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 . Claims 1-14 and 18-23 have been reviewed and are under consideration by this office action.
Notice to Applicant
The following is a Non-Final Office action. Applicant, on 06/24/2026, amended claims, cancelled claims 15-17, and previously added claims 21-23. Claims 1-14 and 18-23 are pending in this application and have been rejected below.
Response to Amendment
Applicant’s amendments are received and acknowledged.
The 102/103 Rejections have been overcome and withdrawn in view of the amended claims and Applicant’s Remarks specifically page 15 of the arguments.
Response to Arguments - 35 USC § 101
Applicant’s arguments with respect to the 35 USC 101 rejections have been fully considered, but they are not persuasive.
Applicant contends that claims are not directed towards mental processes, nor certain methods of organizing human activity as the claims are directed towards how a computing device processes user interface events and transforms structured data to drive an improved interface.
Examiner finds the arguments regarding mental processes persuasive as the amended claims do not recite mental processes, however, are still directed towards certain methods of organizing human activity as the claims are directed towards modifying listings of properties for rental companies (See Specification, [02-03]).
Applicant contends that the claims are not directed towards mental processes and contends that the claims cannot be practically performed in the human mind.
Examiner respectfully disagrees. The claims recite the mental processes of selecting the first time period for the first property listing and the second time period for the second property listing, at least one of the first time period or the second time period including non-consecutive days and a contiguous date, generating modified data, and applying modifications to property listings.
Applicant further contends that several of the limitations cannot be performed in the human mind including rendering…., …non-drag inputs, etc.
Examiner respectfully disagrees. The additional elements are each identified below and are determined to be performing the steps would be no more than mere instructions to apply the exception using a generic computer component. See MPEP 2106.05(f) and/or amounts to no more than generally linking the use of the judicial exception to a particular technological environment or field of use – see MPEP 2106.05(h).
Applicant contends that non-drag input into a calendar visualization requires event-driven GUI processing and cannot be performed mentally.
Examiner finds the argument unpersuasive. While computer inputs are not something that can be performed mentally, the input of a non-drag selection (i.e. keyboard, clicking) are well-known computer function inputs and are merely “apply it” on a general purpose computing device.
Applicant contends at Step 2A-P2 that the claims as whole integrate the abstract idea into a practical application. Applicant asserts that an improvement is made to the input to the graphical user interface technology and points to the Specification asserting the non-drag inputs within a limited screen area… provides a computationally efficient interface in how small screen devices capture, interpret and render.
Examiner respectfully disagrees. The additional elements identified below (including input types) are analyzed both individually as well as in combination and are performing the steps would be no more than mere instructions to apply the exception using a generic computer component. See MPEP 2106.05(f) and/or amounts to no more than generally linking the use of the judicial exception to a particular technological environment or field of use – see MPEP 2106.05(h).
The 101 Rejection is updated and maintained below.
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 1-14 and 18-23 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.
Step One - First, pursuant to step 1 in the January 2019 Guidance on 84 Fed. Reg. 53, the claim(s) 1, 11, and 20 is/are directed to statutory categories.
Step 2A, Prong One – The claims are found to recite limitations that set forth the abstract idea(s), namely in independent claims 1,11, and 20 recite a series of steps for modifying components of property listings.
Regarding Claim(s) 1, (Additional elements bolded) A method comprising: receiving, by a computing device, data describing property listings associated with a host account of an online platform and time-specific components corresponding to the property listings;
based on the data, generating, by the computing device, a scheduling interface including a calendar visual, in which the calendar visual presents schedules of the property listings and includes visuals representing the time-specific components of the property listings;
rendering, by the computing device, the scheduling interface for display via a user interface;
receiving, by the computing device, user input via the scheduling interface, the user input including non-drag selection input, the user input corresponding to different time periods for different property listings and a time-specific modification to apply to the different property listings for the different time periods;
responsive to the receiving of the user input, selecting the first time period for the first property listing and the second time period for the second property listing, at least one of the first time period or the second time period including non-consecutive days and a contiguous date range corresponding to the non-drag selection input;
based on the different time periods selected, the time-specific modification, and the data, generating, by the computing device, modified data describing the property listings associated with the host account of the online platform by simultaneously applying the time-specific modification to the different property listings for the different time periods including the contiguous date range, the modified data including modified time-specific components of the property listings;
based on the modified data, updating, by the computing device, the visuals to modified visuals representing the modified time-specific components of the property listings; and
rendering, by the computing device, the modified visuals for display via the user interface as part of the calendar visual and the scheduling interface.
