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 .
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and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114.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 01/09/2026 has been entered.
Status of Claims
This action is responsive to Applicant’s claims filed 01/09/2026.
Claims 1, 3-7, 9, and 11-14 are currently pending and have been examined here.
Claim 1, 3, 5, 11, and 13 have been amended.
Claims 2, 8, 10, and 15-20 have been canceled.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments, see pages 7-11 of Applicant’s Response filed 01/09/2026, with respect to the 35 U.S.C. 101 rejections have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
Applicant argues, on pages 8-9, that the claims do not recite one or more abstract ideas since the claims now recite the retrieval of information from databases via APIs and gateways, a step which cannot be said to comprise an abstract idea. Examiner respectfully disagrees. Examiner respectfully notes that the retrieval of this type of information does indeed recite an abstract idea, as a human could perform information retrieval through observation. The mere requirement to gather such information using an API and gateways, as outlined below, amounts to the generic computer implementation of the abstract idea, as well as the mere requirement to “apply” the abstract idea using an API and gateways. As such, Applicant’s arguments are found unpersuasive.
Applicant argues, on page 10, that the claims bring about a technical solution to a technical problem. Examiner respectfully disagrees. Examiner respectfully notes that the need to ascribe energy consumption to different tenants exists outside the realm of computer networks. Furthermore the solution proposed is not a technical one, as the entirety of the solution could be practiced outside the realm of the generic computer components recited and would still offer the benefit of ascribing usage to users and notifying them of a building health score, as outlined below. As such, Applicant’s arguments are found unpersuasive.
Applicant argues, on page 10, that the claims are similar to those of DDR Holdings, and therefore should be considered patent eligible. Examiner respectfully disagrees. Examiner respectfully notes that, unlike the claims in DDR, which brought about the technical benefit of preserving internet traffic by maintain the look and feel of a website, the claims at hand represent an improvement to the abstract idea itself (the gathering and displaying of energy related information) rather than to any technical component or technical field. As such, Applicant’s arguments are unpersuasive.
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 1-16 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 101. The claims are drawn to ineligible patent subject matter, because the claims are directed to a recited judicial exception to patentability (an abstract idea), without claiming something significantly more than the judicial exception itself.
Claims are ineligible for patent protection if they are drawn to subject matter which is not within one of the four statutory categories, or, if the subject matter claimed does fall into one of the four statutory categories, the claims are ineligible if they recite a judicial exception, are directed to that judicial exception, and do not recite additional elements which amount to significantly more than the judicial exception itself. Alice Corp. v. CLS Bank Int'l, 375 U.S. ___ (2014). Accordingly, claims are first analyzed to determine whether they fall into one of the four statutory categories of patent eligible subject matter. Then, if the claims fall within one of the four statutory categories, it must be determined whether the claims are directed to a judicial exception to patentability (i.e., a law of nature, a natural phenomenon, or an abstract idea). In determining whether a claim is directed to a judicial exception, the claim is first analyzed to determine whether the claim recites a judicial exception. If the claim does not recite one of these exceptions, the claim is directed to patent eligible subject matter under 35 U.S.C. 101. If the claim recites one of these exceptions, the claim is then analyzed to determine whether the claim recites additional elements that integrate the exception into a practical application of that exception. Claims which integrate the exception into a practical application of that exception are directed to patent eligible subject matter under 35 U.S.C. 101. If the claim fails to integrate the exception into a practical application of that exception, the claim is directed to an abstract idea. Finally, if the claims are directed to a judicial exception to patentability, the claims are then analyzed determine whether the claims are directed to patent eligible subject matter by reciting meaningful limitations which transform the judicial exception into something significantly more than the judicial exception itself. If they do not, the claims are not directed towards eligible subject matter under 35 U.S.C. § 101.
