throbber
EX 2015
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`8/18 Version
`24349.000
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`REMARKS
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`This Amendment is made in response to the Final Office Action dated February 23, 2003.
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`-A Request for an Extension of Time is submitted herewith to permit the filing of this
`
`Amendment in the third month.
`
`In the following, the undersigned will respond to each rejection
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`and objection by paragraph number as appears in the outstanding Office Action.
`
`I With regard to paragraph 2, Applicants appreciate the Examiner’s indication that the
`
`claim rejection regarding withdrawn claims, the rejection under 35 U.S.C. § 101 of claims 1-4
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`and 13-14 as .being non-statutory subject matter, the IDS objection and the Section 112 rejection
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`have been withdrawn.
`
`With regard to Paragraph 3, at page 2 of the previous Amendment, Applicant has
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`cancelled “1-65 Cancelled as requested by the Examiner.
`
`With regard to paragraph 4, Applicants respectfully traverse and request reconsideration
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`of the rejection of claims 1-4 and 13-14 as being anticipated under 35 U.S.C. § 102(e) in View of
`
`US. Patent No. 6,594,640 of Postrel (herein “the Postrel Patent”).
`
`Applicants traverse the Examiner’s holding that the passages below of Postrel teach
`
`CLAIM 1
`
`Claim 1:
`
`1.
`
`A method of exchanging first points held by a customer for second points, the
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`first points that are issued by a first point issuer differing from the second points that are issued
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`by a second point issuer, said point exchange method is implemented by a computer
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`programmed to effect the following steps of:
`
`(a)
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`the customer setting a first number of first points to be exchanged
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`Loyalty 2034
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`Delta, et a1. V. Loyalty
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`(see column 4, lines 3-45) “A system and method are disclosed where the system
`allows the user to redeem the accumulated reward points from a plurality of
`reward entities for exchange with a merchant. The user requests process for
`redemption of the pre-accumulated reward points comprises the steps of the user
`requesting, via a user computer, a trading server computer to obtain reward points
`from a reward server associated with a rewarding entity with which the use has
`reward points. The reward server computer decreases the user’s reward point
`account by the requested number of reward points. The reward server computer
`conveys consideration to the trading server computer, where the consideration
`corresponds to the number of reward points decreased in the account of the
`reward server.
`The trading server computer increases the reward exchange
`account on the trading server associated with the user by the requested number of
`points. The trading server receives the consideration from the reward server
`computer. Following or anticipating this conversion into the trading server, the
`user requests a purchase of an item from an associated merchant computer by
`selecting the item to be purchased from a plurality of available items. The trading
`server computer confirms that
`the user’s reward exchange account contains
`sufficient points to purchase the selected item. The user may purchase additional
`points in the event that his account does not contain the requisite number of points
`for making the purchase transaction. The trading server computer requests the
`merchant computer to deliver the item to the user. The trading server decreases
`the user exchange account .by the number of points corresponding to the
`purchased item and the trading server computer conveys consideration to the
`merchant computer equivalent to the required points.
`In another embodiment, the
`user may redeem rewards at the reward server following the selection of an item
`to be acquired. Policies may be established to automatically contact each of the
`reward servers according to a user procurement profile to transact the required
`payment. This profile may indicate the order of redemption and method of
`providing funds sufficient to cover the purchase after redeemable points are
`exhausted. After redemption the consideration is transferred to the respective
`merchant.”
`
`(b)
`
`the first and second point issuers setting the point withdrawal and deposit rates of
`
`their first and second points respectively
`
`(see column 4, lines 3-45) “A system and method are disclosed where the system
`allows the user to redeem the accumulated reward points from a plurality of
`reward entities for exchange with a merchant. The user requests process for
`redemption of the pre-accumulated, reward points comprises the steps of the user
`requesting, via a user computer, a trading server computer to obtain reward points
`from a reward server associated with a rewarding entity with which the use has
`reward points. The reward server computer decreases the user’s reward point
`account by the requested number of reward points. The reward server computer
`conveys consideration to the trading server computer, where the consideration
`corresponds to the number of reward points decreased in the account of the
`reward server.
