Patents by Inventor Brian K. Baker

Brian K. Baker has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10515512
    Abstract: An electronic gaming machine with a primary bill validator and a separate, auxiliary bill validator in case the primary bill validator either fails or performs less than optimally. The primary bill validator operates as the default bill validator to accept bills (e.g., paper currency and/or cashless ticket vouchers) to fund wagering activities of the EGM and the separate, auxiliary bill validator selectively operates to accept bills (e.g., paper currency and/or cashless ticket vouchers) to fund wagering activities of the EGM upon an occurrence of a bill validator switch event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Stewart Thoeni, James Vasquez, Steven P. McGahn, Brian K. Baker
  • Patent number: 9630102
    Abstract: Methods, systems, or apparatuses for impeding the entrance of foreign contaminates into a housing of a gaming machine may include a gaming controller, a panel, and an input device mounted to the panel. The input device may include a housing. The housing of the input device may include a first section, a second section, and a member moveable with respect to the first and the second sections, wherein the moveable member is configured to be actuated by a player to provide input to the gaming controller; and a membrane disposed between the first section and the panel, wherein the membrane impedes the entrance of foreign contaminates into the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Michael W. Oehlert, Nathan D. LaBrosse, Brian K. Baker, John L. Beadell, Steve P. McGahn, Jacquelyn S. Combs, Thomas D. Waxman, Russell Chudd, Tai Rosander
  • Publication number: 20150087420
    Abstract: Methods, systems, or apparatuses for impeding the entrance of foreign contaminates into a housing of a gaming machine may include a gaming controller, a panel, and an input device mounted to the panel. The input device may include a housing. The housing of the input device may include a first section, a second section, and a member moveable with respect to the first and the second sections, wherein the moveable member is configured to be actuated by a player to provide input to the gaming controller; and a membrane disposed between the first section and the panel, wherein the membrane impedes the entrance of foreign contaminates into the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Michael W. Oehlert, Nathan D. LaBrosse, Brian K. Baker, John L. Beadell, Steve P. McGahn, Jacquelyn S. Combs, Thomas D. Waxman, Russell Chudd, Tai Rosander
  • Patent number: 8905847
    Abstract: Methods, systems, or apparatuses for impeding the entrance of foreign contaminates into a housing of a gaming machine may include a gaming controller, a panel, and an input device mounted to the panel. The input device may include a housing. The housing of the input device may include a first section, a second section, and a member moveable with respect to the first and the second sections, wherein the moveable member is configured to be actuated by a player to provide input to the gaming controller; and a membrane disposed between the first section and the panel, wherein the membrane impedes the entrance of foreign contaminates into the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Michael W. Oehlert, Nathan D. LaBrosse, Brian K. Baker, John L. Beadell, Steve P. McGahn, Jacquelyn S. Combs, Thomas D. Waxman, Russell Chudd, Tai Rosander
  • Patent number: 8733395
    Abstract: Solenoid operated fluid control valve for controlling the pressure of a fluid in a fluid control system comprises a solenoid housing having therein a solenoid coil, an armature movable in response to electrical current applied to the solenoid coil, a valve member for controlling fluid flow to a fluid passage, an actuator pin disposed between the armature and the valve member for moving the valve member in response to armature movement, and one or more features including an armature damping member, tubular actuator pin support body, flow diverter, coil bobbin support sleeve, and/or internal particle gettering magnet to improve valve operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Flextronics Automotive USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Hamid Najmolhoda, David Seid, John T. Kovitz, Brian K. Baker
  • Patent number: 8733393
    Abstract: Solenoid operated fluid control valve for controlling the pressure of a fluid in a fluid control system comprises a solenoid housing having therein a solenoid coil, an armature movable in response to electrical current applied to the solenoid coil, a valve member for controlling fluid flow to a fluid passage, an actuator pin disposed between the armature and the valve member for moving the valve member in response to armature movement, and one or more features including an armature damping member, tubular actuator pin support body, flow diverter, coil bobbin support sleeve, and/or internal particle gettering magnet to improve valve operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Flextronics Automotive USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Hamid Najmolhoda, David Seid, John T. Kovitz, Brian K. Baker
  • Publication number: 20140057727
    Abstract: Methods, systems, or apparatuses for impeding the entrance of foreign contaminates into a housing of a gaming machine may include a gaming controller, a panel, and an input device mounted to the panel. The input device may include a housing. The housing of the input device may include a first section, a second section, and a member moveable with respect to the first and the second sections, wherein the moveable member is configured to be actuated by a player to provide input to the gaming controller; and a membrane disposed between the first section and the panel, wherein the membrane impedes the entrance of foreign contaminates into the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Inventors: Michael W. Oehlert, Nathan D. LaBrosse, Brian K. Baker, John L. Beadall, Steve P. McGahn, Jacquelyn S. Combs, Thomas D. Waxman, Russell Chudd, Tai Rosander
