DETAILED ACTION
This is a non-final office action on the merits. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (the Office) has received claims 1 – 20 in application 17/571831.
Claims 1-20 are pending and have been examined.
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 .
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 101
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 recites and is directed to a judicial exception to patentability (i.e., an abstract idea) and does not provide an integration of the recited abstract idea into a practical application nor include an inventive concept that is “significantly more” than the recited abstract idea to which the claim is directed. MPEP §2106.
In determining subject matter eligibility in an Alice rejection under 35 U.S.C. §101, it is first determined at Step 1 whether the claims are directed to one of the four statutory categories of an invention (i.e., a process, a machine, a manufacture, or a composition of matter). MPEP §2106.03. Here, it is determined that claims 1-14 are directed to an apparatus (system) and claims 15-20 a method. Under a Step 2A, Prong 1 analysis, it must be determined whether the claims recite an abstract idea that falls within one or more enumerated categories of patent ineligible subject matter that amounts to a judicial exception to patentability. MPEP §2106.04. Here, independent claim 1 recites:
A system comprising:
a processor; and
a memory device that stores a plurality of instructions that, when executed by the processor responsive to receipt of a game license request from an electronic gaming machine and a determination that no game licenses are available to be granted, cause the processor to:
determine if any mobile devices are associated with any game licenses, and
responsive to the determination being that a mobile device is associated with a game license:
disassociate the game license from being associated with the mobile device, and
grant the game license request of the electronic gaming machine.
(emphasis added on abstract idea)
Here, the claims are directed to the abstract idea, or combination of abstract ideas encompasses requesting a gaming license. This concept/abstract idea, which is seen above, falls within the Certain Methods of Organizing Human Activity grouping because it describes a commercial or legal interaction (e.g., asset management) and Mental Processes because it also describes a mental process (thinking) that can be performed in the human mind, or by a human using a pen and paper. Accordingly, it is determined that the claims recite an abstract idea since they fall within one or more of the three categories of abstract ideas.
Independent claims 8 and 15 recite the same abstract idea.
Since it is determined that the claim(s) contain a judicial exception, it must then be determined, under Step 2A, Prong 2, whether the judicial exception is integrated into a practical application of the exception. MPEP §2106.04. Here, claim 1 recites the additional elements of: a processor and a memory device. These additional elements do not integrate the abstract idea into a practical application because they do not impose any meaningful limits on practicing the abstract idea. Looking at the elements as a combination does not add anything more than the elements analyzed individually. Examiner further notes that even though the claims may not preempt all forms of the abstraction, this alone, does not make them any less abstract. See OIP Techs., Inc. v. Amazon.com, Inc., 788 F.3d 1359, 1362-63 (Fed. Cir. 2015).
Under the Step 2B analysis, it is determined whether the recited additional elements amount to something “significantly more” than the recited abstract idea to which the claims are directed (i.e., provide an inventive concept). MPEP §2106.05. As discussed above with respect to integration of the abstract idea into a practical application, the additional element(s) of a processor and a memory device to implement the abstract idea amounts to no more than mere instructions to apply the exception using generic computer components. Mere instructions to apply an exception using generic computer components cannot provide an inventive concept. That is, simply implementing the abstract idea on a generic computer or merely using a computer as a tool to perform an abstract idea cannot integrate a judicial exception into a practical application at Step 2A or provide an inventive concept in Step 2B. Accordingly, taken alone, the additional elements do not amount to significantly more than a judicial exception. Looking at the limitations as an ordered combination adds nothing that is not already present when looking at the elements taken individually.
Therefore, independent claim 1 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. §101 and is not patent eligible. Independent claims 8 and 15 are similar and therefore rejected under 35 U.S.C. §101 also. Dependent claims 2-7, 9-14, and 16-20 when analyzed are held to be patent ineligible under 35 U.S.C. §101 because the additional recited limitation(s) fail to establish that the claim(s) is/are not directed to an abstract idea.
Dependent claim 2 recites “the system of Claim 1, wherein when executed by the processor responsive to the determination being that the mobile device is associated with the game license, the instructions cause the processor to disassociate the game license from being associated with the mobile device after a predetermined period of time.” The claim fails to include any new additional elements that integrate the abstract idea into a practical application or provide significantly more than the abstract idea.
