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: 8979634
    Abstract: Gaming devices, gaming systems, methods of conducting a wagering game, and computer programs for executing a wagering game are presented herein. A gaming system for conducting a wagering game is disclosed which includes a memory device that stores instructions which, when executed by a processor, causes the gaming system to: display a symbol array at a first position of a three-dimensional (3D) space; display a 3D object at a second position of the 3D space, the 3D object having two or more surfaces each lying in a respective plane of the 3D space and each having a respective symbol modifier; display the 3D object and/or symbol array moving towards each other; display, in the symbol array, symbols indicative of a wagering-game outcome; and, in response to the 3D object engaging the array, modify each of the symbol-array symbols by the symbol modifier of the 3D object which engages that symbol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Larry J. Pacey, Joel R. Jaffe, Dion K. Aoki
  • Publication number: 20150072758
    Abstract: A gaming terminal for conducting a wagering game includes a gaming cabinet, a video display, and an art panel. The video display is positioned within the gaming cabinet and is configured to display content associated with the wagering game. The art panel is positioned within the gaming cabinet and overlays the video display such that a first region of the art panel is illuminated by the video display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Dion K. Aoki, Christian L. Castro, Joel R. Jaffe, Paul M. Lesley, Timothy C. Loose
  • Patent number: 8974290
    Abstract: A method for conducting a computer-implemented wagering game includes using a processor to execute a plurality of plays of the wagering game, each play having an expected value. A plurality of randomly selected symbols, which are associated with each play, are displayed on a display. The processor is used to randomly assign a plurality of attributes across the plurality of plays. Each attribute increases an expected value of the play to which the attribute is assigned, from a first value to a second value. The first value is in the absence of the attribute and the second value is in the presence of the attribute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin T. Gomez, Joel R. Jaffe, Dylan B. SeLegue
  • Patent number: 8974283
    Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes an input device, a display device, a processor, and a memory device for storing instructions that cause the processor to operate the gaming system. The gaming system receives an input to play the wagering game and randomly determines a plurality of symbols to populate symbol positions in one or more symbol arrays. The gaming system displays dynamic content in the symbol positions concluding with the randomly determined symbols while the one or more symbol arrays are moved with respect to an indicator region. The gaming system displays an indication of an outcome of the wagering game determined based on any of the one or more symbol arrays appearing in the indicator region after the one or more symbol arrays are moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Joel R. Jaffe, Collette C. Shawn
  • Patent number: 8959459
    Abstract: A gaming system and a method for conducting a wagering game that allows accurate determination of a player gesture input. A gaming terminal for playing the wagering game including a controller is disclosed. A touch surface is provided for actuation by a player gesture associated with an input to the wagering game. A sensor array underlies the touch surface to sense the motion of the gesture. The sensor array is coupled to the controller. The controller determines a trajectory represented by the gesture based on the sensed motion from the sensor array. A display is coupled to the controller to display movement of an object image based on the trajectory represented by the gesture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Dion K. Aoki, Timothy T. Gronkowski, Joel R. Jaffe, Timothy C. Loose
  • Patent number: 8951114
    Abstract: A gaming system and method for conducting a wagering game includes a special event that is triggered by a progression through a plurality of subfeatures of the wagering game. The subfeatures are completed upon the collection of a predetermined number of items. The items collected are associated with wagering-game enhancement parameters that are applied to the wagering game in response to the items being randomly awarded during the wagering game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Joel R. Jaffe, Jamie W. Vann
  • Publication number: 20150011294
    Abstract: A gaming machine for playing a wagering game includes a game display and a controller. The game display is operable to display a randomly selected outcome of a wagering game in response to receiving a wager from a player. The wagering game has a game-play progression that includes a plurality of game episodes, at least one of the plurality of game episodes having a plurality of episode features. The controller is in communication with the game display and is programmable to cause, in response to a manual selection received from the player, the start of the wagering game from any previously played feature of the plurality of episode features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventors: Joel R. Jaffe, Jamie W. Vann
  • Patent number: 8926421
