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, 9 and 17 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, 9 and 17, the claims recite the limitations " wherein the second prize value of the second symbol is greater that a prize value of the first symbol … wherein the third prize value of the third symbol is greater that a prize value of the second symbol” These limitations render the claim indefinite because the claim assumes that the first symbol and the second symbol has a prize value. In many slot games, individual symbols do not inherently have prize values, awards are usually determined by symbol combinations. As a result, claims 1-20 are rejected.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-20 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 or in combination, discloses or even suggests:
As per claims 1-8, a gaming machine, comprising: in response to determining that a first symbol of the first symbols at a first display position includes a first directional component, replacing the first symbol with a second symbol that spans multiple display positions, wherein a second prize value of the second symbol is greater than a prize value of the first symbol; and present, via the display device, an award based, at least in part, on the second prize value associated with the second symbol and prize values associated other ones of the symbols presented at the display positions.
As per claims 9-16, a method of operating a gaming machine, the method comprising: replacing a second symbol of the second symbols with a third symbol that spans multiple display positions, wherein a third prize value of the third symbol is greater than a prize value of the second symbol; and present, via a display device, an award based, at least in part, on first prize values associated with the one or more first symbols and the third prize value associated with the third symbol.
As per claims 17-20, a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, comprising: instructions that, in response to being executed, cause a gaming machine to at least: replacing a second symbol of the second symbols with a third symbol that spans multiple display positions, wherein a third prize value of the third symbol is based on prize values associated with the multiple display positions spanned by the third symbol; and presenting, via the gaming machine, an award based, at least in part, on one or more first prize values associated with the first symbols, one or more second prize values associated with the second symbols, and the third prize value associated with the third symbol.
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
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