Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
DETAILED ACTION
Status of the Application
The following is a Final Office Action.
In response to Examiner's communication of 8/22/2025, Applicant responded on 11/21/2025. Amended claims 1, 13, 22. Cancelled 14.
Claims 1, 3, 4, 7-13, 15-17, and 20-23 are pending in this application and have been examined.
Response to Amendment
Applicant's amendments to claims 1, 13, 22 are sufficient to overcome the claim objections set forth in the previous action. The claim objections are hereby withdrawn.
Applicant's amendments to claims 1, 13, 22 are sufficient to overcome the 112 rejections set forth in the previous action. The 35 USC 112 rejections are hereby withdrawn.
Applicant's amendments to claims 1, 13, 22 are not sufficient to overcome the 101 rejections set forth in the previous action.
Response to Arguments – 35 USC § 101
Applicant’s arguments with respect to the rejections have been fully considered, but they are not persuasive.
Applicant submits, “…under the new 2025 Guidance, it is submitted the claims should be analyzed for what they recite, rather than for what they merely involve. The present claims, even prior to any amendments herein, do not recite mathematical concepts or mental processes; instead, the claims involve operations occurring in the context of a complex technical system. Recited embodiments are not mental processes, and this was made even more clear under the new guidance. The 2025 guidance emphasizes mental process rejections should not be expanded to encompass limitations that cannot practically be performed in the human mind. The recited embodiments involve, for example: complex depreciation calculations considering vehicle model release cycles, discontinuation schedules, and market factors; multi-factor clustering operations for user propensity groups; real-time database operations across multiple vehicle databases; and technical integration between servers, terminals, and applications. It should be appreciated that complex operations of depreciation rate calculations, clustering operations, and multi- database processing cannot reasonably be argued as being performable in the human mind.…claimed embodiments recite specific technical processes and/or features technical features that use complex algorithmic processing that cannot be performed manually/in the mind of a person…claim 1 recited operations performed by a "service providing server" with defined processor and memory architecture. And claim 1 was amended to incorporate technical features from claim 14 and, as amended, recites performing a clustering operation of setting a plurality of user propensity groups based on various technical analysis and a determined similar group among a plurality of user propensity groups. It will be appreciated, as recited in claims 1 and 13, determining clusters of user tendencies and matching similar clusters relates to processing based on specific data structures and rule sets, such as weight distributions, rather than mere evaluation of preferences….recited in claim 13 are a user terminal (which cannot be in the mind of a person), a processor configured to collect data with a vehicle comparison system, that based on a user propensity test from the user terminal, determines a reference vehicle based on the test and vehicle compatibilities. Applicants submit these and other recited technical architecture, data processing workflows, algorithmic solutions for complex multi-variable optimization, and integration with terminals and servers as recited in the claims 1 and 13 series cannot be found to be mental processes, particularly in light of the 2025 guidance…Applicant's amendment to claim 1 to include aspects of claims 5 and 6 were insufficient because they are no more than applying the abstract idea with generic computer components. Applicants respectfully disagree with this characterization of the amendments. The Office improperly oversimplified claim limitations, which the 2025 Guidance specifically cautions against. Recited elements that factor in in a user's interests or preferences do not swallow the claim into an unpatentable category. Put another way, factoring in interests or preferences does not somehow remove the recited specific technical processes, such as the recited "determining of the depreciation rate by the service providing server" which recites specific technical algorithms that consider vehicle model release cycles, discontinuation schedules, and market timing factors, all of which are concrete technical solutions, and not abstract ideas applied to generic computers… Just because a claim has a purpose that factors in, e.g., user interest, that does not render the claim unpatentable (if this were now the standard, the patent system would be eviscerated). Additionally, the complex depreciation calculations involving first and second depreciation rates and a user's used car selling time, etc. represent specific technical implementations that solve the technical problem of real-time financial modeling in vehicle recommendation systems. These and the many other elements not specifically called out here are a practical application providing a specific technological solution; this is not simply an abstract idea...The Action also argues the invention is directed to organizing human activity (i.e. human asking human questions regarding human preferences on purchasing a vehicle, human recommending and upselling a different model of vehicle based on human preferences) and a mental process. Applicants submit the Office incorrectly characterized the claimed invention by focusing on the end result rather than the specific technical means claimed…they recite: a "service providing server" with specific technical components perform automated technical processes; specific technical algorithms for determining a user propensity representing a distribution of weights of a plurality of user propensity factors based on the response, which are not human mental activity but instead are computational clustering and statistical analysis; and technical processes for calculating vehicle compatibilities, which involves automated database processing and algorithmic analysis-again, not operations that may reasonably be called human mental processes…Just because a system ultimately helps a user make decisions does not render the specific technical means abstract. As the Federal Circuit noted in McRO, "[a]n important consideration in determining whether a claim improves technology or a technical field is the extent to which 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." Applicants submit the Office failed to focus on the specific technical implementation and instead focused on finding an abstract end goal…This analysis fails to consider the claims, as a whole, as required by the 2025 Guidance which emphasizes "the analysis should take into consideration all the claim limitations and how these limitations interact and impact each other when evaluating whether the exception is integrated into a practical application." When we consider the claims, as a whole, the claims recite a specific technical system/architecture with defined functional units that work together to solve a complex technical problem-they are not simply generic computer components. The recited embodiments also integrate multiple technical processes, e.g., user propensity analysis, vehicle compatibility calculations, complex depreciation modeling (see Specification 85-90) in a specific technical manner that improves automated recommendation technology, which is a particular solution to a technical problem-not merely an abstract idea. And recited systems improve the technical field of automated recommendation systems by providing a specific technical solution integrating psychological analysis with real-time complex financial modeling...Based on the foregoing, it should be apparent that the claims recite the latter particular technical solution (with specific details described above regarding recited architecture, algorithms, data processing workflows, and technical integration of servers, terminals, databases, etc.)…” The Examiner respectfully disagrees.
