Patents by Inventor Jeffrey L. Allen

Jeffrey L. Allen 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: 20240131680
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for delivering a work part to an assembly line worker using a dolly assembly in a first configuration and retrieving the work part from the dolly assembly by the assembly line work while the dolly assembly is in a second configuration. According to some embodiments, a dolly assembly is provided comprising a base assembly having a support member and a mobility mechanism, the support member positioned obliquely with respect to a horizontal plane. The dolly assembly also includes a part-carrying member rotationally connected to the support member and having a part-holding structure for receiving a work part. The part-carrying member extends downward at an angle below the horizontal plane when in a first configuration, and extends upward from at an angle above the horizontal plane when in a second configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2022
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Applicants: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: LLOYD R. HOLLAND, SCOTTIE L. FOSTER, BRADLEY J. GARCIA, MICHAEL C. GREENLEE, JEFFREY L. JAMES, ANNETTA L. ALLEN, JOHNNY O. BOARMAN 4TH, DAVID A. LAJOICE
  • Patent number: 11932360
    Abstract: A tuned mass damper (TMD) system in combination with a floating offshore wind turbine (FOWT) platform includes a barge type FOWT platform having a hull configured to have a wind turbine tower mounted thereon. A TMD system is mounted in the hull and has a first TMD configured to operate at a first frequency, and a second TMD configured to operate at a second frequency different than the first frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: University of Maine System Board of Trustees
    Inventors: Christopher K. Allen, Anthony M. Viselli, Andrew J. Goupee, Habib J. Dagher, Robert E. Berry, Jeffrey L. Lindner, Frederick S. Gant, John S. Townsend, Rebecca L. Williams
  • Patent number: 11688234
    Abstract: A wagering game system configured to perform operations to transmit to a mobile device, via a wireless communication device of the gaming system, an offer for presentation via the mobile device in response to detecting that the mobile device is located at a casino. The offer is associated with a wagering game machine within the casino. The operations can further include detecting, via an electronic tracking device associated with the wagering game machine, an electronic identifier provided from the mobile device. For instance, the mobile device can provide the electronic identifier to the wagering game machine. The operations can further include associating, via an electronic processing unit of the gaming system, the offer with the wagering game machine in response to detecting the electronic identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: LNW Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Allen, Scott A. Massing, Brian P. Moyles, Larry J. Pacey, Matthew J. Ward
  • Publication number: 20210049859
    Abstract: A wagering game system configured to perform operations to transmit to a mobile device, via a wireless communication device of the gaming system, an offer for presentation via the mobile device in response to detecting that the mobile device is located at a casino. The offer is associated with a wagering game machine within the casino. The operations can further include detecting, via an electronic tracking device associated with the wagering game machine, an electronic identifier provided from the mobile device. For instance, the mobile device can provide the electronic identifier to the wagering game machine. The operations can further include associating, via an electronic processing unit of the gaming system, the offer with the wagering game machine in response to detecting the electronic identifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2020
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. ALLEN, Scott A. MASSING, Brian P. MOYLES, Larry J. PACEY, Matthew J. WARD
  • Patent number: 10121312
    Abstract: A wagering game system configured to perform operations to transmit to a mobile device, via a wireless communication device of the gaming system, an offer for presentation via the mobile device in response to detecting that the mobile device is located at a casino. The offer is associated with a wagering game machine within the casino. The operations can further include detecting, via an electronic tracking device associated with the wagering game machine, an electronic identifier provided from the mobile device. For instance, the mobile device can provide the electronic identifier to the wagering game machine. The operations can further include associating, via an electronic processing unit of the gaming system, the offer with the wagering game machine in response to detecting the electronic identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Allen, Scott A. Massing, Brian P. Moyles, Larry J. Pacey, Matthew J. Ward
  • Patent number: 10074232
    Abstract: A method for presenting both content based video signals and secondary video signals over a multi-layer touch screen display using a multiple display manager system is disclosed. First and second display managers are configured to receive primary content video signals from a controller and secondary video signals from a secondary video source. The first display manager is in communication with a front layer of the touch screen display and the second display manager is in communication with a back layer of the touch screen display. The screen may be split between multiple signals, or one or more signals may overlay one or more background signals. The overlaid signals may completely obscure the background signals, or they may provide a level of transparency. A touch router device interprets touches at a touch screen shared display to transform coordinates to enable interpretation of the player's touch inputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Rolland Nicholas Steil, Vijay K. Kompella, Bryan M. Kelly, Stephen Patton, Kiran Brahmandam, Robert W. Crowder, Jr., Jeffrey L. Allen
  • Publication number: 20180108208
    Abstract: A wagering game system configured to perform operations to transmit to a mobile device, via a wireless communication device of the gaming system, an offer for presentation via the mobile device in response to detecting that the mobile device is located at a casino. The offer is associated with a wagering game machine within the casino. The operations can further include detecting, via an electronic tracking device associated with the wagering game machine, an electronic identifier provided from the mobile device. For instance, the mobile device can provide the electronic identifier to the wagering game machine. The operations can further include associating, via an electronic processing unit of the gaming system, the offer with the wagering game machine in response to detecting the electronic identifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. ALLEN, Scott A. MASSING, Brian P. MOYLES, Larry J. PACEY, Matthew J. WARD
