Patents by Inventor William C. Little
William C. Little 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).
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Patent number: 11439264Abstract: A housing has a first end and a second end, an inner surface of the housing defining a channel that is configured to slidably receive therein a food product. A food product motivating mechanism is configured to engage a food product, the food product motivating mechanism being slidably receivable in the first end of the housing, the food product motivating mechanism and the housing being configured to cooperatively slidably urge a food product from the first end of the housing toward the second end of the housing. A rotating cutting mechanism is removably attachable to an outer surface of the second end of the housing, the rotating cutting mechanism being configured to rotate about the second end of the housing, the rotating cutting mechanism being further configured to cuttingly engage a food product.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2019Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignee: Prota Labs, LLCInventors: William C. Little, Kyle A. Buzzard
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Patent number: 11087592Abstract: A gaming system including a number of host devices each coupled to one or more gaming machines, wherein content provided by the host device is output on the gaming machine. To output the content provided by the remote host, a host-controlled process that is authenticated by the gaming machine and executed in a secure memory location such that it is isolated from other processes executing on the gaming machine may be utilized. The host-controlled processes may be decoupled from the process used to execute the game of chance played on the gaming machine such that the content output by the host-controlled process doesn't alter the play of game of chance.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2019Date of Patent: August 10, 2021Assignee: IGTInventors: Reid M. Weber, Erik B. Petersen, Adrian R. Marcu, William C. Little, Steven G. LeMay
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Patent number: 10607437Abstract: A gaming system including a number of host devices each coupled to one or more gaming machines, wherein content provided by the host device is output on the gaming machine. To output the content provided by the remote host, a host-controlled process that is authenticated by the gaming machine and executed in a secure memory location such that it is isolated from other processes executing on the gaming machine may be utilized. The host-controlled processes may be decoupled from the process used to execute the game of chance played on the gaming machine such that the content output by the host-controlled process doesn't alter the play of game of chance.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2016Date of Patent: March 31, 2020Assignee: IGTInventors: William C. Little, Daniel J. De Waal, Vincent S. Manfredi, Bryan E. Bullard, Cara L. Iddings, Richard J. Schneider, Steven G. LeMay, Nichole M. Beaulieu, David A. Gipp
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Patent number: 10497204Abstract: A method for tracking an event of an externally controlled interface (ECI) is described. The method includes generating the externally controlled interface independent of an outcome of a wager-based game regulated by a regulatory authority, and logging the event of the externally controlled interface.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2016Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: IGTInventors: Reid M. Weber, William C. Little, Steven G. LeMay, Adrian R. Marcu, Warner R. Cockerille, IV, Nicole M. Beaulieu, David A. Gipp, Daniel de Waal, Vincent S. Manfredi, Bryan Bullard, Cara L. Iddings, Richard J. Schneider, Glenn Keith Russell, Jacob Graham, Gregory A. Schlottmann, Richard E. Rowe, David C. Williams, Kurt M. Larsen, Jae Man Yi, Erik B. Petersen
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Patent number: 10455283Abstract: Techniques for allowing a gaming machine to exercise control over a picture-in-picture device (PIP mixer). A gaming machine includes a display device, a master game controller, the PIP mixer, and a PIP control interface. The master gaming controller is configured to execute a wager game, send a first video signal for the wager game to the PIP mixer, and send control instructions for controlling a display of one or more PIP windows to the PIP mixer via the PIP control interface. The PIP mixer receives the first video signal and a second video signal from an external source. The PIP mixer is configured to create a composite video image that includes display data of first video signal and the second video signal in PIP windows based on the control instructions. The composite video image is displayed on the display device.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2017Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: IGTInventors: Kevin Higgins, William C. Little, Adrian R. Marcu
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Publication number: 20190313830Abstract: A housing has a first end and a second end, an inner surface of the housing defining a channel that is configured to slidably receive therein a food product. A food product motivating mechanism is configured to engage a food product, the food product motivating mechanism being slidably receivable in the first end of the housing, the food product motivating mechanism and the housing being configured to cooperatively slidably urge a food product from the first end of the housing toward the second end of the housing. A rotating cutting mechanism is removably attachable to an outer surface of the second end of the housing, the rotating cutting mechanism being configured to rotate about the second end of the housing, the rotating cutting mechanism being further configured to cuttingly engage a food product.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2019Publication date: October 17, 2019Applicant: Prota Labs, LLCInventors: William C. Little, Kyle A. Buzzard
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Publication number: 20190244478Abstract: A gaming system including a number of host devices each coupled to one or more gaming machines, wherein content provided by the host device is output on the gaming machine. To output the content provided by the remote host, a host-controlled process that is authenticated by the gaming machine and executed in a secure memory location such that it is isolated from other processes executing on the gaming machine may be utilized. The host-controlled processes may be decoupled from the process used to execute the game of chance played on the gaming machine such that the content output by the host-controlled process doesn't alter the play of game of chance.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2019Publication date: August 8, 2019Inventors: Reid M. Weber, Erik B. Petersen, Adrian R. Marcu, William C. Little, Steven G. LeMay
