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).
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Publication number: 20240153340Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2023Publication date: May 9, 2024Inventors: Ali Saffari, Thomas Mikulich, Chris Gumiela, Kirk Kover, William R. Wells
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Publication number: 20240135771Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2023Publication date: April 25, 2024Inventors: Ali Saffari, Thomas Mikulich, Chris Gumiela, Kirk Kover, William R. Wells
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Publication number: 20240135776Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2023Publication date: April 25, 2024Inventors: Ali Saffari, Thomas Mikulich, Chris Gumiela, Kirk Kover, William R. Wells
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Publication number: 20240135772Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2023Publication date: April 25, 2024Inventors: Ali Saffari, Thomas Mikulich, Chris Gumiela, Kirk Kover, William R. Wells
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Publication number: 20240135773Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2023Publication date: April 25, 2024Inventors: Ali Saffari, Thomas Mikulich, Chris Gumiela, Kirk Kover, William R. Wells
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Publication number: 20240135777Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2023Publication date: April 25, 2024Inventors: Ali Saffari, Thomas Mikulich, Chris Gumiela, Kirk Kover, William R. Wells
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Patent number: 11967208Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 26, 2021Date of Patent: April 23, 2024Assignee: IGTInventors: Timothy Allan Page, Christopher T. Lundy, William R. Wells
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Publication number: 20240127664Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2023Publication date: April 18, 2024Inventors: Ali Saffari, Thomas Mikulich, Chris Gumiela, Kirk Kover, William R. Wells
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Patent number: 11960707Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 24, 2023Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: 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
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Publication number: 20240105007Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2023Publication date: March 28, 2024Inventors: Timothy Allan Page, Christopher T. Lundy, William R. Wells
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Publication number: 20220292915Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2022Publication date: September 15, 2022Inventors: Ali Saffari, Thomas Mikulich, Chris Gumiela, Kirk Kover, William R. Wells
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Publication number: 20210350668Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2021Publication date: November 11, 2021Inventors: Timothy Allan Page, Christopher T. Lundy, William R. Wells
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Patent number: 11107323Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 15, 2018Date of Patent: August 31, 2021Assignee: IGTInventors: Timothy Allan Page, Christopher T. Lundy, William R. Wells
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Patent number: 10564776Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 24, 2017Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignee: American Patents LLCInventor: William R. Wells
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Patent number: 10249129Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 28, 2015Date of Patent: April 2, 2019Assignee: IGTInventors: William R. Wells, Ali Saffari, Christopher Lundy, Craig A Paulsen, Andrew George Novotak, Jr., Thomas Quick
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Publication number: 20190051107Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2018Publication date: February 14, 2019Inventors: Timothy Allan Page, Christopher T. Lundy, William R. Wells
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Patent number: 10102714Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 3, 2017Date of Patent: October 16, 2018Assignee: IGTInventors: Timothy Allan Page, Christopher T. Lundy, William R. Wells
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Publication number: 20170329457Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2017Publication date: November 16, 2017Inventor: William R. Wells
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Publication number: 20170148269Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2017Publication date: May 25, 2017Inventors: Timothy Allan Page, Christopher T. Lundy, William R. Wells
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Patent number: 9606674Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 24, 2015Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: III Holdings 1, LLCInventor: William R. Wells