DETAILED ACTION
Status of Claims
This is a non-final office action on the merits in response to the arguments and/or amendments filed on 12 February 2026 and the request for continued examination filed on 12 February 2026.
Claim(s) 4, 7, and 20 is/are canceled. Claim(s) 1-3, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 16, and 17 is/are amended. Claim(s) 21-23 is/are new.
Claim(s) 1-3, 5, 6, 8-19, and 21-23 is/are currently pending and have been 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 .
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and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114.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 12 February 2026 has been entered.
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.
Claim(s) 1-3, 5, 6, 8-19, and 21-23 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 because the claimed invention is directed to an abstract idea without significantly more.
Claim 1 recites a healthcare marketplace
receiving,
identifying,
determining,
authenticating,
retrieving authentication information and credential information provided by the healthcare provider;
comparing the credential information provided by the healthcare provider to official credentials associated with the healthcare provider and retrieved
labeling the credential information as verified if the credential information is accurate and up-to-date based on the comparison of the credential information and the official credentials;
retrieving, in real-time with the retrieval of the credential information provided by the healthcare provider, credentialing requirements for the healthcare services provided by a medical credentialing organization;
comparing the credential information provided by the healthcare provider to the credentialing requirements; and
receiving bids for the healthcare services from the healthcare providers who are available and are qualified to submits bids
identifying the healthcare providers that are out-of-network based on the insurance information for the patient;
receiving,
processing the cost waivers to set a status of the cost waivers to authorized when the pin is received;
overriding a charge for the specific patient for each cost waiver that has the status of authorized;
determining out-of-pocket expenses for the patient for the healthcare services based on the bids by the healthcare providers, the cost waivers if the cost waivers are authorized by the healthcare providers, and the insurance information;
associating the bids with out-of-pocket expenses for the patient;
receiving an approval or rejection from the patient of at least one bid submitted by the healthcare providers;
sending, simultaneously, an appointment booking to the patient and the respective healthcare provider if the patient approves the bid submitted by the healthcare provider;
monitoring,
restricting activities of the healthcare provider
determining, using the geofence
enabling,
enabling,
recording,
The preceding recitation of the claim has had strikethroughs applied to the additional elements beyond the abstract idea to more clearly demonstrate the limitations setting forth the abstract idea. The remaining limitations describe a concept of managing the booking and recording of an appointment with a qualified healthcare provider. This concept describes a mental process that a person should follow to manage healthcare appointments similar to the “mental process that a neurologist should follow when testing a patient for nervous system malfunctions” given in MPEP 2106.04(a)(2)(II)(C) as an example of managing personal behavior in the methods of organizing human activity sub-grouping. As such, these limitation set forth a method of organizing human activity. Alternatively, the identified concept is analogous to the examples of “observation”, “evaluation”, and “judgement” given in MPEP 2106.04(a)(2)(III) and can be performed in the human mind. As such, these limitations set forth a mental process. Therefore the claim is determined to recite an abstract idea.
MPEP 2106, reflecting the 2019 PEG, directs examiners at Step 2A Prong Two to consider whether the additional elements of the claims integrate a recited abstract idea into a practical application.
Claim 1 recites the additional element of a processor; and a memory. This additional element is recited at a high level of generality, and is interpreted as a generic computing device used to implement the abstract idea. The claim further recites a location system, a request system, an authentication system, a confirmation system, and a patient data system. These elements are considered parts of the generic computing device which implements the abstract idea. Per MPEP 2106.05(f), implementing an abstract idea on a generic computing device does not integrate an abstract idea into a practical application in Step 2A Prong Two, similar to how the recitation of the computer in the claim in Alice amounted to mere instructions to apply the abstract idea on a generic computer. As such, these additional elements do not integrate the abstract ideas into a practical application.
Claim 1 further recites a user device and a healthcare provider device, wherein the user device includes a display device, an input device, and at least one location sensor, wherein the healthcare provider device includes a display device, an input device, and at least one location sensor. These additional elements are also recited at a high level of generality and are also interpreted as generic computing devices used to implement parts of the abstract idea. As such, these additional elements do not integrate the abstract ideas into a practical application.
Claim 1 further recites the additional element of the location system being in communication with the user device and healthcare provider device. This additional element reflects no improvement to technology, no particular device, and no transformation of an article. This additional element does not meaningfully limit the implementation of the abstract idea, but rather only generally links the abstract idea to a technological environment of networked devices. As such, this additional element does not integrate the abstract idea into a practical application.
Claim 1 further recites the additional element of wherein the location system is configured to use location services on the user device and the healthcare provider device to retrieve location information including at least one of a global positioning system (GPS) location, an IP address, or a cellular network signal. This additional element reflects no improvement to technology, no particular device, and no transformation of an article. This additional element does not meaningfully limit the implementation of the abstract idea, but rather only generally links the abstract idea to a technological environment of networked mobile devices. As such, this additional element does not integrate the abstract idea into a practical application.
