DETAILED ACTION
This communication is in response to the amendment filed 10/15/25 in which claims 1, 2, 4-6, 8-10, 13, and 17 were amended. Claims 1-19 are pending.
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 .
Response to Arguments
Applicant, in pertinent part, argues:
First, "extracting, by the screen reader, chart data corresponding to a data visualization displayed on a user interface of a computer system, wherein the screen reader comprises an assistive technology on the computer system for communicating information on the user interface, and wherein the chart data comprises data used by visualization software on the computer system to generate the data visualization displayed on the user interface" recites that the "screen reader comprises an assistive technology". In several embodiments, the screen reader may utilize specialized assistive technology to access and process the underlying data structure of the visualization displayed, which may not be performed mentally. Additionally, in several embodiments, the screen reader comprising assistive technology may extract chart data which is used by a visualization software to generate data visualization. For example, even if an unimpaired user could directly access the markup language of code underlying a visual element, a human cannot practicably mentally process the code and extract using an assistive technology (of a screen reader) in the mind.
Applicant’s arguments have been considered but are unpersuasive. Recitation of a screen reader without reciting details of how the screen reader utilizes specialized assistive technology to access and process the underlying data structure displayed, constitutes a mere recitation of an idea of a solution or outcome and, therefore, does not integrate the judicial exception into a practical application or provide significantly more because this type of recitation is equivalent to the words “apply it.” See MPEP 2106.05(f).
Further, "generating insight data... using a statistical measure" involves computational analysis with specific technical implementations based on the chart category - "iterating over a moving window when the chart category is the time-series category, "by performing one- dimensional distribution clustering when the chart category is the distribution category," and by performing statistical set comparison when the chart category is the set-relation category;
Each of which are specific technical algorithms that cannot be practically performed in the human mind.
Applicant’s arguments have been considered but are unpersuasive. While such calculations may be aided by the use of a computer, they are capable of being practically performed in the mind or with the aid of pen and paper with sufficiently small datasets.
Additionally, "generating...an audible communication corresponding to the insight caption" via a screen reader comprising assistive technology requires specialized computer hardware and software to convert text into speech. These technical elements clearly place the claims outside the realm of mental processes. Accordingly, Applicant submits that claim 1 does not recite a judicial exception.
Applicant’s arguments have been considered but are unpersuasive. The limitation does not recite details of how the audible communication is generated and, therefore, merely recites the idea of a solution or outcome. Accordingly, the limitation fails to integrate the judicial exception into a practical application or provide significantly more because this type of recitation is equivalent to the words “apply it.”
Applicant further argues:
Claim 1 integrates any purported abstract idea into a practical application by providing a specific technical solution to a technical problem in the field of assistive technology, particularly screen readers, thereby improving the screen reader technology.
As described in paragraph [0019] of the specification:
"Conventional data visualization and summarization systems are not sufficiently accessible to users who rely on assistive technology. For example, these systems may not be accessible to people who rely on assistive technology such as screen readers or screen magnification, or for people who are not skilled in interpreting charts. This inaccessibility is observed in a variety of web analytics and business intelligent products... In some cases, only metadata (e.g., the file name of the chart) is available to be read out as audible information. This metadata does not communicate the full meaning of the chart. As a result, screen reader users and users not skilled in chart interpretation are not able to access data insights from the charts."
This establishes a technical problem in current screen reader technology - namely, the inability to extract, analyze, interpret, and meaningfully convey information contained in data visualizations. The above technical problem is a specific limitation in assistive technology that prevents impaired users from accessing the same information that non-impaired users can access visually.
Claim 1 provides a particular solution to the technical problem and a particular way to achieve a desired outcome.
Claim 1, as amended, provides a particular technical solution to the technical problem defined above, through a series of concrete technical steps that transform the operation of a screen reader comprising assistive technology.
For example:
"extracting, by the screen reader, chart data corresponding to a data visualization displayed on a user interface of a computer system, wherein the screen reader comprises an assistive technology on the computer system for communicating information on the user interface, and wherein the chart data comprises data used by visualization software on the computer system to generate the data visualization displayed on the user interface"- this changes the basic functionality of screen readers by using assistive technology to communicate information and by enabling functionality beyond the conventional operation of reading metadata.
