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).
-
Patent number: 8336697Abstract: A gaming peripheral for a gaming machine is described. The gaming peripheral can be configured to emulate the functions of a lighting device, such as a candle. The gaming peripheral can be configured to provide enhanced gaming features such as 1) enhanced networking capabilities, 2) enhanced peripheral device monitoring and upgrade capabilities, 3) enhanced player monitoring and security capabilities 4) enhanced gaming function capabilities and 5) enhanced player reward capabilities. The enhanced gaming features can be provided in a non-intrusive manner such that regulated software executed on a gaming machine does not have to be altered.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2010Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: Leap Forward GamingInventor: William R. Wells
-
Publication number: 20120302325Abstract: A machine having a card processing assembly. The card processing assembly has a card drive and a heating device. The heating device is operable to cause a human-readable symbol to be viewable on a data card.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2012Publication date: November 29, 2012Applicant: IGTInventors: Eric Meyerhofer, Joseph R. Hedrick, William R. Wells, Franco Crivelli
-
Patent number: 8317604Abstract: A gaming peripheral for a gaming machine is described. The gaming peripheral can be configured to emulate the functions of a lighting device, such as a candle. The gaming peripheral can be configured to provide enhanced gaming features such as 1) enhanced networking capabilities, 2) enhanced peripheral device monitoring and upgrade capabilities, 3) enhanced player monitoring and security capabilities 4) enhanced gaming function capabilities and 5) enhanced player reward capabilities. The enhanced gaming features can be provided in a non-intrusive manner such that regulated software executed on a gaming machine does not have to be altered.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2011Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: Leap Forward GamingInventor: William R. Wells
-
Patent number: 8282480Abstract: A candle device for a gaming machine including a secondary processor is described. The candle device can include a number of stages that when activated convey information about the status of the gaming machine. The secondary processor, disposed within a secure enclosure in the candle device, can be configured to control peripheral devices disposed with a main cabinet of the gaming machine that receive control commands from a game controller. In particular, the secondary processor can be configured to determine a size and a position of windows on the main touch screen display where a first window is for outputting video content from the game controller and a second window is for outputting video content from the secondary processor. The secondary processor can use the second window to add new features to the gaming machine, such as a verification interface for transactions involving mobile devices.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2011Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: Leap Forward GamingInventors: William R. Wells, Ali Saffari, Christopher Lundy, Craig Paulsen
-
Patent number: 8243929Abstract: A gaming system is provided with biometric facilities for identifying or verifying the identity of a player or perspective player. In one aspect reference biometric data is stored in a portable biometric data storage device such as a smart card, PCMCIA card or the like and is preferably left in the possession or control of the individual or individuals to whom the biometric data relates. The reference biometric data is read in individual gaming terminals and compared, in individual gaming terminals to measured biometric data of a player or perspective player. In one aspect, gaming terminals use biometric verification or indication to implement a practical and feasible cashless gaming terminal.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2006Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: IGTInventors: William R. Wells, Richard Wilder, Harold E. Mattice, Chancey W. Griswold
-
Patent number: 8241119Abstract: A gaming peripheral for a gaming machine is described. The gaming peripheral can be configured to emulate the functions of a lighting device, such as a candle. The gaming peripheral can be configured to provide enhanced gaming features such as 1) enhanced networking capabilities, 2) enhanced peripheral device monitoring and upgrade capabilities, 3) enhanced player monitoring and security capabilities 4) enhanced gaming function capabilities and 5) enhanced player reward capabilities. The enhanced gaming features can be provided in a non-intrusive manner such that regulated software executed on a gaming machine does not have to be altered.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2010Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: Leap Forward GamingInventor: William R. Wells
-
Patent number: 8231463Abstract: A modularized gaming machine operable to receive wagers on a play of a game of chance is described. The modularized gaming machine may include a base gaming module that can operate independently or can be coupled to additional gaming modules. In one embodiment, the base gaming module may include a security monitoring system operable to determine a security configuration including error conditions that depends on features of gaming modules coupled to the base gaming module. In another embodiment, the security monitoring system may be operable to monitor a fixed security configuration that is independent of the configuration of the modularized gaming machine. The fixed security configuration may anticipate input from security devices that are unconnected in a particular configuration of the modularized gaming machine. In these instances, a signal mechanism may provide information to the security monitoring system to ensure a non-error condition for unconnected security devices.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2011Date of Patent: July 31, 2012Assignee: IGTInventors: William R. Wells, Chauncey W. Griswold, Ricky Lew, Christian E. Gadda, Richard L. Wilder, Harold E. Mattice
