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).
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Patent number: 8454429Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes a wager input device for receiving a wager to play a wagering game, at least one display for displaying the wagering game, and at least one controller. The controller is operative to display a first outcome of the wagering game and award a first award associated with the first outcome, store the first award in a stored awards group, cause the at least one display to display the stored awards group, and re-award one or more awards in the stored awards group upon the occurrence of a triggering event.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2009Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Joel R. Jaffe, Andrew Fowler, Jeremie D. Moll
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Patent number: 8454426Abstract: A gaming machine for playing a wagering game includes a game display, a display arrangement, 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 display arrangement displays a video image and overlays the game display. The video image includes a paytable having paytable regions indicating respective winning combinations. The controller is in communication with the display arrangement, wherein in response to the randomly selected outcome including symbols of a winning symbol combination, the controller causes one or more aspects of the paytable region associated with the winning combinations to be distinguished from the other paytable regions.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2011Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventor: Joel R. Jaffe
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Patent number: 8449387Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes both enhanced as well as new ways of winning a progressive jackpot. New ways of becoming eligible for a progressive jackpot are also disclosed. In some embodiments, the reset amount, startup value, and funding percentage may be selected as needed to improve player excitement and anticipation. Players may also customize various aspects of the progressive game upon payment of a fee.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2007Date of Patent: May 28, 2013Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Allon G Englman, Joel R. Jaffe, Shridhar P. Joshi, Michael W. Mastropietro, Alfred Thomas
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Patent number: 8444474Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes an accumulation-bonus feature which allows a player to cache awards to a bonus object. A player selects when to use the bonus object in a secondary playfield to enhance the cached awards.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2010Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Joel R. Jaffe, Michael W. Mastropietro
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Patent number: 8444467Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 15, 2010Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Allon G. Englman, Joel R. Jaffe, Wayne H. Rothschild
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Patent number: 8444482Abstract: Multi-player games that foster cooperation or competition between players. A multi-player wagering game system includes a first display to display a first wagering game; a first input device corresponding to the first display to accept input from a first player; a second display to display a second wagering game, the second display being adjacent to the first display; a second input device corresponding to the second display to accept input from a second player; and a bonus display to display a bonus game. The bonus game receiving input from both the first and the second input devices. Computer software causes the first wagering game and the second wagering game to be executed. A multi-person seating device is configured to permit the first player and the second player to sit side-by-side in front of the first display and the second display, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2011Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Dion K. Aoki, Benjamin T. Gomez, Joel R. Jaffe, Daniel Louie, Jamie W. Vann
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Patent number: 8435120Abstract: A wagering game in which a bonus event is triggered and during the bonus event possible bonus awards are displayed on corresponding displays of electronic gaming devices (EGDs) and eliminated one at a time until the predetermined bonus award remains and is revealed to the player. The EGDs are linked together to a main controller, and a predetermined bonus award is randomly determined for each EGD. The main controller stores all of the predetermined bonus awards for all of the EGDs participating in the bonus event, and communicates a subset of possible bonus awards to each of the EGDs, where each subset includes the predetermined bonus award to be awarded at each EGD and at least one decoy bonus award that will not be awarded. The EGDs display a bonus award show in which the decoy bonus awards are eliminated, one at a time, preferably such that the highest valued decoy bonus awards are eliminated last, until one remaining predetermined bonus award is revealed to the player.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2010Date of Patent: May 7, 2013Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Jeremy M. Hornik, Joel R. Jaffe
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Patent number: 8419519Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes an input device for receiving a wager to play a wagering game. The gaming system further includes a primary display (14) for displaying a first array of symbols (173) that indicates a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game. The gaming system further includes a secondary display (16) for displaying a secondary array of symbols (181) that indicates a secondary outcome of the wagering game. In response to a predetermined criterion, at least one winning symbol (175a, 175c) is moved from a first position in the first array to a second position in the secondary array to create a modified secondary array that indicates a winning outcome.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2007Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Dion K Aoki, Allon G. Englman, Joel R. Jaffe, Shridhar P. Joshi, Larry J. Pacey, Alfred Thomas
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Patent number: 8388435Abstract: A method of playing a wagering game comprises receiving a wager, and generating a randomly selected first outcome of a first wagering game, the first outcome comprising a first plurality of symbols arranged in a first matrix. The method further comprises generating a randomly selected second outcome of a second wagering game, the second outcome comprising a second plurality of symbols arranged in a second matrix, and simultaneously displaying the first outcome and the second outcome on at least one display. The method further comprises detecting an occurrence of a triggering event, in response to the triggering event, copying a first special symbol occurring in the first outcome into the second outcome to yield a modified second outcome, and evaluating the first outcome and the modified second outcome for winning combinations of symbols.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2009Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Peter R. Anderson, Allon G. Englman, Benjamin T. Gomez, Joel R. Jaffe, Daniel P. Louie