    Abstract: A multi-player gaming system sensing multiple simultaneous contacts on a surface of a gaming table, differentiating contacts by different players. Privacy controls selectively display private information visible to only one of the players on or near the display surface of the gaming table. The gaming system also detects physical objects placed on the surface of the gaming table, causing wagering game functions or peripheral functions to be performed as a result of the placement of the object on the display surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Vladimir I. Arezina, Gilbert J. Q. Burak, Mark B. Gagner, Benjamin T. Gomez, Joel R. Jaffe, James V. Palermo, James M. Rasmussen, Gene Rigsby, Richard T. Schwartz, Craig J. Sylla, Alfred Thomas, Timothy C. Loose
  • Publication number: 20140370971
    Abstract: Communications capability between two wagering game machines is provided using personal devices of users of the wagering game machines. At least one of the wagering game machines is a network-limited wagering game machine that is not communicably coupled to a casino operator's network. A first user communicably couples a personal device such as a mobile phone to a wagering game machine and a second user communicably couples a personal device to a wagering game machine. The two wagering game machines communicate using a communication path formed by the two personal devices and a network such as a mobile phone network communicably coupling the two personal devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Sean P. Kelly, Joel R. Jaffe, Justin A. Perkins, Nickey C. Shin, Craig J. Sylla
  • Publication number: 20140335944
    Abstract: A gaming system community server communications controller sends information to a wagering-game server. A community server processor obtains gaming session information relating to a player's gaming session from the wagering-game server or wagering-game machine. The system determines whether the gaming session information satisfies a condition precedent to an award of player profile content comprising a currency in a community server secondary economy, game content available to the player on the community server, non-game content available to the player on the community server, game content available to the wagering-game machine player, non-game content available to the wagering-game machine player, and/or game content available to the player from the wagering-game server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: Jeremy M. Hornik, Jamie W. Vann, Joel R. Jaffe, Dion K. Aoki, Dean Ehrlich, Candice Savino
  • Patent number: 8864577
    Abstract: A gaming machine for playing a wagering game includes a game display and a controller. The game display is operable to display a randomly selected outcome of a wagering game in response to receiving a wager from a player. The wagering game has a game-play progression that includes a plurality of game episodes, at least one of the plurality of game episodes having a plurality of episode features. The controller is in communication with the game display and is programmable to cause, in response to a manual selection received from the player, the start of the wagering game from any previously played feature of the plurality of episode features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Joel R. Jaffe, Jamie W. Vann
  • Patent number: 8840459
    Abstract: A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game includes a plurality of game cards that may be read by one or more card readers of the gaming machine. The game cards may provide a variety of enhancements for the gaming machine, including enhanced game features, enhanced rules of game play, enhanced game characters, and the like. Players may collect the game cards for use in the gaming machine in hopes of increasing their likelihood of achieving a desirable outcome or altering the characteristics of the game to offer more entertaining variations on game play. The players may also trade the game cards with one another and with the casino, thereby creating excitement and interest in the gaming machine. Special interest groups and even entire industries may be formed to facilitate the collecting and trading of the game cards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Peter R. Anderson, Joel R. Jaffe, Shridhar P. Joshi, Larry J. Pacey, Richard T. Schwartz, Alfred Thomas
  • Publication number: 20140274281
    Abstract: A gaming system includes one or more input devices, one or more display devices, one or more processors, and one or more memory devices storing instructions. When executed by the one or more processors, the instructions cause the gaming system to receive, via at least one of the input devices, an input indicative of a wager selected from at least one wager amount being a function of a previous wager associated with an immediately preceding wagering game. The instructions cause the gaming system to display a wagering game on the one or more displays, the wagering game being in an advantageous state relative to the immediately preceding wagering game. The instructions further cause the gaming system to display an outcome of the wagering game on the one or more displays, at least a portion of the outcome being enhanced by an outcome of the immediately preceding wagering game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventor: Joel R. Jaffe
  • Publication number: 20140274288