Regarding Claim(s) 11, A system comprising: a memory component; and a processing device coupled to the memory component, the processing device to perform operations comprising:
receiving data describing property listings associated with one or more host accounts of an online platform, the data including time-specific components of the property listings;
based on the data, generating an interactive scheduling interface including a calendar visual, in which the calendar visual presents schedules of the property listings and includes visuals representing the time-specific components of the property listings;
rendering the interactive scheduling interface for display via a user interface;
receiving user input via the interactive scheduling interface, the user input including non-drag selection input, the user input corresponding to a first time period for a first property listing of the property listings, a second time period for a second property listing of the property listings, and a time-specific modification to apply to the first property listing for the first time period and the second property listing for the second time period;
responsive to the receiving of the user input, selecting the first time period for the first property listing and the second time period for the second property listing, at least one of the first time period or the second time period including non-consecutive days and a contiguous date range corresponding to the non-drag selection input;
based on the first time period selected, the second time period selected, the time-specific modification, and the data, generating modified data describing the property listings associated with the one or more host accounts of the online platform by simultaneously applying the time-specific modification to the first property listing for the first time period and the second property listing for the second time period, the modified data including modified time-specific components of the property listings;
based on the modified data, updating the visuals to modified visuals representing the modified time-specific components of the property listings;
and rendering the modified visuals.
Regarding Claim(s) 20, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing executable instructions, which when executed by a processing device, cause the processing device to perform operations comprising:
receiving data describing property listings associated with one or more host accounts of an online platform, the data including time-specific components of the property listings;
generating based on the data an interactive scheduling interface including a calendar visual, in which the calendar visual presents schedules of the property listings and includes visuals representing the time-specific components of the property listings;
rendering the interactive scheduling interface;
receiving user input via the interactive scheduling interface, the user including non-drag selection input, the user input corresponding to selecting a first time period for a first property listing of the property listings, a second time period for a second property listing of the property listings, and a time- specific modification to apply to the first property listing for the first time period and the second property listing for the second time period;
responsive to the receiving of the user input, selecting the first time period for the first property listing and the second time period for the second property listing, the first time period and the second time period including non-consecutive days and a contiguous date range corresponding to the non-drag selection input;
based on first time period selected, the second time period selected, the time-specific modification, and the data, generating simulated data describing the property listings associated with the one or more host accounts of the online platform by simultaneously applying the time-specific modification to the data describing the first property listing for the first time period and the second property listing for the second time period of the property listings, the simulated data including simulated time-specific components of the property listings;
based on the simulated data, updating the visuals to modified visuals representing at least the simulated time-specific components of the property listings;
and rendering the modified visuals as part of the interactive scheduling interface.
Further the claims are directed towards the abstract idea grouping of “Certain methods of organizing human activity” — commercial or legal interactions (including agreements in the form of contracts; legal obligations; advertising, marketing or sales activities or behaviors; business relations) as the claims are directed towards modifying listings of properties (See Specification, [03]).
Step 2A, Prong Two - This judicial exception is not integrated into a practical application. The independent claims utilize at least an receiving, by a computing device, data; an online platform; generating, by the computing device, a scheduling interface including a calendar visual; rendering, by the computing device, the scheduling interface for display via a user interface; receiving, by the computing device, user input via the scheduling interface; updating, by the computing device, the visuals to modified visuals; rendering, by the computing device, the modified visuals for display via the user interface as part of the calendar visual and the scheduling interface; A system comprising: a memory component; and a processing device coupled to the memory component, the processing device to perform operations comprising; a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing executable instructions, which when executed by a processing device, cause the processing device to perform operations comprising: The additional elements are performing the steps would be no more than mere instructions to apply the exception using a generic computer component. See MPEP 2106.05(f) and/or amounts to no more than generally linking the use of the judicial exception to a particular technological environment or field of use – see MPEP 2106.05(h).
Step 2B - The claim does 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 are just “apply it” on a computer. (See MPEP 2106.05(f) – Mere Instructions to Apply an Exception – “Thus, for example, claims that amount to nothing more than an instruction to apply the abstract idea using a generic computer do not render an abstract idea eligible.” Alice Corp., 134 S. Ct. at 235) and/or amounts to no more than generally linking the use of the judicial exception to a particular technological environment or field of use – see MPEP 2106.05(h).
Regarding Claim(s) 2 the claim further recite the additional element(s) of scheduling interface includes a plurality of selectable sort options. This element(s) is performing the steps would be no more than mere instructions to apply the exception using a generic computer component. See MPEP 2106.05(f) and/or amounts to no more than generally linking the use of the judicial exception to a particular technological environment or field of use – see MPEP 2106.05(h) in Steps 2A-Prong 2 and 2B.
Regarding Claim(s) 3-10, 12-14, 18-19, the claim further narrows the abstract idea or recite additional elements previously addressed. (i.e. receiving via computing device; interface including selectable options/filters; computing devices; scheduling interface includes a plurality of selectable sort options; etc.).
