Prosecution Insights
Last updated: July 17, 2026
Application No. 18/575,122

METHOD OF IMPROVING PROCESSING SPEED OF TRANSACTION IN BLOCKCHAIN NETWORK

Non-Final OA §103§112
Filed
Dec 28, 2023
Priority
Jun 30, 2021 — RE 10-2021-0085986 +2 more
Examiner
WAI, ERIC CHARLES
Art Unit
2195
Tech Center
2100 — Computer Architecture & Software
Assignee
Artifriends Inc.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
82%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
1y 1m
Est. Remaining
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 82% — above average
82%
Career Allowance Rate
536 granted / 651 resolved
+27.3% vs TC avg
Strong +27% interview lift
Without
With
+26.8%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 8m
Avg Prosecution
12 currently pending
Career history
677
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
3.2%
-36.8% vs TC avg
§103
84.8%
+44.8% vs TC avg
§102
5.3%
-34.7% vs TC avg
§112
3.0%
-37.0% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 651 resolved cases

Office Action

§103 §112
DETAILED ACTION Claims 1-11 are presented for examination. 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 Rejections - 35 USC § 112 Claims 1-11 rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention. The following terms are not clearly understood: Claim 1 recites, “constructing middleware that supports bundled processing of data loading and storage” in the preamble. However, steps a), b), and c) lack any clarifying language as to how this middleware is constructed. It is therefore unclear, how the constructing of middleware is to be performed. It is also unclear whether the construction of the middleware is a required step or merely a descriptive preamble. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103 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. Claim(s) 1-4 and 7 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Verma et al. (US PG Pub No. 2020/0013025 A1) in view of Rainey et al. (US Pat No. 11,100,502). Regarding claim 1, Verma teaches a method of improving a processing speed of a transaction in a blockchain network by constructing middleware that supports bundled processing of data loading and storage, each step of the method being performed by a computer system in the blockchain network, the method comprising steps of: b) storing data to be stored in a bundle in the blockchain network according to a type of transaction to be processed after execution of the smart contract on the data loaded in the bundle ([0005]; wherein a differed block chain transaction is held in a transaction queue, and committed to the ledge only after a conditions is met; [0045], wherein conditions can include transaction count; [0050], wherein transactions are bundled based on type); and c) performing bundled processing in units of blocks on the stored data without individually processing the transaction to be processed ([0005]; [0007-8]). Verma does not teach a) loading data necessary for transaction processing in a bundle in advance onto the blockchain network according to a type of transaction presented by a client before execution of a smart contract. Rainey teaches first storing contracts on the blockchain along with data objects wherein the data object comprises values related to the transaction (col 2 lines 26-42). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to loading data necessary for transaction processing in a bundle in advance onto the blockchain network according to a type of transaction presented by a client before execution of a smart contract. One would be motivate by the desire to store the current status of all attributes and attribute values in real time as taught by Rainey (col 2 lines 50-61). Regarding claim 2, Rainey teaches wherein a type of data to be loaded is specified in the contract (col 2 lines 26-42). Regarding claim 3, Rainey teaches wherein a procedure for processing the transaction is specified in the contract (col 2 lines 26-42). Regarding claim 4, Verma teaches wherein, in the step a), the data loaded in a bundle in advance according to a type of transaction comprises “Send,” which is a block-based data bundle of a transaction for transmission of an issued token ([0053]). Regarding claim 7, Verma teaches wherein, in the step b), the data stored in a bundle according to a type of transaction comprises “Send,” which is a block-based data bundle of a transaction for transmission of an issued token ([0053]). Claim(s) 6 and 9is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Verma et al. (US PG Pub No. 2020/0013025 A1) in view of Rainey et al. (US Pat No. 11,100,502), further in view of Ingargiola (US PG Pub No. 2021/0073913 A1). Regarding claim 6, Verma and Rainey do not teach wherein, in the step a), the data loaded in a bundle in advance according to a type of transaction comprises “Burn,” which is a block-based data bundle of a transaction for burn processing for use of an issued token. Ingargiola teaches the use of the burn (redeem/tokenization) process ([0215]). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention that the data is loaded in a bundle in advance according to a type of transaction comprises “Burn,” which is a block-based data bundle of a transaction for burn processing for use of an issued token. One would be motivate by the desire to implement standard token blockchain manipulation commands as taught by Ingargiola Regarding claim 9, Verma and Rainey do not teach wherein, in the step b), the data stored in a bundle according to a type of transaction comprises “Burn,” which is a block-based data bundle of a transaction for burn processing for use of an issued token. Ingargiola teaches the use of the burn (redeem/tokenization) process ([0215]). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention that the data is loaded in a bundle in advance according to a type of transaction comprises “Burn,” which is a block-based data bundle of a transaction for burn processing for use of an issued token. One would be motivate by the desire to implement standard token blockchain manipulation commands as taught by Ingargiola Claim(s) 5, 8, and 10-11 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Verma et al. (US PG Pub No. 2020/0013025 A1) in view of Rainey et al. (US Pat No. 11,100,502), further in view of Andon (US PG Pub No. 2020/0273048 A1). Regarding claim 5, Verma and Rainey do not teach wherein, in the step a), the data loaded in a bundle in advance according to a type of transaction comprises “MintNFT,” which is a block-based data bundle of a transaction that creates a non-fungible token (NFT). It is old and well known to create NFTs using a transaction associated with blockchain. For example, Andon teaches that “upon creation of an encrypted digital asset, the Platform 410 may transmit a token, with a matching public key and owner ID, to a distributed blockchain ledger 422 to record and peer-validate transfers of the cryptographic digital asset, such as a unique non-fungible token (NFT), on a transaction block” ([0133]). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill before the effective filing date of the invention that the type of transaction comprises “MintNFT,” which is a block-based data bundle of a transaction that creates a non-fungible token (NFT). One would be motivated by the desire to utilize blockchain for providing an audit trail for digital assets as taught by Andon. Regarding claim 8, Verma and Rainey do not teach wherein, in the step b), the data stored in a bundle according to a type of transaction comprises “MintNFT,” which is a block-based data bundle of a transaction that creates an NFT. It is old and well known to create NFTs using a transaction associated with blockchain. For example, Andon teaches that “upon creation of an encrypted digital asset, the Platform 410 may transmit a token, with a matching public key and owner ID, to a distributed blockchain ledger 422 to record and peer-validate transfers of the cryptographic digital asset, such as a unique non-fungible token (NFT), on a transaction block” ([0133]). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill before the effective filing date of the invention that the type of transaction comprises “MintNFT,” which is a block-based data bundle of a transaction that creates a non-fungible token (NFT). One would be motivated by the desire to utilize blockchain for providing an audit trail for digital assets as taught by Andon. Regarding claim 10, Verma teaches wherein, in the step a), the data loaded in a bundle in advance according to a type of transaction comprises at least one of “Send,” which is a block-based data bundle of a transaction for transmission of an issued token ([0053]). Verma does not teach, “MintNFT,” which is a block-based data bundle of a transaction that creates an NFT, or “Burn,” which is a block-based data bundle of a transaction for burn processing for use of an issued token. It is old and well known to create NFTs using a transaction associated with blockchain. For example, Andon teaches that “upon creation of an encrypted digital asset, the Platform 410 may transmit a token, with a matching public key and owner ID, to a distributed blockchain ledger 422 to record and peer-validate transfers of the cryptographic digital asset, such as a unique non-fungible token (NFT), on a transaction block” ([0133]). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill before the effective filing date of the invention that the type of transaction comprises “MintNFT,” which is a block-based data bundle of a transaction that creates a non-fungible token (NFT). One would be motivated by the desire to utilize blockchain for providing an audit trail for digital assets as taught by Andon. Regarding claim 11, Verma teaches wherein, in the step b), the data stored in a bundle according to a type of transaction comprises at least one of “Send,” which is a block-based data bundle of a transaction for transmission of an issued token ([0053]). Verma does not teach “MintNFT,” which is a block-based data bundle of a transaction that creates an NFT, or “Burn,” which is a block-based data bundle of a transaction for burn processing for use of an issued token. It is old and well known to create NFTs using a transaction associated with blockchain. For example, Andon teaches that “upon creation of an encrypted digital asset, the Platform 410 may transmit a token, with a matching public key and owner ID, to a distributed blockchain ledger 422 to record and peer-validate transfers of the cryptographic digital asset, such as a unique non-fungible token (NFT), on a transaction block” ([0133]). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill before the effective filing date of the invention that the type of transaction comprises “MintNFT,” which is a block-based data bundle of a transaction that creates a non-fungible token (NFT). One would be motivated by the desire to utilize blockchain for providing an audit trail for digital assets as taught by Andon. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ERIC C WAI whose telephone number is (571)270-1012. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday 9-5. 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, Aimee Li can be reached at (571) 272-4169. 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. /Eric C Wai/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2195
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Dec 28, 2023
Application Filed
Jun 23, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103, §112 (current)

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Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
82%
Grant Probability
99%
With Interview (+26.8%)
3y 8m (~1y 1m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 651 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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