Patents by Inventor James W. Stockdale
James W. Stockdale 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).
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Publication number: 20120127126Abstract: Techniques for providing a common input for multiple users are disclosed. Two separate input detection systems can be provided. One input detection system detects the identity of user while the other detects the location of input for processing. The information provided by the two detection systems is effectively reconciled to determine whether a particular user identified by the first system has provided input in a particular location indicated by the second system. Information can be reconciled, for example, at least partially based on the timing information provided by the two systems (e.g., whether the times indicated by the two systems are within an acceptable range). It will also be appreciated that both input system can be integrated into a single device which can be presented, for example, as multi-user touchscreen. The multi-user touch screen can provide a common input surface to serve numerous applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2012Publication date: May 24, 2012Applicant: IGTInventors: Harold E. Mattice, Christian E. Gadda, Chauncey W. Griswold, James W. Stockdale, Richard L. Wilder
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Publication number: 20120122557Abstract: A card reader may be configured for reading a bar code on a card, regardless of whether the bar code is on a first side of the card or a second side of the card. The card reader may be implemented in a wager gaming machine or in another context. If a card has a bar code printed on the first side and decorative material printed on the second side, the card reader may be configured to read the bar code regardless of the card's orientation. The bar code may be a two-dimensional bar code. A controller of the card reader may be configured for determining whether the bar code contains player tracking account information and/or other information regarding a person associated with the card.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2010Publication date: May 17, 2012Applicant: IGTInventors: Robert G. Kowolik, James W. Stockdale, Aaron Hightower, Alexander Popovich, William McMaster
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Publication number: 20120122569Abstract: A reconfigurable game machine consists of an electronic game machine supported by an adjustable frame. A control system is configured to automatically adjust the elevation of a main display of the electronic game machine from a first elevation associated with a first angle associated with a first game to a second elevation associated with a second angle associated with a second game. The control system may automatically adjust a respective position of the user interface panel. The electronic game machine may be configured to offer a game selected from any of a plurality of games, and the control system is configured to automatically position the adjustable frame so as to support the main display at an angle and an elevation appropriate to the selected game.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2010Publication date: May 17, 2012Applicant: IGTInventors: Robert G. Kowolik, James W. Stockdale, Alexander Popovich, Aaron Hightower, William McMaster
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Patent number: 8162737Abstract: A gaming system that is compatible with photonic-powered card devices is described. The gaming system may comprise a number of host devices each coupled to one or more gaming machines. The gaming machines may be operable to provide wagering on an outcome of a game of chance, display the outcome of the game of chance, accept cash or an indicia of credit and dispense an award, such as cash or indicia of credit, to a player utilizing the gaming machine. The gaming machines may be configured to accommodate a photonic-powered card including communicating with these cards via an optical communication interface. One or more transactions on the gaming machine, such as a transfer of cash or indicia of credit on or off the gaming machine or an initiation of a player tracking session, may be enabled using photonic-powered card devices and associated hardware/software.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2009Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: IGTInventors: James W. Stockdale, Chauncey W. Griswold, Harold E. Mattice, Richard L. Wilder, Christian E. Gadda
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Publication number: 20120094756Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods that improve personalized service in a casino or other gaming establishment. The systems and methods provide a portable personal service device to a person; the device permits the gaming establishment to communicate with the person—regardless of their location in the gaming establishment. Messages sent to the person may be personalized and customized. The portable personal service device may also be used to track the location of the person in the gaming establishment. The person may also use the portable personal service device to send messages, for example, to call casino personnel to them or make other personal service requests.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2011Publication date: April 19, 2012Applicant: IGTInventors: Chauncey Griswold, Harold E. Mattice, Christian Gadda, Richard Wilder, James W. Stockdale
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Patent number: 8125459Abstract: Techniques for providing a common input for multiple users are disclosed. Two separate input detection systems can be provided. One input detection system detects the identity of user while the other detects the location of input for processing. The information provided by the two detection systems is effectively reconciled to determine whether a particular user identified by the first system has provided input in a particular location indicated by the second system. Information can be reconciled, for example, at least partially based on the timing information provided by the two systems (e.g., whether the times indicated by the two systems are within an acceptable range). The first input detection can be provided as a Radio Frequency (RF) system that detects a change in RF energy received by a RF receiver provided in the proximity of a user when the user touches a touchscreen. The second input detection can include an APR (Acoustic Pulse Recognition) or capacitive touchscreen (or multi-touch screen).Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2007Date of Patent: February 28, 2012Assignee: IGTInventors: Harold E. Mattice, Christian E. Gadda, Chauncey W. Griswold, James W. Stockdale, Richard L. Wilder
