Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 02, 2026
Application No. 18/670,354

CANONICAL MODEL FOR PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

Final Rejection §103§112
Filed
May 21, 2024
Priority
Oct 15, 2019 — provisional 62/915,251 +1 more
Examiner
LIN, ALLEN S
Art Unit
2153
Tech Center
2100 — Computer Architecture & Software
Assignee
Allstate Insurance Company
OA Round
4 (Final)
67%
Grant Probability
Favorable
5-6
OA Rounds
12m
Est. Remaining
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 67% — above average
67%
Career Allowance Rate
167 granted / 250 resolved
+11.8% vs TC avg
Strong +57% interview lift
Without
With
+56.8%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 4m
Avg Prosecution
17 currently pending
Career history
284
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
20.0%
-20.0% vs TC avg
§103
55.1%
+15.1% vs TC avg
§102
6.4%
-33.6% vs TC avg
§112
12.2%
-27.8% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 250 resolved cases

Office Action

§103 §112
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 The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b): (b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention. The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph: The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention. Claims 1-17, 19, 20 are 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 pre-AIA the applicant regards as the invention. Independent claims recite merging outputs to generate an output and it becomes indefinite what is an output and which output is which or what. Dependent claims are rejected for depending off independent claims. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103 In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status. The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action: A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102 of this title, 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, 3, 8, 9, 11, 16 17, 20 are/is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Katzin et al. US2012/0011067 in view of Corneil et al. US2003/0065623 in view of Arbogast US8429527 Regarding claim 1, Katzin teaches: receiving, at an application on a computing device, one or more inputs in a first format; (Katzin see paragraph 0026 0027 0032 0106 transaction requests or messages for example a URL or IP address, entity or third party structures written in format such as JSON NVP) determining whether the first format of the one or more inputs complies with a schema defined by a canonical model, the schema including a standardized format usable by one or more target applications, wherein the one or more target applications are different than the application; (Katzin see paragraph 0032 0084 0095 0106-0108 messages and requests require translation to be in standard or canonical format based on XML schema, merchant to format request to be fully integrated by complying with requirements such that third party message content is external to system with application layer which reads on target application being different) transforming the one or more inputs into the standardized format to comply with the schema defined by the canonical model based on a determination that the transformation of the first format improves processing of the one or more inputs by the one or more target applications (Katzin see paragraph 0032 0084 0095 0106-0108 messages and requests require translation to be in standard or canonical format based on XML schema, merchant to format request to be fully integrated by complying with requirements such that third party message content is external to system with application layer) Katzin does not distinctly disclose: generating a request using the transformed one or more inputs transmitting, to the one or more target applications, the request; receiving a response from the one or more target application, the response including one or more outputs in the standardized format; transforming the one or more outputs from the standardized format into the first format in which the one or more inputs were received; and merging the one or more inputs having the first format and the one or more outputs transformed into the first format to generate an output including a product However, Corneil teaches: generating a request using the transformed one or more inputs transmitting, to the one or more target applications, the request; (Corneil see paragraph 0005 0011 0023 0035 0045 incoming message format from a trading partner and transforming to canonical format then transformed to output format to send output message to second trading partner such that trading partners are on distinct applications) receiving a response from the one or more target application, the response including one or more outputs in the standardized format; (Corneil see paragraphs 0045 0046 messages to be used in network foundation are in a particular format such that messages sent to network foundation result in message alerts or notifications moving through network foundation or billing events being generated. Message alerts, notifications, billing events reads on response with output, all messages in network foundation being in a particular format reads on output being in standardized format) transforming the one or more outputs from the standardized format into the first format in which the one or more inputs were received; and outputs transformed into the first format (Corneil see paragraph 0038 0040 transformed document can be returned to raw XML stream such that XML was the original input format into translation engine) It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified a translation of messages as taught by Katzin to include format conversion as taught by Corneil for the predictable result of more efficiently organizing and managing data. Katzin does not distinctly disclose: merging the one or more inputs having the first format and the one or more outputs to generate an output