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 .
DETAILED ACTION
1. The following is a non-final, First Office Action on the merits. Claims 1-21 are pending.
The Examiner’s Notes:
2. Independent claims 1 and 8 as a whole recites a combination of limitations that has been found as define over prior art of record {the combination of Slavin et al; (US 9,015,277 B1), Etheredge et al; (US 2010/0106576 A1), LaRue; US 2009/0227315 A1), Ramprasad; (US 2014/0273944 A1), Wei et al; (US 2018/0001207 A1), and Priebatsch; (US 2015/0242892 A1)} teaches elements of the claimed invention. However, it would be hind-sight reasoning to combine the individual elements disclosed in the prior-art in order to achieve Applicant's claimed invention.
Double Patenting
3. Claims 1, 8 and 15 of the instant application are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable respectively over claims 1 and 8 of US Patent 12,293,379 B2. Further, dependent claims {2,9,16}; {3,10,17}; {4,11,18}; {5,12,19}; {6,13,20}; and {7,14,21} of the instant application are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable respectively over claims {2,9}; {3,10}; {4,11}; {5,12}; {6,13}; and {7,14} of U.S. Patent 12,293,379 B2. See below.
Instant Application: case 19/200,407
US Patent 12,293,379 B2
Claims 1, 8 and 15: A computer system comprising: a hardware memory, wherein the computer system is configured to execute software instructions stored on nontransitory machine-readable storage media that:
display a rewards wheel and an interactive element, wherein interacting with the interactive element causes the rewards wheel to spin and select a promotional reward;
send data related to the selected promotional reward to a server;
receive and display a pre-filled message comprising the selected promotional reward and an enterprise endpoint in a messaging application; and
telephonically connect a user to the enterprise endpoint upon sending the pre-filled message; and
receive the data related to the selected promotional reward;
identify the selected promotional reward from the received data;
retrieve enterprise endpoint data from the enterprise database associated with the selected promotional reward;
generate the pre-filled message comprising the selected promotional reward and the enterprise endpoint; and
send the pre-filled message to the mobile device.
Claims 2, 9 and 16: wherein the rewards wheel comprises a plurality of sections.
Claims 3, 10, 17: wherein the plurality of sections are of equal size.
Claims 4, 11 and 18: wherein the plurality of sections are of varying sizes.
Claims 5, 12 and 19: further comprising an indicator displayed on the mobile device in relation to the rewards wheel.
Claims 6, 13 and 20: wherein the interactive element comprises a textual prompt.
Claims 7, 14 and 21: wherein the pre-filled message is displayed in a default messaging application on the mobile device.
Claims 1 and 8: A system for offering promotional rewards using a rewards wheel, comprising:
an enterprise database, the enterprise database comprising a plurality of promotional rewards and a plurality of enterprise endpoints;
a mobile device comprising at least a plurality of programming instructions stored in a memory of, and operating on at least one processor of, the mobile device, wherein the plurality of programming instructions, when operating on the at least one processor, causes the mobile device to:
display a promotional rewards wheel and an interactive button, wherein interacting with the interactive button causes the rewards wheel to spin and land on a first promotional reward;
send data pertaining to the first promotional reward to a server;
receive and display a pre-filled short message service (“SMS”) message comprising the first promotional reward and an enterprise endpoint in a messaging application of the mobile device; and
upon sending of the pre-filled SMS message from the messaging application of the mobile device, telephonically connect a user to the enterprise endpoint when the user sends the received SMS message to the enterprise endpoint; and
a server comprising at least a plurality of programming instructions stored in a memory of, and operating on at least one processor of, a computing device, wherein the plurality of programming instructions, when operating on the at least one processor, causes the computing device to:
receive the data pertaining to the first promotional reward;
parse the data pertaining to the first promotional reward to identify the first promotional reward;
retrieve enterprise endpoint data from the enterprise database, the enterprise endpoint data associated with the first promotional reward;
generate the SMS message, the SMS message comprising the first promotional reward and an enterprise endpoint; and
send the SMS message to the mobile device.
Claims 2 and 9: wherein the promotional rewards wheel is divided into a plurality of sections.
Claims 3 and 10. wherein the plurality of sections are the same size.
Claims 4 and 11: wherein the plurality of sections are different sizes.
Claims 5 and 12. wherein an indicator directed at the rewards wheel is displayed on the mobile device.
