BGC Partners, Inc.Download PDFPatent Trials and Appeals BoardSep 27, 20212021001715 (P.T.A.B. Sep. 27, 2021) Copy Citation UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE United States Patent and Trademark Office Address: COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS P.O. Box 1450 Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450 www.uspto.gov APPLICATION NO. FILING DATE FIRST NAMED INVENTOR ATTORNEY DOCKET NO. CONFIRMATION NO. 16/029,204 07/06/2018 Howard W. Lutnick 01-6141-C3 1540 63710 7590 09/27/2021 CANTOR FITZGERALD, L.P. INNOVATION DIVISION 110 EAST 59TH STREET NEW YORK, NY 10022 EXAMINER BARTLEY, KENNETH ART UNIT PAPER NUMBER 3693 NOTIFICATION DATE DELIVERY MODE 09/27/2021 ELECTRONIC Please find below and/or attached an Office communication concerning this application or proceeding. The time period for reply, if any, is set in the attached communication. Notice of the Office communication was sent electronically on above-indicated "Notification Date" to the following e-mail address(es): Caitlyn.kelly@chareiter.com mcatarino@cgolaw.com patentdocketing@cantor.com PTOL-90A (Rev. 04/07) UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE BEFORE THE PATENT TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD Ex parte HOWARD W. LUTNICK Appeal 2021-001715 Application 16/029,204 Technology Center 3600 Before HUBERT C. LORIN, CYNTHIA L. MURPHY, and ROBERT J. SILVERMAN, Administrative Patent Judges. LORIN, Administrative Patent Judge. DECISION ON APPEAL STATEMENT OF THE CASE Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 134(a), Appellant appeals from the Examiner’s Final decision to reject claims 62–68, 70 and 71.1 We have jurisdiction under 35 U.S.C. § 6(b). We AFFIRM. 1 We use the word Appellant to refer to “applicant” as defined in 37 C.F.R. § 1.42(a). Appellant identifies BCG Partners, Inc. as the real party in interest. Appeal Br. 3. Appeal 2021-001715 Application 16/029,204 2 CLAIMED SUBJECT MATTER The claimed subject matter relates to providing a hedged instrument. Claim 62, reproduced below with emphasis added, is illustrative of the claimed subject matter: 62. A method for providing a hedged instrument, the method comprising: identifying, by a computer of a provider, a first position on a first tradable instrument; identifying, by the computer, a second position on a second tradable instrument, the second position being contrary to the first position, in which the first tradable instrument has a different maturity date from the second tradable instrument, in which the first and second tradable instruments are issued by a same entity; undertaking, by the computer, the first position and the second position by buying, in real time over a communication network from at least one remote computing device, the first and second tradable instruments; creating, by the computer, a hedged instrument including the first position and the second position; receiving, by the computer, over the communication network, a request to purchase the hedged instrument from a second remote computing device; and executing, by the computer over the communication network, at the second remote computing device, in real time a sale of the hedged instrument with a user of the second remote computing device, in which the sale is executed without the user undertaking the first position on the first tradable instrument and the second position on the second tradable instrument. Appeal 2021-001715 Application 16/029,204 3 REFERENCES The prior art relied upon by the Examiner is: Name Reference Date Tambay US 2002/0026403 A1 Feb. 28, 2002 Wong US 2003/0028468 A1 Feb. 6, 2003 Wilton US 6,519,574 B1 Feb. 11, 2003 REJECTIONS Claims 62–38, 70 and 71 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 112(a) as failing to comply with the written description requirement. Claims 62–68, 70, and 71 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 101 as being directed to judicially-excepted subject matter without significantly more. Claims 62–66, 70, and 71 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 103(a) as being unpatentable over Wong and Wilton. Claims 67 and 68 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 103(a) as being unpatentable over Wong, Wilton, and Tambay. OPINION The rejection of claims 62–38, 70 and 71 under 35 U.S.C. § 112 (a) as