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 .
Response to Amendment
This office action is written in response to an amendment filed on 8/20/2026. As directed by amendment: Claims 1-2 and 6 were amended. No new claims were added and no claims were cancelled. Thus, Claims 1-6 are presently pending in this application.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments with respect to Claim 1 have been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection does not rely on any reference applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
The test for obviousness is not whether the features of a secondary reference may be bodily incorporated into the structure of the primary reference; nor is it that the claimed invention must be expressly suggested in any one or all of the references. Rather, the test is what the combined teachings of the references would have suggested to those of ordinary skill in the art. See In re Keller, 642 F.2d 413, 208 USPQ 871 (CCPA 1981).
Claims 1-5 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Yoo (“Yoo”, US 20190050849, included in IDS filed 2/25/2025) in view of Kudelski et al (“Kudelski”, US 20140373131) in further view of Ramanujan et al (“Ramanujan”, US 10715327).
Regarding Claim 1, Yoo teaches a method of approving a procedure based on a virtual authorization code, performed by a server, the method comprising:
receiving, by the server, a virtual authentication code to request user authentication (par 9; par 88);
and extracting, by the server, user identification information by performing the user authentication based on at least one detailed code included in the virtual authentication code (par 9; par 88; Fig. 7, elements {S1000, S1200} par 120);
wherein the virtual authentication code is generated by a virtual authentication code generation function in a user terminal without communication with the server, and is generated by changing with each unit count as a specific time interval elapses (par 9; par 68-72; par 83; par 88; Fig. 7, elements {S400, S1000, S1200} par 120; Fig. 4A-4C, par 104-105; The virtual card number is generated on the device without communication with the server.),
wherein the user identification information is transmitted to the server or a device that requested the user authentication to the server and is used to verify the authority for performing a specific procedure of the user (par 9; Fig. 7, elements {S400, S1000, S1200} par 120).
Yoo does not explicitly teach wherein the procedure includes at least one of a plurality of procedure types of a plurality of services.
Kudelski teaches wherein the procedure includes at least one of a plurality of procedure types of a plurality of services (par 15);
a first type procedure from among the plurality of procedure types (par 15).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the invention of Yoo with the authentication of Kudelski because it provides for more customized authentication tailored to a specific service or user (Kudelski; par 7-8; par 15-18), thereby improving privacy and security.
Yoo and Kudelski do not explicitly teach wherein the virtual authentication code according to a first type procedure includes a first virtual authentication code generated based on first user information and a second virtual authorization code generated based on second user information, and wherein the authority for performing the specific procedure is performed when the first virtual authentication code and the second virtual authentication code are the same as each other.
Ramanujan teaches wherein the virtual authentication code according to a first type procedure includes a first virtual authentication code generated based on first user information and a second virtual authorization code generated based on second user information (Col. 7 lines 55-67; Col. 8 lines 1-29; The first user information is the information being typed/inputted into the input field by the user. The first virtual authentication code is the finished inputted password of the user that is sent to the authentication server. The second user information is the email of the user. The second virtual authentication code is the one-time password.),
and wherein the authority for performing the specific procedure is performed when the first virtual authentication code and the second virtual authentication code are the same as each other (Col. 7 lines 55-67; Col. 8 lines 1-29; The first user information is the information being typed/inputted into the input field by the user. The first virtual authentication code is the finished inputted password of the user that is sent to the authentication server. The second user information is the email of the user. The second virtual authentication code is the one-time password.).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the invention of Yoo and Kudelski with the software credential tokens of Ramanujan because it provides a smooth and convenient way for users to transition to software tokens, while providing a high level of assurance (Ramanujan; par 15). Using software tokens further provides accessing an online resource easier for new and existing users (Ramanujan; Col. 3 lines 20-36).
Regarding Claim 2, Yoo, Kudelski, and Ramanujan teach the method of claim 1.
Yoo further teaches wherein the virtual authentication code is generated by combining a first code with a second code included in a plurality of detailed codes according to a specific rule (par 22-23; par 112-113; par 115; par 141; par 143),
wherein the first code and the second code have a correlation (par 112-113; par 115; par 141; par 143),
and wherein the first code determines a search start point with respect to a storage location in the server and the second code determines a search path with respect to the storage location from the search start point (par 22-23; par 112-113; par 115; par 141; par 143).
Regarding Claim 3, Yoo, Kudelski, and Ramanujan teach the method of claim 2.
Yoo further teaches wherein validity time data of the virtual authentication code is set through the user terminal (par 68-72),
wherein a third code included in the plurality of detailed codes is further generated based on the validity time data (par 68-72),
and wherein the virtual authentication code is generated by combining the first code, the second code, and the third code according to a specific rule (par 68-72).
Regarding Claim 4, Yoo, Kudelski, and Ramanujan teach the method of claim 2.
Yoo further teaches wherein the virtual authentication code includes a virtual security code that is generated based on time data regarding a time when the virtual authentication code is generated or time data regarding a time when the procedure approval is requested by the user terminal (par 81-85; par 164-172),
and wherein the server further verifies the virtual authentication code based on the virtual security code (par 81-85; par 164-172; par 11).
Regarding Claim 5, Yoo, Kudelski, and Ramanujan teach the method of claim 1.
Yoo further teaches wherein the virtual authentication code is generated based on one of card data provided to the user terminal and biometric data provided to the user terminal (par 68-72).
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 6 is objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter:
In interpreting the currently amended claims, in light of the specification, the Examiner finds the claimed invention to be patentably distinct from the prior art of record.