Unlike McRO and in accordance to the 2025 Guidance, the claims and the argued elements, as a whole, by Applicant’s own admissions in Applicant’s Remarks, are indeed directed to, …complex depreciation calculations considering vehicle model release cycles, discontinuation schedules, and market factors (i.e. mental processes, commercial activities-organizing human activities, mathematical concepts); multi-factor clustering operations for user propensity group (i.e. mental processes, organizing human activities)…performing a clustering operation of setting a plurality of user propensity groups based on various technical analysis and a determined similar group among a plurality of user propensity groups (i.e. mental processes, organizing human activities) … determining clusters of user tendencies and matching similar clusters relates to processing based on specific data … and rule sets, such as weight distributions (i.e. mental processes, organizing human activities, mathematical concepts)… algorithms that consider vehicle model release cycles, discontinuation schedules, and market timing factors (i.e. mental processes, commercial activities-organizing human activities, mathematical concepts)…complex depreciation calculations involving first and second depreciation rates and a user's used car selling time, etc. represent specific technical implementations that solve the technical problem of real-time financial modeling in vehicle recommendation (i.e. mental processes, commercial activities-organizing human activities, mathematical concepts)…computational clustering and statistical analysis (i.e. mathematical concepts)… user propensity analysis (i.e. mental processes, organizing human activities), vehicle compatibility calculations (i.e. mental processes, mathematical concepts), complex depreciation modeling (i.e. mental processes, commercial activities-organizing human activities, mathematical concepts)…psychological analysis with real-time complex financial modeling (i.e. mental processes, commercial activities-organizing human activities, mathematical concepts)…, is a problem directed to organizing human activity (i.e. human asking human questions regarding human preferences on purchasing a vehicle, human recommending and upselling a different model of vehicle based on human preferences) and a mental process (i.e. human evaluating human responses to questions regarding human preferences on purchasing vehicle, human recommending and upselling a different model of vehicle based on human preferences), mathematical concepts (human using math to calculate the cost of purchasing and owning vehicle and likelihood of human preferences), as established in Step 2A Prong 1. This problem does not specifically arise in the realm of computer technology, but rather, this problem existed and was addressed long before the advent of computers. Thus, the claims do not recite a technical improvement to a technical problem. Additionally, pursuant to the broadest reasonable interpretation, as an ordered combination, each of the additional elements are computing elements recited at high level of generality implementing the abstract idea, and thus, are no more than applying the abstract idea with generic computer components, computer, application, database, server. Further, these additional elements generally link the abstract idea to a technical environment, namely the environment of a computer, database, server, performing extra solution activities. Therefore, as a whole, the additional elements do not integrate the abstract ideas into a practical application in Step 2A Prong 2.
The Court in Gottschalk v. Benson ‘‘held that simply implementing a mathematical principle on a physical machine, namely a computer, was not a patentable application of that principle’’). MPEP 2106.04(d). The courts have found the additional elements to be mere instructions to apply an exception, because they do no more than merely invoke computers or machinery as a tool to perform an existing process include: i. A commonplace business method or mathematical algorithm being applied on a general purpose computer, Alice Corp. Pty. Ltd. V. CLS Bank Int’l, 573 U.S. 208, 223, 110 USPQ2d 1976, 1983 (2014); Gottschalk v. Benson, 409 U.S. 63, 64, 175 USPQ 673, 674 (1972); Versata Dev. Group, Inc. v. SAP Am., Inc., 793 F.3d 1306, 1334, 115 USPQ2d 1681, 1701 (Fed. Cir. 2015); MPEP 2106.05(f)
The limitations are abstract elements that are part of and directed to the recited abstract idea as described above with respect to the first prong of Step 2A, i.e. mental process, mathematical concepts, and organizing human activities, applied by generically recited additional elements and generally linked to a technical environment, i.e. computer, database, server, in Step 2A Prong2. Even novel and newly discovered judicial exceptions are still exceptions, despite their novelty. July 2015 Update, p. 3; see SAP America Inc. v. Investpic, LLC, No. 2017-2081, slip op. at 2 (Fed Cir. May 15, 2018).
Simply reciting specific limitations that narrow the abstract idea does not make an abstract idea non-abstract. 79 Fed. Reg. 74631; buySAFE Inc. v. Google, Inc., 765 F.3d 1350, 1355 (2014); see SAP America at p. 12. As discussed in SAP America, no matter how much of an advance the claims recite, when “the advance lies entirely in the realm of abstract ideas, with no plausibly alleged innovation in the non-abstract application realm,” “[a]n advance of that nature is ineligible for patenting.” Id. at p. 3.
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, 3, 4, 7-13, 15-17, and 20-23 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 because the claimed invention is directed to an abstract idea without significantly more.