  • Patent number: 8567755
    Abstract: Solenoid operated fluid control valve for controlling the pressure of a fluid in a fluid control system comprises a solenoid housing having therein a solenoid coil, an armature movable in response to electrical current applied to the solenoid coil, a valve member for controlling fluid flow to a fluid passage, an actuator pin disposed between the armature and the valve member for moving the valve member in response to armature movement, and one or more features including an armature damping member, tubular actuator pin support body, flow diverter, coil bobbin support sleeve, and/or internal particle gettering magnet to improve valve operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Saturn Electronics & Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Hamid Najmolhoda, David Seid, John T. Kovitz, Brian K. Baker
  • Publication number: 20130196736
    Abstract: Techniques for providing a play field reel glass enhancement on a gaming machine with mechanical spinning reels. A plurality of mechanical spinning reels are configured to indicate a gaming outcome for a wager game played on the gaming machine by a player. A light board located in front of the plurality of mechanical spinning reels lights up individual or groups of the light emitting elements. A graphic element on a reel glass is placed in front of the light board, creating the play field reel glass enhancement that is backlit by the light board to indicate gaming information to a player. A touch screen may be communicatively coupled with the reel glass to receive game input from the player, thereby making the play field reel glass enhancement interactive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Stewart Thoeni, Charles W. Johnson, Brian K. Baker, Jacquelyn S. Combs
  • Patent number: 8371331
    Abstract: Solenoid operated fluid control valve for controlling the pressure of a fluid in a fluid control system comprises a solenoid housing having therein a solenoid coil, an armature movable in response to electrical current applied to the solenoid coil, a valve member for controlling fluid flow to a fluid passage, an actuator pin disposed between the armature and the valve member for moving the valve member in response to armature movement, and one or more features including an armature damping member, tubular actuator pin support body, flow diverter, coil bobbin support sleeve, and/or internal particle gettering magnet to improve valve operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Saturn Electronics & Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Hamid Najmolhoda, David Seid, John T. Kovitz, Brian K. Baker
  • Publication number: 20120199774
    Abstract: Solenoid operated fluid control valve for controlling the pressure of a fluid in a fluid control system comprises a solenoid housing having therein a solenoid coil, an armature movable in response to electrical current applied to the solenoid coil, a valve member for controlling fluid flow to a fluid passage, an actuator pin disposed between the armature and the valve member for moving the valve member in response to armature movement, and one or more features including an armature damping member, tubular actuator pin support body, flow diverter, coil bobbin support sleeve, and/or internal particle gettering magnet to improve valve operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Inventors: Hamid Najmolhoda, David Seid, John T. Kovitz, Brian K. Baker
  • Publication number: 20120199766
    Abstract: Solenoid operated fluid control valve for controlling the pressure of a fluid in a fluid control system comprises a solenoid housing having therein a solenoid coil, an armature movable in response to electrical current applied to the solenoid coil, a valve member for controlling fluid flow to a fluid passage, an actuator pin disposed between the armature and the valve member for moving the valve member in response to armature movement, and one or more features including an armature damping member, tubular actuator pin support body, flow diverter, coil bobbin support sleeve, and/or internal particle gettering magnet to improve valve operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Inventors: Hamid Najmolhoda, David Seid, John T. Kovitz, Brian K. Baker
  • Publication number: 20120104296
    Abstract: Solenoid operated fluid control valve for controlling the pressure of a fluid in a fluid control system comprises a solenoid housing having therein a solenoid coil, an armature movable in response to electrical current applied to the solenoid coil, a valve member for controlling fluid flow to a fluid passage, an actuator pin disposed between the armature and the valve member for moving the valve member in response to armature movement, and one or more features including an armature damping member, tubular actuator pin support body, flow diverter, coil bobbin support sleeve, and/or internal particle gettering magnet to improve valve operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: Hamid Najmolhoda, David Seid, John T. Kovitz, Brian K. Baker
  • Patent number: D878473
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Stewart Thoeni, James Vasquez, Steven P. McGahn, Brian K. Baker
  • Patent number: D893628
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Stewart Thoeni, James Vasquez, Steven P. McGahn, Brian K. Baker
  • Patent number: D951358
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Bradley Hemerick, Steven P. McGahn, Brian K. Baker, Stewart Thoeni
  • Patent number: D954847
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Bradley Hemerick, Steven P. McGahn, Brian K. Baker, Stewart Thoeni
  • Patent number: D955491
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Bradley Hemerick, Steven P. McGahn, Brian K. Baker, Stewart Thoeni
  • Patent number: D955492
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Bradley Hemerick, Steven P. McGahn, Brian K. Baker, Stewart Thoeni
  • Patent number: D955493
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Bradley Hemerick, Steven P. McGahn, Brian K. Baker, Stewart Thoeni