Patents by Inventor Thomas N. Taxon
Thomas N. Taxon 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).
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Publication number: 20090221375Abstract: A bar top gaming machine cabinet is disclosed. The gaming machine cabinet includes a wide-screen display mounted in a top of the cabinet. Peripherals such as a currency acceptor and/or printer are installed in the interior of the cabinet beneath the display. Paper chutes extend from the peripherals to the exterior of the cabinet. This mounting scheme allows a bar top with a widescreen display to be implemented in the space of a typical bar top footprint. A method of assembling such a bar top gaming machine is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2008Publication date: September 3, 2009Applicant: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Robert A. Luciano, JR., Thomas N. Taxon
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Publication number: 20080293476Abstract: A new ergonomic game cabinet with a unique layout is disclosed. The gaming machine cabinet includes a display mounted nearly vertically, combined with a player deck extending towards a player having more space at a more useful angle than previously available. The player deck will have open space usable by a player for small items (wallets, purses, chips, etc.), a player device area (typically buttons), and then a further area where a player can rest their arms, wrists, or elbows and comfortably reach the player device area. This further area may also be used for small player items, such as chips, tickets, etc. In addition, the new cabinet provides side panels on each side of the gaming machine cabinet that creates a feeling of being “surrounded” by the game experience due to reduced noise and visual distractions from nearby gaming machines, other patrons, waitrons, and the like. A version of the cabinet including electromechanical reels is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2008Publication date: November 27, 2008Applicant: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Robert A. Luciano, JR., Thomas N. Taxon, Kurt Spencer, Timothy F. Kelley
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Publication number: 20080261703Abstract: A new ergonomic game cabinet with a unique layout is disclosed. The gaming machine cabinet includes a display mounted nearly vertically, combined with a player deck extending towards a player having more space at a more useful angle than previously available. The player deck will have open space usable by a player for small items (wallets, purses, chips, etc.), a player device area (typically buttons), and then a further area where a player can rest their arms, wrists, or elbows and comfortably reach the player device area. This further area may also be used for small player items, such as chips, tickets, etc. In addition, the new cabinet provides side panels on each side of the gaming machine cabinet that creates a feeling of being “surrounded” by the game experience due to reduced noise and visual distractions from nearby gaming machines, other patrons, waitrons, and the like. A version of the cabinet including electromechanical reels is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2008Publication date: October 23, 2008Applicant: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Robert A. Luciano, Thomas N. Taxon, Kurt Spencer, Timothy F. Kelley
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Patent number: 6332099Abstract: In a system and method for a payout in the form of paper tokens from a gaming machine, the system includes a hopper for dispensing the paper tokens, a cassette for containing the paper tokens, and software for controlling the operations of the payout of the paper tokens from the gaming machine. The cassette and hopper are located in the gaming machine in plain view of a player, and are locked for security purposes. Each paper token is transported through a payout path by mechanisms in the cassette and the hopper which interact to dispense a paper token. A plurality of sensors sense the transport of the paper token through the payout path, the operation of the transport mechanism, and the status of the paper token supply. An escrow area is provided in the cassette for rejected paper tokens, as sensed by sensors and diverted by a diverting mechanism into the escrow area. A memory element in the cassette stores operational information regarding dispensing of the paper tokens.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 1998Date of Patent: December 18, 2001Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Raymond J. Heidel, Rodney Hill, Thomas N. Taxon, Lawerence McAllister
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Patent number: 6293867Abstract: In a system and method for a payout in the form of paper tokens from a gaming machine, the system includes a hopper for dispensing the paper tokens, a cassette for containing the paper tokens, and software for controlling the operations of the payout of the paper tokens from the gaming machine. The cassette and hopper are located in the gaming machine in plain view of a player, and are locked for security purposes. Each paper token is transported through a payout path by mechanisms in the cassette and the hopper which interact to dispense a paper token. A plurality of sensors sense the transport of the paper token through the payout path, the operation of the transport mechanism, and the status of the paper token supply. An escrow area is provided in the cassette for rejected paper tokens, as sensed by sensors and diverted by a diverting mechanism into the escrow area. A memory element in the cassette stores operational information regarding dispensing of the paper tokens.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 1998Date of Patent: September 25, 2001Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Raymond J. Heidel, Rodney Hill, Thomas N. Taxon, Lawrence McAllister
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Patent number: 6289261Abstract: In a system and method for a payout in the form of paper tokens from a gaming machine, the system includes a hopper for dispensing the paper tokens, a cassette for containing the paper tokens, and software for controlling the operations of the payout of the paper tokens from the gaming machine. The cassette and hopper are located in the gaming machine in plain view of a player, and are locked for security purposes. Each paper token is transported through a payout path by mechanisms in the cassette and the hopper which interact to dispense a paper token. A plurality of sensors sense the transport of the paper token through the payout path, the operation of the transport mechanism, and the status of the paper token supply. An escrow area is provided in the cassette for rejected paper tokens, as sensed by sensors and diverted by a diverting mechanism into the escrow area. A memory element in the cassette stores operational information regarding dispensing of the paper tokens.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 1999Date of Patent: September 11, 2001Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Raymond J Heidel, Rodney Hill, Thomas N. Taxon, Lawrence McAllister
