Patents by Inventor Robert T. Davis

Robert T. Davis 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: 9231824
    Abstract: An illustrative method manages configuration information of electronic gaming machines (EGMs) and maintains server configuration information at a server that supports EGMs in a server-client relationship. The server configuration information contains stored information about the configuration of each EGM. EGM configuration information transmitted from the EMGs is received at the server. The server and EGM configuration information each contains corresponding fields with values representing information about predetermined factors. The values in the fields of the server configuration information are compared with the values in corresponding fields of the EGM configuration information. A report is generated based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert T. Davis, Christopher J. Frattinger, Matthew J. Ward, Dale R. Bucholz
  • Patent number: 8876597
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include determining one or more casino events that request a configuration for one or more wagering game machines, generating one or more automated configuration tasks, assigning one or more properties to the tasks, and storing the one or more automated configuration tasks and the one or more properties so that the one or more properties are persisted on the gaming network. The operations can also include recovering a wagering game machine's operational state if the automated configuration tasks encounter problems during execution that affect the wagering game machine's playability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher W. Blackburn, Robert T. Davis, Christopher J. Frattinger
  • Patent number: 8678919
    Abstract: A controller of gaming machines that permit wagering on wagering games includes a first memory location that stores a first time-based schedule of gaming actions to be taken by the gaming machines that are located remote from the controller. A second memory location stores identities of first gaming machines. One of the first and second memory locations stores a pointer that links the other of the first and second memory locations and associates the first gaming machines with the first schedule so that one of the first schedule and first gaming machines can be modified independent of and without modifying the other of the first schedule and the first gaming machines. A data transmitter transmits instructions corresponding to the gaming actions defined by the first schedule to the first gaming machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher W. Blackburn, Robert T. Davis, Christopher J. Frattinger, Timothy J. Holman, Suzanne J. Ruebusch, Terry D. Warkentin
  • Patent number: 8662992
    Abstract: A wagering game system and operations for a wagering game system include a plugin architecture and framework in which wagering game system applications utilize plugins to provide functionality for an application or service. The plugins may be independently tested and verified by a jurisdictional testing agent to confirm that the operation of the plugin complies with the rules and regulations for a jurisdiction. If plugins are added or updated, a system vendor may submit only those plugins that require jurisdictional approval to a testing agent. An application or service may download plugins that are approved for use in the jurisdiction in which the application or service is operating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan L. Bibbey, Rory L. Block, Robert T. Davis, Edward Q. Earley, Remy Y. Goglio, Jacek A. Grabiec, Robert L. McSulla, Christopher A. Royce
  • Patent number: 8663003
    Abstract: A system and method for viewing and ordering wager gaming content utilizes a network server to provide an interface to a user coupled to the network. In one embodiment, the server is an Internet web based server, and the user is a thin client, using an Internet browser to view and select wager gaming content. The web based server may be coupled to an order entry system to facilitate ordering and payment for selected wager gaming content. The order entry system may also be coupled to a content server to provide for downloading of selected wager gaming content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher W. Blackburn, Robert T. Davis, Christopher J. Frattinger, Jeremy Hornik, Sue Ruebusch, Alfred Thomas, William Wadleigh, Terry D. Warkentin
  • Publication number: 20130190080
    Abstract: A wagering game system and operations for a wagering game system include a plugin architecture and framework in which wagering game system applications utilize plugins to provide functionality for an application or service. The plugins may be independently tested and verified by a jurisdictional testing agent to confirm that the operation of the plugin complies with the rules and regulations for a jurisdiction. If plugins are added or updated, a system vendor may submit only those plugins that require jurisdictional approval to a testing agent. An application or service may download plugins that are approved for use in the jurisdiction in which the application or service is operating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan L. Bibbey, Rory L. Block, Robert T. Davis, Edward Q. Earley, Remy Y. Goglio, Jacek A. Grabiec, Robert L. McSulla
  • Patent number: 8393960
