Patents by Inventor David Small

David Small 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).

  • Publication number: 20260099980
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to artificially intelligent player avatars in a virtual casino. Generally speaking, various types of information related to a player can be collected and aggregated across a number of different real world and virtual reality sources. This aggregated data can be used to generate a player model. Similarly, information can be collected about one or more electronic games and this information can be used to generate a game model for each game. An avatar can then be generated and presented in a virtual reality gaming venue, e.g., a virtual casino. This avatar can then interact with the play based on the player model and the game model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2025
    Publication date: April 9, 2026
    Inventors: David Small, Jackie Alvarez, Karen Van Niekerk, Gaurav Jariwala, Daniel Landry, Bethany Plimmer, Todd Grimm
  • Patent number: 12548270
    Abstract: A processor circuit of a wearable gaming device receives display data corresponding to a real-time environmental model of a shared virtual environment (SVE) including a plurality of virtual persons and a plurality of virtual gaming devices, the display data including user display data that causes a display device to render a portion of the SVE based on a virtual orientation of the gaming device and a virtual location of a respective player of a plurality of players in the SVE, the portion of the SVE for the player comprising a virtual representation of another player of the plurality of players in the SVE. The processor circuit receives user input from the player for a virtual wagering game in the SVE and, based on a winning result for the virtual wagering game, provides a game award to the first player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2026
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: David Froy, Michael Russ, Fayez Idris, Gaurav Jariwala, Anthony Baerlocher, Karen Van Niekerk, Bethany Plimmer, David Small, Todd Grimm
  • Publication number: 20260030958
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a gaming system, device, and method that, in response to a detected content generation event, generate a prompt from a set of content preferences associated with a selected player, send the prompt to a generative model; select at least a portion of the received content for attract mode presentation by a gaming device; and cause the received attract mode content to be presented by the gaming device to the a player.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2024
    Publication date: January 29, 2026
    Inventors: David Small, Dwayne Nelson, Bryan Wolf, Jackie Alvarez, Julian Hofer, Michael Russ, Sven Aurich, Stefan Keilwert
  • Publication number: 20260004628
    Abstract: A system includes a processor circuit and a memory coupled to the processor circuit, the memory including machine-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor circuit, cause the processor circuit to perform operations. Such operations include providing, by the processor circuit, a virtual environment in a metaverse. The virtual environment includes a virtual electronic gaming machine (EGM), that receives, via the processor circuit and from a gaming device that is in a physical world, an identification of a first instance of the virtual environment that includes fantasy gameplay content that is not available in the physical world. Operations include generating, via the processor circuit, the first instance of the virtual environment that includes the fantasy gameplay content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2024
    Publication date: January 1, 2026
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Daniel LANDRY, Michael RUSS, Jackie ALVAREZ, Gaurav JARIWALA, David FROY, Todd GRIMM, Aaron COREY, Bethany PLIMMER, David SMALL, Karen VAN NIEKERK
  • Publication number: 20260004261
    Abstract: A system displays a marketplace interface at a display device comprising a plurality of cryptographic tokens, each cryptographic token comprising an acquisition price and a seller identifier associated with a seller of the cryptographic token, the acquisition price including a sale price. A token selection of a first cryptographic token of the plurality of cryptographic tokens is received from a purchaser. The acquisition price associated with the first cryptographic token is received from the purchaser, the first cryptographic token is provided to the purchaser, and the sale price is provided to the seller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2024
    Publication date: January 1, 2026
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Bethany PLIMMER, Aaron COREY, Jackie ALVAREZ, Fayez IDRIS, David FROY, David SMALL, Karen VAN NIEKERK, Gaurav JARIWALA, Todd GRIMM, Daniel LANDRY
  • Patent number: 12505600
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to artificially intelligent player avatars in a virtual casino. Generally speaking, various types of information related to a player can be collected and aggregated across a number of different real world and virtual reality sources. This aggregated data can be used to generate a player model. Similarly, information can be collected about one or more electronic games and this information can be used to generate a game model for each game. An avatar can then be generated and presented in a virtual reality gaming venue, e.g., a virtual casino. This avatar can then interact with the play based on the player model and the game model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2024
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2025
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: David Small, Jackie Alvarez, Karen Van Niekerk, Gaurav Jariwala, Daniel Landry, Bethany Plimmer, Todd Grimm
  • Publication number: 20250371938
    Abstract: A monetary transaction at a casino device associated with a first monetary amount is determined, and a user account associated with the monetary transaction is determined. A display device displays an offer to purchase a wagering game entry for a second monetary amount less than the first monetary amount. In response to acceptance of the offer, the wagering game entry is associated with the user account. A wagering game result for the wagering game entry is determined, and, in response to the wagering game result being a winning result, a wagering game award is awarded to the user associated with the user account.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2024
    Publication date: December 4, 2025
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: David SMALL, Bethany PLIMMER, Todd GRIMM, Carman MISENER, Anthony BAERLOCHER, Michael RUSS
