Patents by Inventor Thomas Trenkler

Thomas Trenkler 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: 12293629
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a gaming system, device, and method supportive of a self-evolving, AI-based playstyle models. A gaming system, device, and method are provided that identify data associated with a gameplay session at a gaming device, provide the data to a machine learning network; receive an output from the machine learning network in response to the machine learning network processing the data using a playstyle model, the output including an indication associated with modifying the playstyle model; and modify the playstyle model based on the indication. The data includes at least one of: a gameplay decision received during the gameplay session; and an emotional state of a user in association with the gameplay decision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2025
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: David Froy, Thomas Trenkler, Karen Van Niekerk, Michael Russ, David Small
  • Patent number: 12293625
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are provided. A gaming device includes a non-optical gesture input device to detect gesture inputs performed by a user, a processor circuit and a memory coupled to the processor circuit. The memory includes machine-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor circuit, cause the processor circuit to receive a first gesture input value from the non-optical gesture input device and that corresponds to a user-specific gesture that the user performs, associate the first gesture input value with a first gaming device operation to be performed by the gaming device, and responsive to receiving the first gesture input value that is associated with the first gaming device operation, cause the gaming device to perform the first gaming device operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2025
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Michael Russ, Stephan Adamek, Elisabeth Kiss, Gerhard Pichler, Bruno Rittner, Thomas Trenkler
  • Publication number: 20250046143
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for unlocking hardware and associated functionality of gaming devices. Before a player reaches a predetermined progress level, enhanced user interface devices of the gaming device remain locked to the player. The functionality associated with the enhanced user interface devices also remains unavailable to the player while the enhanced user interface devices are locked. Once the player reaches the progress level, a hardware-unlock option is presented to the player allowing the player to unlock an enhanced user interface device and select a functionality associated with the unlocked enhanced user interface device. The availability of the hardware-unlock options and specific functionality to be activated can be limited based on in-game events and a progress level reached by the player.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2024
    Publication date: February 6, 2025
    Inventors: Michael Russ, Sven Aurich, Lukas Angermayer, Thomas Trenkler
  • Patent number: 12125336
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for unlocking hardware and associated functionality of gaming devices. Before a player reaches a predetermined progress level, enhanced user interface devices of the gaming device remain locked to the player. The functionality associated with the enhanced user interface devices also remains unavailable to the player while the enhanced user interface devices are locked. Once the player reaches the progress level, a hardware-unlock option is presented to the player allowing the player to unlock an enhanced user interface device and select a functionality associated with the unlocked enhanced user interface device. The availability of the hardware-unlock options and specific functionality to be activated can be limited based on in-game events and a progress level reached by the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Michael Russ, Sven Aurich, Lukas Angermayer, Thomas Trenkler
  • Patent number: 12067844
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a gaming system, device, and method supportive of an enhanced electronic gaming machine auto play mode. A gaming system, device, and method are provided that identify data associated with a set of previous gameplay sessions, the data including a set of previous gameplay decisions associated with the set of previous gameplay sessions; generate a set of playstyle models based on the set of previous gameplay decisions; and enable a gameplay mode in which a playstyle model of the set of playstyle models may be utilized to provide automated player inputs to a gameplay session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: David Froy, Karen Van Niekerk, Thomas Trenkler, Adam Narducci, Michael Russ
  • Publication number: 20240104998
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a gaming system, device, and method supportive of a self-evolving, AI-based playstyle models. A gaming system, device, and method are provided that identify data associated with a gameplay session at a gaming device, provide the data to a machine learning network; receive an output from the machine learning network in response to the machine learning network processing the data using a playstyle model, the output including an indication associated with modifying the playstyle model; and modify the playstyle model based on the indication. The data includes at least one of: a gameplay decision received during the gameplay session; and an emotional state of a user in association with the gameplay decision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: David Froy, Thomas Trenkler, Karen Van Niekerk, Michael Russ, David Small
  • Publication number: 20240046735