"communicating, via the screen reader, the insight caption for the data visualization displayed on the user interface by generating an audible communication corresponding to the insight caption"- This transforms the output of screen readers comprising assistive technology from merely reading metadata to communicating meaningful data insights, for example, interpretations, etc. For example, the output of the screen readers comprising assistive technology may be transformed by extracting "the chart data [which] comprises data used by visualization software on the computer system to generate the data visualization displayed on the user interface" and generating meaningful insights (for e.g., interpretations)
The particular technical solution discussed above achieves the desired outcome, and improves computer capabilities/existing technology.
Claim 1, as amended, integrates the interpretation of chart data into an improvement to assistive technology. This is supported by paragraph [0003] of the specification of the present application, which identifies the technical problem of users needing "assistance in interpreting salient points of information about data, including data represented in charts and graphs." For example, the desired outcome may be achieved by extracting chart data from data visualizations that would otherwise be inaccessible to visually impaired users, processing that data to generate meaningful insights (for e.g., interpretations), and converting those insights into screen-reader compatible audible communications. The present claims don't merely use screen readers in their conventional capacity; they fundamentally change how screen readers function by adding technical capabilities including assistive technology for chart data extraction, categorization, analysis, and insight generation that conventional screen readers lack.
The limitation of extracting chart data displayed on a user interface of a computer system, as drafted, is a process that, under its broadest reasonable interpretation, covers performance of the limitation in the mind but for the recitation of generic computer components. That is, other than reciting “by the screen reader,” nothing in the claim element precludes the step from practically being performed in the mind. Alternatively, “screen reader” under a broadest reasonable interpretation does not preclude a user reading the contents of a screen. Thus, but for the “by the screen reader” language, “extracting” in the context of the claim encompasses the user reading the chart as displayed on the user interface of the computer system (charts typically display values on the axes of the chart). To the extent that the user reads the values associated with the chart, but not other data displayed on the user interface, the term “extracts” encompasses the user focusing on the chart data.
The further sub-limitation “wherein the screen reader comprises an assistive technology on the computer system for communicating information on the user interface” describes the screen reader at a high level of generality (i.e., as an assistive technology that communicates information on the user interface) and in terms of generic computer components (i.e., on the computer system for communicating information on the user interface). Accordingly, this sub-limitation amounts to no more than mere instructions to apply the exception. Accordingly, this additional element does not integrate the abstract into a practical application because it does not impose any meaningful limits on practicing the abstract idea.
In order to practically integrate the abstract idea, the additional elements must demonstrate that the claimed invention “improves the functioning of a computer or improves another technology or technical field.” MPEP 2106.04(d)(1). At the same time, the improvement cannot be set forth in a conclusory manner (i.e., a bare assertion of an improvement without the detail necessary to be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art). Id. Examples of claims that improve technology and are not directed to a judicial exception include: Enfish, LLC v. Microsoft Corp., 822 F.3d 1327, 1339, 118 USPQ2d 1684, 1691-92 (Fed. Cir. 2016) (claims to a self-referential table for a computer database were directed to an improvement in computer capabilities and not directed to an abstract idea); McRO, Inc. v. Bandai Namco Games Am. Inc., 837 F.3d 1299, 1315, 120 USPQ2d 1091, 1102-03 (Fed. Cir. 2016) (claims to automatic lip synchronization and facial expression animation were directed to an improvement in computer-related technology and not directed to an abstract idea); Visual Memory LLC v. NVIDIA Corp., 867 F.3d 1253,1259-60, 123 USPQ2d 1712, 1717 (Fed. Cir. 2017) (claims to an enhanced computer memory system were directed to an improvement in computer capabilities and not an abstract idea); Finjan Inc. v. Blue Coat Systems, Inc., 879 F.3d 1299, 125 USPQ2d 1282 (Fed. Cir. 2018) (claims to virus scanning were found to be an improvement in computer technology and not directed to an abstract idea); SRI Int’l, Inc. v. Cisco Systems, Inc., 930 F.3d 1295, 1303 (Fed. Cir. 2019) (claims to detecting suspicious activity by using network monitors and analyzing network packets were found to be an improvement in computer network technology and not directed to an abstract idea). Id. Further examples of improvements in computer technology may be found in MPEP 2106.05(a).
