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
In the amendment dated 03/16/2026, the following occurred: Claims 1, 6, 9-10, 21 and 22 were amended. Claims 5, 7-8, 14 was canceled.
Claims 1-4, 6, 9-13 and 15-22 are currently pending.
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 1-4, 6, 9-13 and 15-22 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 because the claimed invention is directed to a judicial exception (i.e., a law of nature, a natural phenomenon, or an abstract idea) without significantly more.
Claims 1, 21 and 22 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 because the claimed invention is directed to an abstract idea without significantly more. The claim recites a device, a method and a non-transitory storage medium for medical support.
Regarding claims 1, 21 and 22, the limitation of (claim 1 being representative):
display hospitalization period medical information; automatically, in response to receiving patient specification information, acquire an electronic medical record indicating the hospitalization period medical information by transmitting the patient specification information, wherein the hospitalization period medical information includes a hospitalization period date, which is a date corresponding to a hospitalization period, and a plurality of first items associated with the hospitalization period date, wherein the hospitalization period medical information excludes a non-hospitalization period date, which is a date corresponding to an outside of the hospitalization period, acquire image information corresponding only to the hospitalization period date by transmitting the hospitalization period date and the patient specification information, wherein the image information comprises a computed tomography (CT) image, acquire document information corresponding only to the hospitalization period date by transmitting the hospitalization period date and the patient specification information, wherein in response to receiving both the hospitalization period date and the patient specification information, perform a search based on both the hospitalization period date and the patient specification information to obtain the image information, wherein the plurality of first items associated with the hospitalization period date are included in the electronic medical record, the image information, and the document information, display the hospitalization period medical information including only the plurality of first items along with the hospitalization period date, includes a first display region defined by a first axis indicating the hospitalization period date in a time-series as a horizontal axis and a second axis indicating the plurality of first items and intersecting with the first axis, in which the hospitalization period medical information is disposed in a matrix in the first display region, acquire non-hospitalization period medical information including the non-hospitalization period date and a plurality of second items associated with the non-hospitalization period date, generate a second display region defined by a third axis indicating the non-hospitalization period date and a fourth axis indicating the plurality of second items and intersecting with the third axis, wherein in the second display region, the non-hospitalization period medical information is disposed in a matrix, wherein, in the second display region, the third axis indicates the non-hospitalization period date for a first number which is a number smaller than the number of the dates included in the non-hospitalization period dates, and the number of the dates indicated by the third axis is switchable between the first number and a second number larger than the first number, wherein the third axis is controlled to be switched between a reduced display state showing the first number and an enlarged display state showing the second number, wherein, in response to the third axis being controlled to be switched in the enlarged display state, dynamically filter the third axis in the enlarged display state to display only the non-hospitalization period date on which the non- hospitalization period medical information corresponding to the non-hospitalization period date is disposed, such that dates within the non-hospitalization period lacking associated medical information are excluded from the matrix of the second display region; acquire an operation performed on the matrix of the first display region for selecting an icon through a pointer displayed on the first display region, in response to having detected that the icon is selected, in the first display region, display the icon being highlighted to indicate that medical information is present in a cell specified by the date and the first item, and in response to having detected that the icon is selected, generate a medical information display region and simultaneously display the medical information corresponding to the selected icon in the medical information display region, in response to having detected that the icon corresponding to the first item is selected and the first item is the CT image, display the CT image corresponding to the selected icon in the medical information display region, and in response to having detected that a plurality of icons are designated through the pointer in the first display region, display a content indicated by the medical information corresponding to each of the plurality of icons in the medical information display region as crafted, is a process that, under the broadest reasonable interpretation, covers a method organizing human activity (i.e., managing personal behavior including following rules or instructions) but for the recitation of generic computer components. That is other than reciting medical support device and at least one processor (claim 1), a method (claim 21) and a non-transitory storage medium and a computer (claim 22), the claimed invention amounts to managing personal behavior or interaction between people (i.e., rules or instructions). For example, the claims encompass acquiring hospitalization period medical information and a plurality of first items and generating a display of medical information in the manner described in the identified abstract idea, supra. The Examiner notes that certain “method[s] of organizing human activity” includes a person’s interaction with a computer (see MPEP 2106.04(a)(2)(II)). If a claim limitation, under its broadest reasonable interpretation, covers managing personal behavior or interactions between people but for the recitation of generic computer components, then it falls within the “certain methods of organizing human activity” grouping of abstract ideas. Accordingly, the claim recites an abstract idea.
