DETAILED ACTION
Status of Claims
This action is in reply to amendments and arguments filed on 6/27/25. Claims 1-5, 8-10, 12-18 and 20 were amended. Claims 1-5, 8-10, 12-18 and 20 are pending and examined.
Response to Arguments
101: The Applicant’s amendments and arguments have been fully considered but are not persuasive.
The Applicant essentially argues that the amended claims do not recite an abstract idea.
The Examiner disagrees.
The Applicant’s arguments are moot because the claim amendments are substantive. Per example, amended claims 1 recites “acquiring a data verification request, the data verification request comprising target block chain data in a block chain system” which includes additional elements. The additional elements necessitate a reconsideration of the claims.
As such, an updated 101 rejection is provided below that addresses the amended claims.
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, 8-10, 12-18 and 20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 because the claimed invention is directed to an abstract idea without significantly more.
In the instant case, claims 1-5, 8-10, 12-13 recite a process, claims 14-18 recite an apparatus and claim 20 recites an article of manufacture.
When analyzed under prong one of step 2A, see MPEP 2106.04(a), claim 1 recites an abstract idea, specifically, weight (number) based determination of confidence (number) associated with information which is a form of mathematical concepts, see MPEP 2106.04(a)(2)(I). Specifically, the claim recites:
acquiring a data verification request, the data verification request comprising target … data …,
acquiring at least one set of first … data …, the at least one set of first … data and the target … data having a target association relationship, and the at least one set of first … data and the target … data being data with different dimensions,
acquiring a verification result corresponding to the at least one set of first … data,
determining a weight of the at least one set of first … data,
determining a confidence of the target … data based on the verification result corresponding to the at least one set of first … data and the weight of the at least one set of first … data,
[storing …] based on the confidence being greater than a reference threshold …;
verifying the target … data …,
wherein the determining the confidence of the target data comprises … based on matching data of the target … data and the at least one set of first … data, the weight of the at least one set of first … data and other … data associated with the at least one set of first … data ...
When analyzed under prong 2 of step 2A, see MPEP 2106.04(d), claim 1 includes additional elements. The additional elements are:
“a computer device”,
“block chain”,
“[acquiring …] in a block chain system”,
“[acquiring …] from at least one data source […]”,
“storing the target block chain data and the confidence to a target storage space […] to form a credible data layer in the target storage space”,
“[verifying …] based on the credible data layer in the target storage space”,
“[wherein … comprises] applying at least two algorithms and performing operation […] to obtain the confidence computed by each algorithm”.
The additional elements represent use of a computer as a tool to perform the abstract idea, see MPEP 2106.05(f), and/or do no more than link the use of the abstract idea to a particular technological environment or field of use, see MPEP 2106.05(h), and therefore, do not integrate the abstract idea of weight based determination of confidence associated with information into a practical application, see MPEP 2106.04(d).
With respect to “storing the target block chain data and the confidence to a target storage space […] to form a credible data layer in the target storage space”, this is no more than storing information such as the target data, and it has been held that using a computer to perform an economic or other task does not provide a practical application (MPEP 2106.05(f)(2)). Furthermore, the claim lacks technological details on what “to form a credible data layer in the target storage space” comprises, and as a result, it is no more than “apply it” (MPEP 2106.05(f)(1)).
With respect to “[verifying …] based on the credible data layer in the target storage space”, the claim lacks technological details on what “based on the credible data layer in the target storage space” comprises, and as a result, it is no more than “apply it” (MPEP 2106.05(f)(1)).
With respect to “applying at least two algorithms and performing operation […] to obtain the confidence computed by each algorithm”, the claim lacks technological details on what “applying at least two algorithms and performing operation […] to obtain the confidence computed by each algorithm” comprises, and as a result, it is no more than “apply it” (MPEP 2106.05(f)(1)).
When analyzed under step 2B, see MPEP 2106.05, the claim does not include additional elements that are sufficient to amount to significantly more than the judicial exception, itself because the additional elements do no more than automate or implement weight based determination of confidence associated with information and do not improve computer functionality or improve another technology or related technical field, see MPEP 2106.05(a).
As to claim 14, the claim also recites the abstract idea of weight based determination of confidence associated with information, see MPEP 2106.04(a)(2)(I). The claim recites the additional elements of:
a “data verification apparatus, comprising”,
“at least one memory configured to store program code”,
“at least one processor configured to read the program code and operate as instructed by the program code, the program code comprising”,
“request acquisition code configured to cause the at least one processor to […]”,
“block chain”,
“data acquisition code configured to cause the at least one processor to [acquire …] from at least one data source […]”,
“verification code configured to cause the at least one processor to […]”,
“… store the target block chain data and the confidence to a target storage space […] to form a credible data layer in the target storage space”,
“… [verify …] based on the credible data layer in the target storage space”,
“[wherein … comprises] applying at least two algorithms and performing operation […] to obtain the confidence computed by each algorithm”.