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Patent number: 10235832Abstract: Bonuses such as progressive bonuses are based on the activity of many players playing at many machines. The machines may be made by different manufacturers and run different games. Prior diverse arrays of such machines relied on a hardware slot machine interface board (SMIB) that acted as a master and transmitted game activity to remote servers. A disclosed embodiment virtualizes the SMIB. In one implementation, protected processes allow for real time meter creation and destruction within different games, even after the game software has been certified and the hash cannot change.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2008Date of Patent: March 19, 2019Assignee: IGTInventors: William C. Little, Daniel De Waal
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Patent number: 10229556Abstract: A gaming system including a number of host devices each coupled to one or more gaming machines, wherein content provided by the host device is output on the gaming machine. To output the content provided by the remote host, a host-controlled process that is authenticated by the gaming machine and executed in a secure memory location such that it is isolated from other processes executing on the gaming machine may be utilized. The host-controlled processes may be decoupled from the process used to execute the game of chance played on the gaming machine such that the content output by the host-controlled process doesn't alter the play of game of chance.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2016Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignee: IGTInventors: Reid M. Weber, Erik B. Petersen, Adrian R. Marcu, William C. Little, Steven G. LeMay
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Patent number: 10169950Abstract: A gaming system including a number of host devices each coupled to one or more gaming machines, wherein content provided by the host device is output on the gaming machine. To output the content provided by the remote host, a host-controlled process that is authenticated by the gaining machine and executed in a secure memory location such that it is isolated from other processes executing on the gaming machine may be utilized. The host-controlled processes may be decoupled from the process used to execute the game of chance played on the gaming machine such that the content output by the host-controlled process doesn't alter the play of game of chance.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2014Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignee: IGTInventors: William C. Little, Daniel J. De Waal, Vincent S. Manfredi, Bryan E. Bullard, Cara L. Iddings, Richard J. Schneider, Steven G. LeMay, Nichole M. Beaulieu, David A. Gipp
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Patent number: 10152846Abstract: A gaming system including a plurality of gaming machines is provided. The gaming machines may be configured to provide bonus games with persistent. The gaming machines may be configured to allow a player to enroll in bonus game with persistence and generate a record locator, such as printed ticket that allows a record of a state in the bonus game with persistence to be accessed at a later time. A server coupled to the plurality of gaming machines may maintain records of various states in the bonus game with persistence. When a valid record locator is presented at a gaming machine, these records may be checked out and updated via game play at the gaming machine.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2016Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: IGTInventors: Daryn G. Kiely, William R. Brosnan, Richard Glasser, Adrian R. Marcu, Erik B. Petersen, William C. Little, Jeffery S. Shepherd, Bryan D. Wolf, Steven G. LeMay
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Patent number: 9959702Abstract: A gaming system including a number of host devices each coupled to one or more gaming machines, wherein content provided by the host device is output on the gaming machine. To output the content provided by the remote host, a host-controlled process that is authenticated by the gaming machine and executed in a secure memory location such that it is isolated from other processes executing on the gaming machine may be utilized. The host-controlled processes may be decoupled from the process used to execute the game of chance played on the gaming machine such that the content output by the host-controlled process doesn't alter the play of game of chance.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2015Date of Patent: May 1, 2018Assignee: IGTInventors: William C. Little, Daniel J. De Waal, Vincent S. Manfredi, Bryan E. Bullard, Cara L. Iddings, Richard J. Schneider, Steven G. LeMay, Nichole M. Beaulieu, David A. Gipp
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Patent number: 9685034Abstract: A system for interfacing with a third-party application is described. The system includes a third-party device, a server-based system configured to communicate with the third-party device, and a gaming device configured to communicate with the server-based system to display content of the product or service. The gaming device is configured to generate an outcome of a wager-based game independent of the content that is displayed.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2012Date of Patent: June 20, 2017Assignee: IGTInventors: Reid M. Weber, William C. Little, Steven G. LeMay, Adrian R. Marcu, Warner R. Cockerille, IV, Nicole M. Beaulieu, David A. Gipp, Daniel De Waal, Vincent S. Manfredi, Bryan Bullard, Cara L. Iddings, Brad Robert Steinbach, Richard J. Schneider, Glen Keith Russell, Jacob Graham, Gregory A. Schlottmann, David C. Williams, Kurt M. Larsen, Jae Man Yi, Erik B. Petersen, Kevin M. Higgins, Gregory H. Parrott, David L. Salls
