`
`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.
`
`16/484,728
`
`ISSUE DATE
`
`02/07/2023
`
`PATENT NO.
`
`11574372
`
`ATTORNEY DOCKET NO.
`
`CONFIRMATION NO.
`
`91A-3US
`
`1944
`
`130443
`
`7590
`
`01/18/2023
`
`Nissen Patent Law
`
`#200, 10328- 81 Ave
`Edmonton, ALBERTA T6E1X2
`CANADA
`
`ISSUE NOTIFICATION
`
`The projected patent numberand issue date are specified above.
`
`Determination of Patent Term Adjustment under 35 U.S.C. 154 (b)
`(application filed on or after May 29, 2000)
`
`The Patent Term Adjustmentis 729 day(s). Any patent to issue from the above-identified application will include
`an indication of the adjustmenton the front page.
`
`If a Continued Prosecution Application (CPA) wasfiled in the above-identified application, the filing date that
`determines Patent Term Adjustmentis the filing date of the most recent CPA.
`
`Applicant will be able to obtain more detailed information by accessing the Patent Application Information
`Retrieval (PAIR) WEBsite (http://pair.uspto.gov).
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`Any questions regarding the Patent Term Extension or Adjustment determination should be directed to the Office
`of Patent Legal Administration at (571)-272-7702. Questionsrelating to issue and publication fee payments should
`be directed to the Application Assistance Unit (AAU) of the Office of Patents Stakeholder Experience (OPSE),
`Stakeholder Support Division (SSD) at (571)-272-4200.
`
`INVENTOR(s) (Please see PAIR WEBsile http://pair.uspto.gov for additional inventors):
`
`Stephen Barbour, Lloydminster, CANADA;
`
`APPLICANT(s) (Please see PAIR WEBsite http://pair-uspto.gov for additional applicants):
`
`Upstream Data Inc., Lloydminster, CANADA;
`
`The United States represents the largest, most dynamic marketplace in the world and is an unparalleled location
`for business investment, innovation, and commercialization of new technologies. The USA offers tremendous
`resources and advantages for those who invest and manufacture goods here. Through SelectUSA,our nation
`works to encourage and facilitate business investment. To learn more about why the USAis the best country in
`the world to develop technology, manufacture products, and grow your business, visit SelectUSA. gov.
`IR103 (Rev. 10/09)
`
`CRUSOE 1002
`
`1
`
`CRUSOE 1002
`
`

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`Receipt date:
`
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`
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`
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`Application Number
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`
`
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`First Named Inventor
`
`
`INFORMATION DISCLOSURE
`STATEMENT BY APPLICANT
`( Not for submission under 37 CFR 1.99)
`
`6484728
`
`Stephen Barbour
`
`Art Unit
`
`
`Examiner Name
`
`Attorney Docket Number
`
`91A-3US
`
`
`
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`Keisling etal.
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`eisling et al.
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`eisling et al.
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`eisling et al.
`
`eisling et al.
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`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
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`
`PO17-09-12
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`eisling et al.
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`16/484,728 - GAU: 3688
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`PTO/SB/08a (02-18}
`Doc code: IDS
`Approved for use through 11/30/2020. OMB 0651-0031
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`Dec description: Information Disclosure Statement (IDS) Filed
`Underthe Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unlessit contains a valid OMB contro! number.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`INFORMATION DISCLOSURE
`STATEMENT BY APPLICANT
`( Not for submission under 37 CFR 1.99)
`
`6484728
`Application Number
`Filing Date
`First Named Inventor
` Stephen Barbour
`Art Unit
`
`
`P019-08-08
`
`
`
`Examiner Name
`
`Attorney Docket Number
`
`91A-3US
`
`
`
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`Initial*
`No
`
`
`Patent Number
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`of cited Document
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`1
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`542947
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`2
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`iley, et all.
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`Relevant Passages or Relevant
`Number
`Date
`of cited Document
`Figures Appear
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`to
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`doplied
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`

`
`
`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
`
`FIRST NAMED INVENTOR
`
`ATTORNEY DOCKET NO.
`
`CONTIRMATION NO.
`
`16/484,728
`
`TILING DATE
`
`01/06/2020
`
` APPLICATION NO.
`
`Stephen Barbour
`
`91A-3US
`
`1944
`
`Nissen Patent Law
`#200, 10328- 81 Ave
`Edmonton, ALBERTA T6E1X2
`
`REAGAN, JAMES A
`
`3688
`
`MAIL DATE
`
`01/06/2023
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`PAPER
`
`Please find below and/or attached an Office communication concerning this application or proceeding.
`
`The time period for reply, if any, is sct in the attached communication.
`
`PTOL-90A (Rev. 04/07)
`
`4
`
`

