DETAILED ACTION
This Final Office Action is in response to the arguments and amendments filed August 14, 2025.
Claims 1, 9, and 15 have been amended.
Claims 1-20 are currently pending and have been considered below.
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 .
Drawings
The drawings were received on August 14, 2025. These drawings are entered.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 101
35 U.S.C. 101 reads as follows:
Whoever invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof, may obtain a patent therefor, subject to the conditions and requirements of this title.
Claims 1-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 because the claimed invention is directed towards an abstract idea without additional elements that are significantly more or transformative into a practical application.
In terms of step 1, claims 1-20 are directed towards one of the four categories of statutory subject matter.
In terms of step 2(a)(1), independent claims 1 and 9 are directed towards (as represented by claim 1), “provide a living space for a user; a destination housing module building, wherein: the destination housing module building includes a destination housing module slot; an origination housing module building, wherein: the origination housing module building includes an origination housing module slot; transport the housing module from the origination housing module development and to transport the housing module to the destination housing module development; and an inter-building housing module transport configured to transport the housing module from the origination housing module building within the origination housing module development and to transport the housing module to the destination housing module building within the destination housing module development; wherein: transport the housing module from the origination housing module slot and transport the housing module to the destination housing module slot; issue a plurality of tokens to the user, thereby yielding a user token balance; receive a bid for the housing module slot, the bid corresponding to a portion of the user token balance; assign the housing slot to the user; and issue the housing module move instruction to the logistics subsystem to transport the housing module to the destination housing module slot”. The claims are describing a modular house purchase/bidding based on housing slots. The claims further describe the modular building slot by providing the origination and destination housing module to provide the modular housing to the purchased slot. This describes a real estate transaction in terms of providing a purchase for a space/land and then transporting a housing module to that space/slot. The claim is describing a real estate commercial interaction in terms of providing housing and bidding that includes a location (in the claim a slot) and providing housing to the location. As such, the claim is directed towards an abstract idea under the certain method of organizing human activity grouping.
Step 2(a)(II) considers the additional elements of the claims in terms of being transformative into a practical application. The additional elements of claims 1 and 9 are, “a system {claim 1}; providing a housing module configured to provide a living space for a user, wherein the housing module is configured to be connected to utilities comprising at least one of water, power, waste, or a data line (claim 9); a housing module configured to; a destination housing module development comprising; the destination housing module building includes a utilities interface configured to interface between one or more utilities and the housing module; the destination housing module building includes a destination housing module slot wherein the housing module is configured to be physically installed into the destination housing module slot (claim 9); an origination housing module development comprising; and the origination housing module building includes a further utilities interface configured to interface between one or more further utilities and the housing module; a logistics subsystem comprising: an inter-development housing module transport configured to; the logistics subsystem is configured to, in response to a housing module move instruction issued by a controller, and the controller comprising: a processor; and an electronic storage device in electronic communication with the processor, the electronic storage device having a token balance database and a housing module assignment database stored thereon; wherein the processor is configured to: record the user token balance in the token balance database; record the assignment of the housing slot to the user in the housing module assignment database; and generate a digital authorization code to configure a locking mechanism on the housing module to provide the user physical access to the housing module (claim 1)”. The additional elements of the computer elements are described in the originally filed specification paragraphs [32-45]. The computer aspects are merely describing generic technology to implement the abstract idea. As such, the computer elements are not directed towards additional elements that are transformative into a practical application. In terms of the housing and logistics modules, the elements are described in the originally filed specification [53-63]. The housing and logistics module provide discussion in terms of providing logistics and housing rows/buildings. The specification does not specifically describe a technical improvement or the technology itself to provide the modules the housing/logistics. The specification merely describes elements of the placement and transportation including standard rail, transport car/lift, delivery, and rack/rows to provide the housing structure. This further includes the consideration of the locking mechanism. The locking mechanism is directed towards generic technology to implement the abstract idea as considered based on the originally filed specification [52-56]. In terms of the destination module, the destination elements merely describe aspects in terms of the field of use. The additional element describes the aspects of the destination for the purchased housing module, but is rather describing the field of use for the commercial activity. As such, the additional elements are not transformative into a practical application. Refer to MPEP 2106.05(f) and 2106.05(h).
