Appeal No. 03-2051 Page 9
Application No. 09/127,183
Acres et al. U.S. Patent No. 6,162,122,3 which has come to our attention, is
directed to a method and apparatus for operating networked gaming devices. This
patent discloses a system for automating gaming device configurations to make them
more attractive to players by reconfiguring them under certain circumstances to provide
an additional incentive to players to use the devices (column 2, lines 7-26). The
reconfiguration activates a bonus payout schedule as a result of tracking such factors
as the number of coins deposited by a player, the time the player has spent at the
machine, and the number of coins won and games played (column 3, lines 1-46).
Thus, it would appear that the objectives of the Acres system are similar to those of the
appellant’s invention. Structure for accomplishing these objectives is described in the
patent.
This application is remanded to the examiner for evaluation of the patentability of
the appellant’s claims in view of the teachings of Acres. In considering this matter, the
attention of the examiner is directed to the discussions relating to rejecting claims
containing means-plus-function limitations which appear in the Manual of Patent
Examining Procedure.
CONCLUSION
Neither rejection is sustained.
The decision of the examiner is reversed.
3Copy enclosed.
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