`

`rrect
`Noth Corrected bill
`otice of
`AHlowability
`
`Application No.
`16/484,728
`Examiner
`JAMES A REAGAN
`
`Applicant(s)
`
`Barbour, Stephen
`AIA (FITF) Status
`Yes
`
`3688
`
`-- The MAILING DATEofthis communication appears on the cover sheet with the correspondence address--
`All claims being allowable, PROSECUTION ON THE MERITS |S (OR REMAINS) CLOSED in this application. If not included
`herewith (or previously mailed), a Notice of Allowance (PTOL-85) or other appropriate communication will be mailed in due course. THIS
`NOTICE OF ALLOWABILITY IS NOT A GRANTOF PATENTRIGHTS.This application is subject to withdrawal from issue attheinitiative
`of the Office or upon petition by the applicant. See 37 CFR 1.313 and MPEP 1308.
`{¥] This communication is responsive to the amendmentand responsefiled on 07/04/2022...
`(] A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/werefiled on
`.
`
`CI An election was made by the applicant in responseto a restriction requirementset forth during the interview on
`restriction requirement and election have been incorporated into this action.
`
`; the
`
` J Acknowledgmentis made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d) or (f).
`
`Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3688
`
`[Vj The allowed claim(s) is/are 1-9,12-13 and 15-44 . As a result of the allowed claim(s), you maybeeligible to benefit from the Patent
`Prosecution Highway program at a participating intellectual property office for the corresponding application. For more information
`, please see http:/Avwww.uspto.gov/patents/init_events/pph/index.jsp or send an inquiry to PPHfeedback@uspto.gov.
`
`Certified copies:
`c) (3 Noneof the:
`a) DAll
`b) (] Some*
`1. (J Certified copies of the priority documents have beenreceived.
`2. LC) Certified copies of the priority documents have been received in Application No.
`3. (J Copies of the certified copies of the priority documents have beenreceivedin this national stage application from the
`International Bureau (PCT Rule 17.2(a)).
`
`* Certified copies not received:
`
`Applicant has THREE MONTHS FROM THE "MAILING DATE"of this communication to file a reply complying with the requirements
`noted below.Failure to timely comply will result in ABANDONMENT ofthis application.
`THIS THREE-MONTHPERIOD IS NOT EXTENDABLE.
`
`5.1) CORRECTED DRAWINGS (as "replacement sheets") must be submitted.
`(J including changes required by the attached Examiner's Amendment / Commentorin the Office action of
`Paper No./Mail Date
`.
`Identifying indicia such as the application number (See 37 CFR 1.84(c)) should be written on the drawingsin the front (not the back) of each
`sheet. Replacement sheet(s) should be labeled as such in the header according to 37 CFR 1.121(d).
`
`6.4 DEPOSIT OFand/or INFORMATIONabout the deposit of BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL must be submitted. Note the
`attached Examiner's comment regarding REQUIREMENT FOR THE DEPOSIT OF BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL.
`
`Aitachment(s)
`5. 2 Examiner's Amendment/Comment
`1.[¥] Notice of References Cited (PTO-892)
`
`2.C Information Disclosure Statements (PTO/SB/08), 6.l¥jExaminer's Statement of Reasons for Allowance
`Paper No./Mail Date
`.
`3.4 Examiner's Comment Regarding Requirement for Deposit
`of Biological Material
`4.CJ Interview Summary (PTO-413),
`Paper No./Mail Date.
`.
`JAMES A REAGAN/
`
`7. L Other
`
`:
`
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`PTOL-37 (Rev. 08-13)
`
`Notice of Allowability
`
`.
`Part of Paper No./Mail Date 20230104
`
`5
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/484, 728
`Art Unit: 3688
`
`Page 2
`
`DETAILED ACTION
`
`Status of Claims
`
`The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined underthefirst inventortofile
`
`provisions of the AIA.
`
`This action is in reply to the amendment and responsefiled on 07/04/2022.
`
`Claims 1, 3, 5-9, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18-21, 23-29, 31, 33-38, and 40 have been amended.
`
`Claims 42-44 have been added.
`
`Claims 10, 11, 14, have been canceled.
`
`Claims 1-9, 12, 13, and 15-44 are currently pending and have been examined.
`
`Information Disclosure Statement
`
`The Information Disclosure Statementsfiled 06/03/2022 and 074/04/2022 have been considered. Initialed
`
`copies of the Form 1449 are enclosed herewith.
`
`Allowable Subject Matter
`
`Claims 1-9, 12, 13, and 15-44 are allowed.
`
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`Application/Control Number: 16/484, 728
`Art Unit: 3688
`
`Page 3
`
`Reasons For Allowance
`
`The following is an Examiner's statement of reasonsfor allowance:
`
`With regard to any rejections under 35 USC § 101 based upon the Alice Corporation Pty. Ltd. v. CLS Bank
`
`guidelines, the Examinerfinds that the claimed invention amounts to significantly more than a judicial
`
`exception or an abstract idea. Also, the claimed invention demonstrates a practical application. The
`
`specification clearly teaches and describes blockchain mining at hydrocarbonfacility. Any rejections under
`
`35 USC § 101 are hereby withdrawn Additionally, the 2019 PEG defines the phrase “integration into a
`
