throbber
IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`CASE NO. ........................................................................................................................... TBD
`U.S. PATENT NO .................................................................................................... 8,096,869
`PATENT ISSUE DATE .................................................................................... Jan. 17, 2012
`PATENT FILING DATE .................................................................................. Dec. 9, 2005
`FIRST NAMED INVENTOR .................................................................... Osamu Yoshimi
`TITLE ......................... “Gaming Machine with Runs of Consecutive Identical Symbols”
`
`
`
`
`
`BEFORE THE PATENT TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD
`
`
`
`DECLARATION OF DR. WILLIAM BERTRAM IN SUPPORT OF
`PETITION FOR INTER PARTES REVIEW OF
`U.S. PATENT NO. 8,096,869
`
`
`
`
`i
`
`High5 Exhibit 1007, Page 1 of 70
`
`

`
`
`
`TABLE OOF CONTTENTS
`
`
`
`
`...................NIONS ......F MY OPINMARY OFAND SUMMUCTION AINNTRODU
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`...... 1
`I.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`II. QQUALIFICCATIONS AAND EXPPERIENCEE .......................................................
`...... 3
`
`
`
`
`III. MMATERIALLS CONSIIDERED .....................
`
`.......................................
`...... 5
`...................
`
`
`
`
`IV. AAPPLICABBLE LEGAAL STANDDARDS .....
`
`.......................................
`...... 6
`...................
`V.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`TTHE ‘869 PPATENT——GAMINGG MACHINNE WITHH RUNS OFF
`...... 8
`
`
`
`
`CONSEECUTIVE IDENTICCAL SYMBBOLS .........
`
`
`..........................................................
`.... 10
`
`
`
`
`VI. CCLAIMS OF THE ‘8669 PATENNT ...............
`
`.......................................
`...................
`.... 12
`
`
`
`
`VII. CCLAIM COONSTRUCTTION ..........................
`
`.......................................
`...................
`
`
`
`
`VIII. PPRIOR ARTT TO THEE ‘869 PATTENT .......
`
`.......................................
`.... 18
`...................
` A.
`
`
`
`U.S. PPatent Appplication N
`
`
`agao)o. 2003/01181240 (Na
`18
`
`
`U.S. PPatent No.
` B.
`(Sekine)
` 8,246,047
`22
`
` C.
`
`U.S. PPatent No.
`(Yoseloff)
` 6,159,096
`23
`
` U.S. PD. Patent No.
`
`(Bennett)
` 8,360,840
`27
`ENCES .....T REFERERIOR ARTCOMBINNE THE PR
`
`
`
`IX. MMOTIVAT
`
`
`IONS TO
`.... 30
`X.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`THE PRIOOR ART REENDERS TTHE ‘869 PPATENT OOBVIOUSS .................
`.... 34
`
` A.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`lated Claimm 1: Randoomly Generrated Run oof Identicaal Symbols oon a Simul
`
`
`Reel from a Subset of Symbols
`34
`Symbols
`s Identical ssor SelectsClaimm 2: Proces
`B.
`
`
`
`
`36
`
` C.
`
`
`Claimm 3: Symbools in the S
`
`
`36
`
` D.
`
`
`
`
`ednt is SelecteClaimm 4: Winning Elemen
`37
`
`
`
` E.
`Claimm 5: Prize iis Awarded
`38
`
`
`
`
` F.
`
`
`39
`
` G.
`
`
`
`Claimm 7: Defauult Randomm Population
`40
`
`
`
` H.
`
`Claimm 8: Adaptted for Poteential Modi
`fication
`40
`
`. .
`
`
`
`
`Claimm 9: Leftwaardly Adjoiining Reel
`41
`
`
`J. .
`
`
`Claimm 11: Left-Most Reel
`42
`K.
`
`
`
`
`Claimm 14: Uppeer Secondary Display
`43
`
`
`
`L.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`imulated RReel from a Subset of Symbols
`
`M.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ction lity of Selecubset havee a Probabil
`
`d e
`
`
`
`Claimm 6: Matrixx Comprises Five Coluumns and TThree Rowws
`
`44
`46
`
`n i
`
`
`
`Claimm 19: Randdomly Geneerated Runn of Identiccal Symbolss on a
`
`
`
`Claimm 20: Matriix Comprisses Five Coolumns andd Three Roows
`
`
`
`ii
`
`High5 Exhibit 1007, Page 2 of 70
`
`A B C D
`
`T AR B C D E F G H I
`
`K LS M
`
`