  • Publication number: 20170316640
    Abstract: A method for presenting both content based video signals and secondary video signals over a multi-layer touch screen display using a multiple display manager system is disclosed. First and second display managers are configured to receive primary content video signals from a controller and secondary video signals from a secondary video source. The first display manager is in communication with a front layer of the touch screen display and the second display manager is in communication with a back layer of the touch screen display. The screen may be split between multiple signals, or one or more signals may overlay one or more background signals. The overlaid signals may completely obscure the background signals, or they may provide a level of transparency. A touch router device interprets touches at a touch screen shared display to transform coordinates to enable interpretation of the player's touch inputs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Rolland Nicholas STEIL, Vijay K. KOMPELLA, Bryan M. KELLY, Stephen PATTON, Kiran BRAHMANDAM, Robert W. CROWDER, JR., Jeffrey L. ALLEN
  • Patent number: 9536372
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some examples, the operations can include electronically connecting to social network servers for independent online social networks. The social networks provide social network accounts logged on to one or more of the social network servers. The gaming server hosts an online communal wagering game. The operations can further include initiating, based on one or more criterion associated with the communal wagering game, an automatic search across the social network servers for a set of the social network accounts that satisfy the one or more criterion. The operations can further include electronically transmitting, based on search results, an electronic invitation to the set of social network user accounts to participate in the communal wagering game. The operations can further include electronically linking ones of the set of the social network user accounts that respond to the electronic invitation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Allen, Brian J. Barclay, Mark B. Gagner, Andrew C. Guinn
  • Publication number: 20160343194
    Abstract: A wagering game system configured to perform operations to transmit to a mobile device, via a wireless communication device of the gaming system, an offer for presentation via the mobile device in response to detecting that the mobile device is located at a casino. The offer is associated with a wagering game machine within the casino. The operations can further include detecting, via an electronic tracking device associated with the wagering game machine, an electronic identifier provided from the mobile device. For instance, the mobile device can provide the electronic identifier to the wagering game machine. The operations can further include associating, via an electronic processing unit of the gaming system, the offer with the wagering game machine in response to detecting the electronic identifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Allen, Scott A. Massing, Brian P. Moyles, Larry J. Pacey, Matthew J. Ward
  • Patent number: 9478101
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations include detecting, via a first web widget presented via a casino website, identifying information for a casino user account. The casino user account is hosted by a casino server. The first web widget is hosted by a second server separate from the casino server. The operations can further include determining, by at least one of one or more processors, a relationship between the casino user account and a second user account associated with the second server. The determining the relationship can be in response to detecting the identifying information. The operations can further include associating, by at least one of the one or more processors, the casino user account and the second user account in response to determining the relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Allen, Danijel Stankovic, John R. Werneke
  • Patent number: 9472049
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include determining that a mobile device, associated with a player, is brought to a casino. The mobile device runs an application that may have been downloaded and installed on the mobile device prior to the mobile device being brought to the casino. The operations can further include generating an offer to perform an activity within the casino. The award is attainable via performance of the activity. The operations can include providing information about the offer to the mobile device. The mobile device presents the offer via the application. The application can specify the award and the activity to perform. The operations can further include detecting performance of the activity via player input via one or more wagering game machines within the casino, and providing the award in response to the performance of the activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Allen, Scott A. Massing, Brian P. Moyles, Larry J. Pacey, Matthew J. Ward
  • Patent number: 9437072
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some examples, the operations include connecting social network user accounts to a communal wagering game. The operations can further include determining, via a network communication interface, an electronic request associated with a first social network user account to transact an electronic exchange, with a second social network user account, of one or more non-cash items associated with the communal wagering game. The operations can further include accessing, via an electronic processing unit, a first memory storage unit of the gaming system associated with the first social network user account. The first memory storage unit specifies the one or more non-cash items. The operations can further include transacting, via the network communication interface, the electronic exchange of the one or more non-cash items between the first social network user account and the second social network user account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Allen, Brian J. Barclay, Mark B. Gagner, Andrew C. Guinn
  • Patent number: 9378613
