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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Publication number: 20160140803Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2016Publication date: May 19, 2016Inventors: Erik B. Petersen, Kevin M. Higgins, Steven G. LeMay, William C. Little
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Patent number: 9342955Abstract: 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: March 24, 2015Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: 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: 9311774Abstract: 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: September 12, 2008Date of Patent: April 12, 2016Assignee: IGTInventors: Reid M. Weber, Erik B. Petersen, Adrian R. Marcu, William C. Little, Steven G. LeMay
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Patent number: 9245415Abstract: 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: April 1, 2015Date of Patent: January 26, 2016Assignee: IGTInventors: Erik B. Petersen, Kevin M. Higgins, Steven G. LeMay, William C. Little
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Publication number: 20150213674Abstract: 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 2, 2015Publication date: July 30, 2015Inventors: 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: 20150206391Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2015Publication date: July 23, 2015Inventors: Erik B. Petersen, Kevin M. Higgins, Steven G. LeMay, William C. Little
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Publication number: 20150199876Abstract: 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: March 24, 2015Publication date: July 16, 2015Inventors: 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: 9039518Abstract: 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: July 11, 2012Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: IGTInventors: Erik B. Petersen, Kevin M. Higgins, Steven G. LeMay, William C. Little
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Patent number: 8992304Abstract: 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 13, 2008Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: 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, 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, Brad Robert Steinbach
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Patent number: 8968077Abstract: 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: May 5, 2009Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: IDTInventors: 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, Richard J. Schneider, Glen Keith Russell, Jacob Graham, Gregory A. Scholttmann, Richard E. Rowe, David C. Williams, Kurt M. Larsen, Jae Man Yi, Erik B. Petersen, Kevin Higgins, Gregory H. Parrott, David L. Salls, Brad Robert Steinbach
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Publication number: 20140329583Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2014Publication date: November 6, 2014Inventors: 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: 8784196Abstract: 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: November 10, 2006Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: IGTInventors: William C. Little, Daniel de Waal, Vincent S. Manfredi, Bryan Bullard, Cara L. Iddings, Richard J. Schneider, Steven G. LeMay, Nicole M. Beaulieu, David A. Gipp
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Method and apparatus for integrating remotely-hosted and locally rendered content on a gaming device
Patent number: 8777737Abstract: 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: November 10, 2006Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: IGTInventors: Steven G. LeMay, Nicole M. Beaulieu, David A. Gipp, William C. Little, Daniel de Waal, Vincent S. Manfredi, Bryan Bullard, Cara L. Iddings, Richard J. Schneider, Keith Russell -
Publication number: 20130005457Abstract: 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: June 28, 2012Publication date: January 3, 2013Applicant: IGTInventors: Kevin Higgins, William C. Little, Adrian R. Marcu
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Patent number: 8249835Abstract: An integrated computing device (tool) and method is disclosed, for creating a casino gaming floor layout, analyzing the layout from the simulated point of view of a patron within the floor, and assessing the performance of the layout in real time or with historical data.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2011Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: IGTInventors: Joseph R. Moore, III, Daniel G. Carlson, Brian V. Gress, William C. Little, Javier A. Saenz, Andrew George Novotak, Jr.
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Publication number: 20120040756Abstract: An integrated computing device (tool) and method is disclosed, for creating a casino gaming floor layout, analyzing the layout from the simulated point of view of a patron within the floor, and assessing the performance of the layout in real time or with historical data.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2011Publication date: February 16, 2012Applicant: IGTInventors: Joseph R. Moore, III, Daniel G. Carlson, Brian V. Gress, William C. Little, Javier A. Saenz, Andrew George Novotak, JR.
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Patent number: 8073657Abstract: An integrated computing device (tool) and method for creating a floor layout, analyzing the layout from the simulated point of view of a patron within the floor, and assessing the performance of a layout in real time or with historical data.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2009Date of Patent: December 6, 2011Assignee: IGTInventors: Joseph R. Moore, III, Daniel G. Carlson, Brian V. Gress, William C. Little, Javier A. Saenz, Andrew George Novotak, Jr.
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Patent number: 7766744Abstract: A method and apparatus for tracking play of a game is disclosed. A first set of game outcomes from play of a game associated with a first enterprise is received and stored in a database. A second set of game outcomes from play of a second game associated with a second enterprise independent from the first enterprise is received and stored in the database.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2003Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignees: IGT, Western Money SystemsInventors: Daniel J. de Waal, Bryan Bullard, William C. Little
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Publication number: 20100105454Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2009Publication date: April 29, 2010Applicant: 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, Glen Keith Russell, Jacob Graham, Gregory A. Schlottmann, Richard E. Rowe, David C. Williams, Kurt M. Larsen, Jae Man Yi, Erik B. Petersen, Kevin Higgins, Gregory H. Parrott, David L. Salls, Brad Robert Steinbach
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Publication number: 20090156303Abstract: 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: November 15, 2008Publication date: June 18, 2009Applicant: 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