Patents Assigned to Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
  • Gaming machine
    Patent number: 9159197
    Abstract: On a lower image display panel 141, a game result of a game of rearranging symbols 501 is randomly determined. When the game result is winning of a bonus game, a first bonus game in which an in-bonus game such as a free game is executed more than once is executed. When the game result of the in-bonus game in the first bonus game is bonus winning, an indication effect indicating the winning of a second bonus game is executed during the execution of the first bonus game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignees: UNIVERSAL ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION, ARUZE GAMING AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Masumi Fujisawa, Kenta Kitamura, Susumu Mio, Makoto Miyawaki
  • Slot machine including a plurality of video reel strips
    Patent number: 9159201
    Abstract: On the slot machine, a slot game including a base game and free games is caused to proceed on a display. On the base game reel strips, on all of a plurality of reels, symbols whose each kind is the same, other than feature symbols and wild symbols, are arranged in succession. On the free game reel strips, on all of a plurality of reels, symbols whose each kind is the same, other than the feature symbols and the wild symbols, are arranged in succession and in addition thereto, only in a case of top symbols whose payout multiplying factor is the highest, the top symbols whose number is larger than a number of top symbols displayed on the base game reel strips are arranged in succession.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignees: UNIVERSAL ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION, ARUZE GAMING AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Yukinori Inamura, Yoichi Kato, Kazuo Okada, Yuji Miyagawa, Hiroki Nakamura, Takeshi Narita, Hiromoto Yamauchi
  • Gaming machine
    Patent number: 9153104
    Abstract: Highly entertaining games are provided. When a trigger condition is established in a normal game, the following processes are executed: a process of shifting to a bonus game in which a re-trigger condition which is less stringent than the trigger condition may be established; a process of executing a free game at least once in the bonus game; and a process of increasing the number of times of execution of the free game in the bonus game, when the re-trigger condition is established in the bonus game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignees: Universal Entertainment Corporation, Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventors: Takehisa Itagaki, Yoichi Kato, Toshitaka Suzuki
  • Gaming machine
    Patent number: 9153103
    Abstract: A gaming machine with more gaming excitement is provided. The gaming machine includes: a symbol display device configured to display a result of a game by rearranging symbols in cells forming a matrix; and a controller used to start a base game requiring betting, a free game not requiring betting, and a plurality of types of bonus games. The controller is programmed to execute the steps of: executing a base game of randomly determining symbols to be rearranged in the symbol display device; determining whether a specific symbol is to be rearranged in a predetermined region of the symbol display device, the predetermined region including at least one cell; executing a free game of randomly determining symbols to be rearranged in the symbol display device; determining whether the specific symbol is to be rearranged in the predetermined region; and executing any one of the types of the bonus games.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignees: Universal Entertainment Corporation, Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenta Kitamura, Kenji Enokido, Hiromoto Yamauchi
  • Gaming machine and control method thereof
    Patent number: 9135782
    Abstract: To provide a gaming machine and a control method therefor, having a new entertainment characteristics, a slot machine 10 of the present invention, when a “BONUS” symbol 250 associated with a pick-up bonus game is selected, receives selection of any one of twenty little pig's noses 210 displayed. Then, a benefit associated with the selected little pig's nose 210 is awarded. When the benefit to be awarded is a “stick house” 218 which means “step-up”, a step-up occurs to the stick house stage and the expectation value for a payout is raised. Thus, when one little pig's nose 210 is selected out of the twenty little pig's noses 210 displayed in the stick house stage, the payout amount of the benefit associated with the little pig's nose 210 is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignees: UNIVERSAL ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION, ARUZE GAMING AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Hiroki Nakamura
  • Gaming machine, gaming system, and gaming method
    Patent number: 9135783
    Abstract: In a gaming machine, a controller rearranges symbols in a base game, and triggers a bonus game when a combination of the symbols rearranged in the base game satisfies a predetermined condition. The controller executes each unit game of the bonus game based on a bet betted by the player, determines a number of cells by which the character moves along with the course in each unit game, and moves the character from a current cell to a destination cell according to the number of cells in each unit game. The controller performs an event corresponding to the destination cell in each unit cell, and determines an award of the goal cell based on an average bet per unit game when the character arrives at the goal cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignees: UNIVERSAL ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION, ARUZE GAMING AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Hiromoto Yamauchi
  • Gaming machine and control method thereof
    Patent number: 9135781
    Abstract: To provide a gaming machine and a control method therefor, having a new entertainment characteristics, a slot machine 10 of the present invention, when a “BONUS” symbol 250 associated with a pick-up bonus game is selected, receives selection of any one of twenty little pig's noses 210 displayed. Then, a benefit associated with the selected little pig's nose 210 is awarded. When the benefit to be awarded is a “stick house” 218 which means “step-up”, a step-up occurs to the stick house stage and the expectation value for a payout is raised. Thus, when one little pig's nose 210 is selected out of the twenty little pig's noses 210 displayed in the stick house stage, the payout amount of the benefit associated with the little pig's nose 210 is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignees: UNIVERSAL ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION, ARUZE GAMING AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Hiroki Nakamura