In the instant case, a potential improvement to the functioning of a computer or technology may be that the extraction of the chart data from the underlying markup language code occurs separately from the display of the data visualization i.e., in a manner that precludes manual inspection by the user of the underlying markup language. For instance, it may be useful to differentiate between those steps that are performed by a client device displaying the data visualization on a user interface based on the chart data and those steps that are performed by a server. In this scheme, the claimed display of the data visualization from the chart data is performed at a client device whereas the claimed extraction of the chart data that is used to generate the data visualization is performed subsequently by a server based on some user action occurring at the client device (e.g., an explicit selection of a chart, a tool tip hover, etc.). Each step (i.e., determining a chart category, selecting an insight type, generating insight data, generating an insight caption, and communicating the insight caption) would be appropriately differentiated to explicitly indicate where it occurs based on the relevant support in the specification.
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 1-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 because the claimed invention is directed to an abstract idea without significantly more. The following analysis follows the Mayo/Prometheus two-step framework.
[Claim 1] A method [Step 1: YES, method (process) is a statutory category of invention] for using a screen reader, comprising:
extracting, by the screen reader, chart data corresponding to a data visualization displayed on a user interface of a computer system, wherein the screen reader comprises an assistive technology on the computer system for communicating information on the user interface, and wherein the chart data comprises data used by visualization software on the computer system to generate the data visualization displayed on the user interface; [Step 2A prong 2B: NO, receiving data constitutes insignificant extra-solution activity under MPEP 2106.05(g); the type/source of data (chart data…used by visualization software on the computer system to generate the data visualization displayed on the user interface) does not cause the data inputting step to integrate the judicial exception in a practical application; recitation of ‘by the screen reader…wherein the screen reader comprises an assistive technology on the computer system for communicating information on the visual interface’ constitutes mere instruction to apply the judicial exception using generic computer components recited at a high level of generality under MPEP 2106.05(f); Step 2B: NO, receiving data is well understood routine and conventional under MPEP 2106.05(d)]
determining a chart category based on the chart data, wherein the chart category is selected from a set of chart categories including a time-series category, a distribution category, and a set-relation category; [Step 2A prong 1: YES, mental process capable of being in the human mind by observation, evaluation, judgment, and opinion which are examples of mental processes under MPEP 2106.04(a)(2)(III)]
selecting, by an insight detection component, an insight type based on a chart category of the chart data, wherein the insight type is selected from a predetermined set of insight types that is different for each of the chart categories; [Step 2A prong 1: YES, mental process capable of being in the human mind by observation, evaluation, judgment, and opinion which are examples of mental processes under MPEP 2106.04(a)(2)(III); Step 2A prong 2/Step 2B: NO, the recitation of “by an insight detection component” is mere instruction to apply the exception using generic computer components under MPEP 2106.05(f)]
generating, by the insight detection component, insight data for the insight type based on the chart data using a statistical measure corresponding to the insight type, [Step 2A prong 1: YES, mental process capable of being in the human mind by observation, evaluation, judgment, and opinion which are examples of mental processes under MPEP 2106.04(a)(2)(III); Step 2A prong 2/Step 2B: NO, the recitation of “by the insight detection component” is mere instruction to apply the exception using generic computer components under MPEP 2106.05(f)] wherein the insight data is generated by iterating over a moving window when the chart category is the time-series category, [Step 2A prong 1: YES, mental process capable of being performed in the human mind with the aid of pen and paper] by performing one-dimensional distribution clustering when the chart category is the distribution category, [Step 2A prong 1: YES, mental process capable of being performed in the human mind with the aid of pen and paper] and by performing statistical set comparison when the chart category is the set-relation category [Step 2A prong 1: YES, mental process capable of being performed in the human mind with the aid of pen and paper];
generating, by a caption component, an insight caption for the insight type based on the insight data and the insight type; and [Step 2A prong 1: YES, mental process capable of being in the human mind by observation, evaluation, judgment, and opinion which are examples of mental processes under MPEP 2106.04(a)(2)(III); Step 2A prong 2/Step 2B: NO, the recitation of “by a caption component” is mere instruction to apply the exception using generic computer components under MPEP 2106.05(f)]
communicating, via the screen reader, the insight caption for the data visualization [Step 2A prong 2: NO, data outputting is insignificant extra-solution activity under MPEP 2106.05(g); the type or source of data does not cause the data outputting to practically integrate the exception; recitation of “via the screen reader” is mere instruction to apply exception using a generic computer component recited at a high level of generality under MPEP 2106.05(f); Step 2B: NO, transmitting data is well understood routine and conventional under MPEP 2106.05(d)] by generating an audible communication corresponding to the insight caption [Step 2A prong 2: NO, mere instruction to apply exception without reciting details of how the audible communication is generated under MPEP 2106.05(f)].