`The trading server computer increases the reward exchange
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`account on the trading server associated with the user by the requested number of
`points. The trading server receives the consideration from the reward server
`computer. Following or anticipating this conversion into the trading server, the
`user requests a purchase of an item from an associated merchant computer by
`selecting the item to be purchased from a plurality of available items. The trading
`server computer confirms that
`the user’s reward exchange account contains
`sufficient points to purchase the selected item. The user may purchase additional
`points in the event that his account does not contain the requisite number of points
`for making the purchase transaction. The trading server computer requests the
`merchant computer to deliver the item to the user. The trading server ‘decreases
`the user exchange account by the number of points corresponding to the
`purchased item and the trading server computer conveys consideration to the
`merchant computer equivalent to the required points.
`In another embodiment, the
`user may redeem rewards at the reward server following the selectiOn of an item
`to be acquired. Policies may be established to automatically contact each of the
`reward servers according to a user procurement profile to transact the required
`payment. This profile may indicate the order of redemption and method of
`providing funds sufficient
`to cover the purchase after redeemable points are
`exhausted. After redemption the consideration is transferred to the respective
`merchant.”
`
`(column 3, lines 35-45) “An exchange rate will be established for the relative
`consideration received by the companies involved in the transaction. A user
`should be able to pool the various earned rewards that may exist in currently
`separate server systems where the resulting combined value may be used by a
`user of the system to acquire items of equivalent value.
`In another embodiment,
`the award program looking to reduce frequent flyer liabilities may contact users
`and arrange for a transfer of the reward miles into a value (which may be
`predetermined) to be credited to the trading system reward. Alternatively, the
`points may be bid for in an auction environment where points may be used to bid
`for certain awards.”
`
`(column 5, lines 35-40) “The rewarding entities may be any type of entity that
`has a service for allocating points or consideration for user actions. The reward
`server computers 10, 12, 14 may be of any type of accessible server capable of
`holding data about a user along with a corresponding earned value that
`is
`negotiable for other goods, services, or points of another system.”
`
`(column 6, lines 25-50) “The trading server computer 20 ‘obtains’ the reward
`points from a reward server 10, 12, 14 stored in the user’s account 52 by
`contacting the appropriate reward server via communication flow 110 (step 608)
`according to the user’s requirements, by using the connection parameters as
`defined in a database 54 on the trading server as shown in FIG. 5.
`In one
`embodiment,
`the
`trading server
`retrieves
`reward point account balance
`information via communications flow 114 (step 610) from the reward server for
`the user.
`In another embodiment, the trading server transfers as part of the
`communication 110, the requested reward mileage to be redeemed step 612). The
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`reward server computer 10 decreases the user’s reward point account 52 by the
`requested number of reward points (step 614). The term point is used to reference
`any earned value that has a cash equivalent or negotiable worth as in “frequent
`flyer” point or mile. The reward server computer 10 conveys consideration to the
`trading server computer 20 where the consideration corresponds to the number of
`reward points decreased in the user’s account 52 on the reward server 10 (step
`616). For example, the consideration may be in the form of a monetary credit to
`an account that exists between the trading server and the reward server, that gets
`paid at the end of a predefined billing cycle (i.e. every month). The trading server
`computer 20 increases the reward exchange account 54 associated with the user
`by the received number of points (step 620).”
`
`(column 11, line 60 — column 12, line 8) “The interface would allow a user to
`login using the frequent flyer account information or preferably, the trading server
`account login id and password, where the user may use points awarded from
`another air carrier or point server to “pay” for the services accessed. The account
`balance from the trading server may be transferred to the local controller prior to
`takeoff for each user that logs in to the trading server. Once the plane has
`departed, depending on the linking or access capability afforded by the air carrier
`or service provider, the user’s account may be modified in real time or upon
`reconnection following landing, based on services selected by the traveler.
`If a
`real time link is supported,
`the user’s exchange account may be periodically
`debited according to the services selected and duration of use.”
`
`Applicants assert that the passages ofPostrel upon which the Examiner has relied to
`
`reject paragraph (b) ofClaim 1 are silent as to permitting its point issuers to set withdrawal and
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`deposit exchange rates, much less to use such withdrawal rates and deposit rates to set the price
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`at which points are sold andpurchased respectively. Further, the undersigned has studied the
`
`above passagesfrom Postrel that were relied upon by the Examinerfor their alleged disclosure
`
`ofparagraph (b) of Claim 1, withoutfinding any indication or teaching ofthe use ofpoint
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`withdrawal and deposit rates. In the Amendment ofDecember 5, 2005, Applicants requested
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`that ifthe Examiner wouldpersist that the above passages from Postrel disclose point
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`withdrawal and deposit rates as recited in paragraph (b) of Claim 1, applicant respectfully
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`requests the Examiner to identify that the specific language within these passages upon which he
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`relies to support his rejection ofparagraph (b) ofClaim 1.
