lDETAILED 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 . This office action is in response to applicant's communication of January 2, 2026. The rejections are stated below. Claims 1-20 are pending and have been examined.
Response to Amendment/Arguments
Applicant argues that the rejection of claims 1 through 20 under 35 U.S.C. 101 should be withdrawn because the claims are directed to a technological improvement with a practical application. Specifically, Applicant contends that claim 1 identifies and corrects incorrect or inconsistent data in templates, thereby improving the functionality of an automated system that relies on consistent and correct templates. Applicant further argues that claim 17 generates a single recipient specific template based on multiple templates, optimizing the single template based on efficiency for analyzing information. Claim 1 recites the following steps: detecting a change in third party data populated in a field of a first client specific template, determining whether other client specific templates include the same first data, and automatically updating those other templates to change the first data to the second data. This set of operations is a process of identifying outdated information across multiple data records and propagating a correction to those records. Such operations are analogous to fundamental data management practices that have long been performed by humans using paper records or basic electronic spreadsheets. For example, a person maintaining a list of payee information in multiple separate files would, upon learning of a change to a payees address or routing number, search through each file and manually update the entries containing the old information. Claim 1 automates this mental and human organizational process. Similarly, claim 17 recites taking an inventory of recipient specific templates, analyzing their configurations, and automatically merging multiple templates into a single combined template. This is a process of organizing and consolidating information, a fundamental human activity. A person managing multiple separate lists of payors could review each list, identify common fields, and compile a single master list. Claim 17 recites no more than the automation of that mental and organizational task.
Applicant argues that the claims have a practical application because they may prevent bills from not being paid timely and because they generate an optimized single template based on efficiency. The Examiner disagrees that these alleged benefits move the claims beyond the abstract idea. A practical application requires that the claim as a whole integrates the abstract idea into a practical application that imposes a meaningful limit on the abstract idea. See MPEP Section 2106.05(a). Here, the claimed system performs the abstract steps of detecting outdated data and updating other records, and then recites that this occurs in a financial management platform or management platform using a processor and a database. These are generic computing environment elements. The fact that the data being managed relates to financial templates or payments does not supply a practical application because it merely identifies a field of use. The abstract idea remains unchanged regardless of whether the templates are for banking, healthcare, or any other subject matter. With respect to claim 17, stating that the combined template is organized based on the template configurations and, in dependent claims, based on usage or efficiency, does not integrate the abstract idea into a practical application. It simply adds a selection criterion, a rule of choice, that is itself abstract. The resulting combined template is still a data structure resulting from an abstract consolidation process. The fact that the system may help ensure bills are paid correctly is a benefit of automating the abstract process.
Examiner evaluates whether the claims contain an inventive concept sufficient to provide significantly more than the abstract idea itself. See MPEP Section 2106.05(d). The additional elements of the claims are the processor, management platform, database, management application module, template automation AI engine, and the recited configured to functional language. The processor is a general purpose computer component that performs basic computing functions such as executing instructions, storing data in memory, and communicating with other components. The database is a data storage structure. The management platform and management application module are labels for a software system that performs financial management tasks; the specification describes them using computer components without any technical architecture beyond what is standard for such platforms. The template automation AI engine is described in the specification only by its function, that it may be configured to use machine learning to perform the abstract steps. The specification provides no algorithm, no specific machine learning model, no training data, no feature set, no structure for the engine. The claim recites the engine as a black box that performs the abstract idea of detecting, determining, and updating. Reciting an AI engine that uses machine learning to perform an abstract process does not provide an inventive concept because the claim does not explain how the AI or machine learning is implemented or how it improves the functioning of the computer. Without any structural or algorithmic limitation, the AI engine is simply a label for the abstract idea itself. Similarly, the automatic updating and merging steps are performed by the same processor executing instructions that implement the abstract idea. The claim does not recite any improvement to computer functionality, such as reduced processing time, improved memory allocation, or enhanced data integrity through a specific technical mechanism. The specifications references to efficiency and streamlining refer to business or human organizational efficiency, not to any technological improvement in the operation of a computing device.
Applicant’s arguments regarding 112(a) and 112(b) on pages 9-11 are persuasive. These rejections have been withdrawn.
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 1-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 because the claimed invention is directed to an abstract idea without significantly more.
Claim 1 recites “system comprising:
a …, and
a … comprising:
a … for clients to manage finances and interact with the management application module using one or more client-specific templates; and
a … comprising the client-specific templates that are populated with client- specific data for the clients;
wherein:
one or more of the client-specific templates comprise one or more fields populated with third-party data obtained from one or more third parties; and
the … to:
detect, by the … using a … to monitor and implement template changes and is …, a change in the third-party data that has been populated in the one or more fields as first data in a first of the one or more client-specific templates;
determine, by the processor using the …, whether one or more of the one or more client-specific templates other than the first of the one or more client-specific templates includes the first data; and
… update, by the …, the one or more client- specific templates that include the first data in the one or more fields to update the first data to second data that reflects the change in the third-party data”.