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Patent number: 8064889Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods that improve personalized service in a casino or other gaming establishment. The systems and methods provide a portable personal service device to a person; the device permits the gaming establishment to communicate with the person—regardless of their location in the gaming establishment. Messages sent to the person may be personalized and customized. The portable personal service device may also be used to track the location of the person in the gaming establishment. The person may also use the portable personal service device to send messages, for example, to call casino personnel to them or make other personal service requests.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2007Date of Patent: November 22, 2011Assignee: IGTInventors: Chauncey Griswold, Harold E. Mattice, Christian Gadda, Richard Wilder, James W. Stockdale
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Publication number: 20110269536Abstract: An apparatus and method for a game including a plurality of paytables, wherein each of the paytables has an average expected payout. The gaming device initially employs a default paytable and enables a player to cause the gaming device to change the employed paytable. If the player chooses to cause the gaming device to change the employed paytable, the gaming device randomly selects another paytable from the plurality of paytables and determines a game outcome based on the randomly selected paytable. If the player does not choose to cause the gaming device to change the employed paytable, the gaming device determines a game outcome based on the default paytable. In one embodiment, when a player chooses to cause the gaming device to select another paytable, the player has a chance to obtain a paytable that includes higher or better awards.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2011Publication date: November 3, 2011Applicant: IGTInventors: Harold E. Mattice, Christian E. Gadda, James W. Stockdale, Chan W. Griswold, Richard Wilder
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Publication number: 20110269538Abstract: An apparatus and method for a game including a plurality of paytables, wherein each of the paytables has an average expected payout. The gaming device initially employs a default paytable and enables a player to cause the gaming device to change the employed paytable. If the player chooses to cause the gaming device to change the employed paytable, the gaming device randomly selects another paytable from the plurality of paytables and determines a game outcome based on the randomly selected paytable. If the player does not choose to cause the gaming device to change the employed paytable, the gaming device determines a game outcome based on the default paytable. In one embodiment, when a player chooses to cause the gaming device to select another paytable, the player has a chance to obtain a paytable that includes higher or better awards.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2011Publication date: November 3, 2011Applicant: IGTInventors: Harold E. Mattice, Christian E. Gadda, James W. Stockdale, Chan W. Griswold, Richard Wilder
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Publication number: 20110269537Abstract: An apparatus and method for a game including a plurality of paytables, wherein each of the paytables has an average expected payout. The gaming device initially employs a default paytable and enables a player to cause the gaming device to change the employed paytable. If the player chooses to cause the gaming device to change the employed paytable, the gaming device randomly selects another paytable from the plurality of paytables and determines a game outcome based on the randomly selected paytable. If the player does not choose to cause the gaming device to change the employed paytable, the gaming device determines a game outcome based on the default paytable. In one embodiment, when a player chooses to cause the gaming device to select another paytable, the player has a chance to obtain a paytable that includes higher or better awards.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2011Publication date: November 3, 2011Applicant: IGTInventors: Harold E. Mattice, Christian E. Gadda, James W. Stockdale, Chan W. Griswold, Richard Wilder
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Patent number: 8002621Abstract: An apparatus and method for a game including a plurality of paytables, wherein each of the paytables has an average expected payout. The gaming device initially employs a default paytable and enables a player to cause the gaming device to change the employed paytable. If the player chooses to cause the gaming device to change the employed paytable, the gaming device randomly selects another paytable from the plurality of paytables and determines a game outcome based on the randomly selected paytable. If the player does not choose to cause the gaming device to change the employed paytable, the gaming device determines a game outcome based on the default paytable. In one embodiment, when a player chooses to cause the gaming device to select another paytable, the player has a chance to obtain a paytable that includes higher or better awards.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2006Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: IGTInventors: Harold E. Mattice, Christian E. Gadda, James W. Stockdale, Chan W. Griswold, Richard Wilder
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Patent number: 7951008Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to different techniques for managing the storage of accumulated information in selected non-volatile memory sources at a gaming machine. In one implementation of the present invention relates to a technique for automatically and dynamically swapping critical data and/or other game related information between the non-volatile RAM and the alternate storage (e.g., disk drive) of a gaming machine as new games are activated and/or existing games are deactivated at the gaming machine.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2006Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: IGTInventors: Bryan D. Wolf, Dwayne R. Nelson, James W. Stockdale, Steven G. LeMay
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Publication number: 20110118013Abstract: A gaming machine includes a rotating object that has at least one configurable surface that may be configured electronically. The rotating object may be synchronized with a video display. Configurable surfaces can use bistable materials, electroluminescent materials, LCDs, LEDs, OLEDs, projection, or other techniques. The appearance of the rotating object is changed without physically changing the rotating object.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2009Publication date: May 19, 2011Applicant: IGTInventors: Harold E. Mattice, William R. Wells, Chauncey W. Griswold, Christian E. Gadda, Richard L. Wilder, James W. Stockdale
