DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Status of Claims
This is a first office action on the merits in response to the application filed on July 25, 2025, a continuation of U.S. Application No. 17,685,225.
Claims 1-20 are pending and have been examined.
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement (IDS), submitted on 07/25/2025, is in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement is being considered by the examiner.
Priority
The 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.
Claim Objections
Claims 1, 3, 10-12, 14-16, and 19 are objected to because of the following informalities:
Claims 1 recites “wherein the accessing is through an API communicating between a mapping server and a remote blockchain server,” claim 10 recites “wherein the accessing is through an API communicating between a mapping server and a remote blockchain server,” and claim 19 recites “wherein the accessing is through an API communicating between a mapping server and a remote blockchain server.” The underlined phrasing, “an API,” should be changed to “an application programming interface (API).” The abbreviation should be spelled out when it is cited for the first time.
Claim 1 recites:
“combining and encrypting the first block with other blocks of a blockchain that is distributed across a network on multiple computers with the block being validated by the multiple computers; and
receiving, at the mapping server, from the remote blockchain server through the API to the mapping server, a link to the blockchain combining the first block with other blocks of the blockchain;
associating the blockchain with the geographic feature in a geoblockchain layer of the map by storing the link to the blockchain in the geoblockchain layer of the map.” The word “and” should be moved to the end of the next limitation.
Claim 3 recites “wherein the data represents a real estate transaction and the authoritative information product comprises a plurality of a flood plain designation from FEMA, a title report from a title company, hazardous waste data, buried fuel or tanks, title report from a licensed title insurance company, a license of a title insurance company from a regulator, a zoning map from a city or recorded CCRs from a HOA.” FEMA should be changed to “Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA),” CCRs should be changed to “Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CCRs),” and HOA should be changed to “homeowners association (HOA).” The abbreviations should be spelled out when they are cited for the first time.
Claim 10 recites “providing an interface to the map for remote users, the interface including a different badge representing the each authoritative source for the geographic location.” The phrasing, “the each authoritative source,” should be changed to “each authoritative source,” for more clarity.
Claim 11 recites “wherein the information product from an authoritative source comprises a real estate transaction.” The phrasing, “the information product,” should be changed to “an information product,” for more clarity.
Claim 12 recites “wherein the badge represents an authoritative source and also authenticates that the information product is original, unaltered data.” The phrasing, “the information product,” should be changed to “an information product from the authoritative source,” for more clarity.
Claim 14 recites “wherein the authoritative information products include at least one of a map, application and analysis, and the information products are represented by the different badges.” The phrasing, “the information products,” should be changed to “the authoritative information products,” for more clarity. Claim 14 depends on claim 10, and claim 10 recites “a different badge” not “different badges.” Therefore, the phrasing, “the different badges,” should be changed to “different badges.”
Claim 15 recites “wherein the information product comprises data about a physical aspect of the geographic location.” The phrasing, “the information product,” should be changed to “an information product” or “an information product from an authoritative source,” for more clarity.
Claim 16 recites “wherein the information product comprises data about an intangible aspect of the geographic location.” The phrasing, “the information product,” should be changed to “an information product” or “an information product from an authoritative source,” for more clarity.
Appropriate correction is required.
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 1-20 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-3 and 5-19 of U.S. Patent No. 12,399.028. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other.
This Application
Patent No. 12,399.028
Claim 1:
A method of providing a map with imbedded, authenticated data, the method comprising:
representing a geographic feature on a map at a mapping server;
providing data corresponding to the geographic feature;
receiving an authoritative information product from an authoritative source corresponding to the geographic feature, wherein the authoritative information product from an authoritative source is tagged as coming from the authoritative source with an official digital identifier, wherein the official digital identifier is authenticated using a third-party certificate authority;
accessing a remote blockchain server to provide to the remote blockchain server the authoritative information product and a description of the geographic feature, wherein the accessing is through an API communicating between a mapping server and a remote blockchain server;
sharing, by the remote blockchain server, the authoritative information product in an electronic file block with multiple blockchain member computers for verification of the official digital identifier;
encoding, by the remote blockchain server, in a first block, the authoritative information product with a location description;
encoding, by the remote blockchain server, in a first block, the authoritative information product with the description of the geographic feature;
combining and encrypting the first block with other blocks of a blockchain that is distributed across a network on multiple computers with the block being validated by the multiple computers; and
receiving, at the mapping server, from the remote blockchain server through the API to the mapping server, a link to the blockchain combining the first block with other blocks of the blockchain;
associating the blockchain with the geographic feature in a geoblockchain layer of the map by storing the link to the blockchain in the geoblockchain layer of the map.