Claim 1 recites, ”A vehicle comparing method performed by a service providing …, the vehicle comparing method comprising:
providing a user question to obtain user information and a user propensity test to an … through a user…;
receiving a response to the user question and the user propensity test from the user…;
determining a user propensity representing a distribution of weights of a plurality of user propensity factors based on the response;
calculating a plurality of vehicle compatibilities representing vehicle-specific characteristics for each of a plurality of vehicles;
determining a reference vehicle among the plurality of vehicles by comparing the user propensity with each of the plurality of vehicle compatibilities; and
providing, based at least in part on receiving a response that at least one of a vehicle depreciation rate and a vehicle maintenance cost is considered from the user …, vehicle purchase information in which the reference vehicle is compared with a target vehicle corresponding to a higher trim or a higher model of the reference vehicle according to a result of considering at least one of the depreciation rate of the vehicle and the vehicle maintenance cost;
performing a clustering operation of setting a plurality of user propensity groups based on a weight distribution for each of the plurality of user propensity factors, and based on the user propensity test for the user, determining the user propensity by matching the weight distribution for each user propensity factor and a similar group among a plurality of user propensity groups;
wherein the user information includes information about a user's vehicle purchase budget, a number of people to ride in the vehicle, an age of the user, a use of the vehicle, a traveling distance of the vehicle per unit period, a time of sale of a used car;
wherein the user propensity test includes questions required by the service providing … to determine the user propensity;
wherein providing the vehicle purchase information comprises:
determining a depreciation rate of the reference vehicle and a depreciation rate of the target vehicle;
adding a difference in vehicle price, a difference in interest, and a difference in depreciation amount to determine a first difference amount;
determining whether the first difference amount is less than 0; and
determining whether to transmit vehicle purchase information in which the reference vehicle is compared with the target vehicle to the user … or to transmit information about only the reference vehicle to the user … based on whether the first difference amount is less than 0;
wherein the difference in vehicle price is a value obtained by subtracting a current price of the reference vehicle from a current price of the target vehicle, the difference in interest is a value representing a total interest incurring according to an installment interest rate with respect to the difference in vehicle price, and the difference in depreciation amount is a value obtained by subtracting the depreciation amount of the reference vehicle from the depreciation amount of the target vehicle;
wherein the determining of the depreciation rate by the service providing … of the reference vehicle and the depreciation rate of the target vehicle comprises:
determining, based at least in part on each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle is scheduled to be discontinued, a first depreciation rate of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle in consideration of a depreciation rate according to discontinuation;
determining a first depreciation amount of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle according to the first depreciation rate of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle;
determining a value obtained by adding a vehicle price difference between the reference vehicle and the target vehicle, an interest difference according to the vehicle price difference, and a difference in the first depreciation amount between the reference vehicle and the target vehicle as the first difference amount;
calculating, based at least in part on each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle is not scheduled to be discontinued, a depreciation rate according to a vehicle model expected to be sold at a user's used car selling time based on a period from a release of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle to a current time point and the user's used car selling time;
reflecting a new model price increase rate of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle;
determining a second depreciation rate of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle corresponding to a depreciation rate according to a model of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle and the new model price increase rate of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle;
determining a second depreciation amount of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle according to the second depreciation rate of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle; and
determining a value obtained by adding a vehicle price difference between the reference vehicle and the target vehicle, an interest difference according to the vehicle price difference, and a difference in the second depreciation amount between the reference vehicle and the target vehicle as the first difference amount.”
Claim 13 recites, “A vehicle comparison …:
collect, by the …, user information that is a response to a user question to obtain user information and a response to a user propensity test from a user …;
determine a user propensity to at least represent a distribution of weights of a plurality of user propensity factors based on the user information and the response to the user propensity test;
calculate a plurality of vehicle compatibilities representing vehicle-specific characteristics for each of a plurality of vehicles;
determine a reference vehicle among the plurality of vehicles by comparing the user propensity with each of the plurality of vehicle compatibilities; and
providing, based at least in part on receiving a response that at least one of a vehicle depreciation rate and a vehicle maintenance cost is considered from the user …, vehicle purchase information in which the reference vehicle is compared with a target vehicle corresponding to a higher trim or a higher model of the reference vehicle according to a result of considering at least one of the depreciation rate of the vehicle and the vehicle maintenance cost;
wherein the user information includes information about a user's vehicle purchase budget, a number of people to ride in the vehicle, a user's age, a use of the vehicle, a traveling distance of the vehicle per unit period, a time of sale of a used car;
wherein the user propensity test includes questions required by the … to determine the user propensity;
wherein the … is further configured to:
determine a depreciation rate of the reference vehicle and a depreciation rate of the target vehicle based at least in part on determining the response that at least one of the vehicle depreciation rate and the vehicle maintenance cost is considered is received from the user …;
add a difference in vehicle price, a difference in interest, and a difference in depreciation amount to determine a first difference amount;
determine whether the first difference amount is less than 0;
determine whether to transmit vehicle purchase information in which the reference vehicle is compared with the target vehicle to the user … or to transmit information about only the reference vehicle to the user … based on whether the first difference amount is less than 0;
wherein the difference in vehicle price is a value obtained by subtracting a current price of the reference vehicle from a current price of the target vehicle, the difference in interest is a value representing a total interest incurring according to an installment interest rate with respect to the difference in vehicle price, and the difference in depreciation amount is a value obtained by subtracting the depreciation amount of the reference vehicle from the depreciation amount of the target vehicle, and
wherein the … is further configured to:
determine a first depreciation rate of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle corresponding to the depreciation rate according to discontinuation of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle based at least in part on determining each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle is scheduled to be discontinued;
determine a first depreciation amount of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle according to the first depreciation rate of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle;
determine a value obtained by adding a vehicle price difference between the reference vehicle and the target vehicle, an interest difference according to the vehicle price difference, and a difference in the first depreciation amount between the reference vehicle and the target vehicle as the first difference amount;
determine, based at least in part on each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle is not scheduled to be discontinued, a second depreciation rate of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle in consideration of a depreciation rate according to a vehicle model expected to be sold at a user's used car selling time based on a period from a release of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle to a current time point and the user's used car selling time and a new model price increase rate of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle;
determine a second depreciation amount of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle according to the second depreciation rate of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle;
determine a value obtained by adding a vehicle price difference between the reference vehicle and the target vehicle, an interest difference according to the vehicle price difference, and a difference in the second depreciation amount between the reference vehicle and the target vehicle as the first difference amount; and
wherein the … is configured to perform a clustering operation of setting a plurality of user propensity groups based on a weight distribution for each of a plurality of user propensity factors, and based on the response to the user propensity test for each user, determining the user propensity by matching the weight distribution for each user propensity factor and a similar group among a plurality of user propensity groups.”
