Appeal No. 2002-1022
Application 09/326,934
that surround the symbols, characters or alphanumerics.” Since
it is the above-quoted language regarding “borders as images on
the reels” that appellants have specifically argued for
patentability, we look to the specification to see exactly what
that language means.
More particularly, we look to pages 11-14 of appellants’
specification and observe that in a virtual reel format wherein
the reel slot casino wagering game is played on a video screen,
the reels, the symbols, characters or alphanumerics, and the
borders are all images produced on the video screen and, thus, as
noted by appellants on page 14 of the brief, in a virtual reel
format, the total reel format image includes “borders as images
on the reels.” However, in a physical reel format the reel must
be provided with visually apparent borders around each symbol
containing frame to clearly locally define the frame. One way of
achieving this type of border is noted on page 13, lines 2-4, of
the specification, wherein “a continuous overlay edge and spacing
line element could be temporarily removed from the reel and
replacement imagery placed under the overlay that is then
replaced.” This type of physical reel format and border
arrangement is shown in Figure 2 of the application drawings and
described in the paragraph bridging pages 13 and 14 of the
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