CTFR 18/624,352 CTFR 81595 Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status 07-03-aia AIA 15-10-aia The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 101 07-04-01 AIA 07-04 35 U.S.C. 101 reads as follows: Whoever invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof, may obtain a patent therefor, subject to the conditions and requirements of this title. Claims 1-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 because the claimed invention is directed to a judicial exception (i.e., a law of nature, a natural phenomenon, or an abstract idea) without significantly more. Claims 1-20 are recite an abstract idea of (organizing of human activity). The claim limitations are not indicative of integration into a practical application and the claims do not include additional elements that are sufficient to amount to significantly more than the judicial exception as discussed below. Step 1 of the 2019 Revised Patent Subject Matter More specifically, regarding Step 1, of the 2019 Revised Patent Subject Matter Eligibility Guidance, the claims are drawn to at least one of the four statutory categories of invention (i.e. process, machine, manufacture, or composition). Step 2a1 of the 2019 Revised Patent Subject Matter Eligibility Guidance Next, the claims are analyzed to determine whether it is directed to a judicial exception. Claims 1-8 recite, a method of operating a gaming system, said method comprising a housing comprising an openable access door, a security monitoring circuit within the housing and configured to monitor the access door, a power distribution component within by the housing, a plurality of mechanical input devices supported by the housing, a plurality of output devices comprising a display device supported by the housing and a speaker supported by the housing, a ticket printer supported by the housing and configured to print a ticket responsive to an activation of one of the input devices, a sound card within by the housing and operable with the speaker, a processor within the housing, and a trusted memory device within the housing and that stores a plurality of instructions, said method comprising: in association with a single play of a game : causing a display , by a display device, of a plurality of reels, the reels comprising a plurality of different symbols; causing a display, by the display device, of an indication of two of the reels as each being selectable to be a bypass reel ; and after a selection of one of the reels as the bypass reel using one of the mechanical input devices: causing a display , by the display device, of an indication of one of the reels as being selected as the bypass reel , causing a display, by the display device, of a plurality of the different symbols on the plurality of reels at a plurality of symbol display positions associated with the reels , causing a display , by the display device, of an indication of a first evaluation of the displayed plurality of symbols on the plurality of reels at the plurality of symbol display positions associated with the reels, the first evaluation comprising the symbols displayed by the reel selected as the bypass reel , and causing a display , by the display device, of an indication of a second evaluation of the plurality of symbols on the plurality of reels at the plurality of symbol display positions associated with the reels, the second evaluation excluding the symbols displayed by the reel selected as the bypass reel . Claims 9-15 recite, a method of operating a gaming system comprising a housing comprising an openable access door, a security monitoring circuit within the housing and configured to monitor the access door, a power distribution component within by the housing, a plurality of mechanical input devices supported by the housing, a plurality of output devices comprising a display device supported by the housing and a speaker supported by the housing, a ticket printer supported by the housing and configured to print a ticket responsive to an activation of one of the input devices, a sound card within by the housing and operable with the speaker, a processor within the housing, and a trusted memory device within the housing and that stores a plurality of instructions, said method comprising: in association with a single play of a game , causing a display , by a display device, of a plurality of reels, the reels comprising a plurality of different symbols ; causing a display , by the display device, of an indication of one of the reels as a bypass reel after that reel is selected using one of the mechanical input devices ; causing a display , by the display device, of a plurality of the different symbols on the plurality of reels at a plurality of symbol display positions associated with the reels; causing a display , by the display device, of an indication of a first evaluation of the displayed plurality of symbols on the plurality of reels at the plurality of symbol display positions associated with the reels, the first evaluation comprising the symbols displayed by the reel that is the bypass reel ; and causing a display , by the display device, of an indication of a second evaluation of the plurality of symbols on the plurality of reels at the plurality of symbol display positions associated with the reels, the second evaluation excluding the symbols displayed by the reel that is the bypass reel. Claims 16-20 recite, a method of operating a gaming system comprising a housing comprising an openable access door, a security monitoring circuit within the housing and configured to monitor the access door, a power distribution component within by the housing, a plurality of mechanical input devices supported by the housing, a plurality of output devices comprising a display device