Patents by Inventor Alfred Thomas

Alfred Thomas 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: 11978312
    Abstract: Provided herein are systems and techniques for providing for wager-associated parameter control graphical state management. In such systems and techniques, a portion of one or more displays of an electronic gaming machine that is used to display all or part of a virtual button deck may be transitioned between two graphical states—one in which wager-associated parameter controls are in default positions and enabled for selection by users, and the other in which such controls are minimized or hidden and their wager-associated parameter functionality is disabled or otherwise non-usable by users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Alfred Thomas, Joel Osmond, Mercedes De Lugo, Sony Syamala, Natalie Bryant
  • Patent number: 11965546
    Abstract: A bearing module that supports adjacent ends of coaxial shafts, includes an outer ring having first and second axially adjacent raceways and first and second flanges located at the respective ends. A first group of rolling elements rolls on the first raceway, and a second group of rolling elements rolls on the second raceway. A first cage retains the first group of rolling elements circumferentially spaced apart from one another, and a second cage retains the second group of rolling elements. An axial bearing is retained axially between the first and second groups of rolling elements, and has axial bearing rolling elements that are configured for rolling contact with (a) facing axial side raceways on first and second inner rings supported respectively on the first and second groups of rolling elements, (b) the adjacent ends of the two coaxial shafts, or (c) integral washers of the axial bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Joseph T. Griffin, Florin Muscas, Arjun Kailassh Magalingam Adithyan, Alfred Thomas, James Brown
  • Publication number: 20240122441
    Abstract: A vessel rinsing apparatus including a mounting base, a fluid discharge member including a plurality of nozzles, a valve member operably coupled to the fluid discharge member and configured to control water flow through the nozzles, and an escutcheon supported by the mounting base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Mark Cipriani, Todd Huffington, Alfred Nelson, Michael Veros, Kyle Davidson, Kurt Thomas, Jeffrey Moore
  • Publication number: 20240096181
    Abstract: Systems and techniques are provided for enabling all wins multiplier features on gaming devices during multiplayer gaming tournament play. The all wins multiplier features may be simultaneously engaged on multiple gaming devices at a predetermined point in time, and may generally all simultaneously terminate the all wins multiplier feature at the same time. Multiple different all wins multiplier features using different multiplier values may be enabled at different times during a particular tournament session.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Alfred Thomas, Scott Burns, Joseph Masinter, II, Larry Pacey
  • Publication number: 20240087410
    Abstract: Multi-currency digital wallet systems for use in casino gaming and other contexts are described. Such digital wallets may allow for balances of a variety of different types of currencies to be tracked and managed by a user. Multi-currency gaming machines are also described; such gaming machines may provide award amounts in different currencies dependent on a particular game outcome.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Michele Rousseau, Alfred Thomas, Larry Pacey, Boris Amegadjie, Joseph Louis Masinter, II
  • Patent number: 11928936
    Abstract: An electronic gaming system is described. The electronic gaming system includes a server computing device configured to receive an input from a first user computing device including a request to initiate an electronic game and assign a plurality of user devices to the electronic game. The server is further configured to identify a second player account as an initial play player account, wherein the initial play player account is designated to initiate a first play of the electronic game. The server is further configured to transmit content to a second user computing device that causes a gameplay user interface at the second user computing device to include a first display area including video images from a video stream from the second user computing device and a second display area including video images received by the server from a video stream received from the first user computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Marks, Alfred Thomas, Hua Xu, Scott Burns, Joseph Masinter, II, Jehoshua Josue
  • Publication number: 20240054850
    Abstract: A game involves selection between two opponents using a segmented wheel. Different jackpots and awards may be configured according to the odds of triggering the bonus game, selecting the opponents, selecting which of the opponents is the winner and which is the loser, selecting an order of the opponents (such as a home and visitor (or away) team), and so on. In various embodiments, one or more wheels may be displayed on a main screen associated with play of a game via multiple electronic gaming machines. Selections from the multiple electronic gaming machines may be used to alter game results on the main screen and/or the multiple electronic gaming machines, RTP, provide customized outputs to the main screen and/or the multiple electronic gaming machines, and so on.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2023
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Inventors: Joseph Masinter II, Alfred Thomas, Jehoshua Josue
  • Publication number: 20240054852
    Abstract: A game involves selection between two opponents using a segmented wheel. Different jackpots and awards may be configured according to the odds of triggering the bonus game, selecting the opponents, selecting which of the opponents is the winner and which is the loser, selecting an order of the opponents (such as a home and visitor (or away) team), and so on. In various embodiments, one or more wheels may be displayed on a main screen associated with play of a game via multiple electronic gaming machines. Selections from the multiple electronic gaming machines may be used to alter game results on the main screen and/or the multiple electronic gaming machines, RTP, provide customized outputs to the main screen and/or the multiple electronic gaming machines, and so on.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2023
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Inventors: Joseph Masinter, II, Alfred Thomas, Jehoshua Josue
  • Publication number: 20240054851
    Abstract: A game involves selection between two opponents using a segmented wheel. Different jackpots and awards may be configured according to the odds of triggering the bonus game, selecting the opponents, selecting which of the opponents is the winner and which is the loser, selecting an order of the opponents (such as a home and visitor (or away) team), and so on. In various embodiments, one or more wheels may be displayed on a main screen associated with play of a game via multiple electronic gaming machines. Selections from the multiple electronic gaming machines may be used to alter game results on the main screen and/or the multiple electronic gaming machines, RTP, provide customized outputs to the main screen and/or the multiple electronic gaming machines, and so on.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2023