Regarding Claim 6, the closest prior art of record Yoo (US 20190050849, included in IDS filed 2/25/2025) in view of Hsu et al (US 20080115198, included in IDS filed 2/25/2025) in further view of Murthy et al (US 20180097789, included in IDS filed 2/25/2025) and in even further view of Steiner et al (US 20150095968, included in IDS filed 2/25/2025) does not teach a method of approving a procedure based on a virtual authorization code, performed by a server, the method comprising: receiving, by the server, a virtual authentication code to request user authentication; and extracting, by the server, user identification information by performing the user authentication based on at least one detailed code included in the virtual authentication code; and wherein the virtual authentication code is generated by a virtual authentication code generation function in the user terminal without communication with the server, and is generated by changing with each unit count as a specific time interval elapses, wherein the user identification information is transmitted to the server or a device that requested the user authentication to the server and is used to verify the authority for performing a specific procedure of the user, and wherein the procedure includes at least one of a plurality of procedure types of a plurality of services; wherein the virtual authentication code according to a first type procedure from among the plurality of procedure types includes a first virtual authentication code and a second virtual authorization code, wherein the first virtual authentication code is generated by a first virtual authentication code generating function in a first user terminal based on first user information, wherein the second virtual authentication code is generated by a second virtual authentication code generating function in a second user terminal based on second user information, wherein the receiving of the virtual authentication code comprises receiving a request for approval of the first type procedure by receiving the first virtual authentication code and the second virtual authorization code, and wherein the authority for performing the specific procedure is performed only when user identification codes of the first virtual authentication code and the second virtual authentication code are the same as each other.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure:
Hsu et al (US 20080115198), Abstract - A system that uses multi-factor authentication while retrieving information is described. During operation, the system requests and receives multiple authentication factors from a user of an application on a first host. These multiple authentication factors are associated with a document on a second host, and include authentication information that enables access to the document. Furthermore, the system uses the multiple authentication factors to access the document. While accessing the document, the system retrieves information from the document by navigating through the document, identifying the information, and aggregating the information.
Murthy et al (US 20180097789), Abstract - Techniques for time-based network authentication challenges are disclosed. In some embodiments, a system, process, and/or computer program product for time-based network authentication challenges includes monitoring a session at a firewall to identify a user associated with the session, generating a timestamp for an authentication factor associated with the user after the user successfully authenticates for access to a resource based on an authentication profile, intercepting another request from the user for access to the resource at the firewall, and determining whether the timestamp for the authentication factor is expired based on the authentication profile.
Steiner et al (US 20150095968), Abstract - Systems and methods described herein relate to role-based authorization systems which allow customization of role templates as well as the ability, using roles, for one user to act on behalf of another user.
Dvir (US 20070056022), Abstract - A method, system and computer-readable code for providing authentication services. In some embodiments, an attempt is made to match an IP address associated with a service and/or authentication request and user details of the request with an ISP account. In exemplary embodiments, if there is an indication that the IP address was issued by an ISP to a user matching the user details, the user is authenticated. In exemplary embodiments, a database of allowable dynamic and/or static IPs is maintained, and users are authenticated in accordance with contents of the maintained database. Systems, methods and computer-readable code for maintaining a database of allowable IPs are disclosed herein.
Ramesh Kumar et al (US 20190386981), Abstract - Techniques are described for enrolling an authentication device for generating time-based one-time passwords (TOTPs) for use with multi-factor authentication (MFA). A user is prompted to initiate an enrollment procedure after successful authentication based on a first authentication factor in connection with a request for a resource protected by an access management (AM) system. The authentication device contacts the AM system to establish that the authentication device is a trusted device (e.g., through validation of an authentication token contained in a Quick Response (QR) code generated by the AM system). After the authentication device has been established as a trusted device, the AM system sends a shared secret to the authentication device, which uses the shared secret to complete enrollment (e.g., by generating a TOTP for verification by the AM system). A session is then created for the user to enable access to the protected resource.
Zimman et al (US 20080278325), Abstract - A radio frequency transponder, or a device that comprises a radio frequency transponder, wherein the radio frequency transponder is operative in invoking self-programming of data stored in the radio frequency transponder. In some implementations the radio frequency transponder selectively enables the transmission of a unique identifier by selectively programming the unique identifier stored in the radio frequency transponder. In various implementations, the radio frequency transponder programs data stored in the transponder by generating a signal that is reactively coupled to the antenna of the radio frequency transponder.
Luo et al (US 9043890), Abstract - An authentication system including a first server configured to store identifiers of respective users in association with respective pseudonyms, and a second server configured to store templates of the respective users in association with the respective pseudonyms. Input is received from a given user in conjunction with an authentication attempt. The first server is configured to determine if a first portion of the received input is associated with one of the user identifiers stored in the first server. If the first portion of the received input is associated with one of the user identifiers stored in the first server, the corresponding pseudonym is provided from the first server to the second server. The given user is authenticated based on a determination as to whether or not a second portion of the received input matches one of the stored user templates corresponding to the pseudonym provided to the second server.
Juels et al (US 9270655), Abstract - Configurable one-time authentication tokens are provided with improved resilience to attacks. A one-time authentication token is configured by providing a plurality of token features that may be selectively incorporated into the configurable one-time authentication token, wherein the plurality of token features comprise at least two of the features; obtaining a selection of at least a plurality of the token features: and configuring the one-time authentication token based on the selected token features, wherein the configuration must always enable forward security for the one-time authentication token and at least one additional selected token feature. A configurable one-time authentication token is provided that comprises a plurality of selectable token features that may be selectively incorporated into the configurable one-time authentication token, wherein the configurable one-time authentication token is always configured with the forward security and at least one additional token feature.
Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). 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.
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/RAQIUL A CHOUDHURY/Examiner, Art Unit 2444
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