[Claim 2] The method of claim 1, [Step 1: YES, method (process) is a statutory category of invention] further comprising:
identifying, by a data extraction component, code underlying a visual element; and [Step 2A prong 1: YES, mental process capable of being performed by a user by manual inspection of code responsible for displaying a chart using observation, evaluation, judgment, and opinion under MPEP 2106.04(a)(2)(III); step 2A prong 2/Step 2B: NO, recitation of “by a data extraction component” is mere instruction to apply exception using a generic computer component recited at a high level of generality under MPEP 2106.05(f)]
extracting, by the data extraction component, the chart data from the code based on a markup language of the code [Step 2A prong 1: YES, mental process capable of being performed by a user by manual inspection of code responsible for displaying a chart using observation, evaluation, judgment, and opinion under MPEP 2106.04(a)(2)(III); step 2A prong 2/Step 2B: NO, recitation of “by the data extraction component” is mere instruction to apply exception using a generic computer component recited at a high level of generality under MPEP 2106.05(f)].
[Claim 3] The method of claim 1, [Step 1: YES, method (process) is a statutory category of invention] further comprising:
identifying, by a categorization component, a plurality of chart categories; and [Step 2A prong 1: YES, mental process capable of being performed by a user by manual inspection of code responsible for displaying a chart using observation, evaluation, judgment, and opinion under MPEP 2106.04(a)(2)(III); step 2A prong 2/Step 2B: NO, recitation of “by a categorization component” is mere instruction to apply exception using a generic computer component recited at a high level of generality under MPEP 2106.05(f)]
selecting, by the categorization component, the chart category from the plurality of chart categories using a rule-based heuristic [Step 2A prong 1: YES, mental process capable of being performed by a user by manual inspection of code responsible for displaying a chart using observation, evaluation, judgment, and opinion under MPEP 2106.04(a)(2)(III); step 2A prong 2/Step 2B: NO, recitation of “by the categorization component” is mere instruction to apply exception using a generic computer component recited at a high level of generality under MPEP 2106.05(f)].
[Claim 4] The method of claim 3, [Step 1: YES, method (process) is a statutory category of invention] further comprising:
determining, by the categorization component, that the chart data includes a temporal field and a numerical field, wherein the chart category comprises the time-series category [Step 2A prong 1: YES, mental process capable of being performed by a user by manual inspection of code responsible for displaying a chart using observation, evaluation, judgment, and opinion under MPEP 2106.04(a)(2)(III); step 2A prong 2/Step 2B: NO, recitation of “by the categorization component” is mere instruction to apply exception using a generic computer component recited at a high level of generality under MPEP 2106.05(f)].
[Claim 5] The method of claim 3, [Step 1: YES, method (process) is a statutory category of invention] further comprising:
determining, by the categorization component, that the chart data includes a nominal field and a numerical field, wherein the chart category comprises the distribution category [Step 2A prong 1: YES, mental process capable of being performed by a user by manual inspection of code responsible for displaying a chart using observation, evaluation, judgment, and opinion under MPEP 2106.04(a)(2)(III); step 2A prong 2/Step 2B: NO, recitation of “by the categorization component” is mere instruction to apply exception using a generic computer component recited at a high level of generality under MPEP 2106.05(f)].
