Patents by Inventor Robert Butler

Robert Butler 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: 12718675
    Abstract: A method comprises determining, by an application, a current variance between a reference tag location of a reference tag and an active tag location of an active tag based on a response signal received from the active tag and an image depicting a light-emitting diode (LED) on the reference tag, comparing, by the application, the current variance of the reference tag location and the active tag location with an expected variance of the reference tag location and a prior active tag location, and performing, by the application, a corrective action when the current variance deviates from the expected variance beyond a threshold based on a rule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2024
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2026
    Assignee: T-Mobile Innovations LLC
    Inventors: Lyle Bertz, Robert Butler, Zheng Fang
  • Publication number: 20260245425
    Abstract: Techniques include a head end system that dynamically receives communication signals associated with media data from an administrative network, determines a deployment schedule based on the signals, and drives electronic gaming device displays to present the media data. The deployment schedule includes rules for displaying the signals, which are based on the outcomes of the gaming machines. Techniques also include driving additional displays separate from the gaming machines. The head end system is located within a casino environment and used to drive displays within the casino environment. The administrative network uses the head end system at multiple casino environments to manage a multi-site progressive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2026
    Publication date: August 20, 2026
    Inventor: Robert Butler
  • Publication number: 20260245430
    Abstract: An electronic gaming system is provided. The electronic gaming system may include at least one memory storing geofence data defining at least one geofence and at least one processor that may be programmed to generate one or more electronic gameplay tickets associated with an electronic game, each of the one or more electronic gameplay tickets associated with a randomly determined outcome, in response to determining that a first device is located within the at least one geofence, enable the first device to request at least a first ticket of the one or more electronic gameplay tickets, and in response to the request, transmit at least one of the one or more electronic gameplay tickets to the first device, wherein the first ticket, when received by the first device, enables the first device to reveal the randomly determined outcome associated with the first ticket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2026
    Publication date: August 20, 2026
    Inventors: Robert Butler, Joseph Masinter, II, Scott Burns, Alisa Mirabal, Lauralyn Sandoval, Robert Schramer, III
  • Publication number: 20260245422
    Abstract: Dynamically generating and replacing gaming assets involves initiating a gaming session for an electronic game at an electronic gaming machine, where the game is associated with generic gaming assets. During the session, various characteristics of the gaming session are determined. An asset creation model generates session-specific gaming assets based on the session characteristics. The generic gaming assets are then replaced with the session-specific gaming assets generated during the session. The gaming session proceeds with the newly generated session-specific assets, creating a unique gaming experience. The asset creation model employs a generative AI model to create the session-specific assets, enhancing the gaming experience by tailoring the assets to the specific session characteristics. A compliance score for the session-specific gaming assets is determined and compared against a predefined criterion prior to replacing the generic assets with the session-specific assets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2026
    Publication date: August 20, 2026
    Inventor: Robert Butler
  • Publication number: 20260244884
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of analyzing radio frequency identification (RFID) tag data read from tags on product items to provide targeted product facing is provided. The method comprises receiving tag data associated with tags read via one or more readers, wherein each of the tags is attached to a respective one of product items on a shelving unit, and wherein the tag data comprises tag identification information and receive signal information associated with respective ones of the tags; and product identification information associated with respective ones of the product items; analyzing the tag data to determine an entropy measure associated with a placement of the product items on the shelving unit; and initiating based on the entropy measure failing to satisfy one or more criteria, facing for one or more product items of the product items.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2025
    Publication date: August 20, 2026
    Inventors: Lyle BERTZ, Robert BUTLER, Zheng FANG, Ankit MUCHHALA
  • Patent number: 12677245
    Abstract: A system includes a radiofrequency identification (RFID) integrated circuit (IC) associated with a mobile asset. The 5GID-IC can store sensor data collected from sensors of the mobile asset and generate tracking data of the mobile asset based on that sensor data. The 5GID-IC responds to radiofrequency (RF) signals radiated on the RFID device, where the RF signals have frequencies in a licensed spectrum of a 5G telecommunications network. The system includes a reader device configured to independently check multiple 5GID-ICs of mobile assets for tracking data. The reader device includes a communications circuit that can retrieve the tracking data from the 5GID-IC of the mobile asset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2026
    Assignee: T-Mobile USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Joao Teixeira, Robert Butler, Lyle Walter Paczkowski, Marouane Balmakhtar
  • Publication number: 20260178858