supported by the housing and a speaker supported by the housing, a ticket printer supported by the housing and configured to print a ticket responsive to an activation of one of the input devices, a sound card within by the housing and operable with the speaker, a processor within the housing, and a trusted memory device within the housing and that stores a plurality of instructions, said method comprising: in association with a play of a game , causing a display , by a display device, of a plurality of reels, the reels comprising a plurality of different symbols; causing a display , by the display device, of an indication of a plurality of the reels as each being selectable to be a bypass reel and of different amounts associated with the reels that are selectable to be the bypass reel; responsive to no selection of one of the reels as the bypass reel using one of the mechanical input devices: causing a display , by the display device, of a plurality of the different symbols on the plurality of reels at a plurality of symbol display positions associated with the reels, and causing a display , by the display device, of the indication of an evaluation of the displayed plurality of symbols on the plurality of reels at the plurality of symbol display positions associated with the reels, the evaluation comprising all of the symbols displayed by the reels ; and responsive to a selection of one of the reels as the bypass reel: causing a display , by the display device, of an indication of one of the reel as being the bypass reel, causing a display, by the display device, of a plurality of the different symbols on the plurality of reels at the plurality of symbol display positions associated with the reels, causing a display , by the display device, of an indication of a first evaluation of the displayed plurality of symbols on the plurality of reels at the plurality of symbol display positions associated with the reels, the first evaluation comprising the symbols displayed by the reel selected as the bypass reel , and causing a display , by the display device, of an indication of a second evaluation of the plurality of symbols on the plurality of reels at the plurality of symbol display positions associated with the reels, the second evaluation excluding the symbols displayed by the reel selected as the bypass reel . The underlined limitations recite an abstract idea of human activity). The claimed limitations recite steps of managing a game by following rules. Although the claim recite steps of displaying, the claim limitations recite how a game is managed by displaying reels, symbols and selected bypass reel. Step 2a2 of the 2019 Revised Patent Subject Matter Eligibility Guidance The second prong of step 2a is the consideration of whether the claim recites additional elements that are indicative of integration into a practical application. An additional element or combination of additional elements that are indicative of integrating the abstract idea into a practical application include: -Improvements to the functioning of a computer, or to any other technology or technical field - see MPEP 2106.05(a) -Applying or using a judicial exception to effect a particular treatment or prophylaxis for a disease or medical condition – see Vanda Memo -Applying the judicial exception with, or by use of, a particular machine - see MPEP 2106.05(b) -Effecting a transformation or reduction of a particular article to a different state or thing - see MPEP 2106.05(c) -Applying or using the judicial exception in some other meaningful way beyond generally linking the use of the judicial exception to a particular technological environment, such that the claim as a whole is more than a drafting effort designed to monopolize the exception - see MPEP 2106.05(e) and Vanda Memo Additional element or combination of additional elements that are not indicative of integration of the abstract idea into a practical application include: -Adding the words “apply it” (or an equivalent) with the judicial exception, or mere instructions to implement an abstract idea on a computer, or merely uses a computer as a tool to perform an abstract idea - see MPEP 2106.05(f) -Adding insignificant extra-solution activity to the judicial exception - see MPEP 2106.05(g) -Generally linking the use of the judicial exception to a particular technological environment or field of use – see MPEP 2106.05(h) Claims 1-20 not apply a judicial exception to effect a particular treatment, and do not transform or reduce a particular article to a different state or thing. Claims 1-20 are not directed to an improvement to a function of a computer. There is no improvement to a technical field. In addition, the claims do not apply the judicial exception with, or by use of a particular machine. The claims do not apply or use the judicial exception in a meaningful way. The gaming system comprising a housing, access door, security monitoring circuity, power distribution component, mechanical input devices, output devices, speaker, ticket printer, sound card, processor, memory and display device are directed to a generic gaming device or generic components of a gaming device used to perform the abstract idea. The additional elements generally link the abstract idea to a computer embodiment. For the reasons discussed above, the additional elements identified above considered alone and in combination fail to integrate the abstract idea into a practical application. Step 2b of the 2019 Revised Patent Subject Matter Eligibility Guidance Next, the claims as a whole is analyzed to determine whether any additional element, or combination of additional elements, is sufficient to ensure that the claims amount to significantly more than the exception. The claims recites the