failing to comply with the written description requirement. According to the Examiner, Claim 1 has "computer," "remote computing device," "communication network," and "second remote computing device" where no computing, computer, processor, server, or other processing device can be found in the written description of the disclosure. Also no "communication network" can be found in the written description. Final Act. 13. Appeal 2021-001715 Application 16/029,204 4 Appellant does not appear to dispute that the claim terms “computer,” "remote computing device," "communication network," and "second remote computing device" are not recited verbatim in the Specification. See Appeal Br. 13–14. Appellant argues that there is no in haec verba requirement. Rather, “newly added claim limitations must be supported in the specification through express, implicit, or inherent disclosure.” Id. at 13, quoting MPEP §2163(I)(B). Appellant argues that para. 29 (i.e., 8:4–15), for example, of the Specification, “provides implicit and inherent disclosure for the claim limitations.” Id. Appellant reproduces said paragraph, in part, emphasizing the words “traded electronically and in real–time.” Id. at 13–14. According to Appellant, “[o]ne of ordinary skill in the art would understand that at least paragraph [0027, [i.e., 8:4–15]] provides sufficient support for the claim limitations of: computer," "remote computing device," "communication network," and "second remote computing device," as recited in claim 62.” Id. at 14. We can understand how one of ordinary skill in the art would infer a computer is employed from the claimed requirement that a sale be executed in “real–time”. But we do not see how one of ordinary skill in the art would understand “real–time” to necessarily also require employing a "remote computing device," "communication network," and "second remote computing device.” “Real time” execution of a sale does not require the use of said devices/network and therefore they are not implicit and inherent to the disclosure in the Specification of instruments being “traded electronically and in real–time” (8:4–15). Appeal 2021-001715 Application 16/029,204 5 The question of written descriptive support under 35 U.S.C. § 112 is a question of fact. In that regard, the Appellant has not come forward with sufficient facts and/or evidence to rebut the Examiner’s position. Without more by way of facts and/or evidence, a general argument that a person of ordinary skill in the art would have understand “real–time” to necessarily require employing a "remote computing device," "communication network," and "second remote computing device” is not an adequate rebuttal. It amounts to attorney argument. As such, the argument is unpersuasive as to error in the Examiner’s position. Accordingly, the rejection is sustained. The rejection of claims 62–68, 70, and 71 under 35 U.S.C. § 101 as being directed to judicially-excepted subject matter without significantly more. The Appellant argues these claims as a group. See Appeal Br. 6–10. We select claim 62 as the representative claim for this group, and the remaining claims 63–68, 70, and 71 stand or fall with claim 62. See 37 C.F.R. § 41.37(c)(1)(iv). Introduction 35 U.S.C. § 101 provides that “[w]hoever 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.” In that regard, claim 62 covers a “process” and is thus statutory subject matter for which a patent may be obtained.2 This is not in dispute. 2 This corresponds to Step 1 of the 2019 Revised 101 Guidance which requires determining whether “the claim is to a statutory category.” 84 Fed. Reg. at 53. See also id. at 53–54 (“consider[] whether the claimed subject Appeal 2021-001715 Application 16/029,204 6 However, the 35 U.S.C. § 101 provision “contains an important implicit exception: Laws of nature, natural phenomena, and abstract ideas are not patentable.” Alice Corp. v. CLS Bank Int’l, 573 U.S. 208, 216 (2014) (quoting Ass’n for Molecular Pathology v. Myriad Genetics, Inc., 569 U.S. 576, 589 (2013)). In that regard, notwithstanding claim 62 covers statutory subject matter, the Examiner has raised a question of patent eligibility on the ground that claim 62 is directed to an abstract idea. Alice identifies a two-step framework for determining whether claimed subject matter is directed to an abstract idea. Alice, 