Dependent claim 3 recites “the system of Claim 2, wherein when executed by the processor responsive to the determination being that the mobile device is associated with the game license, the instructions cause the processor to communicate data to the mobile device that results in the mobile device displaying a disconnection message prior to a conclusion of the predetermined period of time.” The claim fails to include any new additional elements that integrate the abstract idea into a practical application or provide significantly more than the abstract idea.
Dependent claim 4 recites “the system of Claim 2, wherein when executed by the processor responsive to a determination that another game license becomes available, the instructions cause the processor to communicate data to the mobile device that results in the mobile device displaying a resume message.” The claim fails to include any new additional elements that integrate the abstract idea into a practical application or provide significantly more than the abstract idea.
Dependent claim 5 recites “the system of Claim 1, wherein the electronic gaming machine is associated with a first gaming venue and the mobile device is associated with a second, different gaming venue.” The claim fails to include any new additional elements that integrate the abstract idea into a practical application or provide significantly more than the abstract idea.
Dependent claim 6 recites “the system of Claim 1, wherein the electronic gaming machine is associated with a gaming venue and the mobile device is not associated with any gaming venue. The claim fails to include any new additional elements that integrate the abstract idea into a practical application or provide significantly more than the abstract idea.
Dependent claim 7 recites “the system of Claim 1, wherein the electronic gaming machine is associated with a first gaming venue and the game license is associated with a second, different gaming venue.” The claim fails to include any new additional elements that integrate the abstract idea into a practical application or provide significantly more than the abstract idea.
Dependent claim 9 recites “the system of Claim 8, wherein when executed by the processor responsive to the receipt of the second transfer request from the electronic gaming machine to the mobile device and a determination that the other game license is unavailable for the other electronic gaming machine: disassociate the game license from being associated with the electronic gaming machine, and associate the game license with the other electronic gaming machine.” The claim fails to include any new additional elements that integrate the abstract idea into a practical application or provide significantly more than the abstract idea.
Dependent claim 10 recites “the system of Claim 8, wherein when executed by the processor responsive to the receipt of the first transfer request from the mobile device to the electronic gaming machine, the instructions cause the processor to cause a transfer of any of game state data and funding data from the mobile device to the electronic gaming machine.” The claim fails to include any new additional elements that integrate the abstract idea into a practical application or provide significantly more than the abstract idea.
Dependent claim 11 recites “the system of Claim 8, wherein when executed by the processor responsive to the receipt of the second transfer request from the electronic gaming machine to the mobile device and the determination being that the other game license is available for the other electronic gaming machine, the instructions cause the processor to cause a transfer of any of game state data and funding data from the electronic gaming machine to the mobile device.” The claim fails to include any new additional elements that integrate the abstract idea into a practical application or provide significantly more than the abstract idea.
Dependent claim 12 recites “the system of Claim 8, wherein the electronic gaming machine is associated with a first gaming venue and the mobile device is associated with a second, different gaming venue.” The claim fails to include any new additional elements that integrate the abstract idea into a practical application or provide significantly more than the abstract idea.
Dependent claim 13 recites “the system of Claim 8, wherein the electronic gaming machine is associated with a gaming venue and the mobile device not associated with any gaming venue.” The claim fails to include any new additional elements that integrate the abstract idea into a practical application or provide significantly more than the abstract idea.
Dependent claim 14 recites “the system of Claim 8, wherein the electronic gaming machine is associated with a first gaming venue and the game license is associated with a second, different gaming venue.” The claim fails to include any new additional elements that integrate the abstract idea into a practical application or provide significantly more than the abstract idea.
Dependent claim 16 recites “the method of Claim 15, further comprising, responsive to the determination being that the mobile device is associated with the game license, disassociating, by the processor, the game license from being associated with the mobile device after a predetermined period of time.” The claim fails to include any new additional elements that integrate the abstract idea into a practical application or provide significantly more than the abstract idea.
Dependent claim 17 recites “the method of Claim 16, further comprising, responsive to the determination being that the mobile device is associated with the game license, communicating data to the mobile device that results in the mobile device displaying a disconnection message prior to a conclusion of the predetermined period of time.” The claim fails to include any new additional elements that integrate the abstract idea into a practical application or provide significantly more than the abstract idea.
Dependent claim 18 recites “the method of Claim 16, further comprising, responsive to a determination that another game license becomes available, communicating data to the mobile device that results in the mobile device displaying a resume message.” The claim fails to include any new additional elements that integrate the abstract idea into a practical application or provide significantly more than the abstract idea.