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are provided. A gaming device includes a non-optical gesture input device to detect gesture inputs performed by a user, a processor circuit and a memory coupled to the processor circuit. The memory includes machine-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor circuit, cause the processor circuit to receive a first gesture input value from the non-optical gesture input device and that corresponds to a user-specific gesture that the user performs, associate the first gesture input value with a first gaming device operation to be performed by the gaming device, and responsive to receiving the first gesture input value that is associated with the first gaming device operation, cause the gaming device to perform the first gaming device operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2022
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Inventors: Michael RUSS, Stephan ADAMEK, Elisabeth KISS, Gerhard PICHLER, Bruno RITTNER, Thomas TRENKLER
  • Patent number: 11875637
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a gaming system, device, and method supportive of a self-evolving, AI-based playstyle models. A gaming system, device, and method are provided that identify data associated with a gameplay session at a gaming device, provide the data to a machine learning network; receive an output from the machine learning network in response to the machine learning network processing the data using a playstyle model, the output including an indication associated with modifying the playstyle model; and modify the playstyle model based on the indication. The data includes at least one of: a gameplay decision received during the gameplay session; and an emotional state of a user in association with the gameplay decision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: David Froy, Thomas Trenkler, Karen Van Niekerk, Michael Russ, David Small
  • Publication number: 20230306818
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a gaming system, device, and method supportive of an enhanced electronic gaming machine auto play mode. A gaming system, device, and method are provided that identify data associated with a set of previous gameplay sessions, the data including a set of previous gameplay decisions associated with the set of previous gameplay sessions; generate a set of playstyle models based on the set of previous gameplay decisions; and enable a gameplay mode in which a playstyle model of the set of playstyle models may be utilized to provide automated player inputs to a gameplay session.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2023
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Inventors: David Froy, Karen Van Niekerk, Thomas Trenkler, Adam Narducci, Michael Russ
  • Patent number: 11676453
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a gaming system, device, and method supportive of an enhanced electronic gaming machine auto play mode. A gaming system, device, and method are provided that identify data associated with a set of previous gameplay sessions, the data including a set of previous gameplay decisions associated with the set of previous gameplay sessions; generate a set of playstyle models based on the set of previous gameplay decisions; and enable a gameplay mode in which a playstyle model of the set of playstyle models may be utilized to provide automated player inputs to a gameplay session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: David Froy, Karen Van Niekerk, Thomas Trenkler, Adam Narducci, Michael Russ
  • Publication number: 20230169823
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a gaming system, device, and method supportive of a self-evolving, AI-based playstyle models. A gaming system, device, and method are provided that identify data associated with a gameplay session at a gaming device, provide the data to a machine learning network; receive an output from the machine learning network in response to the machine learning network processing the data using a playstyle model, the output including an indication associated with modifying the playstyle model; and modify the playstyle model based on the indication. The data includes at least one of: a gameplay decision received during the gameplay session; and an emotional state of a user in association with the gameplay decision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Inventors: David Froy, Thomas Trenkler, Karen Van Niekerk, Michael Russ, David Small
  • Publication number: 20230051449
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a gaming system, device, and method supportive of an enhanced electronic gaming machine auto play mode. A gaming system, device, and method are provided that identify data associated with a set of previous gameplay sessions, the data including a set of previous gameplay decisions associated with the set of previous gameplay sessions; generate a set of playstyle models based on the set of previous gameplay decisions; and enable a gameplay mode in which a playstyle model of the set of playstyle models may be utilized to provide automated player inputs to a gameplay session.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2021
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventors: David Froy, Karen Van Niekerk, Thomas Trenkler, Adam Narducci, Michael Russ
  • Publication number: 20220358810
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for unlocking hardware and associated functionality of gaming devices. Before a player reaches a predetermined progress level, enhanced user interface devices of the gaming device remain locked to the player. The functionality associated with the enhanced user interface devices also remains unavailable to the player while the enhanced user interface devices are locked. Once the player reaches the progress level, a hardware-unlock option is presented to the player allowing the player to unlock an enhanced user interface device and select a functionality associated with the unlocked enhanced user interface device. The availability of the hardware-unlock options and specific functionality to be activated can be limited based on in-game events and a progress level reached by the player.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventors: Michael Russ, Sven Aurich, Lukas Angermayer, Thomas Trenkler