This judicial exception is not integrated into a practical application. Claim 21 is not tied to any particular technological environment that implements the identified abstract idea. Claim 1 recites the additional elements of at least one processor that implements the abstract idea. The at least one processor is recited at a high-level of generality (i.e., a generic computer processor, see Spec. Para. 0017) such that it amounts no more than mere instructions to apply the exception using a generic computer component. Claim 22 recites the additional elements of a non-transitory storage medium and a computer. These additional elements are not exclusively defined by the applicant and are recited at a high-level of generality (i.e., generic computer components for performing generic computer functions) such that they amount to no more than mere instructions to apply the exception using a generic computer component. As set forth in MPEP 2106.04(d) “merely including instructions to implement an abstract idea on a computer” is an example of when an abstract idea has not been integrated into a practical application. Accordingly, even in combination, these additional elements do not integrate the abstract idea into a practical application because they do not impose any meaningful limits on practicing the abstract idea. The claim is directed to an abstract idea.
Claims 1, 21 and 22 further recite the additional elements of a display screen, an electronic medical record server, an image management server and a document management server. This additional element is recited at a high level of generality (i.e. a general means to output/receive/transmit medical data) and amounts to the mere outputting, receiving and transmitting of data, which is a form of extra solution activity. MPEP 2106.04(d)(I) indicates that extra-solution data gathering activity cannot provide a practical application. Accordingly, even in combination, these additional elements do not integrate the abstract idea into a practical application.
The claims do not include additional elements that are sufficient to amount to significantly more than the judicial exception. As discussed above with respect to integration of the abstract idea into a practical application, the additional elements of the medical support device, at least one processor, the non-transitory storage medium and the computer to perform the noted steps amounts to no more than mere instructions to apply the exception using a generic computer component. Mere instructions to apply an exception using a generic computer component cannot provide an inventive concept (“significantly more”). Moreover, using generic computer components to perform abstract ideas does not provide a necessary inventive concept. See Alice, 573 U.S. at 223 (“mere recitation of a generic computer cannot transform a patent-ineligible abstract idea into a patent-eligible invention”). Therefore, whether considered alone or in combination, the additional elements do not amount to significantly more than the abstract idea.
Also as discussed above with respect to integration of the abstract idea into a practical application, the additional elements of the display screen, electronic medical record server, image management server and the document management server were considered extra-solution activity (or alternatively generally linking the abstract idea to a particular technological environment). This has been re-evaluated under “significantly more” analysis and determined to be well-understood, routine and conventional activity in the field. MPEP 2016.05(d)(II) indicates that receiving and/or transmitting data over a network has been held by the courts to be well-understood, routine and conventional activity (citing Symantec, TLI Communications, OIP Techs., and buySAFE). Well-understood, routine and conventional activity cannot provide an inventive concept (“significantly more”). Therefore when considering the additional elements alone, and in combination, there is no inventive concept in the claim, and thus the claim is not patent eligible.
