DETAILED ACTION
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 .
Status of Claims
Claims 1-18 are pending.
Priority
This application 18/954,253, filed 11/20/2024 claims priority to:
CON of 17/953,433, filed 09/27/2022, which claims priority to:
Provisional 63/339,843, filed 05/09/2022 (effective filing date)
Applicant’s claim for the benefit of a prior-filed application under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) or under 35 U.S.C. 120, 121, 365(c), or 386(c) is acknowledged.
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement(s) (IDS) submitted on 11/20/2024 is/are in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement(s) has/have been considered by the examiner.
Claim Objections
Claims 2, 6, 8, 12, 14 and 18 are objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim but would be allowable if rewritten in the independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
Double Patenting
The nonstatutory double patenting rejection is based on a judicially created doctrine grounded in public policy (a policy reflected in the statute) so as to prevent the unjustified or improper timewise extension of the “right to exclude” granted by a patent and to prevent possible harassment by multiple assignees. A nonstatutory double patenting rejection is appropriate where the conflicting claims are not identical, but at least one examined application claim is not patentably distinct from the reference claim(s) because the examined application claim is either anticipated by, or would have been obvious over, the reference claim(s). See, e.g., In re Berg, 140 F.3d 1428, 46 USPQ2d 1226 (Fed. Cir. 1998); In re Goodman, 11 F.3d 1046, 29 USPQ2d 2010 (Fed. Cir. 1993); In re Longi, 759 F.2d 887, 225 USPQ 645 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re Van Ornum, 686 F.2d 937, 214 USPQ 761 (CCPA 1982); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); In re Thorington, 418 F.2d 528, 163 USPQ 644 (CCPA 1969).
A timely filed terminal disclaimer in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(c) or 1.321(d) may be used to overcome an actual or provisional rejection based on nonstatutory double patenting provided the reference application or patent either is shown to be commonly owned with the examined application, or claims an invention made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement. See MPEP § 717.02 for applications subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA as explained in MPEP § 2159. See MPEP § 2146 et seq. for applications not subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . A terminal disclaimer must be signed in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(b).
The filing of a terminal disclaimer by itself is not a complete reply to a nonstatutory double patenting (NSDP) rejection. A complete reply requires that the terminal disclaimer be accompanied by a reply requesting reconsideration of the prior Office action. Even where the NSDP rejection is provisional the reply must be complete. See MPEP § 804, subsection I.B.1. For a reply to a non-final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.111(a). For a reply to final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.113(c). A request for reconsideration while not provided for in 37 CFR 1.113(c) may be filed after final for consideration. See MPEP §§ 706.07(e) and 714.13.
The USPTO Internet website contains terminal disclaimer forms which may be used. Please visit www.uspto.gov/patent/patents-forms. The actual filing date of the application in which the form is filed determines what form (e.g., PTO/SB/25, PTO/SB/26, PTO/AIA /25, or PTO/AIA /26) should be used. A web-based eTerminal Disclaimer may be filled out completely online using web-screens. An eTerminal Disclaimer that meets all requirements is auto-processed and approved immediately upon submission. For more information about eTerminal Disclaimers, refer to www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/applying-online/eterminal-disclaimer.
Claims 1-2, 4-8, 10-14 and 16-18 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-12 of U.S. Patent No. 12,155,766. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because all the claims at issue are recited in claims 1-12 of U.S. Patent No. 12,155,766. The claims are mapped as follows:
Instant Claims
U.S. Patent No. 12,155,766
1. A computer-implemented method of using a computing system, the method comprises:
obtaining, by a computing device of the computing system, a copy of an object distributed ledger that includes a contingency-action token (CAT), wherein the CAT includes a CAT identifier of the CAT and a link to a non-fungible token (NFT) by the object distributed ledger;
verifying, by the computing device, that the CAT matches a representation of minimum CAT requirements that includes:
an obligation provider identifier record of the CAT that includes an original obligation provider identifier of the NFT when the NFT was initially generated, wherein the obligation provider identifier is associated with providing of an obligation tied to an obligation recipient identifier in accordance with obligation requirements, wherein a positive obligation status indicates that the obligation has historically been provided in accordance with the obligation requirements, and
an outcome recipient identifier record of the CAT that includes an original outcome recipient identifier of the NFT when the NFT was initially generated, wherein the outcome recipient identifier is associated with a result of a triggered outcome tied to an outcome provider identifier in accordance with contingent outcome rules and the positive obligation status, wherein a contingency status indicates whether the triggered outcome has been triggered for a contingency entity identifier in accordance with the contingent outcome rules;
verifying, by the computing device, that a recovered cryptographic token value of the CAT matches a calculated cryptographic token value of the CAT;
determining, by the computing device, an evaluation profile for an evaluation of the CAT to include a required evaluation performance improvement level of the obligation requirements;
comparing, by the computing device, the providing of the obligation associated with the obligation provider identifier to providing of the obligation associated with a hypothetical obligation provider identifier in accordance with the evaluation profile to produce an obligation evaluation;
comparing, by the computing device, an estimated triggered outcome when the providing of the obligation is associated with the obligation provider identifier to a hypothetical estimated triggered outcome when the providing of the obligation is associated with the hypothetical obligation provider identifier in accordance with the evaluation profile to produce an outcome evaluation;
indicating, by the computing device, to select the CAT to produce a selected CAT when the obligation evaluation and the outcome evaluation satisfies the required evaluation performance improvement level of the obligation requirements;
determining, by the computing device, reassignment information for the selected CAT, wherein the reassignment information includes a confirmed change of at least one of the obligation provider identifier and the outcome recipient identifier;
facilitating, by the computing device, taking control of the selected CAT of a blockchain of the object distributed ledger;
updating, by the computing device, the selected CAT utilizing the reassignment information for the CAT to produce an updated CAT; and
causing, by the computing device, generation of a new block affiliated with the updated CAT via the blockchain of the object distributed ledger, wherein the new block includes the updated CAT.
1. A computer-implemented method of using a computing system, the method comprises:
identifying, by a computing device of the computing system, a contingency-action token (CAT) of an object distributed ledger, wherein the CAT includes another token linked to a non-fungible token (NFT) by the object distributed ledger when the CAT is not the NFT, wherein the CAT meets minimum CAT requirements that includes:
a recovered cryptographic token value of the CAT matches a calculated cryptographic token value of the CAT,
an obligation provider identifier record of the CAT that includes an original obligation provider identifier of the NFT when the NFT was initially generated, wherein the obligation provider identifier is associated with providing of an obligation tied to an obligation recipient identifier in accordance with obligation requirements, wherein a positive obligation status indicates that the obligation has historically been provided in accordance with the obligation requirements, and
an outcome recipient identifier record of the CAT that includes an original outcome recipient identifier of the NFT when the NFT was initially generated, wherein the outcome recipient identifier is associated with a result of a triggered outcome tied to an outcome provider identifier in accordance with contingent outcome rules and the positive obligation status, wherein a contingency status indicates whether the triggered outcome has been triggered for a contingency entity identifier in accordance with the contingent outcome rules;
wherein the identifying the CAT of the object distributed ledger that meets the minimum CAT requirements comprises:
determining whether to indirectly or directly access the object distributed ledger;
when indirectly accessing the object distributed ledger:
issuing a CAT access request to an object ledger computing device of the computing system serving as a blockchain node of the object distributed ledger, wherein the CAT access request includes a representation of the minimum CAT requirements, and
extracting a CAT identifier of the CAT from a CAT access response from the object ledger computing device;
when directly accessing the object distributed ledger:
obtaining a copy of the object distributed ledger, and
indicating the CAT identifier of the CAT when detecting a block of the copy of the object distributed ledger that matches the representation of the minimum CAT requirements; and
verifying that the recovered cryptographic token value of the CAT matches the calculated cryptographic token value of the CAT;
determining, by the computing device, whether to select the CAT based on an evaluation of the CAT with regards to an evaluation profile, wherein a beneficial improvement to a present estimate of the triggered outcome results from a hypothetical change to the obligation provider identifier of the selected CAT, wherein the evaluation of the CAT T includes producing:
an obligation evaluation based on the evaluation profile, wherein the obligation evaluation compares the providing of the obligation in accordance with the obligation requirements, and
an outcome evaluation, wherein the outcome evaluation produces the present estimate of the triggered outcome based on the evaluation profile;
wherein the determining whether to select the CAT based on the evaluation of the CAT with regards to the evaluation profile comprises:
determining the evaluation profile to include a required evaluation performance improvement level;
comparing the providing of the obligation associated with the original obligation provider identifier to providing of the obligation associated with a hypothetical obligation provider identifier in accordance with the evaluation profile to produce the obligation evaluation;
comparing an estimated trigger outcome when the providing of the obligation is associated with the original obligation provider identifier to a hypothetical estimated trigger outcome when the providing of the obligation is associated with the hypothetical obligation provider identifier in accordance with the evaluation profile to produce the outcome evaluation; and
indicating to select the CAT when the obligation evaluation and the outcome evaluation satisfies the required evaluation performance improvement level;
selecting the CAT to produce a selected CAT;
determining, by the computing device, reassignment information for the selected CAT, wherein the reassignment information includes a confirmed change of at least one of the obligation provider identifier and the outcome recipient identifier;
facilitating, by the computing device, taking control of the selected CAT of a blockchain of the object distributed ledger;
updating, by the computing device, the selected CAT utilizing the reassignment information for the CAT to produce an updated CAT; and
causing, by the computing device, generation of a new block affiliated with the updated CAT via the blockchain of the object distributed ledger, wherein the new block includes the updated CAT.
