Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
Claims 1-3 and 6 are currently presented for Examination.
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 Amendment
The amendment filed on 03/19/2026 has been entered and considered by the examiner. By the amendment, claims 1-3 and 6 are amended. In view of amendment made, the previous 112 rejection of the claim are withdrawn. Following Applicants arguments and amendments made, the 101 rejection is still maintained. See office action for detail.
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 03/21/2026 has been considered. The submission is in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Form PTO-1449 is signed and attached hereto.
Applicant 101 arguments
Applicant respectfully submits that even if the claims recite abstract ideas at Step 2A Prong One, the claims integrate the judicial exception into a practical application at Step 2A Prong Two. The claims recite a specific technical improvement to the SWAT model-namely, adding a multi-source complementary water supply module that enables real-time data exchange between the artificial hydrological cycle simulation and the natural hydrological cycle simulation. This is not merely using a computer as a tool to perform an abstract idea, but rather improving the technical capabilities of an existing hydrological simulation tool.
Under Ex Parte Desjardins, Appeal No. 2024-000567 (PTAB September 26, 2025, Appeals Review Panel Decision) (precedential) ("Desjardins"), software can make non-abstract improvements to computer technology, and the eligibility determination should turn on whether "the claims are directed to an improvement to computer functionality versus being directed to an abstract idea." See Desjardins, page 8 (quoting Enfish, LLC v. Microsoft Corp., 822 F.3d 1327, 1336, 1339 (Fed. Cir. 2016)). Here, the specification identifies a technical improvement overcomi
Under the USPTO Memorandum from Deputy Commissioner for Patents Charles Kim, "Reminders on evaluating subject matter eligibility of claims under 35 U.S.C. 101" (August 4, 2025) ("Kim Memo"), examiners should not oversimplify claim limitations and should consider whether the claim covers a particular solution to a problem or a particular way to achieve a desired outcome, as opposed to merely claiming the idea of a solution or outcome. See Kim Memo, Section II.B. The claims here recite a particular solution-the specific multi-source complementary water supply module with detailed calculation formulas, connected to modified SWAT model modules for real-time bidirectional data exchange. Additionally, the Kim Memo instructs that examiners should not dismiss additional elements as mere "generic computer components" without considering whether such elements confer a technological improvement. See Advance Notice, revisions to MPEP § 2106.05(a). The Examiner's characterization of the SWAT model modules as "generic" overlooks that the claims recite specific modifications to specific named modules within an established hydrological simulation tool. Finally, the Kim Memo provides that if it is a "close call" as to whether a claim is eligible, examiners should only make a rejection when it is more likely than not that the claim is ineligible. See Kim Memo, Section III. The Examiner's acknowledgment that the claims would be allowable over the prior art indicates the claimed features are not conventional or routine, which weighs against a finding of ineligibility. In view of the foregoing amendments and remarks, Applicant respectfully requests withdrawal of the § 101 rejection.
Examiner response
The Applicant arguments have been fully considered but are not persuasive. Although Applicant contends that the claims improve the SWAT model by enabling “real-time” bidirectional data exchange between artificial and natural hydrological cycle simulations, the claim remain directed to an abstract idea. Specially, the claim recites mental process, method of organizing human activity, mathematical calculation, simulation modeling, rule-based water allocation and analysis of hydrological conditions using generic computer component implementation. While it improves the simulations of water resources, the steps of the claim are described functionally (doing X, Y, Z) rather than providing a new, technological, non-generic way to operate the computer to achieve that simulation. If the improvement is solely in the algorithm/logic, it is considered abstract. The claim does not improve the computer's processor, memory, or network functionality themselves, but rather uses the computer as a tool to execute a better hydrological model. The recited “multi-source complimentary water supply module” and “modified SWAT modules” are described functionally and merely exchange simulation information during execution of the abstract hydrological modeling process. The additional claim elements including the processor, memory, files, modules and data exchange operations are recited at a high level of generality and merely use generic computer components as tools to perform the abstract idea on water-allocation analysis. The "real-time data exchange" between artificial and natural cycles, while beneficial, is essentially a computer-implemented simulation of a physical phenomenon, not an improvement to the functionality of the computer itself. The current claims improve the accuracy of the output simulation (a process, not the computer's operation).
