Patents by Inventor Alan G. Sheldon

Alan G. Sheldon 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: 8740697
    Abstract: A gaming machine adapted to print validated tickets for a game player includes a microprocessor for controlling game operation (e.g., slot machine operation) and including a cashout signal input, a network interface coupled to the microprocessor for communicating with a central authority, and a memory in the network interface that stores a pre-loaded ticket validation number received from the central authority. In addition, a ticket printer is coupled to the microprocessor for printing a ticket that includes pending credit indicia and pre-loaded ticket validation indicia in response to a cashout signal on the cashout signal input. After the ticket is printed, the gaming machine obtains a new pre-loaded validation number in preparation for the next ticket printing event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick Van Baltz, J. Christopher McNamee, Stephanie Maddocks, Michael D'Amico, Lori McDermeit, Alan G. Sheldon
  • Publication number: 20140100021
    Abstract: A gaming machine adapted to print validated tickets for a game player includes a microprocessor for controlling game operation (e.g., slot machine operation) and including a cashout signal input, a network interface coupled to the microprocessor for communicating with a central authority, and a memory in the network interface that stores a pre-loaded ticket validation number received from the central authority. In addition, a ticket printer is coupled to the microprocessor for printing a ticket that includes pending credit indicia and pre-loaded ticket validation indicia in response to a cashout signal on the cashout signal input. After the ticket is printed, the gaming machine obtains a new pre-loaded validation number in preparation for the next ticket printing event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Frederick Van Baltz, J. Christopher McNamee, Stephanie Maddocks, Michael D'Amico, Lori McDermeit, Alan G. Sheldon
  • Patent number: 8678911
    Abstract: An apparatus for use with a gaming machine is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an electronic processing board that is coupled to first and second data interfaces as well as a ticket printer. The electronic processing board responds to a cashout signal by communicating with the gaming machine via the first data interface, communicating with a computer system via the second data interface, and communicating with the printer to issue a ticket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Inventors: Frederick Van Baltz, Stephanie Maddocks, Michael H. D'Amico, Alan G. Sheldon, Lori J. McDermeit, J. Christopher McNamee
  • Patent number: 8608553
    Abstract: A gaming machine adapted to print validated tickets for a game player includes a microprocessor for controlling game operation (e.g., slot machine operation) and including a cashout signal input, a network interface coupled to the microprocessor for communicating with a central authority, and a memory in the network interface that stores a pre-loaded ticket validation number received from the central authority. In addition, a ticket printer is coupled to the microprocessor for printing a ticket that includes pending credit indicia and pre-loaded ticket validation indicia in response to a cashout signal on the cashout signal input. After the ticket is printed, the gaming machine obtains a new pre-loaded validation number in preparation for the next ticket printing event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Inventors: Frederick Van Baltz, J. Christopher McNamee, Stephanie Maddocks, Michael D'Amico, Lori McDermeit, Alan G. Sheldon
  • Publication number: 20130244760
    Abstract: A gaming machine adapted to print validated tickets for a game player includes a microprocessor for controlling game operation (e.g., slot machine operation) and including a cashout signal input, a network interface coupled to the microprocessor for communicating with a central authority, and a memory in the network interface that stores a pre-loaded ticket validation number received from the central authority. In addition, a ticket printer is coupled to the microprocessor for printing a ticket that includes pending credit indicia and pre-loaded ticket validation indicia in response to a cashout signal on the cashout signal input. After the ticket is printed, the gaming machine obtains a new pre-loaded validation number in preparation for the next ticket printing event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Frederick Van Baltz, J. Christopher McNamee, Stephanie Maddocks, Michael D'Amico, Lori McDermeit, Alan G. Sheldon
  • Publication number: 20120135808
    Abstract: A gaming system (10) includes gaming machines (100, 102, 104, 106) arranged to receive input data and to generate output data. A central database (24) stores the input data and the output data. A data processing unit 40 includes a local database (46). Unit 40 polls the gaming machines to obtain the output data over a network (12), stores the output data in the local database, transmits the output data over the network to the central database and arranges the data in a format useable by report generating software, obtains the input data from the central database, and stores the input data in the local database for use by the gaming machines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventors: Michael H. D'Amico, Steven A. Weiss, Tara L. Young, Alan G. Sheldon, Lattamore Osburn
  • Patent number: 7704143
    Abstract: A gaming machine adapted to print validated tickets for a game player includes a microprocessor for controlling game operation (e.g., slot machine operation) and including a cashout signal input, a network interface coupled to the microprocessor for communicating with a central authority, and a memory in the network interface that stores a pre-loaded ticket validation number received from the central authority. In addition, a ticket printer is coupled to the microprocessor for printing a ticket that includes pending credit indicia and pre-loaded ticket validation indicia in response to a cashout signal on the cashout signal input. After the ticket is printed, the gaming machine obtains a new pre-loaded validation number in preparation for the next ticket printing event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: F. Van Baltz, Stephanie Maddocks, Michael H. D'Amico, Alan G. Sheldon, Lori J. McDermeit, J. Christopher McNamee
  • Publication number: 20090275397
    Abstract: An apparatus (312) for use with a gaming machine (102), the apparatus (312) comprising: an electronic processing board (144); a first data interface (366) that is electrically coupled to the electronic processing board (144); a second data interface (126) that is electrically coupled to the electronic processing board (144); and a ticket printer (318) that is electrically coupled to the electronic processing board (144), wherein the electronic processing board (144) is arranged to perform the following steps in response to a cashout signal (134): communicate with the gaming machine (102) via the first data interface (366) in order to effect a removal of wagerable credits from the gaming machine (102); communicate with a computer system (120), which is remote to the gaming machine (102), via the second data interface (126) so as to: provide the computer system (120) with details of the removal of wagerable credit; and receive from the computer system (120) ticket data that is associated with the removal of