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`At a second interview of November 7, 2005, SPE Alvarez indicted that paragraph (a) of
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`Claim 1, as reproduced above, was met by the following passages from Postrel:
`
`(column 3, lines 30-39) “What is desired therefore, is a system where users may
`submit
`frequent
`flyer awards or credits accumulated for other
`types of _
`transactions for redemption or translation into a form readily acceptable by a
`participating merchant. An exchange rate will be established for the relative
`consideration received by the companies involved in the transaction. A user
`should be able to pool the various earned rewards that may exist in currently .
`separate server systems where the resulting combined value may be used by a
`user of the system to acquire items of equivalent value.”
`
`Applicants respectfully assert that the above quoted passage does not disclose first and
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`secondpoints that are differentfrom each other andpermit the respective point issuers to set
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`respectively a first withdrawal rate and a second deposit rate, whereby each ofthe first and
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`second issuers may control the selling andpurchase prices of its respective points. By contrast,
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`the object ofPostrel is to accumulate points from diflerent issuer servers [0, 13 or 14 and to
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`“pool ” them into a database 54, whereby the user is able to purchase a reward whose
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`redemption requires more points. Consideration is given to companies (point issuers) who took
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`part in the “transaction ” (apparently pooling) ofaccumulating the pointsfrom the different
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`companies (apparently the issuers/reward servers). Postrel identifies that a single exchange rate
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`determines the consideration provided to the companies involved in the transaction ofpooling.
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`By contrast, applicants employ two exchange rates, i. e., the withdrawal rate for itsfirst points
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`and the depositing ratefor a second, different points, whereby thefirst and second issuers may
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`set the value ofeach ofthe withdrawal and deposit rates. Neither the above quotedpassages nor
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`the remainder ofPostrel teach that at least two issuers may set the price of its respective
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`withdrawal rates and its deposit rates.
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`“If for instance, a frequent flyer program supports
`lines 62-66)
`(column 7,
`multiple classifications of miles that may be redeemed differently, the user may
`optionally define how those resources should be managed during redemption.”
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`Applicants assert that the quotedpassage discloses that a “frequentflyer program ” or
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`point issuer may support multiple classifications ofmiles and how these miles may be managed
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`during redemption. Postrel does not teach as recited in Claim 1, paragraph b ofApplicants ’ use
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`ofwithdrawal and deposit rates to enable issuers to control the prices ofthe first and second
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`points.
`
`(column 7, lines 49-54) “For example, if a user has a preferred air carrier where
`the user would like to retain mileage in that reward system, the user may specify a
`priority of use indicating the reward resources that should be exhausted prior to
`accessing the most desirable rewards. Following the selection of an item to be
`acquired, the server may contact all of the reward resources according to this
`profile to selectively redeem each as required to meet the purchase price.”
`
`Applicants respectfully assert that the above quoted passage does not disclose Claim 1,
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`paragraph (b). This passage discloses the prioritizing 0fthe point issuers whose points may be
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`redeemed before exhausting the most desirable rewards. This profile of issuer selections may be
`
`used to selectively access and redeem the points in accordance with this profile. This passage,
`
`however, is silent as to enabling a first point issuer to set a deposit rate and a second point to set
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`the withdrawal rate, whereby each issuer is enabled to set the price of its withdrawn and deposit
`
`rates.
`
`(column 11, lines 61 to C01. 12, line 7) “The interface would allow a user to
`login using the frequent flyer account information or preferably, the trading server
`account login id and password, where the user may use points awarded from
`another air carrier or point server to “pay” for the services accessed. The account
`balance from the trading server may be transferred to the local controller prior to
`takeoff for each user that
`logs in to the trading server. Once the plane has
`departed, depending on the linking or access capability afforded by the air carrier
`or service provider, the user’s account may be modified in real time or upon
`reconnection following landing, based on services selected by the traveler.
`If a
`real
`time link is supported,
`the user’s exchange account may be periodically
`debited according to the services selected and duration of use.”
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`Applicants assert that the above passage relates to a system that permits in-flight
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`services to be paidfor by redeeming loyalty points from the user’s issuer even when the issuer is
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`another carrier. Provision is made to transfer the user’s account to an onboard local controller
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`prior to takeofl. After takeofif the user’s account may be debited in flight ifthere is a suitable
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`link or, after landing, by reconnection. The above passage is not at all relevant to Applicants’
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`use oftheir withdrawal and deposit exchange rates.
