra-solution activity and is well understood, routine and conventional activity of transmitting and receiving data as identified by the court (MPEP2106.05(d)(ll)(i))))
wherein the at least one processor is configured to execute the processing corresponding to the probability of the usage result predicted. (This step is mere instructions to implement an abstract idea on a computer, or merely uses a computer as a tool to perform an abstract idea- see MPEP 2106.05(f))
Regarding Claim 9
2A Prong 1:
predict, based on the browsing history of the user using the golf course reservation service and the learning model, whether the golf course reservation service is to be converted by the user using the golf course reservation service; (This step recites a process, that under their broadest reasonable interpretation, cover performance of the limitation(s) in the commercial interactions (including agreements in the form of contracts; legal obligations; advertising, marketing or sales activities or behaviors; business relations), then it falls within the “certain methods of organizing human activity”, and is an abstract idea.)
2A Prong 2:
wherein the golf course reservation service is used by browsing pages for one of a reservation of a facility and purchase of a product, (The specification of data to be stored is understood to be a field of use limitation. The limitation further specifies the service - See MPEP 2106.05(h).)
wherein the learning model is configured to learn a relationship between a browsing history of each user in the past and a result of whether the golf course reservation service has been converted (learning/training a model is understood as mere instructions to implement an abstract idea (e.g., generate inferences) on a computer - see MPEP 2106.05(f).)), and
wherein the at least one processor is configured to: (This step is mere instructions to implement an abstract idea on a computer, or merely uses a computer as a tool to perform an abstract idea see MPEP 2106.05(f))
acquire the browsing history of the user using the golf course reservation service; (This step is directed to receiving information, which is understood to be insignificant extra-solution activity and data gathering. See MPEP 2106.05(g).)
execute the processing corresponding to the predicted presence or absence of conversion. (This step is mere instructions to implement an abstract idea on a computer, or merely uses a computer as a tool to perform an abstract idea- see MPEP 2106.05(f))
2B:
wherein the golf course reservation service is used by browsing pages for one of a reservation of a facility and purchase of a product, (The specification of data to be stored is understood to be a field of use limitation. The limitation further specifies the service - See MPEP 2106.05(h).)
wherein the learning model is configured to learn a relationship between a browsing history of each user in the past and a result of whether the golf course reservation service has been converted (learning/training a model is understood as mere instructions to implement an abstract idea (e.g., generate inferences) on a computer - see MPEP 2106.05(f).)), and
wherein the at least one processor is configured to: (This step is mere instructions to implement an abstract idea on a computer, or merely uses a computer as a tool to perform an abstract idea see MPEP 2106.05(f))
acquire the browsing history of the user using the golf course reservation service; (This step is directed to transmitting or receiving information, which is understood to be insignificant extra-solution activity and is well understood, routine and conventional activity of transmitting and receiving data as identified by the court (MPEP2106.05(d)(ll)(i))))
execute the processing corresponding to the predicted presence or absence of conversion. (This step is mere instructions to implement an abstract idea on a computer, or merely uses a computer as a tool to perform an abstract idea- see MPEP 2106.05(f))
Regarding Claim 10
2A Prong 1:
wherein the at least one processor is configured to confer, as the processing, to the user using the golf course reservation service, one of a coupon and points relating to the golf course reservation service when it is predicted that the service is not to be converted by the user using the service. (This step recites a process, that under their broadest reasonable interpretation, cover performance of the limitation(s) in the commercial interactions (including agreements in the form of contracts; legal obligations; advertising, marketing or sales activities or behaviors; business relations), then it falls within the “certain methods of organizing human activity”, and is an abstract idea.)