[Claim 6] The method of claim 3, [Step 1: YES, method (process) is a statutory category of invention] further comprising:
determining, by the categorization component, that the chart data includes a set-relation field and a numerical field, wherein the chart category comprises the set-relation category [Step 2A prong 1: YES, mental process capable of being performed by a user by manual inspection of code responsible for displaying a chart using observation, evaluation, judgment, and opinion under MPEP 2106.04(a)(2)(III); step 2A prong 2/Step 2B: NO, recitation of “by the categorization component” is mere instruction to apply exception using a generic computer component recited at a high level of generality under MPEP 2106.05(f)].
[Claim 7] The method of claim 1, [Step 1: YES, method (process) is a statutory category of invention] further comprising:
identifying, by the insight detection component, a plurality of insight types corresponding to the chart category, wherein the plurality of insight types corresponds to a plurality of statistical measures, respectively; and [Step 2A prong 1: YES, mental process capable of being performed by a user by observation, evaluation, judgment, and opinion under MPEP 2106.04(a)(2)(III); step 2A prong 2/Step 2B: NO, recitation of “by the insight detection component” is mere instruction to apply exception using a generic computer component recited at a high level of generality under MPEP 2106.05(f)]
selecting the insight type from the plurality of insight types [Step 2A prong 1: YES, mental process capable of being performed by a user by observation, evaluation, judgment, and opinion under MPEP 2106.04(a)(2)(III)].
[Claim 8] The method of claim 7, [Step 1: YES, method (process) is a statutory category of invention] wherein:
the chart category comprises the time-series category, and the plurality of insight types includes aggregate statistics, cyclic patterns, trends, anomalies, or any combination thereof [Step 2A prong 1: YES, selecting a chart category and/or an insight type may be performed by a user by observation, evaluation, judgment, and opinion and, therefore, is a mental process under MPEP 2106.04(a)(2)(III)].
[Claim 9] The method of claim 7, [Step 1: YES, method (process) is a statutory category of invention] wherein:
the chart category comprises the distribution category, and the plurality of insight types includes aggregate statistics, grouped values, or any combination thereof [Step 2A prong 1: YES, selecting a chart category and/or an insight type may be performed by a user by observation, evaluation, judgment, and opinion and, therefore, is a mental process under MPEP 2106.04(a)(2)(III)].
[Claim 10] The method of claim 7, [Step 1: YES, method (process) is a statutory category of invention] wherein:
the chart category comprises the set-relation category, and the plurality of insight types includes aggregate statistics, grouped values, set comparisons, or any combination thereof [Step 2A prong 1: YES, selecting a chart category and/or an insight type may be performed by a user by observation, evaluation, judgment, and opinion and, therefore, is a mental process under MPEP 2106.04(a)(2)(III)].
[Claim 11] The method of claim 1, [Step 1: YES, method (process) is a statutory category of invention] further comprising:
generating, by the insight detection component, a plurality of insights based on the chart category, wherein the insight data corresponds to one of the plurality of insights; [Step 2A prong 1: YES, “generating” encompasses a user manually calculating a statistic based on the chart data by observation, evaluation, judgment, and opinion and, therefore, is a mental process under MPEP 2106.04(a)(2)(III); Step 2A prong 2/Step 2B: NO, “by the insight detection component” is mere instruction to apply the exception using a generic computer component recited at a high level of generality under MPEP 2106.05(f)]
ranking, by a filtering component, the plurality of insights; and [Step 2A prong 1: YES, “ranking” encompasses a user manually ranking insights by observation, evaluation, judgment, and opinion and, therefore, is a mental process under MPEP 2106.04(a)(2)(III); Step 2A prong 2/Step 2B: NO, “by a filtering component” is mere instruction to apply the exception using a generic computer component recited at a high level of generality under MPEP 2106.05(f)]
filtering, by the filtering component, the plurality of insights based on the ranking, wherein the insight caption is generated based on the filtering [Step 2A prong 1: YES, “filtering” encompasses a user manually filtering/discarding/selecting insights by observation, evaluation, judgment, and opinion and, therefore, is a mental process under MPEP 2106.04(a)(2)(III); Step 2A prong 2/Step 2B: NO, “by the filtering component” is mere instruction to apply the exception using a generic computer component recited at a high level of generality under MPEP 2106.05(f)].