2. The method of claim 1,
wherein the obtaining the copy of the object distributed ledger comprises:
determining whether to indirectly or directly access the object distributed ledger;
when indirectly accessing the object distributed ledger:
issuing a CAT access request to an object ledger computing device of the computing system serving as a blockchain node of the object distributed ledger, wherein the CAT access request includes a representation of the minimum CAT requirements, and
extracting the CAT identifier of the CAT from a CAT access response from the object ledger computing device; and
when directly accessing the object distributed ledger:
recovering the copy of the object distributed ledger, and
indicating the CAT identifier of the CAT when detecting a block of the copy of the object distributed ledger that matches at least a portion of the representation of the minimum CAT requirements.
1. A computer-implemented method of using a computing system, the method comprises:
identifying, by a computing device of the computing system, a contingency-action token (CAT) of an object distributed ledger, wherein the CAT includes another token linked to a non-fungible token (NFT) by the object distributed ledger when the CAT is not the NFT, wherein the CAT meets minimum CAT requirements that includes:
a recovered cryptographic token value of the CAT matches a calculated cryptographic token value of the CAT,
an obligation provider identifier record of the CAT that includes an original obligation provider identifier of the NFT when the NFT was initially generated, wherein the obligation provider identifier is associated with providing of an obligation tied to an obligation recipient identifier in accordance with obligation requirements, wherein a positive obligation status indicates that the obligation has historically been provided in accordance with the obligation requirements, and
an outcome recipient identifier record of the CAT that includes an original outcome recipient identifier of the NFT when the NFT was initially generated, wherein the outcome recipient identifier is associated with a result of a triggered outcome tied to an outcome provider identifier in accordance with contingent outcome rules and the positive obligation status, wherein a contingency status indicates whether the triggered outcome has been triggered for a contingency entity identifier in accordance with the contingent outcome rules;
wherein the identifying the CAT of the object distributed ledger that meets the minimum CAT requirements comprises:
determining whether to indirectly or directly access the object distributed ledger;
when indirectly accessing the object distributed ledger:
issuing a CAT access request to an object ledger computing device of the computing system serving as a blockchain node of the object distributed ledger, wherein the CAT access request includes a representation of the minimum CAT requirements, and
extracting a CAT identifier of the CAT from a CAT access response from the object ledger computing device;
when directly accessing the object distributed ledger:
obtaining a copy of the object distributed ledger, and
indicating the CAT identifier of the CAT when detecting a block of the copy of the object distributed ledger that matches the representation of the minimum CAT requirements; and
verifying that the recovered cryptographic token value of the CAT matches the calculated cryptographic token value of the CAT;
determining, by the computing device, whether to select the CAT based on an evaluation of the CAT with regards to an evaluation profile, wherein a beneficial improvement to a present estimate of the triggered outcome results from a hypothetical change to the obligation provider identifier of the selected CAT, wherein the evaluation of the CAT T includes producing:
an obligation evaluation based on the evaluation profile, wherein the obligation evaluation compares the providing of the obligation in accordance with the obligation requirements, and
an outcome evaluation, wherein the outcome evaluation produces the present estimate of the triggered outcome based on the evaluation profile;
wherein the determining whether to select the CAT based on the evaluation of the CAT with regards to the evaluation profile comprises:
determining the evaluation profile to include a required evaluation performance improvement level;
comparing the providing of the obligation associated with the original obligation provider identifier to providing of the obligation associated with a hypothetical obligation provider identifier in accordance with the evaluation profile to produce the obligation evaluation;
comparing an estimated trigger outcome when the providing of the obligation is associated with the original obligation provider identifier to a hypothetical estimated trigger outcome when the providing of the obligation is associated with the hypothetical obligation provider identifier in accordance with the evaluation profile to produce the outcome evaluation; and
indicating to select the CAT when the obligation evaluation and the outcome evaluation satisfies the required evaluation performance improvement level;
selecting the CAT to produce a selected CAT;
determining, by the computing device, reassignment information for the selected CAT, wherein the reassignment information includes a confirmed change of at least one of the obligation provider identifier and the outcome recipient identifier;
facilitating, by the computing device, taking control of the selected CAT of a blockchain of the object distributed ledger;
updating, by the computing device, the selected CAT utilizing the reassignment information for the CAT to produce an updated CAT; and
causing, by the computing device, generation of a new block affiliated with the updated CAT via the blockchain of the object distributed ledger, wherein the new block includes the updated CAT.
3. The method of claim 1,
wherein the determining the evaluation profile for the evaluation of the CAT to include the required evaluation performance improvement level of the obligation requirements comprises:
recovering the NFT utilizing the link to the NFT to produce a recovered NFT; and
extracting the evaluation profile from the recovered NFT.
No double patenting rejection
4. The method of claim 1,
wherein the determining the reassignment information for the selected CAT comprises at least one of:
identifying the hypothetical obligation provider identifier based on the evaluation of the selected CAT with regards to the evaluation profile to establish a new obligation provider identifier of the reassignment information; and
when requested, modifying the outcome recipient identifier to establish a new outcome recipient identifier of the reassignment information.
2. The method of claim 1,
wherein the determining the reassignment information for the selected CAT comprises at least one of:
identifying a hypothetical obligation provider identifier based on the evaluation of the selected CAT with regards to the evaluation profile to establish a new obligation provider identifier of the reassignment information; and
when requested, modifying the outcome recipient identifier to establish a new outcome recipient identifier of the reassignment information.
5. The method of claim 1,
wherein the updating the selected CAT utilizing the reassignment information for the selected CAT to produce the updated CAT comprises:
obtaining the selected CAT; and
replacing corresponding elements of the selected CAT with at least a portion of the reassignment information to produce the updated CAT.
3. The method of claim 1,
wherein the updating the selected CAT utilizing the reassignment information for the selected CAT to produce the updated CAT comprises:
obtaining the selected CAT; and
replacing corresponding elements of the selected CAT with at least a portion of the reassignment information to produce the updated CAT.
6. The method of claim 1,
wherein the causing generation of the new block affiliated with the updated CAT via the blockchain of the object distributed ledger comprises:
determining whether to indirectly or directly update the object distributed ledger;
when indirectly updating the object distributed ledger:
issuing a blockchain update request to an object ledger computing device of the computing system serving as a blockchain node of the object distributed ledger, wherein the blockchain update request includes the updated CAT; and
when directly updating the object distributed ledger:
obtaining a copy of the object distributed ledger,
hashing content of the updated CAT utilizing a receiving public key of the object distributed ledger to produce a next transaction hash value,
encrypting the next transaction hash value utilizing a private key of the computing device to produce a next transaction signature,
generating a next block of the blockchain of the object distributed ledger to include the content of the updated CAT and the next transaction signature, and
causing inclusion of the next block as the new block in the object distributed ledger.
4. The method of claim 1,
wherein the causing generation of the new block affiliated with the updated CAT via the blockchain of the object distributed ledger comprises:
determining whether to indirectly or directly update the object distributed ledger;
when indirectly updating the object distributed ledger:
issuing a blockchain update request to an object ledger computing device of the computing system serving as a blockchain node of the object distributed ledger, wherein the blockchain update request includes the updated CAT; and
when directly updating the object distributed ledger:
obtaining a copy of the object distributed ledger,
hashing content of the updated CAT utilizing a receiving public key of the object distributed ledger to produce a next transaction hash value,
encrypting the next transaction hash value utilizing a private key of the computing device to produce a next transaction signature,
generating a next block of the blockchain of the object distributed ledger to include the content of the updated CAT and the next transaction signature, and
causing inclusion of the next block as the new block in the object distributed ledger.
7. A computing device of a computing system, the computing device comprises:
an interface;
a local memory; and
a processing module operably coupled to the interface and the local memory, wherein the processing module functions to:
obtain a copy of an object distributed ledger that includes a contingency-action token (CAT), wherein the CAT includes a CAT identifier of the CAT and a link to a non-fungible token (NFT) by the object distributed ledger;
verify that the CAT matches a representation of minimum CAT requirements that includes:
an obligation provider identifier record of the CAT that includes an original obligation provider identifier of the NFT when the NFT was initially generated, wherein the obligation provider identifier is associated with providing of an obligation tied to an obligation recipient identifier in accordance with obligation requirements, wherein a positive obligation status indicates that the obligation has historically been provided in accordance with the obligation requirements, and
an outcome recipient identifier record of the CAT that includes an original outcome recipient identifier of the NFT when the NFT was initially generated, wherein the outcome recipient identifier is associated with a result of a triggered outcome tied to an outcome provider identifier in accordance with contingent outcome rules and the positive obligation status, wherein a contingency status indicates whether the triggered outcome has been triggered for a contingency entity identifier in accordance with the contingent outcome rules;
verify that a recovered cryptographic token value of the CAT matches a calculated cryptographic token value of the CAT;
determine an evaluation profile for an evaluation of the CAT to include a required evaluation performance improvement level of the obligation requirements;
compare the providing of the obligation associated with the obligation provider identifier to providing of the obligation associated with a hypothetical obligation provider identifier in accordance with the evaluation profile to produce an obligation evaluation;
compare an estimated triggered outcome when the providing of the obligation is associated with the obligation provider identifier to a hypothetical estimated triggered outcome when the providing of the obligation is associated with the hypothetical obligation provider identifier in accordance with the evaluation profile to produce an outcome evaluation;
indicate to select the CAT to produce a selected CAT when the obligation evaluation and the outcome evaluation satisfies the required evaluation performance improvement level of the obligation requirements;
determine reassignment information for the selected CAT, wherein the reassignment information includes a confirmed change of at least one of the obligation provider identifier and the outcome recipient identifier;
facilitate taking control of the selected CAT of a blockchain of the object distributed ledger;
update the selected CAT utilizing the reassignment information for the CAT to produce an updated CAT; and
cause generation of a new block affiliated with the updated CAT via the blockchain of the object distributed ledger, wherein the new block includes the updated CAT.