573 U.S. at 217. Alice step one — the “directed to” inquiry: According to Alice step one, “[w]e must first determine whether the claims at issue are directed to a patent-ineligible concept.” Alice, 573 U.S. at 218 (emphasis added). The Examiner determined that claim 62 is directed to “creating a hedged instrument” and “executing a sale.” Final Act. 10. Specifically, These above limitations [of claim 62; see Final Act. 9], under their broadest reasonable interpretation, cover performance of the limitation as certain methods of organizing human activity. The claim recites elements, highlighted in bold above, which covers performance of the limitation as a fundamental economic practice (e.g. creating a hedged instrument) and commercial interaction (e.g. executing a sale). If a claim limitation, under its broadest reasonable interpretation, covers performance of the limitation as a fundamental economic practice, then it falls within the "Certain Methods of Organizing Human Activity" grouping of abstract ideas. matter falls within the four statutory categories of patentable subject matter identified by 35 U.S.C. 101.”). Appeal 2021-001715 Application 16/029,204 7 Id. Appellant contends that, in executing a trade in “real–time”, “improvements to technology that are rooted in networking and computers” are achieved. Appeal Br. 9. “Among other things, speed, usability and efficiency are technological improvements addressed by the claims that are rooted in computers and networking.” Id. Accordingly, a dispute over whether claim 62 is directed to an abstract idea is present. Specifically, is claim 62 directed to “creating a hedged instrument” and “executing a sale” (Final Act. 10) or an improvement in computer technology? Claim Construction3 3 “[T]he important inquiry for a § 101 analysis is to look to the claim.” Accenture Glob. Servs., GmbH v. Guidewire Software, Inc., 728 F.3d 1336, 1345 (Fed. Cir. 2013). “In Bancorp Servs., L.L.C. v. Sun Life Assurance Co. of Can., 687 F.3d 1266, 1273 (Fed. Cir. 2012), the court observed that ‘claim construction is not an inviolable prerequisite to a validity determination under § 101.’ However, the threshold of § 101 must be crossed; an event often dependent on the scope and meaning of the claims.” Internet Patents Corp. v. Active Network, Inc., 790 F.3d 1343, 1347–48 (Fed. Cir. 2015). Appeal 2021-001715 Application 16/029,204 8 We consider the claim as a whole giving it the broadest reasonable construction as one of ordinary skill in the art would have interpreted it in light of the Specification at the time of filing.4,5,6 Claim 62 recites 6 steps. The first five – “identifying,” “identifying,” “undertaking,” “creating,” and “receiving” – involve contrary positions on tradeable instruments and a hedged instrument including those positions. The last step calls for “executing … in real time a sale of the hedged instrument … without the user undertaking” said positions. The claimed method is reasonably broadly construed as a scheme for providing a hedged instrument. This comports with the Specification. See 4:17–18 (“According to yet another embodiment, a method for providing a hedged instrument is provided. The method includes identifying a first position on a first tradable instrument and a second position … .”) Accordingly, we reasonably broadly construe claim 62 as being directed to a scheme for providing a hedged instrument. 4 “In determining the eligibility of respondents’ claimed process for patent protection under § 101, their claims must be considered as a whole.” Diamond v. Diehr, 450 U.S. 175, 188 (1981). 5 “First, it is always important to look at the actual language of the claims. . . . Second, in considering the roles played by individual limitations, it is important to read the claims ‘in light of the specification.’” Smart Sys. Innovations, LLC v. Chicago Transit Auth., 873 F.3d 1364, 1378 (Fed. Cir. 2017) (J. Linn, dissenting in part and concurring in part) (citing Enfish, LLC v. Microsoft Corp., 822 F.3d 1327, 1335 (Fed. Cir. 2016)), among others. 