[Claim 12] The method of claim 1, [Step 1: YES, method (process) is a statutory category of invention] further comprising:
identifying, by the caption component, a plurality of sentence templates corresponding to a plurality of insight types; and [Step 2A prong 1: YES, “identifying” encompasses a user manually identifying sentence templates by observation, evaluation, judgment, and opinion and, therefore, is a mental process under MPEP 2106.04(a)(2)(III); Step 2A prong 2/Step 2B: NO, “by the caption component” is mere instruction to apply the exception using a generic computer component recited at a high level of generality under MPEP 2106.05(f)]
selecting, by the caption component, the sentence template corresponding to the insight type from the plurality of sentence templates [Step 2A prong 1: YES, “selecting” encompasses a user manually selecting a sentence template by observation, evaluation, judgment, and opinion and, therefore, is a mental process under MPEP 2106.04(a)(2)(III); Step 2A prong 2/Step 2B: NO, “by the caption component” is mere instruction to apply the exception using a generic computer component recited at a high level of generality under MPEP 2106.05(f)].
[Claim 13] A method [Step 1: YES, method (process) is a statutory category of invention] for using a screen reader, comprising:
receiving chart data corresponding to a data visualization displayed on a user interface of a computer system from the screen reader, wherein the screen reader comprises an assistive technology on the computer system for communicating information on the user interface, and wherein the chart data comprises data used by visualization software on the computer system to generate the data visualization displayed on the user interface; [Step 2A prong 2B: NO, receiving data constitutes insignificant extra-solution activity under MPEP 2106.05(g); the type/source of data (chart data…used by visualization software on the computer system to generate the data visualization displayed on the user interface) does not cause the data inputting step to integrate the judicial exception in a practical application; recitation of ‘by the screen reader…wherein the screen reader comprises an assistive technology on the computer system for communicating information on the visual interface’ constitutes mere instruction to apply the judicial exception using generic computer components recited at a high level of generality under MPEP 2106.05(f); Step 2B: NO, receiving data is well understood routine and conventional under MPEP 2106.05(d)]
determining, by a categorization component, that the chart data corresponds to a chart category from a set of chart categories including a time-series category, a distribution category, and a set-relation category; [Step 2A prong 1: YES, mental process capable of being in the human mind by observation, evaluation, judgment, and opinion which are examples of mental processes under MPEP 2106.04(a)(2)(III); Step 2A prong 2/Step 2B: NO, recitation of “by a categorization component” constitutes mere instruction to apply exception using a generic computer component recited at a high level of generality under MPEP 2106.05(f)]
selecting, by an insight detection component, an insight type based on the chart category, wherein the insight type is selected from a predetermined set of insight types that is different for each of the chart categories; [Step 2A prong 1: YES, mental process capable of being in the human mind by observation, evaluation, judgment, and opinion which are examples of mental processes under MPEP 2106.04(a)(2)(III); Step 2A prong 2/Step 2B: NO, recitation of “by an insight detection component” constitutes mere instruction to apply exception using a generic computer component recited at a high level of generality under MPEP 2106.05(f)]
generating, by the insight detection component, insight data for the insight type based on the chart data using a statistical measure corresponding to the insight type, wherein the insight data is generated by iterating over a moving window when the chart category is the time-series category, by performing one-dimensional distribution clustering when the chart category is the distribution category, and by performing statistical set comparison when the chart category is the set-relation category; [Step 2A prong 1: YES, mental process capable of being in the human mind by observation, evaluation, judgment, and opinion which are examples of mental processes under MPEP 2106.04(a)(2)(III); Step 2A prong 2/Step 2: NO, the recitation of “by the insight detection component” is mere instruction to apply the exception using generic computer components under MPEP 2106.05(f)]
generating, by a caption component, an insight caption based on the insight data and the insight type; and [Step 2A prong 1: YES, mental process capable of being in the human mind by observation, evaluation, judgment, and opinion which are examples of mental processes under MPEP 2106.04(a)(2)(III); Step 2A prong 2/Step 2B: NO, the recitation of “by a caption component” is mere instruction to apply the exception using generic computer components under MPEP 2106.05(f)]
communicating, via the screen reader, the insight caption for the data visualization by generating an audible communication corresponding to the insight caption [Step 2A prong 2: NO, data outputting is insignificant extra-solution activity under MPEP 2106.05(g); the type or source of data does not cause the data outputting to practically integrate the exception; recitation of “via the screen reader” is mere instruction to apply exception using a generic computer component recited at a high level of generality under MPEP 2106.05(f); Step 2B: NO, transmitting data is well understood routine and conventional under MPEP 2106.05(d)].