Applicants rely on Ex Parte Desjardins is unpersuasive. In Desjardins, the claims are directed to a specific improvement in computer functionality itself. Here, by contrast, the claims improve hydrological simulation results and reciprocal accuracy, no the operation of the computer or software technology itself. Applicant additionally argues that the claims recite a particular solution. Also, Desjardins specifically highlighted claims that improved how neural networks operate (e.g., mitigating "catastrophic forgetting" and reducing storage complexity). The instant claims do not improve the "functionality of machine learning models" or the computer's underlying architecture; rather, they use a standard computational model (SWAT) to execute a specifically tailored formula. Amended claim 1 merely recites "connecting" and "outputting" information to achieve a two-way coupled simulation. However, recited detailed formulas, prioritization rules, and simulation logic does not render the claims non-abstract because mathematical calculations and algorithmic processing remain abstract ideas even when complex or highly detailed. Further, the Kim Memo instructs examiners not to ignore meaningful limitations. Here, however, the Examiner has fully considered the recited SWAT modules, multi-source complementary water supply module, data files, formulas and “real-time” data exchange limitations. Nevertheless, these additional elements do not improve computer functionality itself. Instead, they improve the quality and comprehensiveness of hydrological simulation results and water-resources analysis.
Accordingly, the claims do not integrate the abstract idea into a practical application nor amount to significantly more than the abstract idea itself.
Claim Objections
Claim 1 is objected to because of the following informalities: Claim preamble recites attributes of "basin, water resources region, administrative region, irrigation area, land use, soil, slope" and daily “water supply, water use, water consumption, water drainage” The quotation marks are improperly used around recited attributes and daily. Appropriate correction is required.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC §101
5. 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.
6. Claims 1-3 and 6 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 because the claimed invention is directed to non-statutory subject matter. These claims are directed to an abstract idea without significantly more.
(Step 1) Is the claims to a process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter?
Claims: 1-3 and 6 are directed to method or process that falls on one of statutory category.
Claim 1 recites
Step 2A, Prong 1
A simulation method for a distributed hydrological cycle based on a multi-source complementary water supply mode,
attributes of a hydrological response unit (HRU) obtained after HRU division using a nested slope discretization method based on multiple attributes of "basin, water resources region, administrative region, irrigation area, land use, soil, slope", a multi-source complementary water supply module, a Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model, a water source code information file, a water supply priority information file, a water withdrawal control information file (the steps involving HRU division based on geographic/administrative attributes, and the application of water supply priority rules (priority information file, control information file), represent types of mental processes (observation, evaluation, judgment) that can be performed in the human mind or with simple analytical tools. The mere fact that these are performed on a computer, without specifying how the computer is improved, does not make them non-abstract. The simulation, involving water source code and priority information, requires mathematical equations, algorithms, and/or calculations, which are abstract ideas)
the method to implement the following step:
Step S1: recognizing attributes of the HRU; (Recognizing attributes (e.g., soil type, slope, land use) involves collecting and analyzing data, which can be performed in the human mind. Under the broadest reasonable interpretation, these limitations are process steps that cover mental processes including an evaluation or judgment that could be performed in the human mind or with the aid of pencil and paper. If a claim, under its broadest reasonable interpretation, covers a mental process, then it falls within the “Mental Process” grouping of abstract ideas
Step S2: determining, a land use type, a corresponding water source and a water supply priority of the water source according to the recognized attributes, and invoking, by the water supply priority of the water source, a corresponding water source module to conduct water withdrawal; (Determining, classifying, and prioritizing water sources based on "attributes" is a cognitive process that can be performed in the human mind. This is the mental process of determining land use type, water source, and priority; invoking water source module by priority. Also, prioritization and resource allocation fall under the method of organizing human activity. So, it falls under the combination of mental process and method of organizing human activity of abstract ideas) and