6 See 2019 Revised 101 Guidance, 84 Fed. Reg. at 52, footnote 14 (“If a claim, under its broadest reasonable interpretation.”). Appeal 2021-001715 Application 16/029,204 9 The Abstract Idea7 Above, where we reproduce claim 62, we identify in italics the limitations we believe recite an abstract idea.8 Based on our claim construction analysis (above), we determine that the identified limitations describe a scheme for providing a hedged instrument. Providing a hedged instrument is a commercial interaction. It falls within the enumerated “[c]ertain methods of organizing human activity” grouping of abstract ideas set forth in the 2019 Revised 101 Guidance.9 2019 Revised 101 Guidance, 84 Fed. Reg. at 52. Technical Improvement10 (Appellant’s Argument) 7 This corresponds to Step 2A of the 2019 Revised 101 Guidance. Step 2A determines “whether a claim is ‘directed to’ a judicial exception,” such as an abstract idea. Step 2A is two prong inquiry. 8 This corresponds to Prong One (a) of Step 2A of the 2019 Revised 101 Guidance. “To determine whether a claim recites an abstract idea in Prong One, examiners are now to: (a) Identify the specific limitation(s) in the claim under examination (individually or in combination) that the examiner believes recites an abstract idea.” 84 Fed. Reg. at 54. 9 This corresponds to Prong One [“Evaluate Whether the Claim Recites a Judicial Exception”] (b) of Step 2A of the 2019 Revised 101 Guidance. “To determine whether a claim recites an abstract idea in Prong One, examiners are now to: . . . (b) determine whether the identified limitation(s) falls within the subject matter groupings of abstract ideas enumerated in Section 1 of the [2019 Revised 101 Guidance].” 84 Fed. Reg. at 54. This case implicates subject matter grouping “(b):” “(b) Certain methods of organizing human activity—fundamental economic principles or practices (including hedging, insurance, mitigating risk); commercial or legal interactions (including agreements in the form of contracts; legal obligations; advertising, marketing or sales activities or behaviors; business relations); managing personal behavior or relationships or interactions between people (including social activities, teaching, and following rules or instructions).” Id. at 52. 10 This corresponds to Prong Two [“If the Claim Recites a Judicial Exception, Evaluate Whether the Judicial Exception Is Integrated Into a Appeal 2021-001715 Application 16/029,204 10 Our characterization of what the claim is directed to is similar to that of the Examiner’s (“creating a hedged instrument” and “executing a sale” (Final Act. 10).) The Examiner’s characterization is described somewhat differently. Nevertheless, “[a]n abstract idea can generally be described at different levels of abstraction.” Apple, Inc. v. Ameranth, Inc., 842 F.3d 1229, 1240, 1240–41 (Fed. Cir. 2016) (“The Board’s slight revision of its abstract idea analysis does not impact the patentability analysis.”). We have reviewed the record and are unpersuaded as to error in our or the Examiner’s characterization of what claim 1 is directed to. Appellant contends that in executing a trade in “real–time” various technological improvements are gained. See e.g., Appeal Br. 7 (“helps control activity over the network and control computer workload including computer resources such as memory resources, processor resources, and network resources such as network bandwidth”). However, we do not find that the claim adequately reflects a technological improvement. Practical Application”] of Step 2A of the 2019 Revised 101 Guidance. “A claim that integrates a judicial exception into a practical application will apply, rely on, or use the judicial exception in a manner that imposes a meaningful limit on the judicial exception, such that the claim is more than a drafting effort designed to monopolize the judicial exception.” 84 Fed. Reg. at 54. One consideration, implicated here, that is “indicative that an additional element (or combination of elements) may have integrated the exception into a practical application” is if “[a]n additional element reflects an improvement in the functioning of a computer, or an improvement to other technology or technical field.” Id. at 55. Appeal 2021-001715 Application 16/029,204 11 The method as claimed describes, in very general terms, providing a hedged instrument (via “identifying,” “identifying,” “undertaking,” “creating,” “receiving,” “executing” steps). The method as claimed is not focused on improving technology. Cf. Trading Techs. Int’l, Inc. v. IBG LLC, 921 F.3d 1378, 1384 (Fed. Cir. 2019) (“The claims are focused on