Patents by Inventor Bill Wells

Bill 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: 7951006
    Abstract: Memories coupled to a gaming terminal, are reprogrammed by a method and apparatus which includes identification, negotiation, downloading and verification information from an external information source to a gaming terminal. Hardware devices are used to identify gaming terminals or components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Bill Wells, Richard Wilder
  • Patent number: 7785204
    Abstract: Memories coupled to a gaming terminal, are reprogrammed by a method and apparatus which includes identification, negotiation, downloading and verification information from an external information source to a gaming terminal. Hardware devices are used to identify gaming terminals or components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Bill Wells, Richard Wilder
  • Publication number: 20060040745
    Abstract: Memories coupled to a gaming terminal, are reprogrammed by a method and apparatus which includes identification, negotiation, downloading and verification information from an external information source to a gaming terminal. Hardware devices are used to identify gaming terminals or components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2005
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Inventors: Bill Wells, Richard Wilder
  • Patent number: 6805634
    Abstract: Memories coupled to a gaming terminal, are reprogrammed by a method and apparatus which includes identification, negotiation, downloading and verification information from an external information source to a gaming terminal. Hardware devices are used to identify gaming terminals or components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Bill Wells, Richard Wilder
  • Publication number: 20030228912
    Abstract: Memories coupled to a gaming terminal, are reprogrammed by a method and apparatus which includes identification, negotiation, downloading and verification information from an external information source to a gaming terminal. Hardware devices are used to identify gaming terminals or components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Bill Wells, Richard Wilder
  • Patent number: 6579351
    Abstract: An integrated filter body and adsorbent unit capable of being integrally fastened together for easy and economical assembly into a refrigerant pressure vessel assembly. The integrated filter and adsorbent unit includes a filter puck, an adsorbent unit mounted to the filter puck, and an integral feature on the filter puck for integrally fastening the adsorbent unit to the filter puck. The adsorbent unit includes a desiccant bag and a flap that has a mounting aperture and a fastening hole extending therethrough. The filter puck includes a disc-shaped body portion and a projection for cooperation with the fastening hole of the adsorbent unit. The projection is displaced to form an enlarged head for trapping the flap of the desiccant bag to the filter puck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Automotive Fluid Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John Dale Fisk, Steven Lee Lambert, Robert Daniel Bachman, Bill Wells
  • Publication number: 20030070551
    Abstract: An integrated filter body and adsorbent unit capable of being integrally fastened together for easy and economical assembly into a refrigerant pressure vessel assembly. The integrated filter and adsorbent unit includes a filter puck, an adsorbent unit mounted to the filter puck, and an integral feature on the filter puck for integrally fastening the adsorbent unit to the filter puck. The adsorbent unit includes a desiccant bag and a flap that has a mounting aperture and a fastening hole extending therethrough. The filter puck includes a disc-shaped body portion and a projection for cooperation with the fastening hole of the adsorbent unit. The projection is displaced to form an enlarged head for trapping the flap of the desiccant bag to the filter puck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: John Dale Fisk, Steven Lee Lambert, Robert Daniel Bachman, Bill Wells
  • Patent number: 6488585
    Abstract: An electronic memory which cannot be modified or erased, such as one-time programmable or add-only (OTP/AO) memory is used for storing direct or indirect indications of characteristics of a gaming terminal or its components. Preferably, a plurality of gaming terminal boards includes memory that has one or more rows of OTP/AO memory for storing information such as memory or board serial numbers, manufacture date, processor speed or type, software or hardware version numbers, and the like. Such information is preferably used in connection with assuring the appropriateness of modifications or configurations of the gaming terminal, such as downloading software or other software modification and/or changes to hardware configuration. OTP/AO information can be used in connection with verifying identity or characteristics of software or hardware, e.g. for warranty purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: International Game Technology
    Inventors: Bill Wells, James T. McGlone
  • Patent number: 6219836
    Abstract: A system for electronically downloading and verifying programs directly to printed circuit board components for use in gaming devices is provided. The downloading is preferably based on stored customer orders and provides reduced potential for errors arising by automating some or all features of program selection and by preferably implementing one or more steps of verifying programs for approval or compliance with gaming jurisdiction regulations for a jurisdiction where the gaming device is intended to be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: International Game Technology
    Inventors: Bill Wells, Ernest Baragar