Ex Parte GelfondDownload PDFPatent Trials and Appeals BoardMay 10, 201913623704 - (D) (P.T.A.B. May. 10, 2019) Copy Citation UNITED STA TES p A TENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE APPLICATION NO. FILING DATE 13/623,704 09/20/2012 77093 7590 05/14/2019 Bishop Diehl & Lee, Ltd. 1475 East Woodfield Road, Suite 800 Schaumburg, IL 60173 FIRST NAMED INVENTOR Robert Gelfond 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 ATTORNEY DOCKET NO. CONFIRMATION NO. 001080 P0004 1024 EXAMINER POINVIL, FRANTZY ART UNIT PAPER NUMBER 3691 NOTIFICATION DATE DELIVERY MODE 05/14/2019 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): ebishop@bdl-iplaw.com jbourbon@bdl-iplaw.com rbrushaber@bdl-iplaw.com PTOL-90A (Rev. 04/07) UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE BEFORE THE PATENT TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD Ex parte ROBERT GELFOND Appeal2018-004401 Application 13/623,704 Technology Center 3600 Before JOHN A. JEFFERY, DENISE M. POTHIER, and JUSTIN BUSCH, Administrative Patent Judges. JEFFERY, Administrative Patent Judge. DECISION ON APPEAL Under 35 U.S.C. § 134(a), Appellant 1 appeals from the Examiner's decision to reject claims 1-20, which constitute all the claims pending in this application. We have jurisdiction under 35 U.S.C. § 6(b ). We affirm. STATEMENT OF THE CASE Appellant invented an alternative currency that is not fiat-based or tied to a commodity, but rather a service based certificate valued in relation to a resource. See generally Abstract; Spec. ,r,r 13-16, 24. In one embodiment, 1 Appellant identifies the real party in interest as being the sole inventor, Robert Gelfond. App. Br. 1. Appeal2018-004401 Application 13/623,704 the resource is computing power and, as such, the service based certificate is altered in value with advancements in computing power over time. See Abstract; Spec. ,r,r 23, 28-30; Fig. 1. An exchange database maintains an exchange rate usable to convert the service based certificate into the resource used to back the service based certificate. See Spec. ,r,r 19, 45; Fig. 2. Because the service based certificate has a value, a user may purchase the certificate for future use on a computing system or as a potential investment to sell later. See Spec. ,r 29. Claims 4 and 11 are illustrative: 4. A service based certificate system comprising: a first source for creating service based certificates wherein the service based certificates have a changing value based on the availability of a computer resource; a first storage medium for electronically storing the service based certificates created by the first source; a second source for acquiring service based certificates at a known value from the first source to create acquired service based certificates; a second storage medium for electronically storing the acquired service based certificates, wherein the acquired service based certificates are economic notes that are valued in relation to the computer resource that increases over time as a function of perceived improvements made in computer technology; and a processor for calculating the changing value of the service based certificates based on the availability of the computer resource at a given time. 11. A method for allocating a resource comprising the steps of: creating service based certificates to be sold; associating the service based certificates with an available resource; storing in a database the service based certificates associated with the available resource; 2 Appeal2018-004401 Application 13/623,704 selling the service based certificates to end users to achieve purchased service based certificates and noting the sales in the database; maintaining an exchange rate for exchanging the purchased service based certificates for the available resource; locking in an enforceable exchange rate for each of the purchased service based certificates at a time of sale; updating the exchange rate in response to changes in the availability of the resource over time; and displaying the updated exchange rate on a display. THE REJECTION2 The Examiner rejected claims 1-20 under 35 U.S.C. § 101 as directed to ineligible subject matter. Non-Final Act. 6-9; Ans. 4--6. 3 FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS, AND CONTENTIONS The Examiner determines that the claims are directed to an abstract idea, namely, creating a contractual relationship, which is said to be a method of organizing human activity. Ans. 7. The Examiner adds that the claims do not include elements that add significantly more than the abstract idea, but merely recite generic computer components that perform routine 2 Because the Examiner withdrew rejections under§§ 102 and 103 (Ans. 3), those rejections are not before us. 3 Throughout this opinion, we refer to (1) the Non-Final Rejection mailed November 17, 2016 ("Non-Final Act."); (2) the Appeal Brief filed October 4, 2017 ("App. Br."); (3) the Examiner's Answer mailed January 23, 2018 ("Ans."); and (4) the Reply Brief filed March 22, 2018 ("Reply Br."). 3 Appeal2018-004401 Application 13/623,704 functions. Id. at 8-10. Based on these determinations, the Examiner concludes that the claims are ineligible under § 101. See id. at 4--6. Appellant argues that the claimed invention is not directed to an abstract idea. App. Br. 9-15; Reply Br. 3-7. According to Appellant, the claimed invention is more similar to the claims in Enfish LLC v. Microsoft Corp., 822 F.3d 1327 (Fed. Cir. 2016) than the claims in In re TL! Communications LLC v. AV Automotive LLC, 823 F.3d 607 (Fed. Cir. 2016). App. Br. 13-15. According to Appellant, the claimed invention recites a computer database, first and second storage media, and a processor used to ( 1) maintain and lock an exchange rate for purchased service based certificates, and (2) update the exchange rate over time based on availability of a computer resource. Id. at 15. Appellant adds that the claimed invention adds significantly more to the purported abstract idea. App. Br. 12-13; Reply Br. 6-7. ISSUE Under§ 101, has the Examiner erred in rejecting claims 1-20 as directed to ineligible subject matter? This issue turns on whether the claims are directed to an abstract idea and, if so, whether recited elements- considered individually and as an ordered combination-transform the nature of the claims into a patent-eligible application of that abstract idea. PRINCIPLES OF LAW An invention is patent-eligible if it claims a "new and useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter." 35 U.S.C. § 101. However, the Supreme Court has long interpreted 35 U.S.C. § 101 to include 4 Appeal2018-004401 Application 13/623,704 implicit exceptions: "[l]aws of nature, natural phenomena, and abstract ideas" are not patentable. See, e.g., Alice Corp. v. CLS Bankint'l, 573 U.S. 208,216 (2014). In determining whether a claim falls within an excluded category, we are guided by the Supreme Court's two-step framework, described in Mayo and Alice. Id. at 217-18 ( citing Mayo Collaborative Servs. v. Prometheus Labs., Inc., 566 U.S. 66, 75-77 (2012)). In accordance with that framework, we first determine what concept the claim is "directed to." See