Claim 1 further recites the additional element of receiving input by a user using the input device of the user device. This additional element reflects no improvement to technology, no particular device, and no transformation of an article. This additional element does not meaningfully limit the implementation of the abstract idea, but rather only generally links the abstract idea to a technological environment of a computing device. As such, this additional element does not integrate the abstract idea into a practical application.
Claim 1 further recites the additional element of retrieving data from a database. This additional element reflects no improvement to technology, no particular device, and no transformation of an article. This additional element does not meaningfully limit the implementation of the abstract idea, but rather only generally links the abstract idea to a technological environment of a computing device. As such, this additional element does not integrate the abstract idea into a practical application.
Claim 1 further recites automatically performing steps. This general instruction to automate steps amounts to an instruction to apply the abstract idea with a generic computing device. As previously noted, such additional elements do not integrate an abstract idea into a practical application. As such, this additional element does not integrate the abstract ideas into a practical application.
Claim 1 further recites the additional element of receiving data transmitted from at least one computing device and via modulated data signals. This additional element reflects no improvement to technology, no particular device, and no transformation of an article. This additional element does not meaningfully limit the implementation of the abstract idea, but rather only generally links the abstract idea to a technological environment of networked computing devices. As such, this additional element does not integrate the abstract idea into a practical application.
There are no further additional elements. When considered as a combination, the use of a computing device, a user device and a healthcare provider device, the computing device in communication with the user device and healthcare provider device, the system being configured to use location services on the user device and the healthcare provider device to retrieve location information including at least one of a global positioning system (GPS) location, an IP address, or a cellular network signal, and receiving input by a user using the input device of the user device, and retrieving data from a database, and automating various steps, and receiving data transmitted via modulated data signals as a combination does not appear to provide any technical improvement, does not require any particular machine, does not effect any transformation of an article, and does not meaningfully limit the abstract idea. While numerous, the combination of additional elements only generally links the abstract idea to a technological environment of networked mobile computing devices. As such, the combination of additional elements does not integrate the abstract idea into a practical application. Therefore claim 1 is determined to be directed to an abstract idea.
At Step 2B of the Mayo/Alice analysis, examiners are to consider whether the additional elements amount to significantly more than the abstract idea.
As previously noted, the claims recite additional elements which may be interpreted as generic computing devices used to implement the abstract idea. However, per MPEP 2106.05(f), implementing an abstract idea on a generic computing device does not add significantly more in Step 2B, similar to how the recitation of the computer in the claim in Alice amounted to mere instructions to apply the abstract idea on a generic computer. As such, this additional element does not amount to significantly more.
As previously noted, claim 1 recites the additional element of the location system being in communication with the user device and healthcare provider device. Per MPEP 2106.05(d)(II), the courts have recognized receiving or transmitting data over a network to be a well-understood, routine, and conventional computer function. As such, this additional element does not amount to significantly more than the abstract idea.
As previously noted, claim 1 recites the additional element of wherein the location system is configured to use location services on the user device and the healthcare provider device to retrieve location information including at least one of a global positioning system (GPS) location, an IP address, or a cellular network signal. Trossen et al. (US 2004/0176103 A1) demonstrates (A well-known example of these is the Global Positioning System (GPS). … In the conventional mobile location services the mobile stations would be provided with a GPS receiver. The mobile station would then provide the location information to appropriate location service entity of the network, such as the GMLC 12 or the SMLC 13. [0060]) that such systems were conventional long before the priority date of the claimed invention. As such, this additional element does not amount to significantly more than the abstract idea.
As previously noted, claim 1 recites the additional element of receiving input by a user using the input device of the user device. Chen et al. (US 2002/0045463 A1) demonstrates (In conventional mobile devices, to input one English letter, a user typically presses a key 1-4 times to identify a particular letter. See at least [0045]) that inputting data into input devices of a user device was conventional long before the priority date of the claimed invention. As such, this additional element does not amount to significantly more than the abstract idea.
As previously noted, claim 1 recites the additional element of retrieving data from a database. Per MPEP 2106.05(d)(II), the courts have recognized storing and retrieving information in a memory to be a well-understood, routine, and conventional computer function. As such, this additional element does not amount to significantly more than the abstract idea.
As previously noted, claim 1 further recites automatically performing steps. This general instruction to automate steps amounts to an instruction to apply the abstract idea with a generic computing device. As previously noted, such additional elements do not amount to significantly more than an abstract idea. As such, this additional element does not amount to significantly more than the abstract idea.