`practical application” to require an additional element(s) ora combination ofadditional elements in the claim
`
`to apply, rely on, or use the judicial exception in a mannerthat imposes a meaningful limit on the judicial
`
`exception, such that it is more than a drafting effort designed to monopolize the exception. See MPEP
`
`2106.04(d). |
`
`With regard to the rejections under 35 USC § 103, the Examiner has carefully revewed the Applicants
`
`responsesfiled on 07/04/2022. Based upon the Applicants arguments and assertions, the Examineris
`
`persuaded by and agrees with the Applicant. The assertions and arguments provided by the Applicant
`
`credibly declare and makeclear that the independentclaims and the limitations contained therein are
`
`allowable either in part or taken as a whole over theprior art of record. None of the art of record, taken
`
`individually or combination, disclose at least the method step or system components contained within the
`
`independent claims. Consequently, The prior art of record fails to fully disclos e or reasonable teach the
`
`independent claims as a whole. See MPEP 1302.14. Moreover, even though the individual references
`
`applied in the prior art may teach each individuallimitation sufficiently, there does not appearto be sufficient
`
`grounds for combining or modifying the prior art of record to adequately arrive at the claimed invention.
`
`See MPEP 2143.01.
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`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/484, 728
`Art Unit: 3688
`
`Page4
`
`Conclusion
`
`The prior art made of record and notrelied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
`
`Non Patent Literature:
`
`YOUTUBE.
`
`Retrieved online 04/16/2022, Bt:
`
`
`“Using Natural Gas To Mine Bitcoin With Matthew Lohstroh.” (18 September 2019).
`afi
`a
`SU MAW.
`
`routube conmvwatch?v TY ps2 leven
`
`
`
`
`
`WayBack Machine.
`
`“New Century Exploration.”
`
`(2022).
`
`Retrieved online 04/16/2022.
`
`hitos //web archive ora/web/eoee045 1 OOO0GG hhing:Ananewe SOLUVeNXD. Cony
`
`
`
`
`WayBackMachine. “New Century Exploration - What We Do.” (2022). Retrieved online 04/16/2022.
`
`tios V/Aweb. archive ora/weby/POS 0830234542ii los v/a, peweenlirvero con
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`YOUTUBE.
`
`04/17/2022.
`
`“Whyis natural gas flared? What is the solution?” (23 July 2015). Retrieved online
`reeiitos Awwwyoutube comAvatch v4 VELIRIOASR
`
`10
`
`11
`
`12
`
`13
`
`14
`
`15
`ForeignArt:
`
`HANKE TIMO TOBIASet al. “BLOCK MINING METHODS AND APPARATUS.” (WO 2015/077378
`
`Al)
`
`TAYLOR NINA.“This New Monetary Innovation Method/process Using Crypto Currency Applies To
`
`And For Entities, Which Require An Income/revenue Producing Asset Using Any Form Of
`
`Named/renamed Crypto Currency, Using Any Form Of Blockchain/chain Process Using The Wallet
`
`Which Mints/Mines New Coin Assets.” (AU 2014/101324 A4)
`
`TERRY GARY MCALISTER.“New Stock/share/bond Innovation Using Principle Mined Cryptographic
`
`Currency/digital Mining Assets/commodities Which Secondary Mine For Stock/share/bond Holders
`
`On/using The Blockchain/any Chain/shared Ledger On A Cryptographic Currency/digital Mining
`
`Assets/commodities Exchange.” (AU 2016/1001 78 A4)
`
`MCALISTER GARY.“Blockchain Digital Mining Asset/Commodity Innovation For Private Placement,
`
`High Yield Investment, Tier 1,2,3, MTN Buy/sell Structured Financial Trading Programs And Platforms.”
`
`(AU 2016/100394 A4)
`
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`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/484, 728
`Art Unit: 3688
`
`PageS
`
`Any inquiry of a general nature orrelating to the status of this application or concerning this communication
`
`or
`
`earlier communications from the Examiner should be directed to
`
`James A. Reagan
`
`lames feacenc®
`
` ugmie.goy) whose teleohone numberis 571.272.6710. The Examiner can normally be
`
`( r
`
`eached on Monday-Friday, 9:30am-5:00pm.
`
`If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are
`
`unsuccessful, the Examiner’s supervisor, KAMBIZ ABDI can be reached at 571.272.6702.
`
`Information regarding the status of an application may be obtained from the Patent Application Information
`
`Retrieval (PAIR) system. Status information for published applications may be obtained from either Private
`
`PAIR or Public PAIR. Status information for unpublished applications is available through Private PAIR
`
`only. Formore information about the PAIRsystem,see Ait
`
`Joorel uspte qoaveytemal/noraloair. Should
`
`
`you have questions on accessto the Private PAIR system, contact the Electronic Bus iness Center (EBC)
`
`at 866.217.9197 (toll-free).
`
`Any response to this action should be mailedto:
`
`Commissioner for Patents
`
`PO Box 1450
`
`Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450
`
`or faxed to 571-273-8300.
`
`Hand delivered responses should be brought
`
`to the United States Patent and Trademark Office
`
`Customer Service Window:
`
`Randolph Building
`
`401 Dulany Street
`
`Alexandria, VA 22314.
`
`/JAMES A REAGAN/
`Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3688
`
`ldiMes reqdan@usolS Gov
`
`
`571.272.6710 (Office)
`571.273.6710 (Desktop Fax)
`
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`

