Patents by Inventor L. Allen

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: 20140045586
    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: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Allen, Scott A. Massing, Brian P. Moyles, Larry J. Pacey, Matthew J. Ward
  • Publication number: 20140041107
    Abstract: A fabric for use in safety apparel comprising a first set of yarns comprising at least 60 percent modacrylic fibers, and a second set of yarns comprising at least some anti-static carbon filaments. The fabric meets at least the high visibility standard ANSI/ISEA-107-2010; the vertical flame test ASTM 1506-10w; and the Federal Test Method Standard 191A, Method 5931 for electrostatic decay, and the Electrostatic Discharge Association Advisory ADV11.2-1995 voltage potential.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Inventors: Samuel D. Rose, Gary D. Zumstein, Tony L. Allen
  • Publication number: 20140038701
    Abstract: A gaming system having virtual assets comprises a wager input device, at least one gaming terminal comprising a display for displaying a wagering game, and a virtual asset server in communication with the at least one gaming terminal, the virtual asset server storing and managing one or more types of virtual assets, each type of virtual asset having a different plurality of attributes associated therewith. The system comprises at least one controller operative to cause the first display to display the first wagering game, in response to a first triggering event, award one or more of the virtual assets to a player of the first wagering game, store information regarding the awarded virtual assets in a player account associated with the player and accessible to the virtual asset server, and provide a monetary award to the player for any winning outcomes achieved during play of the first wagering game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Allen, Peter R. Anderson, Stephen P. Angelo, Mark B. Gagner, Alfred Thomas
  • Patent number: 8641501
    Abstract: The disclosure includes a game of chance in which profile data for social contacts in a social networking system is used to determine whether a player wins or loses the game of chance. Social contacts are randomly selected from a group of social contacts. The social contacts may be obtained from a single data source or from multiple data sources and aggregated. A game player wins if the randomly selected social contacts have one or more profile attributes that match each other. The game may be presented as a slots based game in which profile pictures for the social contacts are the symbols for the reels of the slots game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Allen, Andrew C. Guinn, Damon E. Gura, Robert L. Kyte, Harry C. Lang, Richard B. Robbins, Pamela S. Smith, Danijel Stankovic
  • Publication number: 20140025600
    Abstract: A queuing method and system. The method includes retrieving by a computer processor of a stationary computing system or a computing device, queue data placing an individual onto an initial queue list for receiving a service and ID data identifying the individual. The computer processor presents a status of the individual with respect to the queue list. The computer processor receives a request associated with the service and in response presents options for the individual. The computer processor receives a selection for an option and generates a modified queue list.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ira L. Allen
  • Patent number: 8628422
    Abstract: A gaming system having virtual assets comprises a wager input device, at least one gaming terminal comprising a display for displaying a wagering game, and a virtual asset server in communication with the at least one gaming terminal, the virtual asset server storing and managing one or more types of virtual assets, each type of virtual asset having a different plurality of attributes associated therewith. The system comprises at least one controller operative to cause the first display to display the first wagering game, in response to a first triggering event, award one or more of the virtual assets to a player of the first wagering game, store information regarding the awarded virtual assets in a player account associated with the player and accessible to the virtual asset server, and provide a monetary award to the player for any winning outcomes achieved during play of the first wagering game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Allen, Peter R. Anderson, Stephen P. Angelo, Mark B. Gagner, Alfred Thomas
  • Patent number: 8625930
    Abstract: Provided herein are systems methods including a design of a microscope slide scanner for digital pathology applications which provides high quality images and automated batch-mode operation at low cost. The instrument architecture is advantageously based on a convergence of high performance, yet low cost, computing technologies, interfaces and software standards to enable high quality digital microscopy at very low cost. Also provided is a method based in part on a stitching method that allows for dividing an image into a number of overlapping tiles and reconstituting the image with a magnification without substantial loss of accuracy. A scanner is employed in capturing snapshot images. The method allows for overlapping images captured in consecutive snapshots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Lokesh Tatke, Suraj Somwanshi, Bikash Sabata, Ronald L. Allen, Suhas Patil, Sujit Chivate