As previously noted, claim 1 recites the additional element of receiving data transmitted from at least one computing device and via modulated data signals. Per MPEP 2106.05(d)(II), the courts have recognized receiving or transmitting data over a network to be a well-understood, routine, and conventional computer function. Further, Dent (US 2003/0099283 A1) demonstrates (As known in the art, conventional wireless transmission is carried out according to quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) … . [0007]) that transmitting data via modulated signals was conventional long before the priority date of the claimed invention. As such, this additional element does not amount to significantly more than the abstract idea.
There are no further additional elements. When considered as a combination, the use of a computing device, a user device and a healthcare provider device, the computing device in communication with the user device and healthcare provider device, the system being configured to use location services on the user device and the healthcare provider device to retrieve location information including at least one of a global positioning system (GPS) location, an IP address, or a cellular network signal, and receiving input by a user using the input device of the user device, and retrieving data from a database, and automating various steps, and receiving data transmitted via modulated data signals as a combination does not appear to provide any technical improvement, does not require any particular machine, does not effect any transformation of an article, and does not meaningfully limit the abstract idea. This combination of additional elements instead only generally links the abstract idea to a technological environment of networked mobile computing devices. As such, the combination of additional elements does not amount to significantly more than the abstract idea. Therefore, when considered individually and as a combination, the additional elements of the claim do not amount to significantly more than the judicial exceptions. Thus claim 1 is not patent eligible.
Claims 2, 3, 5, 6, 8-11, 21-23 further define the abstract idea of the independent claim, but these dependent claims continue to recite an abstract idea. Claim 2 recites the additional element of a calendar system, claim 5 recites the additional element of a filter system, claim 6 recites the additional element of a communication system, claim 22 recites the additional element of a user interface generation (UI) system, and claim 23 recites the additional element of a transportation system. These features are considered part of the generic computing device additional element previously considered above. Claims 2, 3, 5, 8-11, 21, and 23 recite no new additional elements beyond those recited in the independent claim. The previously identified additional elements, individually and as a combination, do not integrate the abstract idea of the claims into a practical application for the same reasons as given above. As such, claims 2, 3, 5, 8-11, 21, and 23 are determined to be directed to an abstract idea. At step 2B, the previously identified additional elements, individually and as a combination, do not amount to significantly more than the abstract idea for the same reasons as given above. Because dependent claims 2, 3, 5, 8-11, 21, and 23 are directed to an abstract idea without reciting significantly more, these dependent claims are not patent eligible. Claim 6 recites the additional element automatically render the virtual meeting. This additional element only generally links the narrowed abstract idea to a technological environment of teleconferencing. Further, when considered in combination with the previously identified additional elements, the combination of additional elements only generally links the abstract idea to a technological environment of networked mobile computing devices. As such, claim 6 is determined to be directed to an abstract idea. At Step 2B, Willis et al. (US 2015/0244749 A1) demonstrates (“conventional solutions offer virtual meetings” [0006]) the conventionality of virtual meetings. As such, this additional element does not amount to significantly more than the abstract idea. Additionally, when considered in combination with the previously identified additional elements, the combination of additional elements only generally links the abstract idea to a technological environment of networked mobile computing devices. Therefore the additional elements, individually and as a combination, do not amount to significantly more. Because dependent claims 6 is directed to an abstract idea without reciting significantly more, this dependent claim is not patent eligible. Claim 22 recites the additional element of a user interface. This additional element only generally links the narrowed abstract idea to a technological environment of a computer device. Further, when considered in combination with the previously identified additional elements, the combination of additional elements only generally links the abstract idea to a technological environment of networked mobile computing devices. As such, claim 22 is determined to be directed to an abstract idea. At Step 2B, Forlenza et al. (US 2006/0229806 A1) demonstrates (“the GUI comprises a conventional display … Such displays are well-known and need not be described in detail here” [0021]) the conventionality of graphical user interfaces. As such, this additional element does not amount to significantly more than the abstract idea. Additionally, when considered in combination with the previously identified additional elements, the combination of additional elements only generally links the abstract idea to a technological environment of networked mobile computing devices. Therefore the additional elements, individually and as a combination, do not amount to significantly more. Because dependent claims 22 is directed to an abstract idea without reciting significantly more, this dependent claim is not patent eligible.
Claim 12 recites
receiving,
retrieving,
providing,
providing,
receiving a selection from the user including a selected healthcare provider, a selected healthcare service, and a selected appointment from the list of available appointments,
generating an appointment booking based on the selection, wherein the appointment booking includes the selected appointment, the selected healthcare service, the selected healthcare provider, and the cost associated with the healthcare service;
sending, simultaneously, the appointment booking to the healthcare provider and a patient;
monitoring,
restricting activities of the healthcare provider
determining, using the geofence
enabling,
enabling,
receiving confirmation from the patient that the appointment has occurred;
recording, an attendance of the patient for the appointment booking
accepting payment from the patient of out-of-pocket expenses associated with the selected healthcare service after receiving confirmation from the patient that the appointment has occurred.
