DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
The Applicants RCE and IDS received on 07/22/2026 have been considered.
Specification
The specification is objected to as failing to provide proper antecedent basis for the claimed subject matter. See 37 CFR 1.75(d)(1) and MPEP § 608.01(o). Correction of the following is required: Claims 1, 2, 4, 9, 10, 12, and 17 discloses the limitation “user identifier”, which has no antecedent basis anywhere in the specification.
The amendment filed 02/23/2026 is objected to under 35 U.S.C. 132(a) because it introduced new matter into the disclosure. 35 U.S.C. 132(a) states that no amendment shall introduce new matter into the disclosure of the invention. The added material which is not supported by the original disclosure is as follows: Claims 1, 2, 4, 9, 10, 12, and 17 introduced the limitation “user identifier”, which has no antecedent basis anywhere in the specification and appears to be new matter.
Applicant is required to cancel the new matter in the reply to this Office Action.
Response to Arguments
Applicants’ RCE with respect to claims 1-20 have been considered but are moot because the new ground of objection does not rely on any reference applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Schwartz discloses system and method for multi-ticket system redemption; Tsutsui discloses electronic voucher ticket system; Nelson et al discloses retrofit devices for providing virtual ticket-in and ticket-out on a gaming machine.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ADETOKUNBO TORIMIRO whose telephone number is (571)270-1345. The examiner can normally be reached Mon-Fri (8am - 4pm).
Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Peter Vasat can be reached at (571)270-7625. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000.
/ADETOKUNBO O TORIMIRO/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3715