Claim 1:
A method of providing a map with imbedded, authenticated data, the method comprising:
representing a geographic feature on a map with one or more of points, lines and polygons in a first layer of multiple layers of the map at a mapping server;
providing data corresponding to the geographic feature;
receiving an authoritative information product from an authoritative source corresponding to the geographic feature, wherein the authoritative information product from an authoritative source is tagged as coming from the authoritative source with an official digital identifier, wherein the official digital identifier comprises at least one of an IP address or a website URL authenticated using a third-party certificate authority;
accessing a remote blockchain server to provide to the remote blockchain server the authoritative information product and a description of the geographic feature, wherein the accessing is through a custom API communicating between a mapping server API and a remote blockchain server API;
sharing, by the remote blockchain server, the authoritative information product in an electronic file block with multiple blockchain member computers for verification of the official digital identifier;
encoding, by the remote blockchain server, in a first block, the authoritative information product with a location description;
encoding, by the remote blockchain server, in a first block, the authoritative information product with the description of the geographic feature including the one or more of points, lines and polygons from the first layer of the map;
combining and encrypting the first block with other blocks of a blockchain that is distributed across a network on multiple computers with the block being validated by the multiple computers; and
receiving, at the mapping server, from the remote blockchain server API, through the custom API to the mapping server API, an API link to the blockchain combining the first block with other blocks of the blockchain;
associating the blockchain with the geographic feature in a geoblockchain layer of the map by storing the API link to the blockchain in the geoblockchain layer of the map.
Claim 2:
The method of claim 1 wherein the data represents a transaction.
Claim 2:
The method of claim 1 wherein the data represents a transaction.
Claim 3:
The method of claim 1 wherein the data represents a real estate transaction and the authoritative information product comprises a plurality of a flood plain designation from FEMA, a title report from a title company, hazardous waste data, buried fuel or tanks, title report from a licensed title insurance company, a license of a title insurance company from a regulator, a zoning map from a city or recorded CCRs from a HOA.
Claim 3:
The method of claim 1 wherein the data represents a real estate transaction and the authoritative information product comprises a plurality of a flood plain designation from FEMA, a title report from a title company, hazardous waste data, buried fuel or tanks, title report from a licensed title insurance company, a license of a title insurance company from a regulator, a zoning map from a city or recorded CCRs from a HOA.
Claim 4:
The method of claim 3 wherein the official digital identifier comprises at least one of an IP address or a website URL authenticated using a third-party certificate authority.
Claim 1:
wherein the official digital identifier comprises at least one of an IP address or a website URL authenticated using a third-party certificate authority;
Claim 5:
The method of claim 1 wherein the data comprises sensor data corresponding to a physical aspect of the geographic feature and a time stamp for the sensor data.
Claim 5:
The method of claim 1 wherein the data comprises sensor data corresponding to a physical aspect of the geographic feature and a time stamp for the sensor data.
Claim 6:
The method of claim 1 wherein the geographic feature is a location.
Claim 6:
The method of claim 1 wherein the geographic feature is a location.
Claim 7:
The method of claim 1 wherein the geographic feature is a street address.
Claim 7:
The method of claim 1 wherein the geographic feature is a street address.
Claim 8:
The method of claim 1 wherein the data corresponding to the geographic feature comprises information regarding an aspect of a supply chain shipment.
Claim 8:
The method of claim 1 wherein the data corresponding to the geographic feature comprises information regarding an aspect of a supply chain shipment.
Claim 9:
The method of claim 1 wherein the geographic feature is a location and the data corresponding to the geographic feature comprises a compilation of data from authoritative sources concerning the location.
