Patents by Inventor Jun Hirato
Jun Hirato 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: 9105149Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 27, 2012Date of Patent: August 11, 2015Assignees: UNIVERSAL ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION, ARUZE GAMING AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Jun Hirato, Kou Kobayashi
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Patent number: 9053612Abstract: A gaming machine of the present invention includes: a light application device configured to apply visible light representing visual information which enables recognition of information related to games on a reel band, The or each of one or more reels has a mirror layer which reflects the visible light from the light application device. The light application device is disposed in an area outside the window frame of the display window so that the visible light is applied to the reel, on the side of the reel band, and is used as a front light device that emits visible light which is not representing the visual information.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2013Date of Patent: June 9, 2015Assignees: Universal Entertainment Corporation, Aruza Gaming America, Inc.Inventors: Yoshinori Kondo, Jun Hirato, Kenta Kitamura, Takehisa Itagaki
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Patent number: 9022871Abstract: A gaming machine has sticker pasting portions onto which stickers with decorative images are pasted, around each of a plurality of displays thereof. Each sticker pasting portion has a sticker pasting surface and a raised portion. Owing to stickers pasted onto sticker pasting portions, the gaming machine harmonizes with an atmosphere of a game arcade.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2009Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: Aruze Gaming America, Inc.Inventor: Jun Hirato
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Publication number: 20150080107Abstract: There is provided a gaming machine capable of providing an effect for symbol display during a stop and/or rotation of a reel, by use of a totally non-conventional effect element, which is an angle of a line of sight to an outer circumferential surface of the reel. Reel strips M32 each having symbols 501 are respectively disposed on outer circumferential surfaces of cylindrical reels M31 each configured to be rotated with its cylinder central axis being held at a predetermined position. Each reel strip M32 includes a color shifting layer M321 configured to selectively reflect and transmit predetermined wavelengths of visible light depending on the incident angle.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2014Publication date: March 19, 2015Inventors: Jun HIRATO, Motomichi SATO, Keita SHIMURA, Masumi SAKAMOTO, Takuto NAKAYAMA
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Patent number: 8953248Abstract: A gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a first display panel configured to display game images of a game, the first display panel including a screen facing downward; a plurality of first beam splitters disposed under the first display panel and inclined with respect to the screen to partially reflect the images from the first the display panel into a forward direction; a background image generator disposed rear to the first beam splitters and generating background images, the background images from the background image generator passing through the first beam splitters toward the forward direction to overlap the game images; and a controller configured to execute the game and to control the first display panel.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2013Date of Patent: February 10, 2015Assignees: Universal Entertainment Corporation, Aruze Gaming America, Inc.Inventors: Kenta Kitamura, Jun Hirato, Takashi Izawa, Keita Shimura
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Publication number: 20150018092Abstract: A gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: at least one display panel configured to display images of a game, the display panel including a screen facing downward; at least one beam splitter disposed under the display panel and inclined with respect to the screen to partially reflect the images from the display panel into a forward direction; and a controller configured to execute the game and to control the display panel, wherein an image from each of the at least one display panel is reflected by at least one of the at least one beam splitter.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 5, 2013Publication date: January 15, 2015Inventors: Kenta Kitamura, Jun Hirato, Takashi Izawa, Keita Shimura
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Publication number: 20150009575Abstract: A gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a first display panel configured to display game images of a game, the first display panel including a screen facing downward; a plurality of first beam splitters disposed under the first display panel and inclined with respect to the screen to partially reflect the images from the first the display panel into a forward direction; a background image generator disposed rear to the first beam splitters and generating background images, the background images from the background image generator passing through the first beam splitters toward the forward direction to overlap the game images; and a controller configured to execute the game and to control the first display panel.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 5, 2013Publication date: January 8, 2015Inventors: Kenta Kitamura, Jun Hirato, Takashi Izawa, Keita Shimura