`
`47
`Most Reel
`
`Claimm 21: Left-
` N.
`
`48
`dification
`
`
`
` O.
`
`Claimm 22: Adappted for Pootential Mod
`.... 48
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`XI. EEXHIBIT AAUTHENTTICATIONN STATEMMENTS ...........................................
`.... 49
`
`
`
`
`
`XII. STATEMENT UNDEER U.S.C. SSECTIONN 1001 OF
`TITLE 18
` ..................
`
`
`
`
`......................................ION..........XIII. CCONCLUS
`
`.......................................
`.... 49
`...................
`
`N O
`
`iii
`
`High5 Exhibit 1007, Page 3 of 70
`
`

`
`I.
`
`INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY OF MY OPINIONS
`
`1.
`
`I, William Bertram, have been retained as an expert in this matter by
`
`counsel for Petitioner, High 5 Games, LLC (“Petitioner”). I understand that Konami
`
`Gaming, Inc., (“Patent Owner”) has asserted U.S. Patent No. 8,096,869, entitled
`
`Gaming Machine with Runs of Consecutive Identical Symbols (“the ‘869 Patent”)
`
`against Petitioner in Case No. 2:14-CV-01483-RFB-NJK. I also understand that
`
`Petitioner has submitted the ‘869 Patent for Inter Partes Review at the United States
`
`Patent Office’s Patent Trial and Appeal Board (“PTAB”).
`
`2.
`
`I have been asked by counsel for Petitioner to consider whether it would
`
`be obvious to combine certain prior art and whether, alone or in combination, those
`
`prior art references invalidate claims 1-9, 11, 14, and 19-22 (“the Challenged Claims”)
`
`in the ‘869 Patent.
`
`3.
`
`After reviewing these claims, the ‘869 Patent specification and file
`
`history, the four pieces of prior art—Nagao, Sekine, Yoseloff, and Bennett—and
`
`other information referenced herein, in my opinion, it would be obvious to make at
`
`least four different combinations of the prior art, and each of those combinations
`
`would render the ‘869 Patent obvious.
`
`4.
`
`The opinions provided herein are my own and are based on my research
`
`in this matter and the education, experience, training, and skill I have accumulated in
`
`the gaming industry. Between now and such time that I may be asked to testify at
`
`1
`
`High5 Exhibit 1007, Page 4 of 70
`
`

`
`trial, I expect to continue my review, evaluation, and analysis of information
`
`submitted by the parties, as well as the relevant evidence presented at trial.
`
`5.
`
`I also expect to review all submissions related to this Petition and
`
`expressly reserve the right to amend or supplement this report, as appropriate. I also
`
`expressly reserve the right to amend or supplement this Declaration in response to
`
`additional evidence that may come to light as a result of continuing investigation.
`
`6.
`
`My opinions have also been guided by how a person of ordinary skill in
`
`the art (“POSITA”) would have understood the claims of the ‘869 Patent at the time
`
`of the alleged invention, which I have been asked to assume is February 14, 2005, the
`
`earliest filing date of an application that supports the ‘869 Patent claims. Based on my
`
`experience and background, I consider myself to be a POSITA relevant to the alleged
`
`inventions claimed in the ‘869 Patent. My opinions are also based on accepting as
`
`correct the proposed construction of the claim terms “randomly selected anew,”
`
`“notional, non-visible, inner reel,” “virtual rotation,” “subset of a said plurality of
`
`symbols,” “fixed for each game played,” “identical symbol,” and “probability of
`
`selection,” as set forth below in Section VII.
`
`7.
`
`I am over 18 years of age. I have personal knowledge of the facts stated
`
`in this Declaration and could testify competently to them if asked to do so. My
`
`testimony in this Declaration, and any offered in these proceedings, is given from the
`
`perspective of a POSITA at the time of the filing of the ‘869 Patent––February 14,
`
`2005.
`
`2
`
`High5 Exhibit 1007, Page 5 of 70
`
`