  • Patent number: 8622815
    Abstract: Described herein are processes and devices that authorize and manage wagering agents and associated accounts. One of the devices described is a wagering game system. The wagering game system can detecting a request from a first player account to utilize a shared wagering fund to wager on a wagering game. The shared wagering fund can be funded by a second player account. The wagering game system can make the shared wagering fund available to the first player account to wager on a wagering game. The wagering game system can determine a game award produced by the wagering game. The system can then allocate a portion of the game award to the second player account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Allen, Peter R. Anderson, Christopher R. Barney, Larry J. Pacey, Alfred Thomas
  • Publication number: 20140004938
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include logging in a first user account based on login information received via a gaming widget, wherein the gaming widget is configured to communicate with a server that provides non-wagering game content. The operations can further include detecting wagering game activity for a second user account associated with the first user account. The operations can further include providing the non-wagering game content for presentation via the gaming widget based on the wagering game activity for the second user account.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Allen, Danijel Stankovic, John R. Werneke
  • Publication number: 20130337914
    Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to gaming systems, gaming devices, and methods for presenting tournament games. Accordingly, one method includes: incrementing tournament entry points based on a predetermined percentage of a player's wager for base game play; presenting the player with two or more tournament games for play, wherein the player selects multiple tournament games from the two or more tournament games for immediate initiation of tournament game play on demand, and wherein the tournament games are separate from the base game; and initiating the tournament games, using a processor, selected by the player on a secondary display of the gaming device, the secondary display using an embedded processor that is separate and distinct from a main processor of the gaming device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventors: Bryan M. Kelly, Robert W. Crowder, JR., Pravinkumar Patel, Anthony E. Green, John E. Link, Gennady Soliterman, Jeffrey L. Allen, Dennis Lockard, Jeffrey C. Tallcott, Joshua D. Larsen, Thomas Scott, Christopher D. Barton, Sudheer Vemuri, Mettu R. Reddy
  • Publication number: 20130325203
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for monitoring a vehicle. In one embodiment, the method includes, but is not limited to, receiving traffic data from a vehicle communication bus. The method further includes, but is not limited to, identifying, by a processor, net-motifs from the traffic data. The method still further includes, but is not limited to, detecting a mode of components of the vehicle based on the net-motifs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: TSAI-CHING LU, DAVID L. ALLEN, YILU ZHANG, MUTASIM A. SALMAN
  • Publication number: 20130316805
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include comparing player preference information from a first wagering game player account to additional player preference information of one or more additional wagering game player accounts. The operations can further include determining that some of the one or more additional wagering game player accounts has one or more similarities to the first wagering game player account based on the comparing of the player preference information to the additional player preference information. The operations can further include providing an indication of the some of the one or more additional wagering game player accounts for presentation via a display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Allen, Larry J. Pacey, Matthew J. Ward
  • Publication number: 20130310167
    Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to gaming systems, gaming devices, and methods for presenting tournament games. According to one embodiment, a gaming device provides a base game in a normal, non-tournament mode, and the player's eligibility to play a tournament game is also determined. An eligible player is prompted to select a desired tournament game from a list of available tournaments while base game is in the normal, non-tournament mode. In response to the player's selection of a tournament game, the gaming device is reconfigured from the normal mode to a tournament mode. The gaming device processes game play in the tournament mode and creates a final tournament score for the player.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan M. Kelly, Robert W. Crowder, JR., Pravinkumar Patel, Anthony E. Green, John E. Link, Gennady Soliterman, Jeffrey L. Allen, Dennis Lockard, Jeffrey C. Tallcott, Joshua D. Larsen, Thomas Scott, Christopher D. Barton, Sudheer Vemuri, Mettu R. Reddy
