Patents by Inventor Alan D. Williams
Alan D. Williams 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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Patent number: 11977411Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to context-specific user interfaces. In some embodiments, methods are provided for displaying a watch user interface including a clock face and a user interface element at least partially surrounding the clock face. In some embodiments, methods are further provided for receiving a request to add a respective complication to a respective location on the clock face and, in response to receiving the request: in accordance with a determination that the respective complication is a first complication, displaying the first complication in the respective location and replacing at least a portion of the user interface element with content associated with the first complication; and in accordance with a determination that the respective complication is a second complication, displaying the second complication in the respective location without replacing the portion of the user interface element with content associated with the second complication.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2022Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Kevin Will Chen, Taylor G. Carrigan, Alan C. Dye, Nicholas D. Felton, Aled Hywel Williams, Christopher Wilson
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Patent number: 9761089Abstract: Methods of weighting odds in shared bonus events and gaming systems and devices configured for weighting odds in shared bonus events. A number of participations or entries by the same gaming machine or player entity may be obtained for a shared bonus event in association with play of a base or primary game, allowing the odds of winning the shared bonus event to be weighted.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2015Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: IGTInventors: Michael T. Tessmer, Lee E. Cannon, Charlotte S. Centuori, Alan D. Williams
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Publication number: 20150161844Abstract: Methods of weighting odds in shared bonus events and gaming systems and devices configured for weighting odds in shared bonus events. A number of participations or entries by the same gaming machine or player entity may be obtained for a shared bonus event in association with play of a base or primary game, allowing the odds of winning the shared bonus event to be weighted.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2015Publication date: June 11, 2015Inventors: Michael T. Tessmer, Lee E. Cannon, Charlotte S. Centuori, Alan D. Williams
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Patent number: 8968071Abstract: Methods of weighting odds in shared bonus events and gaming systems and devices configured for weighting odds in shared bonus events. A number of participations or entries by the same gaming machine or player entity may be obtained for a shared bonus event in association with play of a base or primary game, allowing the odds of winning the shared bonus event to be weighted.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2007Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: IGTInventors: Michael T. Tessmer, Lee E. Cannon, Charlotte S. Centuori, Alan D. Williams
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Publication number: 20080009337Abstract: A method and apparatus for pre-load authentication suitable for use with an operating system in an embedded gaming device. A user-space file system that can automatically authenticate its contents is disclosed. The user-space file system can be deployed on a standalone system or using a client-server model such that a remote system server can coordinate with a local client to perform authentication. By moving the authentication into the file system functional block there is additional assurance that any game code or data stored in the file system cannot be accessed without first performing the required authentication.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2007Publication date: January 10, 2008Inventors: Mark D. Jackson, Alan D. Williams
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Patent number: 7169041Abstract: Methods of weighting odds in shared bonus events and gaming systems and devices configured for weighting odds in shared bonus events. A number of participations or entries by the same gaming machine or player entity may be obtained for a shared bonus event in association with play of a base or primary game, allowing the odds of winning the shared bonus event to be weighted.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2001Date of Patent: January 30, 2007Assignee: IGTInventors: Michael T. Tessmer, Lee E. Cannon, Charlotte S. Centuori, Alan D. Williams
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Patent number: 6881286Abstract: A sealed composite container for products is provided having a paperboard body ply with a liner ply adhered on the inner surface thereof. One end of the container is rolled outwardly to form a rim and exposing the inner surface of the liner ply, which comprises a heat sealable composition. A lid for the container, also having a layer of heat sealable composition, is placed adjacent to the exposed heat sealable composition of the container liner and heat sealed thereto. The heat seal has both an inner and an outer bead formed on either side of the heat sealed area, wherein the inner bead comprises a larger amount of the heat seal compositions than the outer bead. A method and apparatus for forming the heat seal is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2001Date of Patent: April 19, 2005Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.Inventors: Michael T. Drummond, Alan D. Williams, Floyd H. Boatwright, Jeffrey M. Schuetz
