Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 18/980,618

METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR SECURE AUTHENTICATION IN A VIRTUAL OR AUGMENTED REALITY ENVIRONMENT

Non-Final OA §101§DP
Filed
Dec 13, 2024
Examiner
KHATRI, NILESH B
Art Unit
3699
Tech Center
3600 — Transportation & Electronic Commerce
Assignee
Worldpay LLC
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
58%
Grant Probability
Moderate
1-2
OA Rounds
3y 2m
To Grant
86%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 58% of resolved cases
58%
Career Allow Rate
99 granted / 170 resolved
+6.2% vs TC avg
Strong +28% interview lift
Without
With
+28.3%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 2m
Avg Prosecution
28 currently pending
Career history
198
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
30.4%
-9.6% vs TC avg
§103
39.7%
-0.3% vs TC avg
§102
6.1%
-33.9% vs TC avg
§112
15.9%
-24.1% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 170 resolved cases

Office Action

§101 §DP
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 . Priority 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 December 13, 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. 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, 4-11, and 14-18 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-20 of U.S. Patent No. 11,334,891 in view of U.S. Patent No. 8,255,335. Claims 1, 11, and 18 ‘891 Patent A computer-implemented method comprising: Claim 10: A computer-implemented method for generating a virtual reality payment authentication entry interface, the method comprising: generating, by the one or more processors, a display of a plurality of characters within a virtual reality environment of a device associated with the user for authenticating a transaction; Claim 10: generating, by a virtual reality platform, a presentation of a plurality of payment authentication characters in the virtual reality interface of the device associated with a user receiving, by the one or more processors, a selection of one or more characters from the plurality of characters from the device associated with the user; Claim 10: receiving, via the virtual reality interface of the device, user input associated with at least one character of the plurality of payment authentication characters in the virtual reality interface determining, by the one or more processors, whether the one or more characters matches the authorization code; and Claim 10: determining a match between the payment credentials and stored credentials generating, by the one or more processors, an updated display of the plurality of characters within the virtual reality environment upon determining the one or more characters do not match the authorization code, wherein a frequency of the updated display of the plurality of characters is based on a transaction value. Claim 10: generating, by a virtual reality platform, a presentation of a plurality of payment authentication characters in the virtual reality interface of the device associated with a user, wherein the plurality of payment authentication characters have varying proximity, size, and frequency of placement based upon determining a transaction amount for a payment authentication request exceeds a predetermined threshold limit; ‘335 Patent receiving, by one or more processors, an authorization code associated with a payment vehicle of a user; 9:33-34: The method 200 proceeds to step 232 where the provider 110 receives the PIN input from the customer 115. Claims 4 and 14 ‘891 Patent wherein generating the display of the plurality of characters within the virtual reality environment includes overlaying the plurality of characters in a visually randomized order. Claim 13: wherein the placement of each of the characters of the plurality of payment authentication characters is randomized in the interactive overlay of the virtual reality interface Claims 5 and 15 ‘891 Patent wherein generating the updated display of the plurality of characters includes variations in one or more of distance, movements, size, or complexity of the plurality of characters within the virtual reality environment. Claim 10: wherein the plurality of payment authentication characters have varying proximity, size, and frequency of placement based upon determining a transaction amount for a payment authentication request exceeds a predetermined threshold limit Claims 6 and 16 ‘891 Patent increasing, by the one or more processors, the distance between the plurality of characters in the updated display within the virtual reality environment based on an increase in the transaction value. Claim 10: wherein the plurality of payment authentication characters have varying proximity, size, and frequency of placement based upon determining a transaction amount for a payment authentication request exceeds a predetermined threshold limit Claims 7 and 17 ‘891 Patent increasing, by the one or more processors, the movements of the plurality of characters in the updated display within the virtual reality environment based on an increase in the transaction value. Claim 8: increasing, by the virtual reality platform, movements of the plurality of payment authentication characters scattered throughout the virtual reality interface upon determining an increase in the transaction amount for the payment authentication request. Claim 8 ‘891 Patent decreasing, by the one or more processors, the size of the plurality of characters in the updated display within the virtual reality environment based on an increase in the transaction value. Claim 7: reducing, by the virtual reality platform, the size of the plurality of payment