`
`(column 8, lines 13-26, Figure 9, Step 906) “The trading server has the ability to
`receive offers from reward servers or merchants (steps 806 and 808) which may
`then be directed to users based on the database profile information provided by
`the user (see FIG. 9). At step 900, the reward server contacts the trading server
`with an offer to redeem points. Similarly, a merchant may contact the trading
`server with an offer to be distributed to members (step 902). The trading server
`records the offer in a database (step 906), and the trading server may record a
`limited conversion rate in its database (step 906).”
`
`Applicants assert that the above passage ofPostrel discloses that a user ofhis reward
`
`servers 10, 12 or 14 sends orders to the trading server 20 and to the merchants 30 to redeem
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`points. The above passage discloses that the reward servers 10, 12 or 14 may send orders to the
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`trading server 20 to redeem points, in contrast to Applicant’s system which sends redemption
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`orders from one reward server to another. Further, Applicants do not disclose any means
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`resembling Postrel ’s trading server 20. Rather, Applicants redemption order is transmittedfrom
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`one reward server to a merchant. Further, the above passage fails to disclose afirst point with a
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`withdrawal rate and a second point with a second deposit rate. Though Postrel describes in the
`
`above passage a single “limited conversion rate ”, he does not describe how it is used to redeem
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`points or how it is similar in any manner to Applicant’s deposit or withdrawal rates.
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`Figure 9 and the above quote describe generally a process by which a user redeems its
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`points. Step 906, as identified by SPE Alvarez, records a redeeming order before the trading
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`server stores a “limited conversion rate ” in its database 52. Postrel is silent as to how to use
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`that stored conversion rate to redeem points, much less as to how to transfer pointsfrom one
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`user to another in a manner that enables the user to control the price at which the points are
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`withdrawn and subsequently deposited, as taught by Applicants.
`
`(Column 9, lines 10-20) “A conversion rate may be applied to the transaction
`such that the reward server reduces the available rewards in the user’s account.
`
`that
`then transfers consideration to the trading server
`The reward server
`corresponds to the value reduced in the reward system.
`In response to the receipt
`of the transfer or approval of the transfer, the trading server increments the user
`account balance to reflect the received consideration and the connection to the
`reward server is dropped. A transaction log may be used to record each of the
`transactions in case a reconciliation process is required at a later time. The
`increase in the user’s exchange account may then be stored until a user finds an
`item to be purchased.
`
`In the Examiner’s Response to Arguments as set out at page 7, line 20 —page 8, line 2,
`
`Paragraph 5 ofthe outstanding February 23, 2006 Office Action, the Examiner asserts that,
`
`“Applicant argues that Postrel does not teach points withdrawal and deposit rate. The
`
`Examiner answers that Postrel teaches the withdrawing ofpoints from a user ’s reward server
`
`account and depositing said points into a user’s exchange account at a conversion or exchange
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`rate (see Postrel column 6, lies 25-50; column 9, lines 10-20). " The undersign does not know
`
`whether the Examiner is referring to two rates. Ifthe Examiner meant to refer to two rates
`
`(though not stated in the quoted passage), then the undersigned asserts that Postrel does not *
`
`disclose two rates, much less a deposit rate for setting the purchase price ofthefirst points and a
`
`withdrawal rate for setting the sale price ofthe secondpoints. 0n the other hand ifthe
`
`Examiner asserts that Postrel discloses only a single rate, that teaching does not meet the
`
`Applicant’s recitation oftwo rates as recited in Claim 1, paragraph b. Clarification is required.
`
`The Examiner relies on the (column 6, lines 25-50) passage and the (Column 9, lines 10-
`
`20) passage as reproduced above for a teaching Applicant’s deposit and withdrawal rates.
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`Though (Column 9, lines] 0-20) discloses that the trading server 20 accumulates pointsfrom the ,
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`reward servers 10, 12 and 14, this passage does not disclose Applicants’ deposit and withdrawal
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`rates.
`
`(Column 9, lines 10-20) does disclose a conversion rate which is involved in transactions
`
`whereby a user redeems its points and the conversion rate is ”applied to the transaction such
`
`that the reward server reduces the available rewards in the user’s account. ” Applicants
`
`respectfully traverse the Examiner’s statement that ”Postrel teaches the withdrawing ofpoints
`
`from a user’s reward server account and depositing said points into a user’s exchange account
`
`at a conversion or exchange rate. ” Rather, Applicants respectfully assert that the use of
`
`Postrel 's single rate in the context ofredeeming rewards for a user does not teach Applicants’
`
`withdrawal and deposit rates thatfacilitate the exchange ofpointsfrom one ofthe plurality of
`
`reward servers to another ofapp]icants reward servers or issuers.