These limitations describe an abstract idea of payment management and corresponds to Certain Methods of Organizing Human Activity( specifically in the field of commercial finance and payment management). Accordingly, claim 1 recites an abstract idea (Step 2A: Prong 1: YES).
The claim also recites as additional elements such as “a system comprising a processor, and a management platform comprising a management application module configured, database comprising the client-specific templates, one or more of the client-specific templates comprise one or more fields, detect, by the processor using a template automation artificial intelligence (AI) engine that is configured to use machine learning, automatically update, by the processor using the template automation AI engine” which do no more than implement the abstract idea and/or provide a particular technological environment. Therefore, claim 1 recites an abstract idea without a practical application (Step 2A - Prong 2: NO).
Further, as the additional elements of claim 1 do no more than serve as a tool to implement the abstract idea and/or provide a particular technological environment, they do not improve computer functionality or improve another technology or technical field. Thus, claim 1 is not patent eligible (Step 2B: NO).
Claim 17 also recite the abstract idea of idea of payment management and corresponds to Certain Methods of Organizing Human Activity (specifically in the field of commercial finance and payment management) step one of step 2A (MPEP 2106.04). Claim 17 includes the additional elements of “a system comprising a processor, and a management platform comprising a management application module configured, database comprising the client-specific templates, one or more of the client-specific templates comprise one or more fields, detect, by the processor using a template automation artificial intelligence (AI) engine that is configured to use machine learning, automatically update, by the processor using the template automation AI engine”. The additional elements do no more than serve as a tool to implement the abstract idea and/or link the abstract idea a particular technological environment. Therefore, as they do no more than serve as a tool to implement the abstract idea and/or provide a particular technological environment, they do not improve computer functionality or improve another technology or technical field.
Claim 2 recites “wherein the one or more client-specific templates are customizable by the clients or by an entity that owns or manages the …” which further defines the abstract idea. The claim recites “management platform” as an additional elements. The additional element does no more than serve as a tool to implement the abstract idea and/or link the abstract idea a particular technological environment. Therefore, as it does no more than serve as a tool to implement the abstract idea and/or provide a particular technological environment, it does not improve computer functionality or improve another technology or technical field.
Claim 3 recites “wherein the one or more client-specific templates are customizable by the clients or by an entity that owns or manages the management platform” which further defines the abstract idea.
Claim 4 recites “wherein the one or more codes comprise one or more of an American Bankers Association (ABA) routing number, a business identifier code (BIC), or a tax- related code” which further defines the abstract idea.
Claim 5 recites “wherein the first data and the second data comprise contact information for an organization or a payment recipient and the update of the first data comprises a change in the contact information” which further defines the abstract idea.
Claim 6 recites “wherein the … to initiate the detection of the update to the third-party data from the first data to the second data upon the client arranging for an … payment to be made” which further defines the abstract idea. The claim recites “wherein the template automation AI engine is further configured and electronic” as additional elements. The additional elements do no more than serve as a tool to implement the abstract idea and/or link the abstract idea a particular technological environment. Therefore, as they do no more than serve as a tool to implement the abstract idea and/or provide a particular technological environment, they do not improve computer functionality or improve another technology or technical field.
Claim 7 recites “wherein the … to recognize a client failure to pay an amount due to a recipient due to the change in the third-party data populated in the one or more fields in a first of the one or more client-specific templates and to … update one or more of the one or more fields of the first data to the second data in the first of the client- specific templates to enable a successful payment of the amount due” which further defines the abstract idea. The claim recites “wherein the template automation AI engine is further configured, one or more fields in a first of the one or more client-specific templates and to automatically update one of or more the one or more fields” as additional elements. The additional elements do no more than serve as a tool to implement the abstract idea and/or link the abstract idea a particular technological environment. Therefore, as they do no more than serve as a tool to implement the abstract idea and/or provide a particular technological environment, they do not improve computer functionality or improve another technology or technical field.
Claim 8 recites “wherein the … to prompt a client to confirm that the …update of the first data to the second data in the one or more of the client-specific templates that include the first data should proceed before the automated change is performed” which further defines the abstract idea. The claim recites “wherein the template automation AI engine is further configured, automated … in the one or more of the client-specific templates” as additional elements. The additional elements do no more than serve as a tool to implement the abstract idea and/or link the abstract idea a particular technological environment. Therefore, as they do no more than serve as a tool to implement the abstract idea and/or provide a particular technological environment, they do not improve computer functionality or improve another technology or technical field.
Claim 9 recites “wherein the one or more client-specific templates are populated based on client-provided information” which further defines the abstract idea.
Claim 10 recites “wherein the update to the third-party data has been made by the third party externally to the …” which further defines the abstract idea. The claim recites “management platform” as an additional element. The additional element does no more than serve as a tool to implement the abstract idea and/or link the abstract idea a particular technological environment. Therefore, as it does no more than serve as a tool to implement the abstract idea and/or provide a particular technological environment, it does not improve computer functionality or improve another technology or technical field.
