Patents by Inventor Thomas D. Waxman

Thomas D. Waxman 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: 11386741
    Abstract: Various embodiments are provided for calibration of motion player tracking devices in electronic gaming machines (EGMs). A plurality of object sensors positioned adjacently to a display device of the EGM each record a plurality of data frames inclusive of a position of a plurality of fiducial markers relative to the plurality of object sensors. At predetermined intervals, the plurality of object sensors are calibrated in three-dimensional space using the position of the plurality of fiducial markers relative to the plurality of object sensors within the recorded plurality of data frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Tai Rosander, Thomas D. Waxman, Andreas Bean, Robert N. Silva
  • Publication number: 20210082234
    Abstract: Various embodiments are provided for calibration of motion player tracking devices in electronic gaming machines (EGMs). A plurality of object sensors positioned adjacently to a display device of the EGM each record a plurality of data frames inclusive of a position of a plurality of fiducial markers relative to the plurality of object sensors. At predetermined intervals, the plurality of object sensors are calibrated in three-dimensional space using the position of the plurality of fiducial markers relative to the plurality of object sensors within the recorded plurality of data frames.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Inventors: Tai Rosander, Thomas D. Waxman, Andreas Bean, Robert N. Silva
  • Publication number: 20190197818
    Abstract: Various embodiments are provided for calibration of motion player tracking devices in electronic gaming machines (EGMs). A plurality of object sensors positioned adjacently to a display device of the EGM each record a plurality of data frames inclusive of a position of a plurality of fiducial markers relative to the plurality of object sensors. At predetermined intervals, the plurality of object sensors are calibrated in three-dimensional space using the position of the plurality of fiducial markers relative to the plurality of object sensors within the recorded plurality of data frames.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Tai ROSANDER, Thomas D. WAXMAN, Andreas BEAN, Robert N. SILVA
  • Patent number: 9630102
    Abstract: Methods, systems, or apparatuses for impeding the entrance of foreign contaminates into a housing of a gaming machine may include a gaming controller, a panel, and an input device mounted to the panel. The input device may include a housing. The housing of the input device may include a first section, a second section, and a member moveable with respect to the first and the second sections, wherein the moveable member is configured to be actuated by a player to provide input to the gaming controller; and a membrane disposed between the first section and the panel, wherein the membrane impedes the entrance of foreign contaminates into the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Michael W. Oehlert, Nathan D. LaBrosse, Brian K. Baker, John L. Beadell, Steve P. McGahn, Jacquelyn S. Combs, Thomas D. Waxman, Russell Chudd, Tai Rosander
  • Publication number: 20150087420
    Abstract: Methods, systems, or apparatuses for impeding the entrance of foreign contaminates into a housing of a gaming machine may include a gaming controller, a panel, and an input device mounted to the panel. The input device may include a housing. The housing of the input device may include a first section, a second section, and a member moveable with respect to the first and the second sections, wherein the moveable member is configured to be actuated by a player to provide input to the gaming controller; and a membrane disposed between the first section and the panel, wherein the membrane impedes the entrance of foreign contaminates into the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Michael W. Oehlert, Nathan D. LaBrosse, Brian K. Baker, John L. Beadell, Steve P. McGahn, Jacquelyn S. Combs, Thomas D. Waxman, Russell Chudd, Tai Rosander
  • Patent number: 8905847
    Abstract: Methods, systems, or apparatuses for impeding the entrance of foreign contaminates into a housing of a gaming machine may include a gaming controller, a panel, and an input device mounted to the panel. The input device may include a housing. The housing of the input device may include a first section, a second section, and a member moveable with respect to the first and the second sections, wherein the moveable member is configured to be actuated by a player to provide input to the gaming controller; and a membrane disposed between the first section and the panel, wherein the membrane impedes the entrance of foreign contaminates into the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Michael W. Oehlert, Nathan D. LaBrosse, Brian K. Baker, John L. Beadell, Steve P. McGahn, Jacquelyn S. Combs, Thomas D. Waxman, Russell Chudd, Tai Rosander
  • Patent number: 8858342
    Abstract: Flexibly configurable button panels for electronic devices and dynamic display systems for wager based gaming machines are disclosed. Button panels include a flexible cable, surface mount or other cable connectors spaced along and coupled thereto, and button assemblies coupled thereto via the cable connectors to provide electrical access from buttons to circuit lines. Relative physical locations of buttons are then reconfigurable to form different button panel configurations while the buttons remain coupled to the flexible cable. A dedicated dynamic button panel controller for processing button functions and a button panel identification device having an identification code can also be provided. Buttons can be removably coupled to the cable connectors, and can also include dynamic displays thereupon. Other gaming machine dynamic displays can also be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Thomas D. Waxman, Scott T. Gowin, Brandon J. Bohling