`

`
`
`Application/Contro! No.
`16/484,728
`Examiner
`JAMES A REAGAN
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`Document Number
`
`Date
`
`op
`
`ae
`
`
`
`US-20200161865-A1 05-2020—_|Clifton; Eric Douglass H02J7/0068
`
`
`
`|*|B|Us-20180181153-A1 06-2018|TAKAHASHI; Hirotaka GO5F1/66
`
`
`US-20190018394-A1 01-2019|Sayyarrodsari; Bijan G06Q10/0833
`
`
`
`
`
`US-20190267644-A1 08-2019|BERNTSEN; GeorgeP. B60L50/72
`
`
`
`
`
`US-20170302171-A1 40-2017|GOTO; Kazuya G05B15/02
`
`Pi[us-2oiaozearor.as[102018[Menonanvo————~dtCCén0828
`
`
`
`P(e[us-2oiroresaeear[06207[wangharam:Ramat|nensazs[ah
`1/1
`*[or[us-2oraosszome-ar_[os2018[ouvprasas.raninie|_—_xoaana[an
`1/1
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`+||coumsosetumersincase|uve|Comey|Name|PCCasicatin
`Pw[av-zoisiorazens——_froanie[aU———~draORNSSOSCS~dSSSS
`[0[wo-ossarrareat [oso
`P(r[avorsioorensfoozoe[av———*idTeRrvom
`
`P N
`
`ON-PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`Te]
`
`Include as applicable: Author, Title Date, Publisher, Edition or Volume, Pertinent Pages)
`
`* YOUTUBE. “Using Natural Gas To Mine Bitcoin With Matthew Lohstroh.” (18 September 2019). Retrieved online 04/16/2022.
`https://(www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYpsZzlevow (Year: 2019)
`
`* WayBack Machine. “New Century Exploration.” (2022). Retrieved online 04/16/2022. https:/Aveb.archive.org/web/
`2022040 1000000*/httos:/Avww.newcenturyexp.com/(Year: 2022)
`
`* WayBack Machine. “New Century Exploration - What We Do.” (2022). Retrieved online 04/16/2022. https://web.archive.org/web/
`20220330234542/https:/Avww.newcenturyexp.com/ (Year: 2022)
`
`* YOUTUBE. “Whyis natural gas flared? Whatis the solution?” (23 July 2015). Retrieved online 04/17/2022. https://
`
`“A copyofthis reference is not being furnished with this Office action. (See MPEP § 707.05(a).)
`Dates in MM-YYYYformat are publication dates. Classifications may be US orforeign.
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`PTOQ-892 (Rev. 01-2001)
`
`Notice of References Cited
`
`Part of Paper No. 20230104
`
`10
`
`Notice ofReferences Cited
`
`Applicant(s)/Patent Under
`Reexamination
`Barbour, Stephen
`Art Unit
`3688
`
`Page 1 of 4
`
`aea
`
`
`
`
`
`
`www.youtube.comAwatch?v=4_vEUnIOAs8 (Year: 2015)
`
`10
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`

