Examiner: Rada, Alex

Patent AssigneePatent Application
CFPH14/840,965

Systems and methods for managing money from multiple players

Patent Abstract

This is a method of organizing a game over multiple users. This application relates to taking in multiple users games and coordinating both the outcomes of the games played between the players and the associated payout from the games. This application discusses the methods the internal currency is manipulated to be properly distributed to players.

Reason for 101 Rejection | CTNF 12/18/2018

The proposed claims do not incorporate the judicial exception beyond routine and well-understood functions. The game seeks to embrace the abstract idea of conducting a game and applying it to a computer. From this the Examiner asserts that the application does not provide meaningful limitations sufficient to transform the claimed subject matter into a patent-eligible application.

Remarks on Overcoming the 101 Rejection | REM 3/11/2019

The applicant explains how the claims integrate the abstract idea into a practical application. The applicant shows how the proposed claims improve on the functioning of a computer by helping to control the activity over the network to better manage computer resources. With the claims clearly reciting improvements to a known technology the applicant clearly demonstrates a practical application.

Examiner: Rada, Alex

Patent AssigneePatent Application
AG 18 LLC15/948,608

Variable playback gaming

Patent Abstract

A method for providing interactive gaming opportunities to players. The game evaluates the skill of different players to determine the payout of the game. The method calculates and refines a skill distribution within players of a game. This skill distribution correlates to a variable payout method, altering the payout depending on the characteristics of the player.

Reason for 101 Rejection | CTFR 5/29/2020

The Examiner rejected this application on the basis that it was directed at the fundamental economic principle of placing a wager and mitigating risk. The application was just applying generic computing components to an abstract method.

Remarks on Overcoming the 101 Rejection | REM 7/24/2020

The applicant clarified the method in which the system determined the payout methods and demonstrates that it focuses on a specific method to improve the relevant technology. Specific examples of these benefits are provided along with an explanation of how these examples are enabled by the limitations of the claims. 

Examiner: Rada, Alex

Patent AssigneePatent Application
KONAMI15/720,823

Gaming system and methods of operating gaming machines to provide skill-based wagering games to players

Patent Abstract

A method for skill-based wagering where the players performance is correlated to a larger set of player data to determine the payout. While this application has a component relating to a game cabinet, the Examiners rejections were focused on the incorporation of the abstract idea into the methods.

Reason for 101 Rejection | CTFR 10/25/2019

The Examiner claims that all these operations could be performed with a generic computer. They further imply that the application does not impose a meaningful limit on the use of the judicial exception so that the application is just a drafting effort to monopolize the exception.

Remarks on Overcoming the 101 Rejection | REM 1/27/2020

The applicant references prior cases where the fundamental economic principles were found to have been applied. The applicant demonstrates how the proposed claims are defined outside of the precedent to be considered a fundamental economic principle. A similar approach is taken in regard to the Examiners claim the invention is directed to managing personal behavior. The applicant demonstrates how the claims are defined outside of the given precedent.

Examiner: Rada, Alex

Patent AssigneePatent Application
SEGA Sammy Creation16/310,091

Lottery device and lottery method

Patent Abstract

This is a device for lottery games that comprises a function for associating, based on random data, the positions of virtual marks and the lottery associated on the basis of the position of a mark. The association of the virtual mark ensures randomness throughout the lottery process. This patent seeks to implement the use of random number generating circuits into the lottery logic of virtual objects. The results of the lottery may be biased based on the design of the virtual object. Linking the virtual object to  a random number generating circuit ensures randomness in the way the virtual object operates.

Reason for 101 Rejection | CTNF 12/11/2019

The broadest interpretation of these claims recites rules and instructions of a game, falling under the judicial exception of “Certain Methods of Organizing Human Activity”. The judicial exception is not integrated into a practical application beyond the use of generic computer components such that it is more than a drafting effort to monopolize the exception. All of the additional claimed elements also do not amount to significantly more than the judicial exception and are all considered to be extra-solution activity.

Remarks on Overcoming the 101 Rejection | REM 9/14/2020

The claims provide further emphasis that they are directed to an improvement in the functioning of an electronic lottery device by ensuring randomness in the lottery result. The claims may recite an aspect of a lottery game but should not be considered to preempt those rules. The claims are directed at a method of improving the operation of a lottery game. The claimed invention provides an improvement in the technical field of lottery gaming  through a unique associating function for the marks on a virtual object ensuring randomness of the lottery result. The claims are directed to a specific improvement in the field of lottery gaming so they demonstrate  practical application of judicial exceptions.

Examiner: Rada, Alex

Patent AssigneePatent Application
NIANTIC15/728,462

Lacement of virtual elements in a virtual world associated with a location-based parallel reality game

Patent Abstract

This is a patent used in the popular mobile game Pokémon GO to associate  virtual elements to a parallel reality game. The location of the virtual elements in the virtual world is determined based on real world conditions. This link between the virtual world and the real world improves is responsible for “enhancing the illusion that the virtual world is another dimension of the real world”.

Reason for 101 Rejection | CTNF 3/15/2019

The claimed invention is directed to abstract ideas without significantly more. The limitations under the broadest interpretations covers Certain Methods of Organizing Human Activity with the addition of generic computer components. The judicial exception is not integrated into a practical application, all additional steps amount to no more than mere instruction to apply the exception using generic computer components.

Remarks on Overcoming the 101 Rejection | REM 5/20/2019

The prong one analysis, the claimed method incorporates the real world and the virtual world of a parallel reality game. This cannot be done by the human mind and does not describe a mathematica formula, therefore the claims are not directed to ineligible subject matter. The claimed method is not a method of organizing human activity because nothing claimed creates a legal obligation nor directs humans to behave in any particular way. This application integrates the judicial exceptions into a practical application of that exception by “updating the game database to include the virtual element at the determined location” and “transmitting information for displaying the virtual element at the determined location”. Therefore these claims are not “directed to” judicial exception.

Examiner: Rada, Alex

Patent AssigneePatent Application
King.com15/951371

Method and apparatus

Patent Abstract

This patent relates to using networked devices to provide a game board display.The processors determine the respective locations of each element on the board and display it to the user. The user inputs then determine how the game objects react and move further updating the display. As the user moves individual game elements the processor recognizes any potential patterns and alters the display when they are recognized.

Reason for 101 Rejection | CTFR 10/1/2020

Retrieving, determining, displaying, receiving, and causing are under the broadest reasonable interpretation covers “Mental Process” and “Certain Methods of Organizing Human Activity”. Besides reciting a processor none of the claim elements preclude the steps from being performed in the mind. Further the judicial exception is not integrated into a practical application with a meaningful limit on the judicial exception.

Remarks on Overcoming the 101 Rejection | REM 12/1/2020

Claims are amended to limit the claim to being provided by a particular machine. The computing device is integral to the claimed method as claim 1 relates to “a computer implemented method performed by a computer device”. The processor within the computing device allows the user to merely observe and react to the displayed game arrangement. Further it is configured in a specific way that is not generic. Therefore the claimed invention is not a mental process or method of organizing human activity.