Analyzing under Step 2A, Prong 1:
The limitations regarding, …providing a user question to obtain user information and a user propensity test to an … through a user…; receiving a response to the user question and the user propensity test from the user…; determining a user propensity representing a distribution of weights of a plurality of user propensity factors based on the response; calculating a plurality of vehicle compatibilities representing vehicle-specific characteristics for each of a plurality of vehicles; determining a reference vehicle among the plurality of vehicles by comparing the user propensity with each of the plurality of vehicle compatibilities; and providing, based at least in part on receiving a response that at least one of a vehicle depreciation rate and a vehicle maintenance cost is considered from the user …, vehicle purchase information in which the reference vehicle is compared with a target vehicle corresponding to a higher trim or a higher model of the reference vehicle according to a result of considering at least one of the depreciation rate of the vehicle and the vehicle maintenance cost; performing a clustering operation of setting a plurality of user propensity groups based on a weight distribution for each of the plurality of user propensity factors, and based on the user propensity test for the user, determining the user propensity by matching the weight distribution for each user propensity factor and a similar group among a plurality of user propensity groups; wherein the user information includes information about a user's vehicle purchase budget, a number of people to ride in the vehicle, an age of the user, a use of the vehicle, a traveling distance of the vehicle per unit period, a time of sale of a used car; wherein the user propensity test includes questions required by the service providing … to determine the user propensity; wherein providing the vehicle purchase information comprises: determining a depreciation rate of the reference vehicle and a depreciation rate of the target vehicle; adding a difference in vehicle price, a difference in interest, and a difference in depreciation amount to determine a first difference amount; determining whether the first difference amount is less than 0; and determining whether to transmit vehicle purchase information in which the reference vehicle is compared with the target vehicle to the user … or to transmit information about only the reference vehicle to the user … based on whether the first difference amount is less than 0; wherein the difference in vehicle price is a value obtained by subtracting a current price of the reference vehicle from a current price of the target vehicle, the difference in interest is a value representing a total interest incurring according to an installment interest rate with respect to the difference in vehicle price, and the difference in depreciation amount is a value obtained by subtracting the depreciation amount of the reference vehicle from the depreciation amount of the target vehicle; wherein the determining of the depreciation rate by the service providing … of the reference vehicle and the depreciation rate of the target vehicle comprises: determining, based at least in part on each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle is scheduled to be discontinued, a first depreciation rate of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle in consideration of a depreciation rate according to discontinuation; determining a first depreciation amount of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle according to the first depreciation rate of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle; determining a value obtained by adding a vehicle price difference between the reference vehicle and the target vehicle, an interest difference according to the vehicle price difference, and a difference in the first depreciation amount between the reference vehicle and the target vehicle as the first difference amount; calculating, based at least in part on each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle is not scheduled to be discontinued, a depreciation rate according to a vehicle model expected to be sold at a user's used car selling time based on a period from a release of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle to a current time point and the user's used car selling time; reflecting a new model price increase rate of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle; determining a second depreciation rate of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle corresponding to a depreciation rate according to a model of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle and the new model price increase rate of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle; determining a second depreciation amount of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle according to the second depreciation rate of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle; and determining a value obtained by adding a vehicle price difference between the reference vehicle and the target vehicle, an interest difference according to the vehicle price difference, and a difference in the second depreciation amount between the reference vehicle and the target vehicle as the first difference amount … collect, by the …, user information that is a response to a user question to obtain user information and a response to a user propensity test from a user …; determine a user propensity to at least represent a distribution of weights of a plurality of user propensity factors based on the user information and the response to the user propensity test; calculate a plurality of vehicle compatibilities representing vehicle-specific characteristics for each of a plurality of vehicles; determine a reference vehicle among the plurality of vehicles by comparing the user propensity with each of the plurality of vehicle compatibilities; and providing, based at least in part on receiving a response that at least one of a vehicle depreciation rate and a vehicle maintenance cost is considered from the user …, vehicle purchase information in which the reference vehicle is compared with a target vehicle corresponding to a higher trim or a higher model of the reference vehicle according to a result of considering at least one of the depreciation rate of the vehicle and the vehicle maintenance cost; wherein the user information includes information about a user's vehicle purchase budget, a number of people to ride in the vehicle, a user's age, a use of the vehicle, a traveling distance of the vehicle per unit period, a time of sale of a used car; wherein the user propensity test includes questions required by the … to determine the user propensity; wherein the … is further configured to: determine a depreciation rate of the reference vehicle and a depreciation rate of the target vehicle based at least in part on determining the response that at least one of the vehicle depreciation rate and the vehicle maintenance cost is considered is received from the user…; add a difference in vehicle price, a difference in interest, and a difference in depreciation amount to determine a first difference amount; determine whether the first difference amount is less than 0; determine whether to transmit vehicle purchase information in which the reference vehicle is compared with the target vehicle to the user … or to transmit information about only the reference vehicle to the user … based on whether the first difference amount is less than 0; wherein the difference in vehicle price is a value obtained by subtracting a current price of the reference vehicle from a current price of the target vehicle, the difference in interest is a value representing a total interest incurring according to an installment interest rate with respect to the difference in vehicle price, and the difference in depreciation amount is a value obtained by subtracting the depreciation amount of the reference vehicle from the depreciation amount of the target vehicle, and wherein the … is further configured to: determine a first depreciation rate of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle corresponding to the depreciation rate according to discontinuation of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle based at least in part on determining each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle is scheduled to be discontinued; determine a first depreciation amount of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle according to the first depreciation rate of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle; determine a value obtained by adding a vehicle price difference between the reference vehicle and the target vehicle, an interest difference according to the vehicle price difference, and a difference in the first depreciation amount between the reference vehicle and the target vehicle as the first difference amount; determine, based at least in part on each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle is not scheduled to be discontinued, a second depreciation rate of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle in consideration of a depreciation rate according to a vehicle model expected to be sold at a user's used car selling time based on a period from a release of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle to a current time point and the user's used car selling time and a new model price increase rate of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle; determine a second depreciation amount of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle according to the second depreciation rate of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle; determine a value obtained by adding a vehicle price difference between the reference vehicle and the target vehicle, an interest difference according to the vehicle price difference, and a difference in the second depreciation amount between the reference vehicle and the target vehicle as the first difference amount; and wherein the … is configured to perform a clustering operation of setting a plurality of user propensity groups based on a weight distribution for each of a plurality of user propensity factors, and based on the response to the user propensity test for each user, determining the user propensity by matching the weight distribution for each user propensity factor and a similar group among a plurality of user propensity groups…, under the broadest reasonable interpretation, can