5. A computing device of a computing system, the computing device comprises:
an interface;
a local memory; and
a processing module operably coupled to the interface and the local memory, wherein the processing module functions to:
identify a contingency-action token (CAT) of an object distributed ledger, wherein the CAT includes another token linked to a non-fungible token (NFT) by the object distributed ledger when the CAT is not the NFT, wherein the CAT meets minimum CAT requirements that includes:
a recovered cryptographic token value of the CAT matches a calculated cryptographic token value of the CAT,
an obligation provider identifier record of the CAT that includes an original obligation provider identifier of the NFT when the NFT was initially generated, wherein the obligation provider identifier is associated with providing of an obligation tied to an obligation recipient identifier in accordance with obligation requirements, wherein a positive obligation status indicates that the obligation has historically been provided in accordance with the obligation requirements, and
an outcome recipient identifier record of the CAT that includes an original outcome recipient identifier of the NFT when the NFT was initially generated, wherein the outcome recipient identifier is associated with a result of a triggered outcome tied to an outcome provider identifier in accordance with contingent outcome rules and the positive obligation status, wherein a contingency status indicates whether the triggered outcome has been triggered for a contingency entity identifier in accordance with the contingent outcome rules;
wherein the identify the CAT of the object distributed ledger that meets the minimum CAT requirements comprises:
determining whether to indirectly or directly access the object distributed ledger;
when indirectly accessing the object distributed ledger:
issuing, via the interface, a CAT access request to an object ledger computing device of the computing system serving as a blockchain node of the object distributed ledger, wherein the CAT access request includes a representation of the minimum CAT requirements, and
extracting an CAT identifier of the CAT from a CAT access response from the object ledger computing device;
when directly accessing the object distributed ledger:
obtaining, via the interface, a copy of the object distributed ledger, and
indicating the CAT identifier of the CAT when detecting a block of the copy of the object distributed ledger that matches the representation of the minimum CAT requirements; and
verifying that the recovered cryptographic token value of the CAT matches the calculated cryptographic token value of the CAT;
determine whether to select the CAT based on an evaluation of the CAT with regards to an evaluation profile, wherein a beneficial improvement to the triggered outcome results from a hypothetical change to the obligation provider identifier of the selected CAT, wherein the evaluation of the CAT includes producing:
an obligation evaluation based on the evaluation profile, wherein the obligation evaluation compares the providing of the obligation in accordance with the obligation requirements, and
an outcome evaluation, wherein the outcome evaluation produces the present estimate of the triggered outcome based on the evaluation profile;
wherein the determine whether to select the CAT based on the evaluation of the CAT with regards to the evaluation profile comprises:
determining the evaluation profile to include a required evaluation performance improvement level;
comparing the providing of the obligation associated with the original obligation provider identifier to providing of the obligation associated with a hypothetical obligation provider identifier in accordance with the evaluation profile to produce the obligation evaluation;
comparing an estimated trigger outcome when the providing of the obligation is associated with the original obligation provider identifier to a hypothetical estimated trigger outcome when the providing of the obligation is associated with the hypothetical obligation provider identifier in accordance with the evaluation profile to produce the outcome evaluation; and
indicating to select the CAT when the obligation evaluation and the outcome evaluation satisfies the required evaluation performance improvement level;
when selecting the CAT to produce a selected CAT:
determine reassignment information for the selected CAT, wherein the reassignment information includes a confirmed change of at least one of the obligation provider identifier and the outcome recipient identifier;
facilitate taking control of the selected CAT of a blockchain of the object distributed ledger;
update the selected CAT utilizing the reassignment information for the CAT to produce an updated CAT; and
cause generation of a new block affiliated with the updated CAT via the blockchain of the object distributed ledger, wherein the new block includes the updated CAT.
8. The computing device of claim 7,
wherein the processing module functions to obtain the copy of the object distributed ledger by:
determining whether to indirectly or directly access the object distributed ledger;
when indirectly accessing the object distributed ledger:
issuing, via the interface, a CAT access request to an object ledger computing device of the computing system serving as a blockchain node of the object distributed ledger, wherein the CAT access request includes a representation of the minimum CAT requirements, and
extracting the CAT identifier of the CAT from a CAT access response from the object ledger computing device; and
when directly accessing the object distributed ledger:
recovering, via the interface, the copy of the object distributed ledger, and
indicating the CAT identifier of the CAT when detecting a block of the copy of the object distributed ledger that matches at least a portion of the representation of the minimum CAT requirements.
5. A computing device of a computing system, the computing device comprises:
an interface;
a local memory; and
a processing module operably coupled to the interface and the local memory, wherein the processing module functions to:
identify a contingency-action token (CAT) of an object distributed ledger, wherein the CAT includes another token linked to a non-fungible token (NFT) by the object distributed ledger when the CAT is not the NFT, wherein the CAT meets minimum CAT requirements that includes:
a recovered cryptographic token value of the CAT matches a calculated cryptographic token value of the CAT,
an obligation provider identifier record of the CAT that includes an original obligation provider identifier of the NFT when the NFT was initially generated, wherein the obligation provider identifier is associated with providing of an obligation tied to an obligation recipient identifier in accordance with obligation requirements, wherein a positive obligation status indicates that the obligation has historically been provided in accordance with the obligation requirements, and
an outcome recipient identifier record of the CAT that includes an original outcome recipient identifier of the NFT when the NFT was initially generated, wherein the outcome recipient identifier is associated with a result of a triggered outcome tied to an outcome provider identifier in accordance with contingent outcome rules and the positive obligation status, wherein a contingency status indicates whether the triggered outcome has been triggered for a contingency entity identifier in accordance with the contingent outcome rules;
wherein the identify the CAT of the object distributed ledger that meets the minimum CAT requirements comprises:
determining whether to indirectly or directly access the object distributed ledger;
when indirectly accessing the object distributed ledger:
issuing, via the interface, a CAT access request to an object ledger computing device of the computing system serving as a blockchain node of the object distributed ledger, wherein the CAT access request includes a representation of the minimum CAT requirements, and
extracting an CAT identifier of the CAT from a CAT access response from the object ledger computing device;
when directly accessing the object distributed ledger:
obtaining, via the interface, a copy of the object distributed ledger, and
indicating the CAT identifier of the CAT when detecting a block of the copy of the object distributed ledger that matches the representation of the minimum CAT requirements; and
verifying that the recovered cryptographic token value of the CAT matches the calculated cryptographic token value of the CAT;
determine whether to select the CAT based on an evaluation of the CAT with regards to an evaluation profile, wherein a beneficial improvement to the triggered outcome results from a hypothetical change to the obligation provider identifier of the selected CAT, wherein the evaluation of the CAT includes producing:
an obligation evaluation based on the evaluation profile, wherein the obligation evaluation compares the providing of the obligation in accordance with the obligation requirements, and
an outcome evaluation, wherein the outcome evaluation produces the present estimate of the triggered outcome based on the evaluation profile;
wherein the determine whether to select the CAT based on the evaluation of the CAT with regards to the evaluation profile comprises:
determining the evaluation profile to include a required evaluation performance improvement level;
comparing the providing of the obligation associated with the original obligation provider identifier to providing of the obligation associated with a hypothetical obligation provider identifier in accordance with the evaluation profile to produce the obligation evaluation;
comparing an estimated trigger outcome when the providing of the obligation is associated with the original obligation provider identifier to a hypothetical estimated trigger outcome when the providing of the obligation is associated with the hypothetical obligation provider identifier in accordance with the evaluation profile to produce the outcome evaluation; and
indicating to select the CAT when the obligation evaluation and the outcome evaluation satisfies the required evaluation performance improvement level;
when selecting the CAT to produce a selected CAT:
determine reassignment information for the selected CAT, wherein the reassignment information includes a confirmed change of at least one of the obligation provider identifier and the outcome recipient identifier;
facilitate taking control of the selected CAT of a blockchain of the object distributed ledger;
update the selected CAT utilizing the reassignment information for the CAT to produce an updated CAT; and
cause generation of a new block affiliated with the updated CAT via the blockchain of the object distributed ledger, wherein the new block includes the updated CAT.
9. The computing device of claim 7,
wherein the processing module functions to determine the evaluation profile for the evaluation of the CAT to include the required evaluation performance improvement level of the obligation requirements by:
recovering, via the interface, the NFT utilizing the link to the NFT to produce a recovered NFT; and
extracting the evaluation profile from the recovered NFT.
No double patenting rejection
10. The computing device of claim 7,
wherein the processing module functions to determine the reassignment information for the selected CAT by at least one of:
identifying the hypothetical obligation provider identifier based on the evaluation of the selected CAT with regards to the evaluation profile to establish a new obligation provider identifier of the reassignment information; and
when requested, modifying the outcome recipient identifier to establish a new outcome recipient identifier of the reassignment information.
