Patents by Inventor C. Little

C. Little 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: 10229556
    Abstract: A gaming system including a number of host devices each coupled to one or more gaming machines, wherein content provided by the host device is output on the gaming machine. To output the content provided by the remote host, a host-controlled process that is authenticated by the gaming machine and executed in a secure memory location such that it is isolated from other processes executing on the gaming machine may be utilized. The host-controlled processes may be decoupled from the process used to execute the game of chance played on the gaming machine such that the content output by the host-controlled process doesn't alter the play of game of chance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Reid M. Weber, Erik B. Petersen, Adrian R. Marcu, William C. Little, Steven G. LeMay
  • Patent number: 10169950
    Abstract: A gaming system including a number of host devices each coupled to one or more gaming machines, wherein content provided by the host device is output on the gaming machine. To output the content provided by the remote host, a host-controlled process that is authenticated by the gaining machine and executed in a secure memory location such that it is isolated from other processes executing on the gaming machine may be utilized. The host-controlled processes may be decoupled from the process used to execute the game of chance played on the gaming machine such that the content output by the host-controlled process doesn't alter the play of game of chance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: William C. Little, Daniel J. De Waal, Vincent S. Manfredi, Bryan E. Bullard, Cara L. Iddings, Richard J. Schneider, Steven G. LeMay, Nichole M. Beaulieu, David A. Gipp
  • Patent number: 10152846
    Abstract: A gaming system including a plurality of gaming machines is provided. The gaming machines may be configured to provide bonus games with persistent. The gaming machines may be configured to allow a player to enroll in bonus game with persistence and generate a record locator, such as printed ticket that allows a record of a state in the bonus game with persistence to be accessed at a later time. A server coupled to the plurality of gaming machines may maintain records of various states in the bonus game with persistence. When a valid record locator is presented at a gaming machine, these records may be checked out and updated via game play at the gaming machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Daryn G. Kiely, William R. Brosnan, Richard Glasser, Adrian R. Marcu, Erik B. Petersen, William C. Little, Jeffery S. Shepherd, Bryan D. Wolf, Steven G. LeMay
  • Patent number: 9959702
    Abstract: A gaming system including a number of host devices each coupled to one or more gaming machines, wherein content provided by the host device is output on the gaming machine. To output the content provided by the remote host, a host-controlled process that is authenticated by the gaming machine and executed in a secure memory location such that it is isolated from other processes executing on the gaming machine may be utilized. The host-controlled processes may be decoupled from the process used to execute the game of chance played on the gaming machine such that the content output by the host-controlled process doesn't alter the play of game of chance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: William C. Little, Daniel J. De Waal, Vincent S. Manfredi, Bryan E. Bullard, Cara L. Iddings, Richard J. Schneider, Steven G. LeMay, Nichole M. Beaulieu, David A. Gipp
  • Patent number: 9711000
    Abstract: A gaming system, game controller and method of gaming implementing a game wherein one or more symbols are selected to be retained from a previous game outcome based on symbols which contribute to a winning symbol combination in the game outcome. One or more subsequent game outcomes can be generated including the retained symbols. The retained symbols from a previous game outcome can be selected from symbols which contribute to a winning symbols combination in the previous game outcome. In the subsequent game outcome, the retained symbols can contribute to further winning symbol combinations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventor: David C. Little
  • Patent number: 9685034
    Abstract: A system for interfacing with a third-party application is described. The system includes a third-party device, a server-based system configured to communicate with the third-party device, and a gaming device configured to communicate with the server-based system to display content of the product or service. The gaming device is configured to generate an outcome of a wager-based game independent of the content that is displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Reid M. Weber, William C. Little, Steven G. LeMay, Adrian R. Marcu, Warner R. Cockerille, IV, Nicole M. Beaulieu, David A. Gipp, Daniel De Waal, Vincent S. Manfredi, Bryan Bullard, Cara L. Iddings, Brad Robert Steinbach, Richard J. Schneider, Glen Keith Russell, Jacob Graham, Gregory A. Schlottmann, David C. Williams, Kurt M. Larsen, Jae Man Yi, Erik B. Petersen, Kevin M. Higgins, Gregory H. Parrott, David L. Salls
  • Publication number: 20170150216
