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 .
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
Priority
Applicant’s claim for the benefit of a prior-filed application 63/477,777 under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) or under 35 U.S.C. 120, 121, 365(c), or 386(c) is acknowledged.
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statements (IDS) submitted on February 13, 2024, May 3, 2024, October 21, 2024, December 2, 2024 and December 20, 2024 are in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statements are being considered by the examiner.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
Claim(s) 1 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kosaka et al. (US 2007/0060262) in view of Miltenberger et al. (US 2007/0120320).
Regarding claim 1, Kosaka discloses a roulette system with a bonus event ¶0003, comprising: a roulette mechanism (roulette device #3) having a base (Fig. 2, frame #21,¶0071) an annular stationary rim (guide wall #29) mounted on the base (Fig. 2 ¶0076), the stationary rim having a central opening and an upwardly curved face around which a roulette ball travels (¶0076), a rotating roulette wheel configured to spin in a first direction and positioned in the central opening of the stationary rim and supported by the base (Fig. 2 ¶0071, ¶0150), the roulette wheel including a number of pockets configured to hold the roulette ball after traveling from the curved face onto the roulette wheel (Fig. 2, ¶0071) a number circle including numbers, colors and one or more symbols corresponding to the pockets (as best seen in Fig. 2, number pockets #23, in different colors depicted by the shading and bonus pocket #24, with the symbol “B”, ¶0071), wherein a plurality of the pockets are identified by a number and a color and one or more pockets are identified by a symbol (as best seen in Fig. 2, number pockets #23, in different colors depicted by the shading and bonus pocket #24, with the symbol “B”, ¶0071), and a roulette ball launching system (ball throwing device) configured to launch the roulette ball spinning around the stationary rim in a second direction (Fig. 2, ¶0074), wherein a result is determined by the number or the symbol corresponding to a pocket in which the roulette ball stops after traveling onto the roulette wheel (¶0075, ¶0151; a betting layout configured to enable a player to place one or more bets by placing a betting amount on one or more of the numbers and colors corresponding to the numbers and colors of the number circle (Fig. 6, ¶0095), wherein a payout corresponds to any winning bet (¶0097); and a bonus event system that is triggered when the result corresponds to the one symbol on the number circle (¶0077).
Kosaka lacks in disclosing the betting layout configured to enable a player to place one or more bets by placing a betting amount on one or more symbols corresponding to the symbols of the number circle. Miltenberger, in the related art of roulette wheel gaming device including a trigger for a bonus sequence (Miltenberger ¶0053) teaches a betting layout (wagering station #16, Figs. 2 & 7), configured to enable a player to place one or more bets by placing a betting amount on one or more symbols (bonus symbol #52) corresponding to the symbols of the number circle (bonus landing $46, ¶0083). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art prior to the effective filing date of the application to include the use of a player being able to place bets on a symbol, as disclosed by Miltenberger, with the roulette system disclosed by Kosaka in order to allow a player to bet on a bonus game, thus increasing the entertainment of the roulette system by allowing the player to win more.
Claim(s) 2, 3, 7-9 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kosaka et al. (US 2007/0060262) in view of Miltenberger et al. (US 2007/0120320) in further view of Gurule (US 2012/0172103).
Regarding claim 2, Kosaka in view of Miltenberger disclose the roulette system of claim 1, but lack in disclosing wherein the bonus event system includes a multiplier of the bet when the result corresponds to the one symbol on the number circle. Gurule, in the related art of a bonus roulette wheel (¶ Gurule 0016) does disclose a bonus event system includes a multiplier of the bet when the result corresponds to the one symbol on the number circle (Gurule Fig 6, ¶0072). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art prior to the effective filing date of the invention to include a bet multiplier, as disclosed by Gurule, with the roulette system, as
disclosed by the combination of Kosaka and Miltenberger, because it can provide a multiplied potential win for a player and enhance spontaneity and excitement for the player (Gurule, ¶0084).
Regarding claim 3, Kosaka in view of Miltenberger and Gurule disclose the roulette system of claim 2, and Gurule further discloses wherein the multiplier is determined based on a multiplier circle that includes a multiplier number that corresponds to each of the pockets (Gurule Fig 6, ¶0071).
Regarding claim 7, Kosaka as modified by Miltenberger disclose the roulette system of claim 1, but do not disclose wherein the bonus event system includes an electronic multiplier display that includes a plurality of multiplier numbers and wherein a randomly selected multiplier number among the plurality of multiplier numbers determines a bonus event result, wherein the bet is multiplied by the randomly selected multiplier number when the bet was placed on the one symbol on the number circle. Gurule, in the related art of a bonus roulette wheel (Gurule ¶0016) does disclose wherein the bonus event system includes an electronic multiplier display that includes a plurality of multiplier numbers (Gurule, super ring bonus roulette wheel #310, Fig 6) and wherein a randomly selected multiplier number among the plurality of multiplier numbers determines a bonus event result (Gurule ¶0072), wherein the bet is multiplied by the randomly selected multiplier number when the bet was placed on the one symbol on the number circle (Gurule, ¶0072). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art prior to the effective filing date to include a bet multiplier with an electronic display, as disclosed by Gurule, with the roulette system, as disclosed by Kosaka and Miltenberger, because it can provide a multiplied potential win for a player that is easily visible and enhance spontaneity and excitement for the player (Gurule, ¶0084).