    Abstract: A controller of gaming machines includes an input/output module adapted to receive signals that represent a current status of a parameter of the gaming machines. A microprocessing unit generates for each gaming machine(s) an icon having variable visual indicia indicative of a value of the parameter being monitored. The microprocessing unit automatically changes in substantially real-time the visual indicia associated with the icon to reflect a change in the status of the parameter of an associated first gaming machine in accordance with a first received signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc
    Inventors: Peter R. Anderson, Christopher W. Blackburn, Robert T. Davis, Christopher J. Frattinger, Timothy J. Holman, Suzanne J. Ruebusch, Terry D. Warkentin
  • Publication number: 20120277005
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include determining one or more casino events that request a configuration for one or more wagering game machines, generating one or more automated configuration tasks, assigning one or more properties to the tasks, and storing the one or more automated configuration tasks and the one or more properties so that the one or more properties are persisted on the gaming network. The operations can also include recovering a wagering game machine's operational state if the automated configuration tasks encounter problems during execution that affect the wagering game machine's playability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher W. Blackburn, Robert T. Davis, Christopher J. Frattinger
  • Patent number: 8231471
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include determining one or more casino events that request a configuration for one or more wagering game machines, generating one or more automated configuration tasks, assigning one or more properties to the tasks, and storing the one or more automated configuration tasks and the one or more properties so that the one or more properties are persisted on the gaming network. The operations can also include recovering a wagering game machines operational state if the automated configuration tasks encounter problems during execution that affect the wagering game machines playability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher W. Blackburn, Robert T. Davis, Christopher J. Frattinger
  • Patent number: 8177632
    Abstract: A computing apparatus operating as a gaming machine permits wagering on games. A browser generates a request for information contained on a remote server. An intermediate client-side processing, ICSP, engine coupled with the browser receives the request and generates a corresponding request that is transmitted to the remote server. The browser, following the transmission of the first message, being released to process other actions without having yet received a reply to the first message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher W. Blackburn, Robert T. Davis, Christopher J. Frattinger, Suzanne J. Ruebusch, Terry D. Warkentin
  • Patent number: 8096883
    Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering wager gaming machine information are described herein. In one embodiment, the method includes collecting information about a wager gaming machine. The method can also include creating a human-readable wager gaming machine information report based on the information and e-mailing the wager gaming machine report to an email address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Frattinger, Robert T. Davis, Terry D. Warkentin
  • Patent number: 7970542
    Abstract: There is discloses a new method for identifying an electromagnetic signal having a known waveform. The method includes using a lightning matched filter receiver having a bank of filters matched to nominal but arbitrary lightning waveforms for detecting lightning. The use of a lightning matched filter receiver facilitates detection of lightning discharges below the noise level. Positioning three or more monitoring stations at different spaced apart geographic locations where each monitoring station has a lightning matched filter receiver where the filters are matched to nominal but arbitrary lightning waveforms can be used to detect and determine the location of a lightning discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Toa Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney B. Bent, Robert T. Davis
  • Publication number: 20110124406
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include determining one or more casino events that request a configuration for one or more wagering game machines, generating one or more automated configuration tasks, assigning one or more properties to the tasks, and storing the one or more automated configuration tasks and the one or more properties so that the one or more properties are persisted on the gaming network. The operations can also include recovering a wagering game machines operational state if the automated configuration tasks encounter problems during execution that affect the wagering game machines playability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventors: Christopher W. Blackburn, Robert T. Davis, Christopher J. Frattinger
  • Patent number: 7777676
    Abstract: There is disclosed a system for identifying a source location of an electromagnetic signal having a known waveform. Radio receiving equipment located at three of more monitoring stations receives and demodulates a radio frequency signal from a common source. A time stamp generator applies a time stamp to each block of N digital data samples derived from the received radio frequency signal at each monitoring station. A GPS timing signal can be used to synchronize the time stamp generator in each monitoring station. Further, replica generating hardware and/or software at each monitoring station periodically synchronously generates a replica waveform. An autocorrelation processor at each monitoring station determines a time offset between an occurrence of the known waveform in the signal, and an occurrence of the replica waveform at each monitoring station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: TOA Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney B. Bent, Robert T. Davis
