Patents by Inventor William R. Wells

William R. Wells 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).

  • Publication number: 20240153340
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are described which are used to provide enhanced functionality on gaming devices associated with the play of wager-based games. A secondary processor, separate from a game controller on the gaming device, can be used to provide the enhanced functionality. In one embodiment, the secondary processor can be used to control a display interface on a video display, such as a video display used to play a wager-based game on the gaming device. The display interface can be used to purchase items, such as a lottery ticket, under control of the secondary processor. After purchase, the lottery ticket can be dispensed from the gaming device using a printer. After the lottery ticket is dispensed, it can be reinserted into the gaming device and validated. If any winnings are associated with the lottery ticket, it can be credited to the electronic gaming machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2023
    Publication date: May 9, 2024
    Inventors: Ali Saffari, Thomas Mikulich, Chris Gumiela, Kirk Kover, William R. Wells
  • Publication number: 20240135771
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are described which are used to provide enhanced functionality on gaming devices associated with the play of wager-based games. A secondary processor, separate from a game controller on the gaming device, can be used to provide the enhanced functionality. In one embodiment, the secondary processor can be used to control a display interface on a video display, such as a video display used to play a wager-based game on the gaming device. The display interface can be used to purchase items, such as a lottery ticket, under control of the secondary processor. After purchase, the lottery ticket can be dispensed from the gaming device using a printer. After the lottery ticket is dispensed, it can be reinserted into the gaming device and validated. If any winnings are associated with the lottery ticket, it can be credited to the electronic gaming machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Inventors: Ali Saffari, Thomas Mikulich, Chris Gumiela, Kirk Kover, William R. Wells
  • Publication number: 20240135776
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are described which are used to provide enhanced functionality on gaming devices associated with the play of wager-based games. A secondary processor, separate from a game controller on the gaming device, can be used to provide the enhanced functionality. In one embodiment, the secondary processor can be used to control a display interface on a video display, such as a video display used to play a wager-based game on the gaming device. The display interface can be used to purchase items, such as a lottery ticket, under control of the secondary processor. After purchase, the lottery ticket can be dispensed from the gaming device using a printer. After the lottery ticket is dispensed, it can be reinserted into the gaming device and validated. If any winnings are associated with the lottery ticket, it can be credited to the electronic gaming machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Inventors: Ali Saffari, Thomas Mikulich, Chris Gumiela, Kirk Kover, William R. Wells
  • Publication number: 20240135772
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are described which are used to provide enhanced functionality on gaming devices associated with the play of wager-based games. A secondary processor, separate from a game controller on the gaming device, can be used to provide the enhanced functionality. In one embodiment, the secondary processor can be used to control a display interface on a video display, such as a video display used to play a wager-based game on the gaming device. The display interface can be used to purchase items, such as a lottery ticket, under control of the secondary processor. After purchase, the lottery ticket can be dispensed from the gaming device using a printer. After the lottery ticket is dispensed, it can be reinserted into the gaming device and validated. If any winnings are associated with the lottery ticket, it can be credited to the electronic gaming machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Inventors: Ali Saffari, Thomas Mikulich, Chris Gumiela, Kirk Kover, William R. Wells
  • Publication number: 20240135773
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are described which are used to provide enhanced functionality on gaming devices associated with the play of wager-based games. A secondary processor, separate from a game controller on the gaming device, can be used to provide the enhanced functionality. In one embodiment, the secondary processor can be used to control a display interface on a video display, such as a video display used to play a wager-based game on the gaming device. The display interface can be used to purchase items, such as a lottery ticket, under control of the secondary processor. After purchase, the lottery ticket can be dispensed from the gaming device using a printer. After the lottery ticket is dispensed, it can be reinserted into the gaming device and validated. If any winnings are associated with the lottery ticket, it can be credited to the electronic gaming machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Inventors: Ali Saffari, Thomas Mikulich, Chris Gumiela, Kirk Kover, William R. Wells
  • Publication number: 20240135777
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are described which are used to provide enhanced functionality on gaming devices associated with the play of wager-based games. A secondary processor, separate from a game controller on the gaming device, can be used to provide the enhanced functionality. In one embodiment, the secondary processor can be used to control a display interface on a video display, such as a video display used to play a wager-based game on the gaming device. The display interface can be used to purchase items, such as a lottery ticket, under control of the secondary processor. After purchase, the lottery ticket can be dispensed from the gaming device using a printer. After the lottery ticket is dispensed, it can be reinserted into the gaming device and validated. If any winnings are associated with the lottery ticket, it can be credited to the electronic gaming machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Inventors: Ali Saffari, Thomas Mikulich, Chris Gumiela, Kirk Kover, William R. Wells