Regarding independent claims 1 and 13 the claims are directed to one of the four statutory categories (a process and a machine, respectively.) The claimed invention of independent claims 1 and 13 is directed to a judicial exception to patentability, an abstract idea. The claims include limitations which recite elements which can be properly characterized under at least one of the following groupings of subject matter recognized as abstract ideas by MPEP 2106.04(a):
Mathematical Concepts: mathematical relationships, mathematical formulas or equations, and mathematical calculations;
Certain methods of organizing human activity: fundamental economic principles or practices (including hedging, insurance, mitigating risk); commercial or legal interactions (including agreements in the form of contracts; legal obligations; advertising, marketing or sales activities or behaviors; business relations); managing personal behavior or relationships or interactions between people (including social activities, teaching, and following rules or instructions); and
Mental processes: concepts performed in the human mind (including an observation, evaluation, judgment, opinion)
Claims 1 and 13, as a whole, recite the following limitations:
receiving user input to customize a digital sign template for the particular tenant space, wherein the user input includes identifying one or more energy consumption KPIs that are associated with the particular tenant space for inclusion in the customized digital sign template; (claim 1; the broadest reasonable interpretation of this limitation recites mental processes since a human using their mind, pen and paper, and simple observation, evaluation, and judgment could receive this information; alternatively, the broadest reasonable interpretation of this limitation recites certain methods of organizing human activity in the form of commercial interactions such as business relations and sales activities since commercial energy companies would perform this step in keeping customers informed as to their energy KPIs)
wherein the one or more energy consumption KPIs are used to generate a building health score for the particular tenant space, the building health score based on at least an occupancy count, air quality parameters, and occupant behaviors of the particular tenant space; (claim 13; the broadest reasonable interpretation of this limitation recites mental processes since a human using their mind, pen and paper, and simple observation, evaluation, and judgment could generate a building health score based on these factors; alternatively, the broadest reasonable interpretation of this limitation recites certain methods of organizing human activity in the form of commercial interactions such as business relations and sales activities since commercial energy companies would perform this step in keeping customers informed as to their energy KPIs)
determining an energy consumption of each of one or more pieces of energy consuming equipment in the multi-tenant building; (claim 13; the broadest reasonable interpretation of this limitation recites mental processes since a human using their mind, pen and paper, and simple observation, evaluation, and judgment could determine an energy consumption of equipment in a building; alternatively, the broadest reasonable interpretation of this limitation recites certain methods of organizing human activity in the form of commercial interactions such as business relations and sales activities since commercial energy companies would perform this step in keeping customers informed as to their energy KPIs; alternatively still, the broadest reasonable interpretation of this limitation recites mathematical concepts since it is so broad as to encompass any mathematical formula or operation for determining energy consumption of pieces of equipment)
allocating a portion of the determined energy consumption of each of the one or more pieces of energy consuming equipment to a particular tenant space and an equipment service region of each of the one or more pieces of energy consuming equipment; (claim 13; the broadest reasonable interpretation of this limitation recites mental processes since a human using their mind, pen and paper, and simple observation, evaluation, and judgment could allocate portions of energy consumption to tenant spaces and equipment service regions; alternatively, the broadest reasonable interpretation of this limitation recites certain methods of organizing human activity in the form of commercial interactions such as business relations and sales activities since commercial energy companies would perform this step in keeping customers informed as to their energy KPIs)
determining. . . current values for the one or more energy consumption KPIs based at least in part on one or more points associated with energy consumption of the multi-tenant building according to the determined energy consumption, wherein the one or more points associated with energy consumption include one or more points associated with at least one of: one or more energy meters of the multi-tenant building one or more sub-meters of the multi-tenant building one or more control points associated with controlling an operating state of the one or more pieces of energy consuming equipment in the multi-tenant building and one or more sensors of a building control system of the multi-tenant building; (claim 13; the broadest reasonable interpretation of this limitation recites mental processes since a human using their mind, pen and paper, and simple observation, evaluation, and judgment could determine current values for KPIs based on these points associated with energy consumption; alternatively, the broadest reasonable interpretation of this limitation recites certain methods of organizing human activity in the form of commercial interactions such as business relations and sales activities since commercial energy companies would perform this step in keeping customers informed as to their energy KPIs; alternatively still, the broadest reasonable interpretation of this limitation recites mathematical concepts since it is so broad as to encompass any mathematical formula or operation for determining current values for KPIs based on these points)
storing the customized digital sign template. . . ; (claim 1; the broadest reasonable interpretation of this limitation recites mental processes since a human using their mind, pen and paper, and simple observation, evaluation, and judgment could store a template; alternatively, the broadest reasonable interpretation of this limitation recites certain methods of organizing human activity in the form of commercial interactions such as business relations and sales activities since commercial energy companies would perform this step in keeping customers informed as to their energy KPIs)