`
`II. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
`
`8.
`
`I earned a Bachelor of Business Science Degree from Colorado State
`
`University. In 1965, I also earned a Master of Science Degree and a Doctor of
`
`Philosophy Degree from the University of Michigan. I have over thirty (30) years of
`
`casino industry experience, including working directly with the electronic design of
`
`stepper motor slot machines, mathematical analysis of games of skill, and construction
`
`and testing of random number algorithms. My work in this area resulted in being a
`
`named inventor on fifteen issued U.S. patents related to casino related applications.
`
`Since 1994, I have served as an expert witness in numerous patent infringement cases
`
`and trade secret cases. My current Curriculum Vitae, setting forth additional detail, is
`
`attached hereto as Exhibit A.
`
`9.
`
`Beginning in 1965, I spent two years as a Post-Doctorial Fellow at the
`
`German Electronc Synchrotron Lab in Hamburg, Germany. In 1967, I became an
`
`Assistant Professor of Physics at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign for
`
`one year. Then, starting in 1968, I spent five (5) years in the academic world
`
`conducting research in high-energy electromagnetic interactions while I was an
`
`Associate Professor of Physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, in
`
`Cambridge, Massachusetts. My work in this area lead to approximately twenty-five
`
`(25) publications on Hi Energy Electromagentic Interactions.
`
`3
`
`High5 Exhibit 1007, Page 6 of 70
`
`

`
`10.
`
`From 1973 to 1977, I was President and Founder of Bio-Dyne
`
`Corporation. While there, I designed and manufactured a complete line of medical
`
`bio-feedback instrumentation.
`
`11.
`
`From 1978 to1982, I served as the Vice-President of Engineering at
`
`Instream Incorporated in Reno, Nevada. I was responsible for the design and testing
`
`of continuous weight equipment and process control systems.
`
`12.
`
`From 1982 to 1996, I served as a Senior Project Engineer at
`
`International Gaming Technology in Reno, Nevada. There I was responsible for the
`
`electronic design of stepper motor slot machines. I also conducted mathematical
`
`analysis for games of skill. I contributed to construction and testing of random
`
`number algorithms.
`
`13.
`
`In 1997, I founded WKB Associates Incorporated, of which I am
`
`currently the sole proprietor. At WKB, I provide mathematical analysis and expert
`
`witness testimony, often in patent infringement litigations. In this capacity I routinely
`
`provide casino gaming specific random number generator algorithm testing. I also
`
`contribute to gaming system design and performance optimization primarily using
`
`optimum game theories to optimize the return to the player for various games. I have
`
`also participated in new casino game demonstrations as well as pay table calculations.
`
`14.
`
`I am being compensated at a rate of $250 per hour plus out of pocket
`
`expenses for my work as Petitioner’s expert witness. I have no financial interest in the
`
`4
`
`High5 Exhibit 1007, Page 7 of 70
`
`

`
`outcome of this case nor is my compensation contingent upon the opinions I develop
`
`in this matter.
`
`III. MATERIALS CONSIDERED
`
`15.
`
`In forming my opinions, I reviewed the following documents:
`
`(cid:120) U.S. Patent No. 8,096,869 (“‘869 Patent”) (Ex. 1001);
`
`(cid:120) Prosecution History of U.S. Patent No. 8,096,869 (Ex. 1002);
`
`(cid:120) U.S. Patent Publication No. 2003/0181240 (“Nagao”) (Ex. 1003);
`
`(cid:120) U.S. Patent No. 8,246,047 (“Sekine”) (Ex. 1004);
`
`(cid:120) U.S. Patent No. 6,159,096 (“Yoseloff”) (Ex. 1005);
`
`(cid:120) U.S. Patent No. 8,360,840 (“Bennett”) (Ex. 1006);
`
`(cid:120) U.S. Patent No. 6,604,999 to Ainsworth;
`
`(cid:120) Copy of 35 U.S.C. § 103;
`
`(cid:120) Copies of dictionary definitions for “virtual,” “subset” and “identical” in
`
`Webster’s New College Dictionary, (2005), Wiley Publishing, Cleveland,
`
`OH; Oxford Dictionary; and Dictionary.com.
`
`(cid:120) Konami Gaming, Inc.’s Disclosure of Asserted Claims and Infringement
`
`Contentions in the Nevada Litigation (“Konami Contentions”) (Ex.
`
`1008);
`
`(cid:120) The Complaint for Patent Infringement (including its Exhibits) in
`
`Konami Gaming, Inc. v. PTT, LLC d/b/a/ High 5 Games., Case No. 2:14-
`
`5
`
`High5 Exhibit 1007, Page 8 of 70
`
`