Claims 6 and 13. wherein the interactive button comprises a word or phrase that prompts the mobile device user to interact with the button.
Claims 7 and 14. wherein the SMS message is displayed in a default messaging application operating on the mobile device.
In summary, independent claims 1 and 8 of U.S. Patent 12,293,379 B2 teach all the features of independent claims 1, 8 and 15 of the instant application as indicated in the table above. Although claims 1 and 8 of U.S. Patent 12,293,379 B2 has additional underlined features (bold limitations in the table above) such as {e.g., an enterprise database, the enterprise database comprising a plurality of promotional rewards and a plurality of enterprise endpoints; a mobile device comprising at least a plurality of programming instructions stored in a memory of, and operating on at least one processor of, the mobile device, wherein the plurality of programming instructions, when operating on the at least one processor, causes the mobile device to: upon sending of the pre-filled SMS message from the messaging application of the mobile device, telephonically connect a user to the enterprise endpoint when the user sends the received SMS message to the enterprise endpoint; and
a server comprising at least a plurality of programming instructions stored in a memory of, and operating on at least one processor of, a computing device, wherein the plurality of programming instructions, when operating on the at least one processor, causes the computing device to: parse the data pertaining to the first promotional reward to identify the first promotional reward}; however, it has been held that deleting elements when the function of element is not desired is obvious. See MPEP 2144.04 Section II. Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was made to modify or to omit the additional elements of claims 1 and 8 of U.S. Patent 12,293,379 B2 to arrive at the claims 1, 8 and 15 of the instant application because the person of ordinary skill would have realized that the remaining element would perform the same functions as before. “Omission of element and its function in combination is obvious expedient if the remaining elements perform same functions as before.” See In re Karlson (CCPA) 136 USPQ 184, decide Jan 16, 1963, Appl. No. 6857, U. S. Court of Customs and Patent Appeals.
Further, dependent claims {2,9}; {3,10}; {4,11}; {5,12}; {6,13}; and {7,14} of U.S. Patent 12,293,379 B2 respectively teach all the features of dependent claims {2,9,16}; {3,10,17}; {4,11,18}; {5,12,19}; {6,13,20}; and {7,14,21} of the instant application as indicated in the table above.
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 obviousness-type 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); and 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 a nonstatutory double patenting ground provided the conflicting application or patent either is shown to be commonly owned with this application, or claims an invention made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement.
Effective January 1, 1994, a registered attorney or agent of record may sign a terminal disclaimer. A terminal disclaimer signed by the assignee must fully comply with 37 CFR 3.73(b).
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
4. Claims 1-21 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112 (b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which applicant regards as the invention:
Independent claim 1:
Step/limitation 3 recites “receive and display a pre-filled message comprising the selected promotional reward and an enterprise endpoint in a messaging application” (this limitation construes that “a pre-filled message comprising the selected promotional reward and an enterprise endpoint” has already been generated). However, step/limitation 8 then recites “generate the pre-filled message comprising the selected promotional reward and the enterprise endpoint”. The scope of these limitations are confusing since it is unclear why the pre-filled message is generated again in step/limitation 8 while it has already been generated in step/limitation 3? Appropriated correction is required.
Further, step/limitation 9 recites “send the pre-filled message to the mobile device”. The scope of this limitation is unclear because there is insufficient antecedent basis for “the mobile device” in the claim. Appropriated correction is required.
In addition, step/limitation 7 recites: “retrieve enterprise endpoint data from the enterprise database…..”. The scope of this limitation is unclear because there is insufficient antecedent basis for “the enterprise database” in the claim. Appropriated correction is required.
Dependent claims 2-7 are dependency of their base claim 1 and therefore, are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112 (b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph for the same reasons as indicated in independent claim 1 above.
Independent claim 8:
Step/limitation 3 recites “receive and display a pre-filled message comprising the selected promotional reward and an enterprise endpoint in a messaging application” (this limitation construes that “a pre-filled message comprising the selected promotional reward and an enterprise endpoint” has already been generated). However, step/limitation 8 then recites “generate the pre-filled message comprising the selected promotional reward and the enterprise endpoint”. The scope of these limitations are confusing since it is unclear why the pre-filled message is generated again in step/limitation 8 while it has already been generated in step/limitation 3? Appropriated correction is required.
Dependent claims 9-21 are dependency of their base claim 8 and therefore, are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112 (b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph for the same reasons as indicated in independent claim 8 above.
