Patents by Inventor Kenta Kitamura

Kenta Kitamura 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: 8622818
    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: September 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignees: Universal Entertainment Corporation, Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventors: Masumi Fujisawa, Kenta Kitamura, Takehisa Itagaki, Masafumi Uchida, Makoto Miyawaki
  • Patent number: 8616965
    Abstract: A gaming machine executing the processing of (A) accepting an input for placing a normal bet; (B) accepting an input for placing a side bet different from the normal bet, (C) starting a card game and displaying a player initial card on a display; (D) determining a result of a side game based on the player initial card, when a side bet has been placed; and (E) offering a first payout based on the result of the side game, advancing the card game to determine a result of the card game, and offering a second payout based on the result of the card game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignees: Universal Entertainment Corp., Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventors: Yukinori Inamura, Kenta Kitamura, Hiroki Munakata
  • Patent number: 8597102
    Abstract: A gaming machine 10 includes: a display device configured to display a plurality of symbols to be continuously arranged; and a controller 30. The controller 30 executes processing operations of: (a1) sequentially executing game processing for a plurality of players and then according to a result of the game processing, determining any of the symbols is to be assigned to a respective one of the players; (a2) paying out a prize according to the symbols that are assigned according to a result of the determination; and (a3) generating a scramble event in which the assigned symbols are scrambled between the plurality of players, in a case where the prize is identical as to the plurality of players.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignees: Universal Entertainment Corporation, Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenta Kitamura, Yoichi Kato, Makoto Miyawaki, Hiromoto Yamauchi
  • Publication number: 20130310148
    Abstract: A gaming machine selects a control data corresponding to a type of a game result among a plurality of control data for controlling a door. Each control data includes at least one position data for determining a position of the door, and the at least one position data corresponds to at least one of a position data for fully closing the door, a position data for fully opening the door, or at least one position data for partially opening the door. The gaming machine selects a display data corresponding to the selected control data among a plurality of display data, displays on the display panel an image according to the selected display data, controls the door using at least one position data of the selected control data; and displays the game result on the first display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventors: Kenta KITAMURA, Masumi FUJISAWA, Hiroki SAITO
  • Publication number: 20130310173
    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: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicants: Aruze Gaming America, Inc., Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi JOKO, Hiroatsu IKE, Kenta KITAMURA, Kazuo OKADA
  • Publication number: 20130310171
    Abstract: A display device for a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a display panel configured to display images for a game; 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 first guide and a second sliding door configured to move along a second guide; and a driving unit configured to drive the first sliding door, wherein the shutter assembly is configured to make friction between the second sliding door and the second guide greater than friction between the first sliding door and the first guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicants: ARUZE GAMING AMERICA, INC., Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi JOKO, Hiroatsu IKE, Kenta KITAMURA
  • Publication number: 20130310136
    Abstract: A gaming machine executes a normal mode game to rearrange symbols on the first display, based on at least one first table for determining symbols to be rearranged in the normal mode game, and triggers a chance mode game including a plurality of chance rounds when the rearranged symbols satisfies a first condition. The gaming machine closes the door when the chance mode game is triggered, and determining a chance type of the chance mode game. The gaming machine executes each chance round of the chance mode game to rearrange the symbols based on a second table for the determined chance type among a plurality of second tables, by controlling opening or closing of the door and displaying an object image on the display panel according to the determined chance type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicants: ARUZE GAMING AMERICA, INC., Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventors: Kenta Kitamura, Masumi Fujisawa, Hiroki Saito
  • Publication number: 20130310172
    Abstract: A display device includes: a display screen configured to display an image for a game; a first sliding door in front of the display screen, the first sliding door driven by a motor to move along a first guide to open and close the display screen; a rotation axis configured to rotate based on variation of an opening area of the display screen due to movement of the first sliding door; a magnetic sensor configured to detect rotation of the rotation axis; and a controller configured determine position of the first sliding door based on a magnetic sensor signal from the magnetic sensor and to control the movement of the first sliding door based on the selected door control data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicants: ARUZE GAMING AMERICA, INC., Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi JOKO, Hiroatsu Ike, Kenta Kitamura
  • Publication number: 20130310170