Step 2(b) considers the additional elements of the claims in terms of being significantly more than the identified abstract idea. The additional elements of claims 1 and 9 are, “a system {claim 1}; providing a housing module configured to provide a living space for a user, wherein the housing module is configured to be connected to utilities comprising at least one of water, power, waste, or a data line (claim 9); a housing module configured to; a destination housing module development comprising; the destination housing module building includes a utilities interface configured to interface between one or more utilities and the housing module; the destination housing module building includes a destination housing module slot wherein the housing module is configured to be physically installed into the destination housing module slot (claim 9); an origination housing module development comprising; and the origination housing module building includes a further utilities interface configured to interface between one or more further utilities and the housing module; a logistics subsystem comprising: an inter-development housing module transport configured to; the logistics subsystem is configured to, in response to a housing module move instruction issued by a controller, and the controller comprising: a processor; and an electronic storage device in electronic communication with the processor, the electronic storage device having a token balance database and a housing module assignment database stored thereon; wherein the processor is configured to: record the user token balance in the token balance database; record the assignment of the housing slot to the user in the housing module assignment database; and generate a digital authorization code to configure a locking mechanism on the housing module to provide the user physical access to the housing module”. The additional elements of the computer elements are described in the originally filed specification paragraphs [32-45]. The computer aspects are merely describing generic technology to implement the abstract idea. As such, the computer elements are not directed towards additional elements that are significantly more than the identified abstract idea. In terms of the housing and logistics modules, the elements are described in the originally filed specification [53-63]. The housing and logistics module provide discussion in terms of providing logistics and housing rows/buildings. The specification does not specifically describe a technical improvement or the technology itself to provide the modules the housing/logistics. The specification merely describes elements of the placement and transportation including standard rail, transport car/lift, delivery, and rack/rows to provide the housing structure. This further includes the consideration of the locking mechanism. The locking mechanism is directed towards generic technology to implement the abstract idea as considered in the originally filed specification [52-56]. In terms of the destination module, the destination elements merely describe aspects in terms of the field of use. The additional element describes the aspects of the destination for the purchased housing module, but is rather describing the field of use for the commercial activity. Further, the additional elements are provided and shown to be well-understood, routine, and conventional with respect to factual findings and considerations. Prior arts Van Der Lely [3,890,688], Abrams [2008/0134589], and Clarke [2018/0051459] show the well-understood, routine, and conventional aspects of the housing, logistics, and other modules for providing the housing, lifting, transporting, and configuring the modular/container element to a stack/row in a building. This is further supported based on the description providing the standard and otherwise routine discussion regarding the housing, logistics, and other module elements. The specification describes the elements at a high level of generality and based on the considered prior art cited that the module elements in terms of the housing, logistics, and similar modules are well-understood, routine, and conventional. As such, the additional elements are not significantly more than the identified abstract idea. Refer to MPEP 2106.05(d) and 2106.05(f).
Dependent claims 2-5 and 12-13 are further describing the abstract idea and directed towards additional elements beyond those identified above. The claims are directed towards, “wherein the user token balance is stored in a cryptocurrency wallet of the user”, “wherein the cryptocurrency wallet is configured to exchange a portion of the user token balance for a further cryptocurrency”, “wherein the bid is received by the controller from a remote device corresponding to the user”, “wherein: the remote device is configured to display to the user a graphical user interface for making the bid; or the remote device is configured to mask a cryptocurrency aspect of the plurality of tokens”, “further comprising receiving from a remote device corresponding to the user”, and, “wherein the remote device is configured to mask a cryptocurrency aspect of the plurality of tokens”. The claims are further describing the commercial aspect of the financial interaction in terms of purchasing/bidding on property/slots and describing that the currency used is cryptocurrency. The additional elements are with respect to the remote device, cryptocurrency wallet, GUI, and mask. The additional elements are described in the originally filed specification [32-40 and 66-67]. The additional elements are merely describing generic technology to implement the abstract idea. The elements are providing tools for a user to bid/purchase and complete the transactional real estate activity in terms of cryptographic currency and interface computers to receive and send data. The additional elements are not directed towards a technical improvement and are merely generic technology to implement the abstract idea. As such, the claims are not directed towards additional elements that are significantly more or transformative into a practical application. Refer to MPEP 2106.05(f).
