Patents by Inventor Joel R. Jaffe

Joel R. Jaffe 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: 9367998
    Abstract: A gaming system comprises a wager input device for receiving at least one wager and a display for displaying a wagering game. The display includes an integrated image capture device for visually capturing objects proximate the display. The system further comprises at least one controller operative to (i) detect the presence of at least a first object proximate the display, (ii) cause the image capture device to visually capture the first object and create a stored image thereof, (iii) graphically integrate the stored image of the first object into the wagering game, and (iv) display one or more outcomes of the wagering game which include one or more symbols comprising at least a portion of the stored image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Jacek Grabiec, Jeremy M. Hornik, Joel R. Jaffe, Timothy C. Loose, Larry J. Pacey, Miguel A. Vega, Muthu Velu
  • Patent number: 9349240
    Abstract: A gaming terminal includes a first display screen operative to display a wagering game that includes a lower section. A second display screen is operative to display images of input buttons and includes a touchscreen operative to receive inputs at the input buttons to play the wagering game. The second display screen is smaller than the first display screen. The second display screen is positioned forwardly relative to the lower section of the first display screen such that the second display screen is closer than the first display screen to a player position in front of the gaming terminal. The second display screen is inclined relative to horizontal such that an imaginary plane containing the second display screen intersects the lower section of the first display screen thereby creating an infinity pool effect when viewing the first display screen relative to the second display screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian L. Castro, Joel R. Jaffe, Paul M. Lesley, Larry J. Pacey, Jesse Smith
  • Patent number: 9336652
    Abstract: A gaming system includes one or more processors and one or more memory devices storing instructions that, when executed by at least one of the one or more processors, cause the gaming system to perform a plurality of operations. The operations include awarding a plurality of points to a player, and, in response to a predetermined number of the points being redeemed by the player, accessing or modifying wagering game content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Vladimir I. Arezina, Michael J. Blankstein, Rory L. Block, Allon G. Englman, McLaurin H. Files, Mark B. Gagner, Brian R. Gamache, Jeremy M. Hornik, Joel R. Jaffe, Larry J. Pacey, Shridhar P. Joshi, Alfred Thomas, Jamie W. Vann, Matthew J. Ward
  • Patent number: 9330527
    Abstract: Gaming devices, gaming systems, methods of conducting a wagering game, and computer programs for initiating a wagering game are presented herein. A gaming system is presented that includes a wager input device, a display, and a controller. The wager input device receives wagers from players to play the wagering game. The display displays outcomes of the wagering game. Prior to displaying the outcome of the wagering game, the controller determines whether to add at least one symbol clump to at least one of a plurality of reels. A symbol clump comprises one or more identical symbols occupying two or more symbol positions located immediately adjacent one another on one reel. In response to a determination to add at least one symbol clump, the controller instructs the display to visually indicate the addition of the symbol clump to the reel, and to display the outcome of the wagering game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn C. Collette, Joel R. Jaffe, Brad Schultz, Benjamin T. Gomez, Jamie W. Vann
  • Patent number: 9324214
    Abstract: An outcome of a wagering game is evaluated to determine if it is a winning outcome. In response to the outcome being a winning outcome, it is determined if the winning outcome includes two or more groups of winning symbols. In response to determining that the winning outcome includes two or more groups of winning symbols, each of the two or more groups of winning symbols is visually highlight in a sequential fashion. Further, it is determined if each of the two or more groups includes winning symbols on two or more lines. In response to determining that one of the two or more groups includes winning symbols on two or more lines, the winning symbols on each of the two or more lines is visually highlighted in a sequential fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Dion K. Aoki, Allon G. Englman, Joel R. Jaffe
  • Publication number: 20160110948
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations include, for example, detecting, by at least one of one or more electronic processing units of the wagering game system, a first game condition in a wagering game presented via an autostereoscopic display device of the wagering game system. The wagering game includes game symbols used for presentation of wagering game outcomes for the wagering game. The operations can further include determining, based on the first game condition, a first significance level from a plurality of significance levels associated with a first of the game symbols.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Shawn C. Collette, David E. Detlefsen, Joel R. Jaffe, Sean P. Kelly, Timothy C. Loose, Scott A. Massing
  • Publication number: 20160110950
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations include, for example, presenting, via an autostereoscopic three-dimensional display of the wagering game system, wagering game content with an autostereoscopic three-dimensional depth effect. The wagering game content is associated with an electronic wagering game. The operations can further include detecting, via a sensor of the wagering game system, a change in a position of a slider control associated with the wagering game system. The operations can further include changing, via at least one of one or more electronic processing units of the wagering game system, a degree of the autostereoscopic three-dimensional depth effect for at least a portion of the wagering game content according to a degree of the change in the position of the slider control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Shawn C. Collette, David E. Detlefsen, Joel R. Jaffe, Sean P. Kelly, Timothy C. Loose, Scott A. Massing
