Prosecution Insights
Last updated: August 15, 2026
Application No. 18/953,549

SYSTEM FOR PROMOTING PLAY ON ELECTRIC GAMING DEVICES AND ENGAGEMENT WITH CASINO PERSONNEL

Non-Final OA §DP
Filed
Nov 20, 2024
Priority
Jan 12, 2016 — provisional 62/277,727 +5 more
Examiner
DEODHAR, OMKAR A
Art Unit
Tech Center
Assignee
Acres Technology
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
80%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
11m
Est. Remaining
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 80% — above average
80%
Career Allowance Rate
1053 granted / 1313 resolved
+20.2% vs TC avg
Strong +19% interview lift
Without
With
+19.1%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 8m
Avg Prosecution
41 currently pending
Career history
1335
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
19.8%
-20.2% vs TC avg
§103
39.1%
-0.9% vs TC avg
§102
19.8%
-20.2% vs TC avg
§112
8.7%
-31.3% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1313 resolved cases

Office Action

§DP
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 . Procedural Summary This is responsive to the claims filed 11/20/2024. Claims 1-20 are pending. Signed copies of the IDS’ are attached. The Drawings filed 11/20/2024 are noted. Double Patenting The nonstatutory double patenting rejection is based on a judicially created doctrine grounded in public policy (a policy reflected in the statute) so as to prevent the unjustified or improper timewise extension of the “right to exclude” granted by a patent and to prevent possible harassment by multiple assignees. A nonstatutory double patenting rejection is appropriate where the conflicting claims are not identical, but at least one examined application claim is not patentably distinct from the reference claim(s) because the examined application claim is either anticipated by, or would have been obvious over, the reference claim(s). See, e.g., In re Berg, 140 F.3d 1428, 46 USPQ2d 1226 (Fed. Cir. 1998); In re Goodman, 11 F.3d 1046, 29 USPQ2d 2010 (Fed. Cir. 1993); In re Longi, 759 F.2d 887, 225 USPQ 645 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re Van Ornum, 686 F.2d 937, 214 USPQ 761 (CCPA 1982); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); In re Thorington, 418 F.2d 528, 163 USPQ 644 (CCPA 1969). A timely filed terminal disclaimer in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(c) or 1.321(d) may be used to overcome an actual or provisional rejection based on nonstatutory double patenting provided the reference application or patent either is shown to be commonly owned with the examined application, or claims an invention made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement. See MPEP § 717.02 for applications subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA as explained in MPEP § 2159. See MPEP §§ 706.02(l)(1) - 706.02(l)(3) for applications not subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . A terminal disclaimer must be signed in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(b). The USPTO Internet website contains terminal disclaimer forms which may be used. Please visit www.uspto.gov/patent/patents-forms. The filing date of the application in which the form is filed determines what form (e.g., PTO/SB/25, PTO/SB/26, PTO/AIA /25, or PTO/AIA /26) should be used. A web-based eTerminal Disclaimer may be filled out completely online using web-screens. An eTerminal Disclaimer that meets all requirements is auto-processed and approved immediately upon submission. For more information about eTerminal Disclaimers, refer to www.uspto.gov/patents/process/file/efs/guidance/eTD-info-I.jsp. Claims 1-20 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-20 of U.S. Patent No.: 12,183,156 B2. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because the patented claims substantially disclose the pending claim limitations; the pending limitations are generic to the patented claims. For example, see the claim chart below: Pending Claims: Patented Claims: 1. A method comprising: receiving, from a mobile device associated with a player of an electronic gaming device, a message comprising one or more codes output by the electronic gaming device; determining, based on the message, a player identifier associated with the mobile device; determining, based on the player identifier, that the player is enrolled in a loyalty program; and based on the player being enrolled in the loyalty program, dispatching a mobile computing device to the electronic gaming device. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more codes are iteratively changed as a function of time. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the message comprises the player identifier. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the player identifier associated with the mobile device comprises determining, in a database, an association between an identifier associated with the mobile device and the player identifier. 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising enrolling, based on the player identifier associated with the mobile device, the player in a contest. 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining, based on the player identifier, that the player is eligible for a bonus; and outputting, via the electronic gaming device, the bonus. 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining the player is not enrolled in a rewards program; and enrolling the player in the rewards program. 8. A system comprising: a computing device configured to: receive, from a mobile device associated with a player of an electronic gaming device, a message comprising one or more codes output by the electronic gaming device; determine, based on the message, a player identifier associated with the mobile device; determine, based on the player identifier, that the player is enrolled in a loyalty program; and based on the player being enrolled in the loyalty program, dispatch a mobile computing device to the electronic gaming device; and the mobile device configured to: send the message comprising the one or more codes. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the one or more codes are iteratively changed as a function of time. 10. The system of claim 8, wherein the message comprises the player identifier. 11. The system of claim 8, wherein the computing device is configured to determine the player identifier associated with the mobile device by determining, in a database, an association between an identifier associated with the mobile device and the player identifier. 12. The system of claim 8, wherein the computing device is further configured to enroll, based on the player identifier associated with the mobile device, the player in a contest. 13. The system of claim 8, wherein the computing device is further configured to: determine, based on the player identifier, that the player is eligible for a bonus; and output, via the electronic gaming device, the bonus. 14. The system of claim 8, wherein the computing device is further configured to: determine the player identifier is not enrolled in a rewards program; and enrolling the player identifier in the rewards program. 15. An apparatus comprising: one or more processors; and a memory storing processor-executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to: receive, from a mobile device associated with a player of an electronic gaming device, a message comprising one or more codes output by the electronic gaming device; determine, based on the message, a player identifier associated with the mobile device; determine, based on the player identifier, that the player is enrolled in a loyalty program; and based on the player being enrolled in the loyalty program, dispatch a mobile computing device to the electronic gaming device. 