The additional elements represent use of a computer as a tool to perform the abstract idea, see MPEP 2106.05(f), and/or do no more than link the use of the abstract idea to a particular technological environment or field of use, see MPEP 2106.05(h), and therefore, do not integrate the abstract idea of weight based determination of confidence associated with information into a practical application, see MPEP 2106.04(d).
With respect to “request acquisition code configured to cause the at least one processor to”, “data acquisition code configured to cause the at least one processor to” and “verification code configured to cause the at least one processor to”, they merely describe automation or implementation of the abstract idea and, therefore, are not sufficient to provide a practical application (MPEP 2106.05(a & f)).
With respect to “store the target block chain data and the confidence to a target storage space […] to form a credible data layer in the target storage space”, this is no more than storing information such as the target data, and it has been held that using a computer to perform an economic or other task does not provide a practical application (MPEP 2106.05(f)(2)). Furthermore, the claim lacks technological details on what “to form a credible data layer in the target storage space” comprises, and as a result, it is no more than “apply it” (MPEP 2106.05(f)(1)).
With respect to “[verify …] based on the credible data layer in the target storage space”, the claim lacks technological details on what “based on the credible data layer in the target storage space” comprises, and as a result, it is no more than “apply it” (MPEP 2106.05(f)(1)).
With respect to “applying at least two algorithms and performing operation […] to obtain the confidence computed by each algorithm”, the claim lacks technological details on what “applying at least two algorithms and performing operation […] to obtain the confidence computed by each algorithm” comprises, and as a result, it is no more than “apply it” (MPEP 2106.05(f)(1)).
When analyzed under step 2B, see MPEP 2106.05, the claim does not include additional elements that are sufficient to amount to significantly more than the judicial exception, itself because the additional elements do no more than automate or implement weight based determination of confidence associated with information and do not improve computer functionality or improve another technology or related technical field, see MPEP 2106.05(a).
As to claim 20, the claim also recites the abstract idea of weight (number) based determination of confidence (number) associated with information, see MPEP 2106.04(a)(2)(I). The claim recites the additional elements of:
a “non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, storing computer code that when executed by at least one processor causes the at least one processor to”,
“block chain”,
“[acquire …] from at least one data source […]”,
“store the target block chain data and the confidence to a target storage space […] to form a credible data layer in the target storage space”,
“[verify …] based on the credible data layer in the target storage space”,
“[wherein … comprises] applying at least two algorithms and performing operation […] to obtain the confidence computed by each algorithm”.
The additional elements represent use of a computer as a tool to perform the abstract idea, see MPEP 2106.05(f), and/or do no more than link the use of the abstract idea to a particular technological environment or field of use, see MPEP 2106.05(h), and therefore, do not integrate the abstract idea of weight based determination of confidence associated with information into a practical application, see MPEP 2106.04(d).
With respect to “store the target block chain data and the confidence to a target storage space […] to form a credible data layer in the target storage space”, this is no more than storing information such as the target data, and it has been held that using a computer to perform an economic or other task does not provide a practical application (MPEP 2106.05(f)(2)). Furthermore, the claim lacks technological details on what “to form a credible data layer in the target storage space” comprises, and as a result, it is no more than “apply it” (MPEP 2106.05(f)(1)).
With respect to “[verify …] based on the credible data layer in the target storage space”, the claim lacks technological details on what “based on the credible data layer in the target storage space” comprises, and as a result, it is no more than “apply it” (MPEP 2106.05(f)(1)).
With respect to “applying at least two algorithms and performing operation […] to obtain the confidence computed by each algorithm”, the claim lacks technological details on what “applying at least two algorithms and performing operation […] to obtain the confidence computed by each algorithm” comprises, and as a result, it is no more than “apply it” (MPEP 2106.05(f)(1)).
When analyzed under step 2B, see MPEP 2106.05, the claim does not include additional elements that are sufficient to amount to significantly more than the judicial exception, itself because the additional elements do no more than automate or implement weight based determination of confidence associated with information and do not improve computer functionality or improve another technology or related technical field, see MPEP 2106.05(a).
Hence, claims 1, 14 and 20 are not patent eligible.
Dependent claims 2 and 15 recite “acquiring the at least one set of first […] data based on a […] contract indicated by a contract identifier in response to the data verification request comprising the contract identifier, […]”, and therefore further describe the abstract idea of weight based determination of confidence associated with information.
