Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 18/844,375

CRYPTOGRAPHIC KEY STORE ON CARD

Non-Final OA §102
Filed
Sep 05, 2024
Examiner
NARRAMORE, BLAKE I
Art Unit
2438
Tech Center
2400 — Computer Networks
Assignee
VISA INTERNATIONAL SERVICE ASSOCIATION
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
78%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
2y 8m
To Grant
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 78% — above average
78%
Career Allow Rate
126 granted / 161 resolved
+20.3% vs TC avg
Strong +25% interview lift
Without
With
+24.8%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 8m
Avg Prosecution
26 currently pending
Career history
187
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
8.3%
-31.7% vs TC avg
§103
56.2%
+16.2% vs TC avg
§102
10.2%
-29.8% vs TC avg
§112
20.6%
-19.4% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 161 resolved cases

Office Action

§102
Detailed Action This is a Non-final Office action in response to communications received on 9/5/2024. Claims 1-20 are pending and are examined. 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 . Drawings The drawings, filed 9/5/2024, are acknowledged. Preliminary Amendment The preliminary amendment, filed 9/5/2024, is acknowledged. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102 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 (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) 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 the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action: A person shall be entitled to a patent unless – (a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention. Claim(s) 1-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Lyons (US 20170236121 A1). Regarding claim 1, Lyons teaches the limitations of claim 1 substantially as follows: A method comprising: receiving, by a sender device operated by a sender, a receiver address associated with a receiver; (Lyons; [0007]: generating, by a generation module of the electronic point of sale device (i.e., sender device), a destination address (i.e. receiver address)) prompting, by the sender device, the sender to interact a card (Lyons; [0106]: the consumer may present the issued payment card to a merchant for use in funding a payment transaction) interact a card comprising a processor and a memory storing a sender public key and a sender private key of a sender public-private key pair associated with a blockchain network, the card held by the sender; (Lyons; [0006]: storing, in a memory of an integrated circuit card, a structured data set associated with a blockchain network, wherein the structured data set includes at least a network identifier, an unspent output hash, an output index, an output value, and a key pair (i.e., storing a sender public key and a sender private key of a sender public-private key pair )) transmitting, by the sender device, interaction data including the receiver address, a sender address of the sender, and a value to the card, (Lyons; [0035], [0038]: the electronic point of sale device may electronically transmit at least a network identifier (i.e., sender address of the sender) and transaction value (i.e., value) to the integrated circuit card via the established communication channel. The network identifier may be associated with a blockchain network with which the electronic point of sale device is in communication. The electronic point of sale device may electronically transmit at least the destination address (i.e., the receiver address) to the integrated circuit card using the established communication channel) wherein the processor of the card retrieves the sender private key and signs the interaction data to produce signed interaction data; (Lyons; [0055]: the signing module may be configured to receive and sign blockchain transactions. The signing module may sign blockchain transactions using a private key included in a key pair included in a structured data set being used in an electronic transaction (i.e., retrieves the sender private key and signs the interaction data to produce signed interaction data)) receiving, by the sender device from the card, the signed interaction data and the sender public key; and (Lyons; [0042]: Once the new blockchain transaction has been generated and signed, the integrated circuit card may electronically transmit the signed blockchain transaction to the electronic point of sale device (i.e., receiving, by the sender device from the card, the signed interaction data) using the established communication channel; the validation module of a point of sale device may be configured to validate that a received unspent output hash corresponds to a genuine previous blockchain transaction in the blockchain corresponding to a network identifier stored in the memory (i.e., validation of a signed transaction necessarily requires the corresponding public key)) transmitting the interaction data and the signed interaction data to the blockchain network, wherein the blockchain network records the interaction data and the signed interaction data in a block of a blockchain, (Lyons; [0040], [0042]: The signed blockchain transaction may then be posted to the blockchain network (i.e., signed interaction data); The signed blockchain transaction may then also include the destination address and remaining blockchain currency amount to be transferred thereto (i.e., interaction data)) wherein the blockchain comprises a plurality of blocks, wherein each block of the plurality of blocks includes a block header, a timestamp, and a link to a previous block. (Lyons; [0023]: Once a block is completed, the block is added to the blockchain and the transaction record thereby