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Inventors: Joseph Masinter, II, Alfred Thomas, Jehoshua Josue
  • Patent number: 11887440
    Abstract: Systems and techniques are provided for enabling all wins multiplier features on gaming devices during multiplayer gaming tournament play. The all wins multiplier features may be simultaneously engaged on multiple gaming devices at a predetermined point in time, and may generally all simultaneously terminate the all wins multiplier feature at the same time. Multiple different all wins multiplier features using different multiplier values may be enabled at different times during a particular tournament session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Alfred Thomas, Scott Burns, Joseph Masinter, II, Larry Pacey
  • Publication number: 20240026923
    Abstract: A bearing module that supports adjacent ends of coaxial shafts, includes an outer ring having first and second axially adjacent raceways and first and second flanges located at the respective ends. A first group of rolling elements rolls on the first raceway, and a second group of rolling elements rolls on the second raceway. A first cage retains the first group of rolling elements circumferentially spaced apart from one another, and a second cage retains the second group of rolling elements. An axial bearing is retained axially between the first and second groups of rolling elements, and has axial bearing rolling elements that are configured for rolling contact with (a) facing axial side raceways on first and second inner rings supported respectively on the first and second groups of rolling elements, (b) the adjacent ends of the two coaxial shafts, or (c) integral washers of the axial bearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2022
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Joseph T. GRIFFIN, Florin MUSCAS, Arjun Kailassh Magalingam ADITHYAN, Alfred THOMAS, James BROWN
  • Patent number: 11861967
    Abstract: Multi-currency digital wallet systems for use in casino gaming and other contexts are described. Such digital wallets may allow for balances of a variety of different types of currencies to be tracked and managed by a user. Multi-currency gaming machines are also described; such gaming machines may provide award amounts in different currencies dependent on a particular game outcome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michele Rousseau, Alfred Thomas, Larry Pacey, Boris Amegadjie, Joseph Masinter, II
  • Publication number: 20230401932
    Abstract: Various gaming tournament-related techniques and systems for providing for game-of-chance gaming tournaments are disclosed, including techniques relating to criteria-based award of plays and/or perks for use in a particular tournament. Unlockable tournament games and geolocation-based award of tournament benefits are also discussed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2023
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Inventors: Alfred Thomas, Joseph Masinter, II, Michele Rousseau, Allon Englman, Angelo Palmisano, Christopher Cleveland, Larry Pacey
  • Publication number: 20230360469
    Abstract: An electronic gaming machine (EGM) archway includes a first EGM including at least one first curved display device, the at least one first curved display device defining a first portion of the archway. The EGM archway also includes a second EGM including at least one second curved display device, the at least one second curved display device defining a second portion of the archway, the second EGM spaced apart from and diametrically opposing the first EGM. In addition, the EGM archway includes an overhead display portion including at least one third display device, the at least one third display device defining a third portion of the archway, the overhead display portion extending overhead between the at least one first curved display device and the at least one second curved display device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventors: Stephen Shaffer, JR., Frank Rodriguez, Bruce Urban, Alfred Thomas, Rajendrasinh Jadeja, Matthew McKay, Ariel Turgel, Daniel Harden, Elliot Ortiz, Hirotomi Teranishi, Joseph Kaminkow
  • Publication number: 20230334934
    Abstract: An Electronic Gaming Machine (EGM) with a large annular display region for enhanced gameplay in a single or multiple cabinet system is disclosed. In the center of the annular display region is an independent, central display region. One or more pointers with display capabilities are configured to indicate a portion of the annular display region during gameplay. The EGM may be used for cabinet play and/or dealer-controlled play. The EGM may also include one or more input devices, for example a touch sensor, for dealer and/or player interaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Inventors: Timothy Barbour, Rajendrasinh Jadeja, Frank Rodriguez, Xiaoqiang Gong, Stephen Shaffer, Jr., Paul Barker, Joseph Masinter, II, Alfred Thomas
  • Publication number: 20230306810
    Abstract: A gaming device in accordance with some implementations includes a housing, a reel-spin initiation member, and a reel configured to spin in response to a user actuation of the reel-spin initiation member, the reel including a peripheral member having a plurality of symbols thereon and an array of light-emitting elements coupled to the reel. The gaming device also includes a controller coupled to the array of light-emitting elements and configured to selectively illuminate respective light-emitting elements of the array of light-emitting elements while the reel is rotating to produce an animated visual element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2023
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Inventors: Stephen Shaffer Jr., Frank Rodriguez, Joseph Masinter, II, Alfred Thomas
  • Patent number: 11763634
    Abstract: Various gaming tournament-related techniques and systems for providing for game-of-chance gaming tournaments are disclosed, including techniques relating to criteria-based award of plays and/or perks for use in a particular tournament. Unlockable tournament games and geolocation-based award of tournament benefits are also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Alfred Thomas, Joseph Masinter, II, Michele Rousseau, Allon Englman, Angelo Palmisano, Christopher Cleveland, Larry Pacey
  • Patent number: D1006120
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Stephen Shaffer, Jr., Frank Rodriguez, Bruce Urban, Alfred Thomas, Rajendrasinh Jadeja, Matthew McKay
  • Patent number: D1006121
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Stephen Shaffer, Jr., Frank Rodriguez, Bruce Urban, Alfred Thomas, Rajendrasinh Jadeja, Matthew McKay
  • Patent number: D1006122
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Shaffer, Jr., Frank Rodriguez, Bruce Urban, Alfred Thomas, Rajendrasinh Jadeja, Matthew McKay