Patents by Inventor Stephen Shaffer

Stephen Shaffer 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: 20240119781
    Abstract: Disclosed are gaming systems, methods and machines that include one or more modular buttons. In particular, a modular button is configured for mounting within a frame or panel. The modular button may be interchangeable, such that various modular buttons may be added, exchanged, and/or removed from the frame. In some examples, the frame may be formed of a metal or other structural material. In some examples, the frame may be formed within a surface of another system, such as a bar-top, a gaming table, or an EGM, as a non-limiting listing of examples. The modular buttons include devices and/or circuitry to enable wireless transfer of power and/or communications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Frank Rodriguez, Stephen Shaffer, JR.
  • Publication number: 20240112522
    Abstract: In one aspect, an electronic gaming system is described. The electronic gaming system includes a plurality of electronic gaming machines (EGMs), the plurality of EGMs spaced apart from a central axis by a distance and defining an interior portion therebetween. The electronic gaming system also includes a flexible display device extending from the interior portion to an overhead position above the plurality of EGMs, the flexible display device including a plurality of flexible display panels, each flexible display panel of the plurality of flexible display panels controlled by at least one EGM of the plurality of EGMs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Frank Rodriguez, Stephen Shaffer, JR., Xiaoqiang Gong
  • Patent number: 11893851
    Abstract: Disclosed are gaming systems, methods and machines that include one or more modular buttons. In particular, a modular button is configured for mounting within a frame or panel. The modular button may be interchangeable, such that various modular buttons may be added, exchanged, and/or removed from the frame. In some examples, the frame may be formed of a metal or other structural material. In some examples, the frame may be formed within a surface of another system, such as a bar-top, a gaming table, or an EGM, as a non-limiting listing of examples. The modular buttons include devices and/or circuitry to enable wireless transfer of power and/or communications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies, Inc. (ATI)
    Inventors: Frank Rodriguez, Stephen Shaffer, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20240028549
    Abstract: A gaming device uses a USB interface for power delivery and data transmission. In non-limiting examples, the USB interface may be a universal serial bus (USB) C-type cable communicatively and electrically connecting multiple electronic gaming devices and/or auxiliary devices, such as monitors, thereby reducing the number of cables for power and data delivery between machines and/or devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Stephen Shaffer, JR., Frank Rodriguez, Rajendrasinh Jadeja, Xiaoqiang Gong
  • Patent number: 11875632
    Abstract: In one aspect, an electronic gaming system is described. The electronic gaming system includes a plurality of electronic gaming machines (EGMs), the plurality of EGMs spaced apart from a central axis by a distance and defining an interior portion therebetween. The electronic gaming system also includes a flexible display device extending from the interior portion to an overhead position above the plurality of EGMs, the flexible display device including a plurality of flexible display panels, each flexible display panel of the plurality of flexible display panels controlled by at least one EGM of the plurality of EGMs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Rodriguez, Stephen Shaffer, Jr., Xiaoqiang Gong
  • Publication number: 20230360469
    Abstract: An electronic gaming machine (EGM) archway includes a first EGM including at least one first curved display device, the at least one first curved display device defining a first portion of the archway. The EGM archway also includes a second EGM including at least one second curved display device, the at least one second curved display device defining a second portion of the archway, the second EGM spaced apart from and diametrically opposing the first EGM. In addition, the EGM archway includes an overhead display portion including at least one third display device, the at least one third display device defining a third portion of the archway, the overhead display portion extending overhead between the at least one first curved display device and the at least one second curved display device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventors: Stephen Shaffer, JR., Frank Rodriguez, Bruce Urban, Alfred Thomas, Rajendrasinh Jadeja, Matthew McKay, Ariel Turgel, Daniel Harden, Elliot Ortiz, Hirotomi Teranishi, Joseph Kaminkow
  • Publication number: 20230334934
    Abstract: An Electronic Gaming Machine (EGM) with a large annular display region for enhanced gameplay in a single or multiple cabinet system is disclosed. In the center of the annular display region is an independent, central display region. One or more pointers with display capabilities are configured to indicate a portion of the annular display region during gameplay. The EGM may be used for cabinet play and/or dealer-controlled play. The EGM may also include one or more input devices, for example a touch sensor, for dealer and/or player interaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Inventors: Timothy Barbour, Rajendrasinh Jadeja, Frank Rodriguez, Xiaoqiang Gong, Stephen Shaffer, Jr., Paul Barker, Joseph Masinter, II, Alfred Thomas
  • Publication number: 20230316852
    Abstract: Disclosed are gaming systems, methods, and machines that include a display unit for a sound directed immersive gaming experiences. In some examples, the display unit may include a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen acting as the speaker cone through one or more sound systems. An LCD screen may have one or more speaker transducers integrated to generate and amplify one or more audible sound waves from one or more sound signals in a directional speaker cone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Frank Rodriguez, Stephen Shaffer, JR.