Alice, 573 U.S. at 219 ("On their face, the claims before us are drawn to the concept of intermediated settlement, i.e., the use of a third party to mitigate settlement risk."); see also Bilski v. Kappas, 561 U.S. 593, 611 (2010) ("Claims 1 and 4 in petitioners' application explain the basic concept of hedging, or protecting against risk."). Concepts determined to be abstract ideas, and thus patent ineligible, include certain methods of organizing human activity, such as fundamental economic practices (Alice, 573 U.S. at 219-20; Bilski, 561 U.S. at 611 ); mathematical formulas (Parker v. Flook, 437 U.S. 584, 594--95 (1978)); and mental processes (Gottschalkv. Benson, 409 U.S. 63, 69 (1972)). Concepts determined to be patent eligible include physical and chemical processes, such as "molding rubber products" (Diamond v. Diehr, 450 U.S. 175, 191 (1981) ); "tanning, dyeing, making water-proof cloth, vulcanizing India rubber, smelting ores" (id. at 182 n.7 (quoting Corning v. Burden, 56 U.S. (15 How.) 252, 267---68 (1854))); and manufacturing flour (Benson, 409 U.S. at 69 (citing Cochrane v. Deener, 94 U.S. 780, 785 (1876))). In Diehr, the claim at issue recited a mathematical formula, but the Supreme Court held that "[a] claim drawn to subject matter otherwise 5 Appeal2018-004401 Application 13/623,704 statutory does not become nonstatutory simply because it uses a mathematical formula." Diehr, 450 U.S. at 187; see also id. at 192 ("We view respondents' claims as nothing more than a process for molding rubber products and not as an attempt to patent a mathematical formula."). That said, the Supreme Court also indicated that a claim "seeking patent protection for that formula in the abstract ... is not accorded the protection of our patent laws, ... and this principle cannot be circumvented by attempting to limit the use of the formula to a particular technological environment." Id. ( citing Benson and Flook); see, e.g., id. at 187 ("It is now commonplace that an application of a law of nature or mathematical formula to a known structure or process may well be deserving of patent protection."). If the claim is "directed to" an abstract idea, we tum to the second step of the Alice and Mayo framework, where "we must examine the elements of the claim to determine whether it contains an 'inventive concept' sufficient to 'transform' the claimed abstract idea into a patent- eligible application." Alice, 573 U.S. at 221 ( quotation marks and citation omitted). "A claim that recites an abstract idea must include 'additional features' to ensure 'that the [claim] is more than a drafting effort designed to monopolize the [abstract idea]."' Id. ( quoting Mayo, 566 U.S. at 77). "[M]erely requir[ing] generic computer implementation[] fail[ s] to transform that abstract idea into a patent-eligible invention." Id. In January 2019, the USPTO published revised guidance on the application of§ 101. See 2019 Revised Patent Subject Matter Eligibility Guidance, 84 Fed. Reg. 50 (Jan. 7, 2019) ("Guidance"). Under that guidance, we first look to whether the claim recites: 6 Appeal2018-004401 Application 13/623,704 ( 1) any judicial exceptions, including certain groupings of abstract ideas (i.e., mathematical concepts, certain methods of organizing human activities such as a fundamental economic practice, or mental processes); and (2) additional elements that integrate the judicial exception into a practical application (see MPEP §§ 2106.0S(a}-(c), (e}-(h) (9th ed. Rev. 08.2017, Jan. 2018)). Only if a claim (1) recites a judicial exception, and (2) does not integrate that exception into a practical application, do we then look to whether the claim: (3) adds a specific limitation beyond the judicial exception that is not well-understood, routine, and conventional in the field (see MPEP § 2106.0S(d)); or ( 4) simply appends well-understood, routine, and conventional activities previously known to the industry, specified at a high level of generality, to the judicial exception. See Guidance, 84 Fed. Reg. at 56. ANALYSIS Claims 1-3 and 11-13: Alice/Mayo Step One Illustrative independent claim 11 recites: A method for allocating a resource comprising the steps of creating service based certificates to be sold; associating the service based certificates with an available resource; storing in a database the service based certificates associated with the available resource; selling the service based certificates to end users to achieve purchased service based certificates and noting the sales in the database; 7 Appeal2018-004401 Application 13/623,704 maintaining an exchange rate for exchanging the purchased service based certificates for the available resource; locking in an enforceable exchange rate for each of the purchased service based certificates at a time of sale; updating the exchange rate in response to changes in the availability of the resource over time; and displaying the updated exchange rate on a display. 4 As the Specification explains, a service based certificate (SBC) is a currency valued in relation to a resource. See Spec. ,r 24. We emphasize "service based" here because an SBC is an alternative currency that is not fiat-based or tied to a commodity, but rather based on service, or labor. See Abstract (disclosing an SBC is not fiat-based or tied to a commodity); Spec. ,r 16 (disclosing an SBC is a "non-money" product), ,r 30 (disclosing an SBC's unit of use, such as an "Hour" defined as "an hour of computer usage on a base or standardized computer"). In one embodiment, the resource is computing power and, as such, the SBC's value is altered based on computing power over time. See Spec. ,r,r 16, 23, 28-30; Fig. 1. An exchange database maintains an exchange rate usable to convert the SBC into the resource for backing the SBC. See Spec. ,r,r 16, 19, 45; Fig. 2. Because the SBC has a value, a user may purchase the certificate for future use on a computing system or as a potential investment to sell later. See Spec. ,r 29. Turning to illustrative claim 11, we first note that the claim recites a method and, therefore, falls within the process category of § 101. But despite falling within this statutory category, we must still determine 4 Unless otherwise indicated, we italicize or quote text associated with various recited limitations for emphasis and clarity. 8 Appeal2018-004401 Application 13/623,704 whether the claim is directed to a judicial exception, namely an abstract idea. See Alice, 573 U.S. at 217. To this end, we must determine whether the claim (1) recites a judicial exception, and (2) fails to integrate the exception into a practical application. See Guidance, 84 Fed. Reg. at 52-55. If both elements are satisfied, the claim is directed to a judicial exception under the first step of the Alice/Mayo test. See id. In the rejection, the Examiner determines that claim 11 is directed to an abstract idea, namely creating a contractual relationship, which is said to be a method of organizing human activity. Ans. 7. To determine whether a claim recites an abstract idea, we ( 1) identify the claim's specific limitations that recite an abstract idea, and (2) determine whether the identified limitations fall within certain subject matter groupings, namely, (a) mathematical concepts; 5 (b) certain methods of organizing human activity; 6 or ( c) mental processes. 