    Abstract: A display device for a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a display panel configured to display images for a game; 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 first guide and a second sliding door configured to move along a second guide; and a driving unit configured to drive the first sliding door, wherein at least one of the first sliding door and the second sliding door includes a catching member configured to catch another of the first sliding door and the second sliding door such that the second sliding door follows movement of the first sliding door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicants: ARUZE GAMING AMERICA, INC., Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi JOKO, Hiroatsu Ike, Kenta Kitamura
  • Publication number: 20130310138
    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: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicants: Aruze Gaming America, Inc., Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventors: Kenta KITAMURA, Masumi Fujisawa, Hiroki Saito, Hiroatsu Ike, Satoshi Joko, Kazuo Okada
  • Publication number: 20130303257
    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: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicants: Aruze Gaming America, Inc., Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventors: Kenta KITAMURA, Tatsuya Teranishi, Masumi Fujisawa
  • Publication number: 20130288772
    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: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicants: Aruze Gaming America, Inc., Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventors: Kenta KITAMURA, Kenji ENOKIDO, Hiromoto YAMAUCHI
  • Publication number: 20130288791
    Abstract: A gaming machine with more gaming excitement is provided. The gaming machine includes: a cabinet; an upper image display panel which is provided on the cabinet and is a display o which an effect image is displayed as an effect; a sensor configured to detect a touch operation by a player; a lamp body which is a three-dimensional formed object, and a formed object unit which is detachable to the cabinet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicants: Aruze Gaming America, Inc., Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventors: Kenta Kitamura, Kenji Enokido, Keita Shimura
  • Publication number: 20130288774
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicants: Aruze Gaming America, Inc., Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshinori KONDO, Jun HIRATO, Kenta KITAMURA, Takehisa ITAGAKI
  • Publication number: 20130288792
    Abstract: A gaming machine with more gaming excitement is provided. The gaming machine includes: a cabinet; an upper image display panel which is provided on the cabinet and displays an effect image concerning a game; a lamp body unit which includes a lamp body which is a formed object and a sensor configured to detect the player's gesture with respect to the lamp body and is provided at a position different from the upper image display panel when viewed from the front surface of the cabinet; and a controller used to start the game, and the controller detects the player's gesture by the sensor at a timing corresponding to the state of the game and displays an effect image corresponding to the detected player's gesture on the upper image display panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicants: Aruze Gaming America, Inc., Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventors: Masumi FUJISAWA, Kenta Kitamura, Kenji Enokido, Keita Shimura, Kou Kobayashi, Hiroki Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20130288806
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicants: Aruze Gaming America, Inc., Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshinori KONDO, Jun HIRATO, Kenta KITAMURA, Takehisa ITAGAKI
  • Publication number: 20130288773
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicants: Aruze Gaming America, Inc., Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshinori KONDO, Jun HIRATO, Kenta KITAMURA, Takehisa ITAGAKI
  • Publication number: 20130288807
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicants: Aruze Gaming America, Inc., Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshinori KONDO, Jun HIRATO, Kenta KITAMURA, Takehisa ITAGAKI
  • Publication number: 20130288797
    Abstract: A gaming machine with more gaming excitement is provided. The gaming machine includes: a lamp body provided with LEDs so that the lighting state thereof is viewable from the outside; a sensor configured to detect a player's gesture with respect to the lamp body 132; and a controller used to start a game, the controller starting the detection of the player's gesture by the sensor at a timing corresponding to the state of the game, and causing the LEDs to emit light in a light emission mode in sync with the detected player's gesture while the player's gesture is being detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicants: Aruze Gaming America, Inc., Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventors: Kenta KITAMURA, Kenji ENOKIDO, Kou KOBAYASHI
  • Publication number: 20130288756
    Abstract: A gaming machine with more gaming excitement is provided. The gaming machine includes a cabinet; a lamp body provided on a front surface of the cabinet; a sensor configured to detect a player's gesture with respect to the lamp body; an image display panel configured to execute an effect in sync with the gesture; and a controller used to start a game, the controller starting the detection of the player's gesture by the sensor at a timing corresponding to the state of the game, and while the player's gesture is being detected, executing the effect by the upper image display panel in sync with the detected player's gesture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicants: Aruze Gaming America, Inc., Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventors: Masumi FUJISAWA, Kenta KITAMURA, Kenji ENOKIDO, Hiroki NAKAMURA, Hidekazu SUZUKI, Hiromoto YAMAUCHI