  • Display device for gaming machine and gaming machine including the same
    Patent number: 9126112
    Abstract: A display device for a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a shutter assembly configured to cover and uncover the display panel at least in part, the shutter assembly including a first sliding door configured to move along a guide; and a driving unit configured to drive the first sliding door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignees: UNIVERSAL ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION, ARUZE GAMING AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Satoshi Joko, Hiroatsu Ike, Kenta Kitamura, Kazuo Okada
  • Gaming machine and control method thereof
    Patent number: 9129491
    Abstract: The controller of the gaming machine executing processing operations of: (a) determining a magnification of a respective one of plural kinds of colors which are produced in a color displayable manner by means of the multiple color light emitting backlight and then displaying on the display; (b) determining a light emitting color by means of the multiple color light emitting backlight and then controlling light emission in the determined color; and (c) executing a payout of a number which is obtained by multiplying the magnification that corresponds to the color determined in the processing (b), from among the magnifications of the respective colors, the magnifications being determined in the processing (a), for a payment that corresponds to the pattern of the specific symbols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignees: UNIVERSAL ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION, ARUZE GAMING AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Masumi Fujisawa, Kenta Kitamura, Takehisa Itagaki, Masafumi Uchida, Makoto Miyawaki
  • Gaming machine and control method thereof
    Patent number: 9129480
    Abstract: To provide a gaming machine and a control method therefor, having a new entertainment characteristics, a slot machine 10 of the present invention, when a “BONUS” symbol 250 associated with a pick-up bonus game is selected, receives selection of any one of twenty little pig's noses 210 displayed. Then, a benefit associated with the selected little pig's nose 210 is awarded. When the benefit to be awarded is a “stick house” 218 which means “step-up”, a step-up occurs to the stick house stage and the expectation value for a payout is raised. Thus, when one little pig's nose 210 is selected out of the twenty little pig's noses 210 displayed in the stick house stage, the payout amount of the benefit associated with the little pig's nose 210 is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignees: Universal Entertainment Corporation, Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventor: Hiroki Nakamura
  • Gaming machine running competing game between gaming terminals
    Patent number: 9117344
    Abstract: The present invention provides a gaming machine including gaming terminals having high payout rate without increasing loss on the management side. When a result of a base game associated with a payout is obtained, the gaming machine determines whether at least a competing game condition associated with the payout is satisfied or not and, when it is determined that the competing game condition is satisfied, sets neighboring gaming terminals as opponents. When the opponent participates in a competing game, a competing game for winning a payout by competing against the opponent is run. According to a result of the competing game, at least a part of the payout is given to the winner of the competing game, and no payout is given to the loser of the competing game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignees: UNIVERSAL ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION, ARUZE GAMING AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Kenta Kitamura, Masumi Fujisawa, Hiroki Nakamura
  • Gaming machine conducting indication effect
    Patent number: 9111423
    Abstract: A gaming machine executes a process of randomly determining symbols to be rearranged on a reel unit. The gaming machine executes a process of determining a combination formed by the symbols. The gaming machine executes a process of selecting from a plurality of choices an indication effect which is executed before the rearrangement of the symbols on the reel unit, based on the determined combination. The gaming machine executes a process of executing the selected indication effect by a notification device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignees: UNIVERSAL ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION, ARUZE GAMING AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Kenta Kitamura, Tatsuya Teranishi, Akira Osawa, Kenji Enokido
  • Reel for gaming machine and gaming machine including the same
    Patent number: 9105149
    Abstract: A cylindrical reel for a slot machine, which includes a plurality of symbols having different patterns is provided. A reel according to an embodiment includes: a reel frame configured to receive rotational force from a rotational axis of a motor; a reel stripe disposed on an entire circumference of the reel frame and having a front surface including a group of the symbols thereon; a symbol piece including: a first surface having a flange shape; and a second surface protruding from the first surface and including one of the plurality of symbols thereon, wherein the reel stripe has at a least one opening exposing the second surface of the symbol piece, and the first surface of the symbol piece is attached to a rear surface of the reel stripe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignees: UNIVERSAL ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION, ARUZE GAMING AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Jun Hirato, Kou Kobayashi
  • Gaming machine having free game, wherein the number of free game to be added is added during free game
    Patent number: 9098977