7 Here, apart from the recited (1) "database," and (2) "display," all of claim 11 's recited steps, which collectively are directed to valuing an SBC in 5 Mathematical concepts include mathematical relationships, mathematical formulas or equations, and mathematical calculations. See Guidance, 84 Fed. Reg. at 52. 6 Certain methods of organizing human activity include 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). See Guidance, 84 Fed. Reg. at 52. 7 Mental processes are concepts performed in the human mind including an observation, evaluation, judgment, or opinion. See Guidance, 84 Fed. Reg. at 52. 9 Appeal2018-004401 Application 13/623,704 relation to a resource using an exchange rate, fit squarely within at least one of the above categories of the agency's guidelines. First, the step reciting "creating service based certificates to be sold'' organizes human activity, at least to the extent that it involves a fundamental economic practice, namely, marketing or sales activities that create SBCs to be sold (e.g., selling labor notes, or agreements, to perform labor within a specified period of time). Cf MIT DICTIONARY OF MODERN ECONOMICS 23 8 ( 4th ed. 1996) ( defining "labour theory of value" as being "the determination of relative prices on the basis of quantities of labour ... embodied in goods ... [P]rices would be proportional to quantities of embodied labour in goods."); Alice, 573 U.S. at 219 (holding ineligible a claim reciting a transaction resulting in an exchange obligation); Bilski, 561 U.S. at 611 (holding ineligible a claim reciting initiating of a series of transactions); buySAFE, Inc. v. Google, Inc., 765 F.3d 1350, 1353-54 (Fed. Cir. 2014) ( determining that claims directed to "contractual relations" constituted a fundamental economic practice long prevalent in our system of commerce). Therefore, the SBC creation function falls squarely within the certain methods of organizing human activity category of the agency's guidelines and, therefore, recites an abstract idea. See Guidance, 84 Fed. Reg. at 52 (listing exemplary methods of organizing human activity, including commercial, legal, and personal interactions, fundamental economic principles, and following rules or instructions). Second, the step reciting "associating the service based certificates with an available resource" merely recites a function that could be done entirely mentally by merely thinking about, or writing down, such an association between the SBCs and a resource-a step that can involve mere 10 Appeal2018-004401 Application 13/623,704 observation and logical reasoning. Cf CyberSource Corp. v. Retail Decisions, Inc., 654 F.3d 1366, 1372-73 (Fed. Cir. 2011) (noting that a recited step that utilized a map of credit card numbers to determine the validity of a credit card transaction could be performed entirely mentally by merely using logical reasoning to identify a likely instance of fraud by merely observing that numerous transactions using different credit cards all originated from the same IP address). Moreover, the association function involves organizing human activity, at least to the extent that it involves a fundamental economic practice; namely this step is part of the process for marketing or selling the above-noted SBCs ( e.g., associating a labor note with a specified number of labor hours). Therefore, the recited associating step falls squarely within the mental processes and certain methods of organizing human activity categories of the agency's guidelines and, therefore, recites an abstract idea. See Guidance, 84 Fed. Reg. at 52. Third, the step reciting "storing ... the service based certificates associated with the available resource" organizes human activity, at least to the extent that it involves a fundamental economic practice; namely, this step is part of the process for marketing or selling SBCs as noted above. Therefore, the recited storing step falls squarely within the certain methods of organizing human activity category of the agency's guidelines and, therefore, recites an abstract idea. See Guidance, 84 Fed. Reg. at 52. Fourth, the step reciting "selling the service based certificates to end users to achieve purchased service based certificates and noting the sales ... "organizes human activity, at least to the extent that it involves a fundamental economic practice, namely marketing or sales activities as noted above ( e.g., selling the labor note to perform labor within a specified 11 Appeal2018-004401 Application 13/623,704 period of time and recording the sale). Therefore, the recited selling step falls squarely within the certain methods of organizing human activity category of the agency's guidelines and, therefore, recites an abstract idea. See Guidance, 84 Fed. Reg. at 52. Fifth, the step reciting "maintaining an exchange rate for exchanging the purchased service based certificates for the available resource" merely recites a function that could be done entirely mentally by merely thinking about the exchange rate for the exchanging or writing it down-a step that can involve mere observation and logical reasoning. Cf CyberSource, 654 F.3d at 1372-73. Moreover, the exchange rate function is part of the process of marketing or selling SBCs as noted above ( e.g., providing an exchange and its associated exchange rate for exchanging labor notes to perform labor within a first specified period of time with labor notes to perform labor within a second specified period of time). In addition, this maintained exchange rate involves at least mathematical relationships or formulas, particularly because a maintained exchange rate can constitute a ratio at which SBCs and a resource may be exchanged that does not change over time. Cf MERRIAM-WEBSTER'S COLLEGIATE DICTIONARY 404 (10th ed. 1993) (defining an "exchange rate" as being "the ratio at which the principal unit of two currencies may be traded"); see also In re Grams, 888 F .2d 835, 837 n.1 (Fed. Cir. 1989) ("Words used in a claim operating on data to solve a problem can serve the same purpose as a formula."); see also Elec. Power Grp., LLC v. Alstom S.A., 830 F.3d 1350, 1354 (Fed. Cir. 2016) (noting that analyzing information by steps people go through in their minds, or by mathematical algorithms, without more, are essentially mental processes within the 12 Appeal2018-004401 Application 13/623,704 abstract idea category). Therefore, the recited maintaining step falls squarely within the mental processes, certain methods of organizing human activity, and mathematical concepts categories of the agency's guidelines and, therefore, recites an abstract idea. See Guidance, 84 Fed. Reg. at 52. Sixth, the step reciting "locking in an enforceable exchange rate for each of the purchased service based certificates at a time of sale" merely recites a function that could be done entirely mentally by merely thinking about a locked exchange rate when an SBC is sold or writing this rate down-a step that can involve mere logical reasoning. Cf CyberSource, 654 