`
`(c)
`
`determining an equivalent number of the second points based upon the point
`
`withdrawal and deposit rates of the first and second point issuers respectively, and the first
`
`number of the first points
`
`(see column 4, lines 3-45) “A system and method are disclosed where the system
`allows the user to redeem the accumulated reward points from a plurality of
`reward entities for exchange with a merchant. The user requests process for
`redemption of the pre-accumulated reward points comprises the steps of the user
`requesting, via a user computer, a trading server computer to obtain reward points
`from a reward server associated with a rewarding entity with which the use has
`reward points. The reward server computer decreases the user’s reward point
`account by the requested number of reward points. The reward server computer
`conveys consideration to the trading server computer, where the consideration
`corresponds to the number of reward points decreased in the account of the
`reward server.
`The trading server computer increases the reward exchange
`account on the trading server associated with the user by the requested number‘of
`points. The trading server receives the consideration from the reward server
`computer. Following or anticipating this conversion into the trading server, the
`user requests a purchase of an item from an associated merchant computer by
`selecting the item to be purchased from a plurality of available items. The trading
`server computer confirms that
`the user’s reward exchange account contains
`sufficient points to purchase the selected item. The user may purchase additional
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`points in the event that his account does not contain the requisite number of points
`for making the purchase transaction. The trading server computer requests the
`merchant computer to deliver the item to the user. The trading server decreases
`the user exchange account by the number of points corresponding to the
`purchased item and the trading server computer conveys consideration to the
`merchant computer equivalent to the required points.
`In another embodiment, the
`user may redeem rewards at the reward server following the selection of an item
`to be acquired. Policies may be established to automatically contact each of the
`reward servers according to a user procurement profile to transact the required
`payment. This profile may indicate the order of redemption and method of
`providing funds sufficient to cover the purchase after redeemable points are
`exhausted. After redemption the consideration is transferred to the respective
`merchant.”
`
`(column 3, lines 35-45) “An exchange rate will be established for the relative
`consideration received by the companies involved in the transaction. A user
`should be able to pool the various earned rewards that may exist in currently
`separate server systems where the resulting combined value may be used by a
`user of the system to acquire items of equivalent value.
`In another embodiment,
`the award program looking to reduce frequent flyer liabilities may contact users
`and arrange for a transfer of the reward miles into a value (which may be
`predetermined) to be credited to the trading system reward. Alternatively, the
`points may be bid for in an auction environment where points may be used to bid
`for certain awards.”
`
`(column 5, lines 35-40) “The rewarding entities may be any type of entity that
`has a service for allocating points or consideration for user actions. The reward
`server computers 10, 12, 14 may be of any type of accessible server capable of
`holding data about a user along with a corresponding earned value that
`is
`negotiable for other goods, services, or points of another system.”
`
`(column 6, lines 37-47) “The term point is used to reference any earned value
`that has a cash equivalent or negotiable worth as in “frequent flyer” point or mile.
`The reward server computer 10 conveys consideration to the trading server
`computer 20 where the consideration corresponds to the number or reward points
`decreased in the user’s account 52 on the reward server 10 (step 616). For
`example, the consideration may be in the form of a monetary credit to an account
`that exists between the trading server and the reward server, that gets paid at the
`end of a predefined billing cycle (i.e. every month)”
`
`(column 7, lines 35-40) “The trading server computer 20 conveys consideration
`to the merchant computer 30 equivalent to the cost of the item by means well
`known in the art of electronic commerce (e.g. by a preexisting account, credit
`card, etc.) (steps 716, 718).
`In the alternative, the consideration may be a direct
`transfer of points to an account associated with the merchant. The merchant then
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`completes the transaction at step 720, for example by delivering the purchased
`item.”
`
`“If for instance, a frequent flyer program supports
`lines 63-67)
`(column 7,
`multiple classifications of miles that may be redeemed differently, the user may
`optionally define how those resources should be managed during redemption.”