`
`CV-01483-RFB-NJK (“Nevada Litigation”) (Ex. 1009);
`
`(cid:120) Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 8,096,869 (the
`
`“Petition”);
`
`(cid:120) Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 8,366,540, all related
`
`exhibits, and the Declaration of Dr. William Bertram in support thereof;
`
`(cid:120) Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 8,616,955, all related
`
`exhibits, and the Declaration of Dr. William Bertram in support thereof;
`
`and
`
`(cid:120) Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 8,622,810, all related
`
`exhibits, and the Declaration of Dr. William Bertram in support thereof.
`
`IV. APPLICABLE LEGAL STANDARDS
`
`16. While I have general lay familiarity with patent law principles from my
`
`experience patenting inventions and providing expert opinions in other unrelated
`
`cases, I do not consider myself an expert on patent law. Therefore, counsel for
`
`Petitioner has provided me with additional guidance on legal principles relating to
`
`patents and patent invalidity that govern the issues on which I was asked to opine.
`
`17.
`
`I understand that in order to decide whether a patent claim is invalid, the
`
`claim terms must be properly interpreted, and then the properly interpreted claims
`
`must be applied to the patent-at-issue on an element by element basis.
`
`6
`
`High5 Exhibit 1007, Page 9 of 70
`
`

`
`18.
`
`I understand that there are two types of patent claims: independent and
`
`dependent claims. An independent claim does not refer back to any other claim of
`
`the patent. Invalidity of an independent claim is considered separately and without
`
`regard to any other claim.
`
`19.
`
`I understand that a dependent claim includes reference to another claim
`
`in the patent. A dependent claim incorporates all of the limitations of the claims to
`
`which the dependent claim refers. Thus, for each dependent claim at issue, one must
`
`consider all of the limitations in the dependent claim, as well as the limitations in the
`
`claim(s) from which it depends when resolving the question of invalidity.
`
`20.
`
`I understand that a patent is invalid if a prior art reference discloses
`
`every limitation in the claimed invention.
`
`21.
`
`I also understand that a claimed combination is obvious, and therefore
`
`not patentable, if the differences between the subject matter patented and the prior art
`
`are such that the subject matter as a whole would have been obvious at the time the
`
`invention was made to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which said subject
`
`matter pertains. Whether the subject matter would have been obvious depends on:
`
`(1) the scope and content of the prior art, (2) the differences between the prior art and
`
`the claims at issue, (3) the level of ordinary skill in the art, and (4) any relevant
`
`secondary considerations, such as commercial success, long-felt but unsolved needs,
`
`and the failure of others.
`
`7
`
`High5 Exhibit 1007, Page 10 of 70
`
`

`
`22.
`
`I also understand that if a technique has been used to improve one
`
`device, and a POSITA would have recognized that it would improve similar devices in
`
`the same way at the time of invention, using the technique can be obvious unless its
`
`actual application is beyond his or her skill. There may also be a specific teaching,
`
`suggestion, or motivation in the prior art, the nature of the problem to be solved, or
`
`knowledge of the POSITA to combine prior art references. Such a teaching,
`
`suggestion, or motivation to combine the references can be the express or implicit,
`
`and such inherent disclosures of a prior art reference may be relied upon. I also
`
`understand that if a POSITA can implement a predictable variation, and would have
`
`seen the benefit of doing so, the claimed combination is likely obvious under § 103 .
`
` THE ‘869 PATENT—GAMING MACHINE WITH RUNS OF
`V.
`CONSECUTIVE IDENTICAL SYMBOLS
`
`23.
`
`The ‘869 Patent is directed to a gaming machine displaying simulated
`
`rotatable reels with randomly selected symbols where at least one reel has at least one
`
`run with an identical symbol randomly selected from a subset of symbols each play of
`
`the game. Ex. 1001, Abstract.
`
`24.
`
`The ‘869 Patent issued from U.S. Patent Application No. 20060183534
`
`filed on August 17, 2006. The patent claims priority to Australian Provisional Patent
`
`Application 2005900681 filed on February 14, 2005.
`
`25.
`
`The ‘869 Patent discloses five preferred embodiments of the invention.
`
`The “First Preferred Embodiment” arranges the left most reel “to have at least one
`
`8
`
`High5 Exhibit 1007, Page 11 of 70
`
`