Claim 15:
Claim 15 recites “One or more non-transitory computer-storage media having computer-executable instructions embodied thereon that, when executed by one or more processors of a computing system employing a system for offering…..”. The scope of this limitation is confusing since it is unclear whether “a system” in the later is referring back to “a computing system” in the former? Appropriated correction is required.
Dependent claims 16-21 are dependency of their base claim 15 and therefore, are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112 (b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph for the same reasons as indicated in claim 15 above.
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.
5. The claimed invention (Claims 1-21) is directed to a judicial exception (i.e., a law of nature, a natural phenomenon, or an abstract idea) without significantly more. The claim(s) recite(s) abstract ideas including “Certain Methods of Organizing Human Activity”, and/or “Mental Processes” which has/have been identified/found by the courts as abstract ideas in MPEP 2106.04(a). This judicial exception is not integrated into a practical application because it does not impose any meaningful limits on practicing the abstract idea. The claim(s) does/do not include additional elements that are sufficient to amount to significantly more than the judicial exception because It/they is/are recited at a high level of generality and/or are recited as performing generic computer functions routinely used in the computer applications:
6. Step 1: Does the Claim Fall within a statutory Category?
Claims 1-7: Yes, these claims are system, which recites a hardware memory, wherein the computer system is configured to execute software instructions stored on nontransitory machine-readable storage media….., and therefore are directed to the statutory class of machine and article of manufacture.
Claims 8-14: Yes, these claims are method, and therefore are directed to the statutory class of process.
Claims 15-21: Yes, these claims recite one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media, which is interpreted as a system because it recites a computer to execute…., and therefore are directed to the statutory class of machine.
7. Step 2A prong 1, Step 2A prong 2 and Step 2B:
Independent claim 1 (Step 2A, Prong I): is directed to an abstract idea of “Certain Methods of Organizing Human Activity”, and/or “Mental Processes”:
Claim 1, limitations 1-9 of display a promotional rewards information, wherein interacting with the promotional reward information causes the user to receive a promotional reward (part of limitation 1); send data related to the selected promotional reward to an entity (limitation 2); receive and display a message comprising the selected promotional reward and an enterprise endpoint (limitation 3) connect a user to the enterprise endpoint upon sending the message (limitation 4); receive the data related to the selected promotional reward (limitation 5); identify the selected promotional reward from the received data (limitation 6); retrieve enterprise endpoint data from the enterprise record, the enterprise endpoint data associated with the promotional reward (limitation 7); generate the message, the message comprising the promotional reward and an enterprise endpoint (limitation 8); and send the message to the user (limitation 9) fall within “Certain Methods of Organizing Human Activity” grouping of abstract idea because these steps mainly describe the concepts of commercial or legal interactions (advertising, marketing or sales activities or behaviors; business relations); and/or managing personal behavior or relationships or interactions between people (including following rules or instructions).
In addition, limitation 6 mentioned above of “identify the selected promotional reward from the received data” also falls within the abstract “Mental Processes” grouping of abstract ideas since this limitation covers performance of the limitation in the mind. For example, a human being can observing/evaluating/analyzing the received data in order to identify the selected promotional reward
Independent claim 1, Step 2A (Prong II): Accordingly, the claim recites an abstract idea(s) as pointed out above. This judicial exception(s) is/are not integrated into a practical application. In particular, the claim recites additional underlined elements {i.e., a hardware memory, the computer system is configured to execute software instructions stored on nontransitory machine-readable storage media... ; a rewards wheel with interactive element cause the rewards wheel to spin; a prefilled message; telephonically connect; a messaging application; the enterprise database…...} to perform abstract steps/limitations 1-9 mentioned above. These additional element(s) in all of the steps/limitations is/are recited at a high-level of generality such that it amounts no more than mere instructions to apply the judicial exception(s) using a generic computer components {i.e., a hardware memory, the computer system is configured to execute software instructions stored on nontransitory machine-readable storage media... ; a rewards wheel with interactive element cause the rewards wheel to spin; a prefilled message; telephonically connect; a messaging application; the enterprise database….….