DETAILED ACTION
Status of Claims
This action is in reply to amendment and response filed on 10/27/2025. Claims 1, 11, 13 and 20 were amended. Claims 10 and 18 were cancelled. Claims 1-9, 11-17 and 19-20 are pending and examined.
Response to Arguments
101: The Applicant’s amendments and arguments have been fully considered but are not persuasive.
The Applicant essentially argues that amended claims overcome the rejection.
The Examiner disagrees.
The Applicant’s arguments are moot because of claim amendments that are substantive. Per example, claim 1 recites additional elements (e.g.: “obtaining a joining request for a target game scene in a game application, and querying the blockchain network for a joining condition for joining the target game scene based on the joining request, the joining request being for instructing to add the second object to the target game scene”) that necessitate a reconsideration of the claims.
As such, an updated rejection is provided that addresses the amended claims.
Examiner’s Notes
The prior of record includes US 20240185331 A1 (Imafuku) disclosing information processing device, US 20200193168 A1 (Zhao) disclosing shop platform using blockchain and US 20230059171 A1 (Seidl) disclosing intelligent performance-based real estate solutions.
Imafuku, Zhao and Seidi, individually or in combination, do not teach,
determine a warrant attribute corresponding to the target asset warrant, generate a rental transaction record regarding the virtual asset based on the warrant attribute and the resource transfer information, and upload the rental transaction record to the blockchain network, the rental transaction record being for indicating that the second object has a use permission for the virtual asset but does not have a transfer permission for the virtual asset;
obtain a joining request for a target game scene in a game application, and query the blockchain network for a joining condition for joining the target game scene based on the joining request, the joining request being for instructing to add the second object to the target game scene;
obtain game attribute information of the second object regarding the game application, and verify validity of the joining request based on the game attribute information, the rental transaction record, and the joining condition of the target game scene;
generate joining permission information in response to the joining request being valid, the joining permission information being for indicating that the second object has a joining permission for the target game scene.
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 1-9, 11-17 and 19-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 because the claimed invention is directed to an abstract idea without significantly more. (Step 1) The claims recite a process (claims 1-9, 11-12), an apparatus (claims 13-17 and 19) and an article of manufacture (claim 20. For the purposes of this analysis, representative claim 13 is addressed (from claims 1, 13 and 20). (Step 2A, prong 1) Abstract ideas are in bold below, and represent organizing human activity as a method of rental transaction validation and performance and an authorization transaction associated with the rental transaction, as are all a form of commercial or legal interactions and managing personal behavior or relationships or interactions between people.
A blockchain-based data processing apparatus, comprising:
a memory operable to store computer-readable instructions; and
a processor circuitry operable to read the computer-readable instructions, the processor circuitry when executing the computer-readable instructions is configured to:
upload rental information regarding a virtual asset to a blockchain network, the rental information being for indicating that the virtual asset of a first object is in a rental pending state;
obtain a rental request generated for the rental information, the rental request carrying resource transfer information of the virtual asset, the resource transfer information comprising a numerical resource value of electronic resources to be transferred by a second object for renting the virtual asset;
transfer a target asset warrant of the virtual asset from an account address of the first object to an account address of the second object, and transfer the electronic resources of the numerical resource value from the account address of the second object to the account address of the first object, the target asset warrant being for indicating that the first object has an ownership for the virtual asset;
determine a warrant attribute corresponding to the target asset warrant, generate a rental transaction record regarding the virtual asset based on the warrant attribute and the resource transfer information, and upload the rental transaction record to the blockchain network, the rental transaction record being for indicating that the second object has a use permission for the virtual asset but does not have a transfer permission for the virtual asset;
obtain a joining request for a target game scene in a game application, and query the blockchain network for a joining condition for joining the target game scene based on the joining request, the joining request being for instructing to add the second object to the target game scene;
obtain game attribute information of the second object regarding the game application, and verify validity of the joining request based on the game attribute information, the rental transaction record, and the joining condition of the target game scene;
generate joining permission information in response to the joining request being valid, the joining permission information being for indicating that the second object has a joining permission for the target game scene; and
upload the joining permission information to the blockchain network, and transmit the joining permission information to an application server of the game application, the joining permission information being for instructing the application server to add the second object to the target game scene.
(Step 2A prong 2) The additional elements are as follows:
“A blockchain-based data processing apparatus, comprising”, “a memory operable to store computer-readable instructions” and “a processor circuitry operable to read the computer-readable instructions, the processor circuitry when executing the computer-readable instructions is configured to”. This is no more than “apply it” as the “blockchain-based data processing apparatus, comprising”, “memory operable to store computer-readable instructions” and “processor circuitry operable to read the computer-readable instructions, the processor circuitry when executing the computer-readable instructions is configured” are claimed at a high level of generality, receive the information, perform the abstract idea, and output the results.
