Patents by Inventor Jay S. Wakker

Jay S. Wakker 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).

  • Method and apparatus for enhanced play of a gaming device
    Patent number: 8016658
    Abstract: An electronic amusement device and a method for operating the device are disclosed. In accordance with one embodiment, a slot machine identifies a tracked symbol and initializes a running count representing active occurrences of the tracked symbol generated during a play session. During the session, the slot machine generates at least one outcome represented by a set of symbols and determines whether the outcome includes an occurrence of a tracked symbol. The slot machine adjusts the running count, increasing the running count to reflect occurrences of the tracked symbol and, in some embodiments, decreasing the running count to reflect expiration of occurrences of the tracked symbol. Once the running count reaches a predetermined level, the slot machine determines a bonus payout based on the running count.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Walker Digital, LLC
    Inventors: Jay S. Wakker, James A. Jorasch, Geoffrey M. Gelman, Stephen C. Tulley, Daniel E. Tedesco, Magdalena M. Fincham
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ENHANCED PLAY OF A GAMING DEVICE
    Publication number: 20080153565
    Abstract: An electronic amusement device and a method for operating the device are disclosed. In accordance with one embodiment, a slot machine identifies a tracked symbol and initializes a running count representing active occurrences of the tracked symbol generated during a play session. During the session, the slot machine generates at least one outcome represented by a set of symbols and determines whether the outcome includes an occurrence of a tracked symbol. The slot machine adjusts the running count, increasing the running count to reflect occurrences of the tracked symbol and, in some embodiments, decreasing the running count to reflect expiration of occurrences of the tracked symbol. Once the running count reaches a predetermined level, the slot machine determines a bonus payout based on the running count.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Jay S. Wakker, James A. Jorasch, Geoffrey M. Gelman, Stephen C. Tulley, Daniel E. Tedesco, Magdalena M. Fincham