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include determining that a wagering game system account associated with a player should be awarded a system-wide game modifier based on the players system-wide gaming activity. The operations can also include determining when the player selects each wagering game of a plurality of wagering games selected by the player for play via the wagering game system. The operations can further include, for each wagering game of the plurality of wagering games selected by the player via the wagering game system, determining that the wagering game system account associated with the player has been awarded the system-wide game modifier, and modifying the wagering game based on predefined game modification specifications associated with the wagering game and the system-wide game modifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Allen, Sudhir Bejawada, Thor E. Perplies
  • Patent number: 9318000
    Abstract: A method includes receiving, by a wagering game player, a request to access an online account for the wagering game player at a website. The method includes creating the online account for the wagering game player, in response to a determination that the online account is not created, wherein the online account comprises an online player identity. The method includes performing operations, after determination that the online account has not claimed a casino account for the wagering game player. Operations include creating the casino account for the wagering game player through the online account at the website, in response to a determination that the casino account is not created, wherein the casino account comprises a casino player identity. The operations include claiming the casino account for the online account of the wagering game player, wherein the casino account is inaccessible at the wagering game machine using the online player identity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Allen, Peter R. Anderson, Mark B. Gagner, John R. Werneke
  • Publication number: 20160078721
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations include detecting, via a first web widget presented via a casino website, identifying information for a casino user account. The casino user account is hosted by a casino server. The first web widget is hosted by a second server separate from the casino server. The operations can further include determining, by at least one of one or more processors, a relationship between the casino user account and a second user account associated with the second server. The determining the relationship can be in response to detecting the identifying information. The operations can further include associating, by at least one of the one or more processors, the casino user account and the second user account in response to determining the relationship.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2015
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Allen, Danijel Stankovic, John R. Werneke
  • Patent number: 9257014
    Abstract: A computerized method includes creating an event associated with a number of wagering game machines in a wagering game establishment, wherein the event is configured to provide an award comprising at least one of better pay tables, a number of free spins, unlocked content, and a jackpot award. The method also includes identifying persons to notify about the event prior to a time of the event. The method includes creating an event notification to notify the persons of the event. The method also includes outputting the event notification to the persons through a network communication using at least one of a social networking website, a micro-blogging website, text messaging, and an email.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Allen, Shridhar P. Joshi, Pamela S. Smith
  • Patent number: 9235956
    Abstract: Described herein are processes and devices that determine and assign rewards as a group in a wagering game system utilizing social contacts. One of the devices described herein, a wagering game system, determines a first player account associated with a wagering game and looks at the first player account to determine a second player account associated with the first player account as a social network contact. The first player account and the second player account comprise a group of members in a group game or challenge. The wagering game system determines a reward that can be assigned to the group members. The wagering game system determines one or more tasks that must be performed before assigning the reward. The wagering game system presents the one or more tasks to the group members. The wagering game system detects when the tasks are completed and assigns the reward to the group members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Allen, Damon E. Gura, Jeremy M. Hornik
  • Publication number: 20150364004
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some examples, the operations can include electronically connecting to social network servers for independent online social networks. The social networks provide social network accounts logged on to one or more of the social network servers. The gaming server hosts an online communal wagering game. The operations can further include initiating, based on one or more criterion associated with the communal wagering game, an automatic search across the social network servers for a set of the social network accounts that satisfy the one or more criterion. The operations can further include electronically transmitting, based on search results, an electronic invitation to the set of social network user accounts to participate in the communal wagering game. The operations can further include electronically linking ones of the set of the social network user accounts that respond to the electronic invitation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Allen, Brian J. Barclay, Mark B. Gagner, Andrew C. Guinn
  • Patent number: 9208645
    Abstract: Described herein are processes and devices that integrate social contact identifiers into wagering games. Some embodiments include providing game play elements configured for use in presentation of possible outcomes for a wagering game, wherein the wagering game is associated with a first player account stored on an account server. Some embodiments further include selecting, via one or more processors, a second player account indicated in the first player account as a social contact of a player associated with the first player account. Some embodiments further include, via at least one of the one or more processors, providing a social contact identifier of the second player account for use in the wagering game to represent at least a portion of at least one of the game play elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Allen, Damon E. Gura, Jeremy M. Hornik