additional element of a gaming system comprising a housing, access door, security monitoring circuity, power distribution component, mechanical input devices, output devices, speaker, ticket printer, sound card, processor, memory and display device. These features are well known and conventional in the art. Fisher et al. (US Pub. No. 2004/0097285) discloses (paragraphs 9 and 10) that a security monitoring circuit supported by the housing and configured to monitor the access door is well-known and conventional in the art. Nelson (US Pub. No. 2021/0082253) discloses (paragraph 49) a power distribution component supported by the housing and configured to supply power to a component of the gaming system is well-known and conventional in the art. Chen (US 2006/0116208) discloses mechanical inputs (paragraph 5), display device (paragraph 5), speaker (paragraph 5), ticket printer (paragraph 5), processor (paragraph 5) and memory (paragraphs 55, 59) are well known and conventional in the art. The claims also recite steps of displaying. The steps of displaying information is well known, routine and conventional. The Federal Circuit in Trading Techs. Int’l v. IBG LLC , 921 F.3d 1084, 1093 (Fed. Cir. 2019), and Intellectual Ventures I LLC v. Erie Indemnity Co ., 850 F.3d 1315, 1331 (Fed. Cir. 2017), for example, indicated that the mere displaying of data is a well understood, routine, and conventional function. The claim limitations individually and as a whole do not amount to amount to significantly more than an abstract idea. Dependent claims 1-20 further recite an abstract idea of organizing human activity. Thus, taken alone, the additional elements do not amount to significantly more than the above-identified abstract idea. Looking at the additional elements as an ordered combination adds nothing that is not already present when looking at the elements taken individually. For example, there is no indication that the combination of elements improves the functioning of a computer or improves any other technology. The claim does not include additional elements that are sufficient to amount to significantly more than the judicial exception for the same reasons discussed above with respect to the conclusion that the additional elements do not integrate the abstract idea into a practical application. The dependent clams merely include limitations that further define the abstract idea and thus don’t make the abstract idea any less abstract. The claim limitations individually and as a whole do not amount to amount to significantly more than an abstract idea. The claim limitations individually and as a whole do not amount to amount to significantly more than an abstract idea. Response to Arguments Double Patenting The Terminal Disclaimer filed on 3/16/26 is approved. The double patenting rejection is withdrawn. 35 USC 101 Applicant's arguments with respect to the 35 USC 101 rejection have been fully considered but they are not persuasive. Applicant argues that the claims recite a method of operating a special purpose gaming system that includes: (1) a housing comprising an openable access door; (2) a security monitoring circuit within the housing and configured to monitor the access door; (3) a power distribution component within by the housing; (4) a plurality of mechanical input devices supported by the housing; (5) a plurality of output devices comprising a display device supported by the housing, a player tracking display device supported by the housing, and a speaker supported by the housing; (6) a ticket printer supported by the housing and configured to print a ticket responsive to an activation of one of the input devices; (7) a sound card within by the housing and operable with the speaker; (8) a processor within the housing; and (9) a trusted memory device. None of these elements can be performed in a human mind. The claims are directed to operating a specific purpose gaming system rather than a general purpose computer. The claims are directed to a practical application by operating a gaming system that can be placed on a casino floor. However, the additional elements are directed to generic components of a gaming device used to perform the abstract idea. The additional elements generally link the abstract idea to a computer embodiment. In addition, the additional elements are well understood, routine, and conventional function. The claim limitations individually and as a whole do not amount to amount to significantly more than an abstract idea. Conclusion 07-40 AIA Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL . See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a). A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Jasson H Yoo whose telephone number is (571)272-5563. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 9am-5pm. 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If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. /JASSON H YOO/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3715 Application/Control Number: 18/624,352 Page 2 Art Unit: 3715 Application/Control Number: 18/624,352 Page 3 Art Unit: 3715 Application/Control Number: 18/624,352 Page 4 Art Unit: 3715 Application/Control Number: 18/624,352 Page 5 Art Unit: 3715 Application/Control Number: 18/624,352 Page 6 Art Unit: 3715 Application/Control Number: 18/624,352 Page 7 Art Unit: 3715 Application/Control Number: 18/624,352 Page 8 Art Unit: 3715 Application/Control Number: 18/624,352 Page 9 Art Unit: 3715 Application/Control Number: 18/624,352 Page 10 Art Unit: 3715 Application/Control Number: 18/624,352 Page 11 Art Unit: 3715 Application/Control Number: 18/624,352 Page 12 Art Unit: 3715 Application/Control Number: 18/624,352 Page 13 Art Unit: 3715
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