`
`The undersigned has carefully studied each ofthe above passages ofPostrel and has
`
`found no teaching ofdetermining an equivalent number ofsecond points that are sold by the first
`
`point issuers and purchased by the second point issuers. Further, the above passages do not
`
`disclose the determining ofthe equivalent number based upon the withdrawal and deposit rates
`
`ofthe first and second points respectively and the number ofthe first points. Ifthe Examiner
`
`persists in his rejection ofdetermining the second equivalent number as afunction ofthe
`
`withdrawal and deposit rates, he is requested to identifiz by lines in the above passages where
`
`such disclosures may be found. Ifthe Examiner is unable to point out such teaching, he is
`
`requested to withdraw his rejection ofparagraph c of Claim 1.
`
`and
`
`(d) -
`
`exchanging the first number of first points from the first point issuer to the second
`
`point issuer for a second equivalent number of second points.
`
`The Examiner asserts that, “Postrel teaches the use of points from one airline issuer to
`
`another different airline carrier point issuer”.
`
`(see column 4, lines 3-45) “A system and method are disclosed where the system
`allows the user to redeem the accumulated reward points from a plurality of
`reward entities for exchange with a merchant. The user requests process for
`redemption of the pre-accumulated reward points comprises the steps of the user
`requesting, via a user computer, a trading server computer to obtain reward points
`from a reward server associated with a rewarding entity with which the use has
`reward points. The reward server computer decreases the user’s reward point
`account by the requested number of reward points. The reward server computer
`conveys consideration to the trading server computer, where the consideration
`corresponds to the number of reward points decreased in the account of the
`reward server.
`The trading server computer increases the reward exchange
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`account on the trading server associated with the user by the requested number of
`points. The trading server receives the consideration from the reward server
`computer. Following or anticipating this conversion into the trading server, the
`user requests a purchase of an item from an associated merchant computer by
`selecting the item to be purchased from a plurality of available items. The trading
`server computer confirms that
`the user’s reward exchange account contains
`sufficient points to purchase the selected item. The user may purchase additional
`points in the event that his account does not contain the requisite number of points
`for making the purchase transaction. The trading server computer requests the
`merchant computer to deliver the item to the user. The trading server decreases
`the user exchange account by the number of points corresponding to the
`purchased item and the trading server computer conveys consideration to the
`merchant computer equivalent to the required points.
`In another embodiment, the
`user may redeem rewards at the reward server following the selection of an item
`to be acquired. Policies may be established to automatically contact each of the
`reward servers according to a user procurement profile to transact the required
`payment. This profile may indicate the order of redemption and method of
`providing funds sufficient
`to cover the purchase after redeemable points are
`exhausted. After redemption the consideration is transferred to the respective
`merchant.”
`
`(column 3, lines 35-45) “An exchange rate will be established for the relative
`consideration received by the companies involved in the transaction. A user
`should be able to pool the various earned rewards that may exist in currently
`separate server systems where the resulting combined value may be used by a
`user of the system to acquire items of equivalent value.
`In another embodiment,
`the award program looking to reduce frequent flyer liabilities may contact users
`and arrange for a transfer of the reward miles into a value (which may be
`predetermined) to be credited to the trading system reward. Alternatively, the
`points may be bid for in an auction environment where points may be used to bid
`for certain awards.”
`
`“The rewarding entities may be any type of entity that
`(column 5, lines 35-40)
`has a service for allocating points or consideration for user actions. The reward
`server computers 10, 12, 14 may be of any type of accessible server capable of
`holding data about a user along with a corresponding earned value that
`is
`negotiable for other goods, services, or points of another system.”
`
`(column 6, lines 37-47) “The term point is used to reference any earned value
`that has a cash equivalent or negotiable worth as in “frequent flyer” point or mile.
`The reward server computer 10 conveys consideration to the trading server
`computer 20 where the consideration corresponds to the number or reward points
`decreased in the user’s account 52 on the reward server 10 (step 616). For
`example, the consideration may be in the form of a monetary credit to an account
`that exists between the trading server and the reward server, that gets paid at the
`end of a predefined billing cycle (i.e. every month).”
`
`24349/000/760794.l
`
`Page 12 of 40
`
`29
`
`

`

`8/18 Version
`
`24349.000
`
`(column 10-12)
`
`(column 15-20)
`
`(column 11, line 60 - column 12, line 8) “The interface would allow a user to
`login using the frequent flyer account information or preferably, the trading server
`account login id and password, where the user may use points awarded from
`another air carrier or point server to ‘pay’ for the services accessed. The account
`balance from the trading server may be transferred to

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