“upload rental information regarding a virtual asset to a blockchain network”. This is no more than “apply it” as “upload rental information regarding a virtual asset to a blockchain network“ is claimed at a high level of generality, receives the information, performs the abstract idea, and outputs the results.
“virtual [asset]” and “electronic [resources]”. This is general linking as the “virtual [asset]” and “electronic [resources]” do no more than link the use of the abstract idea to a particular technological environment or field of use.
“upload the rental transaction record to the blockchain network”. This is no more than “apply it” as “upload the rental transaction record to the blockchain network“ is claimed at a high level of generality, receives the information, performs the abstract idea, and outputs the results.
“a game application”. This is no more than “apply it” as the “game application“ is claimed at a high level of generality, receives the information, performs the abstract idea, and outputs the results.
“upload the joining permission information to the blockchain network, and transmit the joining permission information to an application server of the game application”. This is no more than “apply it” as “upload the joining permission information to the blockchain network, and transmit the joining permission information to an application server of the game application“ is claimed at a high level of generality, receives the information, performs the abstract idea, and outputs the results.
(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 into a practical application, the additional elements amount do no more than provide mere instructions to apply the abstract idea of using generic computer components. The claim elements when considered separately and in an ordered combination, do not add significantly more than implementing the abstract idea of rental transaction validation and performance and an authorization transaction associated with the rental transaction, over a generic computer network with generic computing elements, and generic hardware.
Analysis of dependent claims 5 and 15 recited “obtaining a release request for the rental information regarding the virtual asset, the release request carrying the rental information of the virtual asset and an object identifier of the first object transmitting the release request” and “determining a unit asset value corresponding to a unit asset quantity of the virtual asset based on the release request, and verifying validity of the release request based on the object identifier of the first object and the unit asset value” and “uploading the rental information regarding the virtual asset to the blockchain network in response to the release request being valid” additional details which further narrow the abstract idea and additional elements.
The additional elements are as follows:
“[…] transmitting the release request”. This is no more than “apply it” as “transmitting the release request” is claimed at a high level of generality, receives the information, performs the abstract idea, and outputs the results.
“uploading the rental information regarding the virtual asset to the blockchain network”. This is no more than “apply it” as “uploading the rental information regarding the virtual asset to the blockchain network” is claimed at a high level of generality, receives the information, performs the abstract idea, and outputs the results.
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 into a practical application, the additional elements amount do no more than provide mere instructions to apply the abstract idea of using generic computer components. The claim elements when considered separately and in an ordered combination, do not add significantly more than implementing the abstract idea of rental transaction validation and performance and an authorization transaction associated with the rental transaction, over a generic computer network with generic computing elements, and generic hardware.
Analysis of dependent claims 7 and 16 recited “wherein the rental transaction record is further for indicating a rental period during which the second object rents the virtual asset”, “returning the target asset warrant of the virtual asset to the account address of the first object in response to the current system time failing to fall within the rental period”, “generating invalidity indication information indicating that the rental transaction record is in an invalidity state, and uploading the invalidity indication information to the blockchain network”; and “transmitting the invalidity indication information to a first terminal corresponding to the first object and a second terminal corresponding to the second object, the invalidity indication information being further for indicating that the first object recovers the ownership for the virtual asset and that the second object loses the use permission for the virtual asset” additional details which further narrow the abstract idea and additional elements.
The additional elements are as follows:
“uploading the invalidity indication information to the blockchain network”. This is no more than “apply it” as “uploading the invalidity indication information to the blockchain network” is claimed at a high level of generality, receives the information, performs the abstract idea, and outputs the results.
“transmitting the invalidity indication information to a first terminal corresponding to the first object and a second terminal corresponding to the second object”. This is no more than “apply it” as “transmitting the invalidity indication information to a first terminal corresponding to the first object and a second terminal corresponding to the second object” is claimed at a high level of generality, receives the information, performs the abstract idea, and outputs the results.
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 into a practical application, the additional elements amount do no more than provide mere instructions to apply the abstract idea of using generic computer components. The claim elements when considered separately and in an ordered combination, do not add significantly more than implementing the abstract idea of rental transaction validation and performance and an authorization transaction associated with the rental transaction, over a generic computer network with generic computing elements, and generic hardware.
Analysis of dependent claims 8 and 17 recited “obtaining a transfer request for the virtual asset, the transfer request carrying an object identifier of a transferor”, “querying the blockchain network for transaction data associated with the virtual asset in response to the object identifier of the transferor being same as the object identifier of the first object”, “executing the transfer request for the virtual asset in response to the transaction data associated with the virtual asset comprising the rental transaction record for the virtual asset and comprising the invalidity indication information of the rental transaction record for the virtual asset” and “suspending the execution of the transfer request for the virtual asset in response to the transaction data associated with the virtual asset comprising the rental transaction record for the virtual asset but not comprising the invalidity indication information of the rental transaction record for the virtual asset” additional details which further narrow the abstract idea and additional elements.