Claim 11 recites “wherein the management application module comprises a banking application for conducting banking” as an additional element. The additional element does no more than serve as a tool to implement the abstract idea and/or link the abstract idea a particular technological environment. Therefore, as it does no more than serve as a tool to implement the abstract idea and/or provide a particular technological environment, it does not improve computer functionality or improve another technology or technical field.
Claim 12 recites “wherein:
the … further comprises a plurality of recipient-specific templates configured for use by a recipient to track payments by one or more payors to the recipients, wherein the recipient is an account holder at a financial institution to whom payments are transferred; and the … further comprises a … that is … to: take, by the …, an automated inventory of the plurality of recipient- specific templates for the recipient in the … to … identify the recipient-specific templates for the recipient that are included in the …; analyze, by the …, the inventoried plurality of recipient-specific templates for template configurations including organization and contents; … merge, by the …, the plurality of the recipient- specific templates for the payee into a combined recipient-specific template that is populated with payor data from the plurality of recipient-specific templates and is organized for presentation to the recipient based on organization and contents of the recipient-specific templates” which further defines the abstract idea. The claim recites “database further comprises a plurality of recipient-specific templates configured, the template automation AI engine, using machine learning further comprises a recipient template module that is configured, processor, automated, plurality of recipient-specific templates, database, automatically” as an additional elements. The additional elements do no more than serve as a tool to implement the abstract idea and/or link the abstract idea a particular technological environment. Therefore, as they do no more than serve as a tool to implement the abstract idea and/or provide a particular technological environment, it does not improve computer functionality or improve another technology or technical field.
Claim 13 recites “wherein the plurality of recipient-specific templates for the recipient comprises payment data for payments received by the recipient per recipient account” which further defines the abstract idea.
Claim 14 recites “wherein the … is further … to monitor and analyze usage of the plurality of recipient- specific templates, and the … based on the plurality of recipient-specific templates for the recipient” which further defines the abstract idea. The claim recites “the template automation AI engine is further configured, the combined recipient-specific template is configured” as an additional elements. The additional elements do no more than serve as a tool to implement the abstract idea and/or link the abstract idea a particular technological environment. Therefore, as they do no more than serve as a tool to implement the abstract idea and/or provide a particular technological environment, they do not improve computer functionality or improve another technology or technical field.
Claim 15 recites “wherein the … based on one of the plurality of recipient-specific templates or portions thereof that are most used by the recipient at a time at which the combined recipient-specific template for the specific recipient is generated” which further defines the abstract idea. The claim recites “the combined recipient-specific template is configured” as an additional elements. The additional elements do no more than serve as a tool to implement the abstract idea and/or link the abstract idea a particular technological environment. Therefore, as they do no more than serve as a tool to implement the abstract idea and/or provide a particular technological environment, they do not improve computer functionality or improve another technology or technical field.
Claim 16 recites “wherein the combined recipient-specific template is … based on one of the plurality of recipient-specific templates that … determines for the recipient to review at a time of the merging of the recipient-specific templates of the payee” which further defines the abstract idea. The claim recites “the combined recipient-specific template is configured and the template automation AI engine” as an additional element. The additional element does no more than serve as a tool to implement the abstract idea and/or link the abstract idea a particular technological environment. Therefore, as it does no more than serve as a tool to implement the abstract idea and/or provide a particular technological environment, it does not improve computer functionality or improve another technology or technical field.
Claim 18 recites “wherein the combined recipient-specific template comprises payment data for payments received by the specific recipient that indicates in which respective recipient account the payments were deposited” which further defines the abstract idea.
Claim 19 recites “wherein the … is further … to monitor and analyze usage of the multiple recipient-specific templates for the specific recipient, and the combined recipient-specific template is … based on the multiple recipient-specific templates for the specific recipient” which further defines the abstract idea. The claim recites “the template automation AI engine is further configured, the combined recipient-specific template is configured” as an additional element. The additional elements do no more than serve as a tool to implement the abstract idea and/or link the abstract idea a particular technological environment. Therefore, as they do no more than serve as a tool to implement the abstract idea and/or provide a particular technological environment, they do not improve computer functionality or improve another technology or technical field.
Claim 20 recites “wherein the combined recipient-specific template is further configured to be based on one or more of the multiple recipient-specific templates that the … determines for the specific recipient at a time of the merging of the multiple recipient-specific templates of the specific recipient to analyze payments” which further defines the abstract idea. The claim recites “the combined recipient-specific template is configured and the template automation AI engine” as an additional element. The additional elements do no more than serve as a tool to implement the abstract idea and/or link the abstract idea a particular technological environment. Therefore, as they do no more than serve as a tool to implement the abstract idea and/or provide a particular technological environment, they do not improve computer functionality or improve another technology or technical field.
Conclusion
THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to KEVIN T POE whose telephone number is (571)272-9789. The examiner can normally be reached on Monday-Friday 9:30am through 6pm EST.
Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Calvin Hewitt can be reached on 571-272-6709. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/K.T.P/Examiner, Art Unit 3692 /KEVIN T POE/
/RYAN D DONLON/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 3692 July 22, 2026
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