}. Accordingly, these additional element(s) does/do not integrate the abstract idea into a practical application because it does not impose any meaningful limits on practicing the abstract idea. See MPEP 2106.05(f). Further, in claim 1, the limitations 1-3, 5, 7 and 9 of display a rewards wheel and an interactive element… (limitation 1); send data related to the selected promotional reward to a server (limitation 2); receive and display a pre-filled message comprising the selected promotional reward and an enterprise endpoint in a messaging application (limitation 3); receive the data related to the selected promotional reward (limitation 5); retrieve enterprise endpoint data from the enterprise database associated with the selected promotional reward (limitation 7); and send the pre-filled message to the mobile device (limitation 9) are merely receiving data/gathering data and displaying data/transmitting data; which are considered as insignificantly extra solution activity; thus, they do not integrate the abstract idea into a practical application. See MPEP 2106.05(g). Also, the additional elements (e.g., a server, the mobile device) in limitations 2 and 9 are merely recited as destinations, where information is being sent to, which are considered as general link to technological environment; thus, they do not integrate the abstract idea into a practical application. See MPEP 2106.05(h). Again, the claim is directed to an abstract idea. As discussed above with respect to integration of the abstract idea into a practical application, the additional element of using generic computer components {i.e., a hardware memory, the computer system is configured to execute software instructions stored on nontransitory machine-readable storage media... ; a rewards wheel with interactive element cause the rewards wheel to spin; a prefilled message; telephonically connect; a messaging application; the enterprise database…...} to perform the identified steps/limitations amounts to no more than mere instructions to apply the exception using a generic computer component. For the above mentioned reasons, viewed the claim as a whole, the additional elements/additional steps/additional limitations individually and in combination do not integrate the identified abstract idea into a practical application. Furthermore, there is neither improvement to another technology or technical field nor an improvement to the functioning of the computer itself.
Independent claim 1 (step 2B): The additional underlined elements in claim 1 (i.e., a hardware memory, the computer system is configured to execute software instructions stored on nontransitory machine-readable storage media... ; a rewards wheel with interactive element cause the rewards wheel to spin; a prefilled message; telephonically connect; a messaging application; the enterprise database…..) are recited at a high level of generality and/or are recited as performing generic computer functions routinely used in the computer applications; thus, they are not significantly more than the identified abstract idea. In other word, the additional underlined elements { i.e., a hardware memory, the computer system is configured to execute software instructions stored on nontransitory machine-readable storage media... ; a rewards wheel with interactive element cause the rewards wheel to spin; a prefilled message; telephonically connect; a messaging application; the enterprise database…….} are amounts no more than mere instructions to apply the judicial exception(s) of steps/limitations 1-10 mentioned above. See MPEP 2106.05(f). Further, in claim 1, the limitations 1-3, 5, 7 and 9 of display a rewards wheel and an interactive element… (limitation 1); send data related to the selected promotional reward to a server (limitation 2); receive and display a pre-filled message comprising the selected promotional reward and an enterprise endpoint in a messaging application (limitation 3); receive the data related to the selected promotional reward (limitation 5); retrieve enterprise endpoint data from the enterprise database associated with the selected promotional reward (limitation 7); and send the pre-filled message to the mobile device (limitation 9) are merely receiving data/gathering data and displaying data/transmitting data; which are considered as insignificantly extra solution activity; thus, . See MPEP 2106.05(g). Also, the additional elements (e.g., a server, the mobile device) in limitations 2 and 9 are merely recited as destinations, where information is being sent to, which is considered as general link to technological environment; thus, are not significantly more than the identified abstract idea. See MPEP 2106.05(h).
When reevaluating the limitations 1-3, 5, 7 and 9 mentioned above of display a rewards wheel and an interactive element… (limitation 1); send data related to the selected promotional reward to a server (limitation 2); receive and display a pre-filled message comprising the selected promotional reward and an enterprise endpoint in a messaging application (limitation 3); receive the data related to the selected promotional reward (limitation 5); retrieve enterprise endpoint data from the enterprise database associated with the selected promotional reward (limitation 7); and send the pre-filled message to the mobile device (limitation 9) in step 2B here; these receiving data/gathering data and displaying data/transmitting are also well-understood, routine and conventional activities amount to no more than implementing the abstract idea with a computerized system. The use of generic computer to receive information/gather information and display information/transmit information/send information through an unspecified generic computer does not impose any meaningful limit on the computer implementation of the abstract idea. According to MPEP 2106.05 (d), elements that the Courts have recognized as well-understood, routine, conventional activity in particular fields are e.g., "Receiving or transmitting data over a network, e.g., using the Internet to gather data, Symantec, 838 F.3d at 1321, 120 USPQ2d at 1362 (utilizing an intermediary computer to forward information); Storing and retrieving information in memory, Versata Dev. Group, Inc. v. SAP Am., Inc., 793 F.3d 1306, 1334, 115 USPQ2d 1681, 1701 (Fed. Cir. 2015); OIP Techs., 788 F.3d at 1363, 115 USPQ2d at 1092-93”.