Step S3: connecting the multi-source complementary water supply module with modules modified in the SWAT model to realize real-time data exchange, wherein the HRU allocates and regulates water resources according to input information about water demand, types of water sources, rules of water supply priority, and water conservancy projects, and information about natural hydrological conditions which is provided by the SWAT model, and outputs and transfers information about an artificial hydrological cycle regarding daily “water supply, water use, water consumption, water drainage” to the SWAT model to simulate and depict a natural hydrological cycle according to the information about the artificial hydrological cycle, (The claim outlines a decision-making process that a human could, in principle, perform with the relevant data, by observing inputs (water demand, source types, priority rules) and making judgments about allocation and regulation. The allocation and regulation of water resources based on demand and priority rules is a method of organizing human activity and applying a set of logical rules or calculations. It involves processing information ("input information about water demand... natural hydrological conditions") and generating outputs ("information about an artificial hydrological cycle regarding daily 'water supply, water use, water consumption, water drainage'") which are forms of data analysis or management. The "real-time data exchange" and use of the "SWAT model" are described functionally, without reciting specific, non-generic technological improvements to the computer or network technology itself that would make the claim non-abstract.)
wherein step S2 specifically comprises:
recognizing the land use type of the HRU, wherein if it is construction land, a program enters a calculation process for urban and rural water supply; if it is agricultural land, the program enters a calculation process for irrigation water; and if it is other land use type, the program ends; (it is the mental process that involves classification.)
Invoking a corresponding water source module by recognizing a water withdrawal source identification code of the HRU, recognizing the number, type and water withdrawal sequence of water sources of each HRU by reading the water source code information file and water supply priority information file, and invoking each water source module in turn according to the water withdrawal source identification code, wherein, the water source code information file records designated water source information, six types of water sources are set and comprise transferred water, reservoir water, urban river water, shallow groundwater, deep groundwater and pit-pond water; the water supply priority information file records information about water supply priority to specify a water supply priority of a water source; the water withdrawal control information file records information about water supply control volume to recognize an annual surface water supply control volume and an annual groundwater exploitation control volume of an administrative region to which the HRU belongs;( the steps of "recognizing a water withdrawal source identification code," "reading the water source code information file and water supply priority information file," and "recognizing the number, type and water withdrawal sequence" are cognitive, organizational steps. Such activities, including data organization, analysis, and prioritizing, can be performed by a person (e.g., a hydrologist) using paper and pencil. The claim, as described, focuses on performing calculations and data manipulation (prioritizing, organizing, identifying))
seeking water sources and conducting water withdrawal from each water source according to a water supply sequence of the HRU until the HRU’s daily demand for domestic water, industrial water, and agricultural irrigation water is satisfied, or until the last water source finishes water supply; (it is the mental process of logical rule of if/then decision making.) and
specifying the number k, water source codes and water supply priority of water sources of the target HRU, wherein k≤30;
invoking the water source modules in sequence to calculate a water withdrawal volume of a water source, wherein the water source modules comprise a rchuse module, a res module, watuse module, an irr_rch module, an irr_res module and an irrsub module, the water withdrawal volume of the water source depends on a daily water demand of the HRU and an available water supply of the water source, while the available water supply depends on an accessible water volume of the water source, the water supply capacity of a water withdrawal project and the water withdrawal control volume, wherein the calculation formulas are as follows:
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wherein, i denotes a sequence number of an HRU; j denotes a water supply priority number of a water source; WSP denotes an actual daily water withdrawal (m3) of a water source; WD indicates a daily water demand (m3) of an HRU; Wsc indicates a daily available water supply (m3) of a water source; WF indicates the water supply capacity (m3) of a water withdrawal project; WA indicates a daily accessible water volume of a water source (m3) ; WMX denotes an annual water withdrawal control volume (m3) , and WUM denotes an annual water consumption control volume (m3) ; WSM denotes an annual surface water withdrawal control volume (m3) ; and WGM denotes an annual groundwater exploitation control volume (m3) ; wherein
for a water source with a water supply priority of 1, priority is given to water withdrawal from the water source; if the available water supply of the water source is Wsc1>WD, then the water supply of the water source is WSP1=WD, a water supply program ends, and the total water supply of the water source of the HRU is WSP= WSP1; otherwise, WSP1=Wsc1, and the water demand of the HRU changes to Wf =WD-Wsc1, and the program will continue to seek the next grade of water source;
for a water source with a water supply priority of j, j=2, ..., k-1; k≤30, if the daily available water supply of the water source is Wscj>Wf, then the water supply of the water source is WSPj=Wf, the program ends, and the total water supply of the water source the HRU is SP=WSP+WSPj; otherwise, WSPj=Wscj, the water demand of the HRU changes to Wf=Wf-Wscj, and the program will continue to seek the next grade of water source; and
for a water source with a water supply priority of k, k≤30, if the daily available water supply of the water source is Wsck>Wf, then the water supply of the water source is WSPk=Wf, the program ends, and the total water supply of the HRU is WSP=ΣWSPi; otherwise, WSPk=Wsck, the water demand of the HRU changes to Wf=Wf-Wsck, and the program ends. (Under the broadest reasonable interpretation, these limitations are mathematical formula or mathematical relationships. If a claim, under its broadest reasonable interpretation, covers a mathematical formula or relationship then it falls within the “Mathematical Concepts” grouping of abstract ideas)
Claim 1 recites multiple abstract ideas: the combination of Mental processes, Mathematical concepts, Data organization, Resource allocation (method of organizing human activity). Therefore, Step 2A Prong One is satisfied – the claim recites an abstract idea.
Step 2A, Prong 2: Does the claim recite additional elements that integrate the judicial exception into a practical application?
In accordance with Step 2A, Prong 2, the judicial exception is not integrated into a practical application. In particular, claim 1 do note recites the additional elements of that integrate the judicial exception into a practical application. The claim steps involve using SWAT, GIS, and “modules” generically. No new computer architecture, no improvement to SWAT itself besides adding data inputs. The claim simply automates human planning and calculation using a computer, which does not integrate the abstract into a practical application. It uses general software modules and all the steps occur in simulation, not a physical hydrological control. “Connecting modules” and “reading files” are mere instructions to implement an abstract idea on a computer, or merely using a computer as a tool to perform an abstract idea, as discussed in MPEP § 2106.05(f); The claim uses generic computer functionality ("real-time data exchange," "SWAT model") to perform the calculations. The output (water supply, use, consumption, drainage) is mere information used for modeling. The claim simply recites "a processor and memory" to perform generic computer functions (storing data, processing information) to execute conventional hydrological calculations and modeling (e.g., SWAT model). The claim is directed to an abstract idea.
Step 2B: Does the claim recite additional elements that amount to significantly more than the judicial exception?
In view of Step 2B, the claim as a whole does not amount to significantly more than the recited exception,
i.e., whether any additional element, or combination of additional elements, adds an inventive concept to the claim. The claim steps involve using SWAT, GIS, and “modules” generically. No new computer architecture, no improvement to SWAT itself besides adding data inputs. The claim simply automates human planning and calculation using a computer, which does not integrate the abstract into a practical application. It uses general software modules and all the steps occur in simulation, not a physical hydrological control. “Connecting modules” and “reading files” are mere instructions to implement an abstract idea on a computer, or merely using a computer as a tool to perform an abstract idea, as discussed in MPEP § 2106.05(f); The claim uses generic computer functionality ("real-time data exchange," "SWAT model") to perform the calculations. The output (water supply, use, consumption, drainage) is mere information used for modeling. The claim simply recites "a processor and memory" to perform generic computer functions (storing data, processing information) to execute conventional hydrological calculations and modeling (e.g., SWAT model). Thus, claim 1 does not add significantly more than the abstract ideas. The claim is directed to an abstract idea. Thus, claim 1 is not patent eligible.