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventors: F. Van Baltz, Stephanie Maddocks, Michael H. D'Amico, Alan G. Sheldon, Lori J. McDermeit, J. Christopher McNamee
  • Patent number: 6896619
    Abstract: A gaming machine adapted to print validated tickets for a game player includes a microprocessor for controlling game operation (e.g., slot machine operation) and including a cashout signal input, a network interface coupled to the microprocessor for communicating with a central authority, and a memory in the network interface that stores a pre-loaded ticket validation number received from the central authority. In addition, a ticket printer is coupled to the microprocessor for printing a ticket that includes pending credit indicia and pre-loaded ticket validation indicia in response to a cashout signal on the cashout signal input. After the ticket is printed, the gaming machine obtains a new pre-loaded validation number in preparation for the next ticket printing event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: F. Van Baltz, Stephanie Maddocks, Michael H. D'Amico, Alan G. Sheldon, Lori J. McDermeit, J. Christopher McNamee
  • Patent number: 6676515
    Abstract: A gaming machine adapted to print validated tickets for a game player includes a microprocessor for controlling game operation (e.g., slot machine operation) and including a cashout signal input, a network interface coupled to the microprocessor for communicating with a central authority, and a memory in the network interface that stores a pre-loaded ticket validation number received from the central authority. In addition, a ticket printer is coupled to the microprocessor for printing a ticket that includes pending credit indicia and pre-loaded ticket validation indicia in response to a cashout signal on the cashout signal input. After the ticket is printed, the gaming machine obtains a new pre-loaded validation number in preparation for the next ticket printing event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: F. Van Baltz, Stephanie Maddocks, Michael H. D'Amico, Alan G. Sheldon, Lori J. McDermeit, J. Christopher McNamee
  • Publication number: 20030073495
    Abstract: A gaming system (10) includes gaming machines (100, 102, 104, 106) arranged to receive input data and to generate output data. A central database (24) stores the input data and the output data. A data processing unit 40 includes a local database (46). Unit 40 polls the gaming machines to obtain the output data over a network (12), stores the output data in the local database, transmits the output data over the network to the central database and arranges the data in a format useable by report generating software, obtains the input data from the central database, and stores the input data in the local database for use by the gaming machines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Michael H. D'Amico, Steven A. Weiss, Tara L. Young, Alan G. Sheldon, Lattamore Osburn
  • Publication number: 20020128059
    Abstract: A gaming machine adapted to print validated tickets for a game player includes a microprocessor for controlling game operation (e.g., slot machine operation) and including a cashout signal input, a network interface coupled to the microprocessor for communicating with a central authority, and a memory in the network interface that stores a pre-loaded ticket validation number received from the central authority. In addition, a ticket printer is coupled to the microprocessor for printing a ticket that includes pending credit indicia and pre-loaded ticket validation indicia in response to a cashout signal on the cashout signal input. After the ticket is printed, the gaming machine obtains a new pre-loaded validation number in preparation for the next ticket printing event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventors: F. Van Baltz, Stephanie Maddocks, Michael H. D'Amico, Alan G. Sheldon, Lori J. McDermeit, J. Christopher McNamee
  • Patent number: 6392408
    Abstract: A method and system for canceling extraneous signals in a nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) system used for the detection of explosives and drugs. A specimen is irradiated with a specific sequence of electromagnetic pulses, referred to as a spin-locked inversion mid-echo (SLIME) pulse sequence with each pulse having a specified phase and duration. The pulses are separated by specified time intervals. The SLIME pulse sequence has a single excitation pulse. As a result of the characteristics of the SLIME pulse sequence, if the target substance to be detected is present in the specimen, sets of oppositely-phased NQR echo signals are generated from the target substance. NQR echo signals of one phase are subtracted from NQR echo signals having the opposite phase, rendering a cumulative echo signal, and simultaneously subtracting out the same-phase extraneous signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Quamtum Magnetics, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey A. Barrall, Lowell J. Burnett, Alan G. Sheldon
  • Patent number: 6194898
    Abstract: A system for detecting a target substance within a class of explosives and narcotics containing quadrupolar nuclei through the use of nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR). The system applies an RF signal to a coil (34) to excite the substance under test. If the target material is present, an NQR signal will be picked up by the same coil, That signal is compared with known NQR signals in frequency and amplitude. A signal is displayed in an appropriate way if a threshold value of the NQR signal is equalled or exceeded. The empty coil is statically tuned by means of adjusting the location or capacitance values, or both, of static tuning capacitors (102) in the coil. The coil is tuned after the specimen is inserted into the coil by means of an auto-tune feature (36). Effective RFI shielding (37) is provided to prevent external contaminating signals from being detected by the coil and to prevent RF signals from escaping from the scanner. The invention also includes the method for performing tests with the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Quantum Magnetics, Inc.
    Inventors: Erik E. Magnuson, Charles R. Moeller, Julian D. Shaw, Alan G. Sheldon
  • Patent number: 5592083
    Abstract: A system for detecting a target substance within a class of explosives and narcotics containing quadrupolar nuclei through the use of nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR). The system applies an RF signal to a coil to excite the substance under test. If the target material is present, an NQR signal will be picked up by the same coil. That signal is compared with known NQR signals in frequency and amplitude. A signal is displayed in an appropriate way if a threshold value of the NQR signal is equalled or exceeded. The coil is tuned by means of an auto-tune feature. Effective RFI shielding is provided to prevent external contaminating signals from being detected by the coil and to prevent RF signals from escaping from the scanner. The invention also includes the method for performing tests with the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: Quantum Magnetics, Inc.
    Inventors: Erik E. Magnuson, Charles R. Moeller, Julian D. Shaw, Alan G. Sheldon