The preceding recitation of the claim has had strikethroughs applied to the additional elements beyond the abstract idea to more clearly demonstrate the limitations setting forth the abstract idea. The remaining limitations describe a concept of managing the booking, payment, and recording of an appointment with a qualified healthcare provider. This concept describes a mental process that a person should follow to manage healthcare appointments similar to the “mental process that a neurologist should follow when testing a patient for nervous system malfunctions” given in MPEP 2106.04(a)(2)(II)(C) as an example of managing personal behavior in the methods of organizing human activity sub-grouping. As such, these limitation set forth a method of organizing human activity. Alternatively, the identified concept is analogous to the examples of “observation”, “evaluation”, and “judgement” given in MPEP 2106.04(a)(2)(III) and can be performed in the human mind. As such, these limitations set forth a mental process. Therefore the claim is determined to recite an abstract idea.
MPEP 2106, reflecting the 2019 PEG, directs examiners at Step 2A Prong Two to consider whether the additional elements of the claims integrate a recited abstract idea into a practical application.
Claim 12 recites the additional element of a system comprising: a processor; and a memory. This additional element is recited at a high level of generality, and is interpreted as a generic computing device used to implement the abstract idea. The claim further recites a location system, a request system, an authentication system, a confirmation system, and a patient data system. These elements are considered parts of the generic computing device which implements the abstract idea. Per MPEP 2106.05(f), implementing an abstract idea on a generic computing device does not integrate an abstract idea into a practical application in Step 2A Prong Two, similar to how the recitation of the computer in the claim in Alice amounted to mere instructions to apply the abstract idea on a generic computer. As such, these additional elements do not integrate the abstract ideas into a practical application.
Claim 12 further recites a user device and a healthcare provider device, wherein the user device includes a display device, an input device, and at least one location sensor, wherein the healthcare provider device includes a display device, an input device, and at least one location sensor. These additional elements are also recited at a high level of generality and are also interpreted as generic computing devices used to implement parts of the abstract idea. As such, these additional elements do not integrate the abstract ideas into a practical application.
Claim 12 further recites the additional element of that the location system being in communication with the user device and healthcare provider device. This additional element reflects no improvement to technology, no particular device, and no transformation of an article. This additional element does not meaningfully limit the implementation of the abstract idea, but rather only generally links the abstract idea to a technological environment of networked devices. As such, this additional element does not integrate the abstract idea into a practical application.
Claim 12 further recites the additional element of wherein the location system is configured to use location services on the user device and the healthcare provider device to retrieve location information including at least one of a global positioning system (GPS) location, an IP address, or a cellular network signal. This additional element reflects no improvement to technology, no particular device, and no transformation of an article. This additional element does not meaningfully limit the implementation of the abstract idea, but rather only generally links the abstract idea to a technological environment of networked mobile devices. As such, this additional element does not integrate the abstract idea into a practical application.
Claim 12 further recites the additional element of receiving input by a user using the input device of the user device. This additional element reflects no improvement to technology, no particular device, and no transformation of an article. This additional element does not meaningfully limit the implementation of the abstract idea, but rather only generally links the abstract idea to a technological environment of a computing device. As such, this additional element does not integrate the abstract idea into a practical application.
Claim 12 further recites the additional element of retrieving data from a database. This additional element reflects no improvement to technology, no particular device, and no transformation of an article. This additional element does not meaningfully limit the implementation of the abstract idea, but rather only generally links the abstract idea to a technological environment of a computing device. As such, this additional element does not integrate the abstract idea into a practical application.
There are no further additional elements. When considered as a combination, the use of a computing device, a user device and a healthcare provider device, the computing device in communication with the user device and healthcare provider device, the system being configured to use location services on the user device and the healthcare provider device to retrieve location information including at least one of a global positioning system (GPS) location, an IP address, or a cellular network signal, and receiving input by a user using the input device of the user device, and retrieving data from a database, as a combination does not appear to provide any technical improvement, does not require any particular machine, does not effect any transformation of an article, and does not meaningfully limit the abstract idea. While numerous, the combination of additional elements only generally links the abstract idea to a technological environment of networked mobile computing devices. As such, the combination of additional elements does not integrate the abstract idea into a practical application. Therefore claim 12 is determined to be directed to an abstract idea.
At Step 2B of the Mayo/Alice analysis, examiners are to consider whether the additional elements amount to significantly more than the abstract idea.
As previously noted, the claims recite additional elements which may be interpreted as generic computing devices used to implement the abstract idea. However, per MPEP 2106.05(f), implementing an abstract idea on a generic computing device does not add significantly more in Step 2B, similar to how the recitation of the computer in the claim in Alice amounted to mere instructions to apply the abstract idea on a generic computer. As such, this additional element does not amount to significantly more.