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Publication number: 20170150216Abstract: Techniques for allowing a gaming machine to exercise control over a picture-in-picture device (PIP mixer). A gaming machine includes a display device, a master game controller, the PIP mixer, and a PIP control interface. The master gaming controller is configured to execute a wager game, send a first video signal for the wager game to the PIP mixer, and send control instructions for controlling a display of one or more PIP windows to the PIP mixer via the PIP control interface. The PIP mixer receives the first video signal and a second video signal from an external source. The PIP mixer is configured to create a composite video image that includes display data of first video signal and the second video signal in PIP windows based on the control instructions. The composite video image is displayed on the display device.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2017Publication date: May 25, 2017Inventors: Kevin Higgins, William C. Little, Adrian R. Marcu
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Patent number: 9564000Abstract: Techniques for allowing a gaming machine to exercise control over a picture-in-picture device (PIP mixer). A gaming machine includes a display device, a master game controller, the PIP mixer, and a PIP control interface. The master gaming controller is configured to execute a wager game, send a first video signal for the wager game to the PIP mixer, and send control instructions for controlling a display of one or more PIP windows to the PIP mixer via the PIP control interface. The PIP mixer receives the first video signal and a second video signal from an external source. The PIP mixer is configured to create a composite video image that includes display data of first video signal and the second video signal in PIP windows based on the control instructions. The composite video image is displayed on the display device.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2012Date of Patent: February 7, 2017Assignee: IGTInventors: Kevin Higgins, William C. Little, Adrian R. Marcu
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Patent number: 9530276Abstract: When the player identifies herself to a gaming machine at a casino, for example by inserting a player tracking card into the card reader, she is, at generally the same time, logging onto a game provider's backend system (the game provider being different from the casino operator). This concurrent sign-on to the game provider's system is done in a non-intrusive, transparent, and passive manner. The player is not distracted from the normal steps leading to game play on the machine until she is ready to redeem points with the game provider or for some reason additional authentication is needed from the player. By virtue of this single sign-on to the game provider network, in addition to continuing game play across different casinos, the player can publish events to the Internet, such as on social networking sites, take advantage of offers targeted specifically for her, or facilitate responsible gaming programs.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2016Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignee: IGTInventors: Erik B. Petersen, Kevin M. Higgins, Steven G. LeMay, William C. Little
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Publication number: 20160358416Abstract: A gaming system including a plurality of gaming machines is provided. The gaming machines may be configured to provide bonus games with persistent. The gaming machines may be configured to allow a player to enroll in bonus game with persistence and generate a record locator, such as printed ticket that allows a record of a state in the bonus game with persistence to be accessed at a later time. A server coupled to the plurality of gaming machines may maintain records of various states in the bonus game with persistence. When a valid record locator is presented at a gaming machine, these records may be checked out and updated via game play at the gaming machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2016Publication date: December 8, 2016Inventors: Daryn G. Kiely, William R. Brosnan, Richard Glasser, Adrian R. Marcu, Erik B. Petersen, William C. Little, Jeffery S. Shepherd, Bryan D. Wolf, Steven G. LeMay
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Publication number: 20160260283Abstract: A gaming system including a number of host devices each coupled to one or more gaming machines, wherein content provided by the host device is output on the gaming machine. To output the content provided by the remote host, a host-controlled process that is authenticated by the gaming machine and executed in a secure memory location such that it is isolated from other processes executing on the gaming machine may be utilized. The host-controlled processes may be decoupled from the process used to execute the game of chance played on the gaming machine such that the content output by the host-controlled process doesn't alter the play of game of chance.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2016Publication date: September 8, 2016Inventors: William C. Little, Daniel J. De Waal, Vincent S. Manfredi, Bryan E. Bullard, Cara L. Iddings, Richard J. Schneider, Steven G. LeMay, Nichole M. Beaulieu, David A. Gipp
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Publication number: 20160253864Abstract: A method for tracking an event of an externally controlled interface (ECI) is described. The method includes generating the externally controlled interface independent of an outcome of a wager-based game regulated by a regulatory authority, and logging the event of the externally controlled interface.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2016Publication date: September 1, 2016Inventors: Reid M. Weber, William C. Little, Steven G. LeMay, Adrian R. Marcu, Warner R. Cockerille, IV, Nicole M. Beaulieu, David A. Gipp, Daniel de Waal, Vincent S. Manfredi, Bryan Bullard, Cara L. Iddings, Richard J. Schneider, Glenn Keith Russell, Jacob Graham, Gregory A. Schlottmann, Richard E. Rowe, David C. Williams, Kurt M. Larsen, Jae Man Yi, Erik B. Petersen
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Publication number: 20160225228Abstract: A gaming system including a number of host devices each coupled to one or more gaming machines, wherein content provided by the host device is output on the gaming machine. To output the content provided by the remote host, a host-controlled process that is authenticated by the gaming machine and executed in a secure memory location such that it is isolated from other processes executing on the gaming machine may be utilized. The host-controlled processes may be decoupled from the process used to execute the game of chance played on the gaming machine such that the content output by the host-controlled process doesn't alter the play of game of chance.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2016Publication date: August 4, 2016Inventors: Reid M. Weber, Erik B. Petersen, Adrian R. Marcu, William C. Little, Steven G. LeMay