providing information to traders in a way that helps them process information more quickly, ’556 patent at 2:26–39, not on improving computers or technology.”). We have carefully reviewed the claim. Per our previous claim construction analysis, claim 62 is reasonably broadly construed as covering a scheme for providing a hedged instrument. We see no specific asserted improvement in computer capabilities recited in the claim. Rather than being directed to any specific asserted improvement in computer capabilities, the claim supports the opposite view — that the claimed subject matter is directed to a scheme for providing a scheme for providing a hedged instrument employing generic computing devices. The claim provides no additional structural details that would distinguish any device required to be employed to practice the method as claimed, such as the recited “computer,” from its generic counterparts.11 Appellant emphasizes the recited “real time” execution. But we do not see how said “real time” operation is anything more than what would 11 Cf. Move, Inc. v. Real Estate Alliance Ltd., 721 F. App’x 950, 954 (Fed. Cir. 2018) (non-precedential) (“Claim 1 is aspirational in nature and devoid of any implementation details or technical description that would permit us to conclude that the claim as a whole is directed to something other than the abstract idea identified by the district court.”). Appeal 2021-001715 Application 16/029,204 12 normally result from using a generic computer. Cf. Electric Power Group, LLC v. Alstom S.A., 830 F.3d 1350, 1356 (Fed. Cir. 2016): The claims in this case specify what information in the power- grid field it is desirable to gather, analyze, and display, including in “real time”; but they do not include any requirement for performing the claimed functions of gathering, analyzing, and displaying in real time by use of anything but entirely conventional, generic technology. The claims therefore do not state an arguably inventive concept in the realm of application of the information-based abstract ideas. With respect to the “identifying,” “identifying,” “undertaking,” “creating,” “receiving,” “executing” steps, the Specification attributes no special meaning to any of these operations, individually or in the combination, as claimed. In our view, these are common computer processing functions that one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the invention would have known generic computers were capable of performing and would have associated with generic computers. Cf. OIP Techs., Inc. v. Amazon.com, Inc., 788 F.3d 1359, 1363 (Fed. Cir. 2015) Beyond the abstract idea of offer-based price optimization, the claims merely recite “well-understood, routine conventional activit[ies],” either by requiring conventional computer activities or routine data-gathering steps. Alice, 134 S.Ct. at 2359 (quoting Mayo, 132 S.Ct. at 1294) . . . . For example, claim 1 recites “sending a first set of electronic messages over a network to devices,” the devices being “programmed to communicate,” storing test results in a “machine-readable medium,” and “using a computerized system . . . to automatically determine” an estimated outcome and setting a price. Just as in Alice, “all of these computer functions are ‘well-understood, routine, conventional activit[ies]’ previously known to the industry.” Alice, 134 S.Ct. at 2359 (quoting Mayo, 132 S.Ct. at 1294) (alterations in original); see also buySAFE[, Inc. v. Google, Inc.], 765 F.3d [1350,] 1355 [(Fed. Cir. 2014)] (“That a computer Appeal 2021-001715 Application 16/029,204 13 receives and sends the information over a network—with no further specification—is not even arguably inventive.”). We find the Appellant’s contentions that the claim presents an improvement in computer technology unpersuasive as to error in the Examiner’s or our characterization of what the claim is directed to because the method as claimed fails to adequately support it. We are unable to point to any claim language suggestive of an improvement in technology. An argument that such an improvement exists is alone insufficient. See generally In re Glass, 474 F.2d 1015, 1019 (CCPA 1973); In re Pearson, 494 F.2d 1399, 1405 (CCPA 1974); In re De Blauwe, 736 F.2d 699, 705 (Fed. Cir. 1984); and, In re Schulze, 346 F.2d 600, 602 (CCPA 1965). Accordingly, within