-
Patent number: 8210759Abstract: A machine having a card processing assembly. The card processing assembly has a card drive and a heating device. The heating device is operable to cause a human-readable symbol to be viewable on a data card.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2011Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: IGTInventors: Eric Meyerhofer, Joseph R. Hedrick, William R. Wells, Franco Crivelli
-
Publication number: 20120108338Abstract: A candle device for a gaming machine including a secondary processor is described. The candle device can include a number of stages that when activated convey information about the status of the gaming machine. The secondary processor, disposed within a secure enclosure in the candle device, can be configured to control peripheral devices disposed with a main cabinet of the gaming machine that receive control commands from a game controller. In particular, the secondary processor can be configured to determine a size and a position of windows on the main touch screen display where a first window is for outputting video content from the game controller and a second window is for outputting video content from the secondary processor. The secondary processor can use the second window to add new features to the gaming machine, such as a verification interface for transactions involving mobile devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2011Publication date: May 3, 2012Applicant: LEAP FORWARD GAMINGInventors: William R. WELLS, Ali SAFFARI, Christopher LUNDY, Craig PAULSEN
-
Publication number: 20120100908Abstract: A candle device for a gaming machine including a secondary processor is described. The candle device can include a number of stages that when activated convey information about the status of the gaming machine. The secondary processor, disposed within a secure enclosure in the candle device, can be configured to control peripheral devices disposed with a main cabinet of the gaming machine that receive control commands from a game controller. In particular, the secondary processor can be configured to determine a size and a position of windows on the main touch screen display where a first window is for outputting video content from the game controller and a second window is for outputting video content from the secondary processor. The secondary processor can use the second window to add new features to the gaming machine, such as a verification interface for transactions involving mobile devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2011Publication date: April 26, 2012Applicant: LEAP FORWARD GAMINGInventors: William R. WELLS, Ali SAFFARI, Christopher LUNDY, Craig PAULSEN
-
Publication number: 20120064978Abstract: A gaming peripheral for a gaming machine is described. The gaming peripheral can be configured to emulate the functions of a lighting device, such as a candle. The gaming peripheral can be configured to provide enhanced gaming features such as 1) enhanced networking capabilities, 2) enhanced peripheral device monitoring and upgrade capabilities, 3) enhanced player monitoring and security capabilities 4) enhanced gaming function capabilities and 5) enhanced player reward capabilities. The enhanced gaming features can be provided in a non-intrusive manner such that regulated software executed on a gaming machine does not have to be altered.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2011Publication date: March 15, 2012Applicant: LEAP FORWARD GAMINGInventor: William R. WELLS
-
Publication number: 20120064966Abstract: A machine having a card processing assembly. The machine has a plurality of card holders connectable to the card processing assembly. One card holder is configured to hold data cards associated with one condition. At least one other card holder is configured to hold data cards associated with another condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2011Publication date: March 15, 2012Applicant: IGTInventors: Joseph R. Hedrick, William R. Wells, Franco Crivelli, Greg Parrott
-
Publication number: 20120061913Abstract: The disclosure relates generally to different devices, methods, systems, and computer program products for a self-contained dice shaker assembly. The self-contained dice shaker assembly may include a container device defining an opening into an interior configured for receipt of one or more dice and a sensor assembly in communication with the container interior. The sensor assembly may be configured to monitor, in accordance with one or more predetermined parameters, the shake quality of the dice in the container during a shaking event. The self-contained dice shaker assembly may include an identification assembly operable to identify the outcome of a respective outcome face of each die associated with the outcome of a shaking event.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2011Publication date: March 15, 2012Applicant: IGTInventors: Mark C. Nicely, William R. Wells
-
Publication number: 20120058816Abstract: A gaming peripheral for a gaming machine is described. The gaming peripheral can be configured to emulate the functions of a lighting device, such as a candle. The gaming peripheral can be configured to provide enhanced gaming features such as 1) enhanced networking capabilities, 2) enhanced peripheral device monitoring and upgrade capabilities, 3) enhanced player monitoring and security capabilities 4) enhanced gaming function capabilities and 5) enhanced player reward capabilities. The enhanced gaming features can be provided in a non-intrusive manner such that regulated software executed on a gaming machine does not have to be altered.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2011Publication date: March 8, 2012Applicant: LEAP FORWARD GAMINGInventor: William R. WELLS