generating a registration code for the customized digital sign template; (claim 1; the broadest reasonable interpretation of this limitation recites mental processes since a human using their mind, pen and paper, and simple observation, evaluation, and judgment could generate a registration code for a template; alternatively, the broadest reasonable interpretation of this limitation recites certain methods of organizing human activity in the form of commercial interactions such as business relations and sales activities since commercial energy companies would perform this step in keeping customers informed as to their energy KPIs)
. . . entering the registration code for the customized digital sign template that correspond to the particular tenant space; (claim 1; the broadest reasonable interpretation of this limitation recites mental processes since a human using their mind, pen and paper, and simple observation, evaluation, and judgment could enter a registration code alternatively, the broadest reasonable interpretation of this limitation recites certain methods of organizing human activity in the form of commercial interactions such as business relations and sales activities since commercial energy companies would perform this step in keeping customers informed as to their energy KPIs)
, , , receiving the entered registration code for the customized digital sign template that correspond to the particular tenant space, and (claim 1; the broadest reasonable interpretation of this limitation recites mental processes since a human using their mind, pen and paper, and simple observation, evaluation, and judgment could receive an entered code; alternatively, the broadest reasonable interpretation of this limitation recites certain methods of organizing human activity in the form of commercial interactions such as business relations and sales activities since commercial energy companies would perform this step in keeping customers informed as to their energy KPIs)
in response. . . : retrieving the customized digital sign template that correspond to the registration code; (claim 1; the broadest reasonable interpretation of this limitation recites mental processes since a human using their mind, pen and paper, and simple observation, evaluation, and judgment could retrieve a customized digital sign template that corresponds to a code; alternatively, the broadest reasonable interpretation of this limitation recites certain methods of organizing human activity in the form of commercial interactions such as business relations and sales activities since commercial energy companies would perform this step in keeping customers informed as to their energy KPIs)
obtaining the current values for the one or more energy consumption KPIs that are associated with the particular tenant space and included in the customized digital sign template; (claim 1; the broadest reasonable interpretation of this limitation recites mental processes since a human using their mind, pen and paper, and simple observation, evaluation, and judgment could obtain these values; alternatively, the broadest reasonable interpretation of this limitation recites certain methods of organizing human activity in the form of commercial interactions such as business relations and sales activities since commercial energy companies would perform this step in keeping customers informed as to their energy KPIs)
and displaying. . . in the particular tenant space the retrieved customized digital sign template with the building health score and the current values for the one or more energy consumption KPIs that are included in the customized digital sign template. (claim 1; the broadest reasonable interpretation of this limitation recites mental processes since a human using their mind, pen and paper, and simple observation, evaluation, and judgment could display this information; alternatively, the broadest reasonable interpretation of this limitation recites certain methods of organizing human activity in the form of commercial interactions such as business relations and sales activities since commercial energy companies would perform this step in keeping customers informed as to their energy KPIs)
storing a plurality of predefined digital sign templates, each of the plurality of predefined digital sign templates references one or more energy consumption KPIs; (claim 13; the broadest reasonable interpretation of this limitation recites mental processes since a human using their mind, pen and paper, and simple observation, evaluation, and judgment could store a plurality of templates; alternatively, the broadest reasonable interpretation of this limitation recites certain methods of organizing human activity in the form of commercial interactions such as business relations and sales activities since commercial energy companies would perform this step in keeping customers informed as to their energy KPIs)
receive a selection of one of the plurality of predefined digital sign templates for the particular tenant space; (claim 13; the broadest reasonable interpretation of this limitation recites mental processes since a human using their mind, pen and paper, and simple observation, evaluation, and judgment could receive a selection of this type; alternatively, the broadest reasonable interpretation of this limitation recites certain methods of organizing human activity in the form of commercial interactions such as business relations and sales activities since commercial energy companies would perform this step in keeping customers informed as to their energy KPIs)
determine a current value for each of the one or more energy consumption KPIs referenced by the selected predefined digital sign template, the current value for each of the one or more energy consumption KPIs corresponding to energy consumption of the multi-tenant building that is attributable to the particular tenant space; (claim 13; the broadest reasonable interpretation of this limitation recites mental processes since a human using their mind, pen and paper, and simple observation, evaluation, and judgment could determine the current values of KPIs in this manner; alternatively, the broadest reasonable interpretation of this limitation recites certain methods of organizing human activity in the form of commercial interactions such as business relations and sales activities since commercial energy companies would perform this step in keeping customers informed as to their energy KPIs)
and display the selected predefined digital sign template. . . in the particular tenant space with the current value of the one or more energy consumption KPIs referenced by the selected predefined digital sign template. (claim 13; the broadest reasonable interpretation of this limitation recites mental processes since a human using their mind, pen and paper, and simple observation, evaluation, and judgment could display this information; alternatively, the broadest reasonable interpretation of this limitation recites certain methods of organizing human activity in the form of commercial interactions such as business relations and sales activities since commercial energy companies would perform this step in keeping customers informed as to their energy KPIs)
Moving forward, the above recited abstract idea is not integrated into a practical application.