the meaning of the 2019 Revised 101 Guidance, we find there is no integration of the abstract idea into a practical application. The Appellant also argues that “[t]he claimed features allow a computer to perform a function not previously performable by a computer and are implemented using a particular machine.” Appeal Br. 8. It is not entirely clear what the “particular machine” the Appellant is referring to, given that the claim requires at best using generic computing devices. Be that as it may, Appellant may be arguing that a device performing the recited steps is “particular.” But the difficulty with such an argument is that it points to the recited steps (“identifying,” “identifying,” “undertaking,” “creating,” “receiving,” "executing”) themselves, the very subject matter that we, and the Examiner, have characterized as being an abstract idea. Rather than showing that these steps describe a technical improvement, the Appellant is pointing to result- based functional language that is without any particular means for achieving Appeal 2021-001715 Application 16/029,204 14 any purported technological improvement. By so broadly defining the inventive method, that is, by setting out what it is aspiring to accomplish without any particular means for achieving it, let alone any purported technological improvement, the claim is in effect presenting the invention in purely result-based functional language, strengthening our determination under Alice step one that the claim is directed to an abstract idea. Cf. Two- Way Media Ltd. v. Comcast Cable Commc’ns, LLC, 874 F.3d 1329, 1337 (Fed. Cir. 2017) (“Claim 1 recites a method for routing information using result-based functional language. The claim requires the functional results of ‘converting,’ ‘routing,’ ‘controlling,’ ‘monitoring,’ and ‘accumulating records,’ but does not sufficiently describe how to achieve these results in a non-abstract way.”). See also Uniloc USA v. LG Elecs. USA, 957 F.3d 1303, 1308 (Fed. Cir. 2020): The claims we held ineligible in Two-Way Media similarly failed to concretely capture any improvement in computer functionality. In Two-Way Media, the claims recited a method of transmitting packets of information over a communications network comprising: converting information into streams of digital packets; routing the streams to users; controlling the routing; and monitoring the reception of packets by the users. 874 F.3d at 1334. Two-Way Media argued that the claims solved data transmission problems, including load management and bottlenecking, but the claimed method was not directed to those improvements. Id. at 1336–37. We therefore held the claims ineligible because they merely recited a series of abstract steps (“converting,” “routing,” “controlling,” “monitoring,” and “accumulating records”) using “result-based functional language” without the means for achieving any purported technological improvement. Id. at 1337. We have considered Appellant’s other arguments challenging the Examiner’s determination under step one of the Alice framework and find Appeal 2021-001715 Application 16/029,204 15 them unpersuasive. For the foregoing reasons, the record supports the Examiner’s determination that claim 1 is directed to an abstract idea. Alice step two — Does the Claim Provide an Inventive Concept?12 Step two is “a search for an ‘inventive concept’—i.e., an element or combination of elements that is ‘sufficient to ensure that the patent in practice amounts to significantly more than a patent upon the [ineligible concept] itself.’” Alice, 573 U.S. at 217–18 (quoting Mayo Collaborative Servs. v. Prometheus Labs., Inc., 566 U.S. 66, 73 (2012)). In that regard, the Examiner determined, inter alia, that The claims do not include additional elements that are sufficient to amount to significantly more than the judicial exception because, when considered separately and as an ordered combination, they do not add significantly more (also known as an "inventive concept") to the exception. As discussed above with respect to integration of the abstract idea into a practical application, the additional element of using a computer hardware amounts to no more than mere instructions to apply the exception using a generic computer component. Final Act. 11. We agree. Appellant argues that the Examiner has not followed “Changes in Examination Procedure Pertaining to Subject Matter Eligibility, Recent Subject Matter Eligibility Decision (Berkheimer v. HP Inc.