Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 18/217,210

METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A REMOTE SERVICE

Non-Final OA §103
Filed
Jun 30, 2023
Examiner
OSMAN, RAMY M
Art Unit
2457
Tech Center
2400 — Computer Networks
Assignee
Digital First Holdings LLC
OA Round
6 (Non-Final)
79%
Grant Probability
Favorable
6-7
OA Rounds
3y 3m
To Grant
70%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 79% — above average
79%
Career Allow Rate
585 granted / 738 resolved
+21.3% vs TC avg
Minimal -9% lift
Without
With
+-9.4%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 3m
Avg Prosecution
35 currently pending
Career history
773
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
9.4%
-30.6% vs TC avg
§103
38.7%
-1.3% vs TC avg
§102
25.3%
-14.7% vs TC avg
§112
15.9%
-24.1% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 738 resolved cases

Office Action

§103
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 This action is responsive to amendment application filed December 8, 2025. Status of Claims Applicant amended the claims. Claims 1-4,6-8,12-16 remain pending. Response to Arguments Applicant’s arguments/amendments, filed 12/8/25, have been fully considered and are persuasive. Therefore, the previous rejection has been withdrawn. However, upon further consideration, a new grounds of rejection is made based on DeLuca in view of Edwards. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103 In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status. The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action: A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made. Claims 1-4,6-8,12-16 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over DeLuca et al (US Publication 20160078417) in view of Edwards et al (US Patent 10769712). In reference to claim 1, DeLuca a computer-implemented method for controlling a remote service, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a service request message from a first communication session participant at a first physical location, (see at least ¶ 39 lines 1-12, which teaches a user device/first participant at a location sending a request in a secure communication) processing a requested service based on the service request message, (see at least ¶ 41 lines 1-5, which teaches a processor of a financial institution processing the user request) wherein the processing is performed by a second communication session participant at a second physical location, (see at least ¶ 32 lines 4-11 & Figure 1 #101, which teaches the processing performed by a financial institution/second participant part of the communication) determining a location of the first communication session participant in a first physical area based on communication with a first location identifier, (see at least ¶ 39 lines 12-28, which teaches determining a location of the user device in a first location based on location identifier) monitoring the location of the first communication session participant as the first communication session participant travels from the first physical location to a third physical location using a plurality of location identifiers that includes at least the first location identifier and a second location identifier, determining the location of the first communication session participant in a second physical area based on communication with the second location identifier, transmitting a guide message from the second communication session participant to the first communication session participant that assists the first communication session participant in travelling to the third physical location, (see at least ¶s 40-42, which teaches monitoring the location of a third participant/mobile ATM device as the ATM device travels to a third location, using location identifiers, and transmitting a guide message to the mobile ATM that assists in traveling to the third location) and transmitting a service execution message to a third communication session participant at the third physical location to fulfil the service requested in the received service request message based on the service request message being received and processed and the first communication session participant traveling from the first physical location to the third physical location, (see at least ¶ 42 lines 5-11 & ¶ 66, which teaches transmitting a service execution message/alert to the mobile ATM to fulfill the service requested by the user request, and the user device traveling from the first location to the third location to meet the mobile ATM at the third location. Once the user arrives at the third location, the user engages in a transaction with the mobile ATM for fulfilling the user service request) wherein the first physical location is located remotely from the third physical location and the second physical location, and the second location is located remotely from the third physical location, (see at least ¶ 27 & Figure 1, which teaches the three location are remote from each other) wherein the first location identifier is one of a beacon device, a GPS device, a Bluetooth device, a near field communication device, a facial recognition camera device, and a biometric data recognition device (see at least ¶ 22 lines 1-15 & ¶ 33, which teaches location identifier from iBeacon, GPS, Bluetooth, or NFC). Although from the above claim, DeLuca teaches the “first participant” traveling to the third location, and teaches monitoring the location of a participant as the participant travels to a location in the context of the “third participant”; DeLuca fails to teach the monitoring limitations in the context of the “first participant”. Specifically, DeLuca fails to explicitly teach: monitoring the location of the first communication session participant as the first communication session participant travels from the first physical location to a third physical location using a plurality of location identifiers that includes at least the first location identifier and a second location identifier, determining the location of the first communication session participant in a second physical area based on communication with the second location identifier, transmitting a guide message from the second communication session participant to the first communication session participant that assists the first communication session participant in travelling to the third physical location. DeLuca also fails to explicitly teach: wherein the second location identifier is different than the first location identifier. However, Edwards teaches customer fulfillment based on location and scheduling information (see Edwards, at least Abstract). Specifically, Edwards teaches a first participant/customer, a second participant/service provider, and a third participant/merchant location; monitoring the location of the customer as the customer travels from a first location to a third location, and using a plurality of location identifiers which include a first and second location (see Edwards, at least column 3 lines 58-67 and column 4 lines 39-45). Edwards also teaches determining the location of the customer in a second physical location based on a second location identifier (see Edwards, at least column 10 lines 33-50 and column 11 lines 48-60). Edwards further teaches sending a guide message/notification from the service provider to the customer that assists the customer in traveling to the merchant location (see Edwards, at least column 25 lines 8-40). Additionally, Edwards teaches that the second location is different than the first location (see Edwards, at least column 13 lines 15-30 and column 24 lines 43-60). It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to modify DeLuca based on the teachings of Edwards for the purpose of improving customer service in managing and fulfilling customer orders and improving customer experience when picking up their order at a business location. In reference to claim 2, this is taught by DeLuca, see at least ¶s 35-36, where DeLuca teaches initiating the communication session with a login and request. In reference to claim 3, this is taught by DeLuca, see at least ¶ 42 lines 14-18 which teaches determining an estimated time; and ¶ 43 lines 1-9, which teaches transmitting a message to the user about the requested service. In reference to claim 4, this is taught by DeLuca, see at least ¶ 42 lines 1-14, where DeLuca teaches determining proximity information between the user and the mobile ATM. In reference to claim 6, this is taught by DeLuca, see at least ¶ 42 lines 1-12 and ¶ 66, where DeLuca teaches receiving notification at the third location prior to meeting the first participant at the third location, the notification including information from the service request of the first participant. In reference to claim 7, this is taught by DeLuca, see at least ¶ 39 lines 17-25, where DeLuca teaches transitioning the location information by moving from one location to another. In reference to claim 8, this is taught by DeLuca, see at least ¶ 39 lines 17-25 & ¶ 44, where DeLuca teaches the user is authenticated with login and financial institution card, and the mobile ATM fulfilling the request. In reference to claim 12, this is taught by DeLuca, see at least ¶ 35, where DeLuca teaches a user/customer. In reference to claim 13, this is taught by DeLuca, see at least ¶ 28, where DeLuca teaches a financial institution and ATM. In reference to claim 14, this is taught by DeLuca, see at least ¶ 38 lines 1-12 & ¶ 46, where DeLuca teaches an ATM, cash dispenser, and interface device. Claims 15-16 are slight variations of claims 1-4,6-8,12-14 above, and are therefore rejected based upon the same rationale. Conclusion For any subsequent response that contains new/amended claims, Applicant is required to cite its corresponding support in the specification. (See MPEP chapter 2163.03 section (I.) and chapter 2163.04 section (I.) and chapter 2163.06) Applicant may not introduce any new matter to the claims or to the specification. In formulating a response/amendment, Applicant is encouraged to take into consideration the prior art made of record but not relied upon, as it is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. See attached Form 892. Contact & Status Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to RAMY M OSMAN whose telephone number is (571)272-4008. The examiner can normally be reached Mon-Fri, 9AM-5PM. Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice. If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Ario Etienne can be reached at 571-272-4001. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. /Ramy M Osman/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2457 January 27, 2026
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Jun 30, 2023
Application Filed
Jan 06, 2024
Non-Final Rejection — §103
Mar 25, 2024
Response Filed
May 13, 2024
Final Rejection — §103
Aug 13, 2024
Response after Non-Final Action
Aug 20, 2024
Examiner Interview (Telephonic)
Aug 21, 2024
Response after Non-Final Action
Sep 11, 2024
Request for Continued Examination
Oct 01, 2024
Response after Non-Final Action
Nov 25, 2024
Non-Final Rejection — §103
Feb 27, 2025
Response Filed
May 05, 2025
Final Rejection — §103
Jun 11, 2025
Interview Requested
Jun 18, 2025
Applicant Interview (Telephonic)
Jun 18, 2025
Examiner Interview Summary
Jun 23, 2025
Request for Continued Examination
Jun 30, 2025
Response after Non-Final Action
Sep 05, 2025
Final Rejection — §103
Sep 09, 2025
Interview Requested
Sep 22, 2025
Applicant Interview (Telephonic)
Sep 23, 2025
Examiner Interview Summary
Sep 26, 2025
Response after Non-Final Action
Dec 08, 2025
Request for Continued Examination
Dec 29, 2025
Response after Non-Final Action
Feb 10, 2026
Non-Final Rejection — §103 (current)

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Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

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Prosecution Projections

6-7
Expected OA Rounds
79%
Grant Probability
70%
With Interview (-9.4%)
3y 3m
Median Time to Grant
High
PTA Risk
Based on 738 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allow rate.

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