include a human using their mind and using pen and paper to, … providing a user question to obtain user information and a user propensity test to an … through a user…; receiving a response to the user question and the user propensity test from the user…; determining a user propensity representing a distribution of weights of a plurality of user propensity factors based on the response; calculating a plurality of vehicle compatibilities representing vehicle-specific characteristics for each of a plurality of vehicles; determining a reference vehicle among the plurality of vehicles by comparing the user propensity with each of the plurality of vehicle compatibilities; and providing, based at least in part on receiving a response that at least one of a vehicle depreciation rate and a vehicle maintenance cost is considered from the user …, vehicle purchase information in which the reference vehicle is compared with a target vehicle corresponding to a higher trim or a higher model of the reference vehicle according to a result of considering at least one of the depreciation rate of the vehicle and the vehicle maintenance cost; performing a clustering operation of setting a plurality of user propensity groups based on a weight distribution for each of the plurality of user propensity factors, and based on the user propensity test for the user, determining the user propensity by matching the weight distribution for each user propensity factor and a similar group among a plurality of user propensity groups; wherein the user information includes information about a user's vehicle purchase budget, a number of people to ride in the vehicle, an age of the user, a use of the vehicle, a traveling distance of the vehicle per unit period, a time of sale of a used car; wherein the user propensity test includes questions required by the service providing … to determine the user propensity; wherein providing the vehicle purchase information comprises: determining a depreciation rate of the reference vehicle and a depreciation rate of the target vehicle; adding a difference in vehicle price, a difference in interest, and a difference in depreciation amount to determine a first difference amount; determining whether the first difference amount is less than 0; and determining whether to transmit vehicle purchase information in which the reference vehicle is compared with the target vehicle to the user … or to transmit information about only the reference vehicle to the user … based on whether the first difference amount is less than 0; wherein the difference in vehicle price is a value obtained by subtracting a current price of the reference vehicle from a current price of the target vehicle, the difference in interest is a value representing a total interest incurring according to an installment interest rate with respect to the difference in vehicle price, and the difference in depreciation amount is a value obtained by subtracting the depreciation amount of the reference vehicle from the depreciation amount of the target vehicle; wherein the determining of the depreciation rate by the service providing … of the reference vehicle and the depreciation rate of the target vehicle comprises: determining, based at least in part on each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle is scheduled to be discontinued, a first depreciation rate of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle in consideration of a depreciation rate according to discontinuation; determining a first depreciation amount of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle according to the first depreciation rate of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle; determining a value obtained by adding a vehicle price difference between the reference vehicle and the target vehicle, an interest difference according to the vehicle price difference, and a difference in the first depreciation amount between the reference vehicle and the target vehicle as the first difference amount; calculating, based at least in part on each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle is not scheduled to be discontinued, a depreciation rate according to a vehicle model expected to be sold at a user's used car selling time based on a period from a release of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle to a current time point and the user's used car selling time; reflecting a new model price increase rate of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle; determining a second depreciation rate of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle corresponding to a depreciation rate according to a model of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle and the new model price increase rate of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle; determining a second depreciation amount of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle according to the second depreciation rate of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle; and determining a value obtained by adding a vehicle price difference between the reference vehicle and the target vehicle, an interest difference according to the vehicle price difference, and a difference in the second depreciation amount between the reference vehicle and the target vehicle as the first difference amount … collect, by the …, user information that is a response to a user question to obtain user information and a response to a user propensity test from a user …; determine a user propensity to at least represent a distribution of weights of a plurality of user propensity factors based on the user information and the response to the user propensity test; calculate a plurality of vehicle compatibilities representing vehicle-specific characteristics for each of a plurality of vehicles; determine a reference vehicle among the plurality of vehicles by comparing the user propensity with each of the plurality of vehicle compatibilities; and providing, based at least in part on receiving a response that at least one of a vehicle depreciation rate and a vehicle maintenance cost is considered from the user …, vehicle purchase information in which the reference vehicle is compared with a target vehicle corresponding to a higher trim or a higher model of the reference vehicle according to a result of considering at least one of the depreciation rate of the vehicle and the vehicle maintenance cost; wherein the user information includes information about a user's vehicle purchase budget, a number of people to ride in the vehicle, a user's age, a use of the vehicle, a traveling distance of the vehicle per unit period, a time of sale of a used car; wherein the user propensity test includes questions required by the … to determine the user propensity; wherein the … is further configured to: determine a depreciation rate of the reference vehicle and a depreciation rate of the target vehicle based at least in part on determining the response that at least one of the vehicle depreciation rate and the vehicle maintenance cost is considered is received from the user…; add a difference in vehicle price, a difference in interest, and a difference in depreciation amount to determine a first difference amount; determine whether the first difference amount is less than 0; determine whether to transmit vehicle purchase information in which the reference vehicle is compared with the target vehicle to the user … or to transmit information about only the reference vehicle to the user … based on whether the first difference amount is less than 0; wherein the difference in vehicle price is a value obtained by subtracting a current price of the reference vehicle from a current price of the target vehicle, the difference in interest is a value representing a total interest incurring according to an installment interest rate with respect to the difference in vehicle price, and the difference in depreciation amount is a value obtained by subtracting the depreciation amount of the reference vehicle from the depreciation amount of the target vehicle, and wherein the … is further configured to: determine a first depreciation rate of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle corresponding to the depreciation rate according to discontinuation of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle based at least in part on determining each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle is scheduled to be discontinued; determine a first depreciation amount of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle according to the first depreciation rate of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle; determine a value obtained by adding a vehicle price difference between the reference vehicle and the target vehicle, an interest difference according to the vehicle price difference, and a difference in the first depreciation amount between the reference vehicle and the target vehicle as the first difference amount; determine, based at least in part on each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle is not scheduled to be discontinued, a second depreciation rate of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle in consideration of a depreciation rate according to a vehicle model expected to be sold at a user's used car selling time based on a period from a release of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle to a current time point and the user's used car selling time and a new model price increase rate of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle; determine a second depreciation amount of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle according to the second depreciation rate of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle; determine a value obtained by adding a vehicle price difference between the reference vehicle and the target vehicle, an interest difference according to the vehicle price difference, and a difference in the second depreciation amount between the reference vehicle and the target vehicle as the first difference amount; and wherein the … is configured to perform a clustering operation of setting a plurality of user propensity groups based on a weight distribution for each of a plurality of user propensity factors, and based on the response to the user propensity test for each user, determining the user propensity by matching the weight distribution for each user propensity factor and a similar group among a plurality of user propensity groups.…; therefore, the claims are directed to a mental process.