F.3d at 1372-73. Moreover, the exchange rate function organizes human activity, at least to the extent that it involves a fundamental economic practice; namely, this step is part of the process for marketing or selling SBCs as noted above (e.g., locking in an exchange rate for exchanging labor notes to perform labor within a first specified period of time with labor notes to perform labor within a second specified period of time). Therefore, the recited locking step falls squarely within the mental processes and certain methods of organizing human activity categories of the agency's guidelines and, therefore, recites an abstract idea. See Guidance, 84 Fed. Reg. at 52. Seventh, the step reciting "updating the exchange rate in response to changes in the availability of the resource over time" merely recites a function that could be done entirely mentally by merely thinking about updating the exchange rate or writing down the updated exchange rate-a step that can involve mere logical reasoning. Cf CyberSource, 654 F .3d at 1372-73. Moreover, the updating function organizes human activity, at least to the extent that it involves a fundamental economic practice; namely, this step is part of the process for marketing or selling SBCs as noted above ( e.g., 13 Appeal2018-004401 Application 13/623,704 updating the exchange rate in response to availability of labor over time). In addition, this updated exchange rate involves at least mathematical relationships or formulas, particularly because the updated exchange rate can reflect a ratio responsive to changes in resource availability over time. See MERRIAM-WEBSTER'S COLLEGIATE DICTIONARY 404 (10th ed. 1993) ( defining an "exchange rate" as being "the ratio at which the principal unit of two currencies may be traded"). Therefore, the recited updating step falls squarely within the mental processes, certain methods of organizing human activity, and mathematical concepts categories of the agency's guidelines and, therefore, recites an abstract idea. See Guidance, 84 Fed. Reg. at 52. Lastly, the step reciting "displaying the updated exchange rate ... " recites a function that could be done by writing down the updated exchange rate or communicating it to another in writing. Cf CyberSource, 654 F.3d at 13 72-73. Therefore, the recited displaying step falls squarely within the mental processes and certain methods of organizing human activity categories of the agency's guidelines and, therefore, recites an abstract idea. See Guidance, 84 Fed. Reg. at 52. Although the claim recites an abstract idea based on these methods of organizing human activity, mental processes, and mathematical concepts, we nevertheless must still determine whether the abstract idea is integrated into a practical application, namely whether the claim applies, relies on, or uses the abstract idea in a manner that imposes a meaningful limit on the abstract idea, such that the claim is more than a drafting effort designed to monopolize the abstract idea. See Guidance, 84 Fed. Reg. at 54--55. To this end, we (1) identify whether there are any additional recited elements beyond the abstract idea, and (2) evaluate those elements individually and 14 Appeal2018-004401 Application 13/623,704 collectively to determine whether they integrate the exception into a practical application. See id. Here, the recited (1) "database" and (2) "display" are the only recited elements beyond the abstract idea, but those additional elements do not integrate the abstract idea into a practical application when reading claim 11 as a whole. First, we are not persuaded by Appellant's arguments (App. Br. 13- 15), that the claimed invention improves the computer or its components' functionality or efficiency, or otherwise changes the way those devices function, at least in the sense contemplated by the Federal Circuit in Enfzsh. The claimed self-referential table in Enfish was a specific type of data structure designed to improve the way a computer stores and retrieves data in memory. Enfzsh, 822 F.3d at 1339. To the extent Appellant contends that the claimed invention uses such a data structure to improve a computer's functionality or efficiency, or otherwise change the way that device functions (see App. Br. 13-15), there is no persuasive evidence on this record to substantiate such a contention. Unlike Enfzsh's claimed invention, Appellant's claim 11 does not specify any particular type of comparable self-referential table, but rather merely recites a database populated with SBCs associated with the available resource. In short, the recited database can be nothing more than a standard database, such as that shown in Appellant's Figure 2. The court's decision in TL! Communications is particularly relevant here. There, the court held ineligible a claim reciting a method for recording and administering digital images, comprising the steps of: recording images using a digital pick up unit in a telephone unit, storing the images recorded 15 Appeal2018-004401 Application 13/623,704 by the digital pick up unit in a digital form as digital images, transmitting data including at least the digital images and classification information to a server, wherein the user prescribes the classification information for allocation to the digital images, receiving the data by the server, extracting classification information which characterizes the digital images from the received data, and storing the digital images in the server, said step of storing taking into consideration the classification information. TL! Commc'ns, 823 F.3d at 610. That is the case here. To the extent Appellant contends that the claims at issue here are eligible because they differ from those in TL! Communications (see App. Br. 14--15), we find such an argument unavailing. In reaching its ineligibility conclusion, the court in TL! Communications held that the focus of the claims was not on an improved server because the server is described in terms of performing generic computer functions such as storing data. TL! Commc 'ns, 823 F.3d at 612. The court emphasized the claims were not directed to a solution to a "technological problem" as was the case in Diehr. Id. This holding only underscores that claim 11 's additional element, namely the database, does not integrate the abstract idea into a practical application. See Guidance, 84 Fed. Reg. at 54--55. Appellant's reliance on Diehr is likewise unavailing. See App. Br. 12-13. In Diehr, "[t]he claimed invention [was] a process for molding raw, uncured synthetic rubber into cured precision products." Diehr, 450 U.S. at 177. The claimed process in Diehr "us[ed] well-known time, temperature, and cure relationships to calculate[,] by means of the Arrhenius equation[,] when to open the press and remove the cured product." Id. at 177-78. The 16 Appeal2018-004401 Application 13/623,704 Court noted that the "claims involve the transformation of an article, in this case raw, uncured synthetic rubber, into a different state or thing." Id. at 184. Here, there are no similar steps. Despite Appellant's arguments to the contrary (App. Br. 12-13), the recited input of data to a database and performance of calculations does not improve an existing technological process, as in Diehr. See Alice, 573 U.S. at 223. Lastly, we find unavailing Appellant's reliance on the Board's non- precedential decision, Ex parte Schmid, Appeal No. 2012-002155 (PTAB Dec. 26, 2014). App. Br. 11. Schmid is a non-precedential decision of the Board and, therefore, is not binding. See PT AB Standard Operating Procedure 2, Rev. 10 § I, at 3 (noting that "[ e ]very decision other than a precedential decision by the Precedential Opinion Panel is, by default, a routine decision. A routine decision is binding in the case in which it is made, even if it is not designated as precedential or informative, but it is not otherwise binding authority."). 