    Abstract: Techniques for allowing a gaming machine to exercise control over a picture-in-picture device (PIP mixer). A gaming machine includes a display device, a master game controller, the PIP mixer, and a PIP control interface. The master gaming controller is configured to execute a wager game, send a first video signal for the wager game to the PIP mixer, and send control instructions for controlling a display of one or more PIP windows to the PIP mixer via the PIP control interface. The PIP mixer receives the first video signal and a second video signal from an external source. The PIP mixer is configured to create a composite video image that includes display data of first video signal and the second video signal in PIP windows based on the control instructions. The composite video image is displayed on the display device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventors: Kevin Higgins, William C. Little, Adrian R. Marcu
  • Patent number: 9604838
    Abstract: A coupling comprising a first body member and a second body member. The first and second body members are operative to releasably connect together. The first and second body members define a fluid flow path therein when the first and second body members are connected together. The first and second body members are operative to disconnect from one another in response to a predetermined tensile force. At least one valve member is disposed within at least one of the first and second body members and is movable from an open position to a closed position with respect to the fluid flow path upon disconnection of the first body member from the second body member. A sensor is disposed within one of the first and second body members and is operative to sense whether the first and second body members are connected together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Veeder-Root Company
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Cornett, Tim Campaigne, James C. Little, Niranjan Srinivasan, Andres Deogracias Viduya, Jeremy Baillargeon, Cameron D. Carmack
  • Publication number: 20170070298
    Abstract: A system for embedding phase and amplitude into a real valued unipolar signal suitable for intensity modulation (IM) by optical transmitters. The system includes a complex-to-unipolar conversion engine configured to receive complex symbols in Cartesian format and convert the complex symbols from the Cartesian format to a polar coordinate format and generate real valued unipolar symbols including embedded phase and amplitude information of complex symbols in the Cartesian format.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Inventors: Hany Elgala, Thomas D.C. Little
  • Patent number: 9564000
    Abstract: Techniques for allowing a gaming machine to exercise control over a picture-in-picture device (PIP mixer). A gaming machine includes a display device, a master game controller, the PIP mixer, and a PIP control interface. The master gaming controller is configured to execute a wager game, send a first video signal for the wager game to the PIP mixer, and send control instructions for controlling a display of one or more PIP windows to the PIP mixer via the PIP control interface. The PIP mixer receives the first video signal and a second video signal from an external source. The PIP mixer is configured to create a composite video image that includes display data of first video signal and the second video signal in PIP windows based on the control instructions. The composite video image is displayed on the display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Kevin Higgins, William C. Little, Adrian R. Marcu
  • Patent number: 9530276
    Abstract: When the player identifies herself to a gaming machine at a casino, for example by inserting a player tracking card into the card reader, she is, at generally the same time, logging onto a game provider's backend system (the game provider being different from the casino operator). This concurrent sign-on to the game provider's system is done in a non-intrusive, transparent, and passive manner. The player is not distracted from the normal steps leading to game play on the machine until she is ready to redeem points with the game provider or for some reason additional authentication is needed from the player. By virtue of this single sign-on to the game provider network, in addition to continuing game play across different casinos, the player can publish events to the Internet, such as on social networking sites, take advantage of offers targeted specifically for her, or facilitate responsible gaming programs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Erik B. Petersen, Kevin M. Higgins, Steven G. LeMay, William C. Little
  • Publication number: 20160358416
    Abstract: A gaming system including a plurality of gaming machines is provided. The gaming machines may be configured to provide bonus games with persistent. The gaming machines may be configured to allow a player to enroll in bonus game with persistence and generate a record locator, such as printed ticket that allows a record of a state in the bonus game with persistence to be accessed at a later time. A server coupled to the plurality of gaming machines may maintain records of various states in the bonus game with persistence. When a valid record locator is presented at a gaming machine, these records may be checked out and updated via game play at the gaming machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: Daryn G. Kiely, William R. Brosnan, Richard Glasser, Adrian R. Marcu, Erik B. Petersen, William C. Little, Jeffery S. Shepherd, Bryan D. Wolf, Steven G. LeMay
  • Publication number: 20160260283