Further, …providing a user question to obtain user information and a user propensity test to an … through a user…; receiving a response to the user question and the user propensity test from the user…; determining a user propensity representing a distribution of weights of a plurality of user propensity factors based on the response; calculating a plurality of vehicle compatibilities representing vehicle-specific characteristics for each of a plurality of vehicles; determining a reference vehicle among the plurality of vehicles by comparing the user propensity with each of the plurality of vehicle compatibilities; and providing, based at least in part on receiving a response that at least one of a vehicle depreciation rate and a vehicle maintenance cost is considered from the user …, vehicle purchase information in which the reference vehicle is compared with a target vehicle corresponding to a higher trim or a higher model of the reference vehicle according to a result of considering at least one of the depreciation rate of the vehicle and the vehicle maintenance cost; performing a clustering operation of setting a plurality of user propensity groups based on a weight distribution for each of the plurality of user propensity factors, and based on the user propensity test for the user, determining the user propensity by matching the weight distribution for each user propensity factor and a similar group among a plurality of user propensity groups; wherein the user information includes information about a user's vehicle purchase budget, a number of people to ride in the vehicle, an age of the user, a use of the vehicle, a traveling distance of the vehicle per unit period, a time of sale of a used car; wherein the user propensity test includes questions required by the service providing … to determine the user propensity; wherein providing the vehicle purchase information comprises: determining a depreciation rate of the reference vehicle and a depreciation rate of the target vehicle; adding a difference in vehicle price, a difference in interest, and a difference in depreciation amount to determine a first difference amount; determining whether the first difference amount is less than 0; and determining whether to transmit vehicle purchase information in which the reference vehicle is compared with the target vehicle to the user … or to transmit information about only the reference vehicle to the user … based on whether the first difference amount is less than 0; wherein the difference in vehicle price is a value obtained by subtracting a current price of the reference vehicle from a current price of the target vehicle, the difference in interest is a value representing a total interest incurring according to an installment interest rate with respect to the difference in vehicle price, and the difference in depreciation amount is a value obtained by subtracting the depreciation amount of the reference vehicle from the depreciation amount of the target vehicle; wherein the determining of the depreciation rate by the service providing … of the reference vehicle and the depreciation rate of the target vehicle comprises: determining, based at least in part on each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle is scheduled to be discontinued, a first depreciation rate of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle in consideration of a depreciation rate according to discontinuation; determining a first depreciation amount of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle according to the first depreciation rate of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle; determining a value obtained by adding a vehicle price difference between the reference vehicle and the target vehicle, an interest difference according to the vehicle price difference, and a difference in the first depreciation amount between the reference vehicle and the target vehicle as the first difference amount; calculating, based at least in part on each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle is not scheduled to be discontinued, a depreciation rate according to a vehicle model expected to be sold at a user's used car selling time based on a period from a release of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle to a current time point and the user's used car selling time; reflecting a new model price increase rate of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle; determining a second depreciation rate of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle corresponding to a depreciation rate according to a model of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle and the new model price increase rate of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle; determining a second depreciation amount of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle according to the second depreciation rate of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle; and determining a value obtained by adding a vehicle price difference between the reference vehicle and the target vehicle, an interest difference according to the vehicle price difference, and a difference in the second depreciation amount between the reference vehicle and the target vehicle as the first difference amount … collect, by the …, user information that is a response to a user question to obtain user information and a response to a user propensity test from a user …; determine a user propensity to at least represent a distribution of weights of a plurality of user propensity factors based on the user information and the response to the user propensity test; calculate a plurality of vehicle compatibilities representing vehicle-specific characteristics for each of a plurality of vehicles; determine a reference vehicle among the plurality of vehicles by comparing the user propensity with each of the plurality of vehicle compatibilities; and providing, based at least in part on receiving a response that at least one of a vehicle depreciation rate and a vehicle maintenance cost is considered from the user …, vehicle purchase information in which the reference vehicle is compared with a target vehicle corresponding to a higher trim or a higher model of the reference vehicle according to a result of considering at least one of the depreciation rate of the vehicle and the vehicle maintenance cost; wherein the user information includes information about a user's vehicle purchase budget, a number of people to ride in the vehicle, a user's age, a use of the vehicle, a traveling distance of the vehicle per unit period, a time of sale of a used car; wherein the user propensity test includes questions required by the … to determine the user propensity; wherein the … is further configured to: determine a depreciation rate of the reference vehicle and a depreciation rate of the target vehicle based at least in part on determining the response that at least one of the vehicle depreciation rate and the vehicle maintenance cost is considered is received from the user…; add a difference in vehicle price, a difference in interest, and a difference in depreciation amount to determine a first difference amount; determine whether the first difference amount is less than 0; determine whether to transmit vehicle purchase information in which the reference vehicle is compared with the target vehicle to the user … or to transmit information about only the reference vehicle to the user … based on whether the first difference amount is less than 0; wherein the difference in vehicle price is a value obtained by subtracting a current price of the reference vehicle from a current price of the target vehicle, the difference in interest is a value representing a total interest incurring according to an installment interest rate with respect to the difference in vehicle price, and the difference in depreciation amount is a value obtained by subtracting the depreciation amount of the reference vehicle from the depreciation amount of the target vehicle, and wherein the … is further configured to: determine a first depreciation rate of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle corresponding to the depreciation rate according to discontinuation of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle based at least in part on determining each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle is scheduled to be discontinued; determine a first depreciation amount of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle according to the first depreciation rate of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle; determine a value obtained by adding a vehicle price difference between the reference vehicle and the target vehicle, an interest difference according to the vehicle price difference, and a difference in the first depreciation amount between the reference vehicle and the target vehicle as the first difference amount; determine, based at least in part on each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle is not scheduled to be discontinued, a second depreciation rate of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle in consideration of a depreciation rate according to a vehicle model expected to be sold at a user's used car selling time based on a period from a release of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle to a current time point and the user's used car selling time and a new model price increase rate of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle; determine a second depreciation amount of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle according to the second depreciation rate of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle; determine a value obtained by adding a vehicle price difference between the reference vehicle and the target vehicle, an interest difference according to the vehicle price difference, and a difference in the second depreciation amount between the reference vehicle and the target vehicle as the first difference amount; and wherein the … is configured to perform a clustering operation of setting a plurality of user propensity groups based on a weight distribution for each of a plurality of user propensity factors, and based on the response to the user propensity test for each user, determining the user propensity by matching the weight distribution for each user propensity factor and a similar group among a plurality of user propensity groups..…, under the broadest reasonable interpretation, are human gauging human interest on purchasing a vehicle and calculating price, cost and depreciation to recommend a vehicle purchase decision for human, therefore it is, fundamental economic principles, commercial interaction, managing personal behavior or relationships or interactions between people. Thus, the claims are directed to certain methods of organizing human activity.