6. The computing device of claim 5,
wherein the processing module functions to determine the reassignment information for the selected CAT by at least one of:
identifying a hypothetical obligation provider identifier based on the evaluation of the selected CAT with regards to the evaluation profile to establish a new obligation provider identifier of the reassignment information; and
when requested, modifying the outcome recipient identifier to establish a new outcome recipient identifier of the reassignment information.
11. The computing device of claim 7,
wherein the processing module functions to update the selected CAT utilizing the reassignment information for the selected CAT to produce the updated CAT by:
obtaining, via the interface, the selected CAT; and
replacing corresponding elements of the selected CAT with at least a portion of the reassignment information to produce the updated CAT.
7. The computing device of claim 5,
wherein the processing module functions to update the selected CAT utilizing the reassignment information for the selected CAT to produce the updated CAT by:
obtaining, via the interface, the selected CAT; and
replacing corresponding elements of the selected CAT with at least a portion of the reassignment information to produce the updated CAT.
12. The computing device of claim 7,
wherein the processing module functions to cause generation of the new block affiliated with the updated CAT via the blockchain of the object distributed ledger by:
determining whether to indirectly or directly update the object distributed ledger;
when indirectly updating the object distributed ledger:
issuing, via the interface, a blockchain update request to an object ledger computing device of the computing system serving as a blockchain node of the object distributed ledger, wherein the blockchain update request includes the updated CAT; and
when directly updating the object distributed ledger:
obtaining, via the interface, a copy of the object distributed ledger,
hashing content of the updated CAT utilizing a receiving public key of the object distributed ledger to produce a next transaction hash value,
encrypting the next transaction hash value utilizing a private key of the computing deviceto produce a next transaction signature,
generating a next block of the blockchain of the object distributed ledger to include the content of the updated CAT and the next transaction signature, and
causing inclusion of the next block as the new block in the object distributed ledger.
8. The computing device of claim 5,
wherein the processing module functions to cause generation of the new block affiliated with the updated CAT via the blockchain of the object distributed ledger by:
determining whether to indirectly or directly update the object distributed ledger;
when indirectly updating the object distributed ledger:
issuing, via the interface, a blockchain update request to an object ledger computing device of the computing system serving as a blockchain node of the object distributed ledger, wherein the blockchain update request includes the updated CAT; and
when directly updating the object distributed ledger:
obtaining, via the interface, a copy of the object distributed ledger,
hashing content of the updated CAT utilizing a receiving public key of the object distributed ledger to produce a next transaction hash value,
encrypting the next transaction hash value utilizing a private key of the computing device to produce a next transaction signature,
generating a next block of the blockchain of the object distributed ledger to include the content of the updated CAT and the next transaction signature, and
causing inclusion of the next block as the new block in the object distributed ledger.
13. A non-transitory computer-readable memory comprises:
a first memory element that stores operational instructions that, when executed by a processing module of a computing device of a computing system, causes the processing module to:
obtain a copy of an object distributed ledger that includes a contingency-action token (CAT), wherein the CAT includes a CAT identifier of the CAT and a link to a non-fungible token (NFT) by the object distributed ledger;
verify that the CAT matches a representation of minimum CAT requirements that includes:
an obligation provider identifier record of the CAT that includes an original obligation provider identifier of the NFT when the NFT was initially generated, wherein the obligation provider identifier is associated with providing of an obligation tied to an obligation recipient identifier in accordance with obligation requirements, wherein a positive obligation status indicates that the obligation has historically been provided in accordance with the obligation requirements, and
an outcome recipient identifier record of the CAT that includes an original outcome recipient identifier of the NFT when the NFT was initially generated, wherein the outcome recipient identifier is associated with a result of a triggered outcome tied to an outcome provider identifier in accordance with contingent outcome rules and the positive obligation status, wherein a contingency status indicates whether the triggered outcome has been triggered for a contingency entity identifier in accordance with the contingent outcome rules; and
verify that a recovered cryptographic token value of the CAT matches a calculated cryptographic token value of the CAT;
a second memory element that stores operational instructions that, when executed by the processing module, causes the processing module to:
determine an evaluation profile for an evaluation of the CAT to include a required evaluation performance improvement level of the obligation requirements;
compare the providing of the obligation associated with the obligation provider identifier to providing of the obligation associated with a hypothetical obligation provider identifier in accordance with the evaluation profile to produce an obligation evaluation;
compare an estimated triggered outcome when the providing of the obligation is associated with the obligation provider identifier to a hypothetical estimated triggered outcome when the providing of the obligation is associated with the hypothetical obligation provider identifier in accordance with the evaluation profile to produce an outcome evaluation; and
indicate to select the CAT to produce a selected CAT when the obligation evaluation and the outcome evaluation satisfies the required evaluation performance improvement level of the obligation requirements; and
a third memory element that stores operational instructions that, when executed by the processing module, causes the processing module to:
determine reassignment information for the selected CAT, wherein the reassignment information includes a confirmed change of at least one of the obligation provider identifier and the outcome recipient identifier;
facilitate taking control of the selected CAT of a blockchain of the object distributed ledger;
update the selected CAT utilizing the reassignment information for the CAT to produce an updated CAT; and
cause generation of a new block affiliated with the updated CAT via the blockchain of the object distributed ledger, wherein the new block includes the updated CAT.
9. A non-transitory computer-readable medium
storing instructions that, when executed by a processing module of a computing device, cause the processing module to:
identify a contingency-action token (CAT) of an object distributed ledger, wherein the CAT includes another token linked to a non-fungible token (NFT) by the object distributed ledger when the CAT is not the NFT, wherein the CAT meets minimum CAT requirements that includes:
a recovered cryptographic token value of the CAT matches a calculated cryptographic token value of the CAT,
an obligation provider identifier record of the CAT that includes an original obligation provider identifier of the NFT when the NFT was initially generated, wherein the obligation provider identifier is associated with providing of an obligation tied to an obligation recipient identifier in accordance with obligation requirements, wherein a positive obligation status indicates that the obligation has historically been provided in accordance with the obligation requirements, and
an outcome recipient identifier record of the CAT that includes an original outcome recipient identifier of the NFT when the NFT was initially generated, wherein the outcome recipient identifier is associated with a result of a triggered outcome tied to an outcome provider identifier in accordance with contingent outcome rules and the positive obligation status, wherein a contingency status indicates whether the triggered outcome has been triggered for a contingency entity identifier in accordance with the contingent outcome rules;
wherein the identifying the CAT of the object distributed ledger that meets the minimum CAT requirements comprises:
determining whether to indirectly or directly access the object distributed ledger;
when indirectly accessing the object distributed ledger:
issuing a CAT access request to an object ledger computing device of the computing system serving as a blockchain node of the object distributed ledger, wherein the CAT access request includes a representation of the minimum CAT requirements, and
extracting an CAT identifier of the CAT from a CAT access response from the object ledger computing device;
when directly accessing the object distributed ledger:
obtaining a copy of the object distributed ledger, and
indicating the CAT identifier of the CAT when detecting a block of the copy of the object distributed ledger that matches the representation of the minimum CAT requirements; and
verifying that the recovered cryptographic token value of the CAT matches the calculated cryptographic token value of the CAT;
determine whether to select the CAT based on an evaluation of the CAT with regards to an evaluation profile, wherein a beneficial improvement to a present estimate of the triggered outcome results from a hypothetical change to the obligation provider identifier of the selected CAT, wherein the evaluation of the CAT includes producing:
an obligation evaluation based on the evaluation profile, wherein the obligation evaluation compares the providing of the obligation in accordance with the obligation requirements, and
an outcome evaluation, wherein the outcome evaluation produces the present estimate of the triggered outcome based on the evaluation profile;
wherein the determining whether to select the CAT based on the evaluation of the CAT with regards to the evaluation profile comprises:
determining the evaluation profile to include a required evaluation performance improvement level;
comparing the providing of the obligation associated with the original obligation provider identifier to providing of the obligation associated with a hypothetical obligation provider identifier in accordance with the evaluation profile to produce the obligation evaluation;
comparing an estimated trigger outcome when the providing of the obligation is associated with the original obligation provider identifier to a hypothetical estimated trigger outcome when the providing of the obligation is associated with the hypothetical obligation provider identifier in accordance with the evaluation profile to produce the outcome evaluation; and
indicating to select the CAT when the obligation evaluation and the outcome evaluation satisfies the required evaluation performance improvement level;
selecting the CAT to produce a selected CAT;
determine reassignment information for the selected CAT, wherein the reassignment information includes a confirmed change of at least one of the obligation provider identifier and the outcome recipient identifier;
facilitate taking control of the selected CAT of a blockchain of the object distributed ledger;
update the selected CAT utilizing the reassignment information for the CAT to produce an updated CAT; and
cause generation of a new block affiliated with the updated CAT via the blockchain of the object distributed ledger, wherein the new block includes the updated CAT.