8 Therefore, we do not find that claim 11 recites additional elements improving (1) the computer itself, or (2) another technology or technical field. See Guidance, 84 Fed. Reg. at 55 (citing MPEP § 2106.05(a)). Rather, the above-noted additional elements merely (1) apply the abstract idea on a computer; (2) include instructions to implement the abstract idea on a computer; or (3) use the computer as a tool to perform the abstract idea. See Guidance, 84 Fed. Reg. at 55 (citing MPEP § 2106.05(±)). Cf Ultramercial, Inc. v. Hulu, LLC, 772 F.3d 709, 712-17 (Fed. Cir. 2014) 8 This document is available at https://www.uspto.gov/sites/default/files/documents/SOP2%20R10%20FIN AL.pdf (last accessed Apr. 18, 2019). 17 Appeal2018-004401 Application 13/623,704 (holding ineligible method for distributing products over the Internet via a facilitator as directed to the abstract idea of showing an advertisement before delivering free content). We add that the limitations reciting ( 1) "creating service based certificates to be sold" and (2) "storing ... the service based certificates associated with the available resource" not only organize human activity, are mental processes, and use generic computing components to perform the abstract idea as noted above, but these receiving functions are also insignificant pre-solution activity that merely gather data and, therefore, do not integrate the exception into a practical application for that additional reason. See In re Bilski, 545 F.3d 943, 963 (Fed. Cir. 2008) (en bane), aff'd on other grounds, 561 U.S. 593 (2010) (characterizing data gathering steps as insignificant extra-solution activity); see also CyberSource, 654 F.3d at 1371-72 (noting that even if some physical steps are required to obtain information from a database ( e.g., entering a query via a keyboard, clicking a mouse), such data-gathering steps cannot alone confer patentability); accord Guidance, 84 Fed. Reg. at 55 (citing MPEP § 2106.05(g)). In addition, the recited "displaying the updated exchange rate" is insignificant post-solution activity that merely outputs the results of the calculation. See Flook, 437 U.S. at 590 (insignificant post-solution activity held insufficient to impart patentability); see also CyberSource, 654 F.3d at 1371 (discussing Flook); accord Guidance, 84 Fed. Reg. at 55 (citing MPEP § 2106.05(g)). In conclusion, although the recited functions may be beneficial for valuing an SBC in relation to a resource using an exchange rate, a claim for a useful or beneficial abstract idea is still an abstract idea. See Ariosa 18 Appeal2018-004401 Application 13/623,704 Diagnostics, Inc. v. Sequenom, Inc., 788 F.3d 1371, 1379-80 (Fed. Cir. 2015). We, therefore, agree with the Examiner that claim 11 is directed to an abstract idea. Claims 1-3 and 11-13: Alice/Mayo Step Two Turning to Alice/Mayo step two, claim 11 's additional recited elements, namely the recited (1) "database" and (2) "display"----considered individually and as an ordered combination----do not provide an inventive concept such that these additional elements amount to significantly more than the abstract idea. See Alice, 573 U.S. at 221; see also Guidance, 84 Fed. Reg. at 56. As noted above, the claimed invention merely uses generic computing components to implement the recited abstract idea. The recited (1) "database" and (2) "display" are the additional recited elements whose generic computing functionality is well-understood, routine, and conventional. See Intellectual Ventures I LLC v. Capital One Bank (USA), 792 F.3d 1363, 1368 (noting that a recited user profile (i.e., a profile keyed to a user identity), database, and communication medium are generic computer elements); Mortg. Grader Inc. v. First Choice Loan Servs., Inc., 811 F.3d 1314, 1324--25 (Fed. Cir. 2016) (noting that components such as an "interface," "network," and "database" are generic computer components that do not satisfy the inventive concept requirement); Prism Techs. LLC v. T-Mobile USA, Inc., 696 F. App'x 1014, 1016-18 (Fed. Cir. 2017) (unpublished) (noting that recited "identity data," such as a hardware identifier, associated with a client computer device is a conventional generic computer component implementation); buySAFE, 765 F.3d at 1355 ("That a 19 Appeal2018-004401 Application 13/623,704 computer receives and sends the information over a network-with no further specification-is not even arguably inventive."); see also Spec. ,r,r 44--48; Fig. 2. We reach a similar conclusion regarding the recited insignificant extra-solution activity, namely (1) "creating service based certificates to be sold"; (2) "storing ... the service based certificates associated with the available resource"; and (3) "displaying the updated exchange rate . ... " That ( 1) the SBCs are created and stored in association with an available resource; and (2) the updated exchange rate is displayed does not mean that these steps are performed in an unconventional way to add significantly more than the abstract idea and provide an inventive concept under Alice/Mayo step two. See Guidance, 84 Fed. Reg. at 56. Given these limitations' (1) high level of generality, and (2) use of generic computing components whose functionality is well-understood, routine, and conventional for the reasons noted previously, the recited extra-solution activity does not add significantly more than the abstract idea to provide an inventive concept under Alice/Mayo step two. In conclusion, the additional recited elements----considered individually and as an ordered combination----do not add significantly more than the abstract idea to provide an inventive concept under Alice/Mayo step two. See Alice, 573 U.S. at 221; see also Guidance, 84 Fed. Reg. at 56. Therefore, we are not persuaded that the Examiner erred in rejecting claim 11, and claims 1-3, 12, and 13 not argued separately with particularity. 