[Claim 14] The method of claim 13, [Step 1: YES, method (process) is a statutory category of invention] further comprising:
determining, by the insight detection component, that the chart data includes a nominal field and a numerical field, and [Step 2A prong 1: YES, mental process capable of being performed by a user by manual inspection of code responsible for displaying a chart using observation, evaluation, judgment, and opinion under MPEP 2106.04(a)(2)(III); step 2A prong 2/Step 2B: NO, recitation of “by the insight detection component” is mere instruction to apply exception using a generic computer component recited at a high level of generality under MPEP 2106.05(f)]
determining that the chart data corresponds to the distribution category is based on the nominal field and the numerical field [Step 2A prong 1: YES, mental process capable of being performed by a user by manual inspection of code responsible for displaying a chart using observation, evaluation, judgment, and opinion under MPEP 2106.04(a)(2)(III)].
[Claim 15] The method of claim 13, [Step 1: YES, method (process) is a statutory category of invention] wherein: the one-dimensional distribution clustering algorithm satisfies a complete-linkage criterion [Step 2A prong 1: YES, mental process capable of being in the human mind with the aid of pen and paper by observation, evaluation, judgment, and opinion which are examples of mental processes under MPEP 2106.04(a)(2)(III) (distribution clustering with complete-linkage can be performed with pen and paper)].
[Claim 16] The method of claim 13, [Step 1: YES, method (process) is a statutory category of invention] further comprising:
when the chart category is the distribution category, sorting, by the insight detection component, a plurality of values of the chart data; and [Step 2A prong 1: YES, mental process capable of being in the human mind by observation, evaluation, judgment, and opinion which are examples of mental processes under MPEP 2106.04(a)(2)(III); step 2A prong 2/Step 2B: NO, “by the insight detection component” constitutes mere instruction to apply exception using a generic computer component under MPEP 2106.05(f)]
selecting, by the insight detection component, a group for each of the plurality of values based on a minimum distance between a current value and values in a current group [Step 2A prong 1: YES, mental process capable of being in the human mind by observation, evaluation, judgment, and opinion which are examples of mental processes under MPEP 2106.04(a)(2)(III); step 2A prong 2/Step 2B: NO, “by the insight detection component” constitutes mere instruction to apply exception using a generic computer component under MPEP 2106.05(f)].