Claim 2 further recites a river network of a basin is extracted from a DEM using ArcGIS to conduct division to obtain natural sub-basins; The mathematical concept of flow accumulation algorithms; the mental process of tracing a path on a map based on elevation rules. The claim limitation of “land use information, soil type information and slope information are superimposed on the natural sub-basins to conduct division to obtain natural HRUs; boundaries of an administrative region and a water resources region are set for the natural HRU to further divide the natural HRUs; irrigation areas are superimposed with the natural HRUs according to the distribution of the irrigation areas to finally complete HRU division, wherein each HRU has a sub-basin attribute, a water resources region attribute, an administrative region attribute, an irrigation area attribute, a land use type attribute and a soil type attribute”. The underlying actions described—calculating flow paths from elevation data, overlaying different types of maps, and sorting the results into new categories based on defined rules (land use, region boundaries, soil type)—are fundamentally organizational and mathematical in nature. These are considered abstract ideas because the human mind could theoretically perform these steps (or manual equivalents) given sufficient time and paper maps. They do not intrinsically require a complex, non-generic technological implementation. The process is described as being performed using standard Geographic Information System (GIS) software (e.g., ArcGIS). The claim merely recites the use of a generic computer or standard computing tools to perform the abstract idea. There is no improvement to the functioning of the computer itself, the DEM technology, or the GIS software. The general implementation on a computer, without a specific technical improvement, does not add "significantly more". The limitations to a "basin" or "irrigation areas" are merely field-of-use limitations, restricting the application of the abstract idea to a particular technological environment (hydrology/geography). This does not transform the abstract idea into a patent-eligible invention. Claim therefore, when taken as a whole, still does not integrate the judicial exception into a practical application nor amount to significantly more than the judicial exception. Claim recites unpatentable ineligible subject matter for the same reasoning and analysis as mentioned for claim 1.
Claim 3 further recites an HRU attribute recognition module which is constructed to read specified HRU attributes, wherein the specified HRU attributes comprise a sub-basin attribute, a water resources region attribute, an administrative region attribute, and an irrigation area attribute; and the constructed HRU attribute recognition module is put in a main module in the SWAT model to facilitate invocation of the HRU attribute recognition module. A person could, in theory, manually review maps and records to identify these attributes for a given Hydrologic Response Unit (HRU). The underlying process is one of data collection and organization, which often classify as an abstract idea. Also, the process of reading, collecting, organizing, and comparing data points (attributes) can be characterized as a mental process or a method of organizing human activity. The claim specifies putting the module "in a main module in the SWAT model to facilitate invocation of the HRU attribute recognition module." This is viewed as merely limiting the abstract idea to a particular field of use (hydrologic modeling) using generic computer functions (a "main module" and "invocation"). Merely stating a computer will be used to perform an abstract idea is generally not enough for eligibility. Claim therefore, when taken as a whole, still does not integrate the judicial exception into a practical application nor amount to significantly more than the judicial exception. Claim recites unpatentable ineligible subject matter for the same reasoning and analysis as mentioned for claim 1.