  • Publication number: 20100167817
    Abstract: A controller of gaming machines includes an input/output module adapted to receive signals that represent a current status of a parameter of the gaming machines. A microprocessing unit generates for each gaming machine(s) an icon having variable visual indicia indicative of a value of the parameter being monitored. The microprocessing unit automatically changes in substantially real-time the visual indicia associated with the icon to reflect a change in the status of the parameter of an associated first gaming machine in accordance with a first received signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Peter R. Anderson, Christopher W. Blackburn, Robert T. Davis, Christopher J. Frattinger, Timothy J. Hohnan, Suzanne J. Ruebusch, Terry D. Warkentin
  • Publication number: 20100106823
    Abstract: An illustrative method manages configuration information of electronic gaming machines (EGMs) and maintains server configuration information at a server that supports EGMs in a server-client relationship. The server configuration information contains stored information about the configuration of each EGM. EGM configuration information transmitted from the EMGs is received at the server. The server and EGM configuration information each contains corresponding fields with values representing information about predetermined factors. The values in the fields of the server configuration information are compared with the values in corresponding fields of the EGM configuration information. A report is generated based on the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Robert T. Davis, Christopher J. Frattinger, Matthew J. Ward, Dale R. Bucholz
  • Publication number: 20100035690
    Abstract: A computing apparatus operating as a gaming machine permits wagering on games. A browser generates a request for information contained on a remote server. An intermediate client-side processing, ICSP, engine coupled with the browser receives the request and generates a corresponding request that is transmitted to the remote server. The browser, following the transmission of the first message, being released to process other actions without having yet received a reply to the first message.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Inventors: Christopher W. Blackburn, Robert T. Davis, Christopher J. Frattinger, Suzanne J. Ruebusch, Terry D. Warkentin
  • Publication number: 20100007558
    Abstract: There is disclosed a system for identifying a source location of an electromagnetic signal having a known waveform. Radio receiving equipment located at three of more monitoring stations receives and demodulates a radio frequency signal from a common source. A time stamp generator applies a time stamp to each block of N digital data samples derived from the received radio frequency signal at each monitoring station. A GPS timing signal can be used to synchronize the time stamp generator in each monitoring station. Further, replica generating hardware and/or software at each monitoring station periodically synchronously generates a replica waveform. An autocorrelation processor at each monitoring station determines a time offset between an occurrence of the known waveform in the signal, and an occurrence of the replica waveform at each monitoring station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Inventors: Rodney B. Bent, Robert T. Davis
  • Publication number: 20090156313
    Abstract: A controller of gaming machines that permit wagering on wagering games includes a first memory location that stores a first time-based schedule of gaming actions to be taken by the gaming machines that are located remote from the controller. A second memory location stores identities of first gaming machines. One of the first and second memory locations stores a pointer that links the other of the first and second memory locations and associates the first gaming machines with the first schedule so that one of the first schedule and first gaming machines can be modified independent of and without modifying the other of the first schedule and the first gaming machines. A data transmitter transmits instructions corresponding to the gaming actions defined by the first schedule to the first gaming machines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventors: Christopher W. Blackburn, Robert T. Davis, Christopher J. Frattinger, Timothy J. Holman, Suzanne J. Ruebusch, Terry D. Warkentin
  • Publication number: 20080262732
    Abstract: There is discloses a new method for identifying an electromagnetic signal having a known waveform. The method includes using a lightning matched filter receiver having a bank of filters matched to nominal but arbitrary lightning waveforms for detecting lightning. The use of a lightning matched filter receiver facilitates detection of lightning discharges below the noise level. Positioning three or more monitoring stations at different spaced apart geographic locations where each monitoring station has a lightning matched filter receiver where the filters are matched to nominal but arbitrary lightning waveforms can be used to detect and determine the location of a lightning discharge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventors: Robert T. Davis, Rodney B. Bent