authentication characters in the virtual reality interface upon determining an increase in the transaction amount for the payment authentication request. Claim 9 ‘891 Patent increasing, by the one or more processors, the complexity of the plurality of characters in the updated display by placing the plurality of characters in one or more occluded spaces within the virtual reality environment based on an increase in the transaction value. Claim 12: wherein complexity of the placement of the plurality of payment authentication characters in the interactive overlay increases upon determining the transaction amount exceeds the predetermined threshold limit. Claim 10 ‘891 Patent updating, by the one or more processors, an interactive overlay of the display of the plurality of characters within the virtual reality environment based on user selection, wherein the updating includes changing placements of each of the plurality of characters. Claim 12: generating, by the virtual reality platform, an interactive overlay of the plurality of payment authentication characters over the identified virtual reality interface, wherein complexity of the placement of the plurality of payment authentication characters in the interactive overlay increases upon determining the transaction amount exceeds the predetermined threshold limit. Claims 1, 4-11, and 14-18 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-20 of U.S. Patent No. 11,823,188 in view of U.S. Patent No. 8,255,335. Claims 1, 11, and 18 ‘188 Patent A computer-implemented method comprising: Claim 1: A computer-implemented method for providing a virtual-reality enabled authentication mechanism, comprising: generating, by the one or more processors, a display of a plurality of characters within a virtual reality environment of a device associated with the user for authenticating a transaction; Claim 1: generating an interface including an interactive overlay of a plurality of characters for user selection receiving, by the one or more processors, a selection of one or more characters from the plurality of characters from the device associated with the user; Claim 1: comparing the user selection of the plurality of characters from the interactive overlay of the generated interface determining, by the one or more processors, whether the one or more characters matches the authorization code; and Claim 1: comparing the user selection of the plurality of characters from the interactive overlay of the generated interface with stored credentials to determine a match for approving the authorization request. generating, by the one or more processors, an updated display of the plurality of characters within the virtual reality environment upon determining the one or more characters do not match the authorization code, wherein a frequency of the updated display of the plurality of characters is based on a transaction value. Claim 5: increasing a frequency of change for the plurality of characters in the interactive overlay of the interface based, at least in part, on the increase in amount for the at least one transaction ‘335 Patent receiving, by one or more processors, an authorization code associated with a payment vehicle of a user; 9:33-34: The method 200 proceeds to step 232 where the provider 110 receives the PIN input from the customer 115. Claims 4 and 14 ‘891 Patent wherein generating the display of the plurality of characters within the virtual reality environment includes overlaying the plurality of characters in a visually randomized order. Claim 2: randomizing the placement for the plurality of characters in the interactive overlay of the interface based, at least in part, on determining the transaction exceeds the predetermined threshold limit. Claims 5 and 15 ‘891 Patent wherein generating the updated display of the plurality of characters includes variations in one or more of distance, movements, size, or complexity of the plurality of characters within the virtual reality environment. Claim 4: increasing a distance between the plurality of characters in the interactive overlay of the interface based, at least in part, on the increase in amount for the at least one transaction. Claims 6 and 16 ‘891 Patent increasing, by the one or more processors, the distance between the plurality of characters in the updated display within the virtual reality environment based on an increase in the transaction value. Claim 4: increasing a distance between the plurality of characters in the interactive overlay of the interface based, at least in part, on the increase in amount for the at least one transaction. Claims 7 and 17 ‘891 Patent increasing, by the one or more processors, the movements of the plurality of characters in the updated display within the virtual reality environment based on an increase in the transaction value. Claim 3: increasing movement speed of the plurality of characters in the interactive overlay of the interface based, at least in part, on the increase in amount for the at least one transaction. Claim 8 ‘891 Patent decreasing, by the one or more processors, the size of the plurality of characters in the updated display within the virtual reality environment based on an increase in the transaction value. Claim 1: wherein size of the plurality of characters is decreased upon an increase in amount for the at least one transaction Claim 9 ‘891 Patent increasing, by the one or more processors, the complexity of the plurality of characters in the updated display by placing the plurality of characters in one or more occluded spaces within the virtual reality environment based on an increase in the transaction value. Claim 1: wherein complexity of placement for the plurality of characters increases upon determining the value at least partially defining the at least one transaction exceeds the predetermined threshold limit Claim 6: wherein the complexity of placement includes placing the plurality of characters in occluded spaces within the interface. Claim 10 ‘891 Patent updating, by the one or more processors, an interactive overlay of the display of the plurality of characters within the virtual reality environment based on user selection, wherein the updating includes changing placements of each of the plurality of characters. Claim 7: wherein the updating includes changing the placement of each of the plurality of characters. Claims 1, 4-11, and 14-18 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-20 of U.S. Patent No. 11,823,189. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because of the following reasons: Claims 1, 11, and 18 ‘189 Patent A computer-implemented method comprising: Claim 1: A computer-implemented method for providing a virtual-reality enabled authentication entry interface, comprising: receiving, by one or more processors, an authorization code associated with a payment vehicle of a user; Claim 1: receiving, over a computer network, an authorization code in response to an electronic transaction, the authorization code associated with a user and an electronic transaction vehicle of the user; generating, by the one or more processors, a display of a plurality of characters within a virtual reality environment of a device associated with the user for authenticating a transaction; Claim 1: generating an interactive overlay of a plurality of characters for user selection in the virtual reality environment; receiving, by the one or more processors, a selection of one or more characters from the plurality of characters from the device associated with the user; Claim 1: receiving a user selection of at least one of the plurality of characters; determining, by the one or more processors, whether the one or more characters matches the authorization code; and Claim 2: determining the user selection matches the authorization code generating, by the one or more processors, an updated display of the plurality of characters within the virtual reality environment upon determining the one or more characters do not match the authorization code, wherein a frequency of the updated display of the plurality of characters is based on a transaction value. Claim 1: generating a first updated interactive overlay of a plurality of characters for user selection based on the received user selection; increasing a frequency of change for the plurality of characters in the first updated interactive overlay of the virtual reality interface based, at least in part, on an increase in amount for the electronic transaction; Claims 4 and 14 ‘891 Patent wherein generating the display of the plurality of characters within the virtual reality environment includes overlaying the plurality of characters in a visually randomized order. Claim 6: wherein increasing the frequency of change includes randomizing placement of the plurality of characters Claims 5 and 15 ‘891 Patent wherein generating the updated display of the plurality of characters includes variations in one or more of distance, movements, size, or complexity of the plurality of characters within the virtual reality environment. Claim 6: wherein increasing the frequency of change includes randomizing placement of the plurality of characters, decreasing a size of the plurality of characters, increasing movements of the plurality of characters, increasing a distance between the plurality of characters, or a combination thereof. Claims 6 and 16 ‘891 Patent increasing, by the one or more processors, the distance between the plurality of characters in the updated display within the virtual reality environment based on an increase in the transaction value. Claim 6: increasing a distance between the plurality of characters Claims 7 and 17 ‘891 Patent increasing, by the one or more processors, the movements of the plurality of characters in the updated display within the virtual reality environment based on an increase in the transaction value. Claim 6: increasing movements of the plurality of characters Claim 8 ‘891 Patent decreasing, by the one or more processors, the size of the plurality of characters in the updated display within the virtual reality environment based on an increase in the transaction value. Claim 6: decreasing a size of the plurality of characters Claim 9 ‘891 Patent increasing, by the one or more processors, the complexity of the plurality of characters in the updated display by placing the plurality of characters in one or more occluded spaces within the virtual reality environment based on an increase in the transaction value. Claim 7: wherein a complexity of placement includes placing the plurality of characters in occluded spaces within the virtual reality interface. Claim 10 ‘891 Patent updating, by the one or more processors, an interactive overlay of the display of the plurality of characters within the virtual reality environment based on user selection, wherein the updating includes changing placements of each of the plurality of characters. Claim 8: updating the interactive overlay based, at least in part, on the user selection of each of the plurality of characters, wherein the first updated interactive overlay includes changing placement of each of the plurality of characters. Claims 1-2, 4-12, and 14-19 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-20 of U.S. Patent No. 12,205,117 in view of U.S. Patent No. 8,255,335. Claims 