14. The non-transitory computer-readable memory of claim 13,
wherein the processing module functions to execute the operational instructions stored by the first memory element to cause the processing module to obtain the copy of the object distributed ledger by:
determining whether to indirectly or directly access the object distributed ledger;
when indirectly accessing the object distributed ledger:
issuing a CAT access request to an object ledger computing device of the computing system serving as a blockchain node of the object distributed ledger, wherein the CAT access request includes a representation of the minimum CAT requirements, and
extracting the CAT identifier of the CAT from a CAT access response from the object ledger computing device; and
when directly accessing the object distributed ledger:
recovering the copy of the object distributed ledger, and
indicating the CAT identifier of the CAT when detecting a block of the copy of the object distributed ledger that matches at least a portion of the representation of the minimum CAT requirements.
9. A non-transitory computer-readable medium
storing instructions that, when executed by a processing module of a computing device, cause the processing module to:
identify a contingency-action token (CAT) of an object distributed ledger, wherein the CAT includes another token linked to a non-fungible token (NFT) by the object distributed ledger when the CAT is not the NFT, wherein the CAT meets minimum CAT requirements that includes:
a recovered cryptographic token value of the CAT matches a calculated cryptographic token value of the CAT,
an obligation provider identifier record of the CAT that includes an original obligation provider identifier of the NFT when the NFT was initially generated, wherein the obligation provider identifier is associated with providing of an obligation tied to an obligation recipient identifier in accordance with obligation requirements, wherein a positive obligation status indicates that the obligation has historically been provided in accordance with the obligation requirements, and
an outcome recipient identifier record of the CAT that includes an original outcome recipient identifier of the NFT when the NFT was initially generated, wherein the outcome recipient identifier is associated with a result of a triggered outcome tied to an outcome provider identifier in accordance with contingent outcome rules and the positive obligation status, wherein a contingency status indicates whether the triggered outcome has been triggered for a contingency entity identifier in accordance with the contingent outcome rules;
wherein the identifying the CAT of the object distributed ledger that meets the minimum CAT requirements comprises:
determining whether to indirectly or directly access the object distributed ledger;
when indirectly accessing the object distributed ledger:
issuing a CAT access request to an object ledger computing device of the computing system serving as a blockchain node of the object distributed ledger, wherein the CAT access request includes a representation of the minimum CAT requirements, and
extracting an CAT identifier of the CAT from a CAT access response from the object ledger computing device;
when directly accessing the object distributed ledger:
obtaining a copy of the object distributed ledger, and
indicating the CAT identifier of the CAT when detecting a block of the copy of the object distributed ledger that matches the representation of the minimum CAT requirements; and
verifying that the recovered cryptographic token value of the CAT matches the calculated cryptographic token value of the CAT;
determine whether to select the CAT based on an evaluation of the CAT with regards to an evaluation profile, wherein a beneficial improvement to a present estimate of the triggered outcome results from a hypothetical change to the obligation provider identifier of the selected CAT, wherein the evaluation of the CAT includes producing:
an obligation evaluation based on the evaluation profile, wherein the obligation evaluation compares the providing of the obligation in accordance with the obligation requirements, and
an outcome evaluation, wherein the outcome evaluation produces the present estimate of the triggered outcome based on the evaluation profile;
wherein the determining whether to select the CAT based on the evaluation of the CAT with regards to the evaluation profile comprises:
determining the evaluation profile to include a required evaluation performance improvement level;
comparing the providing of the obligation associated with the original obligation provider identifier to providing of the obligation associated with a hypothetical obligation provider identifier in accordance with the evaluation profile to produce the obligation evaluation;
comparing an estimated trigger outcome when the providing of the obligation is associated with the original obligation provider identifier to a hypothetical estimated trigger outcome when the providing of the obligation is associated with the hypothetical obligation provider identifier in accordance with the evaluation profile to produce the outcome evaluation; and
indicating to select the CAT when the obligation evaluation and the outcome evaluation satisfies the required evaluation performance improvement level;
selecting the CAT to produce a selected CAT;
determine reassignment information for the selected CAT, wherein the reassignment information includes a confirmed change of at least one of the obligation provider identifier and the outcome recipient identifier;
facilitate taking control of the selected CAT of a blockchain of the object distributed ledger;
update the selected CAT utilizing the reassignment information for the CAT to produce an updated CAT; and
cause generation of a new block affiliated with the updated CAT via the blockchain of the object distributed ledger, wherein the new block includes the updated CAT.
15. The non-transitory computer-readable memory of claim 13,
wherein the processing module functions to execute the operational instructions stored by the second memory element to cause the processing module to the evaluation profile for the evaluation of the CAT to include the required evaluation performance improvement level of the obligation requirements by:
Recovering the NFT utilizing the link to the NFT to produce a recovered NFT; and
extracting the evaluation profile from the recovered NFT.
No double patenting rejection
16. The non-transitory computer-readable memory of claim 13,
wherein the processing module functions to execute the operational instructions stored by the third memory element to cause the processing module to determine the reassignment information for the selected CAT by at least one of:
identifying the hypothetical obligation provider identifier based on the evaluation of the selected CAT with regards to the evaluation profile to establish a new obligation provider identifier of the reassignment information; and
when requested, modifying the outcome recipient identifier to establish a new outcome recipient identifier of the reassignment information.
10. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9,
wherein the processing module further functions to execute the instructions to determine the reassignment information for the selected CAT by at least one of:
identifying a hypothetical obligation provider identifier based on the evaluation of the selected CAT with regards to the evaluation profile to establish a new obligation provider identifier of the reassignment information; and
when requested, modifying the outcome recipient identifier to establish a new outcome recipient identifier of the reassignment information.
17. The non-transitory computer-readable memory of claim 13,
wherein the processing module functions to execute the operational instructions stored by the third memory element to cause the processing module to update the selected CAT utilizing the reassignment information for the selected CAT to produce the updated CAT by:
obtaining the selected CAT; and
replacing corresponding elements of the selected CAT with at least a portion of the reassignment information to produce the updated CAT.
11. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9,
wherein the processing module further functions to execute the instructions to update the selected CAT utilizing the reassignment information for the selected CAT to produce the updated CAT by:
obtaining the selected CAT; and
replacing corresponding elements of the selected CAT with at least a portion of the reassignment information to produce the updated CAT.
18. The non-transitory computer-readable memory of claim 13,
wherein the processing module functions to execute the operational instructions stored by the third memory element to cause the processing module to cause generation of the new block affiliated with the updated CAT via the blockchain of the object distributed ledger by:
determining whether to indirectly or directly update the object distributed ledger;
when indirectly updating the object distributed ledger:
issuing a blockchain update request to an object ledger computing device of the computing system serving as a blockchain node of the object distributed ledger, wherein the blockchain update request includes the updated CAT; and
when directly updating the object distributed ledger:
obtaining a copy of the object distributed ledger,
hashing content of the updated CAT utilizing a receiving public key of the object distributed ledger to produce a next transaction hash value,
encrypting the next transaction hash value utilizing a private key of the processing module to produce a next transaction signature,
generating a next block of the blockchain of the object distributed ledger to include the content of the updated CAT and the next transaction signature, and
causing inclusion of the next block as the new block in the object distributed ledger.
12. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9,
wherein the processing module further functions to execute the instructions to cause generation of the new block affiliated with the updated CAT via the blockchain of the object distributed ledger by:
determining whether to indirectly or directly update the object distributed ledger;
when indirectly updating the object distributed ledger:
issuing a blockchain update request to an object ledger computing device of the computing system serving as a blockchain node of the object distributed ledger, wherein the blockchain update request includes the updated CAT; and
when directly updating the object distributed ledger:
obtaining a copy of the object distributed ledger,
hashing content of the updated CAT utilizing a receiving public key of the object distributed ledger to produce a next transaction hash value,
encrypting the next transaction hash value utilizing a private key of the computing device to produce a next transaction signature,
generating a next block of the blockchain of the object distributed ledger to include the content of the updated CAT and the next transaction signature, and
causing inclusion of the next block as the new block in the object distributed ledger.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 101
35 U.S.C. 101 reads as follows:
Whoever invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof, may obtain a patent therefor, subject to the conditions and requirements of this title.
Claims 1, 3-5, 7, 9-11, 13 and 15-17 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 because the claimed invention is directed to an abstract idea without significantly more.
Step 1
Step 1 of the eligibility analysis asks is the claim to a process, machine, manufacture or composition of matter (See MPEP § 2106.03, subsections I and II). Claims 1-6 are directed to a computer-implemented method (i.e., process). Claims 7-12 are directed to a computing device (i.e., machine, and manufacture). Claims 13-18 are directed to a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium (i.e., manufacture). Therefore, these claims fall within the four statutory categories of invention.
Step 2A, Prong One
Prong One asks does the claim recite an abstract idea, law of nature, or natural phenomenon (MPEP § 2106.04(II)(A)(1)). Claims 1, 7 and 13 under a broadest reasonable interpretation recite an abstract idea because the claims describe verifying a contingency-action token and a non-fungible token, evaluating obligations and outcomes, selecting and reassigning the token, updating the token, and generating a new block, grouped within the “certain methods of organizing human activity” grouping of abstract ideas (MPEP § 2106.04(a)(2), subsection II). The claim limitations reciting the abstract idea are grouped within the “certain methods of organizing human activity” grouping of abstract ideas because the limitations describe fundamental economic principles or practices, including mitigating risk, and describe commercial or legal interactions, including advertising, marketing or sales activities or behaviors. The following underlined claim limitations recite the abstract idea. The non-underlined claim limitations recite additional elements.