Regarding Claim(s) 21-23 the claim further recite the additional element(s) of user input includes a short actuation corresponding to a date cell followed by a long actuation; user input includes an actuation; and wherein the non-drag selection input includes modifier-assisted input. This element(s) is performing the steps would be no more than mere instructions to apply the exception using a generic computer component. See MPEP 2106.05(f) and/or amounts to no more than generally linking the use of the judicial exception to a particular technological environment or field of use – see MPEP 2106.05(h) in Steps 2A-Prong 2 and 2B.
Accordingly, the claim fails to recite any improvements to another technology or technical field, improvements to the functioning of the computer itself, use of a particular machine, effecting a transformation or reduction of a particular article to a different state or thing, adding unconventional steps that confine the claim to a particular useful application, and/or meaningful limitations beyond generally linking the use of an abstract idea to a particular environment. See 84 Fed. Reg. 55. Viewed individually or as a whole, these additional claim element(s) do not provide meaningful limitation(s) to transform the abstract idea into a patent eligible application of the abstract idea such that the claim(s) amounts to significantly more than the abstract idea itself.
Examining Claims with Respect to Prior Art
Claims 1-14 and 18-23, though directed to non-statutory subject matter, are deemed to define over the currently known prior art under 35 USC 102 and 103. Examiner interprets based upon the claim limitations that there is no currently known prior art that discloses the features relating to: “A method comprising: receiving, by a computing device, data describing property listings associated with a host account of an online platform and time-specific components corresponding to the property listings; based on the data, generating, by the computing device, a scheduling interface including a calendar visual, in which the calendar visual presents schedules of the property listings and includes visuals representing the time-specific components of the property listings; rendering, by the computing device, the scheduling interface for display via a user interface; receiving, by the computing device, user input via the scheduling interface, the user input including non-drag selection input, the user input corresponding to different time periods for different property listings and a time-specific modification to apply to the different property listings for the different time periods; responsive to the receiving of the user input, selecting, by the computing device, the different time periods for the different property listings, the different time periods including non-consecutive days and a contiguous date range corresponding to the non-drag selection input; based on the different time periods selected, the time-specific modification, and the data, generating, by the computing device, modified data describing the property listings associated with the host account of the online platform by simultaneously applying the time-specific modification to the different property listings for the different time periods including the contiguous date range, the modified data including modified time-specific components of the property listings; based on the modified data, updating, by the computing device, the visuals to modified visuals representing the modified time-specific components of the property listings; and rendering, by the computing device, the modified visuals for display via the user interface as part of the calendar visual and the scheduling interface.”
The reason to withdraw the 35 USC 103 rejection of claims 1-14 and 18-23 in the instant application is because the prior art of record fails to teach the overall combination as claimed. Therefore, it would not have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to modify the prior art to meet the combination above without unequivocal hindsight and one of ordinary skill would have no reason to do so. Upon further searching the examiner could not identify any prior art to teach these limitations. The prior art on record, alone or in combination, neither anticipates, reasonably teaches, not renders obvious the Applicant’s claimed invention.
Known Prior Art (patent)
US 20220207450 A1
INTEGRATING VEHICLE DATA FOR PROVIDER AND PERSONAL RENTAL VEHICLES INTO A VEHICLE-FLEET PLATFORM AND FLEET MANAGEMENT INTERFACE
US 20150081350 A1
MOBILE ONLINE VACATION RENTAL BOOKING SYSTEM
US 20100145801 A1
METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR A TIME-AWARE OR CALENDAR-AWARE FACILITATOR TO IMPROVE UTILIZATION OF TIME-SENSITIVE OR PERISHABLE RESOURCES
US 20140200942 A1
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MANAGING SCHEDULES
US 20150332418 A1
REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD
US 20190266295 A1
PROACTIVE VEHICLE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULING BASED ON DIGITAL TWIN SIMULATIONS
US 20160291705 A1
CUSTOMIZING INPUT DEVICE OPERATION
US 20240073222 A1
TECHNIQUES FOR MANAGING PROJECTS AND MONITORING NETWORK-BASED ASSETS
US 20190188644 A1
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING CONTEXTUAL CALENDAR REMINDERS
Known Prior Art (NPL)
M. Seniv and B. Terenchyn, "Real estate selection software with machine learning elements," 2021 IEEE 16th International Conference on Computer Sciences and Information Technologies (CSIT), LVIV, Ukraine, 2021, pp. 305-308
Known Prior Art (foreign)
CN 113538067 A
An intercity online car-hailing requirement prediction method and system based on machine learning
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to JEREMY L GUNN whose telephone number is (571)270-1728. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday 6:30-4:30.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Jerry O'Connor can be reached at (571) 272-6787. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/JEREMY L GUNN/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3624
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