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the one or more codes are iteratively changed as a function of time. 17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the message comprises the player identifier. 18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the processor-executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to determine the player identifier associated with the mobile device, further cause the apparatus to determining, in a database, an association between an identifier associated with the mobile device and the player identifier. 19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the processor-executable instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the apparatus to: determine, based on the player identifier, that the player is eligible for a bonus; and output, via the electronic gaming device, the bonus. 20. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the processor-executable instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the apparatus to: determining the player identifier is not enrolled in a rewards program; and enrolling the player identifier in the rewards program. 1. A method comprising: causing a display associated with an electronic gaming device to output one or more codes; receiving, from a mobile device associated with a player of the electronic gaming device, a message comprising the one or more codes; determining, based on the message, a player identifier associated with the mobile device; determining the player identifier is enrolled in a loyalty program; and based on the player identifier being enrolled in the loyalty program, dispatching a service agent to the electronic gaming device. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more codes are iteratively changed as a function of time. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the message comprises the player identifier. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the player identifier associated with the mobile device comprises determining, in a database, an association between an identifier associated with the mobile device and the player identifier. 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising enrolling, based on the player identifier associated with the mobile device, the player in a contest. 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining, based on the player identifier, that the player is eligible for a bonus; and outputting, via the electronic gaming device, the bonus. 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining the player identifier is not enrolled in a rewards program; and enrolling the player identifier in the rewards program. 8. A system comprising: a computing device configured to: cause a display associated with an electronic gaming device to output one or more codes; receive, from a mobile device associated with a player of the electronic gaming device, a message comprising the one or more codes; determine, based on the message, a player identifier associated with the mobile device; determine the player identifier is enrolled in a loyalty program; based on the player identifier being enrolled in the loyalty program, dispatch a service agent to the electronic gaming device; and the mobile device configured to: send the message comprising the one or more codes. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the one or more codes are iteratively changed as a function of time. 10. The system of claim 8, wherein the message comprises the player identifier. 11. The system of claim 8, wherein the computing device is configured to determine the player identifier associated with the mobile device by determining, in a database, an association between an identifier associated with the mobile device and the player identifier. 12. The system of claim 8, wherein the computing device is further configured to enroll, based on the player identifier associated with the mobile device, the player in a contest. 13. The system of claim 8, wherein the computing device is further configured to: determine, based on the player identifier, that the player is eligible for a bonus; and output, via the electronic gaming device, the bonus. 14. The system of claim 8, wherein the computing device is further configured to: determine the player identifier is not enrolled in a rewards program; and enrolling the player identifier in the rewards program. 15. An apparatus comprising: one or more processors; and a memory storing processor-executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to: cause a display associated with an electronic gaming device to output one or more codes; receive, from a mobile device associated with a player of the electronic gaming device, a message comprising the one or more codes; determine, based on the message, a player identifier associated with the mobile device; determine the player identifier is enrolled in a loyalty program; and based on the player identifier being enrolled in the loyalty program, dispatch a service agent to the electronic gaming device. 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the one or more codes are iteratively changed as a function of time. 17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the message comprises the player identifier. 18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the processor-executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to determine the player identifier associated with the mobile device, further cause the apparatus to determining, in a database, an association between an identifier associated with the mobile device and the player identifier. 19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the processor-executable instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the apparatus to: determine, based on the player identifier, that the player is eligible for a bonus; and output, via the electronic gaming device, the bonus. 20. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the processor-executable instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the apparatus to: determining the player identifier is not enrolled in a rewards program; and enrolling the player identifier in the rewards program. Conclusion Additional Relevant References: See 892 Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to OMKAR A DEODHAR whose telephone number is (571)272-1647. The examiner can normally be reached M-F, generally 9am-5:30 pm. 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, Xuan Thai can be reached on 571-272-7147. 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. /OMKAR A DEODHAR/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3715
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Nov 20, 2024
Application Filed
Jul 15, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §DP (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

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Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

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Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
80%
Grant Probability
99%
With Interview (+19.1%)
2y 8m (~11m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 1313 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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