updated. In many instances, the blockchain may be a ledger of transactions in chronological order, or may be presented in any other order that may be suitable for use by the blockchain network) Regarding claim 2, Lyons teaches the limitations of claim 1. Lyons teaches the limitations of claim 2 as follows: The method of claim 1, wherein the receiver address is a receiver public key and the sender address is the sender public key. (Lyons; [0038]: The destination address may be generated via the application of one or more hashing algorithms to a public key of a key pair associated with the electronic point of sale device) Regarding claim 3, Lyons teaches the limitations of claim 1. Lyons teaches the limitations of claim 3 as follows: The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the interaction data and the signed interaction data to the blockchain network further comprises: transmitting, by the sender device, the interaction data and the signed interaction data to an access device or a resource provider computer, wherein the access device or the resource provider computer transmits the interaction data and the signed interaction data to the blockchain network. (Lyons; [0034]: the electronic point of sale device may be configured to electronically communicate with an intermediate computing device (i.e., an access device or a resource provider computer), which may be a node of the blockchain network) Regarding claim 4, Lyons teaches the limitations of claim 1. Lyons teaches the limitations of claim 4 as follows: The method of claim 1, wherein the memory stores a plurality of public-private key pairs associated with a plurality of blockchain networks, and the public-private key pair is one of the plurality of public-private key pairs, and (Lyons; [0031]: The integrated circuit card may be loaded with one or more structured data sets (i.e., a plurality of public-private key pairs) suitable for use in performing the functions discussed herein; Each structured data set may be comprised of a network identifier corresponding to the associated blockchain network (i.e., associated with a plurality of blockchain networks), an unspent output hash, an output index, an output value, and a key pair) wherein the method further comprises: prompting, by the sender device, the sender to select the blockchain network from the plurality of blockchain networks; receiving, by the sender device, a selection of the blockchain network associated with the sender public-private key pair; and transmitting, by the sender device, the selection of the blockchain network to the card. (Lyons; [0036]: In instances where more than one blockchain network may be suitable (e.g., the structured data sets associated therewith have sufficient output values), the integrated circuit card or electronic point of sale device may indicate a priority ordering of blockchain networks (i.e., selection of the blockchain network) (selection is performed by device logic)) Regarding claim 5, Lyons teaches the limitations of claim 4. Lyons teaches the limitations of claim 5 as follows: The method of claim 4, wherein transmitting the selection of the blockchain network comprises transmitting an AID for the blockchain network to the card. (Lyons; [0031]: The integrated circuit card may be loaded with one or more structured data sets suitable for use in performing the functions discussed herein; Each structured data set may be comprised of a network identifier corresponding to the associated blockchain network (i.e., AID for the blockchain)) Regarding claim 6, Lyons teaches the limitations of claim 1. Lyons teaches the limitations of claim 6 as follows: The method of claim 1, wherein prior to receiving the receiver address, the card is provisioned with the sender public key and the sender private key of the sender public-private key pair from a card issuing computer. (Lyons; [0032]: each structured data set may be loaded onto the integrated circuit card via the payment network (i.e., the card is provisioned with the sender public key and the sender private key of the sender public-private key pair from a card issuing computer)) Regarding claim 7, Lyons teaches the limitations of claim 1. Lyons teaches the limitations of claim 7 as follows: The method of claim 1, wherein one or more nodes of the blockchain network validate the interaction data and the signed interaction data, generate a valid proof of work for the block, validate that the valid proof of work is valid, generate the block, and add the block to the blockchain. (Lyons; [0023]: a blockchain may also consist of additional, and in some instances arbitrary, data that is confirmed and validated by the blockchain network through proof of work and/or any other suitable verification techniques associated therewith) Regarding claim 8, Lyons teaches the limitations of claim 1. Lyons teaches the limitations of claim 8 as follows: The method of claim 1 further comprising: prior to receiving the receiver address, generating, by the sender device, a digital container creation request message that requests the card to generate a digital container comprising a name, a type, and a key index that is assigned to a private key stored on the card, (Lyons; [0035]: the electronic point of sale device may electronically transmit at least a network identifier and transaction value to the integrated circuit card via the established communication channel (i.e., generating, by the sender device, a digital container creation request message that requests the card to generate a digital container)) wherein the private key stored on the card is the sender private key of the sender public-private key pair; and (Lyons; [0006]: storing, in a memory of an