Dependent claim 19 recites “the method of Claim 15, wherein the electronic gaming machine is associated with a first gaming venue and the mobile device is associated with a second, different gaming venue.” The claim fails to include any new additional elements that integrate the abstract idea into a practical application or provide significantly more than the abstract idea.
Dependent claim 20 recites “the method of Claim 15, wherein the electronic gaming machine is associated with a gaming venue, the mobile device is not associated with any gaming venue and the game license is associated with a second, different gaming venue.” The claim fails to include any new additional elements that integrate the abstract idea into a practical application or provide significantly more than the abstract idea.
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.
(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claim(s) 1-20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Nguyen et al. (US20050192099A1) hereinafter Nguyen.
Regarding Claim 1. Nguyen teaches:
A system comprising: a processor; and
Nguyen - processor running instructions to generate the game of chance from an EPROM or other form of non-volatile memory (¶ 0065).
a memory device that stores a plurality of instructions that, when executed by the processor
Nguyen - a memory device for storing the plurality of game software modules; 3) a trusted memory device for storing authentication logic used to determine that the plurality of game software modules are authorized for use on the gaming machine; 4) a gaming operating system comprising logic to load and unload the plurality of game software modules into a RAM from the memory device and to control the play of the game of chance (¶ 0018).
responsive to receipt of a game license request from an electronic gaming machine and a determination that no game licenses are available to be granted, cause the processor to:
Note – Authorization to play is the operative license. A “request” is received and either authorized (license granted) or not (no license granted).
Nguyen - a gaming machine initiates a gaming license request (¶ 0115). In 612, a game license request message is generated with the encrypted game license request data. The game license request message may be sent to a remote server (¶ 0116). In 705, the remote server receives a game license request message from a gaming machine (¶ 0122). If no tokens are available, the game software host or the game-licensing server 1552 may notify the gaming device that no tokens are currently available and the gaming device may be placed on a waiting list (¶ 0291).
determine if any mobile devices are associated with any game licenses, and
Note – Nguyen’s server tracks which devices (including mobile devices) currently hold license tokens and can query devices, i.e. determine whether any mobile device is associated with a license.
Nguyen - The remote gaming device may be a portable gaming device such as but not limited to a cell phone, a personal digital assistant, and a wireless game player. Images rendered from 3-D gaming environments may be displayed on portable gaming devices that are used to play a game of chance (¶ 0061). reconcile token usage in its tracking database 1556 with token usage stored on each gaming machine. The reconciliation process may comprise querying each gaming device for records of token it has received and tokens it has returned over a specific time period and then finding a corresponding record in its database (¶ 0247).
responsive to the determination being that a mobile device is associated with a game license: disassociate the game license from being associated with the mobile device, and grant the game license request of the electronic gaming machine.
Note – Returning the token is a disassociation of the license from the device.
Nguyen - When a license is available, i.e. all of the licenses are not in use, then the game licensing server 1552 grants the class 3 license to the requesting gaming device and the player may engage in a class 3 game play on the gaming machine. When the license is not available, the requesting gaming device may be notified that no class 3 licenses are available and the player may only engage in class 2 games on the gaming machine (¶ 0232). When the gaming machine decides that a software application, such as 1562, has terminated, the software agent 1560 may return the token for the application. When the gaming machine decides that a software application, such as 1562, has terminated, the software agent 1560 may return the token for the application. The license server 1552 may store a record of each token that is granted and returned in a token tracking database 1556 (¶ 0246).
Regarding Claim 2. Nguyen further teaches:
The system of Claim 1, wherein when executed by the processor responsive to the determination being that the mobile device is associated with the game license, the instructions cause the processor to disassociate the game license from being associated with the mobile device after a predetermined period of time.
Nguyen - The licensing cost is based upon one or more of 1) a popularity of the game of chance, 2) a time that the game of chance is played, 3) a wager amount that is made on the game of chance, 4) a type of gaming machine on which the game of chance is played, 5) a location in the casino of the gaming machine, 6) a fixed cost per game, 7) a fixed cost per game that varies as a function of time, 8) a fixed cost per game that varies according to a total number of times the game of chance has been played on the gaming machine, 9) a number of games of chance that are being played on the gaming machine simultaneously (¶ 0024).