The additional elements of “block chain”, “smart” and “[…], the smart contract being used for providing an association relationship between the target data and the at least one set of first data” represent use of a computer as a tool to perform the abstract idea, see MPEP 2106.05(f), and/or do no more than link the use of the abstract idea to a particular technological environment or field of use, see MPEP 2106.05(h), and therefore, do not integrate the abstract idea of weight based determination of confidence associated with information into a practical application, see MPEP 2106.04(d).
With respect to “the smart contract being used for providing an association relationship between the target data and the at least one set of first data”, the claim lacks technological details on what “the smart contract being used for providing an association relationship between the target data and the at least one set of first data” comprises, and as a result, it is no more than “apply it” (MPEP 2106.05(f)(1)).
The claims also do not include additional elements that are sufficient to amount to significantly more than the judicial exception, itself because the additional elements do no more than automate or implement weight based determination of confidence associated with information and do not improve computer functionality or improve another technology or related technical field, see MPEP 2106.05(a).
Dependent claims 3 and 16 recite “wherein the acquiring at least one set of first […] data […] comprises”, “acquiring a request type of the data verification request and index information of the target […] data in response to the data verification request not comprising a contract identifier”, “acquiring the at least one set of first […] data based on the request type and a […] contract corresponding to the index information”, and therefore further describe the abstract idea of weight based determination of confidence associated with information.
The additional elements of “block chain”, “[…] from at least one data source” and “smart” represent use of a computer as a tool to perform the abstract idea, see MPEP 2106.05(f), and/or do no more than link the use of the abstract idea to a particular technological environment or field of use, see MPEP 2106.05(h), and therefore, do not integrate the abstract idea of weight based determination of confidence associated with information into a practical application, see MPEP 2106.04(d).
The claims also do not include additional elements that are sufficient to amount to significantly more than the judicial exception, itself because the additional elements do no more than automate or implement weight based determination of confidence associated with information and do not improve computer functionality or improve another technology or related technical field, see MPEP 2106.05(a).
Dependent claims 4 and 17 recite “in response to […], acquiring the second […] data, the second […] data and the target […] data having the target association relationship” and “verifying the target […] data based on the second […] data”, and therefore further describe the abstract idea of weight based determination of confidence associated with information.
The additional elements of “block chain” and “detecting newly added block chain data in the at least one data source” represent use of a computer as a tool to perform the abstract idea, see MPEP 2106.05(f), and/or do no more than link the use of the abstract idea to a particular technological environment or field of use, see MPEP 2106.05(h), and therefore, do not integrate the abstract idea of weight based determination of confidence associated with information into a practical application, see MPEP 2106.04(d).
With respect to “detecting newly added block chain data in the at least one data source”, the claim lacks technological details on what “the smart contract being used for providing an association relationship between the target data and the at least one set of first data” comprises, and as a result, it is no more than “apply it” (MPEP 2106.05(f)(1)).
The claims also do not include additional elements that are sufficient to amount to significantly more than the judicial exception, itself because the additional elements do no more than automate or implement weight based determination of confidence associated with information and do not improve computer functionality or improve another technology or related technical field, see MPEP 2106.05(a).
Dependent claims 5 and 18 recite “determining a target moment based on a receiving moment of the data verification request, the target moment and the receiving moment being separated by a reference time duration”, “acquiring third […] data from data newly added within the reference time duration in response to reaching the target moment, the third […] data and the target […] data having a target association relationship”, “verifying the target […] data based on the third […]data”, , and therefore further describe the abstract idea of weight based determination of confidence associated with information.
The additional elements of “block chain” represent use of a computer as a tool to perform the abstract idea, see MPEP 2106.05(f), and/or do no more than link the use of the abstract idea to a particular technological environment or field of use, see MPEP 2106.05(h), and therefore, do not integrate the abstract idea of weight based determination of confidence associated with information into a practical application, see MPEP 2106.04(d).
The claims also do not include additional elements that are sufficient to amount to significantly more than the judicial exception, itself because the additional elements do no more than automate or implement weight based determination of confidence associated with information and do not improve computer functionality or improve another technology or related technical field, see MPEP 2106.05(a).
Dependent claim 8 recites “wherein the determining a weight of the at least one set of first […] data comprises” and “acquiring a weight associated with the at least one set of first […] data […]”, and therefore further describes the abstract idea of weight based determination of confidence associated with information.
The additional elements of “block chain”, “[…] from the at least one data source” represent use of a computer as a tool to perform the abstract idea, see MPEP 2106.05(f), and/or do no more than link the use of the abstract idea to a particular technological environment or field of use, see MPEP 2106.05(h), and therefore, do not integrate the abstract idea of weight based determination of confidence associated with information into a practical application, see MPEP 2106.04(d).