    Abstract: A gaming system including a number of host devices each coupled to one or more gaming machines, wherein content provided by the host device is output on the gaming machine. To output the content provided by the remote host, a host-controlled process that is authenticated by the gaming machine and executed in a secure memory location such that it is isolated from other processes executing on the gaming machine may be utilized. The host-controlled processes may be decoupled from the process used to execute the game of chance played on the gaming machine such that the content output by the host-controlled process doesn't alter the play of game of chance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventors: William C. Little, Daniel J. De Waal, Vincent S. Manfredi, Bryan E. Bullard, Cara L. Iddings, Richard J. Schneider, Steven G. LeMay, Nichole M. Beaulieu, David A. Gipp
  • Publication number: 20160260284
    Abstract: A gaming system, game controller and method of gaming implementing a game wherein one or more symbols are selected to be retained from a previous game outcome based on symbols which contribute to a winning symbol combination in the game outcome. One or more subsequent game outcomes can be generated including the retained symbols. The retained symbols from a previous game outcome can be selected from symbols which contribute to a winning symbols combination in the previous game outcome. In the subsequent game outcome, the retained symbols can contribute to further winning symbol combinations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventor: David C. Little
  • Publication number: 20160253864
    Abstract: A method for tracking an event of an externally controlled interface (ECI) is described. The method includes generating the externally controlled interface independent of an outcome of a wager-based game regulated by a regulatory authority, and logging the event of the externally controlled interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Inventors: Reid M. Weber, William C. Little, Steven G. LeMay, Adrian R. Marcu, Warner R. Cockerille, IV, Nicole M. Beaulieu, David A. Gipp, Daniel de Waal, Vincent S. Manfredi, Bryan Bullard, Cara L. Iddings, Richard J. Schneider, Glenn Keith Russell, Jacob Graham, Gregory A. Schlottmann, Richard E. Rowe, David C. Williams, Kurt M. Larsen, Jae Man Yi, Erik B. Petersen
  • Publication number: 20160229680
    Abstract: A coupling comprising a first body member and a second body member. The first and second body members are operative to releasably connect together. The first and second body members define a fluid flow path therein when the first and second body members are connected together. The first and second body members are operative to disconnect from one another in response to a predetermined tensile force. At least one valve member is disposed within at least one of the first and second body members and is movable from an open position to a closed position with respect to the fluid flow path upon disconnection of the first body member from the second body member. A sensor is disposed within one of the first and second body members and is operative to sense whether the first and second body members are connected together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Cornett, Tim Campaigne, James C. Little, Niranjan Srinivasan, Andres Deogracias Viduya, Jeremy Baillargeon, Cameron D. Carmack
  • Publication number: 20160225228
    Abstract: A gaming system including a number of host devices each coupled to one or more gaming machines, wherein content provided by the host device is output on the gaming machine. To output the content provided by the remote host, a host-controlled process that is authenticated by the gaming machine and executed in a secure memory location such that it is isolated from other processes executing on the gaming machine may be utilized. The host-controlled processes may be decoupled from the process used to execute the game of chance played on the gaming machine such that the content output by the host-controlled process doesn't alter the play of game of chance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Inventors: Reid M. Weber, Erik B. Petersen, Adrian R. Marcu, William C. Little, Steven G. LeMay
  • Patent number: 9363859
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an illumination system including an array of LED light sources for emitting light encoded with a modulation pattern, an array of sensors and a space characterization unit. The array of sensors receives emitted light scattered by an object. Each sensor determines a distance between the corresponding light source and the object using the modulation pattern. The space characterization unit uses the distance from each sensor to generate an elevation map indicating a presence of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Robert F. Karlicek, Jr., Richard J. Radke, Thomas D. C. Little, Pankil M. Butala, Li Jia
  • Patent number: 9349258
    Abstract: A gaming system, game controller and method of gaming implementing a game wherein one or more symbols are selected to be retained from a previous game outcome based on symbols which contribute to a winning symbol combination in the game outcome. One or more subsequent game outcomes can be generated including the retained symbols. The retained symbols from a previous game outcome can be selected from symbols which contribute to a winning symbols combination in the previous game outcome. In the subsequent game outcome, the retained symbols can contribute to further winning symbol combinations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED
    Inventor: David C. Little
  • Patent number: D786508
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Inventors: Matthew I. Ricket, Douglas C. Little