Regarding Claim 3. Nguyen further teaches:
The system of Claim 2, wherein when executed by the processor responsive to the determination being that the mobile device is associated with the game license, the instructions cause the processor to communicate data to the mobile device that results in the mobile device displaying a disconnection message prior to a conclusion of the predetermined period of time.
Nguyen - an operator carrying a hand-held device may be able to communicate with gaming devices using the hand-held device and configure gaming devices on the casino floor using menus generated on the hand-held device and a communication interface between the hand-held device and a particular gaming device or the game software host 1572 (¶ 0290).
Regarding Claim 4. Nguyen further teaches:
The system of Claim 2, wherein when executed by the processor responsive to a determination that another game license becomes available, the instructions cause the processor to communicate data to the mobile device that results in the mobile device displaying a resume message.
Nguyen - After the state of the gaming machine is restored during the play of a game of chance, game play may resume and the game may be completed in a manner that is no different than if the malfunction had not occurred. Typically, battery backed RAM devices are used to preserve this critical data although other types of non-volatile memory devices may be employed. These memory devices are not used in typical general-purpose computers (¶ 0072).
Regarding Claim 5. Nguyen further teaches:
The system of Claim 1, wherein the electronic gaming machine is associated with a first gaming venue and the mobile device is associated with a second, different gaming venue.
Nguyen - The virtual network may also allow remote access to gaming information such as gaming performance information at various gaming establishments in the gaming entity from mobile access points. For example, the remote access point 134 may be a portable computer with a wireless modem. Typically, the remote access point 134 will have a high level of security such as special access software. Using the remote access point 134, a user such as a travelling employee of the game entity may access gaming information at casino 110 or casino 122 via the local ISP 314. The access may be routed through the central office 142 or may be routed directly to one of the casinos bypassing the central office. In addition, different access privileges may be accorded to different remote users. For instance, one remote user may be able to access information from any establishment in the gaming entity while another may only be able to access information from a particular establishment (¶ 0100).
Regarding Claim 6. Nguyen further teaches:
The system of Claim 1, wherein the electronic gaming machine is associated with a gaming venue and the mobile device is not associated with any gaming venue.
Nguyen - In particular, for gaming establishments with a small number of gaming machines operating in a “stand alone” mode, a virtual network may be the only viable way to provide cost effective gaming services via a network. The virtual network is enabled by an encryption scheme which utilizes multiple key encryption and symmetric encryption keys to provide secure communication of sensitive gaming data. For each session, the symmetric encryption keys may be randomly generated or may be rotated by selecting from a pool of keys (¶ 0098).
Regarding Claim 7. Nguyen further teaches:
The system of Claim 1, wherein the electronic gaming machine is associated with a first gaming venue and the game license is associated with a second, different gaming venue.
Nguyen - An advantage of the virtual network described above is that it allows gaming services such as data acquisition, game licensing and report generation to be provided a single gaming machine without the use of a dedicated network which are typically expensive. This advantage may potentially increase the utility of a gaming machine while reducing the costs associated with operating and maintaining a machine. In particular, for gaming establishments with a small number of gaming machines operating in a “stand alone” mode, a virtual network may be the only viable way to provide cost effective gaming services via a network. The virtual network is enabled by an encryption scheme which utilizes multiple key encryption and symmetric encryption keys to provide secure communication of sensitive gaming data (0098).
Regarding Claim 8. Nguyen teaches:
A system comprising: a processor; and
Nguyen - processor running instructions to generate the game of chance from an EPROM or other form of non-volatile memory (¶ 0065).
a memory device that stores a plurality of instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:
Nguyen - a memory device for storing the plurality of game software modules; 3) a trusted memory device for storing authentication logic used to determine that the plurality of game software modules are authorized for use on the gaming machine; 4) a gaming operating system comprising logic to load and unload the plurality of game software modules into a RAM from the memory device and to control the play of the game of chance (¶ 0018).
responsive to receipt of a first transfer request from a mobile device to an electronic gaming machine:
Note – Authorization to play is the operative license. A “request” is received and either authorized (license granted) or not (no license granted).