Claim 1:
A computer-implemented method of using a computing system, the method comprises:
obtaining, by a computing device of the computing system, a copy of an object distributed ledger that includes a contingency-action token (CAT), wherein the CAT includes a CAT identifier of the CAT and a link to a non-fungible token (NFT) by the object distributed ledger;
verifying, by the computing device, that the CAT matches a representation of minimum CAT requirements that includes:
an obligation provider identifier record of the CAT that includes an original obligation provider identifier of the NFT when the NFT was initially generated, wherein the obligation provider identifier is associated with providing of an obligation tied to an obligation recipient identifier in accordance with obligation requirements, wherein a positive obligation status indicates that the obligation has historically been provided in accordance with the obligation requirements, and
an outcome recipient identifier record of the CAT that includes an original outcome recipient identifier of the NFT when the NFT was initially generated, wherein the outcome recipient identifier is associated with a result of a triggered outcome tied to an outcome provider identifier in accordance with contingent outcome rules and the positive obligation status, wherein a contingency status indicates whether the triggered outcome has been triggered for a contingency entity identifier in accordance with the contingent outcome rules;
verifying, by the computing device, that a recovered cryptographic token value of the CAT matches a calculated cryptographic token value of the CAT;
determining, by the computing device, an evaluation profile for an evaluation of the CAT to include a required evaluation performance improvement level of the obligation requirements;
comparing, by the computing device, the providing of the obligation associated with the obligation provider identifier to providing of the obligation associated with a hypothetical obligation provider identifier in accordance with the evaluation profile to produce an obligation evaluation;
comparing, by the computing device, an estimated triggered outcome when the providing of the obligation is associated with the obligation provider identifier to a hypothetical estimated triggered outcome when the providing of the obligation is associated with the hypothetical obligation provider identifier in accordance with the evaluation profile to produce an outcome evaluation;
indicating, by the computing device, to select the CAT to produce a selected CAT when the obligation evaluation and the outcome evaluation satisfies the required evaluation performance improvement level of the obligation requirements;
determining, by the computing device, reassignment information for the selected CAT, wherein the reassignment information includes a confirmed change of at least one of the obligation provider identifier and the outcome recipient identifier;
facilitating, by the computing device, taking control of the selected CAT of a blockchain of the object distributed ledger;
updating, by the computing device, the selected CAT utilizing the reassignment information for the CAT to produce an updated CAT; and
causing, by the computing device, generation of a new block affiliated with the updated CAT via the blockchain of the object distributed ledger, wherein the new block includes the updated CAT.
Claim 7:
A computing device of a computing system, the computing device comprises:
an interface;
a local memory; and
a processing module operably coupled to the interface and the local memory, wherein the processing module functions to:
obtain a copy of an object distributed ledger that includes a contingency-action token (CAT), wherein the CAT includes a CAT identifier of the CAT and a link to a non-fungible token (NFT) by the object distributed ledger;
verify that the CAT matches a representation of minimum CAT requirements that includes:
an obligation provider identifier record of the CAT that includes an original obligation provider identifier of the NFT when the NFT was initially generated, wherein the obligation provider identifier is associated with providing of an obligation tied to an obligation recipient identifier in accordance with obligation requirements, wherein a positive obligation status indicates that the obligation has historically been provided in accordance with the obligation requirements, and
an outcome recipient identifier record of the CAT that includes an original outcome recipient identifier of the NFT when the NFT was initially generated, wherein the outcome recipient identifier is associated with a result of a triggered outcome tied to an outcome provider identifier in accordance with contingent outcome rules and the positive obligation status, wherein a contingency status indicates whether the triggered outcome has been triggered for a contingency entity identifier in accordance with the contingent outcome rules;
verify that a recovered cryptographic token value of the CAT matches a calculated cryptographic token value of the CAT;
determine an evaluation profile for an evaluation of the CAT to include a required evaluation performance improvement level of the obligation requirements;
compare the providing of the obligation associated with the obligation provider identifier to providing of the obligation associated with a hypothetical obligation provider identifier in accordance with the evaluation profile to produce an obligation evaluation;
compare an estimated triggered outcome when the providing of the obligation is associated with the obligation provider identifier to a hypothetical estimated triggered outcome when the providing of the obligation is associated with the hypothetical obligation provider identifier in accordance with the evaluation profile to produce an outcome evaluation;
indicate to select the CAT to produce a selected CAT when the obligation evaluation and the outcome evaluation satisfies the required evaluation performance improvement level of the obligation requirements;
determine reassignment information for the selected CAT, wherein the reassignment information includes a confirmed change of at least one of the obligation provider identifier and the outcome recipient identifier;
facilitate taking control of the selected CAT of a blockchain of the object distributed ledger;
update the selected CAT utilizing the reassignment information for the CAT to produce an updated CAT; and
cause generation of a new block affiliated with the updated CAT via the blockchain of the object distributed ledger, wherein the new block includes the updated CAT.
Claim 13:
A non-transitory computer-readable memory comprises:
a first memory element that stores operational instructions that, when executed by a processing module of a computing device of a computing system, causes the processing module to:
obtain a copy of an object distributed ledger that includes a contingency-action token (CAT), wherein the CAT includes a CAT identifier of the CAT and a link to a non-fungible token (NFT) by the object distributed ledger;
verify that the CAT matches a representation of minimum CAT requirements that includes:
an obligation provider identifier record of the CAT that includes an original obligation provider identifier of the NFT when the NFT was initially generated, wherein the obligation provider identifier is associated with providing of an obligation tied to an obligation recipient identifier in accordance with obligation requirements, wherein a positive obligation status indicates that the obligation has historically been provided in accordance with the obligation requirements, and
an outcome recipient identifier record of the CAT that includes an original outcome recipient identifier of the NFT when the NFT was initially generated, wherein the outcome recipient identifier is associated with a result of a triggered outcome tied to an outcome provider identifier in accordance with contingent outcome rules and the positive obligation status, wherein a contingency status indicates whether the triggered outcome has been triggered for a contingency entity identifier in accordance with the contingent outcome rules; and
verify that a recovered cryptographic token value of the CAT matches a calculated cryptographic token value of the CAT;
a second memory element that stores operational instructions that, when executed by the processing module, causes the processing module to:
determine an evaluation profile for an evaluation of the CAT to include a required evaluation performance improvement level of the obligation requirements;
compare the providing of the obligation associated with the obligation provider identifier to providing of the obligation associated with a hypothetical obligation provider identifier in accordance with the evaluation profile to produce an obligation evaluation;
compare an estimated triggered outcome when the providing of the obligation is associated with the obligation provider identifier to a hypothetical estimated triggered outcome when the providing of the obligation is associated with the hypothetical obligation provider identifier in accordance with the evaluation profile to produce an outcome evaluation; and
indicate to select the CAT to produce a selected CAT when the obligation evaluation and the outcome evaluation satisfies the required evaluation performance improvement level of the obligation requirements; and
a third memory element that stores operational instructions that, when executed by the processing module, causes the processing module to:
determine reassignment information for the selected CAT, wherein the reassignment information includes a confirmed change of at least one of the obligation provider identifier and the outcome recipient identifier;
facilitate taking control of the selected CAT of a blockchain of the object distributed ledger;
update the selected CAT utilizing the reassignment information for the CAT to produce an updated CAT; and
cause generation of a new block affiliated with the updated CAT via the blockchain of the object distributed ledger, wherein the new block includes the updated CAT.
Step 2A, Prong Two
Prong Two asks does the claim recite additional elements that integrate the judicial exception into a practical application (MPEP § 2106.04(II)(A)(2)). Here, the additional elements individually and in combination, are recited at a high level of generality as generic and conventional elements merely serving as a tool to perform the abstract idea (MPEP § 2106.05(f)) and generally linking the use of the abstract idea to a particular technological environment (MPEP § 2106.05(h)). The description of the additional elements evidences that they are generic and conventional elements used as tools to perform the abstract idea (See Spec. Fig.2, Fig.3, Fig.14C, 0062-0065, 0233-0241). These additional elements do not improve the functioning of computers, another technology, or a technical field (MPEP §§ 2106.04(d)(1) and 2106.05(a)). They do not apply the abstract idea to effect a particular treatment or prophylaxis for a disease or medical condition (MPEP § 2106.04(d)(2)). They do not implement the abstract idea with a particular machine or manufacture that is integral to the claim (MPEP § 2106.05(b)). They do not transform or reduce a particular article to a different state or thing (MPEP § 2106.05(c)). Nor do they apply the abstract idea in a meaningful way or impose a meaningful limit on it beyond linking its use to a particular technological environment (MPEP § 2106.05(e)). Such a generic computer implementation does not make the abstract idea patent eligible because a wholly generic computer implementation is not generally the sort of additional feature that provides any practical assurance that the process is more than a drafting effort designed to monopolize the abstract idea itself. The Specification and the claim language provide evidence that the focus of the claim is not on a specific improvement in technology but rather on a scheme, for which generic and conventional elements are invoked merely as a tool to implement the abstract idea and link it to a particular field of use. Even if the Specification describes technical improvements, they are not claimed. Thus, the additional elements do not integrate the abstract idea into a practical application. Accordingly, the claims are directed to the abstract idea identified above.