Claims 2-4, 6, 9-13 and 15-20 are similarly rejected because they either further define/narrow the abstract idea and/or do not further limit the claim to a practical application or provide as inventive concept such that the claims are subject matter eligible even when considered individually or as an ordered combination. Claim(s) 2 merely describe(s) in the display screen, the number of days based on a hospitalization day is displayed. Claim(s) 3 merely describe(s) in the display screen, a surgery day is displayed. Claim(s) 4 merely describe(s) in the display screen, the number of days based on a surgery day is displayed. Claim(s) 14 merely describe(s) an icon indicating that medical information is present is displayed. Claim(s) 17 merely describe(s) the number of pieces of the medical information is displayed. Claim(s) 18 merely describe(s) the medical information is displayed in any of a designation order. Claim(s) 19 merely describe output information for display. Displaying information further defines the abstract idea. Claim(s) 6 merely describe(s) the non-hospitalization period date. Claim(s) 9 merely describe(s) the third axis. Claim(s) 10 merely describe(s) a pre-hospitalization display region and a post-hospital discharge display region. Claim(s) 11 and 12 merely describe(s) a range of the first display region. Claim(s) 13 merely describe(s) acquiring the hospitalization period medical information. Claim(s) 15 merely describe(s) wherein the icon is switched. Claim(s) 16 merely describe(s) the state. All of which further define the abstract idea. Claim(s) 20 merely describe(s) displaying information. Claim(s) 19 and 20 include(s) the additional element of “a display device” which is analyzed as an additional element and is interpreted the same as the “display screen” and does not provide practical application or significantly more. Claims 2-4, 6, 9-13 and 15-20 further define the abstract idea and are rejected for the same reason presented above with respect to claims 1, 21 and 22.
Response to Arguments
Rejection under 35 U.S.C. § 101
Regarding the rejection of claims 1-4, 6, 9-13 and 15-22, the Examiner has considered the Applicant’s arguments, but does not find them persuasive. Applicant argues:
Firstly, the claimed invention does not merely "display" data using generic computer functions; it implements a specific dynamic filtering rule that optimizes the use of finite screen real estate. By configuring the processor to display only the non-hospitalization period dates on which medical information is present, the system suppresses the display of "empty" dates that contain no medical records. This represents a technical improvement over conventional time-series displays that use a fixed, linear axis, which often results in cluttered interfaces filled with irrelevant, empty cells. Thus, the claimed invention is inherently tied to a technical improvement in computer GUI functionality.
Regarding 1, The Examiner respectfully disagrees. As stated in Applicants summary at para. [0007], the invention “facilitate grasping hospitalization period medical information of a patient as compared with a case in which all medical information from the past to the present is displayed.” The Examiner submits that displaying data is an abstract idea regardless of the type of data displayed. In other words, displaying only the non-hospitalization period dates on which medical information is present, and choosing to not display of "empty" dates that contain no medical records, does not render technical improvement in computer GUI functionality. The invention focuses on displaying only the non-hospitalization period dates on which medical information is present using a conventional user interface. And suppressing the display of "empty" dates that contain no medical records, does not improve upon the functionality of a conventional user interface. The invention is just not displaying data that contain no medical records.
Secondly, the claimed invention addresses a specific technical problem in the medical field: the difficulty of grasping relevant information when vast amounts of historical medical data are displayed over time. The transition between a "reduced" single-column view and an "enlarged" filtered-date view provides a technical solution to this problem by allowing the user to switch between a high-level summary and a detailed "bird's-eye view" of specific data points. This selective display mechanism ensures that the user can grasp the patient's history and follow-up care without the technical "clutter" of empty temporal nodes, thereby improving the information density of the interface. Thus, the claimed invention is inherently tied to a specific technical solution to a technological problem. Moreover, under MPEP 2106.04(d), a claim is integrated into a practical application if it improves the relevant technology or a computer's own functionality… This requirement to filter the axis based on the existence of data imposes a meaningful limitation on the abstract idea of organizing information, as it requires a specific computer configuration that is not well-understood, routine, or conventional. The specific combination of switching between reduced and enlarged states and filtering the temporal axis to suppress empty dates collectively results in a GUI that is more responsive to user needs and more efficient in displaying complex datasets on a hardware display. This technical optimization of the user interface moves the claim beyond a "certain methods of organizing human activity" and into a specific practical application in the field of medical support technology (Step 2A, Prong 2: Yes).
Regarding 2, The Examiner respectfully disagrees. There is no practical application present. The problem of “the difficulty of grasping relevant information when vast amounts of historical medical data are displayed over time” and the solution of ” ensures that the user can grasp the patient's history and follow-up care without the technical "clutter" of empty temporal nodes” are not technical problem/solutions. The problem/solution the applicant refers to help a user understand medical information by choosing what to display and what not to display by manipulating (i.e. filtering, enlarging and reducing) the graphical user interface. This at best is an administrative/healthcare improvement. There are no improvements to a technical field nor the functioning of a computer.