including a product Arbogast teaches: merging the one or more inputs having the first format and the one or more outputs to generate an output including a product (Arbogast see col. 9 lines 28-67 col. 10 lines 1-43 document reassembly has a single output document or merged output and uses input data such as XML document to be combined with job results) It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified a translation of messages as taught by Katzin to include data merging as taught by Arbogast for the predictable result of more efficiently organizing and managing data. Regarding claim 3, Katzin teaches: transforming, at an application programming interface (API), the one or more inputs to a standardized format that complies with the schema defined by the canonical model and (Katzin see paragraph 0032 0049 0084 0095 0106-0108 messages and requests require translation to be in standard or canonical format based on XML schema where account validation request to canonical transformer in gateway abstraction layer and where translation happens to specific API) validating that the transformed one or more inputs in the standardized format comply with the schema defined by the canonical model. (Katzin see paragraph 0032 0084 0095 0106-0108 messages and requests require translation to be in standard or canonical format based on XML schema, merchant to format request to be fully integrated by complying with requirements) Regarding claim 8, Katzin teaches: further comprising receiving at least one of a content type, a content encoding, a source application identifier, or a target application identifier associated with the one or more inputs (Katzin see paragraphs 0087, 0090, 0091 0092 service identifiers, payment network identifier, use of single format) Regarding claims 9, 11, 16-18, 20, note the rejection of claim(s) 1, 3, 8. The instant claims recite substantially same limitations as the above-rejected claims and are therefore rejected under same prior-art teachings. Claim(s) 2, 5, 10, 13, 19 are/is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Katzin et al. US2012/0011067 in view of Corneil et al. US2003/0065623 in view of Arbogast US8429527 in view of Mischook et al. US2014/0122647 Regarding claim 2, Katzin teaches: further comprising recieving content information, and the content information represents the one or more inputs. (Katzin see paragraph 0032 0095 0106-0108 messages and requests require translation to be in standard or canonical format based on XML schema) Katzin does not distinctly disclose: header information and the header information includes format information representing the standardized format However, Mischook teaches: header information and the header information includes format information representing the standardized format (Mischook see paragraph 0019 header data including fields identifying format of requested data and field identifying application) It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified a translation of messages as taught by Katzin to include header data as taught by Mischook for the predictable result of more efficiently organizing and managing data. Regarding claim 5, Katzin teaches: further comprising mapping the transformed one or more inputs in the standardized format to the one or more target applications, and receiving content information (Katzin see paragraph 0048 0049 translation between formats of information based on mapping) Katzin does not distinctly disclose: header information, the header information includes a field representing the one or more target applications. However, Mischook teaches: header information, the header information includes a field representing the one or more target applications. (Mischook see paragraph 0019 header data including fields identifying format of requested data and field identifying application) It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified a translation of messages as taught by Katzin to include header data as taught by Mischook for the predictable result of more efficiently organizing and managing data. Regarding claims 10, 13, 19, note the rejection of claim(s) 2, 5. The instant claims recite substantially same limitations as the above-rejected claims and are therefore rejected under same prior-art teachings. Claim(s) 4, 12 are/is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Katzin et al. US2012/0011067 in view of Corneil et al. US2003/0065623 in view of Arbogast US8429527 in view of Mcllroy et al. US2020/0249877 Regarding claim 4, Katzin teaches: at the application, the first format (Katzin see paragraph 0032 0095 0106-0108 messages and requests require translation to be in standard or canonical format based on XML schema) Transforming the inputs into the standardized format (Katzin see paragraph 0032 0095 0106-0108 messages and requests require translation to be in standard or canonical format based on XML schema where account validation request to canonical transformer in gateway abstraction layer) Katzin does not distinctly disclose: compressing inputs to provide compressed one or more inputs; decompressing, at the API, the compressed one or more inputs to provide decompressed inputs; and However, Mcllroy teaches: compressing inputs to provide compressed one or more inputs; (Mcllroy see paragraph 0034 0200 compression of data at API) decompressing, at the API, the compressed one or more inputs to provide decompressed inputs; (Mcllroy see paragraph 0034 0200 decompressing compressed data at API) It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified a translation of messages as taught by Katzin to include compression and decompression as taught by Mcllroy for the predictable result of more efficiently organizing and managing data. Regarding claim 12, see rejection of claim 4 Claim(s) 6, 14 are/is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Katzin et al. US2012/0011067 in view of Corneil et al. US2003/0065623 in view of Arbogast US8429527 in view of