Additionally, …providing a user question to obtain user information and a user propensity test to an … through a user…; receiving a response to the user question and the user propensity test from the user…; determining a user propensity representing a distribution of weights of a plurality of user propensity factors based on the response; calculating a plurality of vehicle compatibilities representing vehicle-specific characteristics for each of a plurality of vehicles; determining a reference vehicle among the plurality of vehicles by comparing the user propensity with each of the plurality of vehicle compatibilities; and providing, based at least in part on receiving a response that at least one of a vehicle depreciation rate and a vehicle maintenance cost is considered from the user …, vehicle purchase information in which the reference vehicle is compared with a target vehicle corresponding to a higher trim or a higher model of the reference vehicle according to a result of considering at least one of the depreciation rate of the vehicle and the vehicle maintenance cost; performing a clustering operation of setting a plurality of user propensity groups based on a weight distribution for each of the plurality of user propensity factors, and based on the user propensity test for the user, determining the user propensity by matching the weight distribution for each user propensity factor and a similar group among a plurality of user propensity groups; wherein the user information includes information about a user's vehicle purchase budget, a number of people to ride in the vehicle, an age of the user, a use of the vehicle, a traveling distance of the vehicle per unit period, a time of sale of a used car; wherein the user propensity test includes questions required by the service providing … to determine the user propensity; wherein providing the vehicle purchase information comprises: determining a depreciation rate of the reference vehicle and a depreciation rate of the target vehicle; adding a difference in vehicle price, a difference in interest, and a difference in depreciation amount to determine a first difference amount; determining whether the first difference amount is less than 0; and determining whether to transmit vehicle purchase information in which the reference vehicle is compared with the target vehicle to the user … or to transmit information about only the reference vehicle to the user … based on whether the first difference amount is less than 0; wherein the difference in vehicle price is a value obtained by subtracting a current price of the reference vehicle from a current price of the target vehicle, the difference in interest is a value representing a total interest incurring according to an installment interest rate with respect to the difference in vehicle price, and the difference in depreciation amount is a value obtained by subtracting the depreciation amount of the reference vehicle from the depreciation amount of the target vehicle; wherein the determining of the depreciation rate by the service providing … of the reference vehicle and the depreciation rate of the target vehicle comprises: determining, based at least in part on each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle is scheduled to be discontinued, a first depreciation rate of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle in consideration of a depreciation rate according to discontinuation; determining a first depreciation amount of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle according to the first depreciation rate of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle; determining a value obtained by adding a vehicle price difference between the reference vehicle and the target vehicle, an interest difference according to the vehicle price difference, and a difference in the first depreciation amount between the reference vehicle and the target vehicle as the first difference amount; calculating, based at least in part on each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle is not scheduled to be discontinued, a depreciation rate according to a vehicle model expected to be sold at a user's used car selling time based on a period from a release of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle to a current time point and the user's used car selling time; reflecting a new model price increase rate of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle; determining a second depreciation rate of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle corresponding to a depreciation rate according to a model of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle and the new model price increase rate of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle; determining a second depreciation amount of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle according to the second depreciation rate of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle; and determining a value obtained by adding a vehicle price difference between the reference vehicle and the target vehicle, an interest difference according to the vehicle price difference, and a difference in the second depreciation amount between the reference vehicle and the target vehicle as the first difference amount … collect, by the …, user information that is a response to a user question to obtain user information and a response to a user propensity test from a user …; determine a user propensity to at least represent a distribution of weights of a plurality of user propensity factors based on the user information and the response to the user propensity test; calculate a plurality of vehicle compatibilities representing vehicle-specific characteristics for each of a plurality of vehicles; determine a reference vehicle among the plurality of vehicles by comparing the user propensity with each of the plurality of vehicle compatibilities; and providing, based at least in part on receiving a response that at least one of a vehicle depreciation rate and a vehicle maintenance cost is considered from the user …, vehicle purchase information in which the reference vehicle is compared with a target vehicle corresponding to a higher trim or a higher model of the reference vehicle according to a result of considering at least one of the depreciation rate of the vehicle and the vehicle maintenance cost; wherein the user information includes information about a user's vehicle purchase budget, a number of people to ride in the vehicle, a user's age, a use of the vehicle, a traveling distance of the vehicle per unit period, a time of sale of a used car; wherein the user propensity test includes questions required by the … to determine the user propensity; wherein the … is further configured to: determine a depreciation rate of the reference vehicle and a depreciation rate of the target vehicle based at least in part on determining the response that at least one of the vehicle depreciation rate and the vehicle maintenance cost is considered is received from the user…; add a difference in vehicle price, a difference in interest, and a difference in depreciation amount to determine a first difference amount; determine whether the first difference amount is less than 0; determine whether to transmit vehicle purchase information in which the reference vehicle is compared with the target vehicle to the user … or to transmit information about only the reference vehicle to the user … based on whether the first difference amount is less than 0; wherein the difference in vehicle price is a value obtained by subtracting a current price of the reference vehicle from a current price of the target vehicle, the difference in interest is a value representing a total interest incurring according to an installment interest rate with respect to the difference in vehicle price, and the difference in depreciation amount is a value obtained by subtracting the depreciation amount of the reference vehicle from the depreciation amount of the target vehicle, and wherein the … is further configured to: determine a first depreciation rate of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle corresponding to the depreciation rate according to discontinuation of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle based at least in part on determining each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle is scheduled to be discontinued; determine a first depreciation amount of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle according to the first depreciation rate of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle; determine a value obtained by adding a vehicle price difference between the reference vehicle and the target vehicle, an interest difference according to the vehicle price difference, and a difference in the first depreciation amount between the reference vehicle and the target vehicle as the first difference amount; determine, based at least in part on each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle is not scheduled to be discontinued, a second depreciation rate of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle in consideration of a depreciation rate according to a vehicle model expected to be sold at a user's used car selling time based on a period from a release of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle to a current time point and the user's used car selling time and a new model price increase rate of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle; determine a second depreciation amount of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle according to the second depreciation rate of each of the reference vehicle and the target vehicle; determine a value obtained by adding a vehicle price difference between the reference vehicle and the target vehicle, an interest difference according to the vehicle price difference, and a difference in the second depreciation amount between the reference vehicle and the target vehicle as the first difference amount; and wherein the … is configured to perform a clustering operation of setting a plurality of user propensity groups based on a weight distribution for each of a plurality of user propensity factors, and based on the response to the user propensity test for each user, determining the user propensity by matching the weight distribution for each user propensity factor and a similar group among a plurality of user propensity groups.…, are mathematical concepts.