  • Patent number: 11967208
    Abstract: A gaming machine including a secondary processor coupled to a player tracking system for tracking game play of a patron using a virtual player loyalty card is described. A virtual player loyalty card can be created by associating an existing physical player loyalty card with a newly created mobile loyalty card account. The mobile card can be virtually inserted into an electronic gaming machine when a portable electronic device with an associated mobile application is in the vicinity of an electronic gaming machine. Once the mobile card is virtually inserted into the gaming machine, the patron's game play at the gaming machine can be tracked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Timothy Allan Page, Christopher T. Lundy, William R. Wells
  • Publication number: 20240127664
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are described which are used to provide enhanced functionality on gaming devices associated with the play of wager-based games. A secondary processor, separate from a game controller on the gaming device, can be used to provide the enhanced functionality. In one embodiment, the secondary processor can be used to control a display interface on a video display, such as a video display used to play a wager-based game on the gaming device. The display interface can be used to purchase items, such as a lottery ticket, under control of the secondary processor. After purchase, the lottery ticket can be dispensed from the gaming device using a printer. After the lottery ticket is dispensed, it can be reinserted into the gaming device and validated. If any winnings are associated with the lottery ticket, it can be credited to the electronic gaming machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Ali Saffari, Thomas Mikulich, Chris Gumiela, Kirk Kover, William R. Wells
  • Patent number: 11960707
    Abstract: An electronic device provides, to a display, data to present a user interface that includes a plurality of user interface objects, and a current focus on a first user interface object. While the display is presenting the user interface, the electronic device receives an input that corresponds to a movement of a contact across on a touch-sensitive surface. The electronic device, in response to receiving the input and in accordance with a determination that a first axis is a dominant axis, moves the current focus along the first axis by a first amount and along the second axis by a second amount. The amount of movement of the current focus along the second axis is reduced to a first non-zero amount by a scaling factor that is based on one or more inputs received prior to receiving the input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Marcos Alonso Ruiz, Nicole M. Wells, Justin T. Voss, Blake R. Seely, Matthew D. Ricketson, Henrique D. Penha, Grace H. Hwang, Graham R. Clarke, Jeffrey L. Robbin, William M. Bachman, Benjamin W. Keighran, Jennifer L. C. Folse, Jonathan Lochhead, Joe R. Howard, Joshua K. McGlinn
  • Publication number: 20240105007
    Abstract: A gaming machine including a secondary processor coupled to a player tracking system for tracking game play of a patron using a virtual player loyalty card is described. A virtual player loyalty card can be created by associating an existing physical player loyalty card with a newly created mobile loyalty card account. The mobile card can be virtually inserted into an electronic gaming machine when a portable electronic device with an associated mobile application is in the vicinity of an electronic gaming machine. Once the mobile card is virtually inserted into the gaming machine, the patron's game play at the gaming machine can be tracked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Timothy Allan Page, Christopher T. Lundy, William R. Wells
  • Publication number: 20220292915
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are described which are used to provide enhanced functionality on gaming devices associated with the play of wager-based games. A secondary processor, separate from a game controller on the gaming device, can be used to provide the enhanced functionality. In one embodiment, the secondary processor can be used to control a display interface on a video display, such as a video display used to play a wager-based game on the gaming device. The display interface can be used to purchase items, such as a lottery ticket, under control of the secondary processor. After purchase, the lottery ticket can be dispensed from the gaming device using a printer. After the lottery ticket is dispensed, it can be reinserted into the gaming device and validated. If any winnings are associated with the lottery ticket, it can be credited to the electronic gaming machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2022
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: Ali Saffari, Thomas Mikulich, Chris Gumiela, Kirk Kover, William R. Wells
  • Publication number: 20210350668
    Abstract: A gaming machine including a secondary processor coupled to a player tracking system for tracking game play of a patron using a virtual player loyalty card is described. A virtual player loyalty card can be created by associating an existing physical player loyalty card with a newly created mobile loyalty card account. The mobile card can be virtually inserted into an electronic gaming machine when a portable electronic device with an associated mobile application is in the vicinity of an electronic gaming machine. Once the mobile card is virtually inserted into the gaming machine, the patron's game play at the gaming machine can be tracked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2021
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Inventors: Timothy Allan Page, Christopher T. Lundy, William R. Wells