1, 11, and 18 ‘117 Patent A computer-implemented method comprising: Claim 12: A computer-implemented method comprising: generating, by the one or more processors, a display of a plurality of characters within a virtual reality environment of a device associated with the user for authenticating a transaction; Claim 12: generating an authentication interface including an interactive overlay of a plurality of characters for user selection receiving, by the one or more processors, a selection of one or more characters from the plurality of characters from the device associated with the user; Claim 12: receiving a selection of one or more characters from the plurality of characters in the authentication interface determining, by the one or more processors, whether the one or more characters matches the authorization code; and Claim 10: wherein the authentication response includes (i) an approval response upon determining a match between the selected characters and the stored credentials generating, by the one or more processors, an updated display of the plurality of characters within the virtual reality environment upon determining the one or more characters do not match the authorization code, wherein a frequency of the updated display of the plurality of characters is based on a transaction value. Claim 8: generating an updated randomized display of the plurality of characters in the authentication interface upon detecting the selection of the one or more characters in the authentication interface. Claim 4: generating a randomized display of the plurality of characters over the authentication interface, wherein level of difficulty regarding presentation of the plurality of characters increases upon determining the request for the electronic transaction of the resource is above a pre-determined threshold level. Claim 5: wherein increasing the level of difficulty regarding the presentation of the plurality of characters is in terms of placement of the plurality of characters, proximity between each of the plurality of characters, size of the plurality of characters, and/or frequency of changing the placement of the plurality of characters. ‘335 Patent receiving, by one or more processors, an authorization code associated with a payment vehicle of a user; 9:33-34: The method 200 proceeds to step 232 where the provider 110 receives the PIN input from the customer 115. Claims 2, 12, and 19 ‘891 Patent wherein a higher transaction value corresponds to a lower number of allowed attempts for entering the authorization code and a lower frequency of the updated display of the plurality of characters within the virtual reality environment. Claim 11: generating an updated authentication interface based on a predetermined number of authorization attempts, wherein a lesser number of authorization attempts is generated for a high value request. Claims 4 and 14 ‘891 Patent wherein generating the display of the plurality of characters within the virtual reality environment includes overlaying the plurality of characters in a visually randomized order. Claim 4: generating a randomized display of the plurality of characters over the authentication interface, wherein level of difficulty regarding presentation of the plurality of characters increases upon determining the request for the electronic transaction of the resource is above a pre-determined threshold level. Claims 5 and 15 ‘891 Patent wherein generating the updated display of the plurality of characters includes variations in one or more of distance, movements, size, or complexity of the plurality of characters within the virtual reality environment. Claim 5: wherein increasing the level of difficulty regarding the presentation of the plurality of characters is in terms of placement of the plurality of characters, proximity between each of the plurality of characters, size of the plurality of characters, and/or frequency of changing the placement of the plurality of characters. Claims 6 and 16 ‘891 Patent increasing, by the one or more processors, the distance between the plurality of characters in the updated display within the virtual reality environment based on an increase in the transaction value. Claim 6: increasing a distance between the plurality of characters in the authentication interface upon determining an increase in the amount of the electronic transaction of the resource. Claims 7 and 17 ‘891 Patent increasing, by the one or more processors, the movements of the plurality of characters in the updated display within the virtual reality environment based on an increase in the transaction value. Claim 12: increasing a speed of the motion of the plurality of characters in the authentication interface based on determining that an amount of the electronic transaction of the resource exceeds a threshold; Claim 8 ‘891 Patent decreasing, by the one or more processors, the size of the plurality of characters in the updated display within the virtual reality environment based on an increase in the transaction value. Claim 7: reducing the size of the plurality of characters in the authentication interface upon determining the requested service authorization amount exceeds a predefined threshold. Claim 9 ‘891 Patent increasing, by the one or more processors, the complexity of the plurality of characters in the updated display by placing the plurality of characters in one or more occluded spaces within the virtual reality environment based on an increase in the transaction value. Claim 16: wherein increasing the level of difficulty regarding the presentation of the plurality of characters is in terms of placement of the plurality of characters, proximity between each of the plurality of characters, size of the plurality of characters, and/or frequency of changing the placement of the plurality of characters. Claim 10 ‘891 Patent updating, by the one or more processors, an interactive overlay of the display of the plurality of characters within the virtual reality environment based on user selection, wherein the updating includes changing placements of each of the plurality of characters. Claim 16: wherein increasing the level of difficulty regarding the presentation of the plurality of characters is in terms of placement of the plurality of characters, proximity between each of the plurality of characters, size of the plurality of characters, and/or frequency of changing the placement of the plurality of characters. 