Thus, evidences has been provided above to show these additional elements are well-understood, routine, conventional activity according to MPEP 2106.07 (a) (III). Therefore, for the above mentioned reasons, viewed as a whole, even in combination, the above steps/additional elements/additional limitations do not amount to significantly more/do not provide an inventive concept. Furthermore, there is neither improvement to another technology or technical field nor an improvement to the functioning of the computer itself.
As per Claims 8 and 15: Alice Corp. also establishes that the same/similar analysis should be used for all categories of claims. Therefore, a method claim 10, and a non-transitory computer-storage media claim 15 are also rejected as ineligible subject matter under 35 U.S.C. 101 for substantially the same/similar reasons as claim 1. The components (i.e., a rewards wheel and interaction element cause the rewards wheel to spin; a mobile device/the mobile device, a pre-filled message; a server; an enterprise database; a message application; one or more non-transitory computer-storage media having computer-executable instructions embodied thereon that, when executed by one or more processors of a computing system employing a system….) described in claim 8 and/or 15 add nothing of substance to the underlying abstract idea. At best, the claim(s) are merely providing an environment to implement the identified abstract idea.
Dependent claims 2-7, and 9-21 are merely add further details of the abstract steps/elements recited in claims 1, 8 and 15without including an improvement to another technology or technical field, an improvement to the functioning of the computer itself, or meaningful limitations beyond generally linking the use of an abstract idea to a particular technological environment. Looking at the limitations as an ordered combinations adds nothing that is not already present when looking at the elements taken individually. Furthermore, there is neither improvement to another technology or technical field nor an improvement to the functioning of the computer itself. Therefore, dependent claims 2-7, and 9-21 are also non-statutory subject matter.
Prior Art that is pertinent to Applicant’s disclosure
8. The prior art made of record is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure as following.
Slavin et al; (US 9,015,277 B1), wherein teaches Multiple copies of the same coupon are delivered to a consumer simultaneously via different delivery channels. After one copy of the coupon has been presented in connection with a transaction and used, the coupon is marked as used with respect to all delivery channels for that consumer. Different copies of the coupon can have different coupon identifiers, for example when delivered through different channels. Consumers also can access such multichannel coupons without having to login each time they wish to access their coupons from multiple channels. In one implementation, each consumer has a user profile. A promotion is associated with that consumer's user profile. Each user profile also is associated with different channel identifiers representing communication channels to deliver instances of the promotion to the consumer. Each delivered instance of the promotion includes a coupon identifier associated with the promotion.
Etheredge et al; (US 2010/0106576 A1), wherein teaches The system evaluates a set of incentives based upon a variety of factors and/or predetermined rules and consumers are provided incentives when they satisfy one or more criteria of making payments for their transaction accounts. The one or more criteria include making an early payment, paying more than a minimum amount due, and making the payment through an automatic payment scheme. If a received payment satisfies one or more predefined criteria, one or more incentives are selected for the consumer, tracked, and provided to the consumer. The system analyzes payment information to determine attributes and positive (desirable) behavior and provides incentives to the consumer based on such positive behaviors.
LaRue; US 2009/0227315 A1), wherein teaches System and method for playing game based on coin toss, may utilize a system and method for graphically displaying coin toss using sensors to detect physical movement of coin or instrumented coin, communicate sensor-derived data to remote graphical display system, display virtual coin that represents movement and orientation of tossed coin. May utilize sensor, communication, display, game systems and optional message gateway. Sensor system and part of wireless communication system may be external or embedded in coin. Graphical coin movement and orientation may mimic the actual coin being tossed or may be represented as any avatar or other graphical object that represents the coin including celebrity pictures, videos, faces, logos or any other object that may represent a "head" or "tail". May generate a random number that allows viewers to win a prize. Viewers may guess result of coin toss before toss and win prize if they guess the result correctly. Also see para 0106.
