Appeal 2007-2169
Application 10/068,369
data and a spreadsheet engine for processing user transaction data in
accordance with the loyalty rules; and
c) a communication link connecting the back-end computer and
the front-end computer for synchronization of the first and the second
databases.
A. Issue
The Examiner contends that Wong teaches all the claimed limitations
except that “Wong does not explicitly disclose that the central/back end
computer updates the loyalty rules stored on the POS/front end computer.”
Answer 9. For this, the Examiner relies on Kawan which, according to the
Examiner “discloses that loyalty rules on front end are updated from and
synchronized with the back end and that the front end rules are utilized for
processing transactions at the POS terminal.” Answer 10. The Examiner
finds that the combination of Wong and Kawan renders obvious the claimed
system. Answer 10-11.
Appellants contend that the cited references do not disclose storing
customer loyalty information in the front end computer. Appellants argue,
“In the Wong system, customer loyalty information is described only as
being stored in a central data warehouse. See Column 2, lines 3-15 …
While the Wong specification does indicate that a point of sale system may
include a local database, the only function that database appears to be used
for is to identify the customer. See Wong, column 1, lines 31-42.” Br. 6.
Appellants further argue, “The Kawan reference clearly does not teach
including a front-end computer device in a point-of-sale terminal to provide
point-of sale customer loyalty program processing capability. Numerous
references in the Kawan specification make it clear the loyalty program
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