Claim 6 further recites shielding the rchuse module, the res module, the watuse module, the irr_rch module, the irr_res module and the irrsub module, and forgoing adopting a single water source withdrawal mode; and putting the foregoing modules into the multi-source complementary water supply module for invoking;
adding relevant codes, and replacing parameters waterrch and wuresn in the rchuse module and the res module with parameter WSPi, respectively to achieve connection of the multi-source complementary water supply module Multi_sc with the rchuse module and the res module as well as invoking, wherein i =1,2;
modifying relevant programs to add functions of transferred water withdrawal and transferred water volume restriction so as to control water supply within a total transferred water limit, wherein a calculation formula is expressed as follows:
∑i∑jwaterouti, j≤MX5
wherein waterout (i,j) denotes transferred water consumption (m3) of the jth HRU on the ith day; and WX5 denotes total transferred water limit (m3) ;
adding codes in the watuse module, and replacing parameters watershal, waterdeep, waterout, and waterpnd in the watuse module with parameter WSPi, respectively to achieve connection of the multi-source complementary water supply module Multi_sc with the watuse module as well as invoking, wherein i=3,4,5,6;
adding a calculation program of the following formula in the rchuse module, the res module, and the watuse module:
WSP = WSP⋅1−pip
wherein, pip denotes a leakage rate of water supply pipe network;
adding a pit-pond irrigation function, completing a transferred water irrigation function, and imposing water supply restriction to control an irrigation water withdrawal within the total transferred water limit:
∑i∑jwirrouti, j≤MX5
∑i∑jwirrpnti, j≤MX6
wherein, wirrout (i,j) denotes transferred water irrigation consumption (m3) of the jth HRU on the ith day; WX5 denotes total transferred water limit (m3) , and wirrpnt (i,j) denotes pit-pond irrigation consumption (m3) of the jth HRU on the ith day; and WX6 denotes pit-pond available water supply (m3) ;
modifying source codes of the irr_rch module, the irr_res module, and the irrsub module to add simulation on a channel system delivery process comprising channel water loss and channel recession, wherein the channel water loss comprises two parts of channel water evaporation loss and channel leakage loss, and the main calculation formulas are as follows:
ETcan=IRRcan⋅1−φ⋅α
Lscan=IRRcan⋅1−φ⋅β
Surpcan=IRRcan⋅1−φ⋅1−α−β
wherein, ETcan denotes a channel system evaporation loss (mm); IRRcan denotes an irrigation water volume (mm) entering a channel; Lscan denotes a channel system leakage loss (mm) ; Surpcan denotes a channel system recession volume (mm); φ denotes an effective utilization coefficient of channel system water; α denotes a channel system evaporation coefficient; and β denotes a channel system leakage coefficient;
adding a calculation program for leakage loss by modifying relevant codes of a percmain module, wherein a calculation formula is as follows:
Wslyr1,t=Wslyr1,t−1+infpcp+infirr+infwet+Lscan
wherein, Wslyr1,t+1 denotes soil water content (mm) of a first layer of soil on the t-th day; Wslyr1,t denotes soil water content (mm) of a first layer of soil on the (t-1) th day; infpcp denotes precipitation infiltration capacity (mm); infirr denotes irrigation infiltration capacity (mm); and infwet denotes lake and reservoir wetland infiltration capacity (mm);
modifying groundwater recharge codes in a gwmod module to achieve simulation on water leakage of a pipe network, wherein a calculation formula is as follows:
rhε=1−exp−1/GW_DELAY⋅prc+WSP⋅pip/Area+exp−1/GW_DELAY⋅rhL−1
wherein, rht denotes groundwater recharge capacity (mm) on the t-th day; rht-1 denotes groundwater recharge capacity (mm) on the (t-1) th day; prc denotes soil water leakage (mm) of recharged groundwater; GW_DELAY denotes groundwater recharge delay coefficient (mm) ; and Area denotes the area (m2) of an HRU;
adding the multi-source complementary water supply module in a subbasin module, and conducting in-year dynamic complementary water supply operation on water sources by reading specified type, number, water source codes, water withdrawal volume, and water withdrawal time of water sources to achieve multi-source combined water supply simulation during the running of the SWAT model;
superimposing channel system recession with earth surface runoff by modifying relevant codes of a surface module to participate in calculation of flow concentration of river channels, wherein a calculation formula is as follows:
surft=surf0+Surpcan
wherein, surft denotes runoff (mm) after channel recession; and surf0 denotes runoff (mm) before channel recession;
wherein a point source module comprises a recday module and a recmon module, wherein relevant codes are modified in the recday module and the recmon module, a pollution discharge parameter WDR is used to replace parameters floday and flomon, respectively, and the calculation formulas are as follows:
WP = WSP⋅1−r
WDR = WP⋅1−v+WP⋅v⋅1−re
wherein WDR denotes urban sewage output (m3) ; WP denotes sewage discharge (m3) ; r denotes a water consumption rate; v denotes a sewage disposal rate of a sewage disposal plant; and re denotes a reclaimed water utilization rate; and
putting the constructed HRU attribute recognition module in the main module in the SWAT model to facilitate invocation of the HRU attribute recognition module.