The claim also does not include additional elements that are sufficient to amount to significantly more than the judicial exception, itself because the additional elements do no more than automate or implement weight based determination of confidence associated with information and do not improve computer functionality or improve another technology or related technical field, see MPEP 2106.05(a).
Dependent claim 9 recites “wherein the determining a weight of the at least one set of first […] data comprises” and “acquiring a weight of […] to which the at least one set of first […] data belongs” and “determining the weight of the at least one set of first […] data based on the weight of …”, and therefore further describes the abstract idea of weight based determination of confidence associated with information.
The additional elements of “block chain”, “the data source” represent use of a computer as a tool to perform the abstract idea, see MPEP 2106.05(f), and/or do no more than link the use of the abstract idea to a particular technological environment or field of use, see MPEP 2106.05(h), and therefore, do not integrate the abstract idea of weight based determination of confidence associated with information into a practical application, see MPEP 2106.04(d).
The claim also does not include additional elements that are sufficient to amount to significantly more than the judicial exception, itself because the additional elements do no more than automate or implement weight based determination of confidence associated with information and do not improve computer functionality or improve another technology or related technical field, see MPEP 2106.05(a).
Dependent claim 10 recites “wherein the determining a weight of the at least one set of first […] data comprises”, “acquiring a first weight associated with the at least one set of first […] data […]”, “acquiring a second weight of […] to which the at least one set of first […] data belongs” and “determining the weight of the at least one set of first […] data based on the first weight and the second weight”, and therefore further describes the abstract idea of weight based determination of confidence associated with information.
The additional elements of “block chain”, “[…] from the at least one data source” and “the data source” represent use of a computer as a tool to perform the abstract idea, see MPEP 2106.05(f), and/or do no more than link the use of the abstract idea to a particular technological environment or field of use, see MPEP 2106.05(h), and therefore, do not integrate the abstract idea of weight based determination of confidence associated with information into a practical application, see MPEP 2106.04(d).
The claim also does not include additional elements that are sufficient to amount to significantly more than the judicial exception, itself because the additional elements do no more than automate or implement weight based determination of confidence associated with information and do not improve computer functionality or improve another technology or related technical field, see MPEP 2106.05(a).
Dependent claim 12 recites “wherein after the determining” and “determining a risk level of the target […] data based on the confidence of the target […] data”, and therefore further describes the abstract idea of weight based determination of confidence associated with information.
The additional elements of “block chain” and “transmitting prompt information corresponding to the risk level to an initiator of the data verification request” represent use of a computer as a tool to perform the abstract idea, see MPEP 2106.05(f), and/or do no more than link the use of the abstract idea to a particular technological environment or field of use, see MPEP 2106.05(h), and therefore, do not integrate the abstract idea of weight based determination of confidence associated with information into a practical application, see MPEP 2106.04(d).
With respect to “transmitting prompt information corresponding to the risk level to an initiator of the data verification request”, this is no more than transmitting information such as the prompt information and it has been held that using a computer to perform math does not provide a practical application (MPEP 2106.05(f)(2)).
The claim also does not include additional elements that are sufficient to amount to significantly more than the judicial exception, itself because the additional elements do no more than automate or implement weight based determination of confidence associated with information and do not improve computer functionality or improve another technology or related technical field, see MPEP 2106.05(a).
Dependent claim 13 recites “wherein after the determining” and “determining a use priority corresponding to the target […] data based on the confidence of the target […] data, the confidence being in positive correlation with the use priority”, and therefore further describes the abstract idea of weight based determination of confidence associated with information.
The additional elements of “block chain” and “transmitting the use priority corresponding to the target block chain data to an initiator of the data verification request” represent use of a computer as a tool to perform the abstract idea, see MPEP 2106.05(f), and/or do no more than link the use of the abstract idea to a particular technological environment or field of use, see MPEP 2106.05(h), and therefore, do not integrate the abstract idea of weight based determination of confidence associated with information into a practical application, see MPEP 2106.04(d).
With respect to “transmitting the use priority corresponding to the target block chain data to an initiator of the data verification request”, this is no more than transmitting information such as the use priority and it has been held that using a computer to perform math does not provide a practical application (MPEP 2106.05(f)(2)).
The claim also does not include additional elements that are sufficient to amount to significantly more than the judicial exception, itself because the additional elements do no more than automate or implement weight based determination of confidence associated with information and do not improve computer functionality or improve another technology or related technical field, see MPEP 2106.05(a).
Conclusion
Reference made of record, not relied upon, pertinent to Applicant’s disclosure, includes US 20200050686 A1 (Kamalapuram) disclosing distributed security analysis for shared content.
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.
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/BROCK E TURK/Examiner, Art Unit 3692 /DAVID P SHARVIN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3692