Zaslavksy et al. US2014/0156684 Regarding claim 6, Katzin teaches: defined by the canonical model. (Katzin see paragraph 0032 0084 0095 0106-0108 messages and requests require translation to be in standard or canonical format based on XML schema, merchant to format request to be fully integrated by complying with requirements) Katzin does not distinctly disclose: receiving a configuration file schema defined by a configuration file of an application- specific schema of the application used to obtain the one or more inputs in the first format, and comparing the configuration file schema defined by the configuration file with the schema However, Zaslavksy teaches: receiving a configuration file schema defined by a configuration file of an application- specific schema of the application used to obtain the one or more inputs in the first format, and comparing the configuration file schema defined by the configuration file with the schema (Zaslavsky see paragraph 0045 compare schema of received request to schema identified in configuration file such that specific common format is used for given attribute) It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified a translation of messages as taught by Katzin to include comparing schemas as taught by Zaslavksy for the predictable result of more efficiently organizing and managing data. Regarding claim 14, see rejection of claim 6 Claim(s) 7, 15 are/is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Katzin et al. US2012/0011067 in view of Corneil et al. US2003/0065623 in view of Arbogast US8429527 in view of Zaslavksy et al. US2014/0156684 in view of Kawaguchi et al. US7793255 Regarding claim 7, Katzin teaches: defined by the canonical model occurs (Katzin see paragraph 0032 0084 0095 0106-0108 messages and requests require translation to be in standard or canonical format based on XML schema, merchant to format request to be fully integrated by complying with requirements) Zaslavksy teaches: wherein comparing the configuration file schema defined by the configuration file with the schema (Zaslavsky see paragraph 0045 compare schema of received request to schema identified in configuration file such that specific common format is used for given attribute) It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified a translation of messages as taught by Katzin to include comparing schemas as taught by Zaslavksy for the predictable result of more efficiently organizing and managing data. Katzin does not distinctly disclose: comparing the first schema when the application is compiled, at a run time of the application, or when the configuration file is updated. Kawaguchi teaches: comparing the first schema when the application is compiled, at a run time of the application, or when the configuration file is updated. (Kawaguchi see col. 5 lines 12-23 comparing data to schema when compiling for API) It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified a translation of messages as taught by Katzin to include comparing schemas as taught by Kawaguchi for the predictable result of more efficiently organizing and managing data. Regarding claim 15, see rejection of claim 7 Response to arguments Applicant’s argument: Newly amended claims over come the current prior art Examiner’s response: Applicant’s argument is considered but is not persuasive. The amended transforming limitation recites the concept of transforming an output from the standardized format back to the original input format. The Corneil reference teaches an input in a given input to be transformed then returned back to the original input format which teaches the claimed limitation. The amended merging limitation recites inputs in a format and a transformed output format merged as an output. Arboblast teaches merging input data and job results to create an output. Arboblast when combined with Corneil means the job results can be the transformed back to original input format. Combined the prior art teaches the merging limitation as newly amended. 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 extension fee 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 date of this final action. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ALLEN S LIN whose telephone number is (571)270-0612. The examiner can normally be reached on M-F 9-5. If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Kavita Stanley can be reached on (571)272-8352. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. Information regarding the status of an application may be obtained from the Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system. Status information for published applications may be obtained from either Private PAIR or Public PAIR. Status information for unpublished applications is available through Private PAIR only. For more information about the PAIR system, see http://pair-direct.uspto.gov. Should you have questions on access to the Private PAIR system, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative or access to the automated information system, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. /ALLEN S LIN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2153
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Show 2 earlier events
Apr 17, 2025
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103, §112
Aug 08, 2025
Response Filed
Aug 20, 2025
Final Rejection mailed — §103, §112
Jan 20, 2026
Request for Continued Examination
Jan 27, 2026
Response after Non-Final Action
May 29, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103, §112
Aug 31, 2026
Response Filed
Sep 11, 2026
Final Rejection mailed — §103, §112 (current)

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Prosecution Projections

5-6
Expected OA Rounds
67%
Grant Probability
99%
With Interview (+56.8%)
3y 4m (~12m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
High
PTA Risk
Based on 250 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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