Claim 9:
The method of claim 1 wherein the geographic feature is a location and the authoritative information product corresponding to the geographic feature comprises a compilation of data from authoritative sources concerning the location.
Claim 10:
A method of providing a map with imbedded, authenticated data, the method comprising:
representing a geographic location on a map with a location description including one or more of points, lines and polygons in a first layer of multiple layers of the map at a mapping server;
receiving a plurality of authoritative information products from a plurality of authoritative sources corresponding to the geographic location, wherein each authoritative information product from an authoritative source is tagged as coming from an authoritative source with an official digital identifier, wherein the official digital identifier is authenticated using a third-party certificate authority;
accessing a remote blockchain server to provide to the remote blockchain server the authoritative information products and a description of the geographic location, wherein the accessing is through an API communicating between a mapping server and a remote blockchain server;
sharing, by the remote blockchain server, the authoritative information products in separate electronic file blocks with multiple blockchain member computers for verification of the official digital identifier;
encoding, by the remote blockchain server, in separate blocks, each authoritative information product with the description of the geographic location including the one or more of points, lines and polygons from the first layer of the map;
combining and encrypting each block with other blocks of a blockchain that is distributed across a network on multiple computers with each block being validated by the multiple computers;
receiving, at the mapping server, from the remote blockchain server, through the API to the mapping server, separate links to the blockchain for each block with a separate authoritative information product;
associating the blockchain with the geographic location in a geoblockchain layer of the map by storing the separate links to the blockchain in the geoblockchain layer of the map, the geoblockchain layer being separate from thematic layers which may change over time;
storing the map; and
providing an interface to the map for remote users, the interface including a different badge representing the each authoritative source for the geographic location.
Claim 10:
A method of providing a map with imbedded, authenticated data, the method comprising:
representing a geographic location on a map with a location description including one or more of points, lines and polygons in a first layer of multiple layers of the map at a mapping server;
receiving a plurality of authoritative information products from a plurality of authoritative sources corresponding to the geographic location, wherein each authoritative information product from an authoritative source is tagged as coming from an authoritative source with an official digital identifier, wherein the official digital identifier comprises at least one of an IP address or a website URL authenticated using a third-party certificate authority;
accessing a remote blockchain server to provide to the remote blockchain server the authoritative information products and a description of the geographic location, wherein the accessing is through a custom API communicating between a mapping server API and a remote blockchain server API;
sharing, by the remote blockchain server, the authoritative information products in separate electronic file blocks with multiple blockchain member computers for verification of the official digital identifier;
encoding, by the remote blockchain server, in separate blocks, each authoritative information product with the description of the geographic location including the one or more of points, lines and polygons from the first layer of the map;
combining and encrypting each block with other blocks of a blockchain that is distributed across a network on multiple computers with each block being validated by the multiple computers;
receiving, at the mapping server, from the remote blockchain server API, through the custom API to the mapping server API, separate API links to the blockchain for each block with a separate authoritative information product;
associating the blockchain with the geographic location in a geoblockchain layer of the map by storing the separate API links to the blockchain in the geoblockchain layer of the map, the geoblockchain layer being separate from thematic layers which may change over time;
storing the map; and
providing an interface to the map for remote users, the interface including a different badge representing each authoritative source for the geographic location.
Claim 11:
The method of claim 10 wherein the information product from an authoritative source comprises a real estate transaction.
Claim 11:
The method of claim 10 wherein at least one of the information products from an authoritative source comprises a real estate transaction.
Claim 12:
The method of claim 10 wherein the badge represents an authoritative source and also authenticates that the information product is original, unaltered data.
Claim 12:
The method of claim 10 wherein each different badge represents an authoritative source and also authenticates that the information product is original, unaltered data.
Claim 13:
The method of claim 10 wherein the interface includes authoritative information products as packaged compressed files with spatial and non-spatial data, layers and tables.
Claim 13:
The method of claim 10 wherein the interface includes authoritative information products as packaged compressed files with spatial and non-spatial data, layers and tables.
Claim 14:
The method of claim 13 wherein the authoritative information products include at least one of a map, application and analysis, and the information products are represented by the different badges.