  • Publication number: 20230306810
    Abstract: A gaming device in accordance with some implementations includes a housing, a reel-spin initiation member, and a reel configured to spin in response to a user actuation of the reel-spin initiation member, the reel including a peripheral member having a plurality of symbols thereon and an array of light-emitting elements coupled to the reel. The gaming device also includes a controller coupled to the array of light-emitting elements and configured to selectively illuminate respective light-emitting elements of the array of light-emitting elements while the reel is rotating to produce an animated visual element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2023
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Inventors: Stephen Shaffer Jr., Frank Rodriguez, Joseph Masinter, II, Alfred Thomas
  • Patent number: 11741778
    Abstract: An electronic gaming machine (EGM) archway includes a first EGM including at least one first curved display device, the at least one first curved display device defining a first portion of the archway. The EGM archway also includes a second EGM including at least one second curved display device, the at least one second curved display device defining a second portion of the archway, the second EGM spaced apart from and diametrically opposing the first EGM. In addition, the EGM archway includes an overhead display portion including at least one third display device, the at least one third display device defining a third portion of the archway, the overhead display portion extending overhead between the at least one first curved display device and the at least one second curved display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Shaffer, Jr., Frank Rodriguez, Bruce Urban, Alfred Thomas, Rajendrasinh Jadeja, Matthew McKay, Ariel Turgel, Daniel Harden, Elliot Ortiz, Hirotomi Teranishi, Joseph Kaminkow
  • Patent number: 11710369
    Abstract: A gaming device in accordance with some implementations includes a housing, a reel-spin initiation member, and a reel configured to spin in response to a user actuation of the reel-spin initiation member, the reel including a peripheral member having a plurality of symbols thereon and an array of light-emitting elements coupled to the reel. The gaming device also includes a controller coupled to the array of light-emitting elements and configured to selectively illuminate respective light-emitting elements of the array of light-emitting elements while the reel is rotating to produce an animated visual element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Shaffer, Jr., Frank Rodriguez, Joseph Masinter, II, Alfred Thomas
  • Publication number: 20230130583
    Abstract: A blockchain system comprising a plurality of electronic gaming devices configured to perform proof of work computations and a processor configured to: collect transaction data from a blockchain; create a block body that includes the transaction data; transmit a message to a set of electronic gaming devices that includes the block body; receive, from a first electronic gaming device, a success message that includes at least a nonce string; create a new block for the blockchain that includes at least the block body and the nonce string; transmit the new block into the blockchain, thereby causing the new block to be added to the blockchain; identify a mining reward on the blockchain based on the adding of the new block, the mining reward being in a first value of cryptocurrency supported by the blockchain; and increment a progressive jackpot by the first value, the progressive jackpot being provided in the cryptocurrency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2022
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Inventors: Stephen Shaffer, JR., Frank Rodriguez, Xiaoqiang Gong, Rajendrasinh Jadeja
  • Publication number: 20230060891
    Abstract: Disclosed are gaming systems, methods and machines that may include one or more notched display screens. The notched display screens are defined by a non-rectangular shape. One or more portions of the display screen is removed, such that a variety of shapes can result from one or more cuts in the screen. In some examples, two or more notched display screens are arranged to provide a common and/or coordinated display. In some examples, a void from the removed portions can be used to present a feature, such as a mechanical reel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2022
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Stephen Shaffer, JR., Rajendrasinh Jadeja, Frank Rodriguez, Xiaoqiang Gong, Alfred Thomas, Joseph Masinter, II
  • Patent number: D998045
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED
    Inventors: Joseph Kaminkow, Stephen Shaffer, Jr., Frank Rodriguez, Marenz Ganadillo, Ariel Turgel, Daniel Harden, Elliot Ortiz, Hirotomi Teranishi, Daniel Egar, Jarrod Moore
  • Patent number: D1003360
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Joseph Kaminkow, Stephen Shaffer, Jr., Frank Rodriguez, Marenz Ganadillo, Ariel Turgel, Daniel Harden, Elliot Ortiz, Hirotomi Teranishi
  • Patent number: D1006118
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Stephen Shaffer, Jr., Frank Rodriguez, Marenz Ganadillo
  • Patent number: D1006120
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Stephen Shaffer, Jr., Frank Rodriguez, Bruce Urban, Alfred Thomas, Rajendrasinh Jadeja, Matthew McKay
  • Patent number: D1006121
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Stephen Shaffer, Jr., Frank Rodriguez, Bruce Urban, Alfred Thomas, Rajendrasinh Jadeja, Matthew McKay
  • Patent number: D1006122
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Shaffer, Jr., Frank Rodriguez, Bruce Urban, Alfred Thomas, Rajendrasinh Jadeja, Matthew McKay
  • Patent number: D1007595
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Shaffer, Jr., Rajendrasinh Jadeja, Frank Rodriguez, Roberto Coppola