The added limitations do not represent an integration of the abstract idea into a practical application because:
the claims represent mere instructions to implement an abstract idea on a computer, and merely use a computer as a tool to perform an abstract idea. See MPEP 2106.05(f).
the claims merely add insignificant extra-solution activity to the judicial exception (activity which can be characterized as incidental to the primary purpose or product that is merely a nominal or tangential addition to the claim). See MPEP 2106.05(g) and/or
the claims represent mere general linking of the use of the judicial exception to a particular technological environment or field of use. See MPEP 2016.05(h)
Beyond those limitations which recite the abstract idea, the following limitations are added:
A method for configuring a customized digital sign for display on a display device in a particular tenant space of a multi-tenant building, the method comprising: (claim 1; the broadest reasonable interpretation of this limitation represents mere instructions to implement the abstract idea on a generic computer used as a tool in its ordinary capacity; alternatively, the broadest reasonable interpretation of this limitation represents mere general linking of the abstract idea to a particular computer environment or field of use)
on a server (claim 1; the broadest reasonable interpretation of this limitation represents mere instructions to implement the abstract idea on a generic computer used as a tool in its ordinary capacity; alternatively, the broadest reasonable interpretation of this limitation represents mere general linking of the abstract idea to a particular computer environment or field of use)
accessing the server via the display device in the particular tenant space, (claim 1; the broadest reasonable interpretation of this limitation represents mere instructions to implement the abstract idea on a generic computer used as a tool in its ordinary capacity; alternatively, the broadest reasonable interpretation of this limitation represents mere general linking of the abstract idea to a particular computer environment or field of use; alternatively, the broadest reasonable interpretation of this limitation amounts the mere requirement to “apply” the judicial exception using a display device and server)
A system for configuring a customized digital sign for display on a display device in a particular tenant space of a multi-tenant building, the system comprising: (claim 13; the broadest reasonable interpretation of this limitation represents mere instructions to implement the abstract idea on a generic computer used as a tool in its ordinary capacity; alternatively, the broadest reasonable interpretation of this limitation represents mere general linking of the abstract idea to a particular computer environment or field of use)
a memory for (claim 13; the broadest reasonable interpretation of this limitation represents mere instructions to implement the abstract idea on a generic computer used as a tool in its ordinary capacity; alternatively, the broadest reasonable interpretation of this limitation represents mere general linking of the abstract idea to a particular computer environment or field of use)
a controller operatively coupled to the memory, the controller configured to: (claim 13; the broadest reasonable interpretation of this limitation represents mere instructions to implement the abstract idea on a generic computer used as a tool in its ordinary capacity; alternatively, the broadest reasonable interpretation of this limitation represents mere general linking of the abstract idea to a particular computer environment or field of use)
on a display device (claims 1, 13; the broadest reasonable interpretation of this limitation represents mere instructions to implement the abstract idea on a generic computer used as a tool in its ordinary capacity; alternatively, the broadest reasonable interpretation of this limitation represents mere general linking of the abstract idea to a particular computer environment or field of use)
. . . from a KPI aggregation service block via an application programming interface (API) gateway. . . (claim 1; the broadest reasonable interpretation of this limitation represents mere instructions to implement the abstract idea on a generic computer used as a tool in its ordinary capacity; alternatively, the broadest reasonable interpretation of this limitation represents mere general linking of the abstract idea to a particular computer environment or field of use; alternatively, the broadest reasonable interpretation of this limitation amounts the mere requirement to “apply” the judicial exception using a KPI aggregation service block and API gateway since the limitation merely uses these devices as tools in their ordinary capacity and since the limitation merely recites the outcome or solution of gathering information using these devices without indicating how the step is performed)
The claims, as a whole, are directed to the abstract idea(s) which they recite. The claim limitations do not present improvements to another technological field, nor do they improve the functioning of a computer or another technology. Nor do the claim limitations apply the judicial exception with, or by use of a particular machine. The claims do not effect a transformation or reduction of a particular article to a different state or thing. See MPEP 2106.05(c). None of the hardware in the claims "offers a meaningful limitation beyond generally linking 'the use of the [method] to a particular technological environment' that is, implementation via computers” such that the claim as a whole is more than a drafting effort designed to monopolize the exception. See MPEP 2106.05(e); Alice Corp. v. CLS Bank Int’l (citing Bilski v. Kappos, 561 U.S. 610, 611 (U.S. 2010)). Therefore, because the claims recite a judicial exception (an abstract idea) and do not integrate the judicial exception into a practical application, the claims, as a whole, are directed to the judicial exception.