`Page 2 of 4
`
`Application/Contro! No.
`16/484,728
`Examiner
`JAMES A REAGAN
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`Applicant(s)/Patent Under
`Reexamination
`Barbour, Stephen
`Art Unit
`3688
`
`Notice ofReferences Cited
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Pst
`Pet
`NON-PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`Document Number
`
`*P
`
`Date
`
`e
`
`ies
`
`Include as applicable: Author, Title Date, Publisher, Edition or Volume, Pertinent Pages)
`
`“A copyofthis reference is not being furnished with this Office action. (See MPEP § 707.05(a).)
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`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`PTOQ-892 (Rev. 01-2001)
`
`Notice of References Cited
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`Part of Paper No. 20230104
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`Examiner ewes|JAMES A REAGAN Art Unit
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`ieale|
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`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
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`3688
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`Page 3 of 4
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`Notice ofReferences Cited
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`Application/Contro! No.
`16/484,728
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`Applicant(s)/Patent Under
`Reexamination
`Barbour, Stephen
`P
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`
`
`
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`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
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`“A copyofthis reference is not being furnished with this Office action. (See MPEP § 707.05(a).)
`Dates in MM-YYYYformat are publication dates. Classifications may be US orforeign.
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`PTOQ-892 (Rev. 01-2001)
`
`Notice of References Cited
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`Part of Paper No. 20230104
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`12
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`12
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`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
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`ies
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`“A copyofthis reference is not being furnished with this Office action. (See MPEP § 707.05(a).)
`Dates in MM-YYYYformat are publication dates. Classifications may be US orforeign.
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`PTOQ-892 (Rev. 01-2001)
`
`Notice of References Cited
`
`Part of Paper No. 20230104
`
`13
`
`Notice ofReferences Cited
`
`Application/Contro! No.
`16/484,728
`
`Examiner
`JAMES A REAGAN
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`Applicant(s)/Patent Under
`Reexamination
`Barbour, Stephen
`Art Unit
`3688
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`Page 4 of 4
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`Application/Control No.
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`Barbour, Stephen
`
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`3688
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`Application/Control No.
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`Examiner
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`JAMES A REAGAN
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`ArtUnit
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`3688
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`CPC Combination Sets
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`/ssue Classification|16/484.728 Barbour, Stephen
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`
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`|
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`||
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`Version
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`2013-01-01
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`2019-01-01
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`2013-01-04
`2013-01-01
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`2013-01-01
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`2013-01-04
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`2013-01-01
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`A A
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`2315
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`0209
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`0218
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`02
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`06313
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`1097
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` NONE
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`Total Claims Allowed:
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`A
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`O.G.Print Claim(s}
`1
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`oo
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`Part of Paper No.: 20230104
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`SUBCLASS (ONE SUBCLASS PER BLOCK)
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`Application/Control No.
`Applicant(s)/Patent Under Reexamination
`/ssue Classification|16/484.728
`Barbour, Stephen
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`|
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`||
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`INTERNATIONAL CLASSIFICATION
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`CLAIMED
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`G06Q
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`NON-CLAIMED
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`US ORIGINAL CLASSIFICATION
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`CROSS REFERENCES(S)
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`CLASS
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`SUBCLASS
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` NONE
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`Total Claims Allowed:
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`A
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`O.G.Print Claim(s}
`1
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`a
`O.G. Print Figure
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`/ssue Classification|16/484.728
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`||
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`[) Claims renumbered in the same order as presented by applicant
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`[CPA OTD.
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` NONE
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`Total Claims Allowed:
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`(Assistant Examiner)
`(JAMES A REAGAN/
`Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3688
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`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
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`

