What are the main categories of abstract ideas?

According to the MPEP, there are three main groupings of abstract ideas:

• Mathematical concepts
• Certain methods of organizing human activity
• Mental processes

The MPEP states: “The enumerated groupings of abstract ideas are defined as:

1. Mathematical concepts – mathematical relationships, mathematical formulas or equations, mathematical calculations
2. Certain methods of organizing human activity – fundamental economic principles or practices (including hedging, insurance, mitigating risk); commercial or legal interactions (including agreements in the form of contracts; legal obligations; advertising, marketing or sales activities or behaviors; business relations); managing personal behavior or relationships or interactions between people (including social activities, teaching, and following rules or instructions)
3. Mental processes – concepts performed in the human mind (including an observation, evaluation, judgment, opinion)“

   These groupings provide a framework for identifying abstract ideas in patent claims.

   To learn more:

   • abstract ideas
   • patent eligibility
   • subject matter eligibility
   • mathematical concepts
   • methods of organizing human activity
   • mental processes