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Patent number: 6128550Abstract: In a system and method for a payout in the form of paper tokens from a gaming machine, the system includes a hopper for dispensing the paper tokens, a cassette for containing the paper tokens, and software for controlling the operations of the payout of the paper tokens from the gaming machine. The cassette and hopper are located in the gaming machine in plain view of a player, and are locked for security purposes. Each paper token is transported through a payout path by mechanisms in the cassette and the hopper which interact to dispense a paper token. A plurality of sensors sense the transport of the paper token through the payout path, the operation of the transport mechanism, and the status of the paper token supply. An escrow area is provided in the cassette for rejected paper tokens, as sensed by sensors and diverted by a diverting mechanism into the escrow area. A memory element in the cassette stores operational information regarding dispensing of the paper tokens.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 1999Date of Patent: October 3, 2000Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Raymond J Heidel, Rodney Hill, Thomas N. Taxon, Lawrence McAllister
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Patent number: 6125307Abstract: In a system and method for a payout in the form of paper tokens from a gaming machine, the system includes a hopper for dispensing the paper tokens, a cassette for containing the paper tokens, and software for controlling the operations of the payout of the paper tokens from the gaming machine. The cassette and hopper are located in the gaming machine in plain view of a player, and are locked for security purposes. Each paper token is transported through a payout path by mechanisms in the cassette and the hopper which interact to dispense a paper token. A plurality of sensors sense the transport of the paper token through the payout path, the operation of the transport mechanism, and the status of the paper token supply. An escrow area is provided in the cassette for rejected paper tokens, as sensed by sensors and diverted by a diverting mechanism into the escrow area. A memory element in the cassette stores operational information regarding dispensing of the paper tokens.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 1999Date of Patent: September 26, 2000Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Raymond J. Heidel, Rodney Hill, Thomas N. Taxon, Lawrence McAllister
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Patent number: 6014594Abstract: In a system and method for a payout in the form of paper tokens from a gaming machine, the system includes a hopper for dispensing the paper tokens, a cassette for containing the paper tokens, and software for controlling the operations of the payout of the paper tokens from the gaming machine. The cassette and hopper are located in the gaming machine in plain view of a player, and are locked for security purposes. Each paper token is transported through a payout path by mechanisms in the cassette and the hopper which interact to dispense a paper token. A plurality of sensors sense the transport of the paper token through the payout path, the operation of the transport mechanism, and the status of the paper token supply. An escrow area is provided in the cassette for rejected paper tokens, as sensed by sensors and diverted by a diverting mechanism into the escrow area. A memory element in the cassette stores operational information regarding dispensing of the paper tokens.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 1998Date of Patent: January 11, 2000Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Raymond J. Heidel, Rodney Hill, Thomas N. Taxon, Lawrence McAllister
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Patent number: 5516293Abstract: A coin hopper having an optical-electrical coin sensor with a light source and a light detector is provided. The coin hopper includes a coin transport disc, a coin trough, and a coin payout chute. The coin sensor is secured to the hopper and is proximally located to the coin payout chute. The sensor is configured such that the light detector is substantially adjacent the coin transport disc and the light source is spaced apart from the coin transport disc. The sensor is operatively connected to the coin hopper control circuitry which shuts down the hopper after the appropriate number of coins is dispensed. The hopper may also include circuitry which, in conjunction with the light source, provides a pulsed or intermittent beam of light.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 1994Date of Patent: May 14, 1996Assignee: Bally Gaming International, Inc.Inventors: Raymond Heidel, Albert J. Hanis, Thomas N. Taxon
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Patent number: 5423540Abstract: In a reel mounting assembly for a slot machine, an adjustable reel support is provided, enabling an operator to adjust the stopping position of the reel, and hence the play symbols, with respect to a pay line. The adjustment may be conveniently performed from the front of the machine without tools. A threaded pin is mounted on a frame support and a reel support is pivotally mounted on the frame support. The pin is inserted through an arcuate slot on the reel support. The reel mounting assembly also includes a tab on the reel support which can be used to adjust the rotational position of the reel. After the reel adjustment has been completed, the reel support is held in place by a wing nut threaded on to the pin.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 1994Date of Patent: June 13, 1995Assignee: Bally Gaming International, Inc.Inventor: Thomas N. Taxon
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Patent number: 5190495Abstract: A high capacity coin hopper is disclosed comprising a cylinder mounted for rotation above a coin dispensing disc assembly. The central axis of the cylinder is offset above the central axis of the coin dispensing disc, creating a wall in the cylinder. Coins pile up against the wall, alleviating pressure and jamming in the region of the disc. Coins spill over the wall where they are picked up by the disc. In addition, lift fingers inside the cylinder pick up coins from the base of the wall and lift them above the wall so they can fall into the region of the disc.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 1991Date of Patent: March 2, 1993Assignee: Bally Manufacturing CorporationInventor: Thomas N. Taxon
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Patent number: D441400Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 1998Date of Patent: May 1, 2001Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventor: Thomas N. Taxon
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Patent number: D451145Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2001Date of Patent: November 27, 2001Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventor: Thomas N. Taxon
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Patent number: D458968Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2001Date of Patent: June 18, 2002Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventor: Thomas N. Taxon