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Publication number: 20140370963Abstract: A gaming machine includes a symbol display device, a top box, and a controller. The symbol display device is capable of variably displaying and then rearranging a plurality of symbols. The top box is disposed at an upper part of the symbol display device and has an illumination target disposed on a front face and a plurality of visual recognition targets disposed therein. The controller is programmed to: variably display and then rearrange symbols on the symbol display device to thereby execute a normal game; execute an animation character acquisition game for acquiring a specific animation character from among a plurality of animation characters in accordance with specific symbols being rearranged in the normal game; and move at least one visual recognition target from among the plurality of visual recognition targets, based on a result of the animation character acquisition game. This configuration enables a player to be given notice in a mode of moving a visual recognition target in the top box.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2014Publication date: December 18, 2014Inventors: Jun HIRATO, Takeshi ISO, Megumi SHIMOHATA, Kou KOBAYASHI
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Publication number: 20140339767Abstract: In a reel band, the transmittance of the light emitted from a backlight is adjusted without using a sheet for decreasing the transmittance, and the reel band is decorated without resort to printing. A reel band M32 includes: a translucent base layer M320; a symbol print layer M322 laminated on an outer side of the base layer M320 with respect to a direction of a thickness of the base layer M320 to form a plurality of symbols 501; and a mesh pattern layer M321 having rough texture and laminated on a portion of the base layer which portion is different from portions on which at least the plurality of symbols 501 are formed when viewed from a direction in which the layer is laminated, the mesh pattern layer M321 including a shield area M3211 configured to attenuate applied light and a non-laminated area M3212 configured to pass applied light.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2014Publication date: November 20, 2014Inventor: Jun HIRATO
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Publication number: 20140342794Abstract: A gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a display panel configured to display images of a game, the display panel including a screen facing downward; a partial mirror disposed under the display panel and inclined with respect to the screen to partially reflect the images from the display panel into a forward direction; and a controller configured to execute the game and to control the display panel.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2013Publication date: November 20, 2014Applicants: Aruze Gaming America, Inc., Universal Entertainment CorporationInventors: Kenta Kitamura, Jun Hirato, Takashi Izawa, Keita Shimura
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Publication number: 20140342824Abstract: A gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a display panel configured to display images of a game, the display panel including a screen facing downward; a partial mirror disposed under the display panel and inclined with respect to the screen to partially reflect the images from the display panel into a forward direction; a background member disposed rear to the partial mirror such that an image of the background member passes through the partial mirror into the forward direction to overlap the images from the display panel; and a controller configured to execute the game and to control the display panel.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2013Publication date: November 20, 2014Applicants: Aruze Gaming America, Inc., Universal Entertainment CorporationInventors: Kenta Kitamura, Jun Hirato, Takashi Izawa, Keita Shimura
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Patent number: 8882600Abstract: A slot machine has a frontward projecting portion which is projected frontward of the slot machine from a lower end of a main display provided in a cabinet. The frontward projecting portion has an armrest, a control panel, etc., each of which serves as a human contact portion which comes in contact with a part of a player's body. The lower end of a display surface of the main display is positioned lower than the human contact portions (armrest and control panel).Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2009Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignees: Universal Entertainment Corporation, Aruze Gaming America, Inc.Inventors: Kazuo Okada, Masaki Matsuno, Jun Hirato, Tetsuya Yokota
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Patent number: 8845413Abstract: A gaming machine includes a symbol display device, a top box, and a controller. The symbol display device is capable of variably displaying and then rearranging a plurality of symbols. The top box is disposed at an upper part of the symbol display device and has an illumination target disposed on a front face and a plurality of visual recognition targets disposed therein. The controller is programmed to: variably display and then rearrange symbols on the symbol display device to thereby execute a normal game; execute an animation character acquisition game for acquiring a specific animation character from among a plurality of animation characters in accordance with specific symbols being rearranged in the normal game; and move at least one visual recognition target from among the plurality of visual recognition targets, based on a result of the animation character acquisition game. This configuration enables a player to be given notice in a mode of moving a visual recognition target in the top box.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2010Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignees: Universal Entertainment Corporation, Aruze Gaming America, Inc.Inventors: Jun Hirato, Takeshi Iso, Megumi Shimohata, Kou Kobayashi