Nguyen - a gaming machine initiates a gaming license request (¶ 0115). In 612, a game license request message is generated with the encrypted game license request data. The game license request message may be sent to a remote server (¶ 0116). In 705, the remote server receives a game license request message from a gaming machine (¶ 0122). If no tokens are available, the game software host or the game-licensing server 1552 may notify the gaming device that no tokens are currently available and the gaming device may be placed on a waiting list (¶ 0291).
disassociate a game license from being associated with the mobile device, and associate the game license with the electronic gaming machine, and
Note – ending the session and deleting the game data revokes the device’s authorization and disassociates the license from that mobile device.
Nguyen - When a license is available, i.e. all of the licenses are not in use, then the game licensing server 1552 grants the class 3 license to the requesting gaming device and the player may engage in a class 3 game play on the gaming machine. When the license is not available, the requesting gaming device may be notified that no class 3 licenses are available and the player may only engage in class 2 games on the gaming machine (¶ 0232). When the gaming machine decides that a software application, such as 1562, has terminated, the software agent 1560 may return the token for the application. When the gaming machine decides that a software application, such as 1562, has terminated, the software agent 1560 may return the token for the application. The license server 1552 may store a record of each token that is granted and returned in a token tracking database 1556 (¶ 0246).
responsive to receipt of a second transfer request from the electronic gaming machine to the mobile device and a determination that another game license is available for another electronic gaming machine: disassociate the game license from being associated with the electronic gaming machine, and associate the game license with the mobile device.
Note – ending the session and deleting the game data revokes the device’s authorization and disassociates the license from that mobile device.
Nguyen - When a license is available, i.e. all of the licenses are not in use, then the game licensing server 1552 grants the class 3 license to the requesting gaming device and the player may engage in a class 3 game play on the gaming machine. When the license is not available, the requesting gaming device may be notified that no class 3 licenses are available and the player may only engage in class 2 games on the gaming machine (¶ 0232). When the gaming machine decides that a software application, such as 1562, has terminated, the software agent 1560 may return the token for the application. When the gaming machine decides that a software application, such as 1562, has terminated, the software agent 1560 may return the token for the application. The license server 1552 may store a record of each token that is granted and returned in a token tracking database 1556 (¶ 0246).
Regarding Claim 9. Nguyen further teaches:
The system of Claim 8, wherein when executed by the processor responsive to the receipt of the second transfer request from the electronic gaming machine to the mobile device and a determination that the other game license is unavailable for the other electronic gaming machine: disassociate the game license from being associated with the electronic gaming machine, and associate the game license with the other electronic gaming machine.
Nguyen - The virtual network may also allow remote access to gaming information such as gaming performance information at various gaming establishments in the gaming entity from mobile access points. For example, the remote access point 134 may be a portable computer with a wireless modem. Typically, the remote access point 134 will have a high level of security such as special access software. Using the remote access point 134, a user such as a travelling employee of the game entity may access gaming information at casino 110 or casino 122 via the local ISP 314. The access may be routed through the central office 142 or may be routed directly to one of the casinos bypassing the central office. In addition, different access privileges may be accorded to different remote users. For instance, one remote user may be able to access information from any establishment in the gaming entity while another may only be able to access information from a particular establishment (¶ 0100).
Regarding Claim 10. Nguyen further teaches:
The system of Claim 8, wherein when executed by the processor responsive to the receipt of the first transfer request from the mobile device to the electronic gaming machine, the instructions cause the processor to cause a transfer of any of game state data and funding data from the mobile device to the electronic gaming machine.
Nguyen - In a further example, the gaming machine 336 may generate a digital signature or some other type of unique identification information and may send a digital signature verification request or an identification verification request to a remote server. The verification request may be part of an electronic fund transfer. After receiving authorization from the remote server in an authorization reply, the gaming machine 336 may send a fund transfer request with fund transfer information to the remote server and may receive a fund transfer reply authorizing the gaming transaction (¶ 0096).
Regarding Claim 11. Nguyen further teaches:
The system of Claim 8, wherein when executed by the processor responsive to the receipt of the second transfer request from the electronic gaming machine to the mobile device and the determination being that the other game license is available for the other electronic gaming machine, the instructions cause the processor to cause a transfer of any of game state data and funding data from the electronic gaming machine to the mobile device.
Nguyen - In the present invention, any gaming device that stores gaming software for downloads may download a complete set of the gaming software components used to play the game of chance or portions of a complete set of the gaming software components. Some examples of gaming software components may include but are not limited to: 1) a banking modules for coin-in, coin-out, credits cards, fund transfers, 2) security modules for tracking security events such as door open, lost power, lost communication, 3) bet modules for handling betting configurations such as a number of paylines, a number of coins per line and denominations (¶ 0130).