    Abstract: A method in a gaming system comprises receiving a wager and displaying an array having a plurality of array positions. Each of the plurality of array positions is populated by at least one of a plurality of symbols, which include a mega symbol configured to occupy at least two array positions on each of at least two adjacent columns of the array. In response to at least a portion of the mega symbol displayed in the array, the method includes determining a functionality for the mega symbol based on a number of array positions on which the mega symbol is displayed, the portion of the mega symbol displayed, the size of the mega symbol displayed, a random determination, the received wager, or a turnover amount over a plurality of plays. A payout is awarded based on the symbols displayed in the array and the determined functionality of the mega symbol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy M. Hornik, Joel R. Jaffe, Daniel P. Louie, Jeremie D. Moll, Jeffry L. Nauman, Jamie W. Vann
  • Publication number: 20140256413
    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: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: WMS 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: 8827787
    Abstract: Gaming devices, gaming systems, methods of conducting wagering games, and computer programs for executing wagering games are disclosed. A gaming system for playing a wagering game is disclosed which includes one or more processors and one or more memory devices storing instructions that, when executed by at least one of the processors, cause the gaming system to: receive a wager to play the wagering game; direct a display device to display a randomly determined outcome of a base game of the wagering game; in response to a triggering event, initiate play of a non-skill-based game feature and, further in response to receiving a player selection of a skill-based game feature, initiate play of the skill-based game feature; determine an award value for the skill-based game feature; determine an award value for the non-skill-based game feature; and, award to the player only the higher of the two award values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Jesse Smith, Joel R. Jaffe, Sean P. Kelly
  • Publication number: 20140243065
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a computer-implemented method includes permitting a plurality of wagering game terminals to participate in a community game in a land-based gaming establishment. The method includes permitting a player device remote from the land-based gaming establishment to play an online game. The method also includes modifying, by at least one of one or more processors, the community game based on an event in the online game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Tracey L. Wright, Dion K. Aoki, Andrew C. Guinn, Joel R. Jaffe, Robert L. Kyte, Bradley D. Schultz
  • Patent number: 8814657
    Abstract: A gaming machine for playing a wagering game includes a display and a controller. The display displays a plurality of spinning reels that stop to indicate a randomly selected outcome of a plurality of outcomes in response to accepting a wager input from a player. The controller is in communication with the display and is operative to conduct the wagering game in accordance with a basic set of gaming rules. The controller is further operative to cause a modification to a gaming rule of the basic set of gaming rules and to indicate the modification to the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Allon G. Englman, Joel R. Jaffe, Jeremy M. Hornik, Larry J. Pacey
  • Publication number: 20140228086
    Abstract: Gaming devices, gaming systems, methods of conducting wagering games, and computer programs for executing wagering games are disclosed. A gaming system for playing a wagering game is disclosed which includes one or more processors and one or more memory devices storing instructions that, when executed by at least one of the processors, cause the gaming system to: receive a wager to play the wagering game; direct a display device to display a randomly determined outcome of a base game of the wagering game; in response to a triggering event, initiate play of a non-skill-based game feature and, further in response to receiving a player selection of a skill-based game feature, initiate play of the skill-based game feature; determine an award value for the skill-based game feature; determine an award value for the non-skill-based game feature; and, award to the player only the higher of the two award values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Jesse Smith, Joel R. Jaffe, Sean P. Kelly
  • Publication number: 20140213337
    Abstract: A gaming system and method for conducting a wagering game includes a display having a display area showing a poker-themed wagering game. A wager input device receives a base wager to play the poker-themed wagering game. A controller is coupled to the display and the wager input device. The controller is operative to provide a plurality of symbol-bearing objects to form a user-playable hand and award a payoff based on a ranking of the user-playable hand meeting a predetermined criterion. The controller may receive a side wager separate from the base wager from the player to trigger a challenge based on meeting a condition in at least one of a predetermined number of future plays of the wagering game. Additional free challenges may be triggered for the predetermined number of future plays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Dion K. Aoki, Jeremy M. Hornik, Joel R. Jaffe, Jeremie D. Moll