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 .
Response to Amendment
This action is in response to the amendments filed on 4/8/26 wherein the examiner acknowledges that no claims have been amended, no additional claims have been added or canceled. Consequently, claims 1-20 are currently pending.
Terminal Disclaimer
The terminal disclaimer filed on 4/8/26 disclaiming the terminal portion of any patent granted on this application which would extend beyond the expiration date of US Patent No. 11,551,505 has been reviewed and is accepted. The terminal disclaimer has been recorded.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
A person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claims 1-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Haga et al. (US Patent 7,976,393; referred to hereinafter as Haga).
Claims 1, 8 & 15: Haga disclose a gaming device (figure 1) comprising, a main cabinet (figure 1), a first signal connector (figure 4, element 204), a first coupling mechanism (figure 4, elements 206 connects the panel to cabinet), electrical circuitry (figure 5), and a button deck coupled to the main cabinet and configured to receive inputs to the gaming device (figure 2), the button deck comprising, a button deck enclosure (figure 2, element 104), a second signal connector connected to the first signal connector to electrically couple the button deck to the electrical circuitry (figure 7, cols. 5-6: 30-11, disclose electrically couple the button deck to cabinet), and a second coupling mechanism, the second coupling mechanism engaged with the first coupling mechanism to mechanically couple the button deck to the gaming device (figure 5:15-11, disclose the secondary coupling mechanism on the cabinet to insert the coupling mechanism on button deck).
Claims 2 & 9-10: Haga disclose wherein the first signal connector and the second signal connector comprise a pair of mating connectors (figure 7, element 204 connecting the button deck to cabinet, wherein the insert connects to the receptors).
Claim 3: Haga disclose wherein the gaming device further comprises at least one alignment mechanism (figure 6).
Claim 4: Haga disclose wherein the button deck further comprises an additional at least one alignment mechanism operable to interact with the at least one alignment mechanism (col. 5: 51-10).
Claim 5-6: Haga disclose wherein the at least one alignment mechanism comprises a pair of alignment mechanisms positioned adjacent the second signal connector (figure 7, element 204).
Claim 7: Haga disclose further comprising a coupling tab pivotally connected to the main cabinet wherein the button deck is coupled to the coupling tab (col. 4: 26-68).
Claim 11: Haga disclose wherein a first of the at least one first coupling mechanism and the at least one second coupling mechanism is operable to be inserted into a second of the at least one first coupling mechanism and the at least one second coupling mechanism (figures 5-7).
Claim 12: Haga disclose wherein a first of the at least one first signal connector and the at least one second signal connector is operable to be inserted into a second of the at least one first signal connector and the at least one second signal connector (col. 5: 51-10).
Claim 13: Haga disclose the at least one first signal connector is positioned on a first side of the button deck enclosure and the at least one first coupling mechanism is positioned on a second side of the button deck enclosure (figure 6).
Claim 14: Haga disclose wherein the first side of the button deck is opposite the second side of the button deck (col. 4: 26-68).
Claims 16-17: Haga disclose the at least one first signal connector is positioned on a first side of an opening defined in the main cabinet; and the at least one first coupling mechanism is positioned on a second side of the opening defined in the main cabinet (figures 2-3) wherein the first side of the opening defined in the main cabinet is opposite the second side of the opening defined in the main cabinet (figures 1-3).
Claim 18: Haga disclose wherein the at least one first signal connector is oriented perpendicular to the at least one first coupling mechanism when the button deck is mechanically coupled to the gaming device (figure 4).
Claim 19: Haga disclose wherein an orientation of the at least one first signal connector with respect to the at least one first coupling mechanism is changeable (figure 4 disclose multiple changeable orientation).
Claim 20: Haga disclose wherein the at least one first signal connector is operable to pivot along a pivot axis (figures 3-4).
Response to Arguments
Applicant should submit an argument under the heading “Remarks” pointing out disagreements with the examiner’s contentions. Applicant must also discuss the references applied against the claims, explaining how the claims avoid the references or distinguish from them.
Conclusion
THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. 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 SUNIT PANDYA whose telephone number is (571)272-2823. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 9:30-6:30PM.
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.
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/SUNIT PANDYA/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3715
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