`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`Inventors: STEPHEN BARBOUR
`
`Attorney Docket No.: 91A-3US
`
`Application No.: 16/484,728
`
`Art Unit: 3688 / Confirmation No.: 1944
`
`Filed: August 08, 2019
`
`Examiner: Reagan, James A
`
`Title: BLOCKCHAIN MINE AT OIL OR GASFACILITY
`
`ISSUE FEE PAYMENT AND AMENDMENT AFTER ALLOWANCE UNDERCFR 1.312
`
`September 12, 2022
`
`TO THE COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS:
`
`INTRODUCTORY COMMENTS
`
`In responseto the notice of allowance dated August 31, 2022, Applicant submits the issue
`
`fee and an amendmentafter allowance under CFR 1.312. Specifically, Applicant requests that the
`
`patent office please amend the above identified application as follows:
`
`Amendments to the Claims are reflected in the listing of the claims, which begins on page
`
`2 ofthis paper.
`
`Remarks/Arguments begin on page 10 of this paper.
`
`OK TO ENTER:
`
`/J.AR/
`
`19
`
`19
`
`

`

`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`Inventors: STEPHEN BARBOUR
`
`Attorney Docket No.: 91A-3US
`
`Application No.: 16/484,728
`
`Art Unit: 3688 / Confirmation No.: 1944
`
`Filed: August 08, 2019
`
`Examiner: Reagan, James A
`
`Title: BLOCKCHAIN MINE AT OIL OR GASFACILITY
`
`ISSUE FEE PAYMENT AND AMENDMENT AFTER ALLOWANCE UNDERCFR 1.312
`
`September 12, 2022
`
`TO THE COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS:
`
`INTRODUCTORY COMMENTS
`
`In responseto the notice of allowance dated August 31, 2022, Applicant submits the issue
`
`fee and an amendmentafter allowance under CFR 1.312. Specifically, Applicant requests that the
`
`patent office please amend the above identified application as follows:
`
`Amendments to the Claims are reflected in the listing of the claims, which begins on page
`
`2 ofthis paper.
`
`Remarks/Arguments begin on page 10 of this paper.
`
`20
`
`20
`
`

`

`1,
`
`(Previously presented) A system comprising:
`
`AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS
`
`a source of combustible gas produced from a facility selected from a group consisting of
`
`a hydrocarbon production, storage, or processing facility;
`
`a generator connected to the source of combustible gas to receive a continuousflow of
`
`combustible gas to powerthe generator; and
`
`blockchain mining devices connected to the generator;
`
`in which:
`
`the blockchain mining devices each have a mining processor and are
`
`connected to a networkinterface;
`
`the network interface is connected to receive and transmit data through the
`
`internet to a network that stores or has access to a blockchain database;
`
`the mining processors are connected to the network interface and adapted
`
`to mine transactions associated with the blockchain database and to communicate
`
`with the blockchain database;
`
`the networkis a peer-to-peer network;
`
`the blockchain database is a distributed database stored on plural nodes in
`
`the peer-to-peer network; and
`
`the blockchain database stores transactional information for a digital currency.
`
`2.
`
`(Original) The system of claim 1 isolated from a sales gas line and an external electrical
`
`powergrid.
`
`3.
`
`(Previously presented) The system of claim 1 in which:
`
`the source of combustible gas and the facility comprise a remote well selected from a
`
`group consisting of a remote oil or gas well; and
`
`the remote well is connected to produce the continuous flow of combustible gas to power
`
`the generator.
`
`21
`
`21
`
`