2A Prong 2 & 2B:
wherein the at least one processor is configured to (This step is mere instructions to implement an abstract idea on a computer, or merely uses a computer as a tool to perform an abstract idea see MPEP 2106.05(f))
Regarding Claim 11
2A Prong 1:
calculating a predicted usage result of the user using the golf course reservation service based on the action history of the user using the golf course reservation service and a learning model in which a relationship between an action history of each of a plurality of users who used the golf course reservation service in the past and an observed usage result of the golf course reservation service included in the action history of each of the plurality of users is learned, wherein the learning model is configured to classify, based on a weighted k-nearest neighbor algorithm, the action history of the user using the golf course reservation service, and to output the usage result, wherein the usage result is a predicted status of a golf course reservation;
wherein the predicted status is determined by calculating a probability of conversion, no intention, and abandoned;
ranking a plurality of coupons based on a probability associated with each coupon of the plurality of coupons;
predicting, when the latest action history of the user using the golf course reservation service has been acquired, the latest usage result of the user using the golf course reservation service;
selecting, based on the rank of the coupons and based on a difference in probability between the usage result and the latest usage result being greater than a threshold, a coupon from the plurality of coupons; and
executing a golf course reservation associated with the selected coupon based on the user performing a predetermined reservation operation.
(These steps recite a process, that under their broadest reasonable interpretation, cover performance of the limitation(s) in commercial interactions (including agreements in the form of contracts; legal obligations; advertising, marketing or sales activities or behaviors; business relations), this is an abstract idea that relates to marketing/sales conversions for golf course reservations, the claims generally describe incentivizing golf course reservations and preventing losing user conversions with coupons. The claim falls within the “certain methods of organizing human activity”.)
2A Prong 2: This judicial exception is not integrated into a practical application.
Additional elements:
A prediction method executed by at least one processor, comprising: (This step is mere instructions to implement an abstract idea on a computer, or merely uses a computer as a tool to perform an abstract idea see MPEP 2106.05(f))
golf course reservation service; (The specification of data to be stored is understood to be a field of use limitation. The limitation further specifies the service - See MPEP 2106.05(h).)
acquiring an action history of a user using a golf course reservation service, wherein the action history includes a plurality of specific actions associated with a webpage performed by the user, and wherein the specific actions include bookmarking the webpage and interacting with a specific field of one or more fields contained on the webpage; (This step appears to be directed to transmitting or receiving information, which is understood to be insignificant extra-solution activity and data gathering. See MPEP 2106.05(g).)
wherein the action history further includes a history of webpages visited, (The specification of data to be stored is understood to be a field of use limitation. The limitation further specifies the action history - See MPEP 2106.05(h).)
wherein each of the webpages visited are assigned an attribute, (The specification of data to be stored is understood to be a field of use limitation. The limitation further specifies the webpages - See MPEP 2106.05(h).)
wherein the attributes include conversion or no intention; (The specification of data to be stored is understood to be a field of use limitation. The limitation further specifies the attributes - See MPEP 2106.05(h).)
acquiring a latest action history of the user using the golf course reservation service; (This step appears to be directed to transmitting or receiving information, which is understood to be insignificant extra-solution activity and data gathering. See MPEP 2106.05(g).)
executing processing corresponding to the predicted usage result predicted, wherein executing the processing includes outputting the selected coupon; (This step appears to be directed to transmitting or receiving information, which is understood to be insignificant extra-solution activity and data gathering. See MPEP 2106.05(g).)
wherein a coupon is output when there has been a change from a state in which the predicted status is conversion to a state in which the predicted status is abandoned. (This step appears to be directed to transmitting or receiving information, which is understood to be insignificant extra-solution activity and data gathering. See MPEP 2106.05(g).)
The additional elements as disclosed above alone or in combination do not integrate the judicial exception into practical application as they are insignificant extra solution activity in combination of generic computer functions and filed of use that are implemented to perform the disclosed abstract idea above.
2B: The claim does not include additional elements that are sufficient to amount to significantly more than the judicial exception.