    Abstract: A method implemented in a radio frequency identification (RFID) system for identifying neighboring readers and antennas in the RFID system through reader coordination is provided. The method comprises configuring a first antenna coupled to a first reader and a second antenna coupled to a second reader to operate in different communication sessions; receiving first tag data indicating first tags read via the first antenna; receiving second tag data indicating second tags read via the second antenna; determining, based on the first and second tag data, that there is a common tag between the first tags and the second tags; determining, based on a presence of the common tag, that the first and second antennas are neighbors; and configuring, based on the first and second antennas being neighbors, at least one of a first tag read configuration for the first antenna or a second tag read configuration for the second antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2024
    Publication date: June 25, 2026
    Inventors: Lyle BERTZ, Robert BUTLER, Zheng FANG
  • Patent number: 12665822
    Abstract: A service provider of a telecommunications network provides local hosting of virtual user equipment (UE) clients to enable the clients to access locally access services of the telecommunications network's control plane. The service provider deploys a virtual UE client on a computing device associated with the service provider, where the virtual UE client includes computer program instructions that when executed by the computing device cause the computing device to perform one or more functions simulating performance of a physical UE device. The service provider maintains an interface between the virtual UE client and the control plane by which the client receives data from the control plane. The virtual UE client executes an application generated by a customer, which performs one or more functions using the data received from the control plane of the telecommunications network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2026
    Assignee: T-Mobile USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Butler
  • Publication number: 20260170277
    Abstract: A method comprises instructing, by a management application, a plurality of reader devices to perform a sequential inventory scan of an inventory environment, wherein the sequential inventory scan comprises each of the reader devices sequentially transmitting interrogation signals into an area of the inventory environment while all of the reader devices listen for and evaluate first response signals carrying first tag data received from a plurality of first radio frequency identification (RFID) tags positioned within a read of range of the reader devices; and instructing, by the application, at least two of the reader devices positioned within a predefined distance from each other to perform a concurrent inventory scan of the area of the inventory environment, wherein the concurrent inventory scan comprises the at least two of the reader devices concurrently transmitting power signals into the area of the inventory environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2024
    Publication date: June 18, 2026
    Inventors: Robert BUTLER, Zheng FANG, Ankit Muchhala
  • Publication number: 20260155029
    Abstract: A method comprises determining, by an application, a current variance between a reference tag location of a reference tag and an active tag location of an active tag based on a response signal received from the active tag and an image depicting a light-emitting diode (LED) on the reference tag, comparing, by the application, the current variance of the reference tag location and the active tag location with an expected variance of the reference tag location and a prior active tag location, and performing, by the application, a corrective action when the current variance deviates from the expected variance beyond a threshold based on a rule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2024
    Publication date: June 4, 2026
    Inventors: Lyle BERTZ, Robert BUTLER, Zheng FANG
  • Publication number: 20260092609
    Abstract: An adjustable shaft portable ceiling fan device. The adjustable shaft can be telescoping to allow for the positioning of the ceiling fan. Further, the adjustable shaft allows the fan component to provide a light breeze and air circulation to any indoor and outdoor location. Thus, the fan component is relatively tall and portable with the adjustable shaft and base unit. The adjustable shaft and fan component can include a horizontal rod to support the fan component on the adjustable shaft. Further, the fan component can be any color, style, or size as is desired. An optional shade or cover can be included to protect the user from sun or other weather.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2024
    Publication date: April 2, 2026
    Inventor: Robert Butler
  • Publication number: 20260092784
    Abstract: A navigation technique is performed using live data from a casino management system. The technique includes obtaining a digital map of an integrated physical environment, and obtaining location information for an electronic gaming machine in the integrated physical environment. In addition, one or more live characteristics of the electronic gaming machine is obtained from the casino management system. A mapping interface is generated based on the digital map and the location information for the electronic gaming machine, and the electronic gaming machine is presented in accordance with the one or more live characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2024
    Publication date: April 2, 2026
    Inventors: Robert Butler, Eric Santana
  • Publication number: 20260087277
    Abstract: A device management system is provided. The device management system may include at least one gaming device including at least one sub-component and an RFID reader configured to detect at least one RFID identifier of at least one RFID tag disposed on the sub-component AND a host system configured to: (1) receive device data from the gaming device, the device data identifying the detected RFID identifier; (2) perform a lookup to identify the sub-component based on the detected RFID identifier; (3) determine a real-time location of the gaming device using a real-time locating system; (4) determine a location of the sub-component based on the determined real-time location of the gaming device; and (5) generate a map including the location of the gaming device and of the sub-component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2024
    Publication date: March 26, 2026
    Inventors: Robert Butler, Jason Byrne, Jeannie Chiem
  • Publication number: 20260087902