`

`4.
`
`(Original) The system of claim 3 further comprising a combustion engine connected to
`
`the source of combustible gas and connected to drive the generator.
`
`5.
`
`(Previously presented) The system of claim 4 in which the combustion engineis a prime
`
`moverthat is connected to produce oil from the remote well.
`
`6.
`
`(Previously presented) The system of claim 4 in which the combustion engine is a first
`
`combustion engine, and further comprising a second combustion engine that is a prime mover
`
`that is connected to produce oil from the remote well.
`
`7.
`
`(Previously presented) The system of claim 1 in which:
`
`the facility comprises a unit selected from a group consisting of an oil storage or
`
`processing unit;
`
`the source of combustible gas comprises the unit, which has a gas outlet connected to
`
`supply combustible gas to operate the generator, and
`
`the unit is connected to receive oil produced from a remote oil well.
`
`8.
`
`(Previously presented) The system of claim 1 in which the generator and blockchain
`
`mining devices are located adjacent to the facility.
`
`9.
`
`(Previously presented) The system of claim 1 in which the facility comprisesa plurality
`
`of remote wells selected from a group consisting of remote oil or gas wells, and one or both of
`
`the following conditionsaresatisfied:
`
`the plurality of remote wells are located on a multi-well pad; or
`
`the plurality of remote wells include a satellite well.
`
`10-11. (Cancelled)
`
`22
`
`22
`
`

`

`12.
`
`(Previously presented) The system of claim 1 in which the system is configured to
`
`modulate a powerload level exerted by the blockchain mining devices on the generator, by
`
`increasing or decreasing the mining activity of the mining processor.
`
`13.|(Currently amended) The system of claim 12 in which the system is configured to
`
`modulate the maximum powerload level by selecting one or more actions from a group of
`
`actions consisting of increasing or decreasing a maximum numberof mining processorsthat are
`
`engaged in mining transactions.
`
`14.
`
`(Cancelled)
`
`15.
`
`(Currently amended) The system of claim [[13]] 12 in which the system is configured to
`
`modulate the powerload level in responseto variations in a production rate of combustible gas
`
`from the remetesvel-hydrocarbon production well, storage, or processing facility.
`
`16.
`
`(Currently amended) The system of claim [[13]]12 in which:
`
`a production rate of combustible gas from the remetesvel_hydrocarbon production well
`
`storage, or processing facility varies between a daily minimum production rate and a daily
`
`maximum production rate; and
`
`while the production rate is above the daily minimum production rate, the controlleris set
`
`to limit the powerload level to at or below a powerlevel producible by the generator when the
`
`production rate is at the daily minimum productionrate.
`
`17.
`
`(Original) The system of claim 16 in which the controller is set to divert to a load bank
`
`excess electricity produced by the generator.
`
`18.
`
`(Currently amended) The system of claim [[13]]12 in which:
`
`a production rate of combustible gas from the remetesvel-hydrocarbon production well
`
`storage, or processing facility varies between a daily minimum production rate and a daily
`
`maximum productionrate;
`
`23
`
`23
`
`

`

`the controller is set to limit the power load level to above a powerlevel producible by the
`
`generator when the production rate is at the daily minimum production rate; and
`
`a backup source, selected from a group consisting of fuel or electricity, is connected
`
`make up a shortfall in fuel or electricity, respectively, required to supply the blockchain mining
`
`devices with the powerload level.
`
`19.
`
`(Previously presented) The system of claim 1 in which a controller is connected to
`
`operate a cooling system to maintain the blockchain mining devices within a predetermined
`
`operating range of temperature.
`
`20.
`
`(Previously presented) The system of claim 1 in which the blockchain mining devicesare
`
`housed in a portable enclosure that is structured to one or more of form a skid or be mounted on
`
`a trailer.
`
`21.
`
`(Previously presented) The system of claim 20 in which the portable enclosure comprises
`
`a generator driven by an engine, which is connected to the source of combustible gas.
`
`22.
`
` (Oniginal) The system of any claim 21 in which the engine comprisesa turbine.
`
`23.
`
`(Previously presented) The system of claim 20 in which the portable enclosure comprises
`
`an intermodal transport container.
`
`24.~—(Previously presented) A method comprising:
`
`producing electricity using a generator and a source of combustible gas producedat a
`
`facility selected from the group consisting of a hydrocarbon production well, storage, or
`
`processing facility, and operating blockchain mining devices located at the facility, respectively,
`
`using the electricity, in which:
`
`the generator is connected to the source of combustible gas, in which the facility
`
`is connected to produce a continuous flow of combustible gas to powerthe generator;
`
`24
`
`24
`
`

`

`the blockchain mining devices each have a mining processor and are connected to
`
`a network interface;
`
`the network interface is connected to receive and transmit data through the
`
`internet to a network that stores or has access to a blockchain database;
`
`the mining processors are connected to the network interface and adapted to mine
`
`transactions associated with the blockchain database and to communicate with the
`
`blockchain database;
`
`the netw