20 Appeal2018-004401 Application 13/623,704 Claims 4-10 and 14-20: Alice/Mayo Step One Illustrative independent claim 4 recites: A service based certificate system comprising: a first source for creating service based certificates wherein the service based certificates have a changing value based on the availability of a computer resource; a first storage medium for electronically storing the service based certificates created by the first source; a second source for acquiring service based certificates at a known value from the first source to create acquired service based certificates; a second storage medium for electronically storing the acquired service based certificates, wherein the acquired service based certificates are economic notes that are valued in relation to the computer resource that increases over time as a function of perceived improvements made in computer technology; and a processor for calculating the changing value of the service based certificates based on the availability of the computer resource at a given time. Independent claim 4 recites limitations similar to those in claim 11, but adds "service based certification system"; ''first source"; "service based certificates have a changing value based on the availability of a ... resource"; ''first storage medium"; "electronically storing"; "second source"; "acquiring service based certificates at a known value . .. to create acquired service based certificates"; "second storage medium"; "the acquired service based certificates are economic notes that are valued in relation to the computer resource that increases over time as a function of perceived improvements made in computer technology"; ''processor"; and "calculating the changing value of the service based certificates based on the availability of the computer resource at a given time." 21 Appeal2018-004401 Application 13/623,704 We first note that claim 4 recites a service based certification system and, therefore, falls within the apparatus category of § 101. See Guidance, 84 Fed. Reg. at 53-54 (citing MPEP §§ 2106.03, 2106.06). Here, apart from the recited ''first source"; ''first storage medium"; "electronically"· "second source"· "second storage medium"· and ' ' ' ''processor", all of claim 4's recited functions, which collectively are directed to valuing an SBC in relation to a resource using an exchange rate, fit squarely within at least one of the above categories of the agency's guidelines. First, the recited function for "creating service based certificates have a changing value based on the availability of a computer resource" is similar to the SBC creation function of claim 11 and adds the SBCs have a changing value based on computer resource availability. The SBC creation function of claim 4 similarly organizes human activity, at least to the extent that it involves a fundamental economic practice; namely, this step is part of the process for marketing or selling SBCs as noted above. That a labor note changes value based on availability of computer labor, or "computer power,"9 is of no consequence here, for the Supreme Court has rejected the notion that "'implement[ing] a principle in some specific fashion' will 'automatically fal[l] within the patentable subject matter of§ 101. "' Alice, 573 U.S. at 222 (quoting Flook, 437 U.S. at 593) (alterations in original). "[I]f a patent's recitation of a computer amounts to a mere instruction to 'implemen[t]' an abstract idea 'on ... a computer,' that addition cannot impart patent eligibility." Id. ( quoting Mayo, 566 U.S. at 84) (alterations in 9 See MICROSOFT COMPUTER DICTIONARY 120 ( defining "computer power" as "[t]he ability of a computer to perform work.") (5th ed. 2002). 22 Appeal2018-004401 Application 13/623,704 original) ( citation omitted). Therefore, the recited changing value function falls squarely within the certain methods of organizing human activity category of the agency's guidelines and, therefore, recites an abstract idea. See Guidance, 84 Fed. Reg. at 52. Second, "acquiring service based certificates at a known value . .. to create acquired service based certificates" merely recites functions involving personal and commercial interactions, including communicating or following rules or instructions, at least to the extent that a person could acquire such SBCs via face-to-face, oral, or written communication with another person, such as banker or other financial professional. Cf CyberSource, 654 F.3d at 1372. Moreover, the acquiring function also organizes human activity, at least to the extent that it involves a fundamental economic practice; namely, this step is part of the process for marketing or selling SBCs as noted above (e.g., acquiring labor notes based on computer power). Therefore, the recited acquiring function falls squarely within the certain methods of organizing human activity category of the agency's guidelines and, therefore, recites an abstract idea. See Guidance, 84 Fed. Reg. at 52. Third, "storing the acquired service based certificates are economic notes that are valued in relation to the computer resource that increases over time as a function of perceived improvements made in computer technology" recites a function that organizes human activity, at least to the extent that it involves a fundamental economic practice; namely, this step is part of the process of marketing or selling SBCs as noted above (e.g., valuing stored labor notes in relation to computer power). Also, "Intel cofounder Gorden Moore ... predicted that chip capacity would double 23 Appeal2018-004401 Application 13/623,704 every two years, and capacity has actually doubled every 18 months since then." MICROSOFT COMPUTER DICTIONARY 347 (defining "Moore's Law"). Because computing power doubles in eighteen months under Moore's Law, then computer power would be at least a function of perceived improvements in computer technology, namely that computer power is expected to double in eighteen months. Therefore, the recited storing function falls squarely within the certain methods of organizing human activity category of the agency's guidelines and, therefore, recites an abstract idea. See Guidance, 84 Fed. Reg. at 52. Lastly, "calculating the changing value of the service based certificates based on the availability of the computer resource at a given time" merely recites a function that could be done entirely mentally by merely thinking about the changing value based on computer resource availability-a function that can involve mere logical reasoning. Cf CyberSource, 654 F.3d at 1372-73. Moreover, the updating function organizes human activity, at least to the extent that it involves a fundamental economic practice; namely, this function is part of the process for marketing or selling SBCs as noted above. In addition, this changing value of the SBCs involves at least mathematical relationships or formulas, particularly given it is calculated based on availability of the computer resource at the given time. Cf Bancorp Servs., LLC v. Sun Life Assurance Co., 687 F.3d 1266, 1271, 1278 (Fed. Cir. 2012) (holding ineligible claim reciting (1) calculating fees for members of a management group; (2) calculating credits for a stable value protected investment; and (3) calculating a policy value and a policy unit value); Coffelt v. NVIDIA Corp., 680 F. App'x 1010, 1011 (Fed. Cir. 2017) (unpublished) (holding ineligible claim reciting calculating 24 Appeal2018-004401 Application 13/623,704 a steradian region of space as nothing more than a mathematical algorithm that could be implemented using pen and paper). Therefore, the recited calculating function falls squarely within the mental processes, certain methods of organizing human activity, and mathematical concepts categories