  • Publication number: 20250371940
    Abstract: A physical cryptographic token may include a substrate and a passive identifier device for passively providing a token identifier associated with the cryptographic token to a token authentication device. A cryptographic token management device may include a token authentication device for receiving token identifier from a passive identifier device of a physical cryptographic token, a token management interface for managing cryptographic tokens associated with token identifiers of physical cryptographic tokens, and a token dispenser device for dispensing a physical cryptographic token associated with a token identifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2024
    Publication date: December 4, 2025
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Jackie ALVAREZ, David SMALL, Todd GRIMM, Daniel LANDRY, Bethany PLIMMER, Gaurav JARIWALA, David FROY, Karen VAN NIEKERK, Aaron COREY, Anthony BAERLOCHER
  • Publication number: 20250371941
    Abstract: A system includes a processor circuit and a memory coupled to the processor circuit. The memory includes machine-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor circuit, cause the processor circuit to select a physical Electronic Gaming Machine (EGM) of a plurality of physical EGMs, the physical EGM comprising a first game feature. The instructions further cause the processor circuit to determine whether a player associated with the physical EGM meets an eligibility threshold for a second game feature of a virtual EGM of a plurality of virtual EGMs. The instructions further cause the processor circuit to, in response to a determination that the player meets the eligibility threshold, enable play of the second game feature at the virtual EGM for the player.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2024
    Publication date: December 4, 2025
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Karen VAN NIEKERK, Todd GRIMM, Aaron COREY, Jackie ALVAREZ, David SMALL, Carman MISENER, David FROY, Michael RUSS
  • Publication number: 20250363852
    Abstract: A gaming device includes a base and a transparent display disposed on the base including an emissive layer including an array of pixels, each including an emissive pixel element and a transparent portion, and a conductive layer operatively coupled to the emissive layer to selectively operate the emissive pixel elements. The gaming device further includes a processor circuit a memory storing machine-readable instructions that cause the processor circuit to selectively operate the transparent display. The transparent portion of each pixel is transparent to visible light in an inactive state such that an environment behind the transparent display is visible through the transparent portion to a user in front of the transparent display. Each pixel of the array of pixels emits light in an active state sufficient to obscure visibility of the environment behind the transparent display through the transparent portion to the user in front of the transparent display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2025
    Publication date: November 27, 2025
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: David SMALL, Michael RUSS, Aaron COREY, Julia-Ines LERCHBAUMER, Daniel LANDRY
  • Publication number: 20250329218
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a gaming system, device, and method supportive of rewarding responsible gaming behaviors. An illustrative method includes presenting a representation of the electronic game on a display device, where the representation of the electronic game includes displaying a plurality of game features, executing the electronic game, determining, during execution of the electronic game, that a player of the electronic game has taken an action that corresponds to a responsible gaming action, correlating the responsible gaming action to a reward for the player, and presenting information to the player that describes the reward for the player along with instructions for redeeming the reward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2024
    Publication date: October 23, 2025
    Inventors: Michael Russ, David Small, Sven Aurich, Stefan Keilwert, Soheil Latifi
  • Patent number: 12412446
    Abstract: A gaming device includes a housing defining an interior volume and a transparent display that includes an emissive layer including an array of pixels, each including an emissive pixel element and a transparent portion, and a conductive layer operatively to selectively operate the emissive pixel elements. The gaming device further include a processor circuit and a memory storing machine-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor circuit, cause the processor circuit to selectively operate the transparent display. The transparent portion of each pixel is transparent to visible light in an inactive state such the interior volume of the housing is visible through the transparent portion to a user outside the housing. Each emissive pixel of the array of emissive pixels emits light in an active state sufficient to obscure visibility of the interior volume of the housing through the transparent portion of the pixel to the user outside the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2025
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: David Small, Michael Russ, Aaron Corey, Julia-Ines Lerchbaumer, Daniel Landry, Donovan Francis
  • Publication number: 20250278882
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to artificially intelligent player avatars in a virtual casino. Generally speaking, various types of information related to a player can be collected and aggregated across a number of different real world and virtual reality sources. This aggregated data can be used to generate a player model. Similarly, information can be collected about one or more electronic games and this information can be used to generate a game model for each game. An avatar can then be generated and presented in a virtual reality gaming venue, e.g., a virtual casino. This avatar can then interact with the play based on the player model and the game model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2024
    Publication date: September 4, 2025
    Inventors: David Small, Jackie Alvarez, Karen Van Niekerk, Gaurav Jariwala, Daniel Landry, Bethany Plimmer, Todd Grimm
  • Patent number: 12406546