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Patent number: 6857561Abstract: A composite container of paperboard has a polymeric film barrier layer on the inner surface thereof. A rolled bead is formed at a top end of the container and a membrane closure is bonded to the bead by a first heat seal material on the bead and a second heat seal material on the membrane. The heat seal materials preferably comprise ethylene acid copolymer such as methacrylic acid or acrylic acid, partially neutralized with zinc or sodium ions. A primer layer is disposed between the heat seal material on the bead and the polymer barrier layer of the container. The primer provides a high z-direction bond strength but is designed to fail in a shear tearing mode when peeling the membrane from the bead, such that the heat seal material on the bead is detached from the bead and remains attached to the membrane. The primer prevents tearing of the polymer barrier layer of the container.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2003Date of Patent: February 22, 2005Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.Inventors: Alan D. Williams, Michael T. Drummond
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Patent number: 6838523Abstract: Compositions for injection-molding of long, thin-walled, one-piece squeeze tubes include low-density polyethylene having a density less than about 0.925 g/cc and a melt index of at least about 50 g/10 minutes, and polypropylene having a high melt index greater than about 800 g/10 minutes, wherein the high melt index is attained by peroxide degradation of the polypropylene during melt processing. The compositions can also include a polymer that is miscible and compatible with low-density polyethylene and polypropylene for enhancing flow of the molding composition in the mold, the polymer having a glass transition temperature Tg of about ?20 to ?40° C., and/or metallocene resin having a density less than about 0.915 g/cc.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2002Date of Patent: January 4, 2005Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.Inventors: Alan D. Williams, James Stevens, Jeremy Morin
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Patent number: 6829874Abstract: A tubular container for vacuum packaging products is provided according to the present invention that includes an overcap secured to at least one of the opposed ends of a tubular container that defines a bias member for biasing a membrane-type flexible lid inwardly towards products contained within the tubular container before a vacuum is applied. The flexible lid is maintained in a biased shape until the bias member is removed. As such, the flexible lid is sufficiently restrained during the vacuum packaging process, thus preventing the breakage of products located adjacent the flexible lid.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2002Date of Patent: December 14, 2004Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.Inventors: Floyd H. Boatwright, Richard M. Lowman, Alan D. Williams
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Publication number: 20040226990Abstract: A composite container of paperboard has a polymeric film barrier layer on the inner surface thereof. A rolled bead is formed at a top end of the container and a membrane closure is bonded to the bead by a first heat seal material on the bead and a second heat seal material on the membrane. The heat seal materials preferably comprise ethylene acid copolymer such as methacrylic acid or acrylic acid, partially neutralized with zinc or sodium ions. A primer layer is disposed between the heat seal material on the bead and the polymer barrier layer of the container. The primer provides a high z-direction bond strength but is designed to fail in a shear tearing mode when peeling the membrane from the bead, such that the heat seal material on the bead is detached from the bead and remains attached to the membrane. The primer prevents tearing of the polymer barrier layer of the container.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2003Publication date: November 18, 2004Applicant: Sonoco Development, Inc.Inventors: Alan D. Williams, Michael T. Drummond
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Publication number: 20040087723Abstract: Compositions for injection-molding of long, thin-walled, one-piece squeeze tubes include low-density polyethylene having a density less than about 0.925 g/cc and a melt index of at least about 50 g/10 minutes, and polypropylene having a high melt index greater than about 800 g/10 minutes, wherein the high melt index is attained by peroxide degradation of the polypropylene during melt processing. The compositions can also include a polymer that is miscible and compatible with low-density polyethylene and polypropylene for enhancing flow of the molding composition in the mold, the polymer having a glass transition temperature Tg of about −20 to −40° C, and/or a metallocene resin having a density less than about 0.915 g/cc.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2002Publication date: May 6, 2004Applicant: Sonoco Development, Inc.Inventors: Alan D. Williams, James Stevens, Jeremy Morin
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Publication number: 20030178429Abstract: A composite container is provided for vacuum packaging of products is disclosed having a generally tubular body portion having opposite ends and an inner surface. A liner is attached to the body portion for receiving the products inside the liner and the body portion of the container. The liner has a memory and is able to move between a position adjacent the body portion to a position about the products placed therein when a vacuum is applied to the products. When the vacuum is removed from the products, the liner automatically returns from the position about the products to the position adjacent the body portion so that the products can be easily removed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2002Publication date: September 25, 2003Applicant: Sonoco Development, Inc.Inventors: Alan D. Williams, Drew Case, Veronique Sins