    Abstract: A system for detecting game assets for wagering game applications may include a storage device and/or circuitry. The storage device may be configured to store data representing an image of a roulette wheel spin. The circuitry may be configured to rotate the image represented by the data to align with a reference position and to identify attributes of the roulette wheel spin based at least in part on the image by implementing an artificial intelligence model comprising an object detection model. The circuitry may also be configured to predict, via the object detection model, which slot of a roulette wheel catches a roulette ball during the roulette wheel spin based at least in part on the attributes. The circuitry may be further configured to account for a number corresponding to the slot of the roulette wheel in a wagering game application. Various other systems and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2024
    Publication date: March 26, 2026
    Inventors: Robert Butler, Eric Santana, Jeannie Chiem
  • Publication number: 20260087875
    Abstract: A system for detecting sets of wagering chips for wagering game applications may include at least one storage device and/or circuitry. The storage device may be configured to store data that represents an image of a set of wagering chips. The circuitry may be configured to detect, via an object detection model, a bounding box of at least one of the wagering chips based on the image and to identify an attribute of the at least one of the wagering chips based at least in part on the image. The circuitry may also be configured to estimate a total value of the set of wagering chips based on the attribute of the at least one of the wagering chips. The circuitry may be further configured to account for the total value of the set of wagering chips in a wagering game application. Various other systems and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2024
    Publication date: March 26, 2026
    Inventors: Robert Butler, Eric Santana, Jeannie Chiem
  • Publication number: 20260043892
    Abstract: A method comprises registering, by an application executing at a computer system in an inventory system, a tag identifier received from a tag in an inventory environment with location data indicating a location of the tag based on an audio attribute of an audio signal received from the tag, initiating, by the application, a scan of the tag to obtain tag data from the tag and to receive the audio signals from the tag by transmitting a signal to the tag after registering the tag identifier with the location data of the tag, and triggering, by the application, activation of an audio emitting device of the tag to emit an alert signal indicating whether a reader device is in a read range of the tag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2024
    Publication date: February 12, 2026
    Inventors: Lyle BERTZ, Robert BUTLER, Rishi KHARE
  • Publication number: 20260044977
    Abstract: A method comprises registering, by an application, a tag identifier received from a tag in an inventory environment with location data indicating a location of the tag based on a visual attribute of the tag, initiating, by the application, a scan of the tag to obtain tag data from the tag and to capture an image depicting the tag by transmitting a signal to the tag after registering the tag identifier with the location data of the tag, and triggering, by the application, activation of a light emitting diode (LED) on the tag to indicate whether a reader device is in a read range of the tag, in which a visual feature of the LED indicates whether the reader device is in the read range of the tag, and wherein the signal is used to activate the LED on the tag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2024
    Publication date: February 12, 2026
    Inventors: Lyle Bertz, Robert Butler, Zhisheng Chen, Rishi Khare
  • Publication number: 20250296777
    Abstract: A modular dispensing system for a vending machine. The system includes a grid of mounting rails, each mounting rail having at least one X/Y position on the grid, and a plurality of dispensing modules removably coupled to the mounting rails of the grid, at least one dispensing module configured to receive an item for purchase. Each dispensing module of the plurality of dispensing modules is configured to be coupled to more than one mounting rail of the grid at multiple X/Y positions of the grid of mounting rails to accommodate one or more heights of the item for purchase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2025
    Publication date: September 25, 2025
    Inventors: Luke Saunders, Brian Schoolcraft, Robert Butler
  • Publication number: 20250261808
    Abstract: A dispenser includes a front panel that is coupled to a body to at least partially define an interior cavity, an actuator that is rotatably coupled to the front panel at an actuator hinge, a support structure that is configured to receive a portion of a cartridge that contains a fluid to be dispensed, and a moving chassis that includes a spring post that is configured to receive a spring and an actuation dock that is configured to receive a lever arm of the actuator. The cartridge is configured to be installed in an inverted orientation within the interior cavity of the dispenser, and the cartridge includes a pump having a housing flange that is secured to a neck of the cartridge and a drive flange that is configured to move in relation to the housing flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2025
    Publication date: August 21, 2025
    Inventor: Robert BUTLER
  • Patent number: 12322276
    Abstract: Systems, methods and devices are provided for facilitating integration of haptic notifications with existing applications, particularly mobile applications. A method includes accessing, by a wireless device storing an application, a haptic notification library including haptic notifications and further accessing code correlating the haptic notifications from the haptic notification library with standard notifications within the application. The method further includes providing the correlated haptic notifications during execution of the application by the wireless device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2025
    Assignee: T-MOBILE INNOVATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Joao Teixeira, Willie Dorance King, Marouane Balmakhtar, Robert Butler