`
`run of an identical symbol in each of a number of consecutive elements.” Id., 4:33-36.
`
`The “Second Preferred Embodiment” modifies the second reel “to include at least
`
`one run of consecutive elements displaying the same ‘inner reel’ symbols as that used
`
`to populate the elements of the consecutive runs or runs of the left-most reel.” Id.,
`
`5:21-26. In the “Third Preferred Embodiment,” “a player is made aware of the
`
`populating of one or more consecutive runs of the left-most reel with the identical
`
`symbol.” Id., 6:7-9. In the “Fourth Preferred Embodiment,” “the number of
`
`elements comprising a run of identical ‘inner reel’ symbols and the number of such
`
`runs in any given reel is not constant but may be determined a number of ways.” Id.,
`
`6:30-32. The “Fifth Preferred Embodiment” envisions the symbols to be non-
`
`rectangular. Id., 6:46-7:7.
`
`26.
`
`I have considered the level of ordinary skill in the art related to the ‘869
`
`Patent, around the time of the invention in 2005. It is my opinion that a person of
`
`ordinary skill in this art would be expected to have a computer science degree and/or
`
`a technical degree and practical experience involving electronic slot machines. This
`
`person would have at least four years of practical experience programming electronic
`
`slot machines and a demonstrated history and competence of casino game play. This
`
`person would also have working knowledge of statistical analyses of electronic slot
`
`machines. I have performed my analysis as I believe a person of ordinary skill in the
`
`art would have, and as stated, believe I am a POSITA in this slot machine gaming art.
`
`9
`
`High5 Exhibit 1007, Page 12 of 70
`
`

`
`VI. CLAIMS OF THE ‘869 PATENT
`
`27.
`
`I understand that the Challenged Claims are claims 1-9, 11, 14, and 19-
`
`22, with claims 1 and 19 being independent.
`
`28.
`
`Claim 1 of the ‘869 Patent recites the following:
`
`1. A gaming machine comprising:
`a processor configured to execute a game displaying a matrix of
`symbol containing elements having a plurality of rows and a plurality
`columns;
`at least one column of said matrix comprising a portion of a
`simulated rotatable reel of a plurality of said symbol containing elements;
`said simulated rotatable reel comprising sections of symbol
`containing elements displaying a plurality of symbols that are fixed for
`each game played on said gaming machine;
`said simulated rotatable reel including at least one section in which
`a consecutive run of three or more of said symbol containing elements is
`populated by an identical symbol so that, as the simulated rotatable reel
`rotates, a consecutive string of said same identical symbol is sequentially
`displayed within said consecutive string of symbol containing elements;
`and said identical symbol is randomly selected anew for each play
`of said game, wherein said identical symbol is selected by virtually
`spinning a notional, non-visible, inner reel comprising a subset of said
`plurality of symbols.
`
`29.
`
`Claim 19 of the ‘869 Patent recites the following:
`
`19. A method for increasing probability of a winning outcome on
`a gaming machine;
`
`10
`
`High5 Exhibit 1007, Page 13 of 70
`
`

`
`wherein said winning outcome is determined by a game including
`pre-defined arrangements of a plurality of symbols displayed in a matrix
`of symbol containing elements comprising portions of simulated
`rotatable reels;
`said method comprising a processor of the gaming machine
`configured to:
`(a) arrange at least one of said simulated rotatable reels with at
`least one consecutive run of three or more symbol containing elements
`displaying an identical symbol;
`said identical symbol selected from a subset of said plurality of
`symbols so that, as the simulated rotatable reel rotates, a consecutive
`string of the same identical symbol is sequentially displayed in said
`consecutive run of three or more symbol containing elements within a
`column defined by the simulated rotatable reel; and
`(b) randomly select one of the plurality of symbols from each one
`of said simulated rotatable reels as a potential win element; wherein, said
`at least one consecutive run of three or more symbol containing
`elements comprises a section of said simulated rotatable reel, such that
`all other remaining symbol containing elements of said simulated
`rotatable reel are populated with fixed symbols from the plurality of
`symbols for each play of the game; and
`wherein said subset of said plurality of symbols is arranged on a
`notional non-visible inner reel, such that said identical symbol is
`randomly selected anew for each play of the game by virtual rotation of
`said notional non-visible inner reel.
`
`11
`
`High5 Exhibit 1007, Page 14 of 70
`
`