The claim is directed to an abstract idea, specifically a set of mathematical formulas, methods for organizing data flow (multi-source water supply logic), and the process of modeling a physical phenomenon (water distribution and loss). The core of the claimed invention is a new set of equations (e.g., channel water loss, pipe network leakage loss, groundwater recharge) and a logical framework for managing water resources within a simulation. These concepts can be performed mentally or using pen and paper. The claim involves organizing human activity in how water resources are managed and simulated. The claims explicitly recite specific formulas for waterout, WSP, ETcan, Lscan, Surpcan, Wslyr, rht, surft, and WDR. These formulas are mathematical expressions and natural laws for modeling physical phenomena (water loss, flow, usage, etc.). These are mathematical formulas themselves are abstract ideas and not patentable. The overall system of "multi-source complementary water supply operation" is a method of organizing the management and simulation of water resources. This process of collecting, calculating, and organizing information to make decisions (or simulate decisions) are considered a mental process or a method of organizing human activity. A person with the necessary data could, in principle, perform these calculations and organizational steps with pencil and paper, indicating its abstract nature. The additional elements simply describe implementing these formulas and data organization steps on a generic computer using standard software engineering practices. The claims mention "adding relevant codes," "replacing parameters," "modifying relevant programs," "adding a calculation program," and "modifying source codes." These are routine and conventional steps for any software developer implementing a mathematical model. There is no recitation of a specific, non-conventional technological solution or an improvement to the functioning of the computer or the SWAT model itself. The claims merely use the computer as a tool to execute the abstract ideas. The presence of the specific equations and their application to a particular domain (hydrology simulation) does not automatically make the claim patent-eligible; the implementation must involve an inventive concept beyond the abstract idea itself. Claim therefore, when taken as a whole, still does not integrate the judicial exception into a practical application nor amount to significantly more than the judicial exception. Claim recites unpatentable ineligible subject matter for the same reasoning and analysis as mentioned for claim 1.