Step 2B
Step 2B determines whether the claim as a whole amount to significantly more than the abstract idea itself (MPEP § 2106.05). Evaluating additional elements to determine whether they amount to an inventive concept requires considering them both individually and in combination to ensure that they amount to significantly more than the abstract idea itself. Individually, the additional elements do not amount to significantly more than the abstract idea. As discussed previously, the description of the additional elements evidences that they are generic and conventional elements used as tools to perform the abstract idea (See Spec. Fig.2, Fig.3, Fig.14C, 0062-0065, 0233-0241). There is nothing in the Specification to indicate that the operations recited in the claims require any specialized hardware or inventive computer components or that the claimed invention is implemented using other than generic computer components to perform generic computer functions. As such, the additional elements merely serve as a tool to perform the abstract idea and generally link the use of the abstract idea to a particular technological environment. The ordered combination recites no more than the individual elements do. Thus, the additional elements are not significantly more than the abstract idea. Accordingly, the claims are directed to the abstract idea identified above without significantly more. The claims are not eligible, warranting a rejection for lack of subject matter eligibility and concluding the eligibility analysis.
Dependent Claims
Claim 3 recites an abstract idea because the claim describes verifying a contingency-action token and a non-fungible token, evaluating obligations and outcomes, selecting and reassigning the token, updating the token, and generating a new block, grouped within the “certain methods of organizing human activity” grouping of abstract ideas. The additional elements do not integrate the abstract idea into a practical application because individually and in combination, the additional elements are recited at a high level of generality as generic and conventional computers and components merely serving as a tool to perform the abstract idea and generally linking the use of the abstract idea to a particular technological environment. The additional elements are not significantly more than the abstract idea because individually and in combination, the additional elements are recited at a high level of generality as generic and conventional computers and components merely serving as a tool to perform the abstract idea and generally linking the use of the abstract idea to a particular technological environment. Therefore, the claim is not eligible. The following underlined claim limitations recite the abstract idea. The non-underlined claim limitations recite additional elements.
wherein the determining the evaluation profile for the evaluation of the CAT to include the required evaluation performance improvement level of the obligation requirements comprises:
recovering the NFT utilizing the link to the NFT to produce a recovered NFT; and
extracting the evaluation profile from the recovered NFT.
Claim 4 recites an abstract idea because the claim describes verifying a contingency-action token and a non-fungible token, evaluating obligations and outcomes, selecting and reassigning the token, updating the token, and generating a new block, grouped within the “certain methods of organizing human activity” grouping of abstract ideas. The additional elements do not integrate the abstract idea into a practical application because individually and in combination, the additional elements are recited at a high level of generality as generic and conventional computers and components merely serving as a tool to perform the abstract idea and generally linking the use of the abstract idea to a particular technological environment. The additional elements are not significantly more than the abstract idea because individually and in combination, the additional elements are recited at a high level of generality as generic and conventional computers and components merely serving as a tool to perform the abstract idea and generally linking the use of the abstract idea to a particular technological environment. Therefore, the claim is not eligible. The following underlined claim limitations recite the abstract idea. The non-underlined claim limitations recite additional elements.
wherein the determining the reassignment information for the selected CAT comprises at least one of:
identifying the hypothetical obligation provider identifier based on the evaluation of the selected CAT with regards to the evaluation profile to establish a new obligation provider identifier of the reassignment information; and
when requested, modifying the outcome recipient identifier to establish a new outcome recipient identifier of the reassignment information.
Claim 5 recites an abstract idea because the claim describes verifying a contingency-action token and a non-fungible token, evaluating obligations and outcomes, selecting and reassigning the token, updating the token, and generating a new block, grouped within the “certain methods of organizing human activity” grouping of abstract ideas. The additional elements do not integrate the abstract idea into a practical application because individually and in combination, the additional elements are recited at a high level of generality as generic and conventional computers and components merely serving as a tool to perform the abstract idea and generally linking the use of the abstract idea to a particular technological environment. The additional elements are not significantly more than the abstract idea because individually and in combination, the additional elements are recited at a high level of generality as generic and conventional computers and components merely serving as a tool to perform the abstract idea and generally linking the use of the abstract idea to a particular technological environment. Therefore, the claim is not eligible. The following underlined claim limitations recite the abstract idea. The non-underlined claim limitations recite additional elements.
wherein the updating the selected CAT utilizing the reassignment information for the selected CAT to produce the updated CAT comprises:
obtaining the selected CAT; and
replacing corresponding elements of the selected CAT with at least a portion of the reassignment information to produce the updated CAT.
Claim 9 recites an abstract idea because the claim describes verifying a contingency-action token and a non-fungible token, evaluating obligations and outcomes, selecting and reassigning the token, updating the token, and generating a new block, grouped within the “certain methods of organizing human activity” grouping of abstract ideas. The additional elements do not integrate the abstract idea into a practical application because individually and in combination, the additional elements are recited at a high level of generality as generic and conventional computers and components merely serving as a tool to perform the abstract idea and generally linking the use of the abstract idea to a particular technological environment. The additional elements are not significantly more than the abstract idea because individually and in combination, the additional elements are recited at a high level of generality as generic and conventional computers and components merely serving as a tool to perform the abstract idea and generally linking the use of the abstract idea to a particular technological environment. Therefore, the claim is not eligible. The following underlined claim limitations recite the abstract idea. The non-underlined claim limitations recite additional elements.
wherein the processing module functions to determine the evaluation profile for the evaluation of the CAT to include the required evaluation performance improvement level of the obligation requirements by:
recovering, via the interface, the NFT utilizing the link to the NFT to produce a recovered NFT; and
extracting the evaluation profile from the recovered NFT.
Claim 10 recites an abstract idea because the claim describes verifying a contingency-action token and a non-fungible token, evaluating obligations and outcomes, selecting and reassigning the token, updating the token, and generating a new block, grouped within the “certain methods of organizing human activity” grouping of abstract ideas. The additional elements do not integrate the abstract idea into a practical application because individually and in combination, the additional elements are recited at a high level of generality as generic and conventional computers and components merely serving as a tool to perform the abstract idea and generally linking the use of the abstract idea to a particular technological environment. The additional elements are not significantly more than the abstract idea because individually and in combination, the additional elements are recited at a high level of generality as generic and conventional computers and components merely serving as a tool to perform the abstract idea and generally linking the use of the abstract idea to a particular technological environment. Therefore, the claim is not eligible. The following underlined claim limitations recite the abstract idea. The non-underlined claim limitations recite additional elements.
wherein the processing module functions to determine the reassignment information for the selected CAT by at least one of:
identifying the hypothetical obligation provider identifier based on the evaluation of the selected CAT with regards to the evaluation profile to establish a new obligation provider identifier of the reassignment information; and
when requested, modifying the outcome recipient identifier to establish a new outcome recipient identifier of the reassignment information.
Claim 11 recites an abstract idea because the claim describes verifying a contingency-action token and a non-fungible token, evaluating obligations and outcomes, selecting and reassigning the token, updating the token, and generating a new block, grouped within the “certain methods of organizing human activity” grouping of abstract ideas. The additional elements do not integrate the abstract idea into a practical application because individually and in combination, the additional elements are recited at a high level of generality as generic and conventional computers and components merely serving as a tool to perform the abstract idea and generally linking the use of the abstract idea to a particular technological environment. The additional elements are not significantly more than the abstract idea because individually and in combination, the additional elements are recited at a high level of generality as generic and conventional computers and components merely serving as a tool to perform the abstract idea and generally linking the use of the abstract idea to a particular technological environment. Therefore, the claim is not eligible. The following underlined claim limitations recite the abstract idea. The non-underlined claim limitations recite additional elements.
wherein the processing module functions to update the selected CAT utilizing the reassignment information for the selected CAT to produce the updated CAT by:
obtaining, via the interface, the selected CAT; and
replacing corresponding elements of the selected CAT with at least a portion of the reassignment information to produce the updated CAT.
Claim 15 recites an abstract idea because the claim describes verifying a contingency-action token and a non-fungible token, evaluating obligations and outcomes, selecting and reassigning the token, updating the token, and generating a new block, grouped within the “certain methods of organizing human activity” grouping of abstract ideas. The additional elements do not integrate the abstract idea into a practical application because individually and in combination, the additional elements are recited at a high level of generality as generic and conventional computers and components merely serving as a tool to perform the abstract idea and generally linking the use of the abstract idea to a particular technological environment. The additional elements are not significantly more than the abstract idea because individually and in combination, the additional elements are recited at a high level of generality as generic and conventional computers and components merely serving as a tool to perform the abstract idea and generally linking the use of the abstract idea to a particular technological environment. Therefore, the claim is not eligible. The following underlined claim limitations recite the abstract idea. The non-underlined claim limitations recite additional elements.
wherein the processing module functions to execute the operational instructions stored by the second memory element to cause the processing module to the evaluation profile for the evaluation of the CAT to include the required evaluation performance improvement level of the obligation requirements by:
Recovering the NFT utilizing the link to the NFT to produce a recovered NFT; and
extracting the evaluation profile from the recovered NFT.