  • Patent number: 11107323
    Abstract: A gaming machine including a secondary processor coupled to a player tracking system for tracking game play of a patron using a virtual player loyalty card is described. A virtual player loyalty card can be created by associating an existing physical player loyalty card with a newly created mobile loyalty card account. The mobile card can be virtually inserted into an electronic gaming machine when a portable electronic device with an associated mobile application is in the vicinity of an electronic gaming machine. Once the mobile card is virtually inserted into the gaming machine, the patron's game play at the gaming machine can be tracked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Timothy Allan Page, Christopher T. Lundy, William R. Wells
  • Patent number: 10564776
    Abstract: For a user having a user input actuator, a virtual interface device, such as for a gaming machine, for determining actuation of a virtual input by the input actuator is disclosed. The device comprises a position sensing device for determining a location of the user input actuator and a controller coupled to the position sensing device, the controller determining whether a portion of the user input actuator is within a virtual input location in space defining the virtual input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: American Patents LLC
    Inventor: William R. Wells
  • Patent number: 10249129
    Abstract: A gaming system used in a wager-based electronic gaming machine is described. The gaming system is configured to provide picture in a picture capabilities on the electronic gaming machine. In one embodiment, the gaming system can include a first gaming device and a second gaming device where the first gaming device controls the second gaming device. The first gaming device can be configured to receive data and/or communicate with an electronic gaming machine controller, a value input device and value output device. The second gaming device can be configured to receive touchscreen data from a touchscreen display and first video data from the first gaming device and second video data from the EGM controller. Under control of the first gaming device, the first video data and second video data can be output in various sizes and locations on the touchscreen display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: William R. Wells, Ali Saffari, Christopher Lundy, Craig A Paulsen, Andrew George Novotak, Jr., Thomas Quick
  • Publication number: 20190051107
    Abstract: A gaming machine including a secondary processor coupled to a player tracking system for tracking game play of a patron using a virtual player loyalty card is described. A virtual player loyalty card can be created by associating an existing physical player loyalty card with a newly created mobile loyalty card account. The mobile card can be virtually inserted into an electronic gaming machine when a portable electronic device with an associated mobile application is in the vicinity of an electronic gaming machine. Once the mobile card is virtually inserted into the gaming machine, the patron's game play at the gaming machine can be tracked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Inventors: Timothy Allan Page, Christopher T. Lundy, William R. Wells
  • Patent number: 10102714
    Abstract: A gaming machine including a secondary processor coupled to a player tracking system for tracking game play of a patron using a virtual player loyalty card is described. A virtual player loyalty card can be created by associating an existing physical player loyalty card with a newly created mobile loyalty card account. The mobile card can be virtually inserted into an electronic gaming machine when a portable electronic device with an associated mobile application is in the vicinity of an electronic gaming machine. Once the mobile card is virtually inserted into the gaming machine, the patron's game play at the gaming machine can be tracked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Timothy Allan Page, Christopher T. Lundy, William R. Wells
  • Publication number: 20170329457
    Abstract: For a user having a user input actuator, a virtual interface device, such as for a gaming machine, for determining actuation of a virtual input by the input actuator is disclosed. The device comprises a position sensing device for determining a location of the user input actuator and a controller coupled to the position sensing device, the controller determining whether a portion of the user input actuator is within a virtual input location in space defining the virtual input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Inventor: William R. Wells
  • Publication number: 20170148269
    Abstract: A gaming machine including a secondary processor coupled to a player tracking system for tracking game play of a patron using a virtual player loyalty card is described. A virtual player loyalty card can be created by associating an existing physical player loyalty card with a newly created mobile loyalty card account. The mobile card can be virtually inserted into an electronic gaming machine when a portable electronic device with an associated mobile application is in the vicinity of an electronic gaming machine. Once the mobile card is virtually inserted into the gaming machine, the patron's game play at the gaming machine can be tracked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventors: Timothy Allan Page, Christopher T. Lundy, William R. Wells
  • Patent number: 9606674
    Abstract: For a user having a user input actuator, a virtual interface device, such as for a gaming machine, for determining actuation of a virtual input by the input actuator is disclosed. The device comprises a position sensing device for determining a location of the user input actuator and a controller coupled to the position sensing device, the controller determining whether a portion of the user input actuator is within a virtual input location in space defining the virtual input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: III Holdings 1, LLC
    Inventor: William R. Wells