Additional elements:
A prediction method executed by at least one processor, comprising: (This step is mere instructions to implement an abstract idea on a computer, or merely uses a computer as a tool to perform an abstract idea see MPEP 2106.05(f))
golf course reservation service; (The specification of data to be stored is understood to be a field of use limitation. The limitation further specifies the service - See MPEP 2106.05(h).)
acquiring an action history of a user using a golf course reservation service, wherein the action history includes a plurality of specific actions associated with a webpage performed by the user, and wherein the specific actions include bookmarking the webpage and interacting with a specific field of one or more fields contained on the webpage; (This step is directed to transmitting or receiving information, which is understood to be insignificant extra-solution activity and is well understood, routine and conventional activity of transmitting and receiving data as identified by the court (MPEP2106.05(d)(ll)(i))))
wherein the action history further includes a history of webpages visited, (The specification of data to be stored is understood to be a field of use limitation. The limitation further specifies the action history - See MPEP 2106.05(h).)
wherein each of the webpages visited are assigned an attribute, (The specification of data to be stored is understood to be a field of use limitation. The limitation further specifies the webpages - See MPEP 2106.05(h).)
wherein the attributes include conversion or no intention; (The specification of data to be stored is understood to be a field of use limitation. The limitation further specifies the attributes - See MPEP 2106.05(h).)
acquiring a latest action history of the user using the golf course reservation service; (This step is directed to transmitting or receiving information, which is understood to be insignificant extra-solution activity and is well understood, routine and conventional activity of transmitting and receiving data as identified by the court (MPEP2106.05(d)(ll)(i))))
executing processing corresponding to the predicted usage result predicted, wherein executing the processing includes outputting the selected coupon; (This step is directed to transmitting or receiving information, which is understood to be insignificant extra-solution activity and is well understood, routine and conventional activity of transmitting and receiving data as identified by the court (MPEP2106.05(d)(ll)(i))))
wherein a coupon is output when there has been a change from a state in which the predicted status is conversion to a state in which the predicted status is abandoned. (This step is directed to transmitting or receiving information, which is understood to be insignificant extra-solution activity and is well understood, routine and conventional activity of transmitting and receiving data as identified by the court (MPEP2106.05(d)(ll)(i))))
The additional elements as disclosed above in combination of the abstract idea
are not sufficient to amount to significantly more than the judicial exception as they are
well, understood, routine and conventional activity as disclosed in combination
of generic computer functions and field of use that are implemented to perform the disclosed abstract idea above.
Regarding Claim 12
2A Prong 1:
predict a usage result of the user using the golf course reservation service based on the action history of the user using the golf course reservation service and a learning model in which a relationship between an action history of each of a plurality of users who used the golf course reservation service in the past and a usage result of the golf course reservation service included in the action history of each of the plurality of users is learned, wherein the learning model is configured to classify, based on a weighted k-nearest neighbor algorithm, the action history of the user using the golf course reservation service, and to output the usage result, wherein the usage result is a predicted status of a golf course reservation;
wherein the predicted status is determined by calculating a probability of conversion, no intention, or abandoned;
rank a plurality of coupons based on a probability associated with each coupon of the plurality of coupons;
predict, when the latest action history of the user using the golf course reservation service has been acquired, the latest usage result of the user using the golf course reservation service;
select, based on the rank of the coupons and based on a difference in probability between the usage result and the latest usage result being greater than a threshold, a coupon from the plurality of coupons; and
executing a golf course reservation associated with the selected coupon based on the user performing a predetermined reservation operation.
(These steps recite a process, that under their broadest reasonable interpretation, cover performance of the limitation(s) in commercial interactions (including agreements in the form of contracts; legal obligations; advertising, marketing or sales activities or behaviors; business relations), this is an abstract idea that relates to marketing/sales conversions for golf course reservations, the claims generally describe incentivizing golf course reservations and preventing losing user conversions with coupons. The claim falls within the “certain methods of organizing human activity”.)
2A Prong 2: This judicial exception is not integrated into a practical application.
Additional elements:
A non-transitory information storage medium having stored thereon a program for causing a computer to: (This step is mere instructions to implement an abstract idea on a computer, or merely uses a computer as a tool to perform an abstract idea see MPEP 2106.05(f))
golf course reservation service; (The specification of data to be stored is understood to be a field of use limitation. The limitation further specifies the service - See MPEP 2106.05(h).)
acquire an action history of a user using a golf course reservation service, wherein the action history includes a plurality of specific actions associated with a webpage performed by the user, and wherein the specific actions include bookmarking the webpage and interacting with a specific field of one or more fields contained on the webpage; (This step appears to be directed to transmitting or receiving information, which is understood to be insignificant extra-solution activity and data gathering. See MPEP 2106.05(g).)