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 1-6, 8-16, and 18-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 because the claimed invention is directed to abstract ideas without significantly more. There are two criteria for subject matter eligibility. The first is that the claimed invention must be to one of the four statutory categories, i.e., a process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter. See MPEP 2106(I). Second, the claimed invention also must qualify as patent-eligible subject matter, i.e., the claim must not be directed to a judicial exception unless the claim as a whole includes additional limitations amounting to significantly more than the exception. See MPEP 2106(I). Here, claims 1-10 are directed towards a process, claims 10-17 are directed towards a machine, and claims 18-20 are directed towards a manufacture. Therefore, the analysis proceeds to determine whether the claims recite abstract ideas. Per Claim 1: Claim 1, as a whole, is directed towards the abstract idea of determining whether an entered transaction authentication code is valid and, if not, updating a display via which the authentication code is entered. In particular, the claim recites receiving an authorization code associated with a payment vehicle. The claim generates a display of characters for authenticating a transaction. The process receives a selection of characters and determines whether the characters match the authorization code. The process then generates an updated display of the characters when the selected characters do not match the authorization code. The frequency of the updated display is based on a transaction value. In other words, the claim recites Certain Methods of Organizing Human Activities recognized as reciting abstract ideas. More specifically, the following underlined claim elements recite abstract ideas while the non-underlined claim elements recite additional elements according to MPEP 2106.04(a). receiving, by one or more processors, an authorization code associated with a payment vehicle of a user; generating, by the one or more processors, a display of a plurality of characters within a virtual reality environment of a device associated with the user for authenticating a transaction; receiving, by the one or more processors, a selection of one or more characters from the plurality of characters from the device associated with the user; determining, by the one or more processors, whether the one or more characters matches the authorization code; and generating, by the one or more processors, an updated display of the plurality of characters within the virtual reality environment upon determining the one or more characters do not match the authorization code, wherein a frequency of the updated display of the plurality of characters is based on a transaction value. Because the claim recites abstract ideas, the analysis proceeds to determine whether the claim recites additional elements that recite a practical application of the abstract ideas. According to MPEP 2106.04(d), additional elements that recite an instruction to apply the abstract ideas using a computer, that recite insignificant extra-solution activities, or that generally link the use of the abstract ideas to a particular technological environment or field of use are not indicative of a practical application. Here, the claim recites the additional elements of a processor and a virtual reality environment of a device associated with the user. However, these additional elements serve to implement the abstract ideas using computers. In other words, they amount to an instruction to apply the abstract ideas using computers. Therefore, the claim as a whole fails to recite a practical application of the abstract ideas. The analysis then proceeds to determine whether the additional elements, when considered individually and in combination, recite significantly more than the abstract ideas. According to MPEP 2106.05, additional elements that recite an instruction to apply the abstract ideas using a computer, that recite insignificant extra-solution activities, that generally link the use of the abstract ideas to a particular technological environment or field of use, or that recite well-understood, routine, and conventional activities are not indicative of reciting significantly more than the abstract ideas. Claim elements previously considered to recite insignificant extra-solution activities are reevaluated at this step to determine whether they recite well-understood, routine, and conventional activities. Such findings must be supported by the evidentiary requirements set forth in the Berkheimer Memo. Here, the claim recites the additional elements of a processor and a virtual reality environment of a device associated with the user. However, these additional elements serve to implement the abstract ideas