`
`
`
`VII. CCLAIM COONSTRUCCTION
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`30.
`
`
`
`For cclaim construction gennerally, I haave been innstructed thhat, as a
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`POSITAA, I shouldd first consider whetheer these terrms have a
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`plain and oordinary
`
`
`
`meaningg or a uniquue meaningg in the art.. Second, II should coonsider wheether the pllain
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`and ordiinary meanning, or uniique meaninng in the arrt, is alteredd by either
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`abandonmment
`
`history. I
`
`also
`
`
`
`or a cleaar definitionn to the contrary in thhe patent sppecificationn or its file
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`understaand that whhen the pattentee has aacted as hiss/her own
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`lexicograp
`
`her and
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`providedd a definition of a termm, that deffinition appplies.
`
`
`
`1.
`3
`
`
`
` I furrther under
`
`
`
`stand that iin decidingg whether tto institute
`
`
`
`
`
`inter partes
`
`review,
`
`
`“A claim inn an unexp
`
`
`
`ired patentt shall be giiven its brooadest reasoonable
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`construcction in lighht of the sppecificationn of the pattent in whicch it appeaars.” 37 C.FF.R.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`§ 42.1000(b). I undderstand thaat this claimm constructtion standaard is differrent from, aand
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`can be bbroader thaan, that appplied in disttrict court.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
` I further uunderstandd that “the
`
`
`
`
`
`broader standard sserves to identify ambbiguities in tthe claims
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`that can thhen be clariffied
`
`
`
`
`
`throughh claim ameendments.”” Final Rules, 77 Fed.. Reg. at 488699.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`AA.
`
`
`
`Petittioner’s Proposed Coonstructioons
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`“randommly selectedd anew”
`
`
`
`
`
`32.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`To a POSITA ““randomly selected annew” is connstrued as ““selected ussing
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`a randomm selectionn algorithmm for each ggame.” Theere is no unnique meanning for thee
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`terms “rrandomly selected aneew” in the ggaming art
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`. This connstruction, aaccording tto
`
`
`
`the ordiinary Englissh meaningg of this terrm, is consiistent with
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the Patentt Owner’s
`
`12
`
`High5 Exhibit 1007, Page 15 of 70
`
`

`
`contentions in the Nevada Litigation and the specification of the ‘869 Patent. See Exs.
`
`1001 and 1008, 16. The Patent Owner defines a “notional [sic], non-visible inner
`
`reel” as a “random selection algorithm” and cites to the ‘869 Patent specification,
`
`4:55-5:12. Id.
`
`33.
`
`Accordingly, in my opinion, the broadest reasonable construction of the
`
`term “randomly selected anew” is “selected using a random selection algorithm for
`
`each game.”
`
`“notional, non-visible, inner reel”
`
`34.
`
`To a POSITA, a “notional, non-visible, inner reel” is construed as “a
`
`look-up table.” There is no unique meaning for this term in the gaming art, and this
`
`construction is consistent with the specification of the ‘869 Patent. The specification
`
`defines an “inner reel” as an “‘inner reel’ or look-up table.” Ex. 1001, 4:58. While the
`
`Applicant expressly disclaimed a template to distinguish Yoseloff during prosecution,
`
`there is no difference between a “notional, non-visible, inner reel” and a look-up
`
`table. Ex. 1002, Resp. to Ofc. Act., 154. Furthermore, in the Nevada Litigation, the
`
`Patent Owner defined “notional [sic], non-visible inner reel” as a “random selection
`
`algorithm” and cited to the ‘869 Patent specification, 4:55-5:12. See Ex 1008, 16. The
`
`below block quote contains multiple citations to a look-up table as the notional, non-
`
`visible reel:
`
`This “inner reel” is in effect a look-up table and is not
`displayed, but its simulated rotation and “coming to rest” determines
`
`13
`
`High5 Exhibit 1007, Page 16 of 70
`
`

`
`which symbol will populate the run or runs of consecutive elements of
`the left-most reel.
`The symbols of the “inner reel” or look-up table from which
`the selection is made, are a sub-set of the set of symbols displayed in the
`remaining non-“inner reel” elements of the left-most reel. Thus, where
`the symbols are those of a suit of cards, the “inner reel” symbols may be
`those of the Ace, King, Queen and Jack, sometimes called the trump or
`court cards. The look-up table could also include a “wild” or “scatter”
`symbol. As previously noted, the arrangement or ordering of the
`symbols in the elements of the reel, other than the consecutive run or
`runs of elements, remain constant for every game, only the selection of
`the identical symbol from the look-up table is performed anew for each
`new play of a game.
`The symbols 36 of the look-up table 34 need not all have the
`same probability of selection but may be assigned a hierarchy of
`probability. Thus for example, those symbols for which a winning
`combination confers on the player of a game a relatively higher value
`prize, such as the ace and the king, may have an inversely proportional
`probability of being selected as an “inner reel” symbol.
`Ex. 1001, 4:54-5:10 (emphasis added).
`
`35.
`
` Additionally, the definition of “notional,” from a common dictionary at
`
`the time of the ‘869 Patent filing or 2005, is “of, expressing, or consisting of notions,
`
`or concepts.” See Exhibit B, attached hereto, Webster’s New College Dictionary
`
`(2005).
`
`14
`
`High5 Exhibit 1007, Page 17 of 70
`
`

