DETAILED ACTION
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 .
Claim Status
In response to communications filed on 23 January 2026, claims 1-20 are presently pending in the application, of which, claims 1, 10 and 19 are presented in independent form. The Examiner acknowledges amended claims 1, 7-8, 10, 16-17 and 19. No claims were cancelled or newly added.
Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after final rejection. Since this application is eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on 23 January 2026 has been entered.
Response to Remarks/Arguments
All objections and/or rejections issued in the previous Office Action, mailed 24 October 2025, have been withdrawn, unless otherwise noted in this Office Action.
Applicant’s arguments with respect to claims 1-20 have been considered but are but are not deemed persuasive. Applicant’s arguments and amendments are incorporated into the rejection below.
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 1-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable by Verma, Near (U.S. 7,801,885 and known hereinafter as Verma) in view of Gargalhone, Andre, et al (U.S. 2015/0234822 and known hereinafter as Gargalhone).
As per claim 1, Verma teaches a computer-implemented method for processing a natural language query, the method comprising:
preparing a first table summary based on the query term (e.g. Verma, see column 5, lines 29-45, which discloses the search engine system provides the query to the other system and receives the search results from the other system, where the system includes a user feedback database that includes a user feedback search table.);
generating a first formula of the natural language query based on the first table summary (e.g. Verma, see column 6, lines 12-25, which discloses a set of user feedback search results are generated using the query and a set of regular search results are generated using the query.);
generating a result based on the first formula (e.g. Verma, see column 6, lines 25-50, which discloses user feedback search results are displayed according to the user feedback data and regular search results are displayed, where the user feedback search results may be displayed separately from, or intermixed with the regular search results.);
responsive to receiving input indicative of a negative feedback to the result (e.g. Verma, column 24, line 50 to column 26, line 5, which discloses user personalization data indicates that ranking of a particular search results needs to decrease, where the user provides a negative feedback which changes the ranking of particular results.), automatically processing the negative feedback by disassociating one or more of the first table summary or the first formula with the query term (e.g. Verma, column 24, line 50 to column 26, line 5, which discloses user personalized data is stored in a user search mapping table that includes particular search results related to the feedback, where the table is updated based on a particular feedback.), wherein the disassociating causes a generation of a second table summary in response to subsequently receiving the query term (e.g. Verma, column 24, line 50 to column 26, line 5, which discloses user personalized data is stored in a user search mapping table that includes particular search results related to the feedback, where the table is updated based on a particular feedback.).
The modified teachings of Verma do not explicitly disclose obtaining a natural language query originated by a user; providing an alternative interpretation of the natural language query based on the new table summary.
Gargalhone teaches obtaining a natural language query originated by a user (e.g. Gargalhone, see paragraph [0009], which discloses a user enters a natural language text string, which is presented on the display of an electronic device as a set of potential query words.);
generating a second formula of the natural language query based on the second table summary (e.g. Gargalhone, see paragraph [0027], which discloses presenting natural language text query string containing all the words that are ready for selection by a user and then a potential supplemental query words (e.g. second formula) are identified based on their having been previously identified by the other users as to the relevant query words.);
providing, based on the second formula (e.g. Gargalone, see paragraphs [0024-0027], Figures 4A-C, which discloses a user inters a natural language text query string into a text entry box, when the user submits the information, the user is presented with the potential query words of the input text string, each separated from adjacent potential query words by spacing distance, where when the user selects several potential query words as being relevant query words, then the user is able to join adjacent query words to create a relative search term. The Examiner notes that each potential query word selected by the user generates a new query formula that returns refined results to the user.), an alternative interpretation of the natural language query (Gargalhone, see Figures 3, 5, and 6A-6E, and paragraphs [0027-0031], which discloses an original natural language query is provided, such as ‘Chevrolet sport coupe car’ and an alternative interpretation or suggestion is provided, such as ‘new automatic red excellent condition.’.
Verma is directed to search engine system with user feedback on search results. Gargalhone is directed to query method to identify relevant interests using modified natural language. All are analogous art because they manipulate query terms and therefore it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skilled in the art at the time the invention was filed to modify the teachings of Verma with the further teachings of Gargalone to include the claimed features with the motivation to improve the natural language query process.