As previously noted, claim 12 recites the additional element of that the location system being in communication with the user device and healthcare provider device. Per MPEP 2106.05(d)(II), the courts have recognized receiving or transmitting data over a network to be a well-understood, routine, and conventional computer function. As such, this additional element does not amount to significantly more than the abstract idea.
As previously noted, claim 12 recites the additional element of wherein the location system is configured to use location services on the user device and the healthcare provider device to retrieve location information including at least one of a global positioning system (GPS) location, an IP address, or a cellular network signal. Trossen et al. (US 2004/0176103 A1) demonstrates (A well-known example of these is the Global Positioning System (GPS). … In the conventional mobile location services the mobile stations would be provided with a GPS receiver. The mobile station would then provide the location information to appropriate location service entity of the network, such as the GMLC 12 or the SMLC 13. [0060]) that such systems were conventional long before the priority date of the claimed invention. As such, this additional element does not amount to significantly more than the abstract idea.
As previously noted, claim 12 recites the additional element of receiving input by a user using the input device of the user device. Chen et al. (US 2002/0045463 A1) demonstrates (In conventional mobile devices, to input one English letter, a user typically presses a key 1-4 times to identify a particular letter. See at least [0045]) that inputting data into input devices of a user device was conventional long before the priority date of the claimed invention. As such, this additional element does not amount to significantly more than the abstract idea.
As previously noted, claim 12 recites the additional element of retrieving data from a database. Per MPEP 2106.05(d)(II), the courts have recognized storing and retrieving information in a memory to be a well-understood, routine, and conventional computer function. As such, this additional element does not amount to significantly more than the abstract idea.
There are no further additional elements. When considered as a combination, the use of a computing device, a user device and a healthcare provider device, the computing device in communication with the user device and healthcare provider device, the system being configured to use location services on the user device and the healthcare provider device to retrieve location information including at least one of a global positioning system (GPS) location, an IP address, or a cellular network signal, and receiving input by a user using the input device of the user device, and retrieving data from a database, as a combination does not appear to provide any technical improvement, does not require any particular machine, does not effect any transformation of an article, and does not meaningfully limit the abstract idea. This combination of additional elements instead only generally links the abstract idea to a technological environment of networked mobile computing devices. As such, the combination of additional elements does not amount to significantly more than the abstract idea. Therefore, when considered individually and as a combination, the additional elements of the claim do not amount to significantly more than the judicial exceptions. Thus claim 12 is not patent eligible.
Claims 13-15 further define the abstract idea of the independent claim, but these dependent claims continue to recite an abstract idea. Claim 13 recites the additional element of a communication system configured to provide a virtual meeting, wherein the communication system is programmed to: automatically render the virtual meeting. This additional element only generally links the narrowed abstract idea to a technological environment of teleconferencing. Further, when considered in combination with the previously identified additional elements, the combination of additional elements only generally links the abstract idea to a technological environment of networked mobile computing devices. As such, claim 13 is determined to be directed to an abstract idea. At Step 2B, Willis et al. (US 2015/0244749 A1) demonstrates (“conventional solutions offer virtual meetings” [0006]) the conventionality of virtual meetings. As such, this additional element does not amount to significantly more than the abstract idea. Additionally, when considered in combination with the previously identified additional elements, the combination of additional elements only generally links the abstract idea to a technological environment of networked mobile computing devices. Therefore the additional elements, individually and as a combination, do not amount to significantly more. Because dependent claims 13 is directed to an abstract idea without reciting significantly more, this dependent claim is not patent eligible. Claims 14 and 15 recite no new additional elements beyond those recited in the independent claim. The previously identified additional elements, individually and as a combination, do not integrate the abstract idea of the claims into a practical application for the same reasons as given above. As such, claims 14 and 15 are determined to be directed to an abstract idea. At step 2B, the previously identified additional elements, individually and as a combination, do not amount to significantly more than the abstract idea for the same reasons as given above. Because dependent claims 14 and 15 are directed to an abstract idea without reciting significantly more, these dependent claims are not patent eligible.