integrated circuit card, a structured data set associated with a blockchain network, wherein the structured data set includes at least a network identifier, an unspent output hash, an output index, an output value, and a key pair (i.e., the private key stored on the card is the sender private key of the sender public-private key pair)) sending, by the sender device, the digital container creation request message to the card, (Lyons; [0035]: the electronic point of sale device may electronically transmit at least a network identifier and transaction value to the integrated circuit card via the established communication channel (i.e., sending, by the sender device, the digital container creation request message to the card)) wherein the card generates the digital container and assigns the sender private key of the sender public-private key pair to the key index. (Lyons; [0031]: Each structured data set may be comprised of a network identifier corresponding to the associated blockchain network, an unspent output hash, an output index, an output value, and a key pair (i.e., wherein the card generates the digital container and assigns the sender private key of the sender public-private key pair to the key index)) Regarding claim 9, Lyons teaches the limitations of claim 1. Lyons teaches the limitations of claim 9 as follows: The method of claim 1, wherein after receiving the interaction data the card generates an authentication request message and transmits the authentication request message to the sender device, wherein the method further comprises: after receiving the authentication request message, prompting, by the sender device, the sender to input authentication data; (Lyons; [0083]: perform authentication prior to generation of the blockchain transaction (i.e., authentication request message ). Authentication may include authentication by a personal identification number entered by the consumer, biometric information supplied by the consumer, or other suitable authentication method (i.e., prompting, by the sender device, the sender to input authentication data)) receiving, by the sender device, the authentication data from the sender; generating, by the sender device, an authentication response message comprising the authentication data; and transmitting, by the sender device, the authentication response message to the card, wherein the card verifies the authentication data. (Lyons; [0083]: the integrated circuit card may perform authentication prior to generation of the blockchain transaction. Authentication may include authentication by a personal identification number entered by the consumer, biometric information supplied by the consumer, or other suitable authentication method) Regarding claim 10, Lyons teaches the limitations of claim 9. Lyons teaches the limitations of claim 10 as follows: The method of claim 9, wherein the authentication data includes a personal identification number, a biometric, a zip code, or a one-time password. (Lyons; [0083]: Authentication may include authentication by a personal identification number entered by the consumer, biometric information supplied by the consumer, or other suitable authentication method) Regarding claim 11, Lyons teaches the limitations of claim 11 substantially as follows: A sender device comprising: a processor; a memory device; and a computer-readable medium coupled to the processor, the computer-readable medium comprising code executable by the processor for implementing a method comprising: (Lyons; [0027]; Fig. 3) receiving, by the sender device operated by a sender, a receiver address associated with a receiver; (Lyons; [0007]: generating, by a generation module of the electronic point of sale device (i.e., sender device), a destination address (i.e. receiver address)) prompting the sender to interact a card (Lyons; [0106]: the consumer may present the issued payment card to a merchant for use in funding a payment transaction) interact a card comprising a card processor and a card memory storing a sender public key and a sender private key of a sender public-private key pair associated with a blockchain network, the card held by the sender; (Lyons; [0006]: storing, in a memory of an integrated circuit card, a structured data set associated with a blockchain network, wherein the structured data set includes at least a network identifier, an unspent output hash, an output index, an output value, and a key pair (i.e., storing a sender public key and a sender private key of a sender public-private key pair )) transmitting interaction data including the receiver address, a sender address of the sender, and a value, (Lyons; [0035], [0038]: the electronic point of sale device may electronically transmit at least a network identifier (i.e., sender address of the sender) and transaction value (i.e., value) to the integrated circuit card via the established communication channel. The network identifier may be associated with a blockchain network with which the electronic point of sale device is in communication. The electronic point of sale device may electronically transmit at least the destination address (i.e., the receiver address) to the integrated circuit card using the established communication channel) wherein the card processor retrieves the sender private key and signs the interaction data to produce signed interaction data; (Lyons; [0055]: the signing module may be configured to receive and sign blockchain transactions. The signing module may sign blockchain transactions using a private key included in a key pair included in a structured data set being used in an electronic transaction (i.e., retrieves the sender private key and signs the interaction data to produce