`
`36.
`
`Accordingly, in my opinion, the broadest reasonable construction of the
`
`term “notional, non-visible, inner reel” is “a look-up table.”
`
`“virtual rotation” / “virtually spinning”
`
`37.
`
`To a POSITA, “virtual rotation” or “virtually spinning” are construed as
`
`“selecting with a random selection algorithm for each game.” There is no unique
`
`meaning for the terms “virtual rotation” or “virtually spinning” in the gaming art.
`
`This construction is consistent with the Patent Owner’s contentions in the Nevada
`
`Litigation (see Ex 1008, 16), where it defined the “notional [sic], non-visible inner reel”
`
`as a “random selection algorithm” and cited to the ‘869 Patent, 4:55-5:12. Id. As
`
`shown above, a “notional, non-visible inner reel” is consistently referred to as a look-
`
`up table. Therefore, I assume the Patent Owner meant the “virtual rotation” or
`
`“virtually spinning” of the “notional, non-visible inner reel” is performed through a
`
`“random selection algorithm.”
`
`38.
`
`Additionally, the definition of “virtual,” from a common dictionary at
`
`the time of the ‘869 Patent filing or 2005, is “being such practically or in effect,
`
`although not in actual fact or name.” See Exhibit B, attached hereto, Webster’s New
`
`College Dictionary (2005).
`
`39.
`
`Accordingly, in my opinion, the broadest reasonable construction of the
`
`term “virtual rotation” and “virtually spinning” is “selecting with a random selection
`
`algorithm for each game.”
`
`
`
`15
`
`High5 Exhibit 1007, Page 18 of 70
`
`

`
`“subset of a said plurality of symbols”
`
`40.
`
`To a POSITA, a “subset of a said plurality of symbols” is construed as
`
`“a group of symbols that is part of a larger group of symbols.” There is no unique
`
`meaning for this term in the art, and the ordinary meaning of the term “subset” is
`
`defined as: a part or portion of a larger set or group. Exhibit B, attached
`
`hereto. Patent Owner defines “subset” as “A set consisting of elements of a given set
`
`that can be the same as the given set or smaller.” Ex. 1011, 16. However, the
`
`specification gives the example, “where the symbols are those of a suit of cards, the
`
`‘inner reel’ symbols may be those of the Ace, King, Queen and Jack . . . .” (Ex. 1001,
`
`4:58-63). The specification and the ordinary English meaning of this term, are
`
`consistent with a part or portion of a larger set or group, and not one that can be the
`
`same as the given set. See, Ex. B, attached hereto. The specification example symbols
`
`are a subset (a set comprising less than) a larger set of symbols set forth in the
`
`specification. Id.
`
`41.
`
`Accordingly, in my opinion, the broadest reasonable construction of the
`
`term “subset of a said plurality of symbols” is “a group of symbols that is part of a
`
`larger group of symbols.”
`
`“fixed for each game played”
`
`42.
`
`To a POSITA, “fixed for each game played” is construed as “an
`
`arrangement of symbols that remains constant for every game.” There is no unique
`
`meaning for the term “fixed for each game played” in the gaming art. The
`
`16
`
`High5 Exhibit 1007, Page 19 of 70
`
`

`
`specification states, “With some exceptions, as explained below, the sequence of
`
`symbols within the elements of a reel remains fixed for all games played.” Ex. 1001,
`
`4:23-25 (emphasis added). The specification further states, “the arrangement or
`
`ordering of the symbols in the elements of the reel, other than the consecutive run or
`
`runs of elements, remain constant for every game.” Id., 4:66-5:1 (emphasis added).
`
`43.
`
`Accordingly, in my opinion, the broadest reasonable construction of the
`
`term “fixed for each game played” is “an arrangement of symbols that remains
`
`constant for every game.”
`
`“identical symbol”
`
`44.
`
`To a POSITA, “identical symbol” is construed as “the same symbol.”
`
`The specification states, “at least one reel… is arranged to have at least one run of an
`
`identical symbol in each of a number of consecutive elements.” Id., 4:33-36. The
`
`specification further points to FIG. 2 wherein “a run of kings (crown symbol) is
`
`arranged for display in runs of five consecutive elements 30 at three locations 31 to 33
`
`respectively.” Id., 4:38-39.
`
`45.
`
`Additionally, there is no unique meaning in the gaming art for the term
`
`“identical symbol”; and the definition of “identical,” from a common dictionary at the
`
`time of the ‘869 Patent filing or 2005, is “the very same . . . exactly alike or equal.” See
`
`Exhibit B, attached hereto, Webster’s New College Dictionary (2005).
`
`46.
`
`Accordingly, in my opinion, the broadest reasonable construction of the
`
`term “identical symbol” is construed as “the same symbol.”
`
`17
`
`High5 Exhibit 1007, Page 20 of 70
`
`