using computers. In other words, they amount to an instruction to apply the abstract ideas using computers. Therefore, the additional claim elements, when considered individually and in combination, fail to recite significantly more than the abstract ideas. Accordingly, claim 1 is rejected as being directed towards patent ineligible subject matter. Per Claim 11: Claim 11 recites abstract subject matter similar to that discussed above in connection with claim 1 and does so in the context of a machine. Claim 11 recites the following additional element not recited in claim 1: one or more processors of a computing system; and at least one non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations However, these additional elements also fail to recite a practical application of the abstract ideas or significantly more than the abstract ideas because they serve as tools to implement the abstract ideas. In other words, they amount to an instruction to apply the abstract ideas using computers. Accordingly, claim 11 is rejected as being directed towards patent ineligible subject matter. Per Claim 18: Claim 18 recites abstract subject matter similar to that discussed above in connection with claim 1 and does so in the context of a non-transitory computer readable medium. However, claim 18 fails to recite any additional elements not already considered in connection with the claims above. Therefore, claim 18 also fails to recite a practical application of the abstract ideas or significantly more than the abstract ideas. Accordingly, claim 18 is rejected as being directed towards patent ineligible subject matter. Per Claims 2-6, 8-10, 12-16, and 19-20: Claims 2-6, 8-10, 12-16, and 19-20 have also been analyzed for subject matter eligibility. However, these claims fail to recite patent eligible subject matter for the following reasons: Claims 2, 12, and 19 recite the abstract idea that a higher transaction value corresponds to a lower number of allowed attempts for entering the code and a lower frequency of updating the characters, which is a Certain Method of Organizing Human Activities. Claims 3, 13, and 20 recite the abstract idea that a lower transaction value corresponds to a higher number of allowed attempts for entering the code and a higher frequency of updating the characters, which is a Certain Method of Organizing Human Activities. Claims 4 and 14 recite the abstract idea of randomly displaying the plurality of authentication characters for selection, which is a Certain Method of Organizing Human Activities. Claims 5 and 15 recite the abstract idea that the updated authentication character variations include variations in distance, size, and complexity, which is a Certain Method of Organizing Human Activities. Claims 6 and 16 recite the abstract idea of increasing the distance between the authentication characters based on increase in the transaction value, which is a Certain Method of Organizing Human Activities. Claim 8 recites the abstract idea of decreasing the size of the authentication characters based on an increase in the transaction value, which is a Certain Method of Organizing Human Activities. Claim 9 recites the abstract idea of placing the authentication characters in hidden space based on an increase in transaction value, which is a Certain Method of Organizing Human Activities. Claim 10 recites the abstract idea of changing the placement of authentication characters based on selections of the authentication characters, which is a Certain Method of Organizing Human Activities. Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2012/0323788 discloses a method for authenticating debit card transactions engaged in by a cardholder on a communications network includes: establishing a network connection with a client being used by the cardholder to engage in a transaction; providing to the client a web page containing a keypad (22) of buttons (24) that collectively define a geometry of the keypad (22), the keypad (22) being employed by the cardholder to enter a PIN via selection of the buttons (24) with a pointing device; obtaining the PIN enter by the cardholder; determining if the PIN is correct for a debit card being used by the cardholder; and for two transactions engaged in by the cardholder, changing a location of the keypad (22) on the web page, the geometry of the keypad (22), a size of the buttons (24) or a spacing between neighboring buttons (24). U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2005/0250538 discloses a system, a method and a computer program product for provisioning Virtual PIN pads on mobile devices, and for enabling customers to make payments using the provisioned Virtual PIN pads for the purchased goods and services. The system comprises a Virtual PIN pad and a transaction backend module. The Virtual PIN pad is a software emulation of a PIN Entry Device (PED) and is provisioned on the mobile device securely with all requisite keys and certificates, while conforming to all security standards of the payment domain. The transaction backend connects the Virtual PIN pad to a payment institution. The customer can make a payment by entering an account identifier card's PIN into the Virtual PIN pad. The Virtual PIN pad encrypts the entered PIN using certified security mechanisms, and transmits it over a secure channel to the payment institution for verification and payment authorization, via the transaction backend. The backend ensures the integrity of transaction in the mobile data environment. U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2018/0150838 discloses electronic payment acceptance devices provide a security-status-indicating