Claim 16 recites an abstract idea because the claim describes verifying a contingency-action token and a non-fungible token, evaluating obligations and outcomes, selecting and reassigning the token, updating the token, and generating a new block, grouped within the “certain methods of organizing human activity” grouping of abstract ideas. The additional elements do not integrate the abstract idea into a practical application because individually and in combination, the additional elements are recited at a high level of generality as generic and conventional computers and components merely serving as a tool to perform the abstract idea and generally linking the use of the abstract idea to a particular technological environment. The additional elements are not significantly more than the abstract idea because individually and in combination, the additional elements are recited at a high level of generality as generic and conventional computers and components merely serving as a tool to perform the abstract idea and generally linking the use of the abstract idea to a particular technological environment. Therefore, the claim is not eligible. The following underlined claim limitations recite the abstract idea. The non-underlined claim limitations recite additional elements.
wherein the processing module functions to execute the operational instructions stored by the third memory element to cause the processing module to determine the reassignment information for the selected CAT by at least one of:
identifying the hypothetical obligation provider identifier based on the evaluation of the selected CAT with regards to the evaluation profile to establish a new obligation provider identifier of the reassignment information; and
when requested, modifying the outcome recipient identifier to establish a new outcome recipient identifier of the reassignment information.
Claim 17 recites an abstract idea because the claim describes verifying a contingency-action token and a non-fungible token, evaluating obligations and outcomes, selecting and reassigning the token, updating the token, and generating a new block, grouped within the “certain methods of organizing human activity” grouping of abstract ideas. The additional elements do not integrate the abstract idea into a practical application because individually and in combination, the additional elements are recited at a high level of generality as generic and conventional computers and components merely serving as a tool to perform the abstract idea and generally linking the use of the abstract idea to a particular technological environment. The additional elements are not significantly more than the abstract idea because individually and in combination, the additional elements are recited at a high level of generality as generic and conventional computers and components merely serving as a tool to perform the abstract idea and generally linking the use of the abstract idea to a particular technological environment. Therefore, the claim is not eligible. The following underlined claim limitations recite the abstract idea. The non-underlined claim limitations recite additional elements.
wherein the processing module functions to execute the operational instructions stored by the third memory element to cause the processing module to update the selected CAT utilizing the reassignment information for the selected CAT to produce the updated CAT by:
obtaining the selected CAT; and
replacing corresponding elements of the selected CAT with at least a portion of the reassignment information to produce the updated CAT.
Claims Free of Art
The closest prior art of record is US 2020/0273048 A1 by Andon et al. (hereinafter “Andon”). Andon teaches:
obtaining, by a computing device of the computing system, a copy of an object distributed ledger that includes a contingency-action token (CAT), (paras 74, 76, 88)
wherein the CAT includes a CAT identifier of the CAT and a link to a non-fungible token (NFT) by the object distributed ledger; (paras 46, 49, 70, 77, 87)
verifying, by the computing device, that a recovered cryptographic token value of the CAT matches a calculated cryptographic token value of the CAT; (paras 46, 48)
comparing, by the computing device, an estimated triggered outcome when the providing of the obligation is associated with the obligation provider identifier to a hypothetical estimated triggered outcome when the providing of the obligation is associated with the hypothetical obligation provider identifier in accordance with the evaluation profile to produce an outcome evaluation; (paras 46, 48)
indicating, by the computing device, to select the CAT to produce a selected CAT when the obligation evaluation and the outcome evaluation satisfies the required evaluation performance improvement level of the obligation requirements; (paras 54, 63, 79, 84, 90-91, 107)
determining, by the computing device, reassignment information for the selected CAT, wherein the reassignment information includes a confirmed change of at least one of the obligation provider identifier and the outcome recipient identifier; (paras 54, 63, 79, 84, 90-91, 107)
facilitating, by the computing device, taking control of the selected CAT of a blockchain of the object distributed ledger; (paras 51, 88)
updating, by the computing device, the selected CAT utilizing the reassignment information for the CAT to produce an updated CAT; and (paras 63, 74, 79, 85, 88, 124)
causing, by the computing device, generation of a new block affiliated with the updated CAT via the blockchain of the object distributed ledger, wherein the new block includes the updated CAT. (paras 63, 74, 79, 85, 88, 124)
Therefore, the prior art does not teach, neither singly nor in combination the following:
verifying, by the computing device, that the CAT matches a representation of minimum CAT requirements that includes: an obligation provider identifier record of the CAT that includes an original obligation provider identifier of the NFT when the NFT was initially generated, wherein the obligation provider identifier is associated with providing of an obligation tied to an obligation recipient identifier in accordance with obligation requirements, wherein a positive obligation status indicates that the obligation has historically been provided in accordance with the obligation requirements, and an outcome recipient identifier record of the CAT that includes an original outcome recipient identifier of the NFT when the NFT was initially generated, wherein the outcome recipient identifier is associated with a result of a triggered outcome tied to an outcome provider identifier in accordance with contingent outcome rules and the positive obligation status, wherein a contingency status indicates whether the triggered outcome has been triggered for a contingency entity identifier in accordance with the contingent outcome rules;
determining, by the computing device, an evaluation profile for an evaluation of the CAT to include a required evaluation performance improvement level of the obligation requirements; comparing, by the computing device, the providing of the obligation associated with the obligation provider identifier to providing of the obligation associated with a hypothetical obligation provider identifier in accordance with the evaluation profile to produce an obligation evaluation;
Conclusion
The following prior art is also considered pertinent to the claimed invention:
US 11075891 B1 discloses: Methods and systems are described for implementing decentralized digital rights management (DRM) within a decentralized network, satisfying an important need of content owners. First, the method implemented by a source cacher node includes broadcasting, to one or more viewer peer nodes in the decentralized network, a notification of the source cacher node's intent to transmit a data stream. Then, recording a smart contract on a blockchain associated with the decentralized network, the smart contract associated with the data stream and allowing the authentication of a viewer peer node through the smart contract by an ownership of a non-fungible token (NFT) in order to receive a data key to decrypt the data stream. Next, receiving a request from an authenticated viewer peer node for receiving the data stream. Finally, generating an encrypted data stream based on the data stream and the data key to decrypt the data stream, and transmitting the encrypted data stream and the data key to the authenticated viewer peer node.
US 20210295324 A1 discloses: A system, method and computer program product for computer based open innovation, includes an asset valuation device receiving asset information regarding tangible or non-tangible assets, and generating a valuation signal, based thereon; a self-executing code device receiving the valuation signal, and generating a self-executing code signal, based thereon; an air router device having both low band radio, and internet router channels for redundant internet communications, and a malicious code removal device for scrubbing malicious code from data received, receiving the valuation signal, and generating a node voting request signal, based thereon; a mesh network having node devices receiving the node voting request signal, and generating vote confirmation signals, based thereon; and computing devices connected to each of the respective node devices, and configured to perform non-fungible token (NFT) generation based on the assets, including tracking respective ownership and valuation of the assets, based on the asset information.
US 20210390531 A1 discloses: A non-fungible blockchain token (NFT) transferable from wallet to wallet on a blockchain represents ownership of a physical diamond custodied in a secure vault. The NFT can be sold and resold to investors wishing to use the diamond as a store of value. The NFT owner, who may only be known by a blockchain wallet address, can communicate with the custodian, the issuer, auditors, and more by writing signal messages into the blockchain NFT. A diamond custody controller unit at the custodian includes a trusted program module to handle private cryptographic key functions and to output retrieval and shipping instructions when a signal message indicates the NFT owner instructs the custodian to move the diamond to a new custodian. The NFT owner can also write signal messages into the NFT to instruct other parties, such as auditors, to perform services relating to the diamond.
US 20220343328 A1 discloses: A system for verifying a user device and obtaining the right to purchase an NFT comprising: a server system comprising at least one server, at least one database, and at least one user device; populated on said server system are a plurality of operable rules wherein said operable rules are met by actions performed by scanning by the user device one or more tags positioned within a geofence; defining at least a first rule wherein said user device confirms ownership of a ticket corresponding to a first tag by sending a request to the user device to identify a digital record matching the tag ID; verifying a location by determining whether the scan by the user device of the first tag was within the geofence; and redirecting the user device to a page selling or offering for sale the NFT.
US 20220383295 A1 discloses: According to one exemplary implementation, a collector container includes processing hardware, an output device controlled by the processing hardware; and a memory storing a digital wallet. The collector container is configured to uniquely store a non-fungible token (NFT) in the digital wallet, the NFT certifying ownership of an NFT asset. The collector container is further configured to store the NFT asset in the memory, and to display the NFT asset using the output device.
US 20220391888 A1 discloses: A digital content management system includes a digital content information reception unit configured to receive digital content and the number of pieces of non-fungible token (NFT) content to be generated based on the digital content, a digital content conversion unit configured to generate a number of pieces of NFT digital content equal to the number of pieces of NFT content by converting the digital content, an NFT generation unit configured to generate an NFT based on a blockchain for each of the generated pieces of NFT digital content, and a checking unit configured to check an NFT generated for the NFT digital content to be played back when playing back one of the generated pieces of NFT digital content.
US 20220391887 A1 discloses: Systems and devices to account for automated conditional payments from within an NFT platform to maintain resources including (but not limited to) computer systems and/or sources of data relied upon by the platform are disclosed. One embodiment is a system that includes a paying module and a bounty hunting module. The paying module generates an agreement, the agreement including terms of the performance of service. The bounty hunting module performs steps for ensuring the service is performed. The bounty hunting module obtains publicly verifiable evidence related to the performance of service. The bounty hunting module generates an assertion including the publicly verifiable evidence and a reference to a public key. The bounty hunting module posts the assertion to an immutable ledger entry. The bounty hunting module obtains payment based on validity of the assertion, wherein the assertion is valid when the assertion is determined to be true.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Ari Shahabi whose telephone number is (571)272-2565. The examiner can normally be reached M-F: 8:00-5:00.
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/ARI SHAHABI/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3697