Dependent claims 6-8, 10-11, and 14 are further describing the abstract idea and are not directed towards additional elements beyond those identified above. The claims are directed towards, “wherein the logistics subsystem further comprises an intra-building housing module transport configured to transport the housing module from the origination housing module slot within the housing module building and to transport the housing module to the destination housing module slot within the housing module building”, “comprising a plurality of housing module slots”, “wherein the system comprises more housing slots than users”, “further comprising providing an origination housing module development comprising an origination housing module building, wherein: the origination housing module building includes an origination housing module slot; and the origination housing module building includes a further utilities interface configured to interface between one or more further utilities and the housing module”, “wherein: the inter-development housing module transport is further configured to transport the housing module from the origination housing module development; the inter-building housing module transport is further configured to transport the housing module from the origination housing module building within the origination housing module development; and the intra-building housing module transport is further configured to transport the housing module from the origination housing module slot within the housing module building; wherein the logistics subsystem is further configured to, in response to the housing module move instruction issued by a controller, transport the housing module from the origination housing module slot”, and “wherein the housing module includes fittings necessary to attach to the inter-development housing module transport, the inter-building housing module transport, and the intra-building housing module transport”. The claims are describing the housing elements in terms of describing the logistics, housing slots, origination housing, intra-housing transport, and fittings necessary. These elements are considered in terms of the additional elements above in the independent claim. These aspects are further describing the housing transportation, interface between building and housing module, and other elements of the housing development. The claims are further describing the aspects of the particular housing elements that are provided in the terms of the bidding process and real estate commercial interaction identified above. The claims follow the consideration in terms of the additional elements above in light of the prior art that shows the elements as well-understood, routine, and conventional elements to implement the abstract idea. The claim limitations are not directed towards additional elements that are significantly more or transformative into a practical application. Refer to MPEP 2106.05(d).
Independent claim 15 is directed towards, “a housing module configured to provide a living space for a user; a destination housing module slot; issue a plurality of tokens to the user, thereby yielding a user token balance; receive a bid for the housing module slot, the bid corresponding to a portion of the user token balance; assign the housing slot to the user; associate the bid from the user token balance with the housing slot; issue a housing module move instruction to the logistics subsystem to transport the housing module to the destination housing module slot”. The claims are describing a modular house purchase/bidding based on housing slots. The claims further describe the modular building slot by providing the origination and destination housing module to provide the modular housing to the purchased slot. This describes a real estate transaction in terms of providing a purchase for a space/land and then transporting a housing module to that space/slot. The claim is describing a real estate commercial interaction in terms of providing housing and bidding that includes a location (in the claim a slot) and providing housing to the location. As such, the claim is directed towards an abstract idea under the certain method of organizing human activity grouping.
Step 2(a)(II) considers the additional elements of the claims in terms of being transformative into a practical application. The additional elements of claim 15 is, “A system, comprising: a housing module configured to provide a living space for a user comprising: a floor panel, a roof panel, or a wall panel; and a utility interface component integrated with at least one of the floor panel, the roof panel, or the wall panel for connecting to at least one external power, water, waste, or data system”. The additional elements of the computer elements are described in the originally filed specification paragraphs [32-45]. The computer aspects are merely describing generic technology to implement the abstract idea. As such, the computer elements are not directed towards additional elements that are transformative into a practical application. As such, the additional elements are not transformative into a practical application. Refer to MPEP 2106.05(f).
Step 2(b) considers the additional elements of the claims in terms of being significantly more than the identified abstract idea. The additional elements of claim 15 is, “A system, comprising: a housing module configured to provide a living space for a user comprising: a floor panel, a roof panel, or a wall panel; and a utility interface component integrated with at least one of the floor panel, the roof panel, or the wall panel for connecting to at least one external power, water, waste, or data system”. The additional elements of the computer elements are described in the originally filed specification paragraphs [32-45]. The computer aspects are merely describing generic technology to implement the abstract idea. As such, the computer elements are not directed towards additional elements that are transformative into a practical application. Further, the additional elements are provided and shown to be well-understood, routine, and conventional with respect to factual findings and considerations. Prior arts Van Der Lely [3,890,688], Abrams [2008/0134589], and Clarke [2018/0051459] show the well-understood, routine, and conventional aspects of the housing, logistics, and other modules for providing the housing, lifting, transporting, and configuring the modular/container element to a stack/row in a building. This is further supported based on the description providing the standard and otherwise routine discussion regarding the housing, logistics, and other module elements. The specification describes the elements at a high level of generality and based on the considered prior art cited that the module elements in terms of the housing, logistics, and similar modules are well-understood, routine, and conventional. As such, the additional elements are not significantly more than the identified abstract idea. Refer to MPEP 2106.05(d) and 2106.05(f).