signed interaction data)) receiving, from the card, the signed interaction data and the sender public key; and (Lyons; [0042]: Once the new blockchain transaction has been generated and signed, the integrated circuit card may electronically transmit the signed blockchain transaction to the electronic point of sale device (i.e., receiving, by the sender device from the card, the signed interaction data) using the established communication channel; the validation module of a point of sale device may be configured to validate that a received unspent output hash corresponds to a genuine previous blockchain transaction in the blockchain corresponding to a network identifier stored in the memory (i.e., validation of a signed transaction necessarily requires the corresponding public key)) transmitting the interaction data and the signed interaction data to the blockchain network, wherein the blockchain network records the interaction data and the signed interaction data in a block of a blockchain, (Lyons; [0040], [0042]: The signed blockchain transaction may then be posted to the blockchain network (i.e., signed interaction data); The signed blockchain transaction may then also include the destination address and remaining blockchain currency amount to be transferred thereto (i.e., interaction data)) wherein the blockchain comprises a plurality of blocks, wherein each block of the plurality of blocks includes a block header, a timestamp, and a link to a previous block. (Lyons; [0023]: Once a block is completed, the block is added to the blockchain and the transaction record thereby updated. In many instances, the blockchain may be a ledger of transactions in chronological order, or may be presented in any other order that may be suitable for use by the blockchain network) Regarding claim 12, Lyons teaches the limitations of claim 11. Lyons teaches the limitations of claim 12 as follows: The sender device of claim 11, wherein the card signs the interaction data with the sender private key to produce the signed interaction data. (Lyons; [0055]: the signing module may be configured to receive and sign blockchain transactions. The signing module may sign blockchain transactions using a private key included in a key pair included in a structured data set being used in an electronic transaction (i.e., signed interaction data)) Regarding claim 13, Lyons teaches the limitations of claim 11. Lyons teaches the limitations of claim 13 as follows: The sender device of claim 11, wherein the receiver address is derived in part from a receiver public key, and wherein the sender address is derived in part from the sender public key. (Lyons; [0038]: The destination address may be generated via the application of one or more hashing algorithms to a public key of a key pair associated with the electronic point of sale device) Regarding claim 14, Lyons teaches the limitations of claim 11. Lyons teaches the limitations of claim 14 as follows: The sender device of claim 11, wherein the sender device is a smartphone comprising one or more applications (Lyons; [0107]: The merchant point of sale system may be an electronic device upon which a point of sale system application is run, wherein the application causes the electronic device to receive and communicated electronic financial transaction information to a payment network) configured to communicate to the card over a short range communication channel. (Lyons; [0033]: the integrated circuit card and electronic point of sale device may establish a communication channel via near field communication) Regarding claim 15, Lyons teaches the limitations of claim 11. Lyons teaches the limitations of claim 15 as follows: The sender device of claim 11, wherein the method further comprises: receiving the value from a receiver device, a website, or a scannable code. (Lyons; [0107]: Transaction details may be entered into the point of sale system (i.e., receiver device) of the merchant via one or more input devices, such as an optical bar code scanner configured to scan product bar codes (i.e., scannable code), a keyboard configured to receive product codes input by a user, etc) Regarding claim 16, Lyons teaches the limitations of claim 15. Lyons teaches the limitations of claim 16 as follows: The sender device of claim 15, wherein the scannable code is a QR code or a bar code. (Lyons; [0107]: Transaction details may be entered into the point of sale system of the merchant via one or more input devices, such as an optical bar code scanner configured to scan product bar codes (i.e., bar code), a keyboard configured to receive product codes input by a user, etc) Regarding claim 17, Lyons teaches the limitations of claim 11. Lyons teaches the limitations of claim 17 as follows: The sender device of claim 11, wherein the method further comprises: establishing, by the sender device, a secure communication channel with the card prior to transmitting the interaction data. (Lyons; [0033]: the integrated circuit card and electronic point of sale device may establish a communication channel via near field communication) Regarding claim 18, Lyons teaches the limitations of claim 18 substantially as follows: A method comprising: receiving, by a card comprising a processor and a memory storing a sender public key and a sender private key of a sender public-private key pair associated with a blockchain network, (Lyons; [0006]: storing, in a memory of an integrated circuit card, a structured data set associated with a blockchain network, wherein the structured data set includes at least a network identifier, an unspent output hash, an output index, an output value, and a key pair (i.e., storing a sender public key and a sender private