Turning to the final prong of the test (Step 2B), independent claims 1 and 13 do not include additional elements that are sufficient to amount to significantly more than the judicial exception, because there are no meaningful limitations which transform the exception into a patent eligible application.
As outlined above, the claim limitations do not present improvements to another technological field, nor do they improve the functioning of a computer or another technology. Nor do the claim limitations apply the judicial exception with, or by use of a particular machine. The claims do not effect a transformation or reduction of a particular article to a different state or thing. See MPEP 2106.05(c). None of the hardware in the claims "offers a meaningful limitation beyond generally linking 'the use of the [method] to a particular technological environment' that is, implementation via computers” such that the claim as a whole is more than a drafting effort designed to monopolize the exception. See MPEP 2106.05(e); Alice Corp. v. CLS Bank Int’l (citing Bilski v. Kappos, 561 U.S. 610, 611 (U.S. 2010)).
Furthermore, no specific limitations are added which represent something other than what is well-understood, routine, and conventional activity in the field. See MPEP 2106.05(d). Besides performing the abstract idea itself, the generic computer components only serve to perform the court-recognized well-understood computer functions of receiving or transmitting data over a network, performing repetitive calculations, electronic record keeping, and storing and retrieving information in memory. See MPEP 2106.05(d). Looking at the limitations as an ordered combination adds nothing that is not already present when looking at the elements taken individually. Their collective functions merely provide conventional computer implementation. The specification details any combination of a generic computer system program to perform the method. Generically recited computer elements do not add a meaningful limitation to the abstract idea because they would be routine in any computer implementation and because the Alice decision noted that generic structures that merely apply the abstract ideas are not significantly more than the abstract ideas. Therefore, independent claims 1 and 13 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. §101 as being directed to ineligible subject matter.
Claims 3-7, 9, 11-12, 14, and 16, recite the same abstract idea as their respective independent claims.
The following additional features are added in the dependent claims:
Claim 3:
receiving user input to map one or more points associated with one or more of the energy meters and/or sub-meters of the multi-tenant building to the particular tenant space.
The broadest reasonable interpretation of this limitation recites mental processes since a human using their mind, pen and paper, and simple observation, evaluation, and judgment could receive user inputs of this type; alternatively, the broadest reasonable interpretation of this limitation recites certain methods of organizing human activity in the form of commercial interactions such as business relations and sales activities since commercial energy companies would perform this step in keeping customers informed as to their energy KPIs.
Claim 4:
receiving user input to allocate to the particular tenant space a specified portion of energy represented in one or more points associated with one or more of the energy meters and/or sub- meters that are mapped to the particular tenant space.
The broadest reasonable interpretation of this limitation recites mental processes since a human using their mind, pen and paper, and simple observation, evaluation, and judgment could receive user inputs of this type; alternatively, the broadest reasonable interpretation of this limitation recites certain methods of organizing human activity in the form of commercial interactions such as business relations and sales activities since commercial energy companies would perform this step in keeping customers informed as to their energy KPIs.
Claim 5:
receiving user input that includes: a mapping of energy consumption for each of the one or more pieces of equipment of the multi-tenant building to a corresponding region of the multi-tenant building;
and a mapping of the corresponding region for each of the one or more pieces of equipment to one or more tenant spaces of the multi-tenant building.
The broadest reasonable interpretation of this limitation recites mental processes since a human using their mind, pen and paper, and simple observation, evaluation, and judgment could receive user inputs of this type; alternatively, the broadest reasonable interpretation of this limitation recites certain methods of organizing human activity in the form of commercial interactions such as business relations and sales activities since commercial energy companies would perform this step in keeping customers informed as to their energy KPIs.
Claim 6:
receiving user input that defines one or more parameters of the particular tenant space, wherein the one or more parameters include a square footage of the particular tenant space.
The broadest reasonable interpretation of this limitation recites mental processes since a human using their mind, pen and paper, and simple observation, evaluation, and judgment could receive user inputs of this type; alternatively, the broadest reasonable interpretation of this limitation recites certain methods of organizing human activity in the form of commercial interactions such as business relations and sales activities since commercial energy companies would perform this step in keeping customers informed as to their energy KPIs.