Accordingly, the claims are directed to a mental process, certain methods of organizing human activity, mathematical concepts, and thus, the claims are directed to an abstract idea under the first prong of Step 2A.
Analyzing under Step 2A, Prong 2:
This judicial exception is not integrated into a practical application under the second prong of Step 2A.
In particular, the claims recite the additional elements beyond the recited abstract idea identified under Step 2A, Prong 1, such as:
Claim 1, 13: service providing server, an application through a user terminal, user terminal, system, comprising: a memory storing instructions; a processor electrically connected to the memory, wherein the processor, when executing the instructions, is configured to, vehicle comparison system, processor
, and pursuant to the broadest reasonable interpretation, as an ordered combination, each of the additional elements are computing elements recited at high level of generality implementing the abstract idea, and thus, are no more than applying the abstract idea with generic computer components. Further, these additional elements generally link the abstract idea to a technical environment, namely the environment of a computer.
Additionally, with respect to, “…providing …collect…obtain…”, ”…receiving…”, “…providing…”, “transmit…”, these elements do not add a meaningful limitations to integrate the abstract idea into a practical application because they are extra-solution activity, pre and post solution activity - i.e. data gathering – “…providing…collect…obtain…”, “…receiving…”, data output –“…providing…”, “transmit…”,
Analyzing under Step 2B:
The claim does not include additional elements that are sufficient to amount to significantly more than the judicial exception under Step 2B.
As noted above, the aforementioned additional elements beyond the recited abstract idea are not sufficient to amount to significantly more than the recited abstract idea because, as an order combination, the additional elements are no more than mere instructions to implement the idea using generic computer components (i.e. apply it).
Additionally, as an order combination, the additional elements append the recited abstract idea to well-understood, routine, and conventional activities in the field as individually evinced by the applicant’s own disclosure, as required by the Berkheimer Memo, in at least:
[0040] In the present application, it will be appreciated that terms "including" and "having" are intended to designate the existence of characteristics, numbers, steps, operations, constituent elements, and components described in the specification or a combination thereof, and do not exclude a possibility of the existence or addition of one or more other characteristics, numbers, steps, operations, constituent elements, and components, or a combination thereof in advance.
[0043] FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a vehicle comparison system for providing a vehicle purchase information service in accordance with some embodiments.
[0044] Hereinafter, the vehicle purchase information service may include a service that provides a user terminal with information on a vehicle that a user can purchase through an application.
[0045] The vehicle comparison system 1 may include a service providing server 11 and a user terminal 12, and each component is connected to each other through a network. An application 121 is installed in the user terminal 12. As is known, the service providing server 11 may be implemented as a processor capable of executing program codes or instructions stored in an associated memory and may include an interface.
[0046] The interface may receive and/or transmit commands/signals from and/or to external devices or users.
[0047] The memory may include a non-volatile memory, such as a cache, a Read Only Memory (ROM), a Programmable ROM (PROM), an Erasable Programmable ROM (EPROM), an Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM (EEPROM) and/or a flash memory, and/or a volatile memory, such as a Random Access Memory (RAM).
[0048] The processor (or referred to as a control circuit or a controller) may control at least one of other elements (for example: hardware elements (for example: the interface and/or the memory) and/or software elements (software programs) of the service providing server 11, and perform various data processing and calculations. The processor may include a processor and a memory.
Furthermore, as an ordered combination, these elements amount to generic computer components receiving or transmitting data over a network, performing repetitive calculations, electronic record keeping, and storing and retrieving information in memory, which, as held by the courts, are well-understood, routine, and conventional. See MPEP 2106.05(d).
Moreover, the remaining elements of dependent claims do not transform the recited abstract idea into a patent eligible invention because these remaining elements merely recite further abstract limitations that provide nothing more than simply a narrowing of the abstract idea recited in the independent claims.
Looking at these limitations as an ordered combination adds nothing additional that is sufficient to amount to significantly more than the recited abstract idea because they simply provide instructions to use a generic arrangement of generic computer components to “apply” the recited abstract idea, perform insignificant extra-solution activity, and generally link the abstract idea to a technical environment. Thus, the elements of the claims, considered both individually and as an ordered combination, are not sufficient to ensure that the claim as a whole amounts to significantly more than the abstract idea itself. Since there are no limitations in these claims that transform the exception into a patent eligible application such that these claims amount to significantly more than the exception itself, claims 1, 3, 4, 7-13, 15-17, and 20-23 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 as being directed to non-statutory subject matter.
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 extension fee 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 date of this final action.
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/PO HAN LEE/Examiner, Art Unit 3623
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