  • Publication number: 20160110949
    Abstract: A gaming system and its operations include, for example presenting, via an autostereoscopic display device, symbols for an electronic wagering game, determining a game event value for a game event for the wagering game, determining a first symbol significance value for a first set of the symbols based on the game event value, and determining a second symbol significance value for a second set of the symbols based on the game event value. The operations can further include presenting, via the autostereoscopic display device, the first set of the symbols with a first autostereoscopic three-dimensional depth value corresponding to the first symbol significance value. The operations can further include presenting, via the autostereoscopic display device, the second set of the symbols with a second autostereoscopic three-dimensional depth value corresponding to the second symbol significance value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Shawn C. Collette, David E. Detlefsen, Joel R. Jaffe, Sean P. Kelly, Timothy C. Loose, Scott A. Massing
  • Publication number: 20160063806
    Abstract: Gaming devices, gaming systems, methods of conducting a wagering game, and computer programs for initiating a wagering game are presented herein. A gaming system is presented that includes a wager input device, a display, and a controller. The wager input device receives wagers from players to play the wagering game. The display displays outcomes of the wagering game. Prior to displaying the outcome of the wagering game, the controller determines whether to add at least one symbol clump to at least one of a plurality of reels. A symbol clump comprises one or more identical symbols occupying two or more symbol positions located immediately adjacent one another on one reel. In response to a determination to add at least one symbol clump, the controller instructs the display to visually indicate the addition of the symbol clump to the reel, and to display the outcome of the wagering game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Shawn C. Collette, Joel R. Jaffe, Brad Schultz, Benjamin T. Gomez, Jamie W. Vann
  • Patent number: 9251668
    Abstract: A method is provided for enabling a portal game on a wagering game device, the method including the acts of using a processor operatively associated with the wagering game device to conduct a wagering game on the wagering game device in accord with a first math model and using a portal game controller, which may be the processor operatively associated with the wagering game device or a separate controller operatively associated with both the portal game and the wagering game device, to overlay a portal game over the wagering game, the portal game having a second math model that is mathematically independent from the first math model of the wagering game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn C. Collette, Brad Schultz, Joel R. Jaffe, Michael W. Mastropietro
  • Patent number: 9251670
    Abstract: A gaming system displays a first array of symbols and a second array of symbols for a wagering game. The second array of symbols includes at least one second-array reel. The at least one second-array reel includes a predetermined sequence of symbols. The at least one second-array reel rotates the predetermined sequence of symbols to determine at least partially the second array of symbols. The second array is divided into at least two sub-arrays, the at least one second-array reel extending into the at least two sub-arrays. A controller selects at least one symbol from the first array and copies the at least one selected symbol into one or more positions in each of the at least two sub-arrays. The at least two sub-arrays is displayed with combinations of symbols including the at least one selected symbol. The controller evaluates the combinations to determine an outcome to the wagering game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Dion K. Aoki, Shawn C. Collette, Allon G. Englman, Joel R. Jaffe, Jeremy M. Hornik, Jeremie D. Moll, Daniel P. Louie, Pamela S. Smith
  • Patent number: 9251659
    Abstract: Systems and methods provide a wagering game in which previous wins from other games of other players or the current player are integrated into the wagering game and provided as a potential payout in the wagering game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew C. Guinn, Joel R. Jaffe, Richard B. Robbins
  • Publication number: 20160027258
    Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes input device(s), display device(s), processor(s), and memory device(s). The memory devices store instructions that, when executed, cause the gaming system to receive a wager to initiate each instance of the wagering game, randomly select a game outcome for each instance of the wagering game, display the randomly selected game outcome for each instance, and initiate a special event in response to an occurrence of a triggering event during an instance of the wagering game. At least two of the randomly selected outcomes include a first special symbol that has a dynamic secondary element. The dynamic secondary element represents a first enhancement in a first instance and a second enhancement in a second instance of the wagering game. The triggering event and special event are associated with at least one special symbol. The special event is modified by the dynamic secondary element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Joel R. Jaffe, Jeffry L. Nauman, Keith Burza
  • Publication number: 20160027241