  • Patent number: 11430285
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for unlocking hardware and associated functionality of gaming devices. Before a player reaches a predetermined progress level, enhanced user interface devices of the gaming device remain locked to the player. The functionality associated with the enhanced user interface devices also remains unavailable to the player while the enhanced user interface devices are locked. Once the player reaches the progress level, a hardware-unlock option is presented to the player allowing the player to unlock an enhanced user interface device and select a functionality associated with the unlocked enhanced user interface device. The availability of the hardware-unlock options and specific functionality to be activated can be limited based on in-game events and a progress level reached by the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Michael Russ, Sven Aurich, Lukas Angermayer, Thomas Trenkler
  • Publication number: 20210319663
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for unlocking hardware and associated functionality of gaming devices. Before a player reaches a predetermined progress level, enhanced user interface devices of the gaming device remain locked to the player. The functionality associated with the enhanced user interface devices also remains unavailable to the player while the enhanced user interface devices are locked. Once the player reaches the progress level, a hardware-unlock option is presented to the player allowing the player to unlock an enhanced user interface device and select a functionality associated with the unlocked enhanced user interface device. The availability of the hardware-unlock options and specific functionality to be activated can be limited based on in-game events and a progress level reached by the player.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2021
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Inventors: Michael Russ, Sven Aurich, Lukas Angermayer, Thomas Trenkler
  • Patent number: 6933829
    Abstract: An electrical component includes a base, connector elements connected to the base, an intermediate layer on a surface of the base, and a protective layer on the intermediate layer. The intermediate layer and the protective layer are produced from a same material. The material contains a solvent. The solvent has a negative affect on electrical properties of the component. The intermediate layer has a lower content of solvent than the protective layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Epcos AG
    Inventors: Harald Schöpf, Thomas Trenkler, Chong Wang
  • Publication number: 20040090303
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical component having a basic body (1), at least two connector elements (4, 5) connected with the basic body (1), an intermediate layer (6) arranged on the surface of the basic body (1), and a protective layer (7) arranged on the intermediate layer (6), wherein the intermediate layer (6) and the protective layer (7) are each produced from the same varnish, containing a solvent, and wherein the intermediate layer (6) has a lower content of solvent than the protective layer (7). Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for the production of the component. It is particularly advantageous if the intermediate layer (6) is applied by being sprayed onto the heated basic body (1) of the component. In this way, the voltage storage stability of the PTC [sic] resistor is increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventors: Harald Schopf, Thomas Trenkler, Chong Wang
  • Patent number: 6201401
    Abstract: Measuring an electrical potential in a semiconductor element by applying one or more voltages over the semiconductor element, placing at least one conductor in contact with the semi-conductor element using a scanning proximity microscope while injecting a substantially zero current in the semiconductor element with the conductor, measuring an electrical potential in the conductor while injecting a substantially zero current in the semiconductor element with the conductor, changing the position of the conductor, and repeating the measuring and changing steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: IMEC
    Inventors: Louis C. Hellemans, Thomas Trenkler, Peter De Wolf, Wilfried Vandervorst
  • Patent number: 6091248
    Abstract: Measuring an electrical potential in a semiconductor element by applying one or more voltages over the semiconductor element, placing at least one conductor in contact with the semi-conductor element using a scanning proximity microscope while injecting a substantially zero current in the semiconductor element with the conductor, measuring an electrical potential in the conductor while injecting a substantially zero current in the semiconductor element with the conductor, changing the position of the conductor, and repeating the measuring and changing steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: IMEC vzw
    Inventors: Louis C. Hellemans, Thomas Trenkler, Peter De Wolf, Wilfried Vandervorst
  • Patent number: 5723981
    Abstract: Measuring an electrical potential in a semiconductor element by applying one or more voltages over the semiconductor element, placing one or more conductors in contact with the semi-conductor element using a scanning proximity microscope, calibrating the contact force between the conductors and the semiconductor element and measuring an electrical potential in the semi-conductor element with at least one of the conductors while injecting a substantially zero current in the semiconductor element. To measure the electrical potential distribution within the semiconductor, the position of at least one of the conductors is changed and the electric potential re-measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: IMEC vzw
    Inventors: Louis C. Hellemans, Thomas Trenkler, Peter De Wolf, Wilfried Vandervorst