Rejection under 35 U.S.C. § 102
Regarding the rejection of claims 1-4, 6, 9-13 and 15-22, the Examiner has considered the Applicant’s arguments, and finds them persuasive. The cited prior art of record fails to expressly teach or suggest, either alone or in combination, the features found within the independent claim. In particular, the cited prior art of record fails to expressly teach or suggest the combination of: A medical support device comprising: a display screen configured to display hospitalization period medical information; and at least one processor, wherein the at least one processor is configured to: automatically, in response to receiving patient specification information, acquire an electronic medical record indicating the hospitalization period medical information from an electronic medical record server by transmitting the patient specification information to the electronic medical record server, wherein the hospitalization period medical information includes a hospitalization period date, which is a date corresponding to a hospitalization period, and a plurality of first items associated with the hospitalization period date, wherein the hospitalization period medical information excludes a non-hospitalization period date, which is a date corresponding to an outside of the hospitalization period, acquire image information corresponding only to the hospitalization period date from an image management server by transmitting the hospitalization period date and the patient specification information to the image management server, wherein the image information comprises a computed tomography (CT) image, acquire document information corresponding only to the hospitalization period date from a document management server by transmitting the hospitalization period date and the patient specification information to the document management server, wherein in response to the image management server receiving both the hospitalization period date and the patient specification information, the image management server is configured to perform a search from a database of the image management server based on both the hospitalization period date and the patient specification information to obtain the image information, wherein the plurality of first items associated with the hospitalization period date are included in the electronic medical record, the image information, and the document information, generate the display screen to display the hospitalization period medical information including only the plurality of first items along with the hospitalization period date, wherein the display screen includes a first display region defined by a first axis indicating the hospitalization period date in a time-series as a horizontal axis and a second axis indicating the plurality of first items and intersecting with the first axis, in which the hospitalization period medical information is disposed in a matrix in the first display region, acquire non-hospitalization period medical information including the non-hospitalization period date and a plurality of second items associated with the non-hospitalization period date, generate a second display region defined by a third axis indicating the non-hospitalization period date and a fourth axis indicating the plurality of second items and intersecting with the third axis, wherein in the second display region, the non-hospitalization period medical information is disposed in a matrix, wherein, in the second display region, the third axis indicates the non-hospitalization period date for a first number which is a number smaller than the number of the dates included in the non-hospitalization period dates, and the number of the dates indicated by the third axis is switchable between the first number and a second number larger than the first number, wherein the third axis is controlled to be switched between a reduced display state showing the first number and an enlarged display state showing the second number, wherein, in response to the third axis being controlled to be switched in the enlarged display state, the at least one processor is configured to dynamically filter the third axis in the enlarged display state to display only the non-hospitalization period date on which the non- hospitalization period medical information corresponding to the non-hospitalization period date is disposed, such that dates within the non-hospitalization period lacking associated medical information are excluded from the matrix of the second display region; acquire an operation performed on the matrix of the first display region for selecting an icon through a pointer displayed on the first display region, in response to having detected that the icon is selected, in the first display region, display the icon being highlighted to indicate that medical information is present in a cell specified by the date and the first item, in response to having detected that the icon is selected, generate a medical information display region included in the display screen and simultaneously display the medical information corresponding to the selected icon in the medical information display region on the display screen, in response to having detected that the icon corresponding to the first item is selected and the first item is the CT image, display the CT image corresponding to the selected icon in the medical information display region of the display screen, and in response to having detected that a plurality of icons are designated through the pointer in the first display region of the display screen, display a content indicated by the medical information corresponding to each of the plurality of icons in the medical information display region of the display screen.
Conclusion
Applicant’s amendment necessitated the new grounds of rejection presented in this Office action. 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.
The prior art made of record though not relied upon in the present basis of rejection are noted in the attached PTO 892 and include:
An (US 2018/0008204) discloses readmission risk assessment based on chronobiological rhythms. Burke (US 2021/0042830) discloses user media platform server system.
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/L.T.K./Examiner, Art Unit 3683
/ROBERT W MORGAN/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 3683
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