[Claim 17] A system comprising: [Step 1: YES, system (machine) is a statutory category of invention]
a memory component; [Step 2A prong 2/Step 2B: NO, mere instruction to apply exception using a generic computer component recited at a high level of generality under MPEP 2106.05(f)]
a processing device coupled to the memory component, the processing device configured to perform operations comprising: [Step 2A prong 2/Step 2B: NO, mere instruction to apply exception using a generic computer component recited at a high level of generality under MPEP 2106.05(f)]
selecting a chart category from a plurality of chart categories based on chart data using a rule-based heuristic, wherein the chart data corresponds to a data visualization displayed on a user interface of a screen reader, wherein the screen reader comprises an assistive technology for communicating information on the user interface, and wherein the chart data comprises data used by visualization software in the memory component to generate the data visualization displayed on the user interface, and wherein the chart category is selected from a set of chart categories including a time-series category, a distribution category, and set-relation category; [Step 2A prong 2B: NO, receiving data constitutes insignificant extra-solution activity under MPEP 2106.05(g); the type/source of data (chart data…used by visualization software on the computer system to generate the data visualization displayed on the user interface) does not cause the data inputting step to integrate the judicial exception in a practical application; recitation of ‘by the screen reader…wherein the screen reader comprises an assistive technology on the computer system for communicating information on the visual interface’ constitutes mere instruction to apply the judicial exception using generic computer components recited at a high level of generality under MPEP 2106.05(f); Step 2B: NO, receiving data is well understood routine and conventional under MPEP 2106.05(d)]
generating insight data for an insight type based on the chart data and the chart category using a statistical measure corresponding to the insight type, wherein the insight type is selected from a predetermined set of insight types that is different for each of the chart categories, [Step 2A prong 1: YES, mental process capable of being in the human mind by observation, evaluation, judgment, and opinion which are examples of mental processes under MPEP 2106.04(a)(2)(III)] and wherein the insight data is generated by iterating over a moving window when the chart category is the time-series category, [Step 2A prong 1: YES, mental process capable of being performed in the human mind with the aid of pen and paper] by performing one-dimensional distribution clustering when the chart category is the distribution category, [Step 2A prong 1: YES, mental process capable of being performed in the human mind with the aid of pen and paper] or by performing statistical set comparison when the chart category is the set-relation category [Step 2A prong 1: YES, mental process capable of being performed in the human mind with the aid of pen and paper];
generating an insight caption for the insight type based on the insight data and the insight type; and [Step 2A prong 1: YES, mental process capable of being in the human mind by observation, evaluation, judgment, and opinion which are examples of mental processes under MPEP 2106.04(a)(2)(III); Step 2A prong 2/Step 2: NO, the recitation of “by a caption component” is mere instruction to apply the exception using generic computer components under MPEP 2106.05(f)]
communicating, via the screen reader, the insight caption [Step 2A prong 2: NO, data outputting is insignificant extra-solution activity under MPEP 2106.05(g); the type or source of data does not cause the data outputting to practically integrate the exception; recitation of “via the screen reader” is mere instruction to apply exception using a generic computer component recited at a high level of generality under MPEP 2106.05(f); Step 2B: NO, transmitting data is well understood routine and conventional under MPEP 2106.05(d)] by generating an audible communication corresponding to the insight caption [Step 2A prong 2: NO, mere instruction to apply exception without reciting details of how the audible communication is generated under MPEP 2106.05(f)].
[Claim 18] The system of claim 17, [Step 1: YES, system (machine) is a statutory category of invention] wherein the processing device is further configured to perform operations comprising: [Step 2A prong 2/Step 2B: NO, mere instruction to apply exception using a generic computer component recited at a high level of generality under MPEP 2106.05(f)] extracting the chart data from code of the data visualization based on a markup language of the code [Step 2A prong 1: YES, mental process capable of being performed by a user by manual inspection of code responsible for displaying a chart using observation, evaluation, judgment, and opinion under MPEP 2106.04(a)(2)(III)].
[Claim 19] The system of claim 17, [Step 1: YES, system (machine) is a statutory category of invention] wherein the processing device is further configured to perform operations comprising: [Step 2A prong 2/Step 2B: NO, mere instruction to apply exception using a generic computer component recited at a high level of generality under MPEP 2106.05(f)] displaying the insight caption via a user interface [Step 2A prong 2: NO, data outputting is insignificant extra-solution activity under MPEP 2106.05(g); the type or source of data does not cause the data outputting to practically integrate the exception; recitation of “via the user interface” is mere instruction to apply exception using a generic computer component recited at a high level of generality under MPEP 2106.05(f); Step 2B: transmitting data is well understood routine and conventional under MPEP 2106.05(d)].
Conclusion
Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to SHAHID KHAN whose telephone number is (571)270-0419. The examiner can normally be reached M-F, 9-5 est.
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/SHAHID K KHAN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2146