Claim 16 recites a method of managing healthcare appointments using a healthcare marketplace
receiving,
identifying,
determining,
authenticating,
retrieving authentication information and credential information provided by the healthcare provider;
comparing the credential information provided by the healthcare provider to official credentials associated with the healthcare provider and retrieved
labeling the credentialing information as verified if the credential information is accurate and up-to-date based on the comparison of the credential information and the official credentials;
retrieving, in real-time with the retrieval of the credential information provided by the healthcare provider, credentialing requirements for the healthcare services provided by a medical credentialing organization;
comparing the credential information provided by the healthcare provider to the credentialing requirements; and
receiving bids for the healthcare services from the healthcare providers who are available and are qualified to submits bids
identifying the healthcare providers that are out-of-network based on the insurance information for the patient;
receiving,
processing the cost waivers to set a status of the cost waivers to authorized when the pin is received;
overriding a charge for the specific patient for each cost waiver that has the status of authorized;
determining out-of-pocket expenses for the patient for the healthcare services based on the bids by the healthcare providers, the cost waivers if the cost waivers are authorized by the healthcare providers, and the insurance information;
providing to the patient a list of healthcare services provided by the healthcare providers and a comparison of costs associated with the healthcare services provided by the healthcare provides, wherein the comparison of costs includes the out-of-pocket expenses for the patient;
providing to the patient a list of available appointments for each healthcare provider; receiving a selection from the patient including a selected healthcare provider, a selected healthcare service, and a selected appointment from the lists of available appointments, wherein the selected healthcare service is associated with a cost from the comparison of costs;
generating an appointment booking based on the selection, wherein the appointment booking includes the selected appointment, the selected healthcare service, the selected healthcare provider, and the cost associated with the healthcare service; and sending, simultaneously, the appointment booking to the healthcare provider and the patient;
sending, simultaneously, the appointment booking to the healthcare provider and the patient;
monitoring,
restricting activities of the healthcare provider
determining, using the geofence
enabling,
enabling,
recording,
The preceding recitation of the claim has had strikethroughs applied to the additional elements beyond the abstract idea to more clearly demonstrate the limitations setting forth the abstract idea. The remaining limitations describe a concept of managing the booking and recording of an appointment with a qualified healthcare provider. This concept describes a mental process that a person should follow to manage healthcare appointments similar to the “mental process that a neurologist should follow when testing a patient for nervous system malfunctions” given in MPEP 2106.04(a)(2)(II)(C) as an example of managing personal behavior in the methods of organizing human activity sub-grouping. As such, these limitation set forth a method of organizing human activity. Alternatively, the identified concept is analogous to the examples of “observation”, “evaluation”, and “judgement” given in MPEP 2106.04(a)(2)(III) and can be performed in the human mind. As such, these limitations set forth a mental process. Therefore the claim is determined to recite an abstract idea.
MPEP 2106, reflecting the 2019 PEG, directs examiners at Step 2A Prong Two to consider whether the additional elements of the claims integrate a recited abstract idea into a practical application.
Claim 16 recites the additional element of a location system, a request system, an authentication system, a confirmation system, and a patient data system. These features are recited at a high level of generality, and are interpreted as components of a generic computing device used to implement the abstract idea. Per MPEP 2106.05(f), implementing an abstract idea on a generic computing device does not integrate an abstract idea into a practical application in Step 2A Prong Two, similar to how the recitation of the computer in the claim in Alice amounted to mere instructions to apply the abstract idea on a generic computer. As such, these additional elements do not integrate the abstract ideas into a practical application.
Claim 16 further recites a user device and a healthcare provider device, wherein the user device includes a display device, an input device, and at least one location sensor, wherein the healthcare provider device includes a display device, an input device, and at least one location sensor. These additional elements are also recited at a high level of generality and are also interpreted as generic computing devices used to implement parts of the abstract idea. As such, these additional elements do not integrate the abstract ideas into a practical application.
Claim 16 further recites the additional element of wherein the location system is configured to use location services on the user device and the healthcare provider device to retrieve location information including at least one of a global positioning system (GPS) location, an IP address, or a cellular network signal. This additional element reflects no improvement to technology, no particular device, and no transformation of an article. This additional element does not meaningfully limit the implementation of the abstract idea, but rather only generally links the abstract idea to a technological environment of networked mobile devices. As such, this additional element does not integrate the abstract idea into a practical application.
Claim 16 further recites the additional element of receiving input by a user using the input device of the user device. This additional element reflects no improvement to technology, no particular device, and no transformation of an article. This additional element does not meaningfully limit the implementation of the abstract idea, but rather only generally links the abstract idea to a technological environment of a computing device. As such, this additional element does not integrate the abstract idea into a practical application.
Claim 16 further recites the additional element of retrieving data from a database. This additional element reflects no improvement to technology, no particular device, and no transformation of an article. This additional element does not meaningfully limit the implementation of the abstract idea, but rather only generally links the abstract idea to a technological environment of a computing device. As such, this additional element does not integrate the abstract idea into a practical application.
Claim 16 further recites automatically performing steps. This general instruction to automate steps amounts to an instruction to apply the abstract idea with a generic computing device. As previously noted, such additional elements do not integrate an abstract idea into a practical application. As such, this additional element does not integrate the abstract ideas into a practical application.
Claim 16 further recites the additional element of receiving data transmitted from at least one computing device and via modulated data signals. This additional element reflects no improvement to technology, no particular device, and no transformation of an article. This additional element does not meaningfully limit the implementation of the abstract idea, but rather only generally links the abstract idea to a technological environment of networked computing devices. As such, this additional element does not integrate the abstract idea into a practical application.