As per claim 10, Verma teaches a system for processing a natural language query, the system comprising:
a communication interface configured to:
preparing a first table summary based on the query term (e.g. Verma, see column 5, lines 29-45, which discloses the search engine system provides the query to the other system and receives the search results from the other system, where the system includes a user feedback database that includes a user feedback search table.);
generating a first formula of the natural language query based on the first table summary (e.g. Verma, see column 6, lines 12-25, which discloses a set of user feedback search results are generated using the query and a set of regular search results are generated using the query.);
generating a result based on the first formula (e.g. Verma, see column 6, lines 25-50, which discloses user feedback search results are displayed according to the user feedback data and regular search results are displayed, where the user feedback search results may be displayed separately from, or intermixed with the regular search results.);
responsive to receiving input indicative of a negative feedback to the result (e.g. Verma, column 24, line 50 to column 26, line 5, which discloses user personalization data indicates that ranking of a particular search results needs to decrease, where the user provides a negative feedback which changes the ranking of particular results.), automatically processing the negative feedback by disassociating one or more of the first table summary or the first formula with the query term (e.g. Verma, column 24, line 50 to column 26, line 5, which discloses user personalized data is stored in a user search mapping table that includes particular search results related to the feedback, where the table is updated based on a particular feedback.), wherein the disassociating causes a generation of a second table summary in response to subsequently receiving the query term (e.g. Verma, column 24, line 50 to column 26, line 5, which discloses user personalized data is stored in a user search mapping table that includes particular search results related to the feedback, where the table is updated based on a particular feedback.).
The modified teachings of Verma do not explicitly disclose obtaining a natural language query originated by a user; providing an alternative interpretation of the natural language query based on the new table summary.
Gargalhone teaches obtaining a natural language query originated by a user (e.g. Gargalhone, see paragraph [0009], which discloses a user enters a natural language text string, which is presented on the display of an electronic device as a set of potential query words.);
generating a second formula of the natural language query based on the second table summary (e.g. Gargalhone, see paragraph [0027], which discloses presenting natural language text query string containing all the words that are ready for selection by a user and then a potential supplemental query words (e.g. second formula) are identified based on their having been previously identified by the other users as to the relevant query words.);
providing, based on the second formula (e.g. Gargalone, see paragraphs [0024-0027], Figures 4A-C, which discloses a user inters a natural language text query string into a text entry box, when the user submits the information, the user is presented with the potential query words of the input text string, each separated from adjacent potential query words by spacing distance, where when the user selects several potential query words as being relevant query words, then the user is able to join adjacent query words to create a relative search term. The Examiner notes that each potential query word selected by the user generates a new query formula that returns refined results to the user.), an alternative interpretation of the natural language query (Gargalhone, see Figures 3, 5, and 6A-6E, and paragraphs [0027-0031], which discloses an original natural language query is provided, such as ‘Chevrolet sport coupe car’ and an alternative interpretation or suggestion is provided, such as ‘new automatic red excellent condition.’.
Verma is directed to search engine system with user feedback on search results. Gargalhone is directed to query method to identify relevant interests using modified natural language. All are analogous art because they manipulate query terms and therefore it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skilled in the art at the time the invention was filed to modify the teachings of Verma with the further teachings of Gargalone to include the claimed features with the motivation to improve the natural language query process.
As per claim 20, Verma teaches a computer-readable non-transitory storage medium storing processor-executable instructions for a processor, the instructions comprises:
preparing a first table summary based on the query term (e.g. Verma, see column 5, lines 29-45, which discloses the search engine system provides the query to the other system and receives the search results from the other system, where the system includes a user feedback database that includes a user feedback search table.);
generating a first formula of the natural language query based on the first table summary (e.g. Verma, see column 6, lines 12-25, which discloses a set of user feedback search results are generated using the query and a set of regular search results are generated using the query.);
generating a result based on the first formula (e.g. Verma, see column 6, lines 25-50, which discloses user feedback search results are displayed according to the user feedback data and regular search results are displayed, where the user feedback search results may be displayed separately from, or intermixed with the regular search results.);
responsive to receiving input indicative of a negative feedback to the result (e.g. Verma, column 24, line 50 to column 26, line 5, which discloses user personalization data indicates that ranking of a particular search results needs to decrease, where the user provides a negative feedback which changes the ranking of particular results.), automatically processing the negative feedback by disassociating one or more of the first table summary or the first formula with the query term (e.g. Verma, column 24, line 50 to column 26, line 5, which discloses user personalized data is stored in a user search mapping table that includes particular search results related to the feedback, where the table is updated based on a particular feedback.), wherein the disassociating causes a generation of a second table summary in response to subsequently receiving the query term (e.g. Verma, column 24, line 50 to column 26, line 5, which discloses user personalized data is stored in a user search mapping table that includes particular search results related to the feedback, where the table is updated based on a particular feedback.).
The modified teachings of Verma do not explicitly disclose obtaining a natural language query originated by a user; providing an alternative interpretation of the natural language query based on the new table summary.