of the agency's guidelines and, therefore, recites an abstract idea. See Guidance, 84 Fed. Reg. at 52. Here, the recited "service based certification system"; ''first source"; ''first storage medium"; "electronically"; "second source"; "second storage medium" and ''processor" are the only recited elements beyond the abstract idea. For reasons similar to those discussed above concerning claim 11, the additional elements do not integrate the abstract idea into a practical application when reading claim 4 as a whole. Therefore, we do not find that the claim recites additional elements improving ( 1) the computer itself, or (2) another technology or technical field. See Guidance, 84 Fed. Reg. at 55 (citing MPEP § 2106.05(a)). Rather, the above-noted additional elements merely (1) apply the abstract idea on a computer; (2) include instructions to implement the abstract idea on a computer; or (3) use the computer as a tool to perform the abstract idea. See Guidance, 84 Fed. Reg. at 55 (citing MPEP § 2106.05(±)). Cf Ultramercial, 772 F.3d at 712-17. We add that the limitations reciting ( 1) "a first source for creating service based certificates wherein the service based certificates have a changing value based on the availability of a computer resource" and (2) "a first storage medium for electronically storing the service based certificates created by the first source" not only are mental processes, organize human activity, and use generic computing components to perform the abstract idea as noted above, but these receiving functions are also insignificant pre- 25 Appeal2018-004401 Application 13/623,704 solution activity that merely gather data and, therefore, do not integrate the exception into a practical application for that additional reason. See Bilski, 545 F.3d at 963, aff'd on other grounds, 561 U.S. 593 (2010); see also CyberSource, 654 F.3d at 1371-72; accord Guidance, 84 Fed. Reg. at 55 (citing MPEP § 2106.05(g)). In conclusion, although the recited functions may be beneficial for valuing an SBC in relation to a resource using an exchange rate, a claim for a useful or beneficial abstract idea is still an abstract idea. See Ariosa, 788 F.3d at 1379-80. We, therefore, agree with the Examiner that claim 4 is directed to an abstract idea. Claims 4-10 and 14-20: Alice/Mayo Step Two Turning to Alice/Mayo step two, claim 4' s additional elements, namely the recited "service based certification system"; ''first source"; ''first storage medium"; "electronically"; "second source"; "second storage medium"; and ''processor"----considered individually and as an ordered combination----do not provide an inventive concept such that these additional elements amount to significantly more than the abstract idea. See Alice, 573 U.S. at 221; see also Guidance, 84 Fed. Reg. at 56. As noted above, the claimed invention merely uses generic computing components to implement the recited abstract idea. To the extent that Appellant contends that the recited functions of the claimed sources, storage media, and processor provide an inventive concept under Alice/Mayo step two (see Reply Br. 6-7), these limitations are not additional elements beyond the abstract idea, but rather are directed to the 26 Appeal2018-004401 Application 13/623,704 abstract idea as noted previously. See Guidance, 84 Fed. Reg. at 56 (instructing that additional recited elements should be evaluated in Alice/Mayo step two to determine whether they (1) add specific limitations that are not well-understood, routine, and conventional in the field, or (2) simply append well-understood, routine, and conventional activities previously known to the industry (citing MPEP § 2106.05(d)). Rather, the recited ''first source"; ''first storage medium"; "electronically"· "second source"· "second storage medium"· and ' ' ' ''processor" are the additional elements whose generic computing functionality is well-understood, routine, and conventional. See Intellectual Ventures, 792 F.3d at 1368; Mortg. Grader, 811 F.3d at 1324--25; Prism Techs., 696 F. App'x at 1016-18; buySAFE, 765 F.3d at 1355; see also Spec. ,r,r 44--48; Fig. 2; accord Ans. 6, 8, 10 (noting recited generic computing components). We reach a similar conclusion regarding the recited insignificant extra-solution activity, namely (1) "a first source for creating service based certificates wherein the service based certificates have a changing value based on the availability of a computer resource" and (2) "a first storage medium for electronically storing the service based certificates created by the first source." That the SBCs are (1) created using a first source; and (2) stored on a first storage medium does not mean that these functions are performed in an unconventional way to add significantly more than the abstract idea and provide an inventive concept under Alice/Mayo step two. See Guidance, 84 Fed. Reg. at 56. Given these limitations' (1) high level of generality, and (2) use of generic computing components whose functionality is well- 27 Appeal2018-004401 Application 13/623,704 understood, routine, and conventional for the reasons noted previously, the recited extra-solution activity does not add significantly more than the abstract idea to provide an inventive concept under Alice/Mayo step two. In conclusion, the additional recited elements----considered individually and as an ordered combination----do not add significantly more than the abstract idea to provide an inventive concept under Alice/Mayo step two. See Alice, 573 U.S. at 221; see also Guidance, 84 Fed. Reg. at 56. Therefore, we are not persuaded that the Examiner erred in rejecting claim 4, and claims 5-10 and 14--20 not argued separately with particularity. CONCLUSION The Examiner did not err in rejecting claims 1-20 under 35 U.S.C. § 101. DECISION 10 The Examiner's decision to reject claims 1-20 is affirmed. 10 We note claim 4 recites a "first source" and a "second source," which appear to be simply nonce words or "non-structural generic placeholders" that are tantamount to the term "means" because they fail to connote sufficiently definite structure. These nonce words may invoke 35 U.S.C. § 112, sixth paragraph. See Williamson v. Citrix Online, LLC, 792 F.3d 1339, 1349 (Fed. Cir. 2015); see also MPEP § 2181(1) (citing Ex parte Rodriguez, 92 USPQ2d 1395, 1404 (BPAI 2009) (precedential)); Examining Computer-Implemented Functional Claim Limitations for Compliance with 35 U.S.C. 112, 84 Fed. Reg. 57 (Jan. 7, 2019). Relatedly, general purpose processors, such as claim 4' s "processor," recited solely in functional terms may invoke 35 U.S.C. § 112, sixth paragraph. See Aristocrat Techs. Aust!. Pty v. Int'! Game Tech., 521 F.3d 1328, 1333 (Fed. Cir. 2008). Notably, expanded panels of this Board have held that the term "processor" is "a 28 Appeal2018-004401 Application 13/623,704 No time period for taking any subsequent action in connection with this appeal may be extended under 37 C.F.R. § 1.136(a)(l ). See 37 C.F.R. § 1.136(a)(l )(iv). AFFIRMED general purpose computer, a central processing unit ('CPU'), or a program that translates another program into a form acceptable by the computer being used." Ex parte Lakkala, No. 2011-001526 (PTAB Mar. 13, 2013) (informative); see Ex parte Ero!, No. 2011-001143 (PTAB Mar. 13, 2013) (informative); Ex parte Smith, No. 2012-007631 (PTAB Mar. 14, 2013) (informative). The Examiner did not articulate a construction under 35 U.S.C. § 112, sixth paragraph, and we will not speculate in that regard here in the first instance on appeal. We leave this question to the Examiner. Should the Examiner determine the claims invoke 35 U.S.C. § 112, sixth paragraph, the Examiner should review the Specification for supporting structure ( e.g., an algorithm) to perform the specified functions of the first source, second source, and processor sufficient to render the claims definite and enabled for their full scope under 35 U.S.C. § 112. See Aristocrat, 521 F.3d at 1333; see also Finisar Corp. v. The DirecTV Group, Inc., 523 F.3d 1323, 1340 (Fed. Cir. 2008). 