  • Patent number: 8589819
    Abstract: A queuing method and system. The method includes retrieving by a computer processor of a stationary computing system or a computing device, queue data placing an individual onto an initial queue list for receiving a service and ID data identifying the individual. The computer processor presents a status of the individual with respect to the queue list. The computer processor receives a request associated with the service and in response presents options for the individual. The computer processor receives a selection for an option and generates a modified queue list.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Ira L. Allen
  • Publication number: 20130292175
    Abstract: A drilling assembly for drilling a subterranean wellbore includes an expandable reamer and an expandable stabilizer. The expandable reamer and the expandable stabilizer each have a tubular body with a longitudinal axis and a drilling fluid flow path extending therethrough. A plurality of blades is carried by the reamer and a plurality of bearing pads is carried by the stabilizer. The blades and bearing pads are outwardly movable from a retracted position to an extended position with respect to the longitudinal axes of the reamer and stabilizer, respectively. The reamer and stabilizer each include an actuation device for moving the blades and bearing pads, respectively, from the retracted position to the extended position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Steven R. Radford, L. Allen Sinor, Anders K. Nesheim
  • Publication number: 20130297262
    Abstract: A pressure vessel pipe connection selector is disclosed. A pressure vessel may require various connections or nozzles for connecting to a pipe. A selector device includes all necessary data for a user to input design requirements for a pressure vessel pipe connection, and for a specific subset of relevant outputs to be displayed. The relevant outputs can be compared to a list of pressure vessel connection abbreviations or identifiers that can then be used to choose a specific pressure vessel connection that is appropriate for the user's design requirements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: David L. ALLEN, Purav PATEL
  • Patent number: 8577663
    Abstract: A system and method for identifying a monitoring point in an electrical and electronic system (EES) in a vehicle. The method includes defining a network model of the EES where potential monitoring point locations in the model are identified as targets, such as nodes. The method then computes a betweenness centrality metric for each target in the model as a summation of a ratio of a number of shortest paths between each pair of targets in the model that pass through the target whose betweenness centrality metric is being determined to a total number of shortest paths between each pair of targets. The method identifies which of the betweenness centrality metrics are greater than a threshold that defines a minimum acceptable metric and determines which of those targets meets a predetermined model coverage. The monitoring point is selected as the target that best satisfies the minimum metric and the desired coverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Tsai-Ching Lu, Yilu Zhang, Alejandro Nijamkin, David L. Allen, Hankyu Moon, Mutasim A. Salman
  • Publication number: 20130284187
    Abstract: A drape for use in cranial surgical procedures including a sterile sheet and a plurality of fluid-collection pouches surrounding a cranial region fenestration. The drape further includes a thoracic region fenestration for concurrent or directly subsequent thoracic surgical procedures. Advantageously, the drape allows for a superior aseptic surgical field and superior drainage facilitated by a multi-pouch configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventors: Debbie S. Esquivel, Fred L. Allen, Kimberly M. Haines, Angelique M. Trichak
  • Patent number: 8565553
    Abstract: Provided herein are systems methods including a design of a microscope slide scanner for digital pathology applications which provides high quality images and automated batch-mode operation at low cost. The instrument architecture is advantageously based on a convergence of high performance, yet low cost, computing technologies, interfaces and software standards to enable high quality digital microscopy at very low cost. Also provided is a method based in part on a stitching method that allows for dividing an image into a number of overlapping tiles and reconstituting the image with a magnification without substantial loss of accuracy. A scanner is employed in capturing snapshot images. The method allows for overlapping images captured in consecutive snapshots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Lokesh Tatke, Suraj Somwanshi, Bikash Sabata, Ronald L. Allen, Suhas Patil, Sujit Chivate
  • Patent number: D693603
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Medline Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Debbie S. Esquivel, Fred L. Allen, Kimberly M. Haines, Angelique M. Trichak