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Publication number: 20030119576Abstract: Gaming devices and methods useful with a gaming system offering a shared bonus event, which may be a Virtual Reality event. One embodiment features a number of gaming machines networked to a bonus event computer. Each gaming machine includes a primary game that results in various outcomes in response to placement of a wager. Achieving a specific outcome provides a player with an opportunity to play a skill-based bonus game on that machine, such as a carnival-like game that awards a bonus based on performing a physical act. The skill-based bonus game may be a Virtual Reality game. The bonus computer provides a shared Virtual Reality bonus event to qualified players, allowing the players to compete for additional bonus event prizes. Aspects of the shared Virtual Reality bonus event may be randomly assigned and the event may be a Virtual Reality auto race.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2001Publication date: June 26, 2003Inventors: Monica A. McClintic, Alan D. Williams
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Publication number: 20030104853Abstract: Methods of weighting odds in shared bonus events and gaming systems and devices configured for weighting odds in shared bonus events. A number of participations or entries by the same gaming machine or player entity may be obtained for a shared bonus event in association with play of a base or primary game, allowing the odds of winning the shared bonus event to be weighted.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2001Publication date: June 5, 2003Inventors: Michael T. Tessmer, Lee E. Cannon, Charlotte S. Centuori, Alan D. Williams
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Publication number: 20020190111Abstract: A tubular container for vacuum packaging products is provided according to the present invention that includes an overcap secured to at least one of the opposed ends of a tubular container that defines a bias member for biasing a membrane-type flexible lid inwardly towards products contained within the tubular container before a vacuum is applied. The flexible lid is maintained in a biased shape until the bias member is removed. As such, the flexible lid is sufficiently restrained during the vacuum packaging process, thus preventing the breakage of products located adjacent the flexible lid.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2002Publication date: December 19, 2002Applicant: Sonoco Development, Inc.Inventors: Floyd H. Boatwright, Richard M. Lowman, Alan D. Williams
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Publication number: 20020185402Abstract: A tubular container for vacuum packaging products is provided according to the present invention that includes an overcap secured to at least one of the opposed ends of a tubular container that defines a bias member for biasing a membrane-type flexible lid inwardly towards products contained within the tubular container before a vacuum is applied. The flexible lid is maintained in a biased shape until the bias member is removed. As such, the flexible lid is sufficiently restrained during the vacuum packaging process, thus preventing the breakage of products located adjacent the flexible lid.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2002Publication date: December 12, 2002Applicant: Sonoco Development, Inc.Inventors: Floyd H. Boatwright, Richard M. Lowman, Alan D. Williams
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Patent number: 6478218Abstract: A tubular container for vacuum packaging products is provided according to the present invention that includes an overcap secured to at least one of the opposed ends of a tubular container that defines a bias member for biasing a membrane-type flexible lid inwardly towards products contained within the tubular container before a vacuum is applied. The flexible lid is maintained in a biased shape until the bias member is removed. As such, the flexible lid is sufficiently restrained during the vacuum packaging process, thus preventing the breakage of products located adjacent the flexible lid.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2000Date of Patent: November 12, 2002Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.Inventors: Floyd H. Boatwright, Richard M. Lowman, Alan D. Williams
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Patent number: 6391135Abstract: A method of manufacturing multi-ply tubular containers for food products is provided including the steps of applying an aqueous adhesive to a surface of a paperboard body ply and then heating the aqueous adhesive to evaporate part of the water content and render the adhesive substantially tacky. The body ply and a polymeric liner ply having a moisture barrier layer are then passed through a nip to adhere the liner ply to the body ply and are wrapped around a shaping mandrel to create the tubular container. Accordingly, an advantageous tubular container can be manufactured having a body ply formed of paperboard which is wrapped into a tubular shape to define an inner surface. The body ply defines a predetermined circumferential length before being wrapped which corresponds to one revolution of the body ply when wrapped in a tubular shape. A polymeric liner ply is adhered to the inner surface of the body ply and defines a circumferential length equal to that of the body ply prior to being wrapped.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 1998Date of Patent: May 21, 2002Assignee: Sonoco Products CompanyInventors: Michael T. Drummond, Glenda J. Cahill, W. Gerald Gainey, Alan D. Williams
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Publication number: 20020036228Abstract: A multi-ply composite container for consumer products is provided having a tubular body ply, a liner ply and a film label ply. The tubular body ply is formed of paperboard material, and the liner ply is adhered to the inner surface of the tubular body ply. The film label ply is adhered to the outer surface of the tubular body ply and is comprised of a polymeric film having inner and outer surfaces and an adhesive on at least a portion of the inner surface of the polymeric film. Graphical matter can be included on at least a portion of the inner surface of the polymeric film under the adhesive. The adhesive is for adhering the label ply to the outer surface of the tubular body ply and can be either a heat seal coating or a cold seal coating.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2001Publication date: March 28, 2002Inventors: Barry R. Reese, Jeffrey M. Schuetz, Alan D. Williams