    Abstract: A casino wagering game machine includes an electronic display device, electronic input device(s), and controller(s). The controller(s) detect, via at least one of the electronic input device(s), a physical item associated with a monetary value that establishes a credit balance. The controller(s) initiate the casino wagering game responsive to an input indicative of a wager covered by the credit balance and randomly select two or more adjacent reels of a plurality of reels to include one or more sets of adjacent identical symbols. The controller(s) spin and stop the reels with the adjacent identical symbols in each set represented as a single meta-symbol while the reels are spinning, award an award based on any winning outcomes displayed on the stopped reels, adding the award to the credit balance, and receive, via at least one of the electronic input device(s), a cashout input that initiates a payment from the credit balance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Joel R. Jaffe, Daniel P. Louie
  • Publication number: 20160012661
    Abstract: Systems and methods for serving patrons in a wagering game environment are described herein. In some embodiments, a method includes receiving patron service information, wherein the patron service information indicates activities of a patron in a casino. The method can also include selecting, based on the patron service information, a service for the patron, wherein the patron has not requested the service. Additionally, the method can include presenting a service order instructing a service attendant to deliver the service.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Inventors: Dean A. Ehrlich, Andrew Fowler, Mark B. Gagner, Joel R. Jaffe, Shridhar P. Joshi, Mark C. Pace, Larry J. Pacey, Christopher Green, Kate H. Holmes, Peter Petras
  • Patent number: 9230411
    Abstract: A gaming machine having an enhanced game play scheme is provided where, in response to receipt of a second wager to select an option, a player is provided with enhanced game play. Enhanced game play may include (1) providing more frequent bonus game play, (2) providing a larger bonus game value payout, (3) providing more frequent bonus game play and providing a larger bonus game value payout, (4) providing a larger or multiplied game value payout, (5) providing a guaranteed value payout for a non-winning outcome, (6) providing game features (7) providing a larger game value payout based on a partial game outcome, (8) providing an extra wild symbol capable of repositioning, and (9) providing a possibility of an additional reel movement to reposition an extra reel symbol or (10) providing a possibility of an extra pay line to include an extra reel symbol to increase a value payout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Allon G. Englman, Joel R. Jaffe, Wayne H. Rothschild
  • Publication number: 20150371489
    Abstract: A gaming system comprising an input device for receiving a wager to play a wagering game. The gaming system also includes a display for displaying an array of symbols that indicate a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game. In response to the randomly selected outcome including a winning symbol combination, at least one symbol that is not a part of the winning symbol combination is removed from the array and causes other symbols to move into a position of the array vacated by the at least one removed symbol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Inventors: Dion K. Aoki, Allon G. Englman, Shridhar P. Joshi, Alfred Thomas, Larry J. Pacey, Joel R. Jaffe
  • Patent number: 9214066
    Abstract: Gaming devices, gaming systems, methods of conducting a wagering game, and computer programs for initiating a wagering game are presented herein. A gaming system is presented that includes a wager input device, a display, and a controller. The wager input device receives wagers from players to play the wagering game. The display displays outcomes of the wagering game. Prior to displaying the outcome of the wagering game, the controller determines whether to add at least one symbol clump to at least one of a plurality of reels. A symbol clump comprises one or more identical symbols occupying two or more symbol positions located immediately adjacent one another on one reel. In response to a determination to add at least one symbol clump, the controller instructs the display to visually indicate the addition of the symbol clump to the reel, and to display the outcome of the wagering game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn C. Collette, Joel R. Jaffe, Brad Schultz, Benjamin T. Gomez, Jamie W. Vann
  • Patent number: 9214071
    Abstract: A gaming machine has a wager-input device for receiving a first wager from a player to play a wagering game having a basic game and a bonus game. A display displays a plurality of symbols located thereon during the basic game. The symbols indicate a randomly-selected outcome selected from a plurality of outcomes in response to the wager. The plurality of outcomes includes a bonus-triggering outcome. A set of available game-enhancement parameters is displayed and the player is provided an option of submitting a second wager to purchase at least one of the set of available game-enhancement parameters. The set of available game-enhancement parameters provides an enhancement selected from the group consisting of: additional bonus-triggering outcomes providing a higher probability of triggering the bonus game, and enhanced awards during the bonus game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy M. Hornik, Dion K. Aoki, Joel R. Jaffe, James J. Poole, Allon G. Englman
  • Publication number: 20150356833
    Abstract: A gaming system includes a gaming cabinet, an electronic display device, one or more electronic input devices, and game-logic circuitry that initiates a casino wagering game in response to a wager input and that randomly selects a plurality of symbols arranged in an array. The array includes at least one trigger symbol and a plurality of non-trigger symbols, including first and second non-trigger symbols. In response to the trigger symbol being randomly selected, a bonus enhancement is determined based on an accrued number of the first non-trigger symbols within the array. An initial award is awarded based on an aggregated value of the second non-trigger symbols. A final award is awarded by enhancing the initial award with the bonus enhancement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: Dion K. Aoki, Andrew C. Guinn, Jeremy M. Hornik, Joel R. Jaffe