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 .
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
Claims 1, 11 and 16 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
Regarding claims 1, 11 and 16, the limitations "a first designated persistence symbol and a second designated persistence symbol" render the claim indefinite because the specification fails to provide a clear definition what the symbol does and one skilled in the art would not be able to determine the scope without further definition. The claims further recite the limitations “move the second designated persistence symbol horizontally from the second column to an adjacent column of the plurality of columns.” It is unclear which one of the adjacent columns this symbol is moving to since there may exist a lest or a right adjacent column to move to. This will create a lot of confusion for one skilled in the art. Clarification is needed and as a result, claims 1-20 are rejected.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-20 are would be allowable if rewritten or amended to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action.
None of the references, either singularly of in combination, discloses or even suggests:
As per claims 1-10, an electronic gaming system comprising: a memory device storing instructions; and a processor configured to execute the instructions stored in the memory device, which, when executed, cause the processor to: cause display of a plurality of symbol positions arranged in a plurality of columns and a plurality of rows defining a game matrix; cause display, for a first spin of a bonus game, of a first set of symbols each within the plurality of symbol positions including a first designated persistence symbol displayed in a first symbol position of a first column of the plurality of columns and a second designated persistence symbol displayed in a first symbol position of a second column of the plurality of columns; in response to the first designated persistence symbol being displayed in the first column, lock the first designated persistence symbol in the first symbol position of the first column for at least one or more subsequent spins of the bonus game; and in response to the second designated persistence symbol being displayed in the second column, move the second designated persistence symbol horizontally from the second column to an adjacent column of the plurality of columns for a second spin of the bonus game.
As per claims 11-15, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium with instructions stored thereon that, in response to execution by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to: cause display of a plurality of symbol positions arranged in a plurality of columns and a plurality of rows defining a game matrix; cause display, for a first spin of a bonus game, of a first set of symbols each within the plurality of symbol positions including a first designated persistence symbol displayed in a first symbol position of a first column of the plurality of columns and a second designated persistence symbol displayed in a first symbol position of a second column of the plurality of columns; in response to the first designated persistence symbol being displayed in the first column, lock the first designated persistence symbol in the first symbol position of the first column for at least one or more subsequent spins of the bonus game; and in response to the second designated persistence symbol being displayed in the second column, move the second designated persistence symbol horizontally from the second column to an adjacent column of the plurality of columns for a second spin of the bonus game.
As per claims 16-20, an electronic gaming device comprising: a display device; a memory device storing instructions; and a game controller comprising a processor configured to execute the instructions stored in the memory device, which, when executed, cause the game controller to: cause the display device to display a plurality of symbol positions arranged in a plurality of columns and a plurality of rows defining a game matrix; cause the display device to display, for a first spin of a bonus game, a first set of symbols each within the plurality of symbol positions including a first designated persistence symbol displayed in a first symbol position of a first column of the plurality of columns and a second designated persistence symbol displayed in a first symbol position of a second column of the plurality of columns; in response to the first designated persistence symbol being displayed in the first column, lock the first designated persistence symbol in the first symbol position of the first column for at least one or more subsequent spins of the bonus game; and in response to the second designated persistence symbol being displayed in the second column, move the second designated persistence symbol horizontally on the display device from the second column to an adjacent column of the plurality of columns for a second spin of the bonus game.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
See references cited on PTO form 892.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to RONALD LANEAU whose telephone number is (571)272-6784. The examiner can normally be reached Mon-Thu 6-4:30 ET.
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/Ronald Laneau/
Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3715
Prosecution Insights