There are no further additional elements. When considered as a combination, the use of a computing device, a user device and a healthcare provider device, the system being configured to use location services on the user device and the healthcare provider device to retrieve location information including at least one of a global positioning system (GPS) location, an IP address, or a cellular network signal, and receiving input by a user using the input device of the user device, and retrieving data from a database, and automating various steps, and receiving data transmitted via modulated data signals as a combination does not appear to provide any technical improvement, does not require any particular machine, does not effect any transformation of an article, and does not meaningfully limit the abstract idea. While numerous, the combination of additional elements only generally links the abstract idea to a technological environment of networked mobile computing devices. As such, the combination of additional elements does not integrate the abstract idea into a practical application. Therefore claim 16 is determined to be directed to an abstract idea.
At Step 2B of the Mayo/Alice analysis, examiners are to consider whether the additional elements amount to significantly more than the abstract idea.
As previously noted, the claims recite additional elements which may be interpreted as generic computing devices used to implement the abstract idea. However, per MPEP 2106.05(f), implementing an abstract idea on a generic computing device does not add significantly more in Step 2B, similar to how the recitation of the computer in the claim in Alice amounted to mere instructions to apply the abstract idea on a generic computer. As such, this additional element does not amount to significantly more.
As previously noted, claim 16 recites the additional element of wherein the location system is configured to use location services on the user device and the healthcare provider device to retrieve location information including at least one of a global positioning system (GPS) location, an IP address, or a cellular network signal. Trossen et al. (US 2004/0176103 A1) demonstrates (A well-known example of these is the Global Positioning System (GPS). … In the conventional mobile location services the mobile stations would be provided with a GPS receiver. The mobile station would then provide the location information to appropriate location service entity of the network, such as the GMLC 12 or the SMLC 13. [0060]) that such systems were conventional long before the priority date of the claimed invention. As such, this additional element does not amount to significantly more than the abstract idea.
As previously noted, claim 16 recites the additional element of receiving input by a user using the input device of the user device. Chen et al. (US 2002/0045463 A1) demonstrates (In conventional mobile devices, to input one English letter, a user typically presses a key 1-4 times to identify a particular letter. See at least [0045]) that inputting data into input devices of a user device was conventional long before the priority date of the claimed invention. As such, this additional element does not amount to significantly more than the abstract idea.
As previously noted, claim 16 recites the additional element of retrieving data from a database. Per MPEP 2106.05(d)(II), the courts have recognized storing and retrieving information in a memory to be a well-understood, routine, and conventional computer function. As such, this additional element does not amount to significantly more than the abstract idea.
As previously noted, claim 16 further recites automatically performing steps. This general instruction to automate steps amounts to an instruction to apply the abstract idea with a generic computing device. As previously noted, such additional elements do not amount to significantly more than an abstract idea. As such, this additional element does not amount to significantly more than the abstract idea.
As previously noted, claim 16 recites the additional element of receiving data transmitted from at least one computing device and via modulated data signals. Per MPEP 2106.05(d)(II), the courts have recognized receiving or transmitting data over a network to be a well-understood, routine, and conventional computer function. Further, Dent (US 2003/0099283 A1) demonstrates (As known in the art, conventional wireless transmission is carried out according to quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) … . [0007]) that transmitting data via modulated signals was conventional long before the priority date of the claimed invention. As such, this additional element does not amount to significantly more than the abstract idea.
There are no further additional elements. When considered as a combination, the use of a computing device, a user device and a healthcare provider device, the system being configured to use location services on the user device and the healthcare provider device to retrieve location information including at least one of a global positioning system (GPS) location, an IP address, or a cellular network signal, and receiving input by a user using the input device of the user device, and retrieving data from a database, and automating various steps, and receiving data transmitted via modulated data signals as a combination does not appear to provide any technical improvement, does not require any particular machine, does not effect any transformation of an article, and does not meaningfully limit the abstract idea. This combination of additional elements instead only generally links the abstract idea to a technological environment of networked mobile computing devices. As such, the combination of additional elements does not amount to significantly more than the abstract idea. Therefore, when considered individually and as a combination, the additional elements of the claim do not amount to significantly more than the judicial exceptions. Thus claim 16 is not patent eligible.
Claims 17-19 further define the abstract idea of the independent claim, but these dependent claims continue to recite an abstract idea. Claims 17-19 recite no new additional elements beyond those recited in the independent claim. The previously identified additional elements, individually and as a combination, do not integrate the abstract idea of the claims into a practical application for the same reasons as given above. As such, claims 17-19 are determined to be directed to an abstract idea. At step 2B, the previously identified additional elements, individually and as a combination, do not amount to significantly more than the abstract idea for the same reasons as given above. Because dependent claims 17-19 are directed to an abstract idea without reciting significantly more, these dependent claims are not patent eligible.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s Argument Regarding 101 Rejections of claims 1-20: The claims have been amended to remove phrases indicated by the Office.