  • Patent number: 8684846
    Abstract: Flexibly configurable button panels for electronic devices and dynamic display systems for wager based gaming machines are disclosed. Button panels include a flexible cable, surface mount or other cable connectors spaced along and coupled thereto, and button assemblies coupled thereto via the cable connectors to provide electrical access from buttons to circuit lines. Relative physical locations of buttons are then reconfigurable to form different button panel configurations while the buttons remain coupled to the flexible cable. A dedicated dynamic button panel controller for processing button functions and a button panel identification device having an identification code can also be provided. Buttons can be removably coupled to the cable connectors, and can also include dynamic displays thereupon. Other gaming machine dynamic displays can also be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Thomas D. Waxman
  • Publication number: 20140057727
    Abstract: Methods, systems, or apparatuses for impeding the entrance of foreign contaminates into a housing of a gaming machine may include a gaming controller, a panel, and an input device mounted to the panel. The input device may include a housing. The housing of the input device may include a first section, a second section, and a member moveable with respect to the first and the second sections, wherein the moveable member is configured to be actuated by a player to provide input to the gaming controller; and a membrane disposed between the first section and the panel, wherein the membrane impedes the entrance of foreign contaminates into the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Inventors: Michael W. Oehlert, Nathan D. LaBrosse, Brian K. Baker, John L. Beadall, Steve P. McGahn, Jacquelyn S. Combs, Thomas D. Waxman, Russell Chudd, Tai Rosander
  • Publication number: 20130244795
    Abstract: Components of a gaming machine are cooled by generating an air flow through the gaming machine. The air flow cools the gaming machine components and is filtered by a filter. A speed of the air flow through the gaming machine is measured using an anemometer and a signal indicative of the speed of the air flow is generated. The signal may indicate, for example, that the filter or a fan that generates the air flow are in need of maintenance, or that an obstruction exists in the air flow path through the gaming machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Inventors: Thomas D. Waxman, Cynthia R. Criss
  • Publication number: 20130203493
    Abstract: Flexibly configurable button panels for electronic devices and dynamic display systems for wager based gaming machines are disclosed. Button panels include a flexible cable, surface mount or other cable connectors spaced along and coupled thereto, and button assemblies coupled thereto via the cable connectors to provide electrical access from buttons to circuit lines. Relative physical locations of buttons are then reconfigurable to form different button panel configurations while the buttons remain coupled to the flexible cable. A dedicated dynamic button panel controller for processing button functions and a button panel identification device having an identification code can also be provided. Buttons can be removably coupled to the cable connectors, and can also include dynamic displays thereupon. Other gaming machine dynamic displays can also be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Inventors: Thomas D. Waxman, Scott T. Gowin, Brandon J. Bohling
  • Patent number: 8360892
    Abstract: Flexibly configurable button panels for electronic devices and dynamic display systems for wager based gaming machines are disclosed. Button panels include a flexible cable, surface mount or other cable connectors spaced along and coupled thereto, and button assemblies coupled thereto via the cable connectors to provide electrical access from buttons to circuit lines. Relative physical locations of buttons are then reconfigurable to form different button panel configurations while the buttons remain coupled to the flexible cable. A dedicated dynamic button panel controller for processing button functions and a button panel identification device having an identification code can also be provided. Buttons can be removably coupled to the cable connectors, and can also include dynamic displays thereupon. Other gaming machine dynamic displays can also be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Thomas D. Waxman, Scott T. Gowin, Brandon J. Bohling
  • Patent number: 8337314
    Abstract: A button assembly is described. The button assembly includes a light emitting device that emits light. The button assembly further includes a lens cap that protects the light emitting device from being damaged. The lens cap has a top surface, a first cap side, a second cap side, a third cap side, and a fourth cap side. The second cap side connected to the first cap side, the third cap side connected to the second cap side, and the fourth cap side connected to the first cap side and the third cap side to form a plane. A first perpendicular distance between the plane and a first point on the top surface is different than a second perpendicular distance between the plane and a second point on the top surface. Additionally, a system for increasing life of a pixel is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Thomas D. Waxman, Gregory A. Silva, Jacquelyn S. Combs, Nathan D. LaBrosse, Brandon J. Bohling
  • Publication number: 20120046107