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Publication number: 20140094253Abstract: To provide a gaming machine which holds a player's attention until symbols are rearranged by reel actions. The operation of the scroll of symbols of a first scroll line is changed under a condition that predetermined symbols are arranged on a pay line in a state where symbols of at least one first scroll line among a plurality of scroll lines are scrolled and symbols of remaining second scroll lines are stopped.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2013Publication date: April 3, 2014Applicants: Aruze Gaming America, Inc., Universal Entertainment CorporationInventors: Jun HIRATO, Motomichi SATO, Kenta KITAMURA, Kazuo OKADA
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Publication number: 20140024432Abstract: A method of manufacturing a reel for a slot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: forming an opening in a reel strip on which a plurality of first symbols are printed; forming a second symbol on an optical sheet by vacuum forming the optical sheet to form a symbol piece, the second symbol including a protrusion and a depression; attaching the symbol piece to the reel strip such that the second symbol is exposed through the opening of the reel strip; and attaching the reel strip to a reel frame for the slot machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2013Publication date: January 23, 2014Applicants: Aruze Gaming America, Inc., Universal Entertainment CorporationInventors: Jun HIRATO, Kou KOBAYASHI, Motomichi SATO, Takuto NAKAYAMA, Yoshitomo SASAKI, Satoshi JOKO
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Publication number: 20130288807Abstract: The gaming machine includes: a cabinet having a display window; one or more reels disposed in the cabinet so that the or each reel is visible from outside the cabinet through the display window, the or each of the one or more reels being provided with a reel band having symbols; and a light application device configured to apply visible light representing visual information which enables recognition of information related to games to the reel band. The or each of one or more reels has a mirror layer which reflects the visible light from the light application device. The light application device is disposed in an area outside the window frame of the display window so that the visible light is applied to the reel, on the side of the reel band.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2013Publication date: October 31, 2013Applicants: Aruze Gaming America, Inc., Universal Entertainment CorporationInventors: Yoshinori KONDO, Jun HIRATO, Kenta KITAMURA, Takehisa ITAGAKI
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Publication number: 20130288806Abstract: The gaming machine includes: a cabinet having a display window; one or more reels disposed in the cabinet so that the or each reel is visible from outside the cabinet through the display window, the or each of the one or more reels being provided with a reel band having symbols; and a light application device configured to apply visible light representing visual information which enables recognition of information related to games to the reel band. The or each of one or more reels has a mirror layer which reflects the visible light from the light application device. The light application device is disposed in a position out of a sight area in which the one or more reels are visible from outside the cabinet through the display window.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2013Publication date: October 31, 2013Applicants: Aruze Gaming America, Inc., Universal Entertainment CorporationInventors: Yoshinori KONDO, Jun HIRATO, Kenta KITAMURA, Takehisa ITAGAKI
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Publication number: 20130288774Abstract: A gaming machine of the present invention includes: a light application device configured to apply visible light representing visual information which enables recognition of information related to games on a reel band, The or each of one or more reels has a mirror layer which reflects the visible light from the light application device. The light application device is disposed in an area outside the window frame of the display window so that the visible light is applied to the reel, on the side of the reel band, and is used as a front light device that emits visible light which is not representing the visual information.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2013Publication date: October 31, 2013Applicants: Aruze Gaming America, Inc., Universal Entertainment CorporationInventors: Yoshinori KONDO, Jun HIRATO, Kenta KITAMURA, Takehisa ITAGAKI
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Publication number: 20130288773Abstract: An object of the gaming machine is to simultaneously display symbols and visual information with a simple structure, while displaying the symbols clearly. The gaming machine includes: one or more reels each provided with a reel band having one or more symbols; and a light application device configured to apply visible light representing visual information which enables recognition of information related to games on an outer circumference of the one or more reels. The reel band has a mirror layer which reflects the visible light from the light application device.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2013Publication date: October 31, 2013Applicants: Aruze Gaming America, Inc., Universal Entertainment CorporationInventors: Yoshinori KONDO, Jun HIRATO, Kenta KITAMURA, Takehisa ITAGAKI
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Publication number: 20130260858Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2012Publication date: October 3, 2013Applicants: ARUZE GAMING AMERICA, INC., Universal Entertainment CorporationInventors: Jun HIRATO, Kou Kobayashi