Claim 14:
The method of claim 13 wherein the authoritative information products include at least one of a map, application and analysis, and the authoritative information products are represented by the different badges.
Claim 15:
The method of claim 10 wherein the information product comprises data about a physical aspect of the geographic location.
Claim 15:
The method of claim 10 wherein at least one of the authoritative information products comprises data about a physical aspect of the geographic location.
Claim 16:
The method of claim 10 wherein the information product comprises data about an intangible aspect of the geographic location.
Claim 16:
The method of claim 10 wherein at least one of the authoritative information products comprises data about an intangible aspect of the geographic location.
Claim 17:
The method of claim 10 further comprising multiple information products associated with the geographic location, the multiple information products comprising both data about a physical aspect of the geographic location and an intangible aspect of the geographic location.
Claim 17:
The method of claim 10 wherein the authoritative information products comprise both data about a physical aspect of the geographic location and an intangible aspect of the geographic location.
Claim 18:
The method of claim 10 further comprising providing a notification of the geographic location being recorded, registered or transferred when the geographic location at least partially overlaps another geographic location previously recorded or registered or mapped.
Claim 18:
The method of claim 10 further comprising providing a notification of the geographic location being recorded, registered or transferred when the geographic location at least partially overlaps another geographic location previously recorded or registered or mapped.
Claim 19:
A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium containing instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:
represent a geographic feature on a map;
provide data corresponding to the geographic feature;
receive, at a mapping server, an authoritative information product from an authoritative source corresponding to the geographic feature, wherein the authoritative information product from an authoritative source is tagged as coming from the authoritative source with an official digital identifier, wherein the official digital identifier is authenticated using a third-party certificate authority;
access a remote blockchain server to provide to the remote blockchain server the authoritative information product and a description of the geographic feature, wherein the accessing is through an API communicating between a mapping server and a remote blockchain server;
receive, at the mapping server, from the remote blockchain server, through the API to the mapping server, a link to a blockchain combining a first block with other blocks of the blockchain, wherein the first block was shared with multiple blockchain member computers for verification of the official digital identifier, the authoritative information product with a location description was encoded by the remote blockchain server in a first block, the first block was combined and encrypted with other blocks of a blockchain, the blockchain being distributed across a network on multiple computers with the block being validated by the multiple computers;
associate the blockchain with the geographic feature in a geoblockchain layer of the map by storing the link to the blockchain in the geoblockchain layer of the map.
Claim 19:
A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium containing instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:
represent a geographic feature on a map with one or more of points, lines and polygons in a first layer of multiple layers of the map;
provide data corresponding to the geographic feature;
receive, at a mapping server, an authoritative information product from an authoritative source corresponding to the geographic feature, wherein the authoritative information product from an authoritative source is tagged as coming from the authoritative source with an official digital identifier, wherein the official digital identifier comprises at least one of an IP address or a website URL authenticated using a third-party certificate authority;
access a remote blockchain server to provide to the remote blockchain server the authoritative information product and a description of the geographic feature, wherein the accessing is through a custom API communicating between a mapping server API and a remote blockchain server API;
receive, at the mapping server, from the remote blockchain server API, through the custom API to the mapping server API, an API link to a blockchain combining a first block with other blocks of the blockchain, wherein the first block was shared with multiple blockchain member computers for verification of the official digital identifier, the authoritative information product with a location description was encoded by the remote blockchain server in a first block, the first block was combined and encrypted with other blocks of a blockchain, the blockchain being distributed across a network on multiple computers with the block being validated by the multiple computers;
associate the blockchain with the geographic feature in a geoblockchain layer of the map by storing the API link to the blockchain in the geoblockchain layer of the map.
Claim 20:
The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 19 wherein the official digital identifier comprises at least one of an IP address or a website URL.
Claim 19:
wherein the official digital identifier comprises at least one of an IP address or a website URL authenticated using a third-party certificate authority;
Conclusion
The prior art, made of record and not relied upon, is considered pertinent to the applicant’s disclosure.