Allowable Subject Matter
7. Claims 1-3 and 6 are objected to, but would be allowable if rewritten to overcome the 101 rejections of the claims. The closest pieces of prior art are the Fu, Qiang, et al. ("Study on the optimization of dry land irrigation schedule in the downstream Songhua River Basin based on the SWAT model." Water 11.6 (2019): 1147), Wu, Di, et al. ("Calculation framework for agricultural irrigation water consumption in multi-source irrigation systems." Agricultural Water Management 244 (2021): 106603) and Wu, Di, et al. ("Reuse of return flows and its scale effect in irrigation systems based on modified SWAT model." Agricultural Water Management 213 (2019): 280-288.) The closest references alone and in combination do not teach the claimed features such as
specifying a daily water demand WD set by a target HRU;
specifying the number k, water source codes and water supply priority of water sources of the target HRU, wherein k≤30;
invoking the water source modules in sequence to calculate a water withdrawal volume of a water source, wherein the water source modules comprise a rchuse module, a res module, watuse module, an irr_rch module, an irr_res module and an irrsub module, the water withdrawal volume of the water source depends on a daily water demand of the HRU and an available water supply of the water source, while the available water supply depends on an accessible water volume of the water source, the water supply capacity of a water withdrawal project and the water withdrawal control volume, wherein the calculation formulas are as follows:
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wherein, i denotes a sequence number of an HRU; j denotes a water supply priority number of a water source; WSP denotes an actual daily water withdrawal (m3) of a water source; WD indicates a daily water demand (m3) of an HRU; Wsc indicates a daily available water supply (m3) of a water source; WF indicates the water supply capacity (m3) of a water withdrawal project; WA indicates a daily accessible water volume of a water source (m3) ; WMX denotes an annual water withdrawal control volume (m3) , and WUM denotes an annual water consumption control volume (m3) ; WSM denotes an annual surface water withdrawal control volume (m3) ; and WGM denotes an annual groundwater exploitation control volume (m3) ; wherein
for a water source with a water supply priority of 1, priority is given to water withdrawal from the water source; if the available water supply of the water source is Wsc1>WD, then the water supply of the water source is WSP1=WD, a water supply program ends, and the total water supply of the water source of the HRU is WSP= WSP1; otherwise, WSP1=Wsc1, and the water demand of the HRU changes to Wf =WD-Wsc1, and the program will continue to seek the next grade of water source;
for a water source with a water supply priority of j, j=2, ..., k-1; k≤30, if the daily available water supply of the water source is Wscj>Wf, then the water supply of the water source is WSPj=Wf, the program ends, and the total water supply of the water source the HRU is SP=WSP+WSPj; otherwise, WSPj=Wscj, the water demand of the HRU changes to Wf=Wf-Wscj, and the program will continue to seek the next grade of water source; and
for a water source with a water supply priority of k, k≤30, if the daily available water supply of the water source is Wsck>Wf, then the water supply of the water source is WSPk=Wf, the program ends, and the total water supply of the HRU is WSP=ΣWSPi; otherwise, WSPk=Wsck, the water demand of the HRU changes to Wf=Wf-Wsck, and the program ends as claimed in the claim 1. Claims 2-3 and 6 are the dependent claims of claim 1. Therefore, claim 2-3 and 6 as drafted, are rendered neither obvious nor anticipated by the prior art of the record and the available field of prior art. The claims would be allowable if rewritten to overcome the 101 rejections of the claims.
Conclusion
8. The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Fu, Qiang, et al. "Study on the optimization of dry land irrigation schedule in the downstream Songhua River Basin based on the SWAT model." Water 11.6 (2019): 1147.
ii. Discussing the optimization of irrigation schedules for saving water resources and ensuring food security. For the downstream of the Songhua River Basin, the key growth stages of crops were determined by the coupling degree between the effective precipitation and crop water requirement and the sensitivity indexes of the crop water production function. A Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model was used to simulate 16 irrigation schedules in different scenarios.
Wu, Di, et al. "Calculation framework for agricultural irrigation water consumption in multi-source irrigation systems." Agricultural Water Management 244 (2021): 106603.
ii. Discussing the proposed a calculation framework to reasonably and effectively calculate the agricultural irrigation water consumption (AIWC) and reused irrigation return flow in multi-source irrigation systems based on the modified Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT).
Wu, Di, et al. "Reuse of return flows and its scale effect in irrigation systems based on modified SWAT model." Agricultural Water Management 213 (2019): 280-288.
ii. Discussing the improved SWAT model based on the characteristics of the multi-source irrigation systems with paddy rice and propose a method to calculate the reused return flows based on the simulation results with the modified SWAT model. Moreover, analyzing the changes of the reuse of return flows over different scales and the causes of that, through an application in the Yangshudang (YSD) watershed, in the Zhanghe Irrigation System (ZIS) of the Hubei Province in China.
. All claims 1-3 and 6 are rejected.
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/PURSOTTAM GIRI/
Examiner, Art Unit 2186
/RENEE D CHAVEZ/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2186
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