Regarding claim 8, Kosaka as modified by Miltenberger and Gurule disclose the roulette
system of claim 7, and Gurule further discloses wherein the plurality of multiplier numbers are arranged on a multiplier circle that includes a multiplier number that corresponds to each of
the pockets (Gurule Fig 6, ¶0071)
Regarding claim 9, Kosaka as modified by Miltenberger and Gurule disclose the roulette
system of claim 8, and Gurule further discloses wherein the multiplier circle encircles the roulette wheel (Gurule Fig. 6). Kosaka further discloses a plurality of player stations configured around the base, each of the player stations including a display for displaying
the betting layout and enabling the player to place the one or more bets (Fig 1, ¶0063, ¶0064).
Claim(s) 11 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kosaka et al. (US 2007/0060262) in view of Miltenberger et al. (US 2007/0120320) in further view of Matosevic (US 6,467,770).
Regarding claim 11, Kosaka in view of Miltenberger disclose the roulette system of claim 1, but lack in disclosing wherein the number circle corresponds to 40 pockets including 4 symbols. Matosevic teaches of a roulette wheel where the number circle includes 40 pockets and additional symbols that can be greater than the two that are shown (Matosevic ¶0023, #146 dead number fields include symbols). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art prior to the effective date of the invention to include 40 pockets and four symbols into the roulette game of Kosaka. By including additional pockets, this allows for more outcomes of the game and therefore different probabilities of winning. Further by including additional symbols as suggested by Matosevic, different game play can occur with different outcomes being associated with the additional symbols on the wheel. By having more pockets this benefits the casino by having different odds of winning and different symbols added to the wheel offer further player excitement and enjoyment.
Claim(s) 4-6 and 10 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kosaka et al. (US 2007/0060262) in view of Miltenberger et al. (US 2007/0120320) in view of Gurule (US 2012/0172103) in further view of Mercer (US 10,076,701).
Regarding claim 4, Kosaka in view of Miltenberger disclose the roulette system of claim 1. As mentioned previously Kosaka specifically discloses a roulette mechanism (roulette device #3) having a base (Fig. 2, frame #21,¶0071) an annular stationary rim (guide wall #29) mounted on the base (Fig. 2 ¶0076), the stationary rim having a central opening and an upwardly curved face around which a roulette ball travels (¶0076), a rotating roulette wheel configured to spin in a first direction and positioned in the central opening of the stationary rim and supported by the base (Fig. 2 ¶0071, ¶0150), the roulette wheel including a number of pockets configured to hold the roulette ball after traveling from the curved face onto the roulette wheel (Fig. 2, ¶0071) and a roulette ball launching system (ball throwing device) configured to launch the roulette ball spinning around the stationary rim in a second direction (Fig. 2, ¶0074). Kosaka in view of Miltenberger lack in disclosing a roulette wheel with a multiplier circle. Gurule, in the related art of a bonus roulette wheel (Gurule ¶ 016) teaches a bonus event system includes a multiplier that is determined based on a multiplier circle that includes a multiplier number that corresponds to each of the pockets of a roulette wheel (Gurule Fig 6, ¶0071). The bonus or “second” result is determined by the multiplier number corresponding to a second pocket in which roulette ball stops after traveling on a second roulette wheel. The result multiplies the bet by the multiplier number that corresponds to the second pocket when the bet was placed on the one symbol on the number circle (Gurule Fig 6, 7, ¶0071, ¶0072). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art prior to the effective filing date of the invention to include a bet multiplier in a secondary roulette wheel, as disclosed by Gurule. A multiplier bonus wheel can provide a multiplied potential win for a player and enhance spontaneity and excitement for the player during the game and increase revenue for the casino and wins for the player (Gurule, ¶0084).
Kosaka lacks in specifically disclosing a second mechanical roulette mechanism with the aforementioned features taught by Kosaka’s primary wheel. Mercer teaches of a roulette gaming system in which there are multiple roulette wheels, i.e. a second roulette wheel (Mercer Fig. 3, col. 7 lines 40-58) for game play. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to implement the secondary/multiplier bonus wheel of Gurule as a traditional mechanical roulette mechanism as taught by Kosaka. As seen in Mercer, it is well known in the art to utilize multiple mechanical roulette wheels for various features during game play because additional wheels add to the excitement of the game. Furthermore, the additional roulette wheel can be considered a duplication of parts which is considered obvious In re Harza, 274 F.2d 669, 124 USPQ 378 (CCPA 1960).
Regarding claim 5, Kosaka further discloses a plurality of player stations configured around the base, each of the player stations including a display for displaying the betting layout and enabling the player to place the one or more bets (Fig 1, ¶0063, ¶0064). Furthermore, Mercer also teaches that player stations are configured around multiple roulette wheels and include displays for enabling players to place bets (Mercer Fig. 3 col. 6 lines 54-67, col. 7 lines 1-58). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art prior to the effective filing date of the invention to include player stations around multiple roulette wheels so that a plurality of players could watch and bet on the games thus allowing more bets to be placed and more individuals to play.
Regarding claims 6 and 10, Kosaka discloses a community display but lacks in specifically mentioning it displays game results of wheel spins. Mercer further teaches of a community display visible from each of the plurality of player stations for displaying the results of the game (Mercer Fig. 3, #310, col. 7 lines 27-39). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art prior to the effective filing date of the invention to include a community display in Kosaka so that all players can view game information and the results of the game thereby being more knowledgeable about the game and the winning numbers.
Citation of Relevant Prior Art
Comito US 2016/0256769 – discloses 40 roulette pockets
Atkinson US 12,511,973 – discloses bonus multipliers associated with roulette pockets
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to JULIE K BROCKETTI whose telephone number is (571)272-0206. The examiner can normally be reached M-Th 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m..
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/JULIE K BROCKETTI/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3700