`
`
`
`“probabbility of seleection”
`
`
`
`
`
`447.
`
`
`
`To a POSITA, ““probabilitty of selectiion” has noo unique mmeaning in tthe
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`gaming art is consttrued accorrding to its ordinary EEnglish meaaning as “thhe likelihoood
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`that a giiven symbool will be seelected.” TThis construuction is coonsistent wwith the Pateent
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Owner’ss contentioons in the NNevada Litiigation. Exx 1008, 16.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`448.
`
`
`
`Accoordingly, in my opinionn, the broaadest reasonnable consttruction of f the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`term “probability oof selectionn” is constrrued as “thee likelihoodd that a givven symbol
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`will
`
`be selec
`ted.”
`
`
`
`VIII. PPRIOR ARRT TO THHE ‘869 PAATENT
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`449.
`
`
`
`As paart of my innvestigationn for this mmatter, I revviewed sevveral prior aart
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`referencces. I have also taken
`
`
`
`
`
`into accouunt my overr thirty (300) years of eexperience
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`in
`
`
`
`the gamming industrry, as explaiined in moore detail abbove.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`A.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent Appplication No. 2003//0181240 (NNagao)
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`A 5
`
`
`
`0. Nagaao is directeed to “any mmachine wwhich enablees sequentiial stoppagee of
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`symbolss of respecttive columnns …, by mmeans of suuccessively
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`displaying
`
`a plurality
`
`of
`
`
`
`rows of f symbols.” Ex. 1003, Nagao [00081]. “Wheen one or mmore activee lines are
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`specifiedd by a playeer’s bettingg operation
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
` and the staart lever 111 is actuate
`
`
`
`
`
`d, the symbbol
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`display ssections 7 tto 9 successively displlay symbolss.” Id. [00885]. “[E]acch of the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`symbol display secctions 7 to 99 can displaay a variablle symbol:
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
` e.g., a variaable symbool of
`
`
`
`
`
`numeralls 0 to 9, annd other syymbols.” Idd. [0092]. ““When a vaariable symmbol has comme
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`to a stanndstill at ann active linee (i.e., a payy line) in thhe symbol ddisplay secttion 7, any oone
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`18
`
`High5 Exhibit 1007, Page 21 of 70
`
`

`
`numeral value is selected from the range of 0 to 9 by lottery and thus-selected value is
`
`determined.” Id.

This document is available on Docket Alarm but you must sign up to view it.


Or .

Accessing this document will incur an additional charge of $.

After purchase, you can access this document again without charge.

Accept $ Charge
throbber

Still Working On It

This document is taking longer than usual to download. This can happen if we need to contact the court directly to obtain the document and their servers are running slowly.

Give it another minute or two to complete, and then try the refresh button.

throbber

A few More Minutes ... Still Working

It can take up to 5 minutes for us to download a document if the court servers are running slowly.

Thank you for your continued patience.

This document could not be displayed.

We could not find this document within its docket. Please go back to the docket page and check the link. If that does not work, go back to the docket and refresh it to pull the newest information.

Your account does not support viewing this document.

You need a Paid Account to view this document. Click here to change your account type.

Your account does not support viewing this document.

Set your membership status to view this document.

With a Docket Alarm membership, you'll get a whole lot more, including:

  • Up-to-date information for this case.
  • Email alerts whenever there is an update.
  • Full text search for other cases.
  • Get email alerts whenever a new case matches your search.

Become a Member

One Moment Please

The filing “” is large (MB) and is being downloaded.

Please refresh this page in a few minutes to see if the filing has been downloaded. The filing will also be emailed to you when the download completes.

Your document is on its way!

If you do not receive the document in five minutes, contact support at support@docketalarm.com.

Sealed Document

We are unable to display this document, it may be under a court ordered seal.

If you have proper credentials to access the file, you may proceed directly to the court's system using your government issued username and password.


Access Government Site

We are redirecting you
to a mobile optimized page.





Document Unreadable or Corrupt

Refresh this Document
Go to the Docket

We are unable to display this document.

Refresh this Document
Go to the Docket