Regarding Claim 12. Nguyen further teaches:
The system of Claim 8, wherein the electronic gaming machine is associated with a first gaming venue and the mobile device is associated with a second, different gaming venue.
Nguyen - The virtual network may also allow remote access to gaming information such as gaming performance information at various gaming establishments in the gaming entity from mobile access points. For example, the remote access point 134 may be a portable computer with a wireless modem. Typically, the remote access point 134 will have a high level of security such as special access software. Using the remote access point 134, a user such as a travelling employee of the game entity may access gaming information at casino 110 or casino 122 via the local ISP 314. The access may be routed through the central office 142 or may be routed directly to one of the casinos bypassing the central office. In addition, different access privileges may be accorded to different remote users. For instance, one remote user may be able to access information from any establishment in the gaming entity while another may only be able to access information from a particular establishment (¶ 0100).
Regarding Claim 13. Nguyen further teaches:
The system of Claim 8, wherein the electronic gaming machine is associated with a gaming venue and the mobile device not associated with any gaming venue.
Nguyen - The virtual network may also allow remote access to gaming information such as gaming performance information at various gaming establishments in the gaming entity from mobile access points. For example, the remote access point 134 may be a portable computer with a wireless modem. Typically, the remote access point 134 will have a high level of security such as special access software. Using the remote access point 134, a user such as a travelling employee of the game entity may access gaming information at casino 110 or casino 122 via the local ISP 314. The access may be routed through the central office 142 or may be routed directly to one of the casinos bypassing the central office. In addition, different access privileges may be accorded to different remote users. For instance, one remote user may be able to access information from any establishment in the gaming entity while another may only be able to access information from a particular establishment (¶ 100).
Regarding Claim 14. Nguyen further teaches:
The system of Claim 8, wherein the electronic gaming machine is associated with a first gaming venue and the game license is associated with a second, different gaming venue.
Nguyen - An advantage of the virtual network described above is that it allows gaming services such as data acquisition, game licensing and report generation to be provided a single gaming machine without the use of a dedicated network which are typically expensive. This advantage may potentially increase the utility of a gaming machine while reducing the costs associated with operating and maintaining a machine. In particular, for gaming establishments with a small number of gaming machines operating in a “stand alone” mode, a virtual network may be the only viable way to provide cost effective gaming services via a network. The virtual network is enabled by an encryption scheme which utilizes multiple key encryption and symmetric encryption keys to provide secure communication of sensitive gaming data. For each session, the symmetric encryption keys may be randomly generated or may be rotated by selecting from a pool of keys (¶ 0098).
Regarding Claim 15. Nguyen further teaches:
A method of operating a system, the method comprising: responsive to receipt of a game license request from an electronic gaming machine and a determination that no game licenses are available to be granted:
Note – Authorization to play is the operative license. A “request” is received and either authorized (license granted) or not (no license granted).
Nguyen - a gaming machine initiates a gaming license request (¶ 0115). In 612, a game license request message is generated with the encrypted game license request data. The game license request message may be sent to a remote server (¶ 0116). In 705, the remote server receives a game license request message from a gaming machine (¶ 0122). If no tokens are available, the game software host or the game-licensing server 1552 may notify the gaming device that no tokens are currently available and the gaming device may be placed on a waiting list (¶ 0291).
determining, by a processor, if any mobile devices are associated with any game licenses, and responsive to the determination being that a mobile device is associated with a game license:
Note – A device that is authenticated/connected is the one associated with the playable authorization (license). The system determines those associations using device information.
Nguyen - The remote gaming device may be a portable gaming device such as but not limited to a cell phone, a personal digital assistant, and a wireless game player. Images rendered from 3-D gaming environments may be displayed on portable gaming devices that are used to play a game of chance (¶ 0061). reconcile token usage in its tracking database 1556 with token usage stored on each gaming machine. The reconciliation process may comprise querying each gaming device for records of token it has received and tokens it has returned over a specific time period and then finding a corresponding record in its database (¶ 0247).
disassociating, by the processor, the game license from being associated with the mobile device, and granting, by the processor, the game license request of the electronic gaming machine.