Ramprasad; (US 2014/0273944 A1), wherein teaches Pre-filled message in para 0053.
Wei et al; (US 2018/0001207 A1), wherein teaches Reducing fraud and collusion in an online multiplayer game having a virtual currency, such as poker chips, may include managing the distribution of virtual currency giveaways and limiting collusion among players likely to be using virtual currency obtain by the giveaways. In some embodiments, free chip distribution pools may be established to limit the amount of free chips distributed via (1) a particular distribution method, (2) to a particular player, (3) a combination of player and distribution method, and the like. Players also may be automatically assigned to a particular table and/or seat at the table based on a variety of factors that may indicate a likelihood that the player is using free chips, such as the player's level, the age of the player's account, the buy-in for a given table requested by the user, and the like. Other implementations also are described. Wei also teaches offer promotional rewards using a reward wheel in Figs. 4A-4B in context with fig. 5 paras 0030.
Priebatsch; (US 2015/0242892 A1), wherein teaches Representative embodiments of a method of electronically providing a consumer with promotional offers for goods or services include, at a server, electronically storing, in a database, multiple records, each having data identifying one or more items and one or more trigger rules; electronically receiving notification indicative of an action by a consumer, the notification including data identifying one or more items; identifying one or more promotion offerors by querying the database using the received data; and if the received data satisfies a trigger rule, causing transmission of data comprising item identification to the identified promotion offeror(s).
Gulla et al; (US 2017/0061733 A1), wherein teaches Systems, methods and devices for promoting a social gaming environment including a computer readable medium storing instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to send media content messages to a friend's device, including prizes.
GOTLIEB et al; (US 2020/0043278 A1), wherein teaches A method including receiving an activation request including an identifier uniquely identifying the pre-printed lottery ticket for a pre-printed lottery ticket from a point-of-sale terminal, accessing a record associated with the pre-printed lottery ticket, determining if the activation request is valid, determining a set of attributes associated with the pre-printed lottery ticket based upon the identifier uniquely identifying the pre-printed lottery ticket, determining a central gaming system responsible for administering a lottery with which the pre-printed lottery ticket is associated, and enrolling the set of attributes associated with the pre-printed lottery ticket in the lottery with the central gaming system.
Title: “How to Build a Shopify Messenger Marketing List with Wheelio and Recart”. Author: Soma Toth Date: 09/28/2017. Retrieved online on 02/10/2023 from <<https://web.archive.org/web/20171025162913/http:/blog.recart.com/2017/09/28/how-to-build-a-shopify-messenger-marketing-list-with-wheelio-and-recart/; wherein teaches display a promotional rewards wheel and an interactive button, wherein interacting with the button causes the rewards wheel to spin and land on a promotional rewards; send promotional reward data to a server; and receive and display a text-based message (e.g., messenger) comprising a promotional reward.
Also, Title: “Prestashop Interactive Exit Pop-up (Spin and Win) – Tutorial” Date: 09/18/2017. Retrieved online on 02/10/2023 from <https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=BaZusEsKl2M>; wherein teaches display a promotional rewards wheel and an interactive button, wherein interacting with the button causes the rewards wheel to spin and land on a promotional rewards (e.g., 10%); send promotional reward data to a server and receive and display a text message comprising a promotional reward (e.g., 10%) and an enterprise endpoints (e.g., phone number, which the user can call to claim their reward). For example, it describes setting up a spin wheel coupon popup on a website. The spin wheel can be integrated with MailChimp or Klaviyo. A user enters their email address if they want to spin the wheel for the chance to win a coupon. The coupon (e.g., 10% off) and associated company information (e.g., phone number) can be sent directly to the email addressed entered by the customer using an email text template/pre-filled message.
Further, Girard et al; (US 2015/0019307), wherein teaches display a text message comprising a promotional reward and an enterprise endpoints (e.g., links for the user to redeem the offer); and connect a user to the enterprise endpoint when the user sends the received text-based message to the enterprise endpoint in at least fig. 1 paras 0043-0045.
In addition, see other reference in PTO-892 form.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Thuy Nguyen whose telephone number is 571-272-4585 and fax number is 571-273-4585. The examiner can normally be reached on Mon-Thurs, 8:30 am to 5: 00 pm.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the Examiner’s supervisor, Ilana Spar can be reached on 571-270-7537. The FAX number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/THUY N NGUYEN/
Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3622.
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