Examiner’s Response: Applicant's amendments filed 12 February 2026 have been fully considered and they resolve the identified issue. The rejections under 112(a) are withdrawn.
Applicant’s Argument Regarding 101 Rejections of claims 1-20:
The additional elements of the present claims clearly establish a practical application because the claims utilize a particular configuration for monitoring and using patient and provider locations that improves the functioning of technology. For example, the location system includes a geofence and is configured to use location services on the user device and the healthcare provider device to retrieve location information including at least one of a global positioning system (GPS) location, an IP address, or a cellular network signal. … The system solves the technical problem of more efficiently and accurately monitoring locations of the patient and the healthcare provider without relying on external or other location devices that may add complexity to the system.
The claims improve the device by automatically restricting input functionality based on physical location data, effectively locking the interface to prevent invalid data entry. For example, the Specification at [0035] describes a technical solution where the system restricts activity to when the users are within specified geographic boundaries. This is not merely managing an appointment; it is a specific improvement to the computing device that prevents data generation (confirmation inputs) unless a specific physical sensor state (within geofence) is satisfied.
The system solves the technical problems of efficiently and accurately monitoring locations of the patient and the healthcare provider to verify presence of the patient and the healthcare provider at specific geographic locations without human intervention.
The system reduces the computing and storage requirements for monitoring the locations because the system utilizes a distributed architecture that leverages local location services on the user device and the healthcare provider device rather than requiring a central server to continuously poll devices regardless of context.
The pending claims clearly recite more than well-understood, routine, or conventional functionality system for healthcare systems. They include meaningful limitations beyond generally linking any abstract idea to a particular technological environment. For example, the claims recite a user device including a display device, an input device, and at least one location sensor.
The specific combination of these elements, particular the technical process for monitoring the locations of the patient and the healthcare provider and restricting activities of the healthcare provider on the healthcare provider device and the patient on the user device to when the healthcare provider and the patient are within geographic boundaries associated with the appointment booking, constitutes a non-conventional arrangement.
The Examiner has not rejected the claims in view of any prior art, finding them novel and non-obvious. The Appeals Review Panel in Ex parte Guillaume Desjardins … cautioned that Sections 102, 103, and 112 are the traditional and appropriate tools to limit patent protection to its proper scope and specifically instructed that these statutory provisions should be the focus of examination.
Dependent claims 2, 6, 8, 13, 14, and 18 include further specific technical features that integrate the alleged abstract idea into a practical application or amount to significantly more.
Examiner’s Response: Applicant's arguments filed 12 February 2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
The claims do not appear to provide any technical improvement. Per MPEP 2106.05(a), “If it is asserted that the invention improves upon conventional functioning of a computer, or upon conventional technology or technological processes, a technical explanation as to how to implement the invention should be present in the specification. That is, the disclosure must provide sufficient details such that one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize the claimed invention as providing an improvement.” Here, the disclosure provides no technical explanation of how to implement the geofence or monitoring patient and provider devices. One of ordinary skill in the art would not recognize the claimed invention as providing an improvement. As such, the claims do not appear to provide a technical improvement.
Again, the disclosure provides no technical explanation of how to implement restricting input functionality based on physical location. As such, the claims do not appear to provide a technical improvement.
Again, the disclosure provides no technical explanation of how to implement monitoring locations of the patient and the healthcare provider to verify presence of the patient and the healthcare provider at specific geographic locations. As such, the claims do not appear to provide a technical improvement.
Examiner notes that it is unclear how the system can reduce computing and storage requirements for monitoring locations if, as Applicant asserts, the system has solved an existing problem of monitoring locations. Further, one of ordinary skill in the art would not understand the claims as reducing either computing or storage requirements across the system. Further, as claimed, the claims still encompass “a central server [] continuously poll[ing] devices regardless of context.”
A user device including a display device, an input device, and at least one location sensor, where the “location sensor” includes a cellular antenna, is not a meaningful limitation on the abstract idea.
Examiner is unpersuaded. The claims do not appear to describe a “technical process”, but rather describe a series of functionally defined results implemented with generic computing network including mobile devices. That is not a meaningful limitation on the abstract idea.
Per MPEP 2106.05, “the search for an inventive concept should not be confused with a novelty or non-obviousness determination.” Applicant’s argument does not address the well-grounded 101 issues of the present claims.
The referenced features of the identified dependent claims are part of the abstract idea, and thus do not constitute additional elements which may integrate an abstract idea into a practical application or amount to significantly more.
Additional Considerations
The prior art made of record and not relied upon that is considered pertinent to applicant’s disclosure can be found in the PTO-892 of the prior office action dated 22 October 2025.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Bion A Shelden whose telephone number is (571)270-0515. The examiner can normally be reached M-F, 12pm-10pm EST.
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/Bion A Shelden/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3685 2026-07-24
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