Note – ending the session and deleting the game data revokes the device’s authorization and disassociates the license from that mobile device.
When the gaming machine decides that a software application, such as 1562, has terminated, the software agent 1560 may return the token for the application. When the gaming machine decides that a software application, such as 1562, has terminated, the software agent 1560 may return the token for the application. The license server 1552 may store a record of each token that is granted and returned in a token tracking database 1556 (¶ 0246).
Regarding Claim 16. Nguyen further teaches:
The method of Claim 15, further comprising, responsive to the determination being that the mobile device is associated with the game license, disassociating, by the processor, the game license from being associated with the mobile device after a predetermined period of time.
Nguyen - The licensing cost is based upon one or more of 1) a popularity of the game of chance, 2) a time that the game of chance is played, 3) a wager amount that is made on the game of chance, 4) a type of gaming machine on which the game of chance is played, 5) a location in the casino of the gaming machine, 6) a fixed cost per game, 7) a fixed cost per game that varies as a function of time, 8) a fixed cost per game that varies according to a total number of times the game of chance has been played on the gaming machine, 9) a number of games of chance that are being played on the gaming machine simultaneously (¶ 0024).
Regarding Claim 17. Nguyen further teaches:
The method of Claim 16, further comprising, responsive to the determination being that the mobile device is associated with the game license, communicating data to the mobile device that results in the mobile device displaying a disconnection message prior to a conclusion of the predetermined period of time.
Nguyen - an operator carrying a hand-held device may be able to communicate with gaming devices using the hand-held device and configure gaming devices on the casino floor using menus generated on the hand-held device and a communication interface between the hand-held device and a particular gaming device or the game software host 1572 (¶ 0290).
Regarding Claim 18. Nguyen further teaches:
The method of Claim 16, further comprising, responsive to a determination that another game license becomes available, communicating data to the mobile device that results in the mobile device displaying a resume message.
Nguyen - After the state of the gaming machine is restored during the play of a game of chance, game play may resume and the game may be completed in a manner that is no different than if the malfunction had not occurred. Typically, battery backed RAM devices are used to preserve this critical data although other types of non-volatile memory devices may be employed. These memory devices are not used in typical general-purpose computers (¶ 0072).
Regarding Claim 19. Nguyen further teaches:
The method of Claim 15, wherein the electronic gaming machine is associated with a first gaming venue and the mobile device is associated with a second, different gaming venue.
Nguyen - The virtual network may also allow remote access to gaming information such as gaming performance information at various gaming establishments in the gaming entity from mobile access points. For example, the remote access point 134 may be a portable computer with a wireless modem. Typically, the remote access point 134 will have a high level of security such as special access software. Using the remote access point 134, a user such as a travelling employee of the game entity may access gaming information at casino 110 or casino 122 via the local ISP 314. The access may be routed through the central office 142 or may be routed directly to one of the casinos bypassing the central office. In addition, different access privileges may be accorded to different remote users. For instance, one remote user may be able to access information from any establishment in the gaming entity while another may only be able to access information from a particular establishment (¶ 0100).
Regarding Claim 20. Nguyen further teaches:
The method of Claim 15, wherein the electronic gaming machine is associated with a gaming venue, the mobile device is not associated with any gaming venue and the game license is associated with a second, different gaming venue.
Nguyen - In particular, for gaming establishments with a small number of gaming machines operating in a “stand alone” mode, a virtual network may be the only viable way to provide cost effective gaming services via a network. The virtual network is enabled by an encryption scheme which utilizes multiple key encryption and symmetric encryption keys to provide secure communication of sensitive gaming data. For each session, the symmetric encryption keys may be randomly generated or may be rotated by selecting from a pool of keys (¶ 0098).
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Kinsley (US20080234046A1) - Methods and devices are provided for central management of licenses, particularly those relating to wagering games. A license proxy deployed in and/or dedicated to a gaming establishment may operate under the control of a central licensing manager controlled by another entity, e.g., by a game provider. The license proxy may receive requests to enable features of an electronic gaming machine of the gaming establishment (e.g., game themes, player tracking features and/or peripheral device features) and determine, based on information provided by the central licensing manager, whether to grant such requests. The license proxy may also process requests to enable features of other devices in a gaming establishment, such as server-based features.
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/C.C.S./Examiner, Art Unit 3698
/PATRICK MCATEE/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 3698
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