GUI via a display window resident therein. The security-status-indicating GUI includes a security message element that provides an indication of whether the electronic payment acceptance device is operating in a secure or an unsecure mode. The security-status-indicating GUI may also include a security message element that may be displayed at random locations on the display window. The modified GUI may be modified from a first size provided by a software application running on electronic payment acceptance device the to a second size. The second size may allow for concurrent display of the security message element and the modified GUI on the security-status-indicating GUI. U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2020/0097970 discloses a method of facilitating a transaction with a payment card of a cardholder. The method includes receiving a deceptive PIN comprising a set of characters in which one character is a deceptive character. The deceptive character is different than each of a set of actual characters of an actual PIN of the payment card. The method includes identifying the deceptive character and a position of the deceptive character among the set of characters of the deceptive PIN. The method includes determining a reconstructed PIN by replacing the deceptive character with a corresponding actual character at the position in the deceptive PIN. The actual character is determined based on a predefined mathematical expression and a predefined value for the predefined mathematical expression. The method includes authenticating the reconstructed PIN by matching the reconstructed PIN with the actual PIN. The method further includes facilitating the transaction upon successful authentication. U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2020/0210557 discloses a computer-implemented authentication method comprising the step of enabling a user to input an identifier (e.g. a PIN) into an electronic device having a screen and a keypad operable within a keypad zone of the screen; by operating at least one key of the keypad via an image of at least part of a scrambled keypad which is displayed at least partially within the keypad zone. The user's operation of the keypad key via the image generates an encoded version of the user's intended input. In one sense the invention can be perceived as superimposing a non-functional image of a scrambled keyboard over an underlying, functional keypad. The image may be any type of electronic image, and may include a video image. The invention is particularly suited for use with, but not limited to, mobile phones, tablet computer, PCs etc. It can be implemented in any system wherein a user's identity must be verified before access is granted to a controlled resource. U.S. Patent No. 10,083,442 discloses a mobile device that uses a media file to render a passcode entry interface. The passcode entry interface can have an assigned location of an input element that corresponds to an inputtable value in the passcode entry interface. The media file can include a visual depiction having the input element at the assigned location. In several embodiments, the media file does not store the association between the assigned location and the inputtable value. The assigned location corresponding to the inputtable value can be separately stored. The mobile device can receive a coordinate of a touch event on the passcode entry interface. To determine a passcode entry based on the touch event, the coordinate can be compared against the separately stored assigned location to determine a corresponding input value to the coordinate. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to NILESH B KHATRI whose telephone number is (571)270-7083. The examiner can normally be reached 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM Monday-Friday, alternating Fridays off. 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, Neha Patel can be reached at (571) 270-1492. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. /NILESH B KHATRI/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3699
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Dec 13, 2024
Application Filed
Jan 09, 2026
Non-Final Rejection — §101, §DP
Mar 25, 2026
Interview Requested
Apr 01, 2026
Applicant Interview (Telephonic)
Apr 02, 2026
Examiner Interview Summary

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12597003
Coordination and Management of Digital Asset Endorsements
2y 5m to grant Granted Apr 07, 2026
Patent 12591870
SECURE PROCESSING OF CENTRAL BANK DIGITAL CURRENCY (CBDC) CARD PAYMENTS
2y 5m to grant Granted Mar 31, 2026
Patent 12591877
INTELLIGENT CARD UNLOCK
2y 5m to grant Granted Mar 31, 2026
Patent 12586047
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GENERATING DATA TRANSFER RECOMMENDATIONS
2y 5m to grant Granted Mar 24, 2026
Patent 12548001
SYSTEM FOR BLOCKCHAIN-BASED SHARE SUBSTANTIAL TRADE FOR OWNER UNSPECIFIED COMMON ASSET AND METHOD THEREFOR
2y 5m to grant Granted Feb 10, 2026
Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

AI Strategy Recommendation

Get an AI-powered prosecution strategy using examiner precedents, rejection analysis, and claim mapping.
Powered by AI — typically takes 5-10 seconds

Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
58%
Grant Probability
86%
With Interview (+28.3%)
3y 2m
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 170 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allow rate.

Sign in with your work email

Enter your email to receive a magic link. No password needed.

Personal email addresses (Gmail, Yahoo, etc.) are not accepted.

Free tier: 3 strategy analyses per month