The additional elements are as follows:
“executing the transfer request for the virtual asset […]” and “suspending the execution of the transfer request for the virtual asset […]”. This is no more than “apply it” as “executing the transfer request for the virtual asset” and “suspending the execution of the transfer request for the virtual asset” is claimed at a high level of generality, receives the information, performs the abstract idea, and outputs the results.
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 into a practical application, the additional elements amount do no more than provide mere instructions to apply the abstract idea of using generic computer components. The claim elements when considered separately and in an ordered combination, do not add significantly more than implementing the abstract idea of rental transaction validation and performance and an authorization transaction associated with the rental transaction, over a generic computer network with generic computing elements, and generic hardware.
Analysis of dependent claim 9 recited “suspending the execution of the transfer request and generating transfer suspension indication information in response to the object identifier of the transferor being same as the object identifier of the second object, the transfer suspension indication information being for indicating that the second object does not have the transfer permission for the virtual asset”, “transmitting the transfer suspension indication information to the second terminal corresponding to the second object, and uploading the transfer request to the blockchain network” and “adjusting a credit rating of the second object based on the transfer request to obtain an adjusted credit rating, and suspending the execution of the rental request of the second object in response to the adjusted credit rating being less than a rating threshold.” additional details which further narrow the abstract idea and additional elements.
The additional elements are as follows:
“suspending the execution of the transfer request”. This is no more than “apply it” as “suspending the execution of the transfer request” is claimed at a high level of generality, receives the information, performs the abstract idea, and outputs the results.
“transmitting the transfer suspension indication information to the second terminal corresponding to the second object, and uploading the transfer request to the blockchain network”. This is no more than “apply it” as “transmitting the transfer suspension indication information to the second terminal corresponding to the second object, and uploading the transfer request to the blockchain network” is claimed at a high level of generality, receives the information, performs the abstract idea, and outputs the results.
“suspending the execution of the rental request of the second object ”. This is no more than “apply it” as “suspending the execution of the rental request of the second object” is claimed at a high level of generality, receives the information, performs the abstract idea, and outputs the results.
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 into a practical application, the additional elements amount do no more than provide mere instructions to apply the abstract idea of using generic computer components. The claim elements when considered separately and in an ordered combination, do not add significantly more than implementing the abstract idea of rental transaction validation and performance and an authorization transaction associated with the rental transaction, over a generic computer network with generic computing elements, and generic hardware.
Analysis of dependent claims 12 and 19 recited “obtaining an object registration request transmitted by a third terminal, the object registration request comprising an object identifier of a third object corresponding to the third terminal and an account address of the third object”, “invoking a registration function in the blockchain network based on the object registration request”, “obtaining object attribute information of the third object based on the registration function, and verifying validity of the third object based on the attribute information of the third object”, and “associatively storing the account address corresponding to the third terminal and the object identifier corresponding to the third terminal in the blockchain network in response to the third object being valid” additional details which further narrow the abstract idea and additional elements.
The additional elements are as follows:
“[…] transmitted by a third terminal”. This is no more than “apply it” as “transmitted by the terminal” is claimed at a high level of generality, receives the information, performs the abstract idea, and outputs the results.
“invoking a registration function in the blockchain network based on the object registration request”. This is no more than “apply it” as “invoking a registration function in the blockchain network based on the object registration request” is claimed at a high level of generality, receives the information, performs the abstract idea, and outputs the results.
“associatively storing the account address corresponding to the third terminal and the object identifier corresponding to the third terminal in the blockchain network”. This is no more than “apply it” as “associatively storing the account address corresponding to the third terminal and the object identifier corresponding to the third terminal in the blockchain network” is claimed at a high level of generality, receives the information, performs the abstract idea, and outputs the results.
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 into a practical application, the additional elements amount do no more than provide mere instructions to apply the abstract idea of using generic computer components. The claim elements when considered separately and in an ordered combination, do not add significantly more than implementing the abstract idea of rental transaction validation and performance and an authorization transaction associated with the rental transaction, over a generic computer network with generic computing elements, and generic hardware.
Analysis of dependent claims 2-4, 6, 11 and 14 recited additional details which only further narrow the abstract idea and do not add any additional features, alone or in combination, that would provide a practical application or provide significantly more.
Conclusion
Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.
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/BROCK E TURK/Examiner, Art Unit 3692
/RYAN D DONLON/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 3692