    Abstract: Flexibly configurable button panels for electronic devices and dynamic display systems for wager based gaming machines are disclosed. Button panels include a flexible cable, surface mount or other cable connectors spaced along and coupled thereto, and button assemblies coupled thereto via the cable connectors to provide electrical access from buttons to circuit lines. Relative physical locations of buttons are then reconfigurable to form different button panel configurations while the buttons remain coupled to the flexible cable. A dedicated dynamic button panel controller for processing button functions and a button panel identification device having an identification code can also be provided. Buttons can be removably coupled to the cable connectors, and can also include dynamic displays thereupon. Other gaming machine dynamic displays can also be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Thomas D. Waxman, Scott T. Gowin, Brandon J. Bohling
  • Patent number: 8070609
    Abstract: Flexibly configurable button panels for electronic devices and dynamic display systems for wager based gaming machines are disclosed. Button panels include a flexible cable, surface mount or other cable connectors spaced along and coupled thereto, and button assemblies coupled thereto via the cable connectors to provide electrical access from buttons to circuit lines. Relative physical locations of buttons are then reconfigurable to form different button panel configurations while the buttons remain coupled to the flexible cable. A dedicated dynamic button panel controller for processing button functions and a button panel identification device having an identification code can also be provided. Buttons can be removably coupled to the cable connectors, and can also include dynamic displays thereupon. Other gaming machine dynamic displays can also be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Thomas D. Waxman, Scott T. Gowin, Brandon J. Bohling
  • Patent number: 7682238
    Abstract: A gaming apparatus includes a value output device. The value output device includes a frame, a hopper mounted to the frame having a hopper opening, an outlet spaced from the hopper opening, a first plate moveable relative to the hopper opening between a first position wherein the plate blocks the hopper opening and a second position wherein the plate is spaced from the hopper opening, and a carrier moveable between the outlet and the hopper opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Russell Chudd, Scott Gowin, Thomas D. Waxman, Joseph R. Hedrick, Daniel J. Waller, John L. Beadell
  • Publication number: 20090131168
    Abstract: A button assembly is described. The button assembly includes a light emitting device that emits light. The button assembly further includes a lens cap that protects the light emitting device from being damaged. The lens cap has a top surface, a first cap side, a second cap side, a third cap side, and a fourth cap side. The second cap side connected to the first cap side, the third cap side connected to the second cap side, and the fourth cap side connected to the first cap side and the third cap side to form a plane. A first perpendicular distance between the plane and a first point on the top surface is different than a second perpendicular distance between the plane and a second point on the top surface. Additionally, a system for increasing life of a pixel is described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Thomas D. Waxman, Gregory A. Silva, Jacquelyn S. Combs, Nathan D. LaBrosse, Brandon J. Bohling
  • Publication number: 20080113766
    Abstract: Flexibly configurable button panels for electronic devices and dynamic display systems for wager based gaming machines are disclosed. Button panels include a flexible cable, surface mount or other cable connectors spaced along and coupled thereto, and button assemblies coupled thereto via the cable connectors to provide electrical access from buttons to circuit lines. Relative physical locations of buttons are then reconfigurable to form different button panel configurations while the buttons remain coupled to the flexible cable. A dedicated dynamic button panel controller for processing button functions and a button panel identification device having an identification code can also be provided. Buttons can be removably coupled to the cable connectors, and can also include dynamic displays thereupon. Other gaming machine dynamic displays can also be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Thomas D. Waxman, Scott T. Gowin, Brandon J. Bohling
  • Publication number: 20080113737
    Abstract: Flexibly configurable button panels for electronic devices and dynamic display systems for wager based gaming machines are disclosed. Button panels include a flexible cable, surface mount or other cable connectors spaced along and coupled thereto, and button assemblies coupled thereto via the cable connectors to provide electrical access from buttons to circuit lines. Relative physical locations of buttons are then reconfigurable to form different button panel configurations while the buttons remain coupled to the flexible cable. A dedicated dynamic button panel controller for processing button functions and a button panel identification device having an identification code can also be provided. Buttons can be removably coupled to the cable connectors, and can also include dynamic displays thereupon. Other gaming machine dynamic displays can also be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventor: Thomas D. Waxman
  • Patent number: 7153209
    Abstract: A gaming device having one or more independently linearly moveable symbol indicators. In one embodiment, the gaming device displays an award amount to the player using the mechanical symbol indicators. Each mechanical symbol indicator includes a symbol display that is linearly movable within the housing of the gaming device. One or more indicator members mark which numbers or symbols on the symbol displays when the symbol displays stop moving. The indicated symbols or numbers display to the player an award amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Markus Rothkranz, Thomas D. Waxman, Jeffrey F. Macedo