-
Publication number: 20120052958Abstract: A gaming device having a card management system which is operable to manage a plurality of circulating data cards. The gaming device includes a card read-write device for reading data cards, a plurality of vertically-stacked card holders for holding a plurality of data cards and one or more card transporters for moving data cards to and from the card holders. The gaming device is operable with a portable card changeover machine. The present invention increases the convenience and efficiency for playing and managing gaming devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2011Publication date: March 1, 2012Applicant: IGTInventors: Joseph R. Hedrick, William R. Wells, Franco Crivelli, Greg Parrott
-
Patent number: 8123616Abstract: In a method of facilitating the playing of a game via a gaming apparatus, a wager may be received via a value input device. Biometric data associated with a game play selection of a game may be received, and whether to permit the game play selection may be determined based on the received biometric data. A video image relating to the game may be displayed on a display unit, and a value payout associated with an outcome of the game may be determined.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2003Date of Patent: February 28, 2012Assignee: IGTInventors: William R. Wells, Harold E. Mattice, Chauncey W. Griswold, Richard L. Wilder
-
Publication number: 20120021824Abstract: A modularized gaming machine operable to receive wagers on a play of a game of chance is described. The modularized gaming machine may include a base gaming module that can operate independently or can be coupled to additional gaming modules. In one embodiment, the base gaming module may include a security monitoring system operable to determine a security configuration including error conditions that depends on features of gaming modules coupled to the base gaming module. In another embodiment, the security monitoring system may be operable to monitor a fixed security configuration that is independent of the configuration of the modularized gaming machine. The fixed security configuration may anticipate input from security devices that are unconnected in a particular configuration of the modularized gaming machine. In these instances, a signal mechanism may provide information to the security monitoring system to ensure a non-error condition for unconnected security devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2011Publication date: January 26, 2012Applicant: IGTInventors: William R. Wells, Chauncey W. Griswold, Ricky Lew, Christian E. Gadda, Richard L. Wilder, Harold E. Mattice
-
Patent number: 8088014Abstract: A gaming peripheral for a gaming machine is described. The gaming peripheral can be configured to emulate the functions of a lighting device, such as a candle. The gaming peripheral can be configured to provide enhanced gaming features such as 1) enhanced networking capabilities, 2) enhanced peripheral device monitoring and upgrade capabilities, 3) enhanced player monitoring and security capabilities 4) enhanced gaming function capabilities and 5) enhanced player reward capabilities. The enhanced gaming features can be provided in a non-intrusive manner such that regulated software executed on a gaming machine does not have to be altered.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2010Date of Patent: January 3, 2012Assignee: Leap Forward GamingInventor: William R. Wells
-
Patent number: 8083592Abstract: A gaming peripheral for a gaming machine is described. The gaming peripheral can be configured to emulate the functions of a lighting device, such as a candle. The gaming peripheral can be configured to provide enhanced gaming features such as 1) enhanced networking capabilities, 2) enhanced peripheral device monitoring and upgrade capabilities, 3) enhanced player monitoring and security capabilities 4) enhanced gaming function capabilities and 5) enhanced player reward capabilities. The enhanced gaming features can be provided in a non-intrusive manner such that regulated software executed on a gaming machine does not have to be altered.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2010Date of Patent: December 27, 2011Assignee: Leap Forward GamingInventor: William R. Wells
-
Patent number: 8079904Abstract: Systems and methods for conducting cashless gaming or player tracking within a gaming environment are disclosed. Players with associated player accounts are provided player tracking instruments having rewriteable displays. Also provided are gaming devices or machines having display panels adapted to display content and communicate with the player tracking cards or instruments. Data on player tracking instruments is updated and displayed thereupon. The player tracking instruments may contain an RFID tag to receive communications from a transceiver associated with the gaming device or machine. A feedback loop from a master gaming controller to a transceiver to a player tracking instrument to an input display panel and back to the master gaming controller can be created. Player tracking instruments may also have lights, speakers, vibration components, and other advanced features thereupon.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2008Date of Patent: December 20, 2011Assignee: IGTInventors: Chauncey W. Griswold, Christian Gadda, Harold E. Mattice, James Stockdale, William R. Wells, Richard L. Wilder