key of a sender public-private key pair)) interaction data including a receiver address, a sender address of a sender, and a value from a sender device; (Lyons; [0035], [0038]: the electronic point of sale device may electronically transmit at least a network identifier (i.e., sender address of the sender) and transaction value (i.e., value) to the integrated circuit card via the established communication channel. The network identifier may be associated with a blockchain network with which the electronic point of sale device is in communication. The electronic point of sale device may electronically transmit at least the destination address (i.e., the receiver address) to the integrated circuit card using the established communication channel) retrieving, by the card, the sender private key and the sender public key; signing, by the card, the interaction data with the sender private key to produce signed interaction data; and (Lyons; [0055]: the signing module may be configured to receive and sign blockchain transactions. The signing module may sign blockchain transactions using a private key included in a key pair included in a structured data set being used in an electronic transaction (i.e., retrieves the sender private key and signs the interaction data to produce signed interaction data)) sending, by the card, the signed interaction data and the sender public key to the sender device, (Lyons; [0042]: Once the new blockchain transaction has been generated and signed, the integrated circuit card may electronically transmit the signed blockchain transaction to the electronic point of sale device (i.e., receiving, by the sender device from the card, the signed interaction data) using the established communication channel; the validation module of a point of sale device may be configured to validate that a received unspent output hash corresponds to a genuine previous blockchain transaction in the blockchain corresponding to a network identifier stored in the memory (i.e., validation of a signed transaction necessarily requires the corresponding public key)) wherein the sender device transmits the interaction data and the signed interaction data to the blockchain network, wherein the blockchain network records the interaction data and the signed interaction data in a block of a blockchain, (Lyons; [0040], [0042]: The signed blockchain transaction may then be posted to the blockchain network (i.e., signed interaction data); The signed blockchain transaction may then also include the destination address and remaining blockchain currency amount to be transferred thereto (i.e., interaction data)) wherein the blockchain comprises a plurality of blocks, wherein each block of the plurality of blocks includes a block header, a timestamp, and a link to a previous block. (Lyons; [0023]: Once a block is completed, the block is added to the blockchain and the transaction record thereby updated. In many instances, the blockchain may be a ledger of transactions in chronological order, or may be presented in any other order that may be suitable for use by the blockchain network) Regarding claim 19, Lyons teaches the limitations of claim 18. Lyons teaches the limitations of claim 19 as follows: The method of claim 18, wherein prior to receiving the interaction data, the method further comprises: receiving, by the card, the sender public key and the sender private key of the sender public-private key pair from a card issuing computer via an access device. (Lyons; [0032]: each structured data set may be loaded onto the integrated circuit card via the payment network (i.e., the card is provisioned with the sender public key and the sender private key of the sender public-private key pair from a card issuing computer)) Regarding claim 20, Lyons teaches the limitations of claim 18. Lyons teaches the limitations of claim 20 as follows: The method of claim 18, wherein the card communicates over a short range communication channel with the sender device. (Lyons; [0033]: the integrated circuit card and electronic point of sale device may establish a communication channel via near field communication) Prior Art Considered But Not Relied Upon Lamesh (US 20210049591 A1) which teaches a digital wallet device for storing and securing cryptocurrency, the digital wallet device is electronically disconnected from other digital devices and comprising a cryptocurrency integrated circuit (IC) that is isolated from any computer interface. Rule (US 20200302432 A1) which teaches a contactless card to receive a request to provide a data element from a device. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to BLAKE ISAAC NARRAMORE whose telephone number is (303)297-4357. The examiner can normally be reached on Monday - Friday 0700-1700 MT. 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, Taghi T Arani can be reached on (571) 272-3787. 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 https://ppair-my.uspto.gov/pair/PrivatePair. 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. /BLAKE I NARRAMORE/Examiner, Art Unit 2438
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Prosecution Timeline

Sep 05, 2024
Application Filed
Jan 30, 2026
Non-Final Rejection — §102
Apr 01, 2026
Interview Requested
Apr 07, 2026
Examiner Interview Summary
Apr 07, 2026
Applicant Interview (Telephonic)

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Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

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Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
78%
Grant Probability
99%
With Interview (+24.8%)
2y 8m
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
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