Claim 7:
receiving user input that defines one or more energy consumption parameters of each of one or more of the pieces of equipment, wherein the one or more energy consumption parameters include one or more of: energy consumption of the corresponding piece of equipment over a period of time; and energy consumption of the corresponding piece of equipment over a period of time for each of a plurality of operating states of the corresponding piece of equipment.
The broadest reasonable interpretation of this limitation recites mental processes since a human using their mind, pen and paper, and simple observation, evaluation, and judgment could receive user inputs of this type; alternatively, the broadest reasonable interpretation of this limitation recites certain methods of organizing human activity in the form of commercial interactions such as business relations and sales activities since commercial energy companies would perform this step in keeping customers informed as to their energy KPIs.
Claim 9:
wherein the current values of one or more of the energy consumption KPIs is based at least in part on one or more points associated with one or more of the energy meters and/or sub-meters of the multi-tenant building that are mapped to the particular tenant space.
This limitation merely alters the values of the energy consumption KPIs used in the abstract idea above and therefore recites one or more abstract ideas for the reasons outlined above.
Claim 11:
wherein the one or more sensors include one or more of a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a flow sensor and a magnetic field sensor.
The broadest reasonable interpretation of this limitation represents mere instructions to implement the abstract idea on a generic computer used as a tool in its ordinary capacity; alternatively, the broadest reasonable interpretation of this limitation represents mere general linking of the abstract idea to a particular computer environment or field of use. Furthermore, Examiner respectfully notes that each sensor is recited at a high level of generality and merely functions in its ordinary capacity to bring information in the system. This limitation therefore amounts to the mere requirement to apply the abstract idea using one or more of these types of sensors.
Claim 12:
wherein the one or more energy consumption KPIs that are associated with the particular tenant space include one or more of: a reduction in energy consumption of the particular tenant space relative to a baseline energy consumption for the particular tenant space; a reduction in energy costs associated with the particular tenant space relative to a baseline energy cost for the particular tenant space; and a reduction in carbon footprint associated with the particular tenant space relative to a baseline carbon footprint for the particular tenant space.
This limitation merely alters the KPIs used in the abstract idea above and therefore recites one or more abstract ideas for the reasons outlined above.
Claim 14:
wherein after receiving the selection of one of the plurality of predefined digital sign templates for the particular tenant space, the controller is configured to send a registration code, receive the registration code from the display device in the particular tenant space, and after receive the registration code, display the selected predefined digital sign template on the display device in the particular tenant space.
The broadest reasonable interpretation of this limitation recites mental processes since a human using their mind, pen and paper, and simple observation, evaluation, and judgment could send a registration code, receive a code and display a template in response thereto; alternatively, the broadest reasonable interpretation of this limitation recites certain methods of organizing human activity in the form of commercial interactions such as business relations and sales activities since commercial energy companies would perform this step in keeping customers informed as to their energy KPIs.
The above limitations do not represent a practical application of the recited abstract idea. The claim limitations do not present improvements to another technological field, nor do they improve the functioning of a computer or another technology. Nor do the claim limitations apply the judicial exception with, or by use of a particular machine. The claims do not effect a transformation or reduction of a particular article to a different state or thing. See MPEP 2106.05(c). None of the hardware in the claims "offers a meaningful limitation beyond generally linking 'the use of the [method] to a particular technological environment' that is, implementation via computers” such that the claim as a whole is more than a drafting effort designed to monopolize the exception. See MPEP 2106.05(e); Alice Corp. v. CLS Bank Int’l (citing Bilski v. Kappos, 561 U.S. 610, 611 (U.S. 2010)). Therefore, because the claims recite a judicial exception (an abstract idea) and do not integrate the judicial exception into a practical application, the claims are also directed to the judicial exception.
Furthermore, the added limitations do not direct the claim to significantly more than the abstract idea. No specific limitations are added which represent something other than what is well-understood, routine, and conventional activity in the field. See MPEP 2106.05(d). Accordingly, none of the dependent claims 3-7, 9, 11-12, 14, and 16, individually, or as an ordered combination, are directed to patent eligible subject matter under 35 U.S.C. 101.
Please see MPEP §2106.05(d)(II) for a discussion of elements that the Courts have recognized as well-understood, routine, conventional, activity in particular fields.
Please see MPEP §2106 for examination guidelines regarding patent subject matter eligibility.
Conclusion
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/EMMETT K. WALSH/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3628