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Patent number: 8371919Abstract: A gaming system for playing a wagering game includes a plurality of gaming machines configured to receive a wagering input and to access a group game including a persistent-state gaming environment. A controller is configured to maintain the persistent-state gaming environment and to control game play within the persistent-state gaming environment. The persistent-state gaming environment is configured to permit ingress and egress of players into and out of the persistent-state gaming environment.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2007Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Jeremy M. Hornik, Joel R. Jaffe, Larry J. Pacey, Jamie Vann
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Publication number: 20130023337Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include presenting a wagering game on a display device of a wagering game machine. The operations can also include detecting head movements and facial gestures of a player of the wagering game via a video capture device of the wagering game machine, and generating player input data based on the head movements and facial gestures of the player. The operations can further include modifying wagering game content based on the player input data associated with the head movements and facial gestures of the player, and presenting results of the wagering game on the display device of the wagering game machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2010Publication date: January 24, 2013Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Travis L. Bowers, Mark B. Gagner, Timothy T. Gronkowski, Damon E. Gura, Joel R. Jaffe, John F. LaSalvia, James E. Motyl, Victor T. Shi, Jorge L. Shimabukuro, Mark K. Trego, Michael C. Ward
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Patent number: 8348747Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 28, 2012Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: 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
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Publication number: 20130005442Abstract: Wagering game systems including gaming chairs are described herein. In some embodiments, a method includes receiving, in a wagering game machine, access information identifying a wagering game player, and determining the wagering game players motion profile associated with a gaming chair connected to the wagering game machine, wherein the motion profile indicates movements of the gaming chair that are acceptable to the wagering game player. The method also includes determining prescribed motions for the gaming chair, wherein the prescribed motions are associated with wagering game events, and determining that one of the wagering game events occurred on the wagering game machine. The method also includes moving the gaining chair in accordance with the prescribed motions for the gaming chair and the wagering game players motion profile.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2010Publication date: January 3, 2013Applicant: WMS GAMING, INC.Inventors: Eric V. Erickson, Timothy T. Gronkowski, Joel R. Jaffe, Paul M. Lesley, Scott A. Massing, Alfred Thomas
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Publication number: 20120329551Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2012Publication date: December 27, 2012Applicant: 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 Vann, Matthew J. Ward
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Patent number: 8337300Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include presenting a skill-based wagering game on a wagering game machine. The skill-based wagering game can have a limited winnable award amount for the skill-based wagering game. The operations can also include tracking skilled game goals that a player accomplishes during the skill-based wagering game and awarding the player from the limited winnable award amount. The operations can also include determining a surplus amount that was not earned from the limited winnable award amount, and awarding some, or all, of the surplus amount during subsequent activity. In some embodiments, the operations can also include allocating the surplus amount to wagering game pools, distributing the surplus amount as tokens based on triggered activities, and presenting game modifiers that enable players to enhance performance in a skill-based game.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2009Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: WMS Gaming. Inc.Inventors: Travis L. Bowers, Joel R. Jaffe, John F. LaSalvia, Michael W. Mastropietro, Scott H. Schulhof, Richard T. Schwartz, Jorge L. Shimabukuro, Bruce E. Urban, Michael C. Ward
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Publication number: 20120322535Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2012Publication date: December 20, 2012Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Allon G. Englman, Joel R. Jaffe, Jeremy M. Hornik, Larry J. Pacey
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Publication number: 20120322527Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2012Publication date: December 20, 2012Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Dion K. Aoki, Timothy T. Gronkowski, Joel R. Jaffe, Timothy C. Loose
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Patent number: 8328636Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 26, 2007Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Joel R. Jaffe, Jamie Vann
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Publication number: 20120302302Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes at least one input device configured to receive a wager, at least one display device configured to display a wagering game, one or more thermal devices configured to produce a thermal effect, at least one controller in operative communication with the one or more thermal devices, at least one memory device storing instructions. When the instructions are executed by the at least one controller, the one or more thermal devices to produce a thermal effect according to an aspect of the wagering game.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2012Publication date: November 29, 2012Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Vernon W. Hamlin, Dion K. Aoki, Charles R. Bleich, Mary M. Burke, Joel R. Jaffe, Timothy C. Loose, Craig J. Sylla
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Patent number: 8317586Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to acquire an original player input value associated with a wagering game. One or more simulations may be run in reverse from a randomly selected statistical outcome to determine at least one of a modified starting game parameter value, a modified intermediate-time game parameter value, and a modified player input value. Original starting game parameter values, intermediate-time game parameter values, and/or player input values may be modified to provide the modified starting game parameter values, intermediate-time game parameter values, and player input values, respectively. At least a portion of the simulation running forward based on the modified values may be displayed. Other apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2008Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Marwan Ansari, Allon Englman, Vernon W. Hamlin, Jeremy Hornik, Joel R. Jaffe