wherein the action history further includes a history of webpages visited, (The specification of data to be stored is understood to be a field of use limitation. The limitation further specifies the action history - See MPEP 2106.05(h).)
wherein each of the websites is assigned an attribute, (The specification of data to be stored is understood to be a field of use limitation. The limitation further specifies the websites - See MPEP 2106.05(h).)
wherein the attributes include conversion or no intention; (The specification of data to be stored is understood to be a field of use limitation. The limitation further specifies the attributes - See MPEP 2106.05(h).)
acquire a latest action history of the user using the golf course reservation service; (This step appears to be directed to transmitting or receiving information, which is understood to be insignificant extra-solution activity and data gathering. See MPEP 2106.05(g).)
execute processing corresponding to the usage result predicted, wherein executing the processing includes outputting the selected coupon; (This step appears to be directed to transmitting or receiving information, which is understood to be insignificant extra-solution activity and data gathering. See MPEP 2106.05(g).)
wherein a coupon is output when there has been a change from a state in which the predicted status is conversion to a state in which the predicted status is abandoned. (This step appears to be directed to transmitting or receiving information, which is understood to be insignificant extra-solution activity and data gathering. See MPEP 2106.05(g).)
The additional elements as disclosed above alone or in combination do not integrate the judicial exception into practical application as they are insignificant extra solution activity in combination of generic computer functions and filed of use that are implemented to perform the disclosed abstract idea above.
2B: The claim does not include additional elements that are sufficient to amount to significantly more than the judicial exception.
Additional elements:
A non-transitory information storage medium having stored thereon a program for causing a computer to: (This step is mere instructions to implement an abstract idea on a computer, or merely uses a computer as a tool to perform an abstract idea see MPEP 2106.05(f))
golf course reservation service; (The specification of data to be stored is understood to be a field of use limitation. The limitation further specifies the service - See MPEP 2106.05(h).)
acquire an action history of a user using a golf course reservation service, wherein the action history includes a plurality of specific actions associated with a webpage performed by the user, and wherein the specific actions include bookmarking the webpage and interacting with a specific field of one or more fields contained on the webpage; (This step is directed to transmitting or receiving information, which is understood to be insignificant extra-solution activity and is well understood, routine and conventional activity of transmitting and receiving data as identified by the court (MPEP2106.05(d)(ll)(i))))
wherein the action history further includes a history of webpages visited, (The specification of data to be stored is understood to be a field of use limitation. The limitation further specifies the action history - See MPEP 2106.05(h).)
wherein each of the websites is assigned an attribute, (The specification of data to be stored is understood to be a field of use limitation. The limitation further specifies the websites - See MPEP 2106.05(h).)
wherein the attributes include conversion or no intention; (The specification of data to be stored is understood to be a field of use limitation. The limitation further specifies the attributes - See MPEP 2106.05(h).)
acquire a latest action history of the user using the golf course reservation service; (This step is directed to transmitting or receiving information, which is understood to be insignificant extra-solution activity and is well understood, routine and conventional activity of transmitting and receiving data as identified by the court (MPEP2106.05(d)(ll)(i))))
execute processing corresponding to the usage result predicted, wherein executing the processing includes outputting the selected coupon; (This step is directed to transmitting or receiving information, which is understood to be insignificant extra-solution activity and is well understood, routine and conventional activity of transmitting and receiving data as identified by the court (MPEP2106.05(d)(ll)(i))))
wherein a coupon is output when there has been a change from a state in which the predicted status is conversion to a state in which the predicted status is abandoned. (This step is directed to transmitting or receiving information, which is understood to be insignificant extra-solution activity and is well understood, routine and conventional activity of transmitting and receiving data as identified by the court (MPEP2106.05(d)(ll)(i))))
The additional elements as disclosed above in combination of the abstract idea
are not sufficient to amount to significantly more than the judicial exception as they are
well, understood, routine and conventional activity as disclosed in combination
of generic computer functions and field of use that are implemented to perform the disclosed abstract idea above.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Shariff et al. (US 9947022 B1.
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/TEWODROS E MENGISTU/ Examiner, Art Unit 2127
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