Byk et al. (US 20140278708 A1) discloses a risk exposure model for network or moveable assets not specific to a single, fixed address or location. An asset map using a plurality of geographic representation points is used to identify the physical locations of the asset portions (or possible physical locations in the case of a moveable asset). Baseline geographic, geologic, political, and demographic data is similarly represented using geographic representation points. Meta-data associated with each geographic representation point is used to identify details related to the asset or baseline feature at that geographic location.
Francioni et al. (WO 2019081015 A1) discloses a method for naming locations. Geographical coordinates of a geographical location are converted into a geohash, wherein the geohash defines a cell, i.e., a square geographical area comprising the geographical location. The geohash is split in three or more geohash parts. Each geohash part is converted into a decimal number, wherein the decimal number represents an index of a word in a dictionary. For each decimal number the corresponding word is obtained from the dictionary, thereby obtaining a set of three or more words, wherein the set of words forms a unique identification of the cell. The cell may be named by registering a cell name to the cell. The method may be performed on a blockchain, such as Ethereum, and data may be stored on the blockchain.
Winton et al. (WO 2021030877 A1) discloses a system for tokenization of geospatial areas for distribution in a blockchain or distributed ledger network. A geospatial measuring instrument in communication with a host server configured to measure and communicate data about one or more of the geospatial areas to the host server, and a plurality of digital tokens configured for distribution within an electronic distributed ledger. The host server is configured to generate one or more geospatial areas wherein each geospatial area corresponds to a physical location on a planet. Each digital token has one or more stored attributes relating to at least one of the one or more geospatial areas.
McEriean (US 20200103233 A1) discloses a system for updating a distributed navigation map for a motor vehicle as well as other motor vehicles that communicate with a blockchain map network. The system includes one or more sensors that evaluate and characterize a surrounding around the motor vehicle and a discrepancy detector that identifies differences in the surrounding compared to a known navigation map based on information received from the one or more sensors. The differences are transmitted to a blockchain map network.
Zander (US 20200042012 A1) discloses that a semi-public blockchain maintained on one or more nodes in a map cloud platform comprises data for maintaining a global map of a predetermined geographic area and that the blockchain also comprises a plurality of data records, where each data record is associated with an update to a global map. When a message associated with a map update to the global map is received, the nodes of the blockchain determine a consensus by evaluating the map update, where the evaluating comprises performing a plurality of proofs including a proof of location, a proof of iterations, a proof of physical delivery and a proof of safety. When consensus is attained and the map update is validated, a data record associated with the map update is generated and added to the blockchain with a timestamp and a link to prior data records in the blockchain.
Finken et al. (US 20190279247 A1) discloses incentivizing collection of high- definition map content. A sensor of a system is configured to acquire sensor data relating to a feature at a location on a roadway. A device processor is configured to generate an observation data package from the sensor data and performs, using the location, a spatial query on a blockchain configured to store a plurality of data entries to identify whether any data entries of the plurality of data entries exist for the observation data package. When no data entries exist, the device processor is configured to generate a new data entry for the blockchain for the observation data package, and when a data entry exists, validates the observation data package and augment the existing data entry.
Wernecke (EP 3518207 A2) discloses a method for providing verified information about a traffic sign. The method includes receiving information about the traffic sign from an information source and checking whether the information source is an authorized information source. The method includes storing the information about the traffic sign in a blockchain database only when the information source is an authorized information source.
Liu et al. (CN 112084281 A) discloses a method for drawing a survey grid by utilizing the technical field of a big data and smart city management. The method comprises the steps: obtaining historical case data which comprises an address name, and converting the address name into geographic information according to a preset geographic code; receiving a geographic map, searching and labeling geographic information in the geographic map, generating a geographic boundary according to the selection of the user, and determining the geographic information in the geographic boundary; receiving a selection instruction carrying time period information, filtering geographic information in the geographic boundary according to the time period information, and generating a geographic information set; aggregating the geographic information set by adopting a clustering algorithm to obtain core points and weights of the core points; and marking lines according to the core points and the weights of the core points to generate survey grids. Historical case data and core points may be stored in a blockchain.
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/CHUNLING DING/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3699