    Abstract: The present invention provides a gaming machine employing a free game system which provides an enhanced game element. The gaming machine determines the number of adding free game based on a game number lottery table under the condition that a first symbol is rearranged in the symbol display unit in the free game, and adds a preset number of free game under the condition that a second symbol is rearranged in the symbol display unit in the free game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignees: UNIVERSAL ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION, ARUZE GAMING AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Kenta Kitamura, Hiromoto Yamauchi, Masumi Fujisawa
  • Gaming machine having normal game mode and chance game mode
    Patent number: 9087439
    Abstract: The present invention provides a gaming machine which can provide games that are prevented from progressing monotonously and thus can provide a player with a feeling of tension, thereby facilitating the consumption of more gaming media. A currently played chance game is discontinued and the chance game is started afresh from the first game under the condition that a second symbol appears on a symbol display unit upon the number of games being less than a predetermined number in the chance game mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignees: UNIVERSAL ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION, ARUZE GAMING AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Kenta Kitamura, Tatsuya Teranishi, Masumi Fujisawa
  • Gaming machine which rearranges symbols after varying and displaying the symbols
    Patent number: 9082264
    Abstract: Provided is a gaming machine in which elaborate presentation effects for rearranging symbols are rearranged are devised and which has a high game feeling. In the gaming machine 1, upon rearranging wild symbols in a plurality of columns, instead of randomly rearranging the wild symbols, when a plurality of wild symbols to be rearranged in the same one column, a character is caused to appear at one time with respect to the plurality of wild symbols, thereby rearranging the plurality of wild symbols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignees: UNIVERSAL ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION, ARUZE GAMING AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Masumi Fujisawa, Takehisa Itagaki, Yoichi Kato, Daisyun Okamoto, Hiroki Munakata
  • Gaming machine which rearranges symbols after varying and displaying the symbols
    Patent number: 9082265
    Abstract: Provided is a gaming machine in which elaborate presentation effects for rearranging wild symbols are devised and which has a high game feeling. In the gaming machine, when the wild symbols are rearranged in a plurality of columns, on the condition that winning has occurred in a drawing, premium presentation effects are performed. When it is determined that the wild symbols are rearranged in the plurality of columns, the wild symbols are rearranged in each one column when the character appears at one time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignees: UNIVERSAL ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION, ARUZE GAMING AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Masumi Fujisawa, Takehisa Itagaki, Yoichi Kato, Daisyun Okamoto, Hiroki Munakata
  • Gaming machine and gaming method
    Patent number: 9076286
    Abstract: A gaming machine including a plurality of reels, a first driver, a rendering device, a second driver, and a controller is provided. Each of the reels spins and rearranges a plurality of symbols in a game, and the first driver drive the reels. The rendering device renders a visual effect in synchronization with an operation of the reels, and the second driver drives the rendering device. The controller controls the reels and the rendering device and synchronizes the operation of the reels and an operation of the rendering device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignees: UNIVERSAL ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION, ARUZE GAMING AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Kenta Kitamura, Masumi Fujisawa, Hiroki Saito, Hiroatsu Ike, Satoshi Joko, Kazuo Okada
  • Gaming machine displaying predetermined images for displaying a bonus symbol at a predetermined position
    Patent number: 9076301
    Abstract: A gaming machine 13 determines a position of a symbol statically displayed corresponding to a random number thus generated, statically displays the video reels 3A to 3E which were rotationally displayed in sequence, in a case where a bonus game is statically displayed, displays an image corresponding to the total number of the bonus symbols statically displayed on the display every time the video reels 3A to 3E are statically displayed. Furthermore, in a case where the total number of the bonus symbols which were statically displayed is a predetermined number, and when the bonus symbol included in a video reel to be statically displayed next is determined to be stopped at a predetermined stop position, displays a predetermined image on the display while the video reel to be statically displayed next is being rotationally displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: ARUZE GAMING AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Kazuo Okada
  • Gaming terminal with rotatable lever handle
    Patent number: 9064371
    Abstract: By rotating a lever, the upper limit of the angle of inclination and the lower limit of the angle of inclination of a movable range are detected by an inclination detection mechanism, and the upper limit of the angle of inclination and the lower limit of the angle of inclination are stored in a storage unit as the upper limit and the lower limit of the movable range. While a game is being run, the angle of inclination of the lever is detected when the lever is rotated. Whether the angle of inclination falls within the movable range is determined. When the angle is larger than the movable range, the upper limit of the angle of inclination is updated with the angle of inclination. When the angle is smaller than the movable range, the lower limit of the angle of inclination is updated with the angle of inclination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignees: UNIVERSAL ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION, ARUZE GAMING AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Masumi Fujisawa, Takehisa Itagaki, Kensaku Yoshikawa, Daisyun Okamoto, Hiroki Munakata