[, 881 F.3d 1360 (Fed. Cir. 2018)],” USPTO Memorandum, Robert W. Bahr, Deputy 12 This corresponds to Step 2B, of the 2019 Revised 101 Guidance, 84 Fed. Reg. at 56 “if a claim has been determined to be directed to a judicial exception under revised Step 2A, examiners should then evaluate the additional elements individually and in combination under Step 2B to determine whether they provide an inventive concept (i.e., whether the additional elements amount to significantly more than the exception itself).” Appeal 2021-001715 Application 16/029,204 16 Commissioner For Patent Examination Policy, April 19, 2018 (the “Berkheimer Memo”)). Appeal Br. 11–12. Specifically, Appellant would have the examiner provide citations to the Specification, court decisions, or publications, or take official notice, that computers are well understood, conventional, and routine, or else “all of the pending claims are in a proper condition for allowance.” Id. at 12. We think that is unnecessary here. Citing the Specification is not possible since no computer is disclosed. Be that as it may, it cannot be factually disputed that computers, networks, and remote computing devices were notoriously well known at the time the application was filed. No other persuasive arguments having been presented, we conclude that no error has been committed in the determination under Alice step two that claim 1 does not include an element or combination of elements circumscribing the patent-ineligible concept it is directed to so as to transform the concept into a patent–eligible application. We have considered all of the Appellant’s arguments (including those made in the Reply Brief) and find them unpersuasive. Accordingly, because we are not persuaded as to error in the determinations that representative claim 62, and claims 63–68, 70, and 71 which stand or fall with claim 62, are directed to an abstract idea and do not present an “inventive concept,” we sustain the Examiner’s conclusion that they are directed to patent-ineligible subject matter for being judicially- excepted from 35 U.S.C. § 101. Cf. LendingTree, LLC v. Zillow, Inc., 656 F. App’x 991, 997 (Fed. Cir. 2016) (“We have considered all of LendingTree’s remaining arguments and have found them unpersuasive. Accordingly, because the asserted claims of the patents in suit are directed to Appeal 2021-001715 Application 16/029,204 17 an abstract idea and do not present an ‘inventive concept,’ we hold that they are directed to ineligible subject matter under 35 U.S.C. § 101.”); see, e.g., OIP Techs., 788 F.3d at 1364; FairWarning IP, LLC v. Iatric Sys., Inc., 839 F.3d 1089, 1098 (Fed. Cir. 2016). The rejection of claims 62–66, 70, and 71 under 35 U.S.C. § 103(a) as being unpatentable over Wong and Wilton. The rejection of claims 67 and 68 under 35 U.S.C. § 103(a) as being unpatentable over Wong, Wilton, and Tambay. Appellant has not addressed these rejections. See generally Appeal Brief. Accordingly, they are summarily affirmed. CONCLUSION The decision of the Examiner to reject claims 62–68, 70, 71 is affirmed. More specifically: The rejection of claims 62–38, 70 and 71 under 35 U.S.C. § 112(a) as failing to comply with the written description requirement is affirmed. The rejection of claims 62–68, 70, 71 under 35 U.S.C. § 101 as being directed to judicially-excepted subject matter without significantly more is affirmed. The rejection of claims 62–66, 70, and 71 under 35 U.S.C. § 103(a) as being unpatentable over Wong and Wilton is affirmed. The rejection of claims 67 and 68 under 35 U.S.C. § 103(a) as being unpatentable over Wong, Wilton, and Tambay is affirmed. Appeal 2021-001715 Application 16/029,204 18 DECISION SUMMARY In summary: Claims Rejected 35 U.S.C. § Reference(s)/Basis Affirmed Reversed 62–68, 70, 71 112(a) Written Description 62–68, 70, 71 62–68, 70, 71 101 Eligibility 62–68, 70, 71 62–66, 70, 71 103 Wong, Wilton 62–66, 70, 71 67, 68 103 Wong, Wilton, Tambay 67, 68 Overall Outcome 62–68, 70, 71 No time period for taking any subsequent action in connection with this appeal may be extended under 37 C.F.R. § 1.136(a). See 37 C.F.R. § 1.136(a)(1)(iv). AFFIRMED Copy with citationCopy as parenthetical citation