29 Application/Control No. Applicant(s)/Patent Under Patent Appeal No. 13/623,704 2018-004401 Notice of References Cited Examiner Art Unit Page 1 of 1 3691 U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS * Document Number Date Name Classification Country Code-Number-Kind Code MM-YYYY A US- B US- C US- D US- E US- F US- G US- H US- I US- J US- K US- L US- M US- FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS * Document Number Date Country Name Classification Country Code-Number-Kind Code MM-YYYY N 0 p Q R s T NON-PATENT DOCUMENTS * Include as applicable: Author, Title Date, Publisher, Edition or Volume, Pertinent Pages) Merriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary 404, 101h ed. 1993. u MICROSOFT COMPUTER DICTIONARY 120 ( defining "computer power" as "[ t ]he ability of a computer to V perform work.") (5th ed. 2002). MIT DICTIONARY OF MODERN ECONOMICS 238 ( 4th ed. 1996). w X *A copy of this reference 1s not being furnished with this Office action. (See MPEP § 707.05(a).) Dates in MM-YYYY format are publication dates. 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J{ diff::r:?. fa,i;)n1 a us:~"r n.,an1e- in th~t th-t: <:·nntputc-r n~trnc h. u.:'!>'.~d ~mput;:·r w p::rfr,n-n \~··nrk. lf defin.-cd ~1:s ·th.;:~ ntunht:r nf i:n~:t~·tj::.:tion:,; thi.-: n1a(:h~rn .. ~ can r~irry nu:~ in R gh,·tn thTk\. ::.::ornput~r p-cn.:\~T i~ n1fa.:s.urc:d in rnilfo:irn; of in,-tn.i-:tkins per ,-;;;',.xm per ,t:.,~ond (i\1FLOPS). }\:ow· .. :.r i~ ine.a:'5.t.:rn::.:.~d~; ~)f ohjectfv~~ .of t-b::.:.: p~r:~~Jn ;..:\-'~duaJ~n:g th~ nn~c=hin¢, 11-~·f ~, . .u .. :;T~ or pur;.:hd?~rt; {)f L':-:).fl1p:nters.~ po::.¥t~:r 3:-; o.ft~r1: -l>.":,:-nsidf::'.n~-:d h~ fa--.:.rfns .::~f t:he- rn.a-chi.n.,:;:~:~ arnnunt of randorn ;,,K·t:\::\"S-S H1~:n1uty (Ri\\:1). the :~p.;;::..-;.":cl at ,;,.i:.,hi~'=h th:1::: proct~$~(H" v{<;1rks .. or fh'i:': nurnht~t nf b~ts {0-. ~ 6.~ 32. and ~) on) h;1udled h~t tht: con1-- p:nt,~r a.~ ~3ni.: tin1i::.':.- ()thr:r :th,.:tor~;. t\n:tei ttr{e s1Jt...'=h ~-sn ~"'i{aiu.a-· ti:[.Xi.; .b.f)\~'ev:.:..'.t\ f'i.V~) of the :rnos:i isnpntt:sn1 .i;ir:t::.: .hi:.}~-'/ ".iveH ~tie i:..X~~np·ont;nt\ nf fh{: cornpalf't ·v..:·ns:1 tegtJht::r and h:D\\: ~..,.,~u tht:y .art': :fl3';_~ti.~hf:d tn :t.ht~: tH~-ils J-eq1;1{r(•d of tht.: ... rn .. _Fo:r t~x~un- p! ~\ :no :rn.att::-r .h o\i;.: fa~~ (ff {~)i;,.verft..d th.t· s.::..:>n1put~i\ i.t:-i 2~{,."'l(:-ed \--;··8U be h~Hr11-x:reSO!:;iatkm n. A trn,:k orgunsl,ati{m of }.)urn~Ll~~bi~ brn~~x.k;as{(!"f~~ ~~nd au{ht1-r\ ~,··h-c• ':.:'i.:-r{:t{! o:r n.:.":j)t:,rt ~:tix:•t~t cn~npuH .. '::r, tt·l.:hnolng_y and th<..: f.."Off3ptrt~:r in-du::~H)', Computfo!r Pmf-es?;;h:ina!s fc.~r Sod.~! Re~po,msihinty i::, s.~,, CPSR. 120 cornputer progr:atn .N. ;.\ s.::-·:t ~:d in:~truci~Dns in 8·>,)n1~. ~;on1- fHJ.H::r htngu; .. 1.gc int:en~Jf:d t,t:-i bt:~ r:xD:::tac~i on a .:::-·t.),n1fHJt'l0f so a~: t-:) P,-t"::~f()tfB: ~fH1:"'~~ t~~~k. ··rhe. tetrn Usu.ally ~nlphi:t) a -~>.:Jf- corrtairK:d enli~)\. ii$ c:~pp'J'.>~ecl to « rn-tnint': or a ~ih-rar).: . .._,;,,,:-t.:-.e aL~,:~ i::c:qnp.t~fc:.:r .h:~ngu;;cgx:. c·.'J'!npat·.;.--. hbr2u·y fd-t":fin.ition 1). r.;;)utSn~~ .. monochtfflne dis,ph:1y n. LA vsd~'D dispby ,:,apabk of n::nderSng .::~n.ty c~n"-.: (:{:il:or: Tl~~ l::6fnr dE:.;p{ayt~:d. d(~p:t'=nd~; on th-c- phos.ph0:r -of the Jispkt3--· (often gre;tn or a:fftbt.:r\ ~. i\ di&play (:{~p:;;:1.bk:: of rt~nt..k:ring ~:i r.ange c~f int~.r1:~it~e\ in onJy one i...:nlfff. as ~n a gray-~c~d.::.": n1onjtrff. Monochron~ Display Adapter n. Se,· MDA. monochrome gtaphics ad.a:pter H. S,,e HGC. rmmochrotne mllnitor 1<. .. )\:·E mnnnchrnm~ ;,_fr;pby. ltlOl'lographics adapter H. Any vidi:r, m:bpto:r thw <:mi dr:,;r}lay ~1n~y rnonLx:hrorn(! ~..;..":·~t and graphicH~ any );.,·ltltx.~ J.dapt~r fL~nction.a.Hy ,e.on1pi~tible: \:./hh th;:; fler{·J.d.~s. (}r.~ph- ic,; Ca:rd fHGC) . .Se:'e· aL,o HGC 1w:mospm::e k1nt ,'l •. A :k,nt (:;d ,,f di,u;;.cti:T', in a p,uti;.:u- 1ar ~.ty k': and ~tjz . .:..\~~ ~.:8rn3lar to th;.i.t B.~-ed on ~i fyp.:..:\'-T8te·~~ 8n -,._.·vhil-'h {:'~5ii.'.'.h ~ .. ':h:HnH ... '{c·t· (_}:._;'-.;·~~p~i~':S. the frH3Hi' ;_lH3G'lll1~ of h-tffi- :C":GB:t~~~ ~pat':{:' rt·g3,rrdk':'\:~ of jt~- V/sidth-.;;..tfi i~ fi.rr {!}GJ.n1pi-:~":., taking a:-:. rnuch roorn aR an nL Se:.,,~ thx-: iHustration. Alto CJ~th\.";c:J\ fixe.J--\~:idth fr-~nt. Se.e :.-:.~lso n1n:ao~pa1::inr. (~1:J-lHJ~{1re· prop .. >rtEonBJ font. 111111111 IIIIIHIIIII ltlO!'lospm::ing R A. form ,:,f prim ,n_,d di,phy ,p;s,,cing in .,_.:·vhi-l-'h ·:::'~5,;:h -...=Jm.ni>.:ic·r (~1 .. ;-.::·~~p~e:S the frfBnt: ;_u13n·~1n~ of h-t2ri- :c;nnt~~ ~ ~pat':·:::' ~.)fl tho.;.: Hn~':~ n.:.gar ... :ull1tions and r~~n:di~n1 nunihi:'t·:s ~~,_) find an ;.1pproxhna:t:1.:..': ~ohnion to .a ;:.::.ornpl~x pn._:,b·lern. ·n1-e ·;·fo·rHt.': C:arl-o rnx::thod,. n:..=urtt;.d fiyr ih: r-:::t~tion~h.ip to g;nu~;s nf d:mnct'. pbyeil in HK t:P~' nfvirta;1{ ::.:~nv3.ronrn.o;;:':nt (!B. the: Inttt'fs::.:-:t ~;iin.~~ar h::~ a g.~1in:.":-{!=rien£0:::-:d 347 ]'v1UD hut bi,st,d on ,in obj~x,,-or;~'ilh'd fongnagc and g:t'ncr- alt~{ ~::-:i:(:U:~{ .. d rn:on~ ,:)n progr;3..rnrning ~h~u1 on gaa):t·:~. ~5t:\: also J\1!UD. Moore's t.aw n. A .. ix,,didsnn by h,:td ,,nfoum_for Gordnn ~·:t~.x-•n.·'. in th>: t":ftdy d.;,iy~.: nf th~ .;,::{:i-rnp~Hc-r I~\··oh~tion rt·g_:;::ud- ing th~~: gnr:.~·th uf st:nrii:1:i:r1::~l:ji::for ~t:chnolngy .. ~loo,rc- p·n·.:- Jichxt flw! the numbt:f nf lrmi,i,;tof:-; that <.cnt.i!J be put on ;s .ch~p \,:o~i~d double ·e"/ery year~ .:1nd h dkL ··1~:n )''i:.'~1:"8 ~s:.t;~r~ !\·kxn·e pre.:h fi1.dd-effi,;_x:t t:r~1ns;is- h.1J.~- (F.El\} are BHtd(:. ·\J:tith .i5.n insul~d.ing t.1):··er of s.Ehcofi J.ioxi~le ~x~:t:);$/e:tf.i a cnt~L:aJ g.ah:~ ~k:c.trnd::..~·. a.nd a :.:~~~rH.tGn:n:duc- ~{ff chann:2':L f\,:i()S d~:.-ngn::.: ;:u-t \~·id.t"'~:'f ust:d hc!:th i~ dis(~rt':lt~ .c:.::}nJ:{J•:)n{:rHs ~~nd ~n in~cgnHt:d c:ircuit:s. \-l()S in.tt-:gT~=th~:d cif.;..":~~h,S: ha\=,~: the ad\:B~o.t~3_ge:s. of fngh c~)Blf.:t:::nent densi(y~ high ~i:pt:::'D~ and k>,v pu~~:-'"er :::~)fl~t~rnption .. _;\.,f()S dt:·vk:-::i~-r are ,:;;.-;.dy ,hm,ig<:cd by st,itic: d;xtt:i,:.:ity. w hefor;;:: they ari:.: in2i:i;.':rt,;..:d in a cin:.:ui~~ they :-;hol~ld be kt:p{ <.\cith th.;:~Er ::...;nnn::~ .. 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