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Patent number: 7892098Abstract: Apparatuses and systems including a gaming machine having one or more major components that are removable and interchangeable with other similar major components for a gaming machine are disclosed. Such a gaming machine has at least a master gaming controller, one or more major components, and a universal gaming engine. At least one major component, such as a top box or main cabinet, contains a plurality of peripheral devices and a universal communication interface, is adapted to be removable from the gaming machine, and is interchangeable with other similar major components. The universal gaming engine contains at least one dedicated processing unit, such as a CPU, at least one associated storage device, and its own universal communication interface. This universal gaming engine is also adapted to control a substantial portion of the plurality of peripheral devices on the removable and interchangeable major component of the gaming machine.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2004Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Assignee: IGTInventors: Binh T. Nguyen, James W. Stockdale
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Publication number: 20100304819Abstract: A gaming system that is compatible with photonic-powered card devices is described. The gaming system may comprise a number of host devices each coupled to one or more gaming machines. The gaming machines may be operable to provide wagering on an outcome of a game of chance, display the outcome of the game of chance, accept cash or an indicia of credit and dispense an award, such as cash or indicia of credit, to a player utilizing the gaming machine. The gaming machines may be configured to accommodate a photonic-powered card including communicating with these cards via an optical communication interface. One or more transactions on the gaming machine, such as a transfer of cash or indicia of credit on or off the gaming machine or an initiation of a player tracking session, may be enabled using photonic-powered card devices and associated hardware/software.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2009Publication date: December 2, 2010Inventors: James W. Stockdale, Chauncey W. Griswold, Harold E. Mattice, Richard L. Wilder, Christian E. Gadda
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Patent number: 7780526Abstract: Gaming machines and networks capable of providing universal mediation between multiple disparate gaming systems are disclosed. In particular, multiple disparate gaming systems providing different services and features can be accessed by a player throughout a gaming session at a gaming device as a result of a single player transaction using a universal indicia of identification by the player. Such an indicia can include a card, token, PIN, biometric identifier and/or other identification source. A player identification device at the gaming device can accept such indicia, and can also facilitate protocol mediation and hardware mediation between the gaming device and each of the multiple disparate gaming systems. Enhanced DCUs may also be used to facilitate such mediations, and also to provide redundant communication paths between a LAN containing the gaming device and a WAN including the multiple disparate gaming systems.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2005Date of Patent: August 24, 2010Assignee: IGTInventors: Binh T. Nguyen, James W. Stockdale
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Publication number: 20100093445Abstract: A gaming machine has thermal control components for controlling its internal temperature. Temperatures within the cabinet of the machine may be controlled by either monitoring the temperatures near or of heat-producing components, such as the CPU, video controllers, and the like, or by monitoring ambient temperatures in zones or areas within the machine. These thermal control components include a thermal management sub-system, fans, baffles, digital thermometers, and control signal alarms. Also included is a thermal specification profile or table that includes thermal data for heat-producing components in the machine. Such data may include high temperature thresholds, such as an alert and alarm temperatures, instructions or actions to be taken when those temperatures are met, and which elements within the machine to use, such as baffles, fans, and the like.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2008Publication date: April 15, 2010Inventors: Harold E. Mattice, James W. Stockdale, Richard L. Wilder, Michael P. Khamis, Chauncey W. Griswold
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Publication number: 20100062833Abstract: A portable casino gaming device includes a data preservation system and is operable to monitor movement activity relating to the portable gaming device, and generate movement information relating to movements of the portable gaming device. In at least one embodiment, the movement information includes at least one of: data relating to rotation of the portable gaming device, data relating to displacement of the portable gaming device, data relating to velocity of the portable gaming device, data relating to acceleration of the portable gaming device, and/or data relating to an orientation of the portable gaming device. The portable gaming device may also be operable to analyze the movement information with respect to a first set of threshold criteria in order to detect an occurrence of a first critical condition or event at the portable gaming device, and to initiate at least one action in response to detection of the first critical condition or event.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2008Publication date: March 11, 2010Applicant: IGTInventors: Harold E. Mattice, Christian E. Gadda, Chauncey W. Griswold, James W. Stockdale, Richard L. Wilder
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Publication number: 20100056278Abstract: Gaming machines and related methods for controlling and managing electrical current to peripheral devices in a gaming machine are described. A gaming machine having multiple high-current peripheral devices drawing power from a single power supply within the gaming machine is able to regulate the timing at which the peripherals may receive power. The gaming machine may be a multi-station gaming machine, such as a gaming table, where each station has various standard peripheral devices. The gaming machine determines whether the power required by the peripherals at any given time will exceed a threshold current supply and, if so, delays the operation of one of the peripherals to regulate the amount of current the power supply has to supply at any given time. Current usage and time overlaps of two or more peripheral devices are determined using current profiles of the devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2008Publication date: March 4, 2010Applicant: IGTInventors: Harold E. Mattice, James W. Stockdale, Richard L. Wilder, Michael P. Khamis
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METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ENHANCING PLAYER INTERACTION IN CONNECTION WITH A MULTI-PLAYER GAMING TABLE
Publication number: 20100009745Abstract: Method and apparatus for use with a gaming table. An apparatus includes a base, a user-actuated wheel coupled to the base such that the wheel is rotatable relative to the base, and a display configured to display an image corresponding to a position of the wheel to a player.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2008Publication date: January 14, 2010Inventors: James W. Stockdale, Harold E. Mattice, Chauncey W. Griswold, Richard L. Wilder, Christian E. Gadda