Dependent claims 16-18 are further describing the abstract idea with additional elements beyond those identified above. The claims are directed towards, “further comprising a destination housing module development comprising a destination housing module building, wherein the destination housing module building includes the destination housing slot”, “wherein the destination housing module building includes a utilities interface configured to interface between one or more utilities and the housing module”, and “wherein the logistics subsystem includes: an inter-development housing module transport configured to transport the housing module to the destination housing module development; and an inter-building housing module transport configured to transport the housing module to the destination housing module building within the destination housing module development; wherein the logistics subsystem is configured to, in response to a housing module move instruction issued by the controller, transport the housing module to the destination housing module slot”. The claims are describing the housing module elements including utilities interface, slots, and logistics to transport the housing module and moving to the slot. The additional elements are with respect to the housing and logistics modules. The additional elements are described in the originally filed specification [53-63]. The housing and logistics module provide discussion in terms of providing logistics and housing rows/buildings. The specification does not specifically describe a technical improvement or the technology itself to provide the modules the housing/logistics. The specification merely describes elements of the placement and transportation including standard rail, transport car/lift, delivery, and rack/rows to provide the housing structure. Further, the additional elements are provided and shown to be well-understood, routine, and conventional with respect to factual findings and considerations. Prior arts Van Der Lely [3,890,688], Abrams [2008/0134589], and Clarke [2018/0051459] show the well-understood, routine, and conventional aspects of the housing, logistics, and other modules for providing the housing, lifting, transporting, and configuring the modular/container element to a stack/row in a building. This is further supported based on the description providing the standard and otherwise routine discussion regarding the housing, logistics, and other module elements. The specification describes the elements at a high level of generality and based on the considered prior art cited that the module elements in terms of the housing, logistics, and similar modules are well-understood, routine, and conventional. As such, the additional elements are not significantly more than the identified abstract idea nor are they transformative into a practical application. Refer to MPEP 2106.05(d) and 2106.05(f).
Dependent claims 19 and 20 are further describing the abstract idea with additional elements beyond those identified above. The claims are directed towards, “wherein the controller further comprises an electronic storage device in electronic communication with the processor, the electronic storage device having a token balance database and a housing module assignment database stored thereon” and “wherein the processor is further configured to: record the user token balance in the token balance database; and record the assignment of the housing slot to the user in the housing module assignment database”. The claims are further describing the commercial aspect of the financial interaction in terms of purchasing/bidding on property/slots and describing that the currency used is cryptocurrency. The additional elements are with respect to the token balance and database. The additional elements are described in the originally filed specification [32-40 and 66-67]. The additional elements are merely describing generic technology to implement the abstract idea. The elements are providing tools/cryptocurrency for a user to bid/purchase and complete the transactional real estate activity in terms of cryptographic currency and database elements to store information. The additional elements are not directed towards a technical improvement and are merely generic technology to implement the abstract idea. As such, the claims are not directed towards additional elements that are significantly more or transformative into a practical application. Refer to MPEP 2106.05(f).
The claimed invention is describing an abstract idea without additional elements that are significantly more or transformative into a practical application. Therefore, claims 1-20 are rejected under 35 USC 101 for being directed towards non-eligible subject matter.
Response to Arguments
In response to the arguments filed August 14, 2025 on pages 2-3 regarding the 35 USC 101 rejection, specifically that the amended claim elements are directed towards eligible subject matter.
Examiner respectfully disagrees.
The arguments discuss and allege that the amended claim elements within claims 1, 9, and 15 are directed towards eligible subject matter. The arguments discuss the aspects in terms of housing interface elements, utilities, and digital authorization codes. The digital authorization codes [52-56] are merely describing generic technology to implement the abstract idea. The specification is not describing a specific technical improvement, but rather utilizing digital code to access the housing module that is within the real estate commercial activity. In terms of the housing interface and module elements, the additional elements were considered well-understood, routine, and conventional. The prior art considered above provides elements of the interface for housing modules that describe the additional elements in terms of WURC aspects that are not directed towards a technical improvement. As such, the amended claim elements are not directed towards additional elements that are significantly more or transformative into a practical application. Refer to MPEP 2106.05(f) and 2106.05(d).
Lacking any further arguments, claims 1-20 are maintaining the 35 USC 101 rejection, as considered above in light of the amended claim limitations.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure: Henderson [2022/0292543] (pop-up retail store and apartment auction and delivery);
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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/ANDREW CHASE LAKHANI/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3629