    Abstract: A gaming device includes a base and a transparent display disposed on the base including an emissive layer including an array of pixels, each including an emissive pixel element and a transparent portion, and a conductive layer operatively coupled to the emissive layer to selectively operate the emissive pixel elements. The gaming device further includes a processor circuit a memory storing machine-readable instructions that cause the processor circuit to selectively operate the transparent display. The transparent portion of each pixel is transparent to visible light in an inactive state such that an environment behind the transparent display is visible through the transparent portion to a user in front of the transparent display. Each pixel of the array of pixels emits light in an active state sufficient to obscure visibility of the environment behind the transparent display through the transparent portion to the user in front of the transparent display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2025
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: David Small, Michael Russ, Aaron Corey, Julia-Ines Lerchbaumer, Daniel Landry
  • Publication number: 20250273040
    Abstract: A system includes a processor circuit and a memory coupled to the processor circuit. The memory includes machine-readable instructions that cause the processor circuit to receive a first tournament entry for a wagering game tournament from a first gaming device of a first plurality of gaming devices on a first gaming network. The instructions further cause the processor circuit to receive a second tournament entry for the wagering game tournament from a second gaming device of a second plurality of gaming devices on a second gaming network different from the first gaming network. A game result is determined for the wagering game tournament based on the first tournament entry and the second tournament entry and, in response to the game result being a winning game result, a game award is provided to a player associated with the winning game result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2024
    Publication date: August 28, 2025
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: David FROY, Gaurav JARIWALA, Fayez IDRIS, Karen VAN NIEKERK, Bethany PLIMMER, David SMALL, Todd GRIMM, Michael RUSS
  • Publication number: 20250232639
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a gaming system, device, and method supportive of a self-evolving, AI-based playstyle models. A gaming system, device, and method are provided that identify data associated with a gameplay session at a gaming device, provide the data to a machine learning network; receive an output from the machine learning network in response to the machine learning network processing the data using a playstyle model, the output including an indication associated with modifying the playstyle model; and modify the playstyle model based on the indication. The data includes at least one of: a gameplay decision received during the gameplay session; and an emotional state of a user in association with the gameplay decision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2025
    Publication date: July 17, 2025
    Inventors: David Froy, Thomas Trenkler, Karen Van Niekerk, Michael Russ, David Small
  • Patent number: 12361758
    Abstract: A gaming system, computer-implemented method and gaming device are operable enhance player experience using image data. A system includes a processor circuit and a memory including machine-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor circuit, cause the processor circuit to perform operations. Such operations include receiving, from a camera, image data that includes visual signals corresponding to a player and determining player action components from the image data. The player action components include multiple different player attributes that correspond to an emotional state of the player. Operations further include, based on the different player attributes, determining a predicted action of the player and causing a casino related action that corresponds to the predicted action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2025
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: David Small, David Froy, Jr., Michael Russ, Stefan Keilwert, Sven Aurich, Fayez Idris, Daniel Landry
  • Publication number: 20250222359
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to operating an electronic game. According to one embodiment, a method for operating an electronic game can comprise maintaining a player experience model defining a plurality of factors indicating player engagement with the electronic game. Information related to activity of a player of the electronic game can be received from a gaming system during execution of the electronic game on the gaming system. A player engagement level can be determined based on the received information related to the activity of the player and the player experience model. In response to the determined player engagement level being less than a predetermined threshold, an instruction can be provided to the gaming system to enable an additional, new feature in the electronic game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2024
    Publication date: July 10, 2025
    Inventors: Soheil Latifi, Michael Russ, David Small
  • Patent number: 12335885
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for improving the resilience of a network of positioning-unit devices to failure of the reference device that controls the network timebase via timing information in its signal. In certain embodiments a predetermined one of the positioning-unit devices is configured to monitor the reference signal, assess serviceability of that signal and take control of the network if it determines that signal is unserviceable. Continuity of network synchronisation is thereby maintained despite the reference signal being unserviceable. Preferably the predetermined positioning-unit device is configured to obtain information on the reference signal from at least one other positioning-unit device for assessing reference signal serviceability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2025
    Assignee: LOCATA CORPORATION PTY LTD
    Inventors: David Small, Arved Brasch, Ian Sainsbery, John Gordon
  • Publication number: 20250182565
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to gaming machines, systems, and methods. As an example, a method is disclosed that includes enabling a user to interact with a game of chance via a user interface device of the electronic gaming machine, storing an amount of credit available for the player to play the game of chance in a credit meter, presenting the amount of credit available to the user via the user interface device, providing information from the credit meter to a wireless communication assembly, and transmitting, with the wireless communication assembly, the information from the credit meter to a game management system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2025
    Publication date: June 5, 2025
    Inventors: Fayez Idris, Stefan Keilwert, Sven Aurich, David Froy, JR., Michael Russ, David Small, Yue Hang Tang