Gargalhone teaches obtaining a natural language query originated by a user (e.g. Gargalhone, see paragraph [0009], which discloses a user enters a natural language text string, which is presented on the display of an electronic device as a set of potential query words.);
generating a second formula of the natural language query based on the second table summary (e.g. Gargalhone, see paragraph [0027], which discloses presenting natural language text query string containing all the words that are ready for selection by a user and then a potential supplemental query words (e.g. second formula) are identified based on their having been previously identified by the other users as to the relevant query words.);
providing, based on the second formula (e.g. Gargalone, see paragraphs [0024-0027], Figures 4A-C, which discloses a user inters a natural language text query string into a text entry box, when the user submits the information, the user is presented with the potential query words of the input text string, each separated from adjacent potential query words by spacing distance, where when the user selects several potential query words as being relevant query words, then the user is able to join adjacent query words to create a relative search term. The Examiner notes that each potential query word selected by the user generates a new query formula that returns refined results to the user.), an alternative interpretation of the natural language query (Gargalhone, see Figures 3, 5, and 6A-6E, and paragraphs [0027-0031], which discloses an original natural language query is provided, such as ‘Chevrolet sport coupe car’ and an alternative interpretation or suggestion is provided, such as ‘new automatic red excellent condition.’.
Verma is directed to search engine system with user feedback on search results. Gargalhone is directed to query method to identify relevant interests using modified natural language. All are analogous art because they manipulate query terms and therefore it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skilled in the art at the time the invention was filed to modify the teachings of Verma with the further teachings of Gargalone to include the claimed features with the motivation to improve the natural language query process.
As per claims 2 and 11, the modified teachings of Verma, and Gargalhone teaches the method of claim 1 and the system of claim 10, respectively, wherein the natural language query is submitted by the user via a user interface at a client device (e.g. Gargalhone, see Figures 4A-4C, which illustrates a web interface that includes the ability to receive a search query from a user’s computer.).
As per claims 3 and 12, the modified teachings of Verma, and Gargalhone teaches the method of claim 2 and the system of claim 11, respectively, wherein the natural language query is manually or vocally entered by the user (e.g. Gargalhone, see Figures 4A-4C, which illustrates a web interface that includes the ability to receive a search query from a user’s computer.).
As per claims 4 and 13, the modified teachings of Verma, and Gargalhone teaches the method of claim 1 and the system of claim 10, respectively, wherein the natural language query is received at a server from a client device via a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) post request (e.g. Gargalhone, see Figure 1, paragraph [0019], which illustrates a web interface that includes the ability to receive a search query from a user’s computer. The Examiner notes the user of a web interface inherently includes the use of HTTP requests.).
As per claims 5 and 14, the modified teachings of Verma, and Gargalhone teaches the method of claim 1 and the system of claim 10, respectively, wherein the natural language query is originated in a first language and is then translated into a second language (e.g. Gargalhone, see paragraphs [0025-0036], which discloses the language selector process selects a language to translate a query into.).
As per claims 6 and 15, the modified teachings of Verma, and Gargalhone teaches the method of claim 1 and the system of claim 10, respectively, wherein the result is presented to the user via a visualization format including any of an answer statement, a chart, or a data plot (e.g. Verma, see Figures 1B and 2, include a visual media search results.).
As per claims 7 and 16, the modified teachings of Verma, and Gargalhone teaches the method of claim 1 and the system of claim 10, respectively, further comprising:
storing the first formula associated with the natural language query or the query term when the user feedback is positive (e.g. Gargalhone, see paragraphs [0025-0036] where the user search histories may be stored when the user provides feedback.).
As per claims 8, 17, and 20, the modified teachings of Verma, Verma, and Gargalhone teaches the method of claim 1, the system of claim 10, and the computer-readable non-transitory storage medium of claim 19, respectively, further comprising:
selecting a formula build operation from a plurality of formula build operations based on logic operations, wherein the formula build operation corresponds to a type of formula (e.g. Gargalhone, see paragraphs [0025-0036], which discloses the language selector process selects a language to translate a query into.); and
executing the formula build operation to generate the first formula based on the table summary and the logic operation (e.g. Gargalhone, see paragraphs [0025-0036] which discloses the language selector process selects a language to translate a query into.).
As per claims 9 and 18, the modified teachings of Verma, Verma, and Gargalhone teaches the method of claim 1 and the system of claim 10, respectively, wherein the result is translated into a respective language when the natural language query is received in the respective language from the user (e.g. Verma see paragraphs [0025-0036], which discloses the language selector process selects a language to translate a query into.).
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant’s disclosure. See attached PTO-892 that includes additional prior art of record describing the general state of the art in